The Independent has begun a nationwide search (in UK and Ireland only) for the next J.K. Rowling. Meaning, they want a brilliant-ass children’s writer. The winner can not have current literary representation and must never have been published (traditionally). This prized person still qualifies even if self published. If chosen, the announced winner will receive a publishing deal with a £5,000 advance, literary agent representation with LBA and a trip to Venice to visit the home of luxury pen-maker Montegrappa.
All the details are here.
Pass this on to all your friends living in the UK and Ireland. Good luck and happy writing!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and Writer of MG/YA Fiction
pdpabst 
Wish this was a world wide thing.
As do many others Jeyna! On the bright side, I believe many agents secretly want to discover the next J.K. Rowling. So the best thing to do is to keep sending queries direct to agents that represent the work you write. Let your writing speak for itself.
Think about this: A friend asked, “Don’t we already have a J.K Rowling? Do we really need another?” There is nothing wrong with being different, a new voice if you will! So stand out from the crowd and be the only you!
Go get your writing on!