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ENTER THE ABLE MUSE 2024 CONTESTS NOW:
Enter the 2022 Able Muse Write Prize  Enter the 2022 Able Muse Write Prize

2024 Able Muse Book Award

Able Muse Book Award (for poetry manuscripts) -- 2024

Able Muse Book Award in Poetry (book manuscripts)

 $1000 prize plus publication of the winning manuscript by Able Muse Press. Finalists will also be considered for publication.

Entry deadline: March 31, 2024


Guidelines:

  • Blind Judging by the Final Judge Timothy Steele.
  • Initial screening will be done by readers from our contest selection committee—consisting of accomplished and award-winning poets, with members renewed yearly—who will also be reading the entries blind. Thus, judging of the contest will be completely anonymous from start to finish!
  • Entries may not be previously published, but individual poems and chapbook-length sections may have been if the previous publisher gives reprint permission. (Still, more than one-quarter of the manuscript may not have been previously published as a collection.)
  • Entries consisting in part or whole of translations into English are also welcome, provided that the original-language poems are in the public domain, or where the original-language poems are still under copyright protection, written permission from the rights holder to translate into English and publish is provided.
  • Simultaneous submissions accepted as long as we're immediately notified if your work is accepted elsewhere.
  • Unlimited entries per person—if you wish to enter more than once, then a separate entry fee and submission form must be completed for each entry.
  • All poetry styles are welcome (metrical or free verse).
  • A poetry manuscript of 50 to 120 pages.
  • Acknowledgments may be included in the cover pages (NOT in the manuscript proper) but are not required.
  • We prefer online entries, however, paper/snail mail entry is available for those who insist on the traditional submission method.
  • If you're entering by paper/snail mail, the manuscripts cannot be returned so, do not send us your only copies.
  • For paper/snail mail entries, include an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to receive the announcement of the winner.
  • The contests will be judged blind by the final judge, so:
    • Author's name should only appear on cover pages/cover letter and nowhere else.
    • Initial screening will be done by our contest selection committee—consisting of accomplished and award-winning poets, with members renewed yearly—which may include Able Muse editors.
      1. The final judge will received anonymized manuscripts (five to ten depending and the number of total entries and their quality).
      2. The final judge will be instructed to disqualify any work that he/she recognizes. The entry fee for the work thus disqualified will be refunded.
    • Include on your cover pages ONLY:
      1. (first, note that the entire cover pages, as listed below, are optional since you may choose instead to provide the listed information right below in the corresponding online submission form fields provided for them)
      2. the title of your manuscript
      3. a brief bio
      4. the poet's/writer's name
      5. address
      6. phone number, and
      7. email address.
      8. optionally, a list of acknowledgments of previously published poems (do NOT include this in the manuscript proper since it identifies you indirectly and thwarts anonymous judging!).
    • Include on your manuscript proper ONLY:
      1. the title of your manuscript
      2. an optional table of contents
      3. a poem may run through multiple pages, but each poem must start on a new page (i.e., you cannot end a poem on the same page you start a different one).
      4. note, especially, that the author’s name should NOT appear on any page within the manuscript proper and must be redacted if it appears in any of the poems.
      5. do NOT include the publication credit (i.e., journal of previous publication, contests won, etc.) for any of the poems anywhere in the manuscript proper as that indirectly identifies you and defeats anonymous judging—these may go instead in the cover pages as earlier instructed.

