The speed with which BK churns out novels prompts me to post this:
Amazon is offering $25,000 for the next great novel that eventually will be published on the company’s Web site. The Amazon breakthrough novel award is open to entrants in more than 20 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Japan. The contest is likely open to nations where Amazon is particularly popular.
Authors with an unpublished English-language novel manuscript can learn about the contest and submit their work for consideration online at a place entitled createspace which is designed to be a place for self publishing in the future. Sponsors include the Penguin Group and Hewlett-Packard.
The contest will be conducted over a six-month period, during which Amazon customers will have the opportunity to read, write about and rate their favorites.
Submissions will be reviewed first by Amazon.com Top Reviewers — individuals recognized for the quality and frequency of their comments on Amazon.com.
At subsequent stages, reviewers from Publishers Weekly, editors from Penguin Group (USA) and a panel of seasoned publishing professionals — a critic, agent, publisher and author — will help narrow and review the field of entries.
In the final month, 10 finalists will be selected, and Amazon.com customers will then vote to choose the grand prize winner. The winner will be announced on April 7, 2008, and will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $25,000 advance.
