So, Amazon.com and Penguin Group are once again presenting the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2010. Has anyone entered in the past? Does anyone plan to enter this year?Me? I did last year. It was my introduction to fellow writers, where I first received a critique of a small portion of my work through the affiliated CreateSpace preview gallery. It was a wild and wooly adventure. And the Forum over there was a whole ‘nother experience!
This year? I’m thinking about it…the rules don’t prohibit querying in the meantime, and (don’t call me a pessimist, but) it’s unlikely I’ll acquire an agent in the first few months.
The big change this year is that the 10,000 entries will be split evenly between "Young Adult Literature" (defined as general or genre-based fiction primarily enjoyed by readers age 12 to 17) and "General Fiction" (defined as general or genre-based literature primarily enjoyed by readers age 17 and older). And, they are accepting previously self-published novels! And, entry is free
Submissions are open from January 25, 2010 to February 7, 2010. The prize? A full publishing contract with Penguin and $15,000 payment is an advance against the royalties. I think last year it was $25,000. And, professional reviewers from Publishers Weekly will provide full-manuscript reviews for novels that go on to the semifinalist round in April.
Either way, it’s something to think about…
First I'd, uh, have to write a novel. I'll have to keep this one in mind for next year, though. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSimon, I knew you'd weigh in one way or the other, and I bet you will have something for next year!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a huge opportunity. Not that I have anything finished or even halfways worthy at the moment, but I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAre you going for it Bridget? And what did you submit last year?
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI’m still undecided—my husband says I should, and he has a lot of sway with me...
I entered SfaS, back when it was only 73,000 words, and I erroneously labeled it Woman’s Fiction. I guess I thought it would appeal more to women—honestly, I just didn’t know what the heck I was doing. It was scary as all get out, and you can imagine how much I obsessed over it. That’s the part I wouldn’t particularly look forward to again.
I'm liking free entries myself these days. Thanks for the heads-up. I might do it. Although I'd have to do some serious work before the deadline.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great opportunity. Best wishes to you!
I entered a couple of years ago--the first time they held it. I found the whole thing too stressful. I like contests where you enter and then at some point find out if you won or lost. But this one has all these levels and I got too obsessed with worrying about it, reading the forums etc. So, no, I'm not entering. I think they've found some good books this way and I've noticed that some of the finalists that year have been published (and even some of those who did well with ratings, but weren't finalists). But it isn't for me.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about getting “too obsessed with worrying about it, reading the forums etc.” That’s my biggest reservation at this point. Don’t know if my OCD tendencies are up for it.
ReplyDeleteUh, I'm with Simon.
ReplyDeleteLiza, I can only imagine the sort of novel you’d come up with...Hmmm...delightfully textured...
ReplyDeleteIs it that time again already??? I've never entered it, but I paid attention to it a bit last year. I could have sworn it was only a couple of months ago. If you enter, good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Davin.
ReplyDeleteYep, it’s that time! I’m not even sure if I’ll have my novel back from my ‘technical’ reader by then. I probably won’t decide about entering till the last minute.
Yeah, I agree w/ Matilda -- the levels are stressful and creating the blurbs is a bit of a pain. Still might enter, but not sure.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Bane—the 300 word pitch, that seems to encompass mere than the ordinary query letter, is a real challenge. Can’t wait to find out who follows through with it…
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, definitely something to think about. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Nathan Bransford did a good post on the ABNA and other competitions. I thought it was well rounded--perhaps you've already seen it.
ReplyDelete