FAQ
When is the contest deadline?
The deadline for submissions is November 1st, 2008.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced in February of 2009.
Where can I find the winning texts from previous years?
Last year’s winning texts can be found on the enRoute website as they’re published in the magazine at www.enroutemag.com. Links to the winning entries are also available on the Awards website, in the “Winners” section. Copies of the magazine may be ordered directly from enRoute at 514-844-2001.
The CBC Literary Awards has also published two anthologies this year, one in English and one in French, celebrating the first place winners of the joint competition between 2001 and 2006. The Mind’s Eye (published by ECW) and Un ton, une voix, un texte… (XYZ Éditeur) feature the best in new poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction in both languages, and each volume contains three new translations of works from the other. The Mind’s Eye and Un ton, une voix, un texte… is available at CBC shop and in bookstores across the country.
Does my story/poem/creative nonfiction have to be within the word limits?
Yes, the word limits are strict. Entries above or below the word limits will be disqualified. Short story entries and creative nonfiction must be between 2000 and 2500 words (excluding titles), and poetry entries must be between 1000 and 2000 words (excluding titles). Poetry entries may take the form of a long poem, or a group of poems whose total word count is between 1000 and 2000 words.
How should I count the words in my entry?
Our word limits are strict. Be sure to get an exact count of the number of words in your submission and not just an estimate. We use Microsoft Word to verify word counts. Since Word only relies on spaces to delimit words, any term containing a hyphen ("twenty-five") or an apostrophe ("can't", "don't") counts as a single word. Word also counts every article ("the", "a", etc.) as a separate word. Microsoft Word also automatically counts groups of characters (e.g. “xxx”) as well as symbols (e.g. “***” or “~~~”) as a word. Keep this in mind to count your words!
Note that we do not include the title (or titles, in the case of a group of poems) in the word count.
Only the original content of the submission is counted, which excludes quotations and dedications.
Do I have to pay the entry fee for each poem if I submit a group of poems as my poetry submission?
No. You only have to pay for each group of poems that you submit that add up to the word count between 1000 and 2000 words.
How many copies should I send?
Please send only one copy.
Do poetry entries have to be double-spaced?
Poetry entries must not be double-spaced.
May I submit more than one entry?
Yes, you may submit as many entries as you like to one or more categories. Please remember that each submission must be accompanied by an entry form and the $20 entry fee. Note that a writer can win only one prize per category, and that each text may be submitted to only one category.
Do I have to pay the $20 entry fee for each entry submitted?
You must pay $20 for each submission you enter into the competition.
What is considered published?
All works that have appeared in print or on the web, including self-published works, as well as works that have been broadcast or delivered in front of a public audience, are considered previously published and are therefore not eligible for the competition.
Checklist.
Before you submit your work, please review the following guidelines.
- All submissions must be accompanied by an entry form and the $20 entry fee.
- Your name must not appear anywhere on the text to ensure that judging of the entries is blind.
- Print entries must be typed and all entries, except for poetry entries, must be double-spaced. Print your entry on white 8 ½ by 11 paper, on one side only. Please do not staple your entry or send bound documents. Paper clips are fine.
- Entries must be within the specified word limits — between 2000 and 2500 words for the Short story category, between 2000 and 2500 words for the Creative nonfiction category, and between 1000 and 2000 words for Poetry collections— or they will be disqualified.
- If you are submitting a group of poems for your poetry entry, please submit them all in one document. You must give a title to the collection. It makes it easier for us to track your submission.
- If you are paying by cheque, you must put the title of your entry on your cheque to help us track payment. If you submitted your entry via the website and are paying by cheque or money order, you must also write on it your Submission ID number.
- Please note that entries will not be returned or commented.
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