Writing competition for self-published authors

This post is especially directed at the authors among our Cheapsters. In today’s age, authors have more options available to them than ever before on how to release their works of literary art to the public. One option that is more prevalent today than it was in the past is independent publishing, including self-published books. If you or someone you know happens to have a self-pubbed title, you’re eligible to join a Shelf Unbound Indie writing competition sponsored by Half Price Books.

Shelf Unbound has announced this writing competition to crown the Best Independently Published Book. Any independently published book is eligible for entry, and this distinction includes two types:

• Self-published books (such as those published through CreateSpace, Lulu.com, etc.)
• Books published through small presses releasing less than five titles per year

The entry fee is $30 per book, and all entries must be submitted to the writing competition by midnight on Tuesday, October 1. You can click here for more details, but email a PDF or Word Doc of your entire book (including the cover) to Margaret@shelfmediagroup.com with the subject line “contest entry” to sign up.

As for the prizes you can win in this writing competition? The top five books (determined by editors of Shelf Unbound) will receive editorial coverage in the December/January 2014 issue of Shelf Unbound. Any experienced author knows how valuable this kind of exposure and promotion can be. The author of the one of these five that is crowned the best will also receive a year’s worth of full-page ads in Shelf Unbound. Additionally, the winning book will be stocked and promoted in all Half Price Books stores nationwide.

So, whether you are an upcoming author or you know someone who is, spread the word around so that one of our Cheapsters could receive the honor of winning the writing competition for Best Independently Published Book.