Here are the answers to all of your burning questions.
But if your question isn't listed, send a message to submission@InkandInsights.com
Q: How do I know if my novel belongs in the Apprentice or Master category?
A: How many of the following circumstances apply to you?
- I just finished writing the first draft of my novel. Now what?
- This is my first or second novel. (Sometimes it even takes a third novel to develop enough skill. Practice, practice, practice.)
- I have gone as far as I can with my own revisions, and I need to know how to improve further?
- I published my novel, but reviews have not been so great, or they say my manuscript has major issues.
- I have never let anyone else read my work.
- I like to write in my genre, but I don't read books of this genre, or I don't read novels at all.
- I haven't done revisions. My novel is perfect the way it is.
- My novel is not finished, but I'd like feedback to see if I am on the right track.
- I have done some revisions here and there to strengthen the weaker spots.
- I may have some issues with technique, plotting, character building, or structure, but I'm not sure.
- I don't know which category to choose.
- I am interested in feedback and constructive criticism on a beginner level from objective parties and industry professionals.
If several of the above circumstances apply to you, you should enter under the Apprentice category.
(In the Master category, scoring will be rigorous. If your novel is not ready, you could earn a low or even negative score!)
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If several of the below apply to you, you may be ready for the Master category.
- I have had a professional editor work with me on my novel.
- I have had several positive reviews from people that are not family and friends.
- I have done so many rounds of revisions, written so many drafts, that I can't even count them.
- I am ready for tough criticism and to have my work scrutinized under a harsh spotlight.
- My novel is ready for the world. Others agree who are not friends or family.
- I entered my novel in this contest last year and placed in the top 30.
- I am interested in feedback and constructive criticism from objective parties and industry professionals.
Q: Is there any difference in the judging between the Apprentice and Master categories?
A: Yes.
Judging for the Apprentice category will be similar to previous years. The manuscript is broken down into individual components with a numerical score given depending on how well the writer succeeded at each. In other words, earning points based on the writer's strengths.
Judges understand that the writers of these manuscripts are still learning and will be less nit-picky in their scores. But more importantly, feedback will be geared toward helping strengthen your technique and the building blocks of your novel. We hope to give you the tools to prepare your manuscript for the Master category next year.
The Master category will be much tougher. The scoresheet is set up basically the same, except that points will go both ways. As in other categories, the submission earns points for the good stuff, but unlike the other categories, it can also lose points for bad stuff. (But hopefully we won't need to worry about taking points. Master manuscripts are ready to stand strong!) Feedback will focus on tightening the story and smoothing out the rough spots.
Judges will be less forgiving in their scores for the Masters because these novels need to be ready for the agents. Even the smallest issues will come up.
Getting to the top will not be easy. We have several agents reading the winners, and we want manuscripts that will excite each one of them.
Even if your manuscript doesn't make it to the top of your category, you will have helpful feedback from four different industry professionals. Everyone wins!
Q: If I am resubmitting my MS from a previous year, may I request a judge who has read it before?
A: There is a place on the upload form for requesting a reread from a particular judge. We will do our best to accommodate this request.
This will ONLY apply if the judge read a previous draft of THIS submission. (We understand you might want their insight again after you have revised based on their last comments.)*
You may not choose judges based on their work on other submissions you have had judged.
*You will also not be able to chose your entire judging team. You may request up to two of your previous judges, but there is no guarantee that they will be assigned.
Q: What if I'd rather have all different judges?
A: Put the names of these judges on the form and we will make every effort to assign different judges.
Q: May I enter my novel in both categories?
A: Since Ink & Insights is geared toward feedback, you are allowed to get all the feedback you want. As long as all you want is EIGHT scoresheets. (It isn't possible to get more than this.)
You may enter your submission in the Apprentice and the Master category as long as you enter them at the same time. You cannot enter in one category, revise based on the feedback, an enter it again in the other.
You will get EIGHT different judges reading and insighting.
Q: Why isn't there a bonus for formatting any longer?
A: Catherine processes each submission that comes in and decided she needed to keep her sanity. And with Jake now helping get the Tally Sheets started, it would be too time consuming to coordinate the two of them for each submission.
Q: I have always been told not to enter contests with a fee. Why does this contest have an entry fee?
A: Think of this fee not as a contest fee, but as payment for the detailed analysis you receive from FOUR judges.
The contest is just a bonus.
Q: Why are genres not separated? It isn't fair to make a horror novel compete with a romance, or a literary novel compete with a thriller.
A: No novel competes directly with any other, but is judged on its own merit. Each earns a score based on individual components such as character building, organization, hook, pace, and dialogue. Only the final scores compete on the leader board.
Q: How far over the 10,000-word limit can I go to finish my scene or chapter? Does the summary count in this limit?
A: Try to stay within 11,000 words for the submission. When submissions over 11,000 come in, we have to blindly look for a good place to lop off some material. So it is best if you choose a good stopping place for the judges.
You also lose bonus points when your submission is longer than the limit!
The summary does not count toward this limit.
Q: Can I submit more than one novel?
A: You can submit as many as you want. The upload link only allows one at a time, but you may use the link as many times as you need.
Q: Can I enter a published manuscript?
A: Any manuscript is allowed as long as it is self, indie, subsidy, or vanity published or unpublished. In other words, any manuscript that would benefit from great feedback, being listed on this site, and the possibility of gaining attention from several literary agents is welcome.
Q: Does my manuscript need to be finished?
A: You don't need to finish it for us; we only require the first 10,000 words. (Maybe our feedback can help by making sure you are going in the right direction or spur ideas for plotting and characters.)
But if your submission goes to the Agent Round and one of the agents requests the entire manuscript, then you'd want to be able to accommodate them.
Q: After I enter the contest, will I get endless ads for CMN's services and e-mails telling me that I need your help to have any success with my book?
A: No one from CMN or Ink & Insights will spam you about our services. The only e-mails you will see from us are messages about the contest results, survey requests, and notices for the next contest. We will never push any service on you.
Our hope is that you will take the advice we give in the feedback to improve your story, and then seek out a suitable editor (hopefully one of your judges) when you are ready.
Most of the judges are freelance editors with their own businesses. Their contact information will be available after the contest if you would like to work with any who judged your manuscript.
You must reach out to them because they will not be able to contact you.
Q: Does my manuscript need to be in English?
A: Umm... Yeah. Sorry.
We don't speak any other languages well enough to critique a novel.