The 2006 Scribendi Short Story Contest

The Prizes

The Rules

  1. Please do not use email, fax or the contact form to ask Scribendi staff questions about the contest, about the status of your entry, about possible exceptions to the rules, etc. Everything you need to know can be found on this page. If it’s not here, it doesn’t apply to this competition.
  2. The competition is open to short stories that are written in English, and that are no more than 3,000 words in length. This is firm - no more than 3000 words.
  3. There are no restrictions as to genre. Your short story can be on any topic or theme. Entries will be judged on the basis of clarity and presentation of the subject, quality of language, and originality of the subject.
  4. The competition is open to adults aged 21 or over, anywhere in the world (unless you are prohibited from entering by your local regulations). The following are not permitted to enter the competition: employees, contractors (and their respective families) of Scribendi Inc. No preference in the judging process will be given to past, present or future clients of Scribendi.com's editorial services. In other words, you do not have to have used, or plan to use, Scribendi's services to enter the contest, nor does it improve or harm your chances of winning if you have done so.
  5. All entries must be original and unpublished (online or on paper), and not have been submitted for publication or competition elsewhere until after the winners are announced. Winners will be able to market their work or derivatives thereof elsewhere, as Scribendi does not claim rights to winning entries.
  6. You may enter the contest more than once. However, each entry must have only one author.
  7. We will only accept electronic submissions sent to us via our Web Site entry form (see link below). Do not mail a hard copy of your manuscript. Do not mail a disc or CD.
  8. All entries must:
    • Be in a PC compatible file format.
    • Be free from any type of computer virus, worm, Trojan, spyware or any other kind of malicious code.
    • Be in one of the following extensions: *.doc, *.rtf, *.txt, *.wpd or *.wps. If you are using a specialty writing program (ie., Final Draft), please use the Save As function to save it or export it in a format we can open and read - something compatible with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, Corel WordPerfect, Star Office or Open Office. If you're not a computer expert and have no idea what this rule means, please consult a friend or co-worker for help.
    • Your entry should be created with a word-processing program - no scans of handwritten or typewritten pages.
    • Please double-space your manuscript, use 1-inch margins all around, and use a 10- or 12-point serif font (ie., Times New Roman). Please do not use fancy fonts, colours, graphics, or other types of superfluous formatting. Judges reserve the right to disqualify an entry that is difficult to read.
  9. The entry fee is $15 USD per manuscript, payable online via MasterCard, Visa, or Paypal. You will need to fill out the entry form for each entry, and pay a separate fee for each.
  10. Entries must be uploaded to our web site no later than 11:59 p.m., September 25, 2006.
  11. Winners will be notified by November 30, 2006 and their names will be posted at Scribendi.com. If you have not been contacted by this date, you may assume that your entry is not a finalist and that it may be marketed elsewhere.
  12. Please see Rule #1.

 

 

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Additional Fine Print

Chances of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. All entries will be judged and winners selected based on merit. Entries will be judged on the basis of clarity and presentation of the subject, quality of language, and originality of the subject.

We assume no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected or unintelligible entries or for any computer, online or technical malfunctions that may occur. No submissions will be accepted after the posted deadline for any reason. The sole determinant of time with respect to the deadline will be our Web server. We are not responsible for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit your ability to participate.

By entering the contest, participants release and hold us and our respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the contest or any prize won. Our standard Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy also apply and are incorporated into these rules by reference.

This contest is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada excluding its conflict of law rules. The Parties hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, and the Federal Court of Canada. Any actions against us must be commenced in the courts of Ontario or the Federal Court of Canada. This contest is void where prohibited by law. We are not responsible for unallowable or unlawful entries. Winners are responsible for reporting and paying applicable taxes on cash awards to the appropriate authorities.

*Certificate prizes and prizes 4 to 15 will not vary. The top three cash prizes will be up to a maximum of $5000, $500 and $50 respectively. If fewer than 370 entries are received, cash prizes will be proportionately less. For example, if 300 entries are received, the cash portion of the prizes would be $4050, $405 and $40.50 respectively.