Novel Competition Rules

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  • The entry requirements are: the first three chapters (or a prologue and the first two chapters), a short author biography plus a one page synopsis.
  • The title of the novel must be on the prologue and on the first page of the first chapter.
  • Pages must be numbered.
  • Co-written entries are permitted.
  • For co-written entries details of all writers must be submitted.
  • Entries are accepted from all nationalities.
  • All entries must be in English.
  • Writers must be over 18 years old to enter.
  • The manuscript must be entirely the writer's own work and previously unpublished.
  • Manuscripts must be able to be completed within two years.
  • Sections of the manuscript previously viewed on a writer's forum are permitted.
  • The fee is £20 per entry.
  • You can submit as many times as you like along with the correct entry fee.
  • Cheques, postal orders and bankers drafts must be made out in pound sterling.
  • No cash through the post.
  • Entries can be either typed or hand written.
  • You can pay and/or submit your work online by selecting one of the two payment options.
  • For Option 2, where work is submitted online and payment sent by post, include the title(s) and date submitted on the back of the cheque or postal order.
  • Repeat the online submission process for each entry submitted.
  • For postal submissions include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address (if applicable) and novel title(s) on a separate sheet of paper.
  • No personal details must be written anywhere on the manuscript.
  • If you are using the online submissions form, please add your contact details and cut and paste your story into the space provided and press 'submit'.
  • The prize is £500 for the winning novel entry.
  • In addition to the prize money, the overall prize is to work with the winning writer(s) to complete the book with help and guidance from Chapter One Promotions, to publish the manuscript and to sell it via the website and on Amazon.
  • At the total discretion of the judge, Chapter One Promotions will re-present the completed manuscript to the judge who will have first option of representing the winning author. 
  • The winner will not be permitted to enter the following Novel Competition. 
  • Deadline for submissions is at midnight on Wednesday 29 February 2012.
  • Only the winner will be notified by post.
  • The winner will be announced on the website on Tuesday 31 July 2012.
  • The prize money will be issued in the winner's local currency within three months after an agreement has been signed and returned.
  • For postal acknowledgements send a 2nd class stamped addressed postcard which will be signed and returned as proof of entry received.
  • All successful submissions online will receive an automatically generated acknowledgement.
  • To be notified of the winner send a 2nd class stamped addressed envelope to Chapter One Promotions marked 'Novel Competition Winner 2012' to Canterbury Court, 1-3 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6DE, England.  For overseas enquiries and notifications please include an International Reply Coupon.
  • The copyright of the work remains with the author who gives Chapter One Promotions permission to display it on the website.
  • The judge's decision is final.

For those residing overseas, or who entered online, who require the list of winners please click on the button below to pay £1.50 towards posting the results.

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