A Novel Contest

Birol · Aug 20, 2009

This is just a heads up that, come mid-September, or in about three weeks, the AW moderators will be hosting a contest in the Novels forum. Details will be provided closer to the actual date but, in the meantime, anyone who thinks they might want to participate may wish to polish their query letter. Or write one. Just sayin'.

Also, if one of the prizes happened to be a book, what book would you most like to receive? Or is there a paid subscription to something you think might make a good prize? Just askin'.

Namatu · Aug 20, 2009

Does one need a polished manuscript to go with the query?

ChaosTitan · Aug 20, 2009

Not an entire manuscript, but it won't hurt to have some polished pages handy.

Just in case.

Libbie · Aug 21, 2009

Hummm. Sounds interesting. As luck has it, I am writing/polishing my query letter and ms right now anyway, so hopefully I can participate.

KTC · Aug 21, 2009

Awesome, Birol. I look forward to the announcement.

Birol · Aug 21, 2009

It makes me very happy that people are interested in participating. There's always the underlying fear, "What if we host a contest and no one comes?"

Madison · Aug 21, 2009

Ooh, you guys are sounding so mysterious! I'm definitely in.

How about a one-month subscription to Publisher's Marketplace? I dunno what you guys want to pay, but it's only $20 for one month... and a lot of people might like that. I would.

JoNightshade · Aug 21, 2009

Madison said:
Ooh, you guys are sounding so mysterious! I'm definitely in.

How about a one-month subscription to Publisher's Marketplace? I dunno what you guys want to pay, but it's only $20 for one month... and a lot of people might like that. I would.

Actually, I second this. I'd like to try out PM for a month. I've never seen it so it would be cool to actually get a look.

Ken Schneider · Aug 22, 2009

Sounds like a good dry run opportunity prior to real submission.

Birol, more likely you'll be over run with takers.

ElsaM · Aug 22, 2009

If only I had a polished novel ...

I'm afraid I can't recommend anything specifically as a prize - although a book on writing techniques would be appreciated.

Kitty Pryde · Aug 22, 2009

Sounds intriguing! I think an autographed book by one of our fellow AWers would be a rad prize.

Birol · Aug 22, 2009

ElsaM said:
If only I had a polished novel ...
I'm afraid I can't recommend anything specifically as a prize - although a book on writing techniques would be appreciated.

Oh, you don't need a polished novel. Your novel doesn't even have to be finished. All you will need at the beginning of the contest is a polished query. Just to be safe, you might possibly maybe want to have a few polished pages from the beginning of your novel.

kuatolives · Aug 22, 2009

I'll play.

Sassee · Aug 22, 2009

Birol said:
It makes me very happy that people are interested in participating. There's always the underlying fear, "What if we host a contest and no one comes?"

I don't think you're in danger of getting that outcome on a busy writer's forum.

Birol · Sep 12, 2009

The contest has been open for 8 hours and 22 minutes so far (not that I'm counting or anything) and I've received my first entrants.

To play, all you have to do is send a query letter to lori(at)royell(dot)org by Midnight Eastern time Sunday night/Monday morning.

Query letter should be in a .doc or .rtf format and include your AW userid in the body of the e-mail.

It's that simple. Really it is.

Depending on the number of contestants, query letters will be posted on Monday or Tuesday and you, the audience, votes on who goes on to the next round.

And, yes, there are prizes. Cool prizes. Neat prizes. So, don't delay. Send your query letter to lori(at)royell(dot)org.

Sage · Sep 12, 2009

A ha! I knew there must have been a thread for this, but I couldn't find it.

How is the voting going to take place?

Birol · Sep 12, 2009

It will take place by PM, to at least two or three moderators who will be named at the time. Secret ballot type.

Sage · Sep 12, 2009

Sounds awesome!

maestrowork · Sep 12, 2009

Sounds like fun, and I think everyone should participate! Not for winning, but for having some fun and learning new things.

But do I really have to start writing that damn query and synopsis? * grumble grumble * I'm not even halfway done with the first draft. * more grumble grumble *

MIDNIGHT this SUNDAY?

(scrambles)

Sage · Sep 12, 2009

Just a query, Ray. That's a little easier than the synopsis (IMO)

maestrowork · Sep 12, 2009

By the way, Lori, for some reasons I just read this now. So you may want to do another reminder or public announcement... I don't know why I didn't see this earlier.

maestrowork · Sep 12, 2009

Sage said:
Just a query, Ray. That's a little easier than the synopsis (IMO)

Doesn't a query include a short pitch/synopsis though? I guess synopsis is a loaded word for a query. A pitch then.

ChaosTitan · Sep 12, 2009

maestrowork said:
Doesn't a query include a short pitch/synopsis though? I guess synopsis is a loaded word for a query. A pitch then.

Some folks use the terms interchangeably--pitch, synopsis, blurb, etc... You need one of those for this.

Just NOT a longer, all-plot-points-touched-and-ending-given-away synopsis. We considered it, but thought the query letter was torture enough for some folks.

ETA: edited for clarity

Sage · Sep 12, 2009

maestrowork said:
MIDNIGHT this SUNDAY?

(scrambles)

JoNightshade · Sep 12, 2009

Is it okay if it's a query I've already workshopped the hell out of in, erm, query hell?

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