Opening Pages Competition - Guidelines
The only writing competition in the world of its kind FREE ENTRY This year, to help writers participate, we offer free entry All writing that succeeds in publishing makes ruthless use of mystery and suspense techniques, and this means the competition is open to the whole gamut, fiction and non-fiction World Wide and Open to All The competition is run entirely by volunteers, to support the international creative writing site UKAuthors.com Submission Details and Guidelines If you’ve got something riveting in your writing – perhaps wildly funny, or very important – then send in up to 3000 words of the opening pages of your novel, and tell us about the rest. Short story collections will be looked at with great attention, too. If you write with great style, and you’ve got something quirky, thoughtful and imaginative in your work – if your stories grip and display variety (think: Ness’s “Topics About Which We Know Nothing”), you can be wildly successful. But bear in mind that exciting stories, written ‘plainly’, can be even more popular. You don’t necessarily need to be a great stylist. The 2009 competition is open to anything except poetry, which we regret we are not set up to consider for the competition. Mystery and suspense writing is especially popular with us, and since we believe that all writing that succeeds in publishing makes ruthless use of mystery and suspense techniques, this means we are open to the whole gamut. Fiction or non-fiction (if you’ve written a book about your fall down Mount Everest, that’s fine – but make sure you don’t tell us you are fine now, thanks! on the first page. We want to be kept in suspense). Right now, at this very moment, books are being sold all over the world. But it’s more vital than ever these days to get off to an intriguing start. And that start is what we will be looking for. Whether it’s because of your characters, atmosphere, ideas, humour or storyline – if we are caught up at once in your book ourselves, from page one, we know it will appeal to the reading public. So there you have it. All a submission has to do is grip our attention. If it does that, we’ll be adding it to the list for serious consideration. Open from 20 July to 31st December 2009 Together with your entry, send a brief outline of the book – tell us what we need to know, as clearly as you can, but keep it short (up to 500 words). This is an outline, remember, not a query letter, so don't promote the work. All you need to do is just tell us the story, clearly, with the plot – and make sure you include the ending. The competition will be judged, as usual, by The Fiction Witch, Good Fairy, the UKA Press Gang, and associated professionals in the publishing business. Time constraints don’t leave room for correspondence with Fiction Witch, Good Fairy, Readers, and the UKA Press Gang, and the judges' decision is, of course, final. The Rewards Every writer entering this competition with the Feedback Entry fee will receive feedback consisting of two sections: Section One page 3 - 76 Good Fairy, Fiction Witch and Press Gang Report Section Two page 77 - 85 Independent Reader Reports The Section One Report assesses and rates in the following subsections, with comments, and line editing if needed for the assessment and explanations: SETTING: a) Well written b) Atmospheric c) Convincing CHARACTER TRAITS: a) Engaging b) Convincing c) Individualised d) Dialogue CHARACTER GOALS: a) Clear b) Engaging c) Convincing PLOT - including effectiveness of storytelling: a) Hook to gain initial interest b) Storyline: 1) Intriguing & original 2) Conveying of information that leads to problem or conflict 3) Unfolding of the conflict/how major characters affected 4) Narrative Drive: Sufficiently fast pace of storytelling THEME: Underlying message of author PRESENTATION: a) Accuracy/Neatness b) Suitably spaced and laid out WRITING: a) Correct Use of Language: grammar, spelling, etc. b) Style: originality, clarity, freshness of the language c) Lack of : Repetition - Redundancy - clichés/idioms d) Stilted or wordy language e) Errors, or awkward language f) Variety of sentence lengths g) Vocabulary, expressions h) Variety of sentence patterns i) Point of view / effectiveness j) Avoidance of : 1. Telling, instead of showing 2. Backstory ‘dumping’ 3. Intrusive interpretation/explanation 4. Showing or telling accompanied by a further explanation (using other words to say the same thing) of what has already been told or shown k) Punctuation TITLE: Effectiveness of book title SYNOPSIS: a) Writing: 1. Lack of errors in synopsis 2. Writing Style 3. Presentation 4. Clarity b) Story: 1) Intriguing? 2) Good structure? 3) Satisfactory conclusions? Detailed advice, and suggestions on writing, submission, promotion and presentation, are included in the report for each entrant from Fiction Witch and Good Fairy, geared to the individual entry as far as possible. Entrants also receive a separate Section Two of Reader Reports (six to ten reports, depending on the genre) from Independent Readers. Opening Pages Readers selected readers, in random order, by their code names Alida. Popular, widely published poet who loves nothing better than to curl up with a good book. This reader loves a gripping story, characters who spring to life on the page, and a vivid fictional world. Avis. Publisher’s editor and book doctor, whose reports include expert assessment, and advice on polishing and honing a promising manuscript for publication. Paris. Widely published and much admired poet who assesses and lists the pros and cons of each entry with precision and panache. Rara Avis. Retired professor of English, whose recent first novel drew international rave reviews for its voice, style and humour. This reader finds and responds to every strong point in a manuscript with creative comments, enthusiasm – and sound advice. Selmo. Publisher and editor, always on the lookout for a great story. Tarkan. University lecturer and Creative Writing tutor, whose critiques and comments are often extensive, and always clear, warm and perceptive. Eutopia. Popular short story writer with a keen eye, who shares a wealth of insight and knowledge. Venator. Writer, editor and writing site administrator; able to spot vital points that might easily be missed, this reader provides specific, very detailed observations and suggestions. Other Readers include an award-winning playwright; a Faber-published poet; a science fiction specialist; and five avid readers who are in it for the love of fiction. Any entry may receive reports from any of the above readers, and can expect a minimum of six reports for each entry. Total Feedback Reports average 82 to 88 pages. We aim to have all Feedback Reports returned to entrants within three weeks, but it may be only a week, or extra time may be needed. Note: More detailed feedback is available, including a line-by-line edit of the entry, detailed suggestions, and advice on both the entry and the outline, from Good Fairy, Fiction Witch, and the UKA Press Gang, for £23. Apply to: ukapress.editorial@gmail.com. Fiction Witch: Straight to the point, clear – with a sharp eye for details and acerbic wit. An expert in fiction, knows the market backwards, can be demanding but responds to different styles and voices and gets very excited when talent rears its head – and says so.
