Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc. 

SPIRIT OF WRITING CONTEST

Writing Contest Rules

 

• ENTRANTS RETAIN ALL PUBLICATION RIGHTS

• $10 ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED

• ALL AWARDS ARE ADJUDICATED BY PUBLISHED AUTHORS & PUBLISHERS    

• PRIZES: $500

• OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW AND AMATEUR WRITERS OF NEW SHORT STORIES

 

1. $10 entry fee is required, and all rights in the story remain the property of the author. All types of romance, fiction, holiday themes, LBGT, Inspirational and YA are welcome.

2. By submitting to the Contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all Contest rules.

3. All entries must be original works, in English. Plagiarism, which includes the use of third-party poetry, song lyrics, characters or another person’s universe, without written permission, will result in disqualification. Excessive violence or sex, determined by the judges, will result in disqualification. Entries may not have been previously published in professional media.

4. To be eligible, entries must be no more than 5,000 words in length. We regret we cannot consider poetry, or works intended for children.

5. The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment of at least six cents per word, and at least 5,000 copies, or 5,000 hits.

6. Entries submitted in hard copy must be typewritten or a computer printout in black ink on white paper, printed on the front and back of the paper, double-spaced, with numbered pages. All other formats will be disqualified. Each entry must have a cover page with the title of the work, the author’s legal name, a pen name if applicable, address, telephone number, e-mail address and an approximate word count. Every subsequent page must carry the title and a page number.

7.  The deadline for entry is 11:59 PM EST, on 30 September 2015. For proof of delivery, please track your package with your shipper – we are not able to confirm individual deliveries.

Prizes

An announcement of the winner will be posted on the CSP website and prominent social media outlets to include Twitter & Facebook on 1 December 2015.

 

Grand Prize Winner:

$500 in cash

Guest blog opportunity on the CSP website.

Story promoted on CSP website for 60 days.

 

Honorable Mentions:

$25 Visa Gift Card

Have their stories promoted on CSP website for 30 days. 

Guest blog opportunity on the CSP website. 

 

Important & Helpful Information Prior to Entering

• Nothing accompanying an entry will be returned. This includes scripts, books, stories etc.

• Online entries are processed immediately, as are credit card payments submitted online an email will be sent as proof of delivery. 

• Check your spelling carefully including email addresses etc. Incorrect email addresses may result in transmission of important information being delayed and/or unsuccessful.

• Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc.  assumes all entries are original and are the works and property of the entrant, with all rights granted therein.

• Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc.    is not liable for any copyright infringement on the part of the entrant and will not become involved in copyright disputes.

• Winners will be notified by mail and announced on the CSP website. Entrants not selected as winners will not be notified individually.

• Entries may be submitted either online or by mail.

• Entry fees may be paid online by credit/debit cards via PayPal or by Cashiers Check or Money Order. 

• Entrants submitting entries online but wishing to pay entry fees by check (this includes cashier’s checks & money orders), should submit their entry online & checkout; selecting the “check” option from dropdown menu on the online payment page.

• Checks should then be mailed by the competition deadline (at the time of entry) to the address listed on the submission confirmation. Please include your entry title & the competition name with your check.

• Checks should be clipped securely & visibly (not stapled) to the entry form (or copy of the form if you entered online). Do not place checks inside books or envelopes.

• The deadline for entry is 11:59 PM EST, on 30 September 2015. For proof of delivery, please track your package with your shipper – we are not able to confirm individual deliveries.

 

 

Category Selection

Select the category that best represents your entry. If the judges feel that another category is more appropriate, we will switch the category for you, on your behalf.

• Genre Fiction: Stories that fit into a specific classification such as mystery, romance, science fiction, horror or fantasy.

• Mainstream/Literary Fiction: Serious, non-formulaic fiction that does not fit into a genre. For the sake of separating them entirely from genre fiction, are combined into their own category. Literary fiction is generally more concerned with style and characterization, and may be paced more slowly than commercial fiction. It usually centers on a timeless, complex theme. Mainstream fiction is usually faster paced, with a stronger plot line (and more events and/or higher stakes). Characterization may not be as central to the story and the theme may be more obvious than literary fiction. The category of both of these two indicates that the story would generally appeal to a larger audience and isn’t confined by the rules and structure you might see in a typical genre.

• Memoirs/Personal Essay: This is an article that is distinguished by and draws its power from its personal viewpoint. In such pieces, the author examines an issue, event, experience, place or idea and offers an opinion or some other reaction to it. The goal of an essay may be to explain, justify or persuade. The last is most often the goal of newspaper op-ed essays.

• Inspirational: An article, essay or story with an explicitly religious, spiritual or otherwise inspirational focus.. An essay on how the power of Christ, (or Buddha, or Allah or Vashti) touched your life would be inspirational. A story about the power of religion, the power of prayer, or the power of the universe would be inspirational.

• Mainstream/Literary Short Story and Genre Short Story.

• LGBT:  Any genre of literature but encompasses but focuses upon LGBT topics, discussions, romance and inspiration. 

• Romance: Romance fiction can encompass and draw themes, ideas and premises from other genres and can vary widely in setting, dialogue, characters, etc. Generally, however, romance fiction should include a love story involving two individuals struggling to make their relationship work and an emotionally satisfying ending.

• Young Adult: Young Adult fiction is generally fiction meant for readers age 12-18.

 

Word Count / Line Count Requirements

Online & Offline Entry forms must have the word/line/page count listed where requested. Mailed in entries must also include the word/line/page count on their actual paper entry. Count refers to all words making up the story (no matter the number of letters in the word). Do not count the title or contact information in the word count.

 

Note:  Payments by Cashiers Check or Money Order should be submitted with the entry and mailed to:

 

   Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc. 

C/O Spirit of Writing Contest

PO Box 12506

Durham, NC  27709

 

**Publishing consideration may come as a result of entry but is NOT guaranteed. **