Santa Fe Writers Project

Over the years, we’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions. They are included below for both branches of the contest this year. To make things easier this year, we have separated the questions into two major categories. Those categories are further broken down into related sub-categories. If you have a question that is not answered below, or require further clarification on anything, then please contact us at sfwpinfo@gmail.com.

What programs are you offering this year?

In 2010, we have two separate programs. The first is the Literary Awards Program (LAP), judged by Robert Olen Butler, which will end July 16th, 2010. The Literary Awards Program is accepting fiction and creative nonfiction of any genre.

Also on tap is the Screenplay Awards Program (SAP), judged by Bill Phillips, which will end August 1st, 2010. The Screenplay Program will be accepting screenplays of any genre.

Where do I send my entry?

Send postal entries to:
Santa Fe Writers Project
369 Montezuma Ave
#350
Santa Fe, NM 87501

We are encouraging electronic submissions for 2010. Go here for more details.

Literary Awards Program

Eligibility

Do I retain rights to my work?

The work remains yours at all times. We will not sell, share or claim ownership of your work. You do not have to participate with SFWP activities in order to collect your award. We will not keep your work on file after the contest ends.

I am currently (or have been) Mr. Butler’s student. Am I eligible?

If you have attended Mr. Butler’s writing classes at FSU within the last 5 years, then you are not eligible for the Program.

Is the Program open to applicants from previous Programs?

Yes, all applicants from previous programs who have not been published by a major publishing house are eligible. If you were in the top ten from the 2007 Program, then you are not eligible for the 2010 Program. All other finalists are eligible, as are cash prize winners from 2000-2005 and 2009.

Are there any restrictions or limitations?

The contest is open to everyone. There are no limitations regarding subject matter or genre.

I am not in the United States. What if I cannot pay in US currency?

You can usually get a check or money order in US funds from your bank, or you can send the reading fee via Paypal. We encourage you to take advantage of the new electronic submissions process.

Can I participate in other contests or opportunities to publish my work?

Yes! In fact, we encourage it. You will not be disqualified from the Program if your work wins another contest or is accepted for publication. Please note that a deal with a publisher must not be pending prior to the contest.

Is previously published material accepted?

Yes, as long as you have not been published by an established publishing house (such as Random House, Houghton Mifflin, Viking, Penguin, a university press, a large independent press or anything similar). Self-published material and work that has appeared in small magazines, journals, etc., will be accepted. We will also accept manuscripts from Publish America, iUniverse, and other similar publishers. Many out of print authors who were published by large houses inquire about the Program. We will accept your work this year, but with some restrictions: Your work must be out of print for at least five years, and you should not have any current publications with other large publishing houses.

Manuscript Preparation (postal submissions)

What format should I use? (postal and electronic)

Entries should be in standard manuscript format. Here’s a useful link on what we mean by that.

We feel that all authors should learn the basics of submitting their work. However, you will not be judged on presentation. Basically, just remember the important points: Stick to a readable font and size, and number your pages.

For electronic submissions, the same basic rules apply.

Can I submit portions of a novel or a work in progress?

Yes, we will be accepting novels and works in progress.

Can I submit multiple short stories/essays?

Yes. And you can combine short stories or creative nonfiction into one entry and/or submit multiple entries. There is no limit. We advise that you do not mix the two. If you are submitting a work of fiction and a work of nonfiction, it will make judging easier (and, thus, improve your chances) if you submit them as separate entries.

Is there a minimum word or page count?

There is no minimum word or page count.

Do you accept multiple entries?

Yes, we do.

I’m having trouble choosing an excerpt. Any suggestions?

If you are choosing an excerpt from your work, it doesn’t have to be linear. You can take an excerpt from any section or you can provide multiple short excerpts. Also, it’s no problem to include a synopsis along with the excerpt.

Postage vouchers for SASE’s.

Postage vouchers tend to be more trouble than they’re worth. If you’re submitting your manuscript from overseas and are unable to get hold of US stamps for the return envelopes, don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it on this end. If you are overseas, then please use the electronic submissions process.

What should my final entry package look like? (postal submissions)

Our Submissions staff will endeavor to transfer entries to the final judge quickly and efficiently. To assist in our efforts, your package should look something like this:

• Signed entry form with reading fee paper-clipped to the front
• Cover page with name, contact information and title of work
• Synopsis, summary or other supplemental materials (if applicable)
• Your entry
• Two self addressed, stamped #10 envelopes.

Award Details

How’s the deal with Irene Goodman’s agency work?

