Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel

[Ty.D.]

Okay, that's kind of what I suspected. I'm going to hold off until next year, I think.

[amlptj]

so contempoary only means, it has to be based on earth, in present day ( as in the last few years) Right? So would suspense, mystery, horror, any actual genres like that matter???

[mickeyDs4]

The rules state you have to be an unpublished YA author. Meaning that the piece you are submitting is the first YA novel you have written and had unpublished. If your piece is being considered for the contest you cannot submit it to other agencies, publishers or contests.

I entered last year with my piece "A Ghost of You". It did not win but that is not deterring me from submitting "The Egyptian Secret" this year. Good luck to all that are entering.

[The_Ink_Goddess]

Anyone think 12-18 is a bitch of an age rule? Especially for contemporary...

[Mr. Anonymous]

I'm feeling conflicted on this. 9000 dollars is a decent amount of money, but an agent could potentially get a whole lot more. Results will only be posted on April 30th, AND they don't want you sending your MS to anyone else??? I mean come on...

[AngelicaRJackson]

I felt the same way last year when I was trying to decide whether to enter the Amazon contest. I decided not to enter it then, but if my book is still available in January I'm seriously considering it.

You ultimately have to make up your own mind and weigh your options and chances.

[mickeyDs4]

I say enter and who knows they may not select it for the contest but your work is being read by a major publisher. I always think that maybe some intern Ryan Reynolds assistant will find it in the recycle bin and save it from a death. Power of positive thinking!

[EndlessDestiny]

Most of my stories involve the supernatural, and if that makes my chances of winning much lower, maybe it's not worth killing myself trying to write something.

[AngelicaRJackson]

I just realized this would be perfect for someone's NaNoWriMo project, if they're happy with their results.

[ElizabethJMW]

Does anyone know if they are still going to have this contest? They no longer have guidelines/information on how to submit on the page. I haven't checked this page in awhile, so not sure how long it has been like this.

[ElizabethJMW]

Oh, this the current page I was looking at: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/writingcontests/index.html#youngadult

[legendary bum]

not sure, but I'd like to know too!

[mickeyDs4]

Well I'm not going to have anything ready for it if they have it.

[egoodlett]

They usually have it in the winter? I've seen it open for submissions around December the last couple years...

[adarkfox]

I entered a few years ago... I think then submissions were open from October-December. I entered in November and did not hear anything until May.
Six months is along time...if you have a MS you don't mind shelfing for six months perfect place to send it.

[ElizabethJMW]

Okay, I guess I'll just keep an eye on the site and see if they post anything.

[QuiberonQ]

I e-mailed through Random House's "Contact us" page about a month ago, asking if the contest will continue, and if so, what the rules/dates are. They have not responded. I assume, unless the contest rules re-appear on the web site that they are not running the contest any more. They used to have a similar middle grade contest that has also disappeared.

[ElizabethJMW]

Aww. :( But thanks for the update.