The Tucson Writers Workshop

The Editorial Department Announces a Statewide Writers' Contest for Arizona Authors

Tucson, Arizona, September 07, 2005

In celebration of 25 years of success, The Editorial Department, LLC a cooperative of seasoned independent book editors, invites all Arizona writers of unpublished book-length fiction and nonfiction works to participate in a statewide writers' contest.

The grand prize, which will be awarded based on the literary merit and commercial salability of the manuscript, is a comprehensive manuscript evaluation, followed by a line edit executed by Renni Browne, the company's founder, former senior editor of William Morrow, and author of the top-selling "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers".

The contest guidelines and further details follow:

Fall 2005 Arizona Statewide Writers' Contest
Sponsored by The Editorial Department

Guidelines: All Arizona-based writers of book-length fiction or non-fiction manuscripts are eligible. To enter, contestants are invited to upload the first five pages of their manuscripts via the contest page on our website.

Entrance to the contest will be determined on a first-come first-serve basis, with a 300-submission limit. Manuscripts need not be 100% complete at time of entry as the grand prize can be redeemed for up to one year, but writers must have at least three chapters and an outline ready to submit at time of entry. Prizewinners will be asked to provide proof of Arizona
residency.

Fee: $25

Deadline:
Entries will be accepted from September 20th through October 31st, 2005.

How it works: Each entrant will receive a critique of his or her five-page submission from an editor at The Editorial Department. The judges will then select the top 20 candidates, who will be asked to submit the first three chapters and a story outline for a more in-depth critique and consideration for the three prize packages.

Grand Prize: A comprehensive evaluation, followed by a line-edit of the entire manuscript. The work will be executed by Renni Browne, former senior editor of William Morrow, founder of The Editorial Department, and co-author of "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers".

2nd Prize: A ShawGuides Learning Vacation Gift Certificate for $150, redeemable for any of the craft & writing workshops listed on ShawGuides.com.

3rd Prize: A writers on writing book package, including the winner's choice of three of the following:
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King
The First Five Pages, by Noah Lukeman
Write Away, by Elizabeth George
Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein
How to Get Happily Published: A Complete and Candid Guide, by Judith Applebaum
2005-2006 Jeff Herman's Guide to Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, by Jeff Herman

Prizewinners will be announced by November 30th, 2005.

All entrants are asked to visit the contest page for the contest guidelines and an entry submission form.

Special thanks and a Shout Out!
go to Lynne Zerance,
of The Editorial Department,
7660 E. Broadway Blvd., # 210,
Tucson, Arizona 85710
(520) 546-9992
(866) 360-6996

Why not create a writing checklist? Once you have it done, you can bring it to the next workshop and we'll go over it with you, as a group. This just might be helpful as a jumpstart.

1) What writing project are you currently working on?

2) Is there a deadline for this project?

3) What are your short-range writing goals for the next 3 months?

4) What are your long-term writing goals (for the next 1 to 3 years)?

5) What kind of help would you like to have available, as you work toward your writing goals?