Summer Novella Contest

• Must be a resident of Sterling, Colorado or surrounding areas.

•If you are unsure if you qualify because of where you live, reach out to Words & Whimsy for a determination.

• Each author may submit only one (1) manuscript.

Each submission must:

•Be an original work created solely by the submitting author.

•Be submitted no later than August 31st, 2026.

•Be between 10,000 and 50,000 words in length.

•Be written primarily in English.

•Be submitted electronically via form submission or emailed to admin@words-and-whimsy.com

•Be previously unpublished in any format, including self-publication, personal websites, blogs, subscription platforms, and other digital or print publications.

•Include all three of the following themes:

1. Fate vs. Free Will

2. Family

3. Sacrificial Love

Authors may interpret these themes however they choose. Themes do not need to be explicitly stated but should play a meaningful role in the story.

The use of generative artificial intelligence to write, rewrite, expand, summarize, or otherwise generate story content is prohibited. Authors may use standard spelling, grammar, and proofreading tools that do not generate creative content. By submitting an entry, authors certify that the manuscript is their own original work and was not created in whole or in part by generative AI. Words & Whimsy Press reserves the right to request additional information regarding an entry’s creation process and may disqualify any submission believed to violate this policy.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by Words & Whimsy Press.

Judges will consider:

• Quality of writing

• Storytelling and pacing

• Character development

• Creativity and originality

• Effective incorporation of the required themes

• Overall impact of the work

All judging decisions are final.

One Grand Prize Winner will be selected and offered publication for their winning work through Words & Whimsy Press.

If participation levels warrant, additional finalists and honorable mentions may be recognized at the discretion of Words & Whimsy Press. Words & Whimsy Press reserves the right not to award the Grand Prize if an insufficient number of entries are received or if no submission meets the standards required for publication.

Authors retain full copyright ownership of their submitted work.

By entering the contest, authors grant Words & Whimsy Press a non-exclusive right to review and evaluate the submission for contest purposes.

If selected as the winner, the author and Words & Whimsy Press will enter into a separate publishing agreement outlining publication rights, royalties, and responsibilities. No rights are transferred simply by entering the contest, and the author is under no obligation to accept a publishing agreement.