Enter the 2023 Hooked on a Book Competition!
(NOW ALSO ACCEPTING PUBLISHED BOOKS)
(Contact the coordinator, T.P. Warren at: HookedonaBookComp@gmail.com for questions)
Does your opening draw readers in? Did you hook them with only a handful of words? Everyone knows it’s imperative to grab your readers early on. Enter this contest to see how your opening measures up!
*** No limit on the number of submissions per author. You may pay in one lump sum and send one email with all entries attached, but please submit a separate form for each entry.
*** NOTE: Authors who do not final will not be notified. Please check the site after the announce date to see a list of finalists.
UNPUBLISHED (Please note in the email subject line when you send your entry if it is published or unpublished – Word doc format for unpublished, please):
Enter the first 500 words (the title does not count toward the word count) of your UNPUBLISHED fiction novel or short story. Submitted in Word doc format. (Published and unpublished authors are eligible) – Your entry can contain fewer than 500 words but not more. *** Your name should NOT appear anywhere in your document. Please make sure that only your book title is in the Word doc.
- Entry Fee: $10
- Entries capped at 100
- First round judged by readers and authors. The top 10 entries will be judged by editors and/or agents ** See below list of fab final judges!! (Final judges will have the option of requesting to see your full manuscript) – The editing and promo prize must be used within a year.
- All fiction genres accepted
- Prizes: (All monetary awards are in U.S. Dollars)
First place: $125, a trophy, and a full edit by Alicia Dean (the edit can be for this or a different manuscript). One month free promo by Author Promo Pal Marketing Services. (For any published works you might have. Or for unpublished authors, in order to gain exposure and get your name out to future readers.)
Second Place: $100 and a certificate
Third Place: $75 and a certificate
Fourth Place: $50 and a certificate
Fifth Place: $25 and a certificate - Entry deadline: June 30, 2023
- Winners announced: August 31, 2023
PUBLISHED (The publication date must be within the past 5 years-between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2023) (Please note in the email subject line when you send your entry if it is published or unpublished – PDF format preferred for published):
Enter the first 500 words (the title does not count toward the word count) of your PUBLISHED fiction novel or short story. Submit in PDF format. Your entry can contain fewer than 500 words but not more. *** For published works, it’s fine to include your name. (If we do not receive enough published entries, this category will not ‘make’ and the fees will be returned)
- Entry Fee: $10
- Entries capped at 100
- Judged by readers
- All fiction genres accepted
- Prizes: (All monetary awards are in U.S. Dollars)
First place: $125, a trophy, and one month free promo by Author Promo Pal Marketing Services.
Second Place: $100 and a certificate
Third Place: $75 and a certificate
Fourth Place: $50 and a certificate
Fifth Place: $25 and a certificate - Entry deadline: June 30, 2023
- Winners announced: August 31, 2023
Final Judges: (TBD)
NOTE:
- If your story finaled in a previous Hooked on a Book contest but did not win first place, it is eligible to enter.
- If you’d like to submit your entry form and payment to lock in a spot, you can do so now and submit your entry before the deadline.
- For unpbublished: Neither your legal name nor your pen name should be anywhere in the Word doc you submit.
- Entries must be in English
- Entries containing sexual situations between characters under the age of 18 are not accepted.
- If an entry is determined to depict pedophilia, bestiality (except in the case of Paranormal shape-shifters), necrophilia, and/or “snuff” (the act of killing for sexual gratification) as acceptable, it will be disqualified, and the entrant will not receive a refund of the entry fee
- Authors may submit multiple entries, but please be sure to submit a form for each entry. You may pay all in one payment and you may send all attachments in one email. But we do need separate forms.
- Unpublished: As long as your book is not published by June 30. 2023, it is eligible for the contest.
- Published: If your entry was published between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2023 it is eligible for the contest.
- If you entered the contest, you are not eligible to judge.
- Judging is anonymous
To enter:
- Pay your entry fee of $10 via PayPal to HookedonaBookComp@Gmail.com (If you don’t have PayPal, contact us for optional payment methods)
- Fill out this form for unpublished: HOAB UNPUBLISHED Entry Form
- Fill out this form for published: HOAB PUBLISHED Entry Form
- Unpublished: Send your UP TO 500 word entry in a Word doc (with your name removed from the doc) email attachment to HookedonaBookComp@gmail.com PLEASE PUT THE TITLE IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND NOTE IT IS UNPUBLISHED.
- Published: Send your UP TO 500 word entry in a PDF email attachment to HookedonaBookComp@gmail.com PLEASE PUT THE TITLE IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND NOTE THAT IT IS PUBLISHED.
FIRST ROUND JUDGES: Via email, you will receive approximately 10 entries in various genres of no more than 500 words each on or around July 5, 2023. First round scores due by August 5, 2023. Submit your judge form HERE
FAQs:
Q: My book is not finished. May I still enter?
A: Yes…this contest is for completed works or WIPs (works in progress)
Q: My opening scene is only 350 words but it ends on a good hook. Can I submit only the first 350 words?
A: Yes, absolutely. You can submit no more than 500 words, but it’s advisable to leave them wanting more, so less than 500 is fine. (The title does not count toward the word count)
Q: I haven’t titled my book yet. What should I do about a title?
A: You can call your book whatever you would like for the contest. Just slap a working title on it so we’ll have an identifier.
Q: (Unpublished) My book is under contract but won’t be released until later in the year. Is it eligible?
A: Yes. As long as it will not be released by the contest deadline of June 30, your book is eligible.
Q: If I plan to Indie Publish, can I still enter your contest?
A: Yes. Regardless of your publishing plan, you may enter the contest.
Q: I don’t have PayPal. How can I pay my entry fee?
A: You can pay by check, Venmo, Cash App, FB Messenger. Or, the coordinator can send you a PayPal invoice and you can pay with a card. If you need to pay by one of these methods, contact us at HookedonaBookComp@gmail.com
Author Alicia Dean 