November Contest Roundup

November is National Novel Writing Month. No, it’s not a contest. NaNoWriMo is an opportunity to challenge yourself to write a novel in a month along with the camaraderie of other writers doing the same. It can be motivational and fun! And I have a theory–so many people are busy with NaNo that there aren’t as many contests in November. But that gives you time to get ready for some great pitch events coming up in December and January–if you aren’t trying to write an entire novel! Early November is also a great time to send out some regular submissions before everyone starts taking off for the holidays. So, as always, there’s lots to do when you’re a writer. Choose what’s best for you!

If you’re unsure about entering contests check out our About Contests post. And please, only pitch completed manuscripts unless otherwise specified (which is very rare but you will find that the Conville & Walsh prize is open to nearly completed work as is the Be A Best Seller Contest) I’ll be adding more contests to this post as I find them throughout the month so check back if you’re itching for a contest.

Most contests are listed by closing date, so check the guidelines and get ready to send you work!

October:

10/31: New Visions Award – Open to writers of color. Enter your middle grade or young adult fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Winner receives $1000 and a publication contract from Tu Books. Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $500

November:

11/1-30: PiBoIdMo – For picture book writers. Really, this is a challenge, not a contest, but it is fun! Come up with 30 ideas in 30 days and enter to win prizes. Register at Tara Lazar’s blog and be inspired by guest bloggers!

11/4: Be A Best Seller – Uk residents. Curtis Brown Creative and the Curtis Brown Literary and Talent Agency host this contest with ITV’s “This Morning”. Watch for the information on how to enter on ITV starting on November 4th. Entries are due 11/14. Winner announced 11/27. You can follow @itvpresscentre on Twitter for current information. UPDATE: You can find detailed instructions on how to enter here. It looks like you do not need a completed novel to enter.

11/10-14: Romance and Entangled Publishing Editor – Pitch your 100 word pitch and first 100 words of your completed romance novel to Entangled Publishing Editors via the upcoming official contest post. See the list of editors in the on Brenda Drake’s blog.

December:

12/4: #PITMAD – Twitter pitch party. 8am – 8pm EST. Pitch your completed manuscript in 140 characters or less.

12/15: Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition – Unpublished writers only. Enter your novel that involves serious crime or murder at the heart of the story. Winner receives publishing contract with Minotaur Books and a $10,000 advance against royalties. Enter via entry form.

12/7: PitchMAS – Email your 35-word pitch to compete for one of the top 50 spots. Winning pitches will go live on the Pitchmas blog during the Blog Pitch Party on 12/11. Agents and editors will be invited to makes requests.

12/9: #SFFpit – A twitter pitch day for works of fantasy or science fiction in any age category: PB, MG, YA, NA, or adult.

12/12: #PitchMAS Twitter Pitch Party – An open pitch day for all writers to pitch completed work on Twitter using the #PitchMAS hashtag. Agents and editors will be invited to check out the hashtag tweets and make requests.

January:

1/5/2015: #JustPitchIt – A twitter pitch party for faith-based works of all genres and readerships put together by Jessica Schmeidler. More info to come.

1/9: #SecretShop – A new, all-encompassing pitch contest also put together by Jessica Schmeidler. More info to come.

1/15: Conville & Walsh Word of Mouth Prize – Open to Adult Fiction. Conville & Walsh Agency is looking for stories they can’t put down, the kind that start conversations. They want books that will be talked about! Email your manuscript, synopsis, and cover letter to enter. “The winner will receive a cheque for £1,000 and, if mutually agreeable, representation by Conville & Walsh.”

1/30: Debut Novel Competition – Janklow & Nesbit Agency have teamed up with Mumsnet and Gransnet online communities to host a debut novel competition. Submit the first 8,000 words of a novel along with a 500-word outline of the remaining chapters. You can read more about how to enter on the first page of the Mumsnet site but you must become a member to enter.

Upcoming:

2/23: Pitch Madness – Submit your 35-word pitch and the first 250 words of your completed manuscript. Readers choose the top 60 entries to go on to the agent rounds.