1. The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Novel (in any genre), as defined by the guidelines below, (except that authors of self-published works only may enter, as long as the manuscript submitted is not the self-published work) and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel. Employees, and members of their immediate families living in the same household, of Innovative Publishers Inc. (or a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of either of them) are not eligible to enter. Only one manuscript entry (the “Manuscript”) is permitted per writer. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Please read all of the rules and guidelines before submitting your entry. If you have questions or need further clarification after reading the following rules and guidelines, you may contact us at admin@innova-publishers.com.
2. To enter, you must complete an entry form and prepare your manuscript according to submission guidelines. To be considered for the 2021 competition, all submissions must be received by 11:59pm EST on July 30, 2021.
a) Manuscripts must be submitted in two spiral bound copies. All manuscripts must be double-spaced, with pages numbered consecutively from beginning to end.
b) Each entrant should keep a copy of the Manuscript for his or her own protection.
c) Because of the great volume of submissions, we receive and the fact that our judges are volunteers with full-time responsibilities elsewhere, it is important that you submit your Manuscript as early as possible. Submissions will get a more careful reading if the judge does not have to contend with a flood of last-minute entries.
3. Entrants must have a valid e-mail address. In case of dispute as to identity of an entrant, entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address provided to Innovative Publishers Inc. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as a natural person who is assigned an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) responsible for assigning e-mail addresses or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Innovative Publishers Inc. and are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, website, Internet, or ISP unavailability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one's ability to enter this Competition, including any injury or damage to any computer relating to or resulting from downloading any materials in this Competition.
4. All Manuscripts submitted:
a) must be original works of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or approximately 60,000 words) written in the English language;
b) must be written solely by the entrant, who may not be the author of any previously Published Novel;
c) must not violate any right of any third party or be libelous, and
d) must generally follow the Guidelines below.
GUIDELINES
a. Life in the United States is at the heart of the story.
b. WHAT CONSTITUTES A PUBLISHED NOVEL:
For the purpose of this Competition, a “Published Novel” means a work of fiction of at least 40,000 words in length that has been published or distributed, in part or whole, in paper or electronic format or in any other medium, excluding, however, self-published works. This does not include a chapter excerpt on an author's website, subject to the conditions that: (i) the excerpt is the only text that exists for public viewing; (ii) the excerpt is not for sale to the public, and (iii) the number of words in the excerpt does not exceed 10% of the total number of words in the work as a whole. (The decision of the Competition's judges as to whether or not an entrant or a Manuscript qualifies will be final.)
5. Nominees will be selected by judges chosen by THE PUBLISHER, with the assistance of the editorial staff of Innovative Publishers Inc., and the winner will be chosen by Innovative Publishers Inc. editors on the basis of the originality, creativity and writing skill of the submission. The decision of the editors as to the winner of the Competition will be final. Innovative Publishers Inc. reserves the right to cancel or modify the competition if, in the sole opinion of the editors, an insufficient number of qualified Manuscripts are received.
6. An attempt will be made to notify the Competition winner, if any, by telephone or U.S. mail no later than November 31, 2021. If the winner cannot be contacted, an alternate winner may be selected.
7. If a winner is selected, Innovative Publishers Inc. will offer to enter into its standard form author's agreement with the entrant for publication of the winning Manuscript. After execution of the standard form author's agreement by both parties, the winner will receive an advance against future royalties of $10,000. On the condition that the selected winner accepts and executes the publishing contract proposed by Innovative Publishers Inc. THE WINNER WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OTHER PRIZE AND WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PART OF THE ADVANCE UNTIL THE STANDARD FORM AUTHOR'S AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXECUTED BY BOTH PARTIES. Those terms of the offer not specified in the printed text of the Innovative Publishers Inc. standard form author's agreement will be determined by Innovative Publishers Inc. at its sole discretion. The entrant may request reasonable changes in the offered terms, but Innovative Publishers Inc. shall not be obligated to agree to any such changes. Innovative Publishers Inc. may, but will not be required to, consider for publication Manuscripts submitted by other entrants.
8. No critical evaluation or commentary will be offered by the judges or the editorial staff of Innovative Publishers Inc. unless, in the sole opinion of the editorial staff, evaluation or commentary is appropriate in the case of a Manuscript being considered for publication.
9. General: No cash substitution, transfers or assignments of prize allowed. All expenses, including taxes, relating to the winner's publishing contract, are the sole responsibility of the winner. By accepting a prize, the winner releases Innovative Publishers Inc. and , and the parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers and agents of each of them from any and all liability for any loss, harm, damages, cost or expense, including without limitation property damages, personal injury and/or death, arising out of participation in this Competition or the acceptance of the publishing contract. If, for any reason, (including unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other cause beyond the control of Innovative Publishers Inc. which corrupts or affects the administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Competition), the Competition is not capable of being conducted as described in these rules, Innovative Publishers Inc. and shall have the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition.
DATES FOR SUBMISSION
Manuscripts must be received during May and June. That is, they must be postmarked on or after February 1 and on or before July 30.
FORMAT FOR MAIL-IN SUBMISSIONS
Manuscripts must be double-spaced on quality white paper, unbound, and pages must be numbered consecutively. TWO Clean, legible, Spiral BOUND photocopies on high quality white paper are acceptable, and entry fee of $100.00 - This fee is non-refundable..
Manuscripts will be judged anonymously. Each manuscript should have two cover pages: one listing the title of the manuscript and the author’s name, address, e-mail address (if available), and telephone number; and a second listing only the manuscript title. The author’s name, other identifying information, and publication information must not appear after the first cover page.
Manuscripts will not be returned. Enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt. For results, please check our website.
Send submissions to:
Innovative Publishers Inc.
1st Novel Competition
75 Arlington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
All submissions must be postmarked on or after February 1 and on or before June 30. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please e-mail admin@innova-publishers.com.
