This page will be updated as I find contests without entrance fees taking place April–July 2015. This will also be my last seasonal roundup, since I’ve found other contest lists which are updated regularly: Carissa Taylor’s list of contests, updated each year; the contests hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing, open for MG–NA manuscripts; KIDLIT 411’s contests for writers and illustrators of children’s literature; and Sub It Club’s Contest Roundups.
April–July Pitching Opportunities:
- Nest Pitch (April 1)
- PitchSlam (April 3)
- Query Kombat (May 22)
- PitMad (June 4)
- SFFpit (June 18)
- Pitch to Publication (June 29)
- 70pit (July 1)
Know of any others? Comment below!
For: MG-Adult
Submission Date: April 1st
Submission Package: 35-word pitch, Easter Egg question, first 300 words (see blog for specifics)
Entries: More details will be released March 23rd/24th on the Nest Pitch blog.
Winners: 40 will be chosen and mentored.
Twitter: Cheer each other on using the #NestPitch2015 hashtag.
For: MG-Adult
Submission Date: April 3rd
Submission Package: 35-word pitch, first 250 words (see blog for specifics)
Entries: Unlimited within submission window
Winners: Slush readers provide feedback on the 35-word pitch (round one) and the first 250 (round two). In round three, anyone can enter, and the hosts each pick 8 entries for an agent round.
Twitter: Cheer each other on using the #PitchSlam hashtag.
For: MG, YA, NA, and Adult genres, excluding erotica
Submission Date: May 22nd
Submission Package: query, first 250 words (see blog for specifics)
Entries: 200
Winners: 64 entries will be chosen to compete, bracket-style. Final four are reviewed by agents.
Twitter: Root for your favorite entries using the #QueryKombat hashtag.
#PitMad Twitter Contest
For: PB, MG, YA, NA, A
Submission Date: June 4
Submission Package: Variety of Twitter Pitches (see my guide here)
Entries: unlimited during submission window
Winners: A “favorite” from a legitimate agent or publisher is a request to query. Each agent participating will give specific instructions for submitting requested material.
Twitter: Pitch party open to all complete manuscripts
For: PB, MG, YA, NA, A
Submission Date: June 18th
Submission Package: Variety of Twitter Pitches (see my guide here) including sub-genre (see that guide here)
Entries: unlimited during submission window
Winners: A “favorite” from a legitimate agent or publisher is a request to query. Each agent participating will give specific instructions for submitting requested material.
Twitter: Tweet your pitch in 140 characters or fewer on Twitter, during the submission window. Use hashtag #SFFpit and include sub-genre and age (see blog for more info).
For: MG–A
Submission Date: June 29th–July 3rd
Submission Package: Query, first 5 pages, personality questionnaire, 5 choices of freelance editors
Entries: unlimited during submission window
Winners: Each writer will submit to 5 freelance editors. Each editor (including me!) will choose one manuscript to critique. After the editor critiques the manuscript, it will be submitted for the agent round. Agents can reject or offer representation upon requesting full, critiqued and revised manuscripts. After the agent round, the writer has the option to participate in a small press round, in which publishers can make requests.
Twitter: Cheer each other on or ask questions using #PitchToPublication
For: PB, MG, YA, NA, A
Submission Date: July 1st
Submission Package: code name, novel’s intended audience, 7-word character description, 70th page (see blog for more info)
Entries: unlimited
Winners: Top 7 entries from each audience category will be featured HERE, on Write Edit Repeat, for agent perusal. More hosts are possible, and I’m sure there will be giveaways. Contact me if you’d like to be a slush reader!
Twitter: We’ll have a week-long party from July 1st–7th using #70pit.
Lara Willard 