Get your book published by Stone Soup!
Stone Soup is thrilled to announce that we are accepting submissions for our annual book contest.
This year we once again plan to accept two books for publication: one novel or short story collection and one book of poems. We do consider all submissions for potential publication however!
Contest Details
Genre: Fiction (novel, novella, short story collection) or Poetry
Length: For fiction submissions, the minimum length is 20,000 words. For poetry submissions, the minimum length is 48 pages with no more than one poem per page. Novels in verse should be a minimum of 48 pages. There is no maximum word or page limit.
Age Limit: For this contest, we will accept manuscripts written by those age 14 or under.
Deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2024 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
Entry fee: $18.00
The submission fee is important to us; it helps us defray the costs of the contest and of producing and publishing the two winning books. However, if the submission fee represents a financial hardship to your family, please write to editor@stonesoup.com.
Submissions of multiple manuscripts by the same author are accepted but you must submit each as an individual entry and pay the fee each time.
Results and Prizes: We will select two winning manuscripts—one in fiction and one in poetry—to be published and distributed by Stone Soup in both print and ebook forms, available for sale on Amazon, via our distributors, and advertised along with the rest of our books to libraries and other vendors.
We will also name a handful of finalists.
Publication: We will consider all work submitted as part of the contest for potential publication in the magazine or as standalone volumes.
Previous Submissions: If you submitted to last year's contest and have substantially revised your manuscript in the meantime, you are welcome to resubmit it this year.
If you have questions, please review our FAQ page. If you can't find the answer to your question there, please write to stonesoup@stonesoup.com.
We reserve the right to select no winners in a given year.
Header image by Joanne Cai, 13
Joy Ross says
The date says 2022? Is this old or did you mean 2023?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Joy,
We meant 2023; thank you for catching that typo!
Coco says
This is so exciting, ive always wanted to publish my book, better get editing!
Sol says
I have a novel that has the first draft finished and is being edited that I wrote with a friend (she is thirteen, I am fourteen). Her sister, who is eighteen, is helping edit. Is it still valid?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Sol,
All submissions should be written entirely by those under the age of 14. There are some cases wherein it’s okay for a 14-year-old to submit, namely when all the writing of the book has taken place prior to the author turning 14. But outside editing help from those 14 or over is also disallowed.
Nyla Kurapati says
Is there a specific font we have to use or size since i like using different fonts?
Also can I work with a friend on my novel?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Nyla,
You should stick to one of the main serif fonts (Times New Roman or Garamond, for example), though the occasional use of a different font for stylistic purposes is fine.
And yes, you can work with a friend but you must both be 14 or younger.
Ivy says
Hi, can I submit art to go along with my book? I am sorry if this question has already been answered. Also, is there a maximum for word/page count? I don’t want to overdo it. Thanks!
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ivy,
Yes you can absolutely submit art to be included in your book. And I don’t think there’s a strict maximum word or page count; just write it however long it needs to be in order to get the story out.
Ava H says
Is there a specific size our writing needs to be? For example does 11pt work?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ava,
12 pt font is the standard.
Ava E says
When writing my novel the directions state that I should have at least fifty pages. What size is the page itself that the novel should be typed on?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ava,
Standard printer paper will do! That’s 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
Ava Evak says
Can my parent edit my work or do I the writer edit all my own work?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ava,
We ask that you or a friend also 14 or younger do the preliminary editing. Then, if your book is selected, our editor will work closely with you to edit the work.
Elaine says
Hi, how do you find the contest titles for June 2023?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Elaine,
Can you please elaborate? I’m not sure what you’re asking.
Ava H says
Would it be ok if I put my book on my parents email to send to the contest because I am worried that I might lose on my email account? Or is there something else I can do?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ava,
Yes, you can use your parents email to submit your book, just make sure you specify that you are the author.
Ivy says
Hi, I checked your FAQ page and didn’t find out whether or not we are supposed to number our pages. Is there a rule for that? Thanks for your concern.
Isabella says
I am fourteen, and all the writing for my book has taken place after my fourteenth birthday, but I won’t turn fifteen until after the deadline. Can I still enter?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Isabella,
Yes, you may still enter as long as the book was written while you were 14.
Ava H says
How would you like me to specify that it is me?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Ava,
I’m not sure what you mean. Do you mean how to authenticate your identity? All that is asked is that you submit a manuscript through your submittable account with your age, name, and photo.
Ava H says
Ok thank, you! I should’ve clarified what I meant.
Katelynn says
Do you accept fanfictions?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Katelynn,
We prefer to publish completely original work for the contest.
Thad says
Hello,
I want to include artwork with every chapter/chapter banners. I may not have time to do this artwork before the deadline and I am wondering if I could first submit the writing and work out the artwork with the Stone Soup team after the deadline if I win?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Thad,
This is a very interesting question. I think yes, focus first and foremost on the writing.
Lilli says
if i was 13 when i wrote my book but i’ll be 15 next year will i be able to submit?
Caleb Berg says
Hi Lilli,
I’m honestly unsure. I think you could submit it and just make sure to write in the fact that it was written when you were 13, but no promises.
Ava H says
When does the next contest start? For 2023?
Also I’m writing a book with two other friends who are under 14 how exactly would we submit a book? Do we all submit it, or do we just have one person’s parent submit it?
Olivia McKeon says
So sorry for the late response! I completely missed this message. We usually begin accepting submissions in the spring (usually March). And you can just submit the book once and include all of your names in that submission.
Paisley L. says
Hello, I participated in this year’s contest. When exactly will the results be posted?
Olivia McKeon says
The results should be posted by mid November!
Elaine Elizabeth Jinto says
Hi,
is there an annual book contest for 2024?
Olivia McKeon says
Yes, the book contest will open on April 15th!
Isla says
I am thirteen and writing a story with YA themes. Can it still be submitted here?
Olivia McKeon says
Yes! That can definitely be submitted to the contest.
Olivia McKeon says
Hi Isla,
I just wanted to follow up on this. Submissions actually should not be intended for an older/YA audience, so depending on your story, this might not be the best place for it. So sorry for the miscommunication!
Isla Redcay Bower says
Just checking, something with YA themes and occasional swearing can still be submitted to this contest, right?
Olivia McKeon says
Hi Isla,
Submissions actually should not be intended for an older/YA audience, so this is probably not the best place to submit your story. So sorry for the miscommunication!
Elaine Jinto says
Hey! Just wanted to know what KIND of stories you are looking for, for the annual book contests.
Also I have an idea which I feel is good, but it is aimed for younger kids… like maybe 9-10 year old. Is that fine?
Olivia McKeon says
Hi Elaine! We accept all kinds of stories–fantasy, realistic fiction, sci-fi, etc. However, we don’t accept submissions intended for a YA/adult audience, so that’s perfect!
Elaine Jinto says
Got it. Thanks!
Paisley L. says
Hi, just wanted to ask, if I am submitting a poetry collection, and it contains some sensitive topics that might be