Entry Methods:

  1. Preferred method is our online entry form
    1. DO NOT type or copy and paste your manuscript in the poem text box. Rather, upload your submission file from the upload field (accepted formats are: Text, RTF, Word, Wordperfect, PDF, HTML).
    2. Only upload one file for the manuscript proper (50 to 120 pages) and optionally include a second file with the cover pages.
    3. There should be no identification in the manuscript proper file itself as described earlier—these should go in the second cover-pages file.
    4. Enter at http://www.ablemuse.com/enter-contest online.
  2. Second favorite entry method is via e-mail—
    1. Only attach one file for the manuscript proper (50 to 120 pages) and optionally attach a second file with the cover pages.
    2. There should be no identification in the manuscript proper file itself as described earlier—these should go in the second cover-pages file.
    3. The accepted formats are: Text, RTF, Word, Wordperfect, PDF, HTML.
    4. The subject of the email should be: "<Your Name>: Book Award (poetry)"
    5. Email your entry to submission@ablemuse.com , again, without any personal identification in the manuscript proper file as instructed earlier.
  3. Least favorite entry method is paper by snail mail—
    1. Only snail-mail one document for the manuscript proper (50 to 120 pages) and optionally include a second document with the cover pages.
    2. There should be no identification in the manuscript proper document itself as described earlier—these should go in the second cover-pages document.
    3. The manuscript proper document and the cover pages document should be prepared as explained in the blind judging section above.
    4. The manuscript proper and the cover pages should be printed single-sided on all the pages (no double-sided page submissions, please).
    5. Duplicates not required, so do NOT send a duplicate of the manuscript proper or of the cover pages.
    6. Send your entry to:

      Able Muse Review
      Book Award for poetry Contest
      467 Saratoga Avenue #602
      San Jose, CA 95129
      USA

Entry Fees:

  • $25 for a manuscript of 50 to 120 pages.
  • No matter how you choose to enter (online or email or snail mail) you may choose to pay:
    1. Online ( right below!), OR,
    2. By check: Able Muse Review, and sent to the contest address indicated above.
    3. In the event of a withdrawal, entry fees are non-refundable.
    4. To enable us to match your payment to your entry, be sure to indicate the name you entered with in your manuscript (i.e. your pen name, etc), if it's different from the one under which payment was made, and this applies for online or check payment by snail mail.

Pay Entry Fee & Enter Contest Now:

 

ENTER THE ABLE MUSE BOOK AWARD CONTEST NOW:

After payment, submit your manuscript online at:
http://www.ablemuse.com/book-award-submission .
Or, enter by email/snail mail as explained above:
 [NOTE: the above 'Enter Now' button goes through Square Connect
(to pay by Paypal, click on the following button: 
(After payment, submit your manuscript at http://www.ablemuse.com/book-award-submission)]

 



 

Comments

Administrator

Hi Cinda,

For now, the book award is for poetry manuscripts only, as indicated in the contest description. The Write Prize on the other hand is for poetry and fiction (i.e. individual stories).

...Alex

Elizabeth (not verified)

First off, please excuse a young writer a potentially naive & ridiculous question. I have a poetry collection of 27 poems. The longer poems definitely require page breaks. Is it a valid 50 pages if I format the page breaks myself? If I publish this work myself, I am anticipating 6x9 dimensions. Appreciate your honest advice on how to determine acceptable and appropriate page length.

Rather humbly yours,
Elizabeth.

Administrator

Hi Elizabeth,
 
It's no problem, and it's perfectly fine if your 27 longer poems span about 50 pages.
 
The length requirement is about how many pages the poems cover altogether, not about the number of poems.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Sasha (not verified)

Hi Alex,

Will a full collection of very short poems qualify? In one of the responses you referred to sonnets as short poems, I'm talking really short, 4-5 line poems. There are 56 poems altogether, but if you put more than one on a page they will use fewer than 50 pages obviously..

Thank you,

Sasha

Administrator

Hi Sasha,

For what you're describing, the poems will still be laid out one per page. So, that still falls within the requirements.

Best,

...Alex

 

Joe (not verified)

Can you make a contest about writing fiction and free entries? Shouldn't your writing contest be about recognizing people's       Talent rather than gaining money?? 

Administrator

Hi Joe,

 

We'd love to offer it free. As it its now, as a small press, we're not even breaking even when all is told. Running it without entry fee means we won't be able to sustain it. Still, we do indeed offer submissions you can enter for free at Able Muse, the journal--see www.ablemuse.com/submit/.

