Writing Contests for Unpublished Novels

Are you looking for writing contests for unpublished novels? There are many contests designed for novels that have not yet been published. Entering your work in writing competitions can be a great way to earn recognition and potentially receive some prize money.

How to Win Writing Contests

If you have written, or are planning to write, a novel targeted at kids between the ages of 9 and 12 or young adults between 12 and 18, you'll be interested in learning about the annual Delacorte Press writing competitions. Delacorte Press is an imprint of Random House.

The contest is for new writers only. Competition details and instructions for manuscript submissions can be viewed on the Random House website. A winner will be selected for each age group, with the prize of $1,500 cash and a publisher's standard contract to produce hardcover and softcover editions of the book. Additionally, winning writers will receive a $7,500 advance against book royalties.

Prior winners include:

• Books for 9-12 year olds:
  • A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young
  • Born to Fly by M. J. Ferrari
  • Follow the Leader by Vicki Winslow
  • Prizefighter en Mi Casa by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo
  • Some Kind of Pride by Maria Testa

• Books for 12 – 18 year olds:
  • Bringing Up the Bones by Lara M. Zeises
  • Notes on a Near-Life Experience by Olivia Birdsall
  • Ostrich Eye by Beth Cooley
  • Skin Deep by E.M. Crane
  • Wings by Julie Gonzalez

The Southeastern Writers Association holds one of the most widely-known writing contests for unpublished novels. In addition to novels, several other types of manuscripts are accepted, including screenplays, poetry, short stories, and more. Novelists are required to submit the first chapter of their book, along with a synopsis that is five pages in length. Contest deadlines and submission guidelines can be found at SoutheasternWriters.com.

Write Ways to Win Writing Contests

The 3 Day Novel Contest is of the longest running writing contests for unpublished novels. It began in 1977 and is held every Labor Day weekend. It's one of the most unique writing competitions, as participants are required to write the entire novel they are entering during the three-day weekend. The competition's organizers are based in Vancouver, but writers from all over the world participate in the annual event. If you'd like to be notified when registration opens for the next contest, see 3DayNovel.com.

Many published novels began as entries to the 3 Day Writing Contest, including:

• Day Shift Werewolf by Jan Underwood
• In the Garden of Men by John Kupferschmidt
• Love Block by Meghan Austin and Shannon Mullally
• Ruby Ruby by Bradley Harris
• Small Apartments by Chris Millis
• Skin by Bonnie Bowman
• Socket by David Zimmerman
• Struck by Geoffrey Bromhead
• The Convictions of Leonard McKinley by Brendan McLeod

New writing contests are announced frequently. Keep in mind that some contests may be operated by less-than-scrupulous individuals or organizations. Verify that any writing contests you are considering entering are legitimate before submitting your work or paying an entry fee. See the warnings published on SFWA.org for ideas regarding how to spot writing competition scams.

A few websites you may want to check for new competitions a regular basis include:

• Fiction Factor
• Manuscript Editing
• Proof Positive
• Writer's Digest
• Writers–Editors.com

• Erotica Writing Prompts
• Mystery Writing Prompts
• Creative Writing Prompts for Children

• Quickest Way to Make Money Writing
• Tips on Writing a Memoir
• How to Write a Concrete Poem
• Free Creative Writing Software
• Writing Essay on Myself

• Writing Prompts for Kids
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