Mystery & Mayhem Awards (M&Ms) Cozy Mystery Novels Writing Contest 2013
Currently accepting entries. Deadline: April 30th, 2013
Two Divisions: Published (Legacy, Indie, Self-Pub, Small Press, E-pub) and Manuscripts
The M&Ms First Place Award Winning Authors will receive:
- Award winning books will be placed on the Chanticleer Book Shelves (which sell and promote the winning titles). Our CBR Book Shelves are located in participating Independent Book Stores across the U.S.
- A coveted Chanticleer Book Review
- A CBR Blue Ribbon embossed with the Contest Name, Author Name, and Book Title to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals
- Digital award stickers for on-line promotion
- Adhesive book stickers
- Shelf-talkers and other promotional items
- Promotion in print and on-line media
- Review of book distributed to on-line sites and printed media publications
- Review, cover art, and author synopsis listed in CBR’s newsletter
And the 1st Place Award winners will automatically be entered into the GRAND PRIZE AWARD for title of The Best of the CBR Award Winning Books of 2013!
The Mystery and Mayhem Awards (M&Ms) Categories are:
- Mystery (ex. Agatha Christie, Alexander McCall style)
- Romance
- Animals (ex. Cat Who…)
- Cooking, Knitting, Gardening & Hobbies
- New categories/Blended Genres
- Medical/Lab Lit
- Travel (ex. Peter Mayle)
- Humourous
Each work submitted will be judged on the following criteria:
- Is the story compelling?
- Professionalism of editing and formatting
- Characterization
- Continuity of storyline
- Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
- Intriguing opening
- Uniqueness of story
- Writing Craft
- Red herrings
- Plot thread
- Sidekick
Mystery & Mayhem (M&Ms) Awards Published Cozy Novels Division Eligibility Requirements
- Novels may be Self-published, Indie Published or Traditionally Published.
- E-pubbed Novels with ISBN designation will be accepted in the published division.
- All novels must have ISBN designation.
- Entries must be in the English language.
- Please note if BSE (British Standard English) is used instead of ASE.
- No erotica. No graphic violence, please. We are looking for true cozy novels.
- Young Adult Novels are accepted. We invite you to read about CBR’s Dante Rossetti Awards for YA.
- Copyrighted works before Dec. 31, 2009 will not be accepted.
- Fees, Submission Forms and Novel must be received before April 30, 2013 midnight.
- Please read our Terms and Conditions page aka The Fine Print.
- You will receive “How to Submit Your Novel” instructions after entry fee is received.
- Novels must be 30,000 plus words.
- You may enter in more than one category. However, each entry must be accompanied by the entry fee.
- You may enter more than one novel into a given contest.
- If none of the entries place in the final round, then it is possible that the judges will not award a 1st Place winner.
- Default winners will not be declared. Contests are based on merit and writing craft.
Mystery & Mayhem (M&Ms) Awards Manuscripts and Unpublished Cozy Novels Division Eligibility Requirements
- Novels may not be published or under publishing contract at time of entry.
- Novels may not have ISBN designation at time of submission.
- Digital Files must be submitted in PDF form.
- Single space
- Please use a font with a serif such as Times New Roman
- Font size 11 or 12, please.
- One inch margins all the way around.
- Title must appear on each page.
- Pages must be numbered sequentially in the header and the footer.
- Please use page breaks between chapters.
- Word count of 30,000 plus.
- No erotica or graphic violence, please. Please adhere to the true cozy novel description.
- Young Adult works will be accepted. We invite you to read about CBR’s Dante Rossetti Awards for YA.
- Fees, Submission Forms and Novel must be received before April 30, 2013 midnight.
- Please read our Terms and Conditions page aka The Fine Print.
- Default winners will not be declared. Contests are based on merit and writing craft.
Mystery & Mayhem (M&Ms) Awards Writing Competition Prizes – Published Division
First Place Winners in each category will win a Chanticleer Book Review Package (valued at $ 245.00) and Mystery and Mayhem Awards CBR First Place Blue Ribbons (digital and stickers). All first place winners will be automatically entered into the CBR Grand Prize Writing Competition for CBR’s Best Books of 2013. All 1st Place winners will receive promotion and publicity.
Category Finalists will be announced in our social media and on our website. They will be awarded Madness & Mayhem Finalist book promotion digital and adhesive stickers.
Mystery & Mayhem (M&Ms) Awards Writing Competition Prizes – Unpublished & Manuscripts Division
First Place Winners in each category will win a Chanticleer Manuscript Overview Package (valued at $ 325.00) . Or they may elect to submit their work when it published for a Chanticleer Book Review. All first place winners will be automatically entered into the CBR Grand Prize Writing Competition for CBR’s Best Manuscripts of 2013.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email: info@ChantiReviews.com