How many of the following circumstances apply to you?

• I just finished writing my novel. Now what?

• This is my first or second novel. (Sometimes it even takes a third novel to develop enough skill. Practice, practice, practice.)

• I have gone as far as I can with my own revisions, and I need to know how to improve further? 

• I published my novel, but reviews have not been so great, or they say my manuscript has major issues.

• I have had a professional editor work with me on my novel.

• I have had several positive reviews from people that are not family and friends. 

• I have done so many rounds of revisions, written so many drafts, that I can't even count them. 

• I am ready for tough criticism and to have my work scrutinized under a harsh spotlight.

• My novel is ready for the world. Others agree who are not friends or family.

• I entered my novel in this contest last year and placed in the top 30.

• I am interested in feedback and constructive criticism from objective parties and industry professionals.
  

If more of these circumstances fit your situation, you may be ready for the Master category.

Yes.

Judging for the Apprentice category will be similar to previous years. The manuscript is broken down into individual components with a numerical score given depending on how well the writer succeeded at each. In other words, earning points based on the writer's strengths. The difference from last year is that now there are places for judges to comment on each component instead of just an overview at the end. This allows for more focused feedback. 

Judges understand that the writers of these manuscripts are still learning and will be less nitpicky in their scores. But more importantly, feedback will be geared toward helping strengthen your technique and the building blocks of your novel. We hope to give you the tools to prepare your manuscript for the Master category next year.   

The Master category will be much tougher. The scoresheet is set up basically the same, except that points will go both ways. As in other categories, the submission earns points for the good stuff, but unlike the other categories, it can also lose points for bad stuff. (But hopefully we won't need to worry about taking points. Master manuscripts are ready to stand strong!)  Feedback will focus on tightening the story and smoothing out the rough spots. 

Judges will be less forgiving in their scores for the Masters because these  novels need to be ready for the agents. Even the smallest issues will be addressed. 

Getting to the top will not be easy. We have a record number of agents reading the winners this year, and we want manuscripts that will excite each one of them. Wouldn't it be great to start a bidding war?

Even if your manuscript doesn't make it to the top of your category, you will have helpful feedback from four different industry professionals. Everyone wins!

The Apprentice category does not have an agent round. In order to even out the prize packages as much as possible (Even though the agent round is priceless!) we have added more cash for the Apprentice writers. 

This is a common concern of many writers, and we have three answers for you.

First, the entry fee weeds out people who aren't serious about the contest. People who jot down a quick draft and send it to every free contest they can find only waste their (and our) time. We would have more novels than we could ever hope to read. Four judges read, score, and comment on every novel we receive, so having hundreds of submissions piled on each judge would not be good for their sanity. Also, having an entry fee encourages writers to send their best work.

Second, because the four assigned judges do read, score, and comment on each manuscript--spending at least an hour on each, in many cases an hour and a half--they will put in hundreds of hours of time over the course of the reading period. That's a part-time job! Volunteer work is nice, but for the amount of work and dedication needed, a paid position brings judges with experience and consistency with scoring.

Third, the prize amounts more than tripled this year! 

No novel competes with any other, but is judged on its own merit. Each earns a score from 18 areas that grade different aspects of the novel. Character building, organization, hook, pace, and dialogue are a few of them. Only the final scores compete on the leader board. 

Try to stay within 11,000 words. When submissions over 11,000 come in, I start looking for a good place to lop off some material. So it is best if you choose a good stopping place for the judges. 

You can submit as many as you want. The upload link only allows one at a time, but you may use the link as many times as you need. 

Any unpublished, self, indie, subsidy, or vanity published novels are eligible. Any novel that would benefit from great feedback, being listed on this site, and the possibility of gaining attention from several literary agents is welcome.

You don't need to finish it for us; we only require the first 10,000 words. But if you make the top three and one of the agents asks to see more of your manuscript, will it be ready? 

No one from CMN will spam you about our services. The only e-mails you will get are messages about the contest results and notices for the next contest that you can opt out of at any time. We will never push any service on you. 

Our hope is that you will take the advice we give in the feedback to improve your story, and then seek out a suitable editor when you are ready.  

Most of the judges are freelance editors with their own businesses. Their contact information will be available after the contest if you would like to work with any who judged your manuscript. 

Umm... Yeah. 

We don't speak any other languages well enough to figure out what you want to say. 

Sorry.