Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Serendipity Literary's YA Novel Discovery Contest

In honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Regina Brooks, agent, founder of Serendipity Literary Agency, and author of WRITING GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS, is offering a contest for YA novelists--and no pitch or query is necessary. Instead, says Regina, "this contest is meant to encourage the aspiring YA author to get started on that novel by offering an incentive for completing the first 250 words."

Here are details:
  • The top 20 submissions will all be read by a panel of five judges comprised of top YA editors (see below). 
  • Of the 20, judges will choose the top five submissions and provide each author with commentary. 
  • These five winners will also receive a free one-year subscription to THE WRITER magazine. 
  • ONE Grand Prize Winner will win a full manuscript reading and editorial consultation from Regina Brooks and free 10-week writing course courtesy of the Gotham Writer’s Workshop
  • The first 100 writers to enter will receive free autographed copies of WRITING GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Entries via website only.
(click here for the form)
The deadline is November 30th.


Judges (in addition to Regina Brooks):
  • Nancy Mercado, Executive Editor at Roaring Brook Press
  • Nicole Raymond, Editor at Candlewick
  • Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Arthur Levine Books
  • Leila Sales, Editor Viking
  • Evette Porter, Editor at Harlequin
  • Leah Hultenschmidt, Executive Editor at Sourcebooks
This is a great opportunity to get your work seen by some wonderful editors and a top agent--and win some great prizes. To learn more about Regina Brooks and Serendipity Lit, check out the website. For more information on the contest, click here.

    8 comments:

    Stefanie Dawson said...

    The link says it is closed and they will announce winner in Dec

    SCBWI said...

    Hmmm. I'm checking links. When I click I just get the contest page. Stay tuned...

    Amy-Baskin.blogspot.com said...

    It also says they'll post the winners on or around December 31, 1969. That's right, 1969. Are we a little late to the party?

    Amy-Baskin.blogspot.com said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    SCBWI said...

    Sorry I gave you all a funky link.

    The link is now correct. Click "(click here for the form)" and you'll get the contest info page, and you can click ENTER THE CONTEST at the bottom.

    Regina assures me the contest is very much open and there's no need for a Wayback Machine!

    Amy-Baskin.blogspot.com said...

    Thanks for the info and new link, Alice!

    Unknown said...

    How can you honestly judge a YA novel by the first 250 words... ?

    SCBWI said...

    I think in 250 words, you could know if you'd want to see more. This is a good group of editor judges!

    Also note that there's a $15 entry fee.