Always comes up with informed, inspired, immensely practical advice. Good Fairy: Seeks potential, draws out it out, responds to whimsy, warmth and humour. Senses intentions and is able to suggest the best methods for bringing a writer along. Infinitely patient and enthusiastic. Has had a lot of success (many writers worked with have won awards). UKA Press Gang: UKA Press editors and professional associates All short listed entrants will be eligible to submit their finished manuscripts to UKA Press to be considered for publication. The winner will be ‘2009 Winner of the UKAuthors Opening Pages Competition’ and offered publication (on satisfactory completion of the manuscript) by UKA Press (http://www.ukapress.com). Competition Style Rules The competition is open to anyone, writing in any genre. No particular style is required. You can write as simply or as experimentally as you like.
Just remember that the judges will be looking for entries that have a spark about them – something intriguing.
Competition Entry Guidelines 1. In your covering email, please include your contact details, and the name and title of your submission. Please include ‘UKA OP 2009’ in the subject heading of the email subject heading, and the title of the entry, and your name. 2. For 2009, the fee is £20 is for Full Feedback Entry, and No-Feedback entry-only has been made free. All proceeds as always go towards supporting the continued existence of UKAuthors.com, to cover overheads and monthly costs and add new facilities to the site. All judges and readers, as well as the organisers, are working as unpaid volunteers. 3. Entries must be in WORD document attachment. 4. First page of Word document entry must contain entry title and your name. 5. The ‘opening pages’ may be up to 3000 words. 6. An outline/synopsis (up to 500 words) of the book should be included at the top of the Word document manuscript. 7. Take care NOT to send Feedback and No-Feedback entries to the same email address. Those entering for feedback also need to send any other, free entries separately, to the No-Feedback email address listed below. 8. Please put UKA OP 2009, your name, and the title of your entry in the subject line of your email. Example: UKA OP 2009 - Felix Stowe - Over The Hill to Bloomsbury Include the following details in your covering letter: Name:
Country:
Telephone:
Email address:
Title of entry: Note: You do need to send a reliable email address. If you are not sure, please be sure to include an extra email contact address as a back-up. Send entries, as Word attachments only, by email, to: Feedback entries >>>: OpeningPagesCompetition@UKAuthors.com No-Feedback entries >>>: uka.opening.pages@gmail.com Please note: * The No-Feedback entries will be automatically filed and processed later for judges to check through after entry to the competition has closed. Staff do not receive and cannot review the files for No-Feedback mail, including entries, covering letters or details, so cannot correspond with No-Feedback entrants, and no confirmation letters or acknowledgements can be mailed. * Though the assessments and feedback are the uniquely valuable aspect of entering this competition, it should be noted that previous entrants who have sent in outstanding No-Feedback entries have won awards, including 1st place. * To keep up with the competition, it is recommended that Full Feedback entrants sign up for the newsletter, which will feature updates and advice. To be on the newsletter list, please send your name in an email with the subject heading: Inside Informer to: uka.opening.pages@gmail.com and you’ll be added to the list! – we’ll get it going as soon as possible! and hope to send it out every month or so. We can’t tell you exactly who’s doing well! but we will be sending out regular comments from readers and judges this year, with the ups and downs, as well as tips and notes on style and approach, and synopsis writing. * Anyone who wants more in-depth editing should email: ukapress.editorial@gmail.com Deadline for entries is midnight, 31st December 2009
PAYMENT
Please include payment confirmation, and payment details, in your covering email.
Non-UK residents should use the credit card facility or Paypal, but NOT cheques, as we are unable to cash them.
You can pay your entry fee using the following payment methods:
By UK postal order, or UK-only cheque, made out to UKA Press, and posted to:
UKA Press
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Ware
Herts
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