Have you been working hard on an unpublished manuscript that's finally ready to see the light of day? Are you looking for some constructive feedback on your work-in-progress? Would you like to chance to sit down with a literary agent in person to discuss your project?

You're invited to submit a short synopsis and the opening pages of your unpublished work to the Writers' League of Texas’s 20th annual Manuscript Contest. You don't have to live in Texas to enter this contest. It's open to everyone, everywhere.

The winner in each category will receive a complimentary registration to the WLT's 2020 Agents & Editors Conference to meet individually with a top literary agent (and the final judge in their category). All entrants who opt for a critique—whether winners or not—will receive feedback on their submission from an experienced editor.

You do not need to have a complete, finished manuscript to enter this contest. All you need are the first (roughly) ten pages of the manuscript plus a synopsis that describes the rest of the book you have planned.

This contest gives you the chance to:

• Win a free registration to the WLT's 2020 Agents & Editors Conference (June 26-28, 2020, in Austin)

• Meet one-on-one with a top literary agent in your category or genre (in person at our annual conference or via phone call) if you're one of our ten winners

• Be recognized during one of the general sessions of the 2020 Agents & Editors Conference and in the printed program (if you're a winner or a finalist)

• Receive valuable (and specific) written feedback on your work

 How to Enter:

1. Carefully review the complete list of contest rules and formatting instructions.
2. Fill out our online entry form and submit your payment online via credit card or PayPal.
3. The entry form will prompt you to upload your file. Please upload only one file. It should include both your synopsis and the opening of your manuscript. (Acceptable formats: .doc, .docx, and .pdf)
4. Once you upload your documents and submit your payment, you will receive an automated confirmation email. There is nothing further you need to do at this time. 

The deadline is March 10, 2020. Online entries must be submitted by midnight CST on March 10.

Submission Categories:

Fiction
• General Fiction (including literary fiction)
• Thriller/Action-Adventure
• Mystery
• Romance
• Science-Fiction/Fantasy
• Historical Fiction

Nonfiction
• General Nonfiction (excluding memoir)
• Memoir

Children’s
• Middle Grade (chapter books and novels only; no picture books)
• Young Adult
 

There are two options for entrance fees: $55 for Writers' League of Texas members and $65 nonmembers, which includes a written critique of your submission written by an experienced independent editor, or $25 for Writers' League of Texas members / $35 nonmembers, with no written critique.

You may enter this contest in as many categories as you like, with up to four entries per category. Each entry requires separate payment. For each one, please supply a separate entry form and payment. However, if you are writing nonfiction, you must choose either "General Nonfiction" or "Memoir." You cannot submit in both categories.