I’m thrilled to share some information with you all regarding a brand new writing contest that is coming soon! #FicFest, created by the talented Tiffany Hofman, is a writing contest unlike any you have ever seen. How is it different, you ask? Not only is #FicFest geared towards writers of ALL genres, but an equal number of manuscripts from each genre will be chosen for the agent round. Amazing, right? Keep reading to find out more details!
What is #FicFest?
#FicFest is an online writer’s contest which helps put manuscripts in front of literary agents. This contest, unlike most, is open to manuscripts in ALL genres (including those usually excluded such as Paranormal Romance or Erotica) in the categories of Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult.
#FicFest mentors are structured into fifteen (15) teams. Each category listed above has three teams. Each team is comprised of a team leader, and two (2) team members. Once the submissions open, each team will choose three (3) finalist manuscripts and one (1) alternate manuscript to advance to the agent round. This means that an equal number of manuscripts for each category will move to the agent round, guaranteeing that one category does NOT overpower another when it comes time for the agents.
45 manuscripts total move to the agent round, with 15 manuscripts being held as alternates in case one of the main finalists drops out of the contest for any reason. This is one of the things we stress in promoting #FicFest because most contests are overrun with Young Adult. In many contests, they may advance 40 manuscripts to the agent round, but the problem lies in the fact that 30 of that 40 are all Young Adult. That won’t happen with #FicFest.
Nine manuscripts from each category will make their appearance in the agent round. No more, no less. NINE each. Let me stress this one more time. In the agent round, you will have 9 Picture Books, 9 Middle Grade, 9 Young Adult, 9 New Adult, and 9 Adult. Everyone gets a fair chance.
Agents are being added every day and while I can’t give you a solid number, I can tell you that we have close to two dozen confirmed to participate in our agent round and we can’t wait!
2016 Time Line
- March 20, 2016 @ 12:00 PM EST Guidelines & Theme Reveal (Host Blog)
- March 27, 2016 @ 7:00 PM EST Meet the Team Leads & Their Members! (Team Lead Blogs & Host Blog)
- April 3, 2016 @ 6:00 PM EST Agent List Announced (Host Blog)
- April 17, 2016 @ 7:00 PM EST – 10:00 PM EST Q & A with Team Leads & Host (Twitter – Using #FicFest)
- April 24, 2016 @ 12:00 AM EST – April 25, 2016 @ 11:59 PM EST SUBMISSION
- April 26, 2016 – May 3, 2016 Teams will chose their finalists/alternate
- May 4, 2016 @ 10:00 AM EST Finalists/Alternate Reveal (Team Leads Blogs)
- May 5, 2016 – June 30, 2016 Revisions
- July 8, 2016 @ 12:00 AM EST – July 14, 2014 @ 11:59 PM EST Agent Round
#FicFest Theme – THE WORLD TOUR!
The yearly theme for this contest is just for fun. It gives the mentors something to use to decorate their blogs, and gives the participants cool team bragging rights. HOWEVER, the yearly theme DOES NOT affect what genres can be submitted or the agent round. Again, themes are just for fun!
#FicFest is a contest for polished, query ready manuscripts ONLY. If your manuscript is a first draft, and is not ready to query, please hold off on submitting this year. If you are chosen as a finalist, your manuscript needs to be ready to send to agents when they request during the AGENT ROUND.
I hope you’re all as excited as I am for this one of a kind contest! If you still have any questions, check out Tiffany Hofmann’s website or blog.
I’d LOVE to hear from you! Comment below and let me know if you’re planning on participating! I wish everyone the best of luck!
-Jenna xoxo