An "American Idol" for writers comes to the web

Bob Russell · 01-13-2007, 10:50 AM

Imagine a web contest for authors based on the American Idol process. Authors publish the first chapter of a book and compete to continue to the next chapters. After three elimination rounds, the winner of a $5,000 book contract is picked by "representatives from Simon & Schuster, Borders bookstores and Gather.com".

That is what the "First Chapters" contest is doing for members of gather.com who want to strut their written stuff in front of the judges. It's certainly a new approach to finding good books from the slush pile of writing submissions.

It's not so obvious from the gather.com front page where to find info, but after some digging I was able to find the rules here and more information from the First Chapters administrator can be found from some other posts. So if you are interested, you have until March 15th to make your submission and satisfy the entry requirements.

From ZDNet.

L1Wulf · 01-14-2007, 12:41 AM

This looks like it might be pretty interesting and fun to follow. Any mobileread members planning on submitting a chapter?

THJahar · 01-14-2007, 08:59 AM

must point out that it is only open to americans. (i'm mildy annoyed as i was going to give it a shot)

nekokami · 01-14-2007, 10:46 AM

I'm thinking about it. But you have to have a full book manuscript completed to enter, and though I have at least one ms which could be finished by March 15, I don't know if I'll have time to finish it by then (the new semester starts Tuesday, and I have a tough schedule for the next 3 months).

Contest terms aren't that great compared to a regular contract, as well. And since I write SF, my work probably wouldn't pull as wide an audience as more general fiction. That means it probably wouldn't do that well in an "American Idol" style voting contest. I'll probably wait until summer to make the next push in my writing.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-15-2007, 11:36 AM

According to rules:

"(b) Manuscript submissions (hereafter the “Submissions”) must be original, previously unpublished book, completed book length manuscripts in the commercial fiction genre from authors who have not previously published a full length book (excluding self published and vanity press)...Writers cannot submit more than one Submission in the Competition."

This suggests that I could submit any one of my existing works... and I have 9 of 'em! Hmm... how to decide?...

yvanleterrible · 01-15-2007, 11:49 AM

Let me read them I'll tell ya!

nekokami · 01-15-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

This suggests that I could submit any one of my existing works... and I have 9 of 'em! Hmm... how to decide?...

Yep, you're "self-published," so you're in. Pick one that you think has the broadest popular appeal, since this is a "popularity contest." If you're thinking of entering one of a series, I think you'd better go with the first one. Good luck!

Bob Russell · 01-15-2007, 01:36 PM

I'd also suggest picking one that starts out the fastest... early chapters may determine the winners. If you submit, let us know if there is any open voting. I'm sure many of us would be delighted to support your entry.

yvanleterrible · 01-15-2007, 06:00 PM

You have friends here Steve!

NatCh · 01-15-2007, 10:47 PM

When do we get to start voting for Steve's submission, again?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-09-2007, 12:33 PM

Since you asked:

I (finally!) submitted a novel to the Gather First Chapters contest. Here's the reply, which tells you how to spread the word:

Quote:

The first chapter of your submission to the First Chapters Writing Competition on Gather.com is now live. *The link below is the unique URL to your first chapter which has been posted for Round 1 consideration. *You can send this link to your friends, family, and colleagues so that they can read, rate, and comment on your work!

*Your Round 1 Unique URL:* http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.js...81474976927401

During Round 1, the first chapter of your submission (link provided above) will remain live on the site at Firstchapters.gather.com <http://firstchapters.gather.com/> for fourteen (14) days from the date it was published. At the end of that voting period we will remove the chapter from Gather and tally the votes. To complete your competition eligibility, please double-check to ensure that you are a member of First Chapters Writing Competition Group. If you are not a member, click here <http://www.gather.com/register.jsp> to join

If you would like to invite your friends, family and colleagues to read and rate your submission they must:

1. Join Gather.com so they can vote on your chapter. Make sure to send them a join link.

2. Click on your chapter’s unique link (send out the link provided above) where they can read and then rate your first chapter.

Note on voting: To ensure the integrity of contests on Gather we have developed fraud detection systems to monitor rating/voting patterns as well as member account validity. We run the processes periodically throughout the contest and again at the end of the contest, across all entries. If we determine that certain ratings or actions are intended to compromise the outcome of the contest we will take appropriate actions which can include disqualifying the ratings, entrants and submissions. Therefore, rating averages can change throughout the contest period. Entrants are eligible to vote in the Competition but are expected to do so fairly and in the spirit of the competition.

You can check out other chapter submissions from there.

01-13-2007, 10:50 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	An "American Idol" for writers comes to the web Imagine a web contest for authors based on the American Idol process. Authors publish the first chapter of a book and compete to continue to the next chapters. After three elimination rounds, the winner of a $5,000 book contract is picked by "representatives from Simon & Schuster, Borders bookstores and Gather.com". That is what the "First Chapters" contest is doing for members of gather.com who want to strut their written stuff in front of the judges. It's certainly a new approach to finding good books from the slush pile of writing submissions. It's not so obvious from the gather.com front page where to find info, but after some digging I was able to find the rules here and more information from the First Chapters administrator can be found from some other posts. So if you are interested, you have until March 15th to make your submission and satisfy the entry requirements. From ZDNet.

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01-14-2007, 12:41 AM	#2
L1Wulf Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 27 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Device: nook	This looks like it might be pretty interesting and fun to follow. Any mobileread members planning on submitting a chapter?

01-14-2007, 08:59 AM	#3
THJahar Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 58 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Leicester, UK Device: Jinke V2 Prototype	must point out that it is only open to americans. (i'm mildy annoyed as i was going to give it a shot)

01-14-2007, 10:46 AM	#4
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I'm thinking about it. But you have to have a full book manuscript completed to enter, and though I have at least one ms which could be finished by March 15, I don't know if I'll have time to finish it by then (the new semester starts Tuesday, and I have a tough schedule for the next 3 months). Contest terms aren't that great compared to a regular contract, as well. And since I write SF, my work probably wouldn't pull as wide an audience as more general fiction. That means it probably wouldn't do that well in an "American Idol" style voting contest. I'll probably wait until summer to make the next push in my writing.

01-15-2007, 11:36 AM	#5
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	According to rules: "(b) Manuscript submissions (hereafter the “Submissions”) must be original, previously unpublished book, completed book length manuscripts in the commercial fiction genre from authors who have not previously published a full length book (excluding self published and vanity press)...Writers cannot submit more than one Submission in the Competition." This suggests that I could submit any one of my existing works... and I have 9 of 'em! Hmm... how to decide?...

01-15-2007, 11:49 AM	#6
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Let me read them I'll tell ya!

01-15-2007, 01:36 PM	#8
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I'd also suggest picking one that starts out the fastest... early chapters may determine the winners. If you submit, let us know if there is any open voting. I'm sure many of us would be delighted to support your entry.

01-15-2007, 06:00 PM	#9
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	You have friends here Steve!

01-15-2007, 10:47 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	When do we get to start voting for Steve's submission, again?