January Novel/Script Deadlines

2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Needed: A novel (50-150k words), a pitch (up to 300 words), an excerpt (3-5k words), and an application filled out by mid-January. Note: there are no entry fees, and several different genres are eligible for prizes (YA, General fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, and Horror/Scifi/Fantasy.)

Prize: Publishing contract - $50k advanced royalties (grand prize), or $15k advanced royalties (finalist)

Go to http://www.amazon.com/b?node=332264011 for more information and to see past winners.

2013 ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship

Up to 4 screenwriters (TV and/or film) will receive a $1000 stipend and round trip travel to LA “to be mentored one-on-one by industry professionals” including Jen Grisanti (Story consultant), Don Handfield (Screen writer/producer), Michael Colleary (Screenwriter), Literary Agents, and Film development executives/industry representatives.  You will also receive a year subscription to a Celtx online workspace, script apps, and a Celtx consultation. Finally, Screencraft will help develop your project for an entire year.
Applications are being accepted now through January 15^th, 2014. 

Go to http://www.screencraft.org/fellowship/ to learn more and apply.

(Enter CELTX when you check out to receive 10% off the $55 application fee.)

Write Michigan short story contest

Write Michigan is a statewide writing contest featuring $250 cash prizes for Judges’ and Readers’ Choice winners in each age category. Judges’ Choice runners-up receive $100. The top five stories in each category will be published in the 2014 Write Michigan Anthology.

The Write Michigan Short Story Contest allows entries from Michigan residents in three age categories:

Youth, up to 11 -no fees
Teen, 12-17- no fees
Adult, 18+, $10 fee

Short story submissions will be accepted online at WriteMichigan.org until November 30, 2013. Stories will be reviewed by librarians and booksellers to determine the semifinalists. The top ten semifinalists’ stories will be available for judges and public review via the website in January 2014. Winners will be announced on February 3. The Awards Ceremony will be Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch of KDL where copies of the 2014 anthology will be sold.
For details on how to submit a story, please review the Contest Guidelines. For complete information on the contest, visit www.writemichigan.org.

 

"I Can Make History"

For those in 4th-12th Grade, Kroger's 6^th Annual “I Can Make History” contest will award more than $67,000 in scholarships/prizes to the best art, essay, poems, and music selections that show/talk about how they can “make their own communities better and relate their thoughts to Black History Month.”

All entries must be submitted by 5pm, Thursday, Feb 28^thto I Can Make History, c/o CBS Radio, 26495 American Drive, Southfield, MI, 48034. Contest details and forms are available at Kroger stores and www.icanmakehistory.com.

NaNoWriWee

If anyone was filling left out of the Nano month, then there is another contest that hones in on just 30 hours of writing.  It’s called NaNoWriWee (National  Novel Writing Weekend), and is taking place January 26/27.  There’s no set word limit, but you have to start from scratch and write more than one word.  They will also post your final entries online for people to review. 

At the end, they will award prizes in the following categories:

• Best novel 
• Best science fiction or technology-related novel 
• Best humorous or satirical novel 
• Best sex scene

The overall winner will receive a “publishing deal with HarperCollins, with an ebook to be published as soon as possible after the announcement.”

Details on the contest and how to enter can be found at:  http://www.kernelmag.com/scene/3669/the-30-hour-novel/

Note: I’m not going to do it, but I did note that it is going to be based in England, so some words of wisdom for those daring enough to attempt it include….

*The British allow more sex/nudity than we do on TV, but a lot less violence. 

*There are some word changes you might want to be aware of.  For example, Pants mean underwear, Raunchy means loud and energetic, and Randy means Raunchy. 

*They typically use the single quote mark where we use double ones to begin a dialogue, and I believe they also use the double quote mark where we would typically put a single mark. (But don’t “quote” me on it-ha ha.)

*As for spelling…See if you can put your spell check to British - English so it will help you fix words like honor to honour and armor to armour.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel

January 14, 2013-January 27, 2013 (or until 10,000 entries have been submitted.)

