Update: Entries are now closed, we are grateful for everyone who participated and are now reading all entries. Winners and runners-up, as well as those who purchased an Assessed entry, will hear from us in April. Meanwhile, please check out our new online publication, Published Now for tips and tricks on how to become and succeed as an author. For any questions, email [email protected]
Prompt: Imagine that your book—it could be a book you have finished, a book you're working on, or just an idea that you have kicking around in your head—imagine that it becomes more successful than you ever even dared to dream of.
What happens then?
How is the world a different place? You can paint a scene. You can zoom into one specific person's life. You can describe a change in belief, in habits, in lifestyle. You can write about a children's book, a non-fiction book, a memoir, or even a novel. And once again, it doesn't have to be a book you've written (yet), though it certainly could be if you choose.
The only criteria? Keep your entry below 1,500 words. And write about a book that you have either written, are in the process of writing, or have the intention to write.
Win publishing opportunities
Exisle Publishing (est 1991) and our award-winning children's and middle-grade imprint, EK Books, are on the lookout for new writers to join our family in 2023 and 2024. Selected entries from this competition will be invited to sit down—virtually or in-person, depending on your location—with our senior publishers to discuss developing your book and bringing your book to market with us.
At least one competition entrant will be granted a traditional, royalty-paying contract with either Exisle or EK Books, with other traditional and/or hybrid contracts available to other entrants. All publishing offers are obligation free. Selected entries will also have their stories published on Exisle Academy.
Deadline to submit is March 1, 2023. Please select your preferred option to continue:
Important: After registering with your preferred option below, you will be taken to a secure, private page with instructions on how to submit your entry. If you have any questions, please write to [email protected]
Standard entry—$15
Your entry will be read and considered by judges from the Exisle Publishing and EK books team. You will only receive a reply if we are interested in hearing more about you and your book/manuscript or idea. Your entry fee includes a coupon for $15 that can be put towards any book on ExislePublishing.com or EKBooks.org, or any Exisle Academy program.
Assessed entry—$75
Your entry will be read and considered by judges from the Exisle Publishing and EK books team. You will receive a guaranteed, personal reply from a senior editor with an honest constructive, and succinct assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your story and the underlying idea. You can use this to further develop your idea with clarity on what professional publishers find appealing and what may have been putting them off until now. You will also receive a $15 coupon to spend on any Exisle, EK Books, or Exisle Academy product.
Authors who we are interested in working with will be contacted on a rolling basis between now and April 30, 2023. Writers who purchase an 'assessed' entry will receive their feedback in early April or sooner.
Reminder: The deadline to submit is March 1, 2023