 

Best,

...Alex

 

Pat Moran (not verified)

Considering the costs of paper, ink, cover stock, and pre-press operations, the idea of a free contest is a bit unrealistic. Small presses have to charge an entry fee to make all of this possible. Despite the advancements made in printing in the last twenty years the truth is that to produce a book, usually no less that a 500 book run, it costs a significant amount of money. Most small presses have to "farm out" their books to the best printer, and they have to hope that quality of the printed product does the book and the press justice. There's nothing like a poorly printed book to make the buyer wonder whether it's really worth it. We should be thankful that the folks at Able Muse are so willing to take on this rewarding but monumental task.

Matt (not verified)

Does a doctoral dissertation count as "previously published"?  I think there's a Library of Congress entry for it, but it's not physically in print anywhere and cannot be accessed online.
I've wondered about this for some time now.  Thanks.
 
Matt

Administrator

Hi Matt,
 
The conditions you describe appear to imply that it's essentially unpublished. So, an exception can be made. Remember though that this is a manuscript contest - not one on critical essays.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Jennifer Conrad (not verified)

Hello!
Thinking of entering but was wondering...the winning manuscript is published.  Does Muse sell this publication? If so, what proceeds are returned to the writer?
Thanks for your insight!

Jennifer

Administrator

Hello Jennifer,
 
Yes, Able Muse Press will promote and sell the published book through the regular book distribution channels. Besides, the winning prize, the winner will also be given a standard book contract including royalties on the book sales.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Jaylyn Thacher (not verified)

I have a about 26 poems in a book format, but the page size I have the word document set at is 5x8. My question is whether or not, the entry has to be formatted to an 8.5x11 page size or if I can enter using the existing 5x8 setting? Also is it okay for me to use the poems I entered in the Write Prize contest in my manuscript?

Administrator

Hi Jaylyn,
 
It depends on how long or short the poems are. If they're very short poems (e.g. sonnet length or so), then the answer will be no. If they're longer, then I'll say yes since the page count will likely increase on a smaller size paper. 
 
Best,
...Alex
 

George Ovitt (not verified)

Hello Editors:
Like many others, I am hesitant to send my credit card or checking acct. information over the web.  Is it permissible to send the ms. and then to mail the check separately?  I think you answered this in iii above, but I want to be clear that you aren't speaking there of checks submitted with mailed mss. 
Thanks
George

Administrator

Hello George,
 
Yes, you can send the manuscript by the online form or email, and then send a check separately by snail mail.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Administrator

Hello Shana,
 
The short answer is yes -- this is a worldwide contest, open to all countries.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Anonymous (not verified)

So to make sure I get this straight: the blind judge is not allowed to know the title of the manuscript? What if that's important?

Sandra Marchetti (not verified)

Hi Able Muse,
 
I am (unfortunately) submitting via USPS, and I am wondering if the above March 31st deadline is a postmark deadline or an "in hand" deadline for postal submitters.  I am sending my ms through the mail today (March 30th) so I highly doubt that the ms will make it to you by tomorrow.  If it comes a few days after the deadline, but is postmarked by the deadline, is that alright?  Please let me know, if you can.  You can also contact me at marchettis@net.elmhurst.edu.  Thanks so much.

Administrator

Hi Sandra,

Sorry to be too late to get to this, but for future entries, it is a postmark deadline.

Best,

...Alex

 

sally (not verified)

HI---Trying desperately to submit a book for contest, but each time I hit "to Pay" button it goes to my email home page.  Any ideas at this late hour????
 

Anonymous (not verified)

Hello, friends. I'm just curious to know if there's an estimated date planned for the announcement of this year's winner/finalists. Thank you so much!

Brandan Bracken (not verified)

  My style of poetry is somewhat similar to that of Philip Larkin, in that there are many monologues of poetry combined with a free style story.  Is this exceptable?

