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SC Arts Commission Literary Arts Program

 

 

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Application Deadline: March 19, 2012

 

Purpose

The First Novel Competition recognizes one of South Carolina's exceptional writers by providing a book contract with Hub City Press. The competition is a highly competitive, anonymous process. Publication by Hub City of at least 1,500 paperback copies of the book will bring recognition that may open doors to other resources and opportunities. The book will be nationally distributed through John F. Blair Co. of Winston-Salem, N.C.

 

Matt Matthews of Greer was the winner of the 2010 competition. His book, Mercy Creek, was published in 2011. Brian Ray of Columbia was the winner of the inaugural novel competition. His book, Through the Pale Door, was published by Hub City in June, 2009. Both books have been widely and favorably reviewed across the Southeast.

 

Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must:

1. Be a legal resident of the US and SC with a permanent residence in the state for one (1) year prior to the application deadline (twelve consecutive months);
2. Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application;
3. Not have published a novel before, but may have published a book of non-fiction, short stories, poetry or children's literature.

NOTE: The novel may have been submitted to other publishers previously, but it is not eligible if it is currently under consideration by any publishing company.

 

Restrictions

1. Only manuscripts between 150 and 400 (single-sided) pages are eligible;
2. Submission must be an original work of which the applicant is the sole author;
3. Self-published books are ineligible;
4. No agent submissions are accepted.

Other Information

• We cannot give reasons for refusal or enter into correspondence or make suggestions, edits, or recommendations about submitted manuscripts.
• No entry fees or manuscripts will be returned.
• We will accept multiple entries from one author (no more than three novels).
• The winning author will agree to at least five public appearances/book signings around the state, including the South Carolina Book Festival in Columbia in May 2014.

 

Selection Process
Applicants’ works are reviewed anonymously by panelists who make their judgments on the basis of artistic merit. Six to eight novels will be judged by nationally recognized novelist Josephine Humphreys, who will select the contest winner. The distinguished judge is the author of four award-winning novels: Dreams of Sleep, Rich in Love, The Fireman’s Fair, and Nowhere Else on Earth. Winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Southern Book Award, and the S.C. Governor’s Award in the Humanities, she’s a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers as well as the South Carolina Academy of Authors. She lives on Sullivan’s Island with her husband, Tom Hutcheson.

 

Deadline
March 19, 2012
Applications must be postmarked (or hand-delivered to the SC Arts Commission offices before 5:00 PM) no later than the stated date.

 

Notification
September/October 2012

Award
The winning author will receive a book contract with Hub City Press, an award-winning independent press in Spartanburg, S.C. Upon successful execution of the contract with Hub City, the winner will receive a $500 advance against royalties. Hub City will publish at least 1,500 paperback copies of the book.

 

Additional appearances/book signings around the state for this project will be provided by literary arts partners, The Humanities CouncilSC and the SC State Library.

Filing Fee
$35.00
The SC Arts Commission and Hub City Press reserve the right not to publish any of the submissions that have been solicited. Each submission must be accompanied by a processing fee of $35, payable to the South Carolina Arts Commission. No entry fees or manuscripts will be returned.

 

Required Application Materials
The application package must include two complete collated sets of items as follows.

NOTE: Applicants must submit ALL materials together. Manuscripts submitted separately will not be processed.

1. Program Application - Page 1 ONLY
   Completed and signed original. Form is in Portable Document Format (PDF). (How to use PDFs)
• In the section which reads, "Check the program for which you are applying," check the "Other" box and enter "First Novel Competition" and the title of your novel in the accompanying field.
• Do NOT submit Pages 2 & 3.
• If you are submitting more than one novel for consideration, please complete a separate application form for each novel.
2. Novel
   • Submit two copies of your manuscript.
   • The title of the novel must appear on the upper right hand corner of each page of the manuscript.
   • Applicant's name and address MUST NOT appear anywhere on the work submitted.
   • Manuscripts must be double spaced on 8 ½ by 11 paper.
   • Pages must be single-sided and numbered.
   • Font must be no smaller than 12 point.
   • Manuscript should not be bound or in a folder. Pages must be binder-clipped or rubber-banded together.
3. Current Résumé
   Résumé must not exceed three pages in length. The résumé will be used to prepare biographical information (see example) in the event the applicant is selected as winner of the competition. Résumés are not submitted with manuscripts for review.

 

Return of Materials

No entry fees or manuscripts will be returned.

 

Mail application materials to:

First Novel Competition 2012
South Carolina Arts Commission

1026 Sumter Street, Suite 200

Columbia, SC 29201

 

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Contest Partners:

The S.C. Arts Commission

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.

 

Hub City Press

Hub City Press is a non-profit press in Spartanburg, S.C. that has published more than 50 books by regional authors, won four national IPPY awards from Independent Publisher magazine, is a recipient of the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts, and has partnered with the S.C. Arts Commission on three previous book projects. For more information, visit www.hubcity.org or call 864-577-9349.

 

The Humanities CouncilSC

The Humanities CouncilSC is the state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The mission of The Humanities CouncilSC is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. The Humanities CouncilSC programs and initiatives are balanced, reflect sensitivity to a diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations. For more information, visit www.schumanities.org or call 803-771-2477.

 

The State Library

The South Carolina State Library is the primary administrator of federal and state support for the state’s libraries. The Library is a national model for innovation, collaboration, leadership and effectiveness. The Library’s mission is to optimize South Carolina’s investment in library and information services. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C. the Library is funded by the State of South Carolina, by federal government through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other sources. For more information, visit www.statelibrary.sc.gov or call 803-734-8666.

 

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