Registration now open for notorious 3-day novel writing contest

Are you ready to try the world’s most notorious literary marathon? Registration is open for the 33rd Annual International 3-Day Novel Contest. Since its beginnings as a barroom challenge in 1977, thousands of writers have put their storytelling stamina to the test with this infamous creative pressure-cooker.

This year’s contest will take place Labour Day weekend, Sept. 4 - 6, 2010.

The first prize winner will be offered a publishing contract by 3-Day Books. Once the contract is signed, the winning novel will be edited, published and released by the next year’s contest. 3-Day Books are distributed by Arsenal Pulp Press. 2nd Prize: $500.  3rd Prize: $100

The Rules (most of them):

Registration deadline: Paid registration must be in the mail by the Friday before the contest (Sept. 3, 2010). The entry fee is $50. If you want to make a party of it, group discounts are available.  See registration page here.

Preparation:You are allowed, though not required, to develop ideas and an outline prior to the contest. You do not have to submit your outline, and you can change and adapt your novel as you see fit.

Location: Novels may be written using any method, and in any location, anywhere in the world. Yes, the honour system still exists!
Writing: The actual writing must begin no earlier than 12:01 a.m., on the Saturday of the Labour Day weekend, and must stop by 11:59 on the following Monday. Novels may not be edited outside the contest time frame.

Form: The contest exists to help you write the novel you want, so you may write in any genre, on any subject you wish. There are no limits to the novel’s length, but entries average 100 typed pages, double-spaced. Thereabouts. Length is a factor in judging, but it is only one of many.

Collaboration: You may collaborate with up to one other author on a novel. Fees are per novel, not per writer, so if you are collaborating, you only need to submit one form.
Submitting:You are not required to submit your manuscript for judging, but we suggest you do. It completes the experience—and it’s the only way to get your certificate. Print up and mail your completed novel to us as soon as possible after the weekend is over. If you handwrote your novel, you have a few days to type it up…otherwise just send it in right away. Novels must be postmarked on or before Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 to qualify.

Witness statement: Include a statement, signed by a witness, confirming the novel’s completion over the Labour Day long weekend with your novel. There are no rules or templates for this statement, just make sure it affirms that you followed the rules.

Complete rules here: http://www.3daynovel.com/register/?rules
 
Note: For information about all the annual writing contests in Canada, order The Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar, on sale now for $3 off the regular price. Details here.
For information about Brian Henry's writing workshops and creative writing courses, see here.