Q: Is it okay to have illustration pictures on the cover?
A: Please send the text only
Q: If there is a word count, how many words per page am I allowed?
No preference.
Q: How large of print is allowed?
No preference.
Q: Are pen names allowed?
Pen names are fine. Write your pen name on all forms etc. so there is no mistakes on credits. Please be advised that we only need your real name if you are chosen as a winner (in order to issue prizes).
Q: What if I am not a U.S. resident?
Writer’s Digest writing competitions are open to non-U.S. residents as well. Please refer to the entry form and guidelines. All entry fees are due in U.S. Dollars.
Q: Is there an age limit for entrants?
No, any age may enter.
Q: What if I wanted to submit only part of my novel into the competition ( to stay with in the maximum number of words)?
If you submit a portion of a novel please understand that it will be judged as a complete story, not part of another work, so it needs to be a complete story in and of itself.
Q: When will winners be notified?
Top Award Winners will be notified by mail before February 28, 2013. The top 10 winners will be listed in the July/August 2013 issue of Writer’s Digest. The top 25 winners will be listed in the 13th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition Collection and at www.writersdigest.com after the issue is published.
Q: What are the word count requirements?
The competition is open to manuscripts 1,500 words or fewer. The title is not counted in the word count.
Q: How do I order books published by F+W Media?
WritersDigestShop.com
Q: How do I subscribe to Writer’s Digest?
Visit www.writersdigest.com and click on the link
Q: Are there other writing competitions?
Yes! Visit www.writersdigest.com/competitions for other writing contests
Privacy Promise
Occasionally we make portions of our customer list available to other companies so they may contact you about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you prefer we withhold your name, simply send a note with your name, address and the competition name to: List Manager, F+W Media, Inc., 10151 Carver Road, Suite #200, Blue Ash, OH 45242.
Hello,
I am moving in two weeks is there a way I can update my information?
A shorter and very different version of the story I submitted has since been published. Is my entry still eligible?
I would like to know where on the website do I find the six categories for the short short story. Thanks.
For the sake of clarity what are the 6 categories?
I have a collection of essays that are set up in a book format and I have submitted a couple of proposals for the book at this time. If I submit one of the essays for a competition, would that make it so that essay could no longer be included in the book?
Thank you for your time,
Ceejae Devine
I have a story that fits the specifications, but I wanted to know if explicit language is acceptable? It’s only in a few places though.
If I posted this story on my Facebook page, is that considered “published”? Thanks!
It depends: If you’ve made it public so that way people who aren’t your friends can read it, then yes. But if not (meaning it’s technically “private”) then no.
Brian
Online Editor
I’ve repeatedly tried to upload a file of my story and each time it’s said that the file is rejected. I’ve tried renaming the file, saving it as a .doc instead of a .docx and nothing is working. Can you please assist with any suggestions?
I reside in Canada and wish to know if I send a check from my RBC account will this be accepted?
3. Who are the judges? And what are their credentials?
2. Why is there no email application option? Aside from being faster it really is much more secure for those of us who do not live in the USA
The system we use keeps entries organized and easy to review. Some for us to think about, however.
I have three questions:
1. Given part of the 1st prize is a trip to NYC, how does that work for those of us who don’t live in the USA; I’m from Australia for example?
If you win that prize, we bring you to NYC.
Hi,
Is there an issue if the entrant’s email/info differs from that of the person making the payment? i.e. is it okay if I use a friend’s credit card to make payment for my story? Thanks in advance.
As long as your friend is okay with it.
Hi. I have a short story which fits the specifications of the short-short competition. The story was a runner-up in a competition in 2011 and was included in their anthology. The rights are with me and as far as I know, the book can only be obtained through the competition’s official site. Can I enter this story? Thanks
If not, I have a couple of others which have not been published.
Crazywater,
Technically, that is considered being published, so please enter your others. Best of luck.
Can the story be erotica?
Yes it can as long as it fits into one of the 6 categories as well – Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, etc.
I haven’t seen a reference to the 6 categories anywhere else. What are the other three?
Not necessarily…it will attach itself to your entry, so there isn’t a need to do so. Best of luck.
Should my name appear on my uploaded manuscript?
Can I enter the same story in both the Popular Fiction Competition and the Short Short Story Competition, and/or into more than one category in either competition? Thank you.
Hi lwillis1,
Yes, you may do all of the above. Best of luck.
No, we do not require a separate title page or a specific format. Just keep to the 1,500 words or fewer. Good luck.
Is there a format Guidline? Do you require a separate title page, or specific format of ms.?