I learned about this competition from an email I received a week or so ago and thought it would be fun to enter. It is sponsored by Writer's Digest and Book Marketing Works, LLC, and open to bound self-published novels published/republished between 2009 and 2014. There are cash awards, national exposure, reviews, consultations to help get your book in front of major publishers, and numerous other prizes. Take a look at the official completion page for all the information and submission rules HERE.
The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) had a similar self-published completion (their first) last fall, but it had to be a self-published book released that year. And for that reason I didn't enter because I would have had to enter SUSY Asylum and I didn't know how well received submitting a 2nd book in a series would be or how that would be judged. With Writer's Digest's completion, I can submit Provex City, which I think is a much better plan.
So if you too are interested in entering one or more of your self-published books, the early bird entry deadline is April 1st ($99 first entry, $75 each additional entry) and the regular entry deadline is May 1st ($110 first entry, $85 each additional entry). The other nice thing about this competition is that "all entrants will receive a brief commentary from one of the judges." I welcome all feedback, but I'm especially interested in professional feedback. I want to know what the agents and editors think, but it isn't easy to get their feedback. As frustrating as it is, form letter responses are the norm. Well, if you decide to enter, I wish you the best of luck. Now it's time to get back to work. :)
Great contest for self-published authors. Bet the competition is stiff.
ReplyDeleteYou should've entered anyway. My publisher entered my second book in a competition and it won, so it can happen.
I think it might be worth a shot. It certainly would give you lots of exposure.
ReplyDeleteThat's a big entry fee. If it gains one exposure, it's worth it. but it's a gamble whether you do or not, huh?
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You're right - it's tricky to get specific feedback, but SO helpful when you can.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I think it's important for us to take chances and put ourselves out there--do everything we can to push the boundaries, enter things, get feedback. It's all part of the process.
ReplyDeleteAnd Hi Michael! I was thinking about you this week! I hope you're doing well and staying sane. We've got our birthday coming up--I'm never going to forget that we share April 17th!