The Irene Goodman Literary Agency will review the top three prizewinners for possible representation. The decision is up to them, and SFWP won’t have a say. There are many things a literary agent must consider, and much of that can be dependent on the always changing nature of the industry. If they choose not to represent you, then that is the final word. Nor will they be able to provide feedback, unless they decide to do so.

Reading Fees and Payment Options

Explain those fees again.

For postal submissions, the reading fee is $30.

We are attempting to Go Green, and make things easier for you.  Starting in February, we will be accepting electronic submissions.  To encourage you to select this route, the reading fee will be $25.

After the Contest

Are manuscripts returned to applicants after the contest? (postal submissions)

We will not return manuscripts. Always keep a copy of your work. If you include a SASE with your work, we will make every effort to return it. However, please note that we cannot guarantee said mailing.

Can I submit to the Literary Journal?

We are always happy for submissions. Drop us a line at sfwritersproject@gmail.com.

Will the Journal contact me or should I take the initiative?

We’ll do our best to contact you, though it can be a hectic time after an Awards Program. Please go ahead and take the initiative.

What are the submission guidelines for the Literary Journal?

With the web relaunch, we’ve not yet migrated the submission guidelines. Stay tuned!

Can you guarantee publication?

The development team from our publishing division will review each of the three winners independently. They are not associated with the Awards Program and are not required to publish any of the winners.

All winners will be featured on our literary journal.

Will Mr. Butler be able to comment on my work?

That’s up to Mr. Butler. If he requests your contact information for further communication, then we’ll supply it.

When will winners be announced?

Judging will begin on August 1st. Winners will be announced as soon as possible.

Screenplay Awards Program

Do I retain rights to my screenplay?

Yes. SFWP claims no control over your work, and you are not obligated to participate in any SFWP-sponsored events in order to receive your prize money. Additionally, due to the length of the contest, you are free to shop your work around and take advantage of any opportunities that arise.

I am currently (or have been) a student of Mr. Phillips. Can I participate?

If you have attended the judge’s screenplay writing classes at Dartmouth within the last 2 years, then you are not eligible for the Program.

Are there any restrictions or limitations?

The contest is open to everyone. There are no limitations regarding subject matter or genre.

I am not in the United States. What if I cannot pay in US currency?

You can usually get a check or money order in US funds from your bank, or you can send the reading fee via Paypal. We encourage you to take advantage of the new electronic submissions process. (More details soon.)

What are the prizes?

The winner will receive $2000. This is our inaugural year for the screenplay program, so some things may change (increased prize money and agency contacts) as the year progresses.

How do I submit a screenplay to the contest?

Find the Entry form right here.

May I swap in a revised version of my entry?
We do not accept revisions.

Who is the judge?

Learn more about Bill Phillips right here.

What are you looking for in a screenplay?
We are looking for a screenplay with the best story and execution—regardless of genre or budget requirements.

Do you provide notes, coverage, or feedback to screenwriters?
No, we do not.

Can I enter more than one screenplay to the contest?

Yes, but please note that each screenplay submission requires a separate entry form and a separate entry fee.

Should I include a title page and, if so, what should be on it?

There is no need to include a title page as submissions are read blindly and identified only by assigned tracking numbers. However, entries submitted with a title page will still be accepted.

Should I include a logline or synopsis?

We do not read loglines or synopses. We prefer that each script speak for itself.

Can I submit a screenplay adapted from another work?

The screenplay submissions must be the original work of the applicant and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other work for which the writer does not own rights. An entry may be adapted from works in the public domain, and from works to which the author owns all film rights—this should be noted in the entry form. If the script is based on a true story, historical or contemporary, that should also be noted in the entry form.

What is the industry standard screenplay format?

You may consult any number of screenwriting books or screenwriting software. There are also several helpful links online. (For example: http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/Formatting/Formatting_II/formatting_ii.html)

Please do your best to ensure that your screenplay is formatted correctly. Proof your screenplay for typos and spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. Please make certain that the pages are properly numbered.

Will you disqualify screenplays that aren’t formatted correctly?

We’ll consider scripts in which the formatting is fundamentally similar to standard screenplay format. When we begin accepting electronic submissions, we encourage you to send a PDF file of your work.

Screenplay submissions are supposed to be approximately 87 to 130 pages in length. If my screenplay is shorter than 87 pages or longer than 130 pages will it be disqualified?

No, within reason.

How do I copyright my work?

You are responsible for ensuring copyright of your work. For answers to all U.S. copyright questions, please consult the Library of Congress’s copyright website at www.loc.gov/copyright.