2014 Rate Your Story Writing Contest

2014 Rate Your Story Writing Contest

Mark Your Calendars! 

Rate Your Story's 1st Annual writing contest opens on January 15th, 2014. 

(Hint: Do not enter early.)

Categories

Our writing contest judges will be accepting manuscripts and awarding winners in three separate categories:

• "Picture Book"
• "Novel/Novella"
• "Everything Else"

Picture Book - Text only, no art. Fiction or nonfiction accepted. Stories should be geared for today's children. Must be under 2,000 words, including any optional back matter or art notes. Judges will evaluate text and choose winning entries that "embrace traditional picture book form but also have potential to stand out and find a place in today's picture book market." Submit as a .doc attachment only.

Novel/Novella - Submit only the beginning chapter(s) - 2,000 words, maximum - of a completed novel or novella that is 15,000 words or longer in its entirety. All genres of novel/novella accepted, for children or adults. Judges will evaluate text and choose winning entries that "have a compelling idea and/or characters and are written in a way that entices the reader to want to continue reading the rest of the book." Submit as a .doc attachment only.

Everything Else - This is the "catch all" category. If whatever you've written doesn't fit in the two above categories, it will find its place here! Short stories, nonfiction articles for kids or adults, personal essays or short memoirs, flash fiction, poetry, board or concept books...enter them here. All entries must be 2,000 words or less. Note: Please do not submit collections of poems or short stories as one single entry. It's hard to pinpoint just what will win in a category like this, but judges will certainly look for great writing that stands out. Judges will evaluate text and choose winning entries that "reach and/or captivate an audience through well-crafted writing" and "are memorable enough to read again or share with others." Submit as a .doc attachment only.

**All entries must be the original work of the author and not previously published or under contract at time of entry.**

Who May Enter / Fees

RYS Members are able to enter the contest for free. BASIC members may submit one manuscript for entry in one category at no charge. PRO members may submit two manuscripts for entry at no charge. If you are not yet a member, hurry and sign up by Jan. 1 here.

Non-members and the general public are also able to enter the contest. There is a small $5 fee per manuscript to enter the writing contest for nonmembers and general public. A checkout button will appear on January 15th (the day we begin accepting entries) at the RateYourStory.org site.

In order to avoid any conflict of interest, individuals affiliated with Rate Your Story as a judge (past or present), freelance writer or illustrator, or any other compensated position are ineligible to enter this contest. Exception: Guest bloggers and interviewees who have not been compensated for their work are welcome to enter the contest.

Prizes

FIRST PRIZE - In each category, the first place winner will receive:

$50 in CA$H

A professional, critiqued submission from an author, agent, or editor of his/her choice (we will provide a list of 4-5 professionals to choose from)

A Free PRO 1-year membership to Rate Your Story OR 3 SPEEDPASSES

SECOND PRIZE - In each category, one winner will receive:

A professional critique/line-edit from any participating RYS volunteer judge (winner will choose his/her own preference from a list of 4-5 names)

A free PRO 1-year membership to Rate Your Story OR 2 SPEEDPASSES

THIRD PRIZE - In each category, the third place winner will receive:

A free BASIC 1-year membership to Rate Your Story OR 1 SPEEDPASS

HONORABLE MENTIONS - We may, if entries warrant, throw in a few extra prizes at random for deserving entries that didn't make one of the top three spots.

How To Submit to the Writing Contest

Please check back after January 1st for official submission rules for the contest. Entries received before January 15, 2014 or after February 3, 2014 will not be accepted.

Deadline

All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN time on February 3, 2014.

More info with specific submission guidelines and prizes will be sent via email on January 1, 2014. Please sign up to receive our eNewsletter to be the first to receive the announcement. You can sign up at the box on the top left of the navbar or by clicking right here.

Special thanks to Julie Rowan-Zoch for the AMAZING RYS writing contest logo graphics!