Contest genres: General Fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and Young Adult Fiction

Register at www.CreateSpace.com/abna to enter the Contest. Once you have registered, follow the instructions on the entry form and upload:

(1) the complete version of your manuscript that is between 50,000 and 150,000 words("Manuscript");
(2) up to the first 5,000 words, but not less than 3,000 words, of your Manuscript, excluding any table of contents, foreword, and acknowledgments ("Excerpt");
(3) a pitch of your Manuscript consisting of up to 300 words ("Pitch"); and
(4) the personal information required on the entry form.

Prizes: One Grand Prize winner will receive a publishing contract with an advance of $50,000, and four First Prize winners will each receive a publishing contract with an advance of $15,000.

Poetry Contest

“All qualifying poets will receive an editorial comment from a qualified editor.”

Any subject, Any style, 26 lines or less.  Mail original poem to

Poetry Contest

1501 Broadway

12^th Floor H

New York, NY 10036

(No entry fee, but submissions must be postmarked by January 31, 2013.)

Note: I misplaced the piece of paper talking about it, so I tried to find if there was any prize money for the winner and I found a similar contest that also offered reviews at Poetry Contest/1501 Broadway/12th Floor Z/ NY, NY 10036.  They offer a $2000 top prize.  You can find out more at http://www.eberandwein.com/poetry-contest.php.  Same basic setup as the one in H, but it's deadlines are at the end of December and June. (Continuous submissions.)

Write Michigan

"The Kent District Library (Grand Rapids) is hosting the 1st annual Michigan Short Story Contest (called Write Michigan, as you probably guessed). The contest is broken down into two categories: 17 & under, and 18 & up. Entries for adults are $10, for teens it's free. There's a 3,000 word limit and the winning entrant in each category receives 250 bucks. Entries are due by November 30, 2012. For more info, check out the Write Michigan website or look over their brief info page."
(Stolen, I admit it, from the Westland Library.  Sorry I didn't see it earlier.) 

Personal Essay Contest

2000 words or less on the topic, "The Day that Changed My Life"
Judged on Originality (25%), Theme (25%), Use of Language (25%), and Creativity (25%)
1 entry per person
Winner gets $3000 and potential publication in Ladies home Journal.
Ends December 7th.
Official Rules at:
http://www.lhj.com/lhj/file.jsp?item=/contests/2012-essay-contest

Lady Godiva

In 150 words or less tell how an adult woman - yourself perhaps?- "is making change by being active in her local community through charity and/or service work."  She could get up to $10k to be used for community/charity work at her discretion.

Full details through www.LadyGodivaProgram.com
 
"Entries are judged on originality of story, content and inspirational quality, and her suitability for advertising and publicity."

Summer Nominations-April 10-May 22
Fall Nominations - May 23-August 15
Winter Nominations - August 16-November 2

Note: Get permission from the person before nominating them.

Lessons Worth Sharing

"Tell us why your favorite educator's lesson has the power to influence attitudes, inspire learning, and even help change the world." 
If their lesson is chosen, they and their nominator will get a $100 gift card. 
You can nominate any educator: teachers, scientists, neighbors, etc. 
Go to http://www.facebook.com/kohls to nominate someone.
Ends August 24th.

Summer Story

"Share your tales of lazy days, vacation getaways, new friends, discoveries and family memories in Metro Parent's My Summer Story Promotion."
Share your story at MetroParent.com/SummerStoryShare.  Readers will then pick two winners (1 adult, 1 child) who win a Kindle Fire. 
You can read the current competition at MetroParent.com/MySummerStory.

Defy the Dark Contest

For part of a YA anthology, write a 2000-4000 word story that takes place at night or happens in the dark.  The top winner gets $500 and 5 copies of the book.
Contest ends September 1, 2012.  For more details go to http://dailyfig.figment.com/2012/08/01/defy-the-dark-contest/
(Entrants must be over 13, but authors who made over $2k/year on their books within the last 5 years are not eligible, as well as those who are working with a publishing company already.)

Music Contests

For potential song writers, I found a site you might want to check out.  It is http://www.ourstage.com/.  It looks like it is more for musicians, but if you are working with a band....
They deal primarily with new talent.  You upload the song and enter it into various contests depending on its genre.  Songs also get rated, so you can get feedback on what your non-friends think about the song.  
Right now they are hosting a "Band against Bullying" Competition.

