October 2015 Contest Roundup

I haven’t been online too much lately. (See my Taking a Break post.  The only one I did all month! Yes, it was autobiographical.) But, once I started looking for contests I couldn’t stop. I’m sure I haven’t found them all but I have wrangled together a lot of great upcoming ones so do check out the list! If you know of a good contest I missed please add it in the comments. There must be some more contests in November, I just haven’t found them yet! (10/2 Update: There are 2 contests listed in November now!)

Remember: We’re always open to critiquing pitches, queries, and first pages for contests in our Sub It Club Submission Support Group. We have over 1,000 great people in the group, so hit us up if you need us!

September:

9/30: Lee & Low New Voices Award – “Open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published.” Enter your 1500 word or less fiction, nonfiction, or poetry manuscript for children ages 5-12. Winner receives a publication contract and $1000. Honor Award winner receives $500.

October:

10/13: #PitchBFB – Open to young adult, middle grade, and new adult. Pitch your manuscript to BookFish Books on Twitter from from 8am-8pm CST using the #PitchBFB hashtag. All favorited pitches are guaranteed feedback on their submission, a few submissions will receive complete critiques from the BookFish Books content and line editors on the first three chapters of their work. One will receive a critique on their full manuscript.

10/15: #PBPitch – Open to picture books only. Pitch your completed picture book manuscript on Twitter using the #PBPitch hashtag between 8am and 8pm eastern. Pitch only once before 2pm and once after. More than one manuscript can be pitched. See FAQs for details. Illustrators can add an image to their pitch. Update: Circumstances may change but as of 10/7 these agents have confirmed that they will be checking in on pitches-Clelia Gore from Martin Literary
Cindy Uh from Thompson Literary
Marisa Corvisiero from Corvisiero Literary
Jessica Sinsheimer from Sarah Jane Freyman Literary
Thao Le from Sandra Dijkstra & Associates
Laura Biagi from Jean V. Nagger Literary
Brooks Sherman and Susan Hawk from The Bent Agency
Courtney Stevenson from Pippin Properties
Essie White from Storm Literary
Vicki Selvaggio from Jennifer De Chiara Literary
Jodell Sadler from Sadler Children’s Literary
Lori Kilkelly from Rodeen Literary

Of course, many more may jump in!

10/15: Nightmare on Query Street – Open to all age categories and genres, excluding picture books and erotica. Your manuscript does not have to be scary. Answer the question: What is your main character’s most fearsome obsession? and enter it along with your query and first 250 words of your manuscript. Chosen entries will move on to the agent round. Submission window opens at 4pm EST and closes when 250 entries are received so be quick! 10/2 Update: Rules have been posted. 10/6 Update: You can enter to win a free pass into the contest via random drawing. Entry for the pass closes 10/14.

10/15: #Pit2LP – Open to “all genres”. Pitch your completed manuscript to Limitless Publishing via Twitter using the #Pit2LP hashtag. 8am – 8pm EST.

10/21: Pitch Slam Hogwarts Edition – Open to MG, YA, NA, and Adult. Enter your pitch and first 250 words of your manuscript. Those chosen will move on to the final round where they will be posted for agents to make requests. There are rounds opening 10/17 where entries can be submitted for critique. Check out the calendar:

10/23: #PitchCB –  Open to fiction and non-fiction of any genre. Pitch the Curtis Brown and Conville & Walsh agents on Twitter using the #PitchCB hashtag. The pitch window is open for 24 hours. (Do keep in mind that these agencies are in the UK.) Tweet your pitch one time only. Curtis Brown has posted specifics on how to participate.

10/31: New Visions Award – Open to MG and YA by writers of color living in the U.S.  “Manuscripts should address the needs of children and teens of color by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another. Themes relating to LGBTQ+ topics or disabilities may also be included.” Submit your synopsis, first five chapters, and a cover letter. Winner to receive $1000.00 and a standard publishing contract from Tu Books. Honor Award winner to receive $500.00.

10/31: WNDB Mentorship Program – Open to PB, MG, and YA fiction and non-fiction. Writers of diverse backgrounds or those writing stories with diverse characters may apply. See the program post for details on how to enter. 5 one-year mentorships are offered.

November:

11/12: #KidPit – Open to all genres for children: board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, MG, and YA. Pitch completed manuscripts only using the #kidpit hashtag on Twitter. The website isn’t updated yet but Heidi R. Norrod @HRNorrod tweeted: Did you know #KidPit is coming November 12th? There’s a tidbit here at the end of this post that says #Kidpit will be from 9am – 3pm EST.

11/17: #ArtPit – Open to illustrators, author/illustrators, graphic novel writer/illustrators, and artists. 9am – 4pm EST. Tweet your pitch and attached illustration on Twitter using the #ArtPit hashtag.  Update 10/5: Additional information can be found here: http://novelpitch.com/2015/10/04/introducing-artpit-by-heidi-norrod/

Upcoming:

12/1: SCBWI Exclusive – This is not a contest but I wanted to add it so that Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators members don’t miss the opportunity. Balzer + Bray is open to unsolicited submissions from SCBWI members until December 1, 2015. Be sure to read the interview and check out their Facebook page.

12/4: #PitMad – Pitch your completed manuscript on Twitter using the #PitMad hashtag from 8AM – 8PM EDT. Please read the new rules about pitching before participating.

12/? #SFFPit  – Pitch your Science Fiction and Fantasy on Twitter using the #SFFPit hashtag. Open to picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult works.

2/2016: #AdPit – Open to New Adult and Adult manuscripts. Includes an online “mini-conference” and a Twitter pitch day. More info to come.

If you know of another great contest please leave a link to it in the comments!