Book Contest

I am not co-signing this contest. The advance sucks, coming from Random House, as does signing up for world rights. But hey, perhaps it is a foot-in-the-door chance?

Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel

The prize of a book contract (on the publisher's standard form)
covering world rights for a hard-cover and a paperback edition,
including an advance and royalties, is awarded annually to encourage
the writing of contemporary young adult fiction. The award consists of
$1,500 in cash and a $7,500 advance against royalties.Eligibility
1. The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian writers who have not
previously published a young adult novel. Employees of Random
House,Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and members of their
families and households are not eligible. 2. Foreign-language manuscripts
and translations are not eligible. 3. Manuscripts submitted to a
previous Delacorte Press contest are noteligible.

Format for Submissions
1. Submissions should consist of a book-length manuscript
with acontemporary setting that will be suitable for readers
ages 12 to 18.2. Manuscripts should be no shorter than
100 typewritten pages and nolonger than 224 typewritten pages.
Include a brief plot summary withyour covering letter.
3. Each manuscript should have a cover page listing the
title of thenovel; the author's name, address, and telephone
number; and a notestating whether or not the manuscript
need be returned. The titleshould also appear on each manuscript page.
4. Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced on 8-1⁄
2" x 11"good quality white paper, and pages should be numbered
consecutively.The type should be at least 10 point. The author
should retain a copyof any manuscript submitted.
5. Photocopies are acceptable if readily legible and
printed on goodquality white (not gray) paper.6. Do not submit
manuscripts in boxes. A padded envelope will do.Please do not
enclose checks for postage. The publisher cannotguarantee the
return of any manuscript, and is not responsible forlate, lost,
misdelivered, or misplaced submissions.7. If your manuscript
need not be returned, enclose a business-sizestamped, self-addressed
envelope for notification. Manuscripts thatneed not be returned will be
destroyed by Random House. If yourmanuscript is to be returned,
it must be accompanied by a stamped,self-addressed envelope or
book mailer large enough to accommodate themanuscript; otherwise,
the manuscript cannot be returned.Multiple Submissions1.
Manuscripts sent to Delacorte Press may not be submitted to other
publishers while under consideration for the prize.
2. Authors may not submit more than two manuscripts to the
DelacortePress competition; each must meet all eligibility requirements.

Dates for Submission1. Manuscripts must be postmarked after
October 1, 2005, but no laterthan December 31, 2005. 2. Send
manuscripts to:Delacorte Press ContestRandom House, Inc.
1745 Broadway, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10019