One Act Plays

This is a reminder that submissions for Canton's One Act Festival are due August 24th. If you were thinking about entering, then bring your idea/rough draft/finished project in July and we can talk about it.
Some highlights....
-Plays should be between 10 and 20 minutes.
-"No children shows" (boo!)
-$12 fee that allows you to submit up to 2 plays. 

Find out more at http://tlcprod.wordpress.com/one-act-festival-script-submissions/

"Short on Words" Contest

"Short on words" is a poetry/short story contest associated with Northville's 2012 Arts and Acts Festival (June 22-24).
First place is $150, 2nd place $100, and 3rd place is $50.
To Enter:
Send in your submission by May 4th.
Submission should be titled, total less than 1,500 words, and relate to one of three photos. (Pictures can be seen online with the submission form at preservationdental.com. They are a young gril watching a runway model, an old man trying to get your attention, and a cabin by the lake.)
Include one submission form, 3 copies of entry, and $10 entry fee. (checks made payable to Northville Art House)
Mail entry to Preservation Dental, Attention: Denise Jenkins, 371 E Main St, Northville, MI 48167

Note, all entries are non-refundable, and can be used by the group for promotional purposes.
Winners will be announced at a reception for participants, June 22nd at the Northville Art House.

Criteria and complete information packets can be picked up at...
Northville Art House: 215 W Cady, Northville
Preservation Dental: 371 E Main, at Griswold, Northville
preservationdental.com (photos available here)
Or you can call 248-344-0497

Chicken House Children's Contest

Receiving submission now through the end of October 2012.
Some details
Must come by "post" (no e-mail)
Entry fee of 15 pounds (based in London)
Previously unpublished (or self-published) author
30-80,000 words, targeting 7-18 yr olds
include: brief synopsis, plot plan and a letter of submission explaining the book’s appeal to children.
Winner gets a royalty advance of 10,000 pounds and an offer of representation from an agent.
For complete rules, go to:
http://doublecluck.com/terms/#competition_terms

Next Big Hit via American Idol

"We're looking for the hottest rhymesters to help Jason Derulo with a new song. It may be performed on the American Idol® Season Finale on FOX. Upload your lyrics by March 30, 2012, then come back to vote on the top lyrics and to send in more during future rounds. Must be 18+ to upload lyrics."

Restrictions include:
no more than 200 characters in length, original work, can't demean American idol/coca-cola, can't infringe on copyrights, can't use the names of the contestants/judges, etc.
The "Judging Criteria":
• Creativity/Originality (33%); • Quality (33%); and • Fit with the Existing Portion of the Song/Verse (34%)

Existing lyrics are:
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,Undefeated.Wish I knew then what I know now, But, I, I . . . (your lyric potentially here.)

Hear the music and view complete details at: http://www.americanidol.com/perfect_harmony/

Note: Uploading a lyric enters you into a contest to win tickets/prize money, but you do not receive anything extra if your lyric is chosen.

Opening Sentence Contest

From the Canton Library...

It Was A Dark and Stormy Night
We are celebrating National Library Week with a special writing contest! The goal is to create a funny, original, unpublished opening sentence to the worst imaginary novel ever written. CPL's "It was a Dark and Stormy Night" bad-writing contest will accept entries April 8 through April 14.

Script Frenzy

"In the month of April, thousands of people will commit to writing an entire screenplay, graphic novel, stage play, or television show----in just one month! Where does Figment come in? Submit a short synopsis of your script, and you could get professional advice from film industry hotshot Scott Myers, screenwriter/producer/professor." (ie a phone consultation)

Short Synopsis=300 words or less.

"Are you new to the wonderful world of scriptwriting? The Young Writers Program of Script Frenzy has you more than covered. They’ve got scriptwriting bootcamps, commpon script terms and phrases, advice from pros, and scriptwriting software."

For more details, go to http://dailyfig.figment.com/2012/03/19/get-in-a-frenzy/

Michigan Press Contest

Warning: $15 Entry Fee-Boo!
Michigan Press's 2012 Innovative Fiction Contest deadline is March 30, 2012. In 10 thousand words or less "Wow the judges" with your innovativeness for a chance to win $1000 and publication in DIAGRAM.
(Note: The title should link to the website for more information.)