Rules
- Deadline: 31st January 2023
- Writers can enter any number times. (£20.00. Subsequent entry: £10.00)
- Entries can be in any style or form, but must be in English, and written for adults.
- Entries must be submitted online. No email submissions. In exceptional circumstances, postal entry may be accepted, as long as a cheque made out for the correct entry fee is sent to The Plaza Prizes Ltd. (Postal address is on Contact Form.)
- Enter the correct version of your work. If you make a mistake, entry fees will not be refunded. (You will have to enter again.)
Eligibility
Read the rules carefully before entering the competition. Entry implies acceptance of all the rules and failure to comply will result in disqualification.
All entries are judged anonymously. Please do not include your name, address, phone number, email, website, twitter handle etc on the document or in the file name or it will be disqualified.
Entries will be disqualified if they are over the word limit, or have no One-Pager, and there will be no refund.
Entries must be entirely your own work.
Entries must NOT have been published by a traditional publisher. Self-published ‘Indie’ work is eligible for entry.
Entries must NOT have won in any other competition. If your entry was long-listed or shortlisted in other competitions it is still eligible.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but if an entry wins a prize elsewhere, is published or scheduled for future publication, prior to the date of prize giving, you must inform us to withdraw immediately. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Length
A 300-word One-Pager (plot synopsis).
The opening chapters of your Crime Thriller. (5,000 words, max).
Total word count: 5,300 words.
Fees
£20.00 per Crime/Mystery Thriller (First Chapters with your One-Pager plot synopsis). (Subsequent entry: £10.00)
Entries must be submitted online. No email submissions.
Format
- Entries must be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font, double-spaced with numbered pages and the title on every page.
- Save as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF file with the title as the file name. Do not include your name in the file name as this will lead to disqualification.
- Max 2MB file. Include the word count for the One-Pager, and Crime: First Chapters, top right, first page.
- Do not add cover pages
- No illustrated work
Judging
The judges’ decision is final. No individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. The Plaza Prizes Ltd reserves the right to change the judge without notice.
Copyright
Worldwide copyright remains with the author, but The Plaza Prizes Ltd reserves the right to publish extracts from winner and runner-up on the website, and also to use quotations from the 10 shortlisted entries for publicity purposes.
Results & Awards
The winner and runner up will be announced on the website and social media on 1st April 2023. Extracts from first, second, and third place memoirs will be published on our website in April.
Bursary Scheme
In 2022-2023, we are offering 100 FREE ENTRY BURSARIES across all our competitions to writers on low incomes, and from underrepresented groups. You can apply for a bursary if low income, class, race, age, gender, sexuality, caring responsibilities, location, disability, or mental and physical health affects your writing. We want to encourage equality to discover quality new writing from diverse voices. Click here to apply for our Bursary Scheme.
Finally
The Plaza Prizes Ltd expects to be recognised in any long listed or shortlisted Crime Thrillers / Mysteries that are subsequently published.
The Plaza Prizes Ltd reserves the right to amend the rules where it deems necessary. Any changes to the rules will be posted on our website.
If you have a query about eligibility, please contact: hello@theplazaprizes.com
