Become a published SF author!

[ctg]

I thought this might interest some of you...

Are you the next Isaac Asimov? Or perhaps the new Douglas Adams? There’s only one way to find out, and it starts with getting published… and SciFiNow and Tor are here to help.

Millions of sci-fi and fantasy fans across the world dream of having their own novel on sale but unfortunately getting your opus published has always been a much tougher task than even the most skilled wordsmith would like… until now. Demonstrating our commitment to both the best in sci-fi and fantasy as well as emerging literary talent, SciFiNow has teamed up with leading SF imprint Tor to offer an unprecedented prize for one lucky reader: to get your SF masterwork published.

For many it will be the chance to realise a long-held ambition, to others it will be a totally new challenge, but the opportunity to prove yourself as one of the best new SF authors remains regardless of experience. SciFiNow and Tor are looking to champion the best new writers, and it’s down to you to prove yourself worthy.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, readers must enter a full synopsis of their novel along with the first three chapters by 20 August. Needless to say the novel must sit comfortably within the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

After all the entries have been received, a shortlist of six will be drawn up. The winning entry will be decided on by a judging panel comprised of members of the SciFiNow team and Tor. The winner will be announced in SciFiNow #35 on sale 25 November.

All entries should be sent to warofthewords@imagine-publishing.co.uk along with a name and contact details.

For a full list of rules and regulations go to War Of The Words: Rules And Regulations | SciFiNow


For more on War Of The Words go to
Competitions | SciFiNow

[chopper]

good spot, chap. worth pointing out as well that Tor is an imprint of MacMillan, who run a successful New Writers imprint outside of this competition as well, with pretty much the same terms (no advance, 20% royalty).

also worth noting that the novel you submit must be finished and available for them to read by the closing date, not just the first 3 chapters....

damn, i've only got 80000 words to go..........

damn, if only mine could be finished before the

[ctg]

I'm playing now on 84 000 word mark, but I won't finish by the deadline. I might push me to write more, but I rather try to get this version to be best that I can produce then something hasty that isn't worth of publishing.

[chopper]

good call. like i say, Macmillan New Writing is always open.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Tor has been one of the top SFF imprints here in the US, so a book published by them could be the beginning of a career as well as an end in itself.

[ctg]

War Of The Words: New Rules And Regulations


1. The winner will receive a publishing contract with Macmillan Publishers Limited for publication in 2010 dependent on publishing schedules. For the purposes of this competition we will pay the winning author a 20% royalty on net receipts but there will be no advance (i.e. an advance payment against future sales). Our contract is non-negotiable and we acquire world rights, with rights revenue split 50/50. We also reserve the option to publish the author’s second novel. The final book is intended to be published in the United Kingdom. Publication will be subject to the winner’s acceptance in writing of those terms and conditions and compliance with them.


2. All entrants must have a full length novel (being between 80,000 and 150,000 words long) completed and available upon request by the close of competition on 20 August 2009.


3. Entrants who have had a full-length novel previously published by a trade publisher anywhere in the world will not be eligible, (so you will not be excluded by virtue of having any previously self-published work). Additionally this competition is not open to employees or their immediate families of the Promoters and any companies within the Imagine Publishing Ltd. group of companies or the Macmillan Publishers Limited group of companies.


4. To be eligible, initial entries must comprise of a full synopsis and the first three chapters of a novel set in the fantasy or science fiction genre. There must be a novel completed and available for review by 20 August 2009 should the judging panel request to see the full novel. Entrants will not be put forward to the shortlist without a full novel. The synopsis and first three chapters should be double spaced and emailed to: warofthewords@imagine-publishing.co.uk to be received by SciFi Now Magazine at Imagine Publishing Limited on or before the closing date of 20 August 2009 17:30 GMT.

...

13. The winner will be the entry which, in the decision of the judges, shows a thorough grasp of narrative, pacing and characterization and additionally who, in the opinion of the judges, will create the most appealing and commercial book for the science fiction and fantasy readership and is the most suitable author to be published under the Tor imprint at Pan Macmillan Publishers. The judges’ decision in all matters will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

War Of The Words: New Rules And Regulations | SciFiNow

due to intense popular demand we’ve now opened it up to anyone, anywhere in the world.
http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/war-o...s-goes-global/

[Ursa major]

It's interesting to see that they will look at SFF novels as "short" as 80,000 words.



(But it's a shame that my WiP is still 11,000 words above the upper limit.)

[Yahzi]

Cutting 11,000 words is nothing! Remember, "murder your darlings!"

Also, you can just add them back in when you win the contest.

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by Yahzi

Also, you can just add them back in when you win the contest.

I very much doubt it. Most likely be asked to do a pile of edits/small sections of re-writes.

[Joey Sixknuckles]

Looks like an excellent competition, and one well worth entering, now if I can just write another 60,000 words before the closing date...

[Michael01]

Nice info, ctg. Thanks!

[ctg]

I wish good luck to everyone who attended. On personal note, I'm not among those people, hitting fifty pages and a polishing edit short of the target. However, if you get an invite to submit full MS, please let us know.

[Ursa major]

But there are hours still to go, ctg:

...to be received by SciFi Now Magazine at Imagine Publishing Limited on or before the closing date of 20 August 2009 17:30 GMT

You'll be ready next time, though.



* returns to the endless cycle of re-writes.... *

[Yahzi]

To be honest, it's a lousy contract. 20% of net means: you will probably never see a dime from this book. If my entry hadn't already run the standard gauntlet of agents/publishers I'm not sure I would enter it.

On the other hand, having a contest win might help you sell the next book for a more normal deal.

[Ursa major]

From Rule 1 above (my bolding):

We also reserve the option to publish the author’s second novel.

The winner will have to make their second book the start of a trilogy/series.