Questions? Here are some answers to questions we've gotten so far.
(If you have other questions, post them in the comment section of this blog post. We will try to answer as soon as we can.)
15. I screwed up. I sent you the wrong version of my novel. Can I get a do-over?
Yes. We want to see your best work.
14. I actually registered for the Backspace Contest already. Can I still enter?
Yes!
13. Is it open to categories/genres you don't normally consider?
It's open to all categories and genres.
Yes. We want to see your best work.
14. I actually registered for the Backspace Contest already. Can I still enter?
Yes!
13. Is it open to categories/genres you don't normally consider?
It's open to all categories and genres.
12. Should the manuscripts not have names on them for blind judging?
NO! Please put your name on on your manuscript and in the running headers.11. Can Canadians join the fun?
Only if they are American citizens.
10. Will there be a maximum number of submissions?/Will there be a cap on the number of people who can enter?
No (insert sound of contest judges sobbing)
9. I queried someone else within the agency last week and have yet to hear anything (duh). Can I still enter the contest?
Yes!
8. I'm not American, but I live here/am a legal resident/have a green card. Can I enter?
No. American citizens only.
7. I see it states query letter, so is it safe to assume if you don't like the query you won't bother reviewing the actual manuscript sent along with it? Just curious. I know many (like myself) can bang out 300 pages of pure entertainment, but having to cram the creativity in such a small way screws with ya.
Assume nothing about how the entries are evaluated.
6. Is novella length a disqualifier?
No. Novel-length is 50K and up.
5. Is it only one entry per person?
Yes
4. If you've read my manuscript before, are we still allowed to enter?
Yes!
3. If you currently have something of ours on request, are we still allowed to enter?
Yes!
2. Wow, what if the winner receives an offer of representation between submitting to the contest and the winner being announced.
If you get an agent while the contest is open, please let us know. The prize is designed to help someone connect with an agent and learn about publishing. If you have an agent, you don't need the prize!
1. I have published a 220-page collection of short stories, and two NON-fiction technical books. Does that exclude me?
No. It does NOT exclude you. You can NOT be published in novel-length form. That's it.
