Please ensure you read the rules carefully before entering the competition.
Entry implies acceptance of all rules, and failure to comply may result in disqualification.
Disqualification
We disqualify submissions if they are published elsewhere, over the word limit, or do not meet the criteria specified in the ‘eligibility’ section.
General
Submissions can be of any genre, in any style or form. Children, sci-fi, war, erotic: let your imagination free! You can enter any number of submissions, but each will be subject to the full entry fee. If you submit in error and want to withdraw or exchange your story, please email submissions@new2thescene.co.uk with ‘exchange’ or ‘withdraw’ as the subject. This must be done before the deadline.
Entry fees will not be refunded.
Deadline
The deadline date for submissions is 23:59 (UK time) on the date stated in the details section on the website. Submissions after this time will not be accepted.
Submission
Word count: 4000 words max. No minimum. Title not included in the word count.
Format
- Add the word count to the top right of the first page. The title is not included in the word count but if you include a glossary of terms, this is included
- Do not add a front cover or title pages
- Use any font in 12pt
- Double line spaced
- Number the pages in the centre at the bottom of the page
- Save the file as a Microsoft Word document –.doc or .docx
- The file name should be the title of the novel followed by the entrant’s name e.g. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
- Accompanying emails and/or extra information will not be read
Eligibility
The competition is open to writers of any nationality, writing in English, aged 16 and over at the time of the closing date.
Submissions must be entirely your own work. Any evidence to the contrary will result in disqualification.
Submissions must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum.
If your submission has been longlisted or shortlisted in other competitions, provided it has not been published, it is eligible.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed but will become ineligible should they be published or scheduled for future publication prior to the date of prize giving. Entry fees will not be refunded.
You must inform us immediately should your submission be published elsewhere.
Judging
The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual submissions. Judging is fair and unbiased. Feedback will not be given. New2theScene reserves the right to change the panel of judges without notice.
Copyright
Worldwide copyright of each submission remains with the author, but New2theScene has unrestricted rights to publish the winning submission in an anthology, anywhere on its website, and on any relevant promotional material.
Results & prize
Winners will be notified by email within two weeks of the competition closure. Prizes and timelines for delivery will be emailed at the same time. If entrants have not had correspondence by this date, they have not been successful.