Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest

Deadline: 27 January 2013
Open to: authors at least 13 years old from any country except Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria and Quebec.
Prize: full publishing contract with Amazon Publishing to market and distribute your Manuscript as a published book plus $50,000.00; plus other various prizes totaling $128,000 USD.

Description

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest has arrived. You won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity to win a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing. Now in its sixth year, this international contest promises to be the best yet. Here’s what’s new:

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. Visit the Prizes page for the full list of prizes and details.

They have expanded the categories to include five popular genres: General Fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and Young Adult Fiction. And they are accepting entries from more countries than ever before. For complete eligibility details, view the official contest rules, or read details on how to enter.

Amazon Publishing is the official publishing sponsor for 2013 — which means a faster publishing timeline, higher royalties, ability to launch the books in multiple formats (print, audio, ebook) and worldwide distribution. Enter today through CreateSpace.

PRIZES

Grand Prize. If you are selected as the Winner, you will receive a Grand Prize consisting of a full publishing contract with Amazon Publishing to market and distribute your Manuscript as a published book. Upon the full execution of the publishing contract, Amazon Publishing will pay the Winner $50,000.00 USD.

First Prize. Each finalist, excluding the Grand Prize Winner, will be awarded the “First Prize” (4 total). Each First Prize winner will receive a full publishing contract with Amazon Publishing to market and distribute your Manuscript as a published book. Upon the full execution of the publishing contract, Amazon Publishing will pay the First Prize Winners $15,000.00 USD.

Finalist Prize. If you are selected as a Finalist, you will receive a “Finalist Prize.” Each Finalist Prize (5 total) will consist of a trip to the Venue, sometime between June 1, 2013 and June 21, 2013 (they will determine the exact dates). A First Prize includes: (a) round trip coach class air transportation for 2 people departing from the major airport nearest to the Finalist’s residence; (b) 3 to 5 nights’ standard hotel accommodations (1 room, double occupancy); (c) transportation to and from airport to the hotel, transportation to and from hotel to the Venue; (d) $200.00 USD spending money per day for the Finalist only.

If you are not a U.S. resident, you will be responsible for obtaining all required travel documents for travel to the U.S., including a passport and any visa that may be required.

Second Prize. If you are selected as a Quarter-Finalist, you will receive a “Second Prize” (maximum of 500 Second Prizes total). Each Second Prize will consist of the Publishers Weekly manuscript review of each Quarter-Finalist’s respective Manuscript.

Third Prize. If your entry is selected to move on to the Second Round, you will receive a “Third Prize” (maximum of 2000 Third Prizes total). Each Third Prize will consist of the Amazon Editors excerpt review of each Second Round Entry’s respective Excerpt.

Eligibility

You are eligible to enter the Contest if you are at least 13 years old at time of entry. The Contest and its Official Rules are void in Quebec and where prohibited by law, and are subject to applicable laws. Entrants may not be a national or legal permanent resident of any of the following countries: Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

Application

Entries are due by midnight (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) 27 January 2013.

The contest is limited to 10,000 Entries, and they will stop accepting Entries after they have received 10,000 Entries. Entries may be edited until the above stated entry deadline or until a category has reached the maximum number of allowed entries, whichever first occurs. You must register HERE 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.

For further information, please consult the official website HERE for ways to prepare your pitch and samples from previous years’ contests.

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