FICTION WRITING CONTEST
Sponsored by
The Editorial Department
The Editorial Department is the industry leader in book editing and manuscript
development services including editing, coaching, manuscript consultation, and author services.
www.editorialdepartment.com
GUIDELINES
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for fiction with a strong narrative voice, characters who capture our attention, and a compelling story. Move us and you will win prizes that can help your publishing dreams come true and the recognition you deserve. Seven prizes will be awarded by The Editorial Department that will aid fiction writers in achieving their dreams of publication.
DEADLINE
May 10, 2012
PRIZES
Grand Prize: Self-Editing Memo & Coaching Line-Edit (1 winner)
An in-depth assessment and coaching of an author's writing style, based on the principles of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Editorial Department founder Renni Browne and Dave King. Any self-editing points that would strengthen the author's voice and style are explained at length via editorial memorandum and illustrated with examples from the manuscript and a line-editing sample.
First Prize: A Query & Submissions Packet Evaluation (1 winner)
A written critique and analysis from Andy Meisheimer (formerly an acquisitions editor with Zondervan) and Beth Jusino (who was an award-winning literary agent with Alive Communications before joining us at TED) on the three most important components of a submission to literary agents and publishers. We’ll evaluate the winning sample's readiness for the marketplace with attention to content, style, commercial appeal, and overall presentation and make suggestions as to what's likely to give your submission the best odds of a warm reception. Includes feedback on query letter, synopsis, and up 50 sample pages.
Second Prize: Ten Page Critique (5 winners)
Five second place winners will receive Vital feedback on the pages that matter most from experienced fiction and nonfiction editors who know what agents and publishers are looking for. We’ll provide a detailed written critique of a ten-page (2,500 words) sample, a candid assessment of whether or not your work is ready for the marketplace, and then specific suggestions to make your opening more captivating and to strengthen any weak or problematic areas that might turn a reviewer off.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- The competition is open to paid attendees of the OC Christian Writers Conference held in Newport Beach, CA on May 18, 2012, who have unpublished fiction of any length.
- Any genre may be submitted for the contest. Contest will be judged by a senior editor from The Editorial Department.
- Submit no more than 30 pages, double-spaced, 12pt. type, 1” margins. Type the word count on the first page of your entry, along with your name, street address, daytime phone and email. If you do not include this information, we must disqualify your entry.
- Digital submissions of up to 30 pages will only be accepted in .rtf (rich text), Word doc, or pdf files, double‐spaced, 12‐point font, with page numbers marked.
- You must be registered for the conference to enter. There is no entry fee.
- All entries must be in English, original, and unpublished. However, manuscripts can be currently or have been previously under consideration for publication, representation, or other competitions.
- ENTRIES MADE AFTER MAY 10, 2012 WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
- Winners will be notified at the OCCWF Conference on Saturday, May 19, at the evening awards banquet and need to be present to win.
- Winners’ names and story titles will be published at the OCCWF website after the conference.
- Once you have enrolled for the conference, submit your manuscripts to
occfictionwriters@gmail.com
CONTACT
For questions, contact john@occwf.org
Winners of our 2011 Fiction Writing Contest:
On April 30, 2011, three Christian writers were awarded cash prizes for their fiction craftsmanship:
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