new writers contest
please note: submit questions to Barbara Barth at [email protected]. Do not call or email the art center!
~~~7/1/2021 CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED ~~~
LOOK FOR OUR NEW 2022 CONTEST ...
email [email protected] and ask to be placed on our mailing list for notifications about the next writing contest!
LOOK FOR OUR NEW 2022 CONTEST ...
email [email protected] and ask to be placed on our mailing list for notifications about the next writing contest!
Please join us in the MWCA sculpture garden on Saturday, October 16 at 1:00 pm as we announce the winners of our 2021 New Writers Contest. We are honored to have author William Walsh as our guest speaker. William is the author of seven books and hundreds of articles. In 2022, he will publish The Poet Speaks by McFarland & Co, as well as his debut novel, Lakewood, which is being published by Touch Point Press. He is the director of the creative writing program at Reinhardt University. William will be offering encouragement to our contest finalists and discussing his upcoming books. In the event of rain, this event will be held in the gallery. If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast on Facebook Live and will also be recorded.
2021
New Writers Contest ... get your work in front of a literary agent!
Win cash prizes!
CONTEST GUIDELINES - must be carefully followed - entries due by June 30, 2021!
WHO CAN ENTER
WHAT TO ENTER
CATEGORIES
Entries may be submitted in one of four categories:
Erotica in any genre is not accepted.
(NOTE: Submissions are limited to 25 total entries per genre and are accepted on a first come, first served basis. If 25 submissions are not received in any genre, contest organizers reserve the right to accept additional entries in one or more of the other genres. In no case will more than 100 total entries be accepted.)
FORMATTING
Entries are accepted in Microsoft Word only and should be formatted per the guidelines below.
FEE AND ENTRY PROCESS
JUDGING
FINAL ROUND PRIZES
UPDATES or QUESTIONS?
You may check the MWCA website for updates
For contest questions, contact Barbara Barth, Literary Arts Chair at [email protected].
Proceeds from the contest go to support the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts, a registered nonprofit community art organization.
Timeline
Special Events
With the aid of a Georgia Humanities grant, we will be bookending our contest with two special events: a celebration event and an awards ceremony. Both events will feature speakers (to be announced) and will be available for participation in person—in the art center’s sculpture garden—or virtually. We hope you will join us for one or both events.
New Writers Contest ... get your work in front of a literary agent!
Win cash prizes!
CONTEST GUIDELINES - must be carefully followed - entries due by June 30, 2021!
WHO CAN ENTER
- MWCA defines “new writers” as those who have not had a novel professionally published in any genre. Self-published authors of no more than two books with limited exposure and sales may enter a new work. If it is deemed by the committee that a self-published author exceeds these guidelines then the entry will be disqualified.
- The contest is open to US Citizens 16 years of age and older.
WHAT TO ENTER
- Entries consist of Chapter 1 (up to 20 pages double spaced) of a novel-length manuscript plus a 1-page (single-spaced) synopsis. If you are uncertain how a synopsis should be written, please review this link. Authors are encouraged to have a completed manuscript when entering.
- For the sake of this contest, a novel-length work is defined as a work that exceeds 60,000 words.
- All entries must be original works by the entrant, in English. Plagiarism will result in disqualification and entry fee will not be refunded.
- Submitted entries may not have been previously published in professional media.
- What is NOT accepted:
- We regret we cannot consider poetry, short stories, or works intended for children; however, young adult themes are acceptable in the genres listed below.
- Submissions of more than 20 pages of manuscript and a 1-page synopsis will not be accepted.
CATEGORIES
Entries may be submitted in one of four categories:
- Romance/Women’s Fiction,
- Mystery/Suspense,
- Sci Fi/Fantasy, and
- General Fiction/Memoir.
Erotica in any genre is not accepted.
(NOTE: Submissions are limited to 25 total entries per genre and are accepted on a first come, first served basis. If 25 submissions are not received in any genre, contest organizers reserve the right to accept additional entries in one or more of the other genres. In no case will more than 100 total entries be accepted.)
FORMATTING
Entries are accepted in Microsoft Word only and should be formatted per the guidelines below.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
- Spacing: chapter submission (20 pages max) should be double-spaced; synopsis (1 page) may be single-spaced
- Margins: page margins 1”
- Page numbers: locate in footer
- Title: Include the title of the submission in the header of both the manuscript and synopsis. To ensure fairness in the judging process, the author’s name should not appear on the manuscript or synopsis.
FEE AND ENTRY PROCESS
- The contest entry fee is $35 per submission. Authors may submit one piece only. Entry fees may be paid online HERE AT THIS LINK. Pay first so that you can note your ORDER NUMBER that will be provided on your receipt. Proof of payment -- your order number -- must be listed on the required Entry Form.
- The Official Entry Form can be found HERE. This form must be submitted along with your chapter and synopsis.
- Instructions to use the Entry Form.
- Download the Entry Form to your computer
- Fill out the form completely including the order number from your paid receipt as proof of purchase
- Save the form in this format: "______ (your name) writing entry form" (example: Jane Smith writing entry form)
- When you email your manuscript and synopsis in to us as attached files, also attach your saved and completed Entry Form
- Entries are to be submitted in electronic format only. Hard copies will not be accepted.
- Submissions will be accepted beginning at 8:00 am on June 1, 2021. The deadline for submissions is midnight Eastern Time on June 30, 2021.
- Submissions will be made to the following email address: [email protected] . Submissions sent to any other email address will not be valid.
- The "subject" line of your submission email to us should contain your name. Example: Jane Smith submission
JUDGING
- All first-round entries will be judged by two professional authors. To ensure fairness, authors’ names will not be visible to judges. Completed scoresheets will be returned to entrants for their review. Judges are encouraged to provide comments in addition to scoring.
- First round judges will select three entries in each genre to advance to the final round judging by a literary agent
- The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final and binding.
- Entries selected to advance to final round judging will be announced in mid to late August. Authors will be notified by phone or email and updates will be posted on the MWCA website. Contest winners will be announced in early October at an awards ceremony held at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts. If winners are not in attendance, they will be notified by email or phone.
FINAL ROUND PRIZES
- The literary agent will choose one grand prize winner who will receive a $150 cash award.
- First, second and third place winners in each genre will also be selected by the literary agent and will receive a cash award.
- All winners will receive an electronic “badge” for use on their website and social media platforms.
UPDATES or QUESTIONS?
You may check the MWCA website for updates
For contest questions, contact Barbara Barth, Literary Arts Chair at [email protected].
Proceeds from the contest go to support the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts, a registered nonprofit community art organization.
Timeline
- Submissions Open June 1 – 30
- July Celebration for all entrants: July 10 at 1 pm
- Judges Scores Due August 15
- First round winners announced August 31
- Final round of judging September 1-30
- Awards Event October (Date TBD)
Special Events
With the aid of a Georgia Humanities grant, we will be bookending our contest with two special events: a celebration event and an awards ceremony. Both events will feature speakers (to be announced) and will be available for participation in person—in the art center’s sculpture garden—or virtually. We hope you will join us for one or both events.