Barbara Ellen (not verified)

  • It seems as though many of those planning on submitting ar unfamiliar with contests,terms, and haven't read with understanding, the eplanations clearly in the rules.How nice that you have responded cordially and without frustration to the 
  • queries! Blessings B​. E .

rm (not verified)

hello! do all submission manuscripts get edited and into the contest or if they are not satisfying do they get tossed asided?
 

Administrator

Hello rm,
No, entries are not edited. They're read and considered as submitted, and will win or not on the strenght of the manuscript as submitted. Still, the winning entries, and finalist entries that are ultimately selected for publication might receive editing recommendations from the editors.
Best,
...Alex

Barbara E. (not verified)

HI: I'm just gtting ready to send my manuscript.I realize it's blind judging, and I have all poems in one document.
 
Do you want the cover letter IN that document as well? Thanks! B

Administrator

Hi Barbara,

You may submit the cover letter, but as a separate document so that it's easy to exclude for the blind judging.

Best,

...Alex

 

Derek Warden (not verified)

I have written and self-publsihed two of my three epic poems. I am currently almost done with the final one. Since it's part of a trilogy does that disqualify me from submitting it? Also, since it is an epic, it is essentially a fictional story. Thus, I want to know if I should submit it to the Write Prize instead. 
Thanks,
 
Derek 

Administrator

Hello Derek,
If the final epic poem that you refer to can somehow stand on its own, then I see no problem with submitting it to the contest.
Best,
...Alex

Jody (not verified)

Hi Alex, :)
 
Quick question.  After the author is published, do they receive royalties when the book sells?
 
Thanks so much.
Jody

Administrator

Hi Jody,
Besides the contest winning prize, the winner will also receive a standard Able Muse Press book contract, royalties included.
 
Best,
...Alex
 

Anonymous (not verified)

I an going to submit electronically and was not clear: do you want the cover page included in the manuscript that is uploaded?  I understand no info that appears on the cover page should appear anywhere else in the manuscript.

Administrator

Yes, you may include the cover page in what's uploaded electronically. Any identifying information is removed before the manuscript is seen by the judges.
Best,
...Alex

Vicky (not verified)

Hello!
Can a partial manuscript be submitted and then edited and added to after being chosen?
 
Thank you,
Vicky

Administrator

Hello Vicky,
The simple answer is that chosen manuscripts can still be edited afterwards by the authors (pending the editor/publisher). However, you'll only be judging is solely based on what is submitted to the contest.
Best,
...Alex
 

Carl Auerbach (not verified)

 I just tried to upload my manuscript submission and don't think it worked. There was a line where I could enter the file name on my computer, but there was nothing that allowed me to upload it. Is there something wrong?
 
Thanks

Administrator

Hi Carl,
Actually, the upload worked just fine. But we also received your emailed file attachment after that. So, you're doubly covered and properly entered in the contest. Good luck.
Best,
...Alex

Janet (not verified)

I am ready to submit but I see that the only online payment option is Google. I do not have Google Wallet.   Is it possible to pay with Paypal?

Administrator

Hi Janet,
No we don't use Paypal. However, you don't need to have Google Wallet to pay with it. All you need is any major credit card. Or, if that fails, you can pay by the snail mail/check or money order method as described above (item 3 of  "Entry Methods").
Best,
...Alex
 

Em (not verified)

Hello there,
My manuscript only contains 26 poems, however, the nature of the project is that each poem goes with one or two photographs (ekphrastic poetry), so overall the manuscript is greater than 50 pages.  The poems themselves wouldn't span 50 pages though.  The manuscript also includes a foreward.  I noticed someone else asked a similar question about number of poems v. pages, but since mine wasn't just about the poems, I thought I'd clarify: is this a qualifying 50+ page manuscript? also, do forewards get read? is the photo thing workable?
Also, I know this is quiet last minute, so if I don't get the chance to submit this time around, that's fine.  But it would still be lovely to get your insight.
Cheers,
Em

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