Hey Stephen, my apologies for never seeing this. Looks like you're still active. If you've already published it on Substack before the start of a season, then it would not qualify for the Short Story category. It helps keep things fresh. Sorry for taking so long to reply.
Brian, my serial is written in scenes averaging 500 words. The first three published scenes, totaling 1775 words, I consider "chapter one." Can these three be submitted for your Serial contest? Thanks!
Great question, Val. I only consider a single post to be a submission. I have had others who were serializing, but then published a post later combining multiple posts they considered Chapter One so they could enter. If that's a possibility for you.
This sounds like such fun! If I am reading correctly, a serialized novel that was already begun is allowed in the First Chapter category...? If so, mine has a prologue... should the entry be the Prologue or Chapter 1? Sorry for the Qs, but thank you!
Yes, you're correct, when a season has a First Chapter category, it can be published at any time on Substack. As for the prologue, it's completely up to you. Some authors choose the first chapter over the prologue, while others submit the prologue. I will take either. Thanks for the question!
Hi Alexa! I've had others ask about similar fiction, and my best response is that it depends on how you would market the book's genre irrespective of age group. If you would market it first as science fiction and second as thriller or mystery, then it would qualify. But if you would market it first as thriller or mystery, then it would likely not. I know it's not a hard and fast rule, but it's the best guide I know to use. Does that help?
Can I enter a story that has already published on Substack but that I’ve done further work on?
Hey Stephen, my apologies for never seeing this. Looks like you're still active. If you've already published it on Substack before the start of a season, then it would not qualify for the Short Story category. It helps keep things fresh. Sorry for taking so long to reply.
Brian, my serial is written in scenes averaging 500 words. The first three published scenes, totaling 1775 words, I consider "chapter one." Can these three be submitted for your Serial contest? Thanks!
Great question, Val. I only consider a single post to be a submission. I have had others who were serializing, but then published a post later combining multiple posts they considered Chapter One so they could enter. If that's a possibility for you.
This sounds like such fun! If I am reading correctly, a serialized novel that was already begun is allowed in the First Chapter category...? If so, mine has a prologue... should the entry be the Prologue or Chapter 1? Sorry for the Qs, but thank you!
Yes, you're correct, when a season has a First Chapter category, it can be published at any time on Substack. As for the prologue, it's completely up to you. Some authors choose the first chapter over the prologue, while others submit the prologue. I will take either. Thanks for the question!
Hey Brian! Would Over the Top Secret qualify for a first chapter submission to the Lunar Awards?
Hi Alexa! I've had others ask about similar fiction, and my best response is that it depends on how you would market the book's genre irrespective of age group. If you would market it first as science fiction and second as thriller or mystery, then it would qualify. But if you would market it first as thriller or mystery, then it would likely not. I know it's not a hard and fast rule, but it's the best guide I know to use. Does that help?
Got it! OTTS is humor first, thriller mystery second, and includes loose sci-fi elements, so does not qualify. Thank you!
What a brilliant initiative - bravo and thank you for a smorgasbord of stories to read and future entries to write.
Thanks, Stephen!
Hi, I’m new to Substack, how can I submit a story?
Hi Alexander, welcome to the community! If you read the About page, I think you'll get a better idea of how it works.