British Comedy Guide

Competition Advice

Yes, I know there are loads of requests for advice here already, but I couldn't see it fitting in with the others.

It's a Novel writing competition and I've read and re-read the rules, but it doesn't seem to explain these points.

Firstly, it says "One entry only per person" so I don't want to ask these questions in an email in case it picks up my address and later automatically cancels my entry.

They want a short synopsis and a 3,000 word segment.

Do I just send them one attachment with firstly my name and contact details (No mention of not including your name on the entry), the synopsis and then the excerpt?

What would you do?

Quote: Chappers @ 26th September 2022, 4:01 PM

Yes, I know there are loads of requests for advice here already, but I couldn't see it fitting in with the others.

It's a Novel writing competition and I've read and re-read the rules, but it doesn't seem to explain these points.

Firstly, it says "One entry only per person" so I don't want to ask these questions in an email in case it picks up my address and later automatically cancels my entry.

They want a short synopsis and a 3,000 word segment.

Do I just send them one attachment with firstly my name and contact details (No mention of not including your name on the entry), the synopsis and then the excerpt?

What would you do?

I'd send one document. File name to be your name + title of book
A page for your details, separate page for your synopsis, separate however many pages foe your 3000 words -each section clearly titled.
If it doesn'rt specify file format I'd put it together as a PDF as that stops bits falling off.

Quote: Lazzard @ 26th September 2022, 5:15 PM

I'd send one document. File name to be your name + title of book
A page for your details, separate page for your synopsis, separate however many pages foe your 3000 words -each section clearly titled.
If it doesn'rt specify file format I'd put it together as a PDF as that stops bits falling off.

Thanks Lazzard.

And make sure on the email subject line you put your name or pen name and the Novel's Title as this is sometimes overlooked I've read, and causes them headaches, especially if there's more than one with the same title entered. But in the email itself it's fine to ask questions about entry requirements if it's not clear.

They're not going to disqualify you for sending two emails, only if you send two different file documents as comp entries. Even then, they'd probably just accept the first one and not exclude you completely. The fact they have a contest at all means they are fairly open to start with, not ridiculously restrictive for the sake of it. It's always amazed me, as a very late submitter to comps how far some of them go past their "strict deadline" to accept entries - most likely the ones who charge for entries, obviously.

Quote: Lazzard @ 26th September 2022, 5:15 PM

separate however many pages foe your 3000 words -each section clearly titled.

Shouldn't be any more than ten pages, probably less, unless you have a lot of dialogue passages. But I wouldn't myself send a speech heavy section of it, two or three pages worth is probably okay, but opinions on it differ and dialogue heavy novels are very common nowadays, so I'd find out who the judges are and have a quick look at their typical style, to be safe.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Lucky I sent my query from a different email address.

"Thank you for your entry to the Daily Mail First Novel competition in association with Sphere.
Please be aware that this inbox is unmanned and no other replies will be sent from this email address.
All entries must be received by 11:59pm on 1st November 2022 and the winner will be announced by 1st March 2023.
We look forward to reading your work."

I wish you well, Dave

Quote: Hercules Grytpype Thynne @ 27th September 2022, 3:31 PM

I wish you well, Dave

Thanks. The good thing about this one is the possibility that not winning the top prize one of the judges might pick up something for their own publisher.

Why haven't we seen any of this on Critique, you secretive bugger?

Quote: Lazzard @ 27th September 2022, 6:17 PM

Why haven't we seen any of this on Critique, you secretive bugger?

It's not particularly funny. Only a bit - like a Leslie Thomas novel.

If it's like Virgin Soldiers it will be a good read.

Well he wrote about 20 novels. It's more like Tropic of Ruislip - or just Tropic when it was on TV.

Entry sent today. Just have to wait and see. Thanks for your advice.

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