no fee YA young adult novel; Dec 31 deadline

[Stephanie]

I don't think I've posted this (have I?):

The Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel awards $1,500 in cash and a $7,500 advance to a full-length unpublished young adult novel. If you have a YA manuscript kicking around, enter the contest - there is no entry fee. Deadline is Dec 31.

More details at

www.randomhouse.com/kids/games/delacorte.html (http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/games/delacorte.html)

[lucyishome]

I wanted to thank you for posting this. I started my 3rd book which just happens to be a young adult work of fiction. I have been putting of writing for the last three weeks just lack of motivation I guess. Anyway I read this post and got really excited. Even if I did not win I still have some motivation for getting this book done. Thanks so much.

Anne


:clap

[Arisa81]

I haven't read the full guidelines yet, but I immensly hope that my YA work will fit, although it probably won't because it is actually shorter than full length...it is a novella or novelette...whichever one I found out it was hehe...

:gone

[Cyyschn]

What does "contemporary setting" mean? Does this mean anything somewhat fantastical is unacceptable?

Thanks
Cyyschn

[Stephanie]

That's wonderful, Anne! Sometimes all we need is that spark to really get the fire going again, eh?

April - who knows? Maybe your book'll surprise you - and you'll need a whole series to complete the story.

Cyyschn, as "contemporary setting" just refers present time, I would think that you could weave in a fantastical situation (rather like the Harry Potter series--his home in suburban London; entering his magic world via the pillar in the tube). However, I would advise you to contact the editor directly if at all possible.

Best of luck, all!

[Kida Adelyn]

Arisa:
the guidlines say:
Manuscripts should be no shorter than 100 typewritten pages and no longer than 224 typewritten pages. Include a brief plot summary with your covering letter.
That means they don't really want a long book. Your's could probably fill it.


I think I might try for next years contest. They seem to have it every year.

[Arisa81]

Thanks for that !

I will have to take a look at mine and figure out just how long it is hehe.