The Virginia Prize 2011 is now open for entries. The competition is open to women over the age of 18 who have written an unpublished novel in English.
THE VIRGINIA PRIZE FOR FICTION
To celebrate 20 years of success as a small independent publishing house based in Richmond-upon-Thames, Aurora Metro launched a new competition in 2009 to encourage and promote new writing by women.
We are pleased to announce The Virginia Prize 2011.
Virginia Woolf completed and published her first novel The Voyage Out while living in Paradise Road in Richmond where she and her husband Leonard also founded the Hogarth Press in 1917. By naming this prize in Virginia Woolf’s memory, we’d like to celebrate her significant literary contribution and her inspiration to young writers.
Competition Rules
Closing date for receipt of postal entries: 15th July 2011
Eligibility
· The Prize is open to any woman, including non-UK residents, over 18 years.
· Only manuscripts in the form of a completed novel can be accepted.
· Manuscripts must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published, self-published, published on any website or online forum, broadcast nor having won or been placed in any other competition (as at 15th July 2011).
· Entries submitted posthumously will not be eligible.
Fees
· Entry fee is £5 per manuscript (you can send as many entries as you like).
· Fees are payable in sterling by cheque, postal order or via paypal. Cheques must be from a UK bank and should be payable to Aurora Metro Arts and Media Ltd. with the sender's name and address on the back.
· Postal entries from overseas can only be paid by Paypal at the current exchange rate to the Aurora Metro account.
· Overseas cheques, money orders or drafts will not be accepted.
Entry Format
· Manuscripts must be in English, typed, single sided, with pages numbered and securely fastened. Each entry must be separate.
· Manuscripts are not returned, keep a copy.
· No corrections can be made after receipt, nor fees refunded.
· Please ensure that you use the correct postage.
Receipt of entry
· It is not possible to confirm receipt of entries by phone or email.
· Enclose a stamped addressed postcard marked 'ACKNOWLEDGEMENT' if you require acknowledgement of receipt of your postal entry.
· Overseas entrants: please send an international reply coupon from your Post Office rather than stamps.
Results
· To receive the judges' reports (winning entries only) and full results in October 2011 - enclose an SAE marked 'RESULTS' .
· Alternatively, check the website for details in October 2011.
· Overseas entrants : please send an international reply coupon from your Post Office rather than stamps.
Copyright and publication
· Worldwide copyright of each manuscript remains with the author, but the Publisher, Aurora Metro Press will have the unrestricted right to publish the winning manuscript or those manuscripts which may be shortlisted. The Publisher may ask for alterations to the manuscript and the author agrees to make these alterations in a timely manner, prior to publication.
Judging
· The judges' decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into.
· Judges are unable to comment on individual entries.
· Judging is fair and unbiased. Experienced readers assist the judges in selecting the shortlists.
Prizes
· The Prize for the winning novel entry is: £1000 as well as the conditional offer of publication by Aurora Metro Press.
Prize winners / Prize-giving
· Prize winners and shortlisted authors will be notified in writing by beginning of October 2011.
· The prize winner's name will be displayed on the website after the prize-giving ceremony.
Entry implies acceptance of all the rules.
Failure to comply with the entry requirements will result in disqualification.
Print entry form, fill in and then post with fee and entry.
Postal entries should be sent to:
The Virginia Prize
67 Grove Avenue
Twickenham
TW1 4HX
Entry form >>
More information here.
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
