CRIME might well pay for northern writers who fancy entering a literary competition with a criminal bent.

The Northern Crime Competition is looking for a new crop of victims, villains and victorious detectives – and a writer from York who was one of the winners in the inaugural competition in 2012 recommends having a go.

Helen Cadbury was one of four writers who saw her novel published, making her debut in the world of crime with To Catch A Rabbit.

The other three winning novels published by Moth were Rebecca Muddiman’s Stolen, Alfie Crow’s Rant and Michael Donovan’s Behind Closed Doors.

Helen certainly recommends entering the competition.

“My dream of being a published novelist came true, thanks to the belief and support of Moth Publishing, and New Writing North,” she says.

“The competition gave me access to a fantastic editor and marketing and distribution team which has ensured the book has been selling really well.

“Andrea Murphy, the Moth Publishing director, has worked tirelessly and got a fantastic promotion in WH Smith; I even found a copy of my book at Heathrow Airport WH Smiths last week.

“New Writing North also introduced me to my agent and provided media training for us.

“Another of the high points was getting to know the other three novelists, Alfie Crow, Michael Donovan and Rebecca Muddiman. It’s a great opportunity, so I’d encourage anyone with a crime novel ready, to give it a go.”

Moth Publishing says: “The aim was to find the most promising new crime-writing talent in the north and we believe we did. All written by debut authors, the Moth books sold over 50,000 ebook and print copies in a year and garnered widespread critical praise from reviewers and readers.”

Moth Publishing is now looking for more fresh new voices, alongside short stories to publish in the Northern Crime Anthology.

The winning novels will be published in print and as e-books in 2015. The winning writers will receive a standard publishing contract, a £1,000 advance, and support to editorially develop their work.

Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, says: “We are interested in finding innovative ways to support and develop new writers, and the idea took shape that there could be a very new kind of creative partnership between the two parties that would support new writers and allow new books to be published.”

Entry fees for the competition are £25 for the novels and £10 for short stories. To find out more visit mothpublishing.com.

•Helen Cadbury, poet John Gilham and Julian Cole will be taking part in a York Literature Festival event on Saturday March 29, 11.30am to 1pm, Quaker Meeting House, Friargate, York.