contest is now closed!
Congratulations to 2020 Finalists!
1st Place - Last Woman on Earth - Rachel Herod
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2nd Place - A Different Kind – Lynne Tagawa
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3rd Place - Rain in the Wilderness – Laura DeNooyer
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4th Place - Topping the Willow - Lori Closter
Mt. Zion Ridge Press announces its first (dare we hope it to become annual?) writing competition.
Submission period: Now through January 30, 2020.
Published and Unpublished Authors of Christian Fiction
Deadline for Submission: January 30, 2020
Finalists Announced: February 28, 2020
Winner Announced at Writing Off the Beaten Path Christian Writer's Conference May 16, 2020 at Celebration Church, Akron, Ohio. Those not in attendance will be contacted by phone or email.
Cost: $10 per entry payable upon registration.
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ALL PARTICIPANTS are entitled to a $10 discount on registration for the Off the Beaten Path Writing Conference. Finalists receive a $15 discount on registration. You can take advantage of the early bird price and register now. If you are chosen as a finalist, we will refund you discount.
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Prizes:
1st Place: $15 Amazon gift card, winner’s certificate, GIF to put on your website/blog, and a copy of Do Yourself a Favor: Tips and Quips on the Writing Life
2nd & 3rd Place: Winner’s certificate, GIF to put on your website/blog, and a copy of Do Yourself a Favor: Tips and Quips on the Writing Life
4th & 5th Place: Winner’s certificate and GIF to put on your website/blog.
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All finalists have a CHANCE (no promises here) to be offered a publishing contract with Mt. Zion Ridge Press.
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Rules for Submitting: Any work not following these rules will be disqualified.
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We accept published and unpublished authors.
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Fiction work submitted cannot have been published before.
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All works submitted must have a Christian Worldview with no profanity, occult, or sex scenes on page.
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We accept all Christian fiction genres except picture books and children's chapter books.
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Follow all rules and guidelines to the letter.
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Nobody who is part of the selecting committee or is a current Mt Zion Ridge Press author or employee may enter the contest.
What are we looking for? Check the Write For Us page on the Mt. Zion Ridge Press website. Yeah, anything listed there. We’re not picky.
(Well, yeah, to be honest, we ARE picky, but you have a wide playing field to decide what to send us!)
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(Hint: Give us exactly what we ask for -- and by corollary, do NOT give us what we don't ask for!)
PHASE 1: Follow instruction on your conformation email. You will need a Word Document of 2 paragraph blurb, 1-page synopsis single-spaced, and first 5 pages of the completed Manuscript.
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We will acknowledge your entry within 7 days.
We WILL tell you whether or not you move on to Phase 2 BY FEBRUARY 10.
If you do not hear from us regarding Phase 2 by FEBRUARY 10, please email and ask – your entry or our response could get lost in the ether.
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PHASE 2: Runs concurrently with Phase 1. As Phase 1 entries are read and assessed, we will notify entrants if they move on to Phase 2. BE READY to move on to Phase 2.
We will ask you for the first 3 chapters/30 pages and last 3 chapters/30 pages, and an EXPANDED synopsis. All in ONE Word document.
FINALISTS: Will be announced on February 1.
At that time, we will ask finalists to send the ENTIRE manuscript as ONE Word document.
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PLEASE take the time to study the submission guidelines and follow them to the best of your ability.
Placement and a POSSIBLE book contract will be announced at the Off the Beaten Path Writing Conference, May 16 at Celebration Church in Akron, Ohio. Immediately after, placement and contract will be announced on our website.
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