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The Guardian Monthly Self-Publishing Prize

by Alexa Smith Banned
6 replies
This was announced today ...

"The Guardian is set to become the first national newspaper to champion self-publishing on a regular basis with the launch of a new monthly prize that aims to find the best DIY novels.

The paper is teaming up with publisher Legend Times to support and showcase what it said was "the fantastic quality of writing that can be found from independent authors", as the sector continues to boom. New figures from Nielsen's Books & Consumers survey show that self-published books accounted for one in five of the 80m ebooks purchased in 2013. "No longer can the mainstream industry ignore what the general public have been reading and enjoying for a number of years, with many self-published authors outstripping the sales of novels published traditionally," said the Guardian."

More information here: The all-new monthly literary prize

(I haven't yet read all the fine print, but I think it's for UK residents only.)

Lexy
#guardian #monthly #prize #selfpublishing
  • Profile picture of the author KenJ
    Thanks Alexa

    This looks like a good opportunity for us UK authors. As You can submit books that are already self published this means that we can offer our existing titles for consideration.
    Now I have to decide which one.

    KenJ

    P.S. You read The Guardian?
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    • Profile picture of the author smokemare
      I read the Guardian! And the Observer! Most of what people in the UK consider a 'paper' are more like comics. Full of chest-beating, opinionated drivel and made-up crap.

      I hate how much power the UK tabloid press has, with a vengeance.

      And yes! I've made an entry! My Deathsworn Arc: The Last Dragon Slayer has been submitted! I won't be short-listed, I won't win - because nice things like that don't happen to me, and because I know the book isn't as professional and polished as it could be... I suppose if the rest of this months entries are total pap then I might be in with a shot? That would be awesome!

      Really excited, not very hopeful though. Still, wish me luck!

      Martyn
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by smokemare View Post

        Really excited, not very hopeful though. Still, wish me luck!
        I certainly do, Martyn.

        Originally Posted by smokemare View Post

        I won't be short-listed, I won't win - because nice things like that don't happen to me, and because I know the book isn't as professional and polished as it could be.
        Will you excuse my skepchickery in observing that nicer things, overall, tend to happen to people whose submissions are as professional and polished as they could be?

        Lexy
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        • Profile picture of the author smokemare
          Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

          I certainly do, Martyn.



          Will you excuse my skepchickery in observing that nicer things, overall, tend to happen to people whose submissions are as professional and polished as they could be?

          Lexy
          You're right, but I think my submission IS as professional and polished as it could be without paying for professional editing. I don't feel I'm in a position to invest in that at the moment. If I move to traditional publishing that might change - but that might change a lot of my strategy. I'd probably end up trying to use the 'Published' label as a springboard to strengthen my brand.

          I do think my book is pretty unique, the thing is the uniqueness starts out subtle in book 1 - as I don't want to put people off by giving them something they're 'too' unfamiliar with.

          I'm going to submit books 1, 2 and the trilogy on different months. In trying to tackle the challenging fantasy genre, with it's more discerning readers - I'm learning a lot and getting a lot better at every aspect of this. We'll see, I'm not hopeful - but partly because it's the first month and there's probably going to be a deluge of entries. I also worry that the Guardian might favour literary fiction and end up focused on new voices in that genre.

          We'll see

          Martyn
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Thanks for the share. I just scanned through the Terms & Conditions, it's only open to UK residents ages 18 or over.

    But this is great news. The big publishing houses are shaking at their boots because they know this is where it's heading. In fact, many of them have talent scouts to seek out more self-publishers.

    It's such a great time to be alive.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
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    • Profile picture of the author smokemare
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      Thanks for the share. I just scanned through the Terms & Conditions, it's only open to UK residents ages 18 or over.

      But this is great news. The big publishing houses are shaking at their boots because they know this is where it's heading. In fact, many of them have talent scouts to seek out more self-publishers.

      It's such a great time to be alive.

      RoD
      I've entered!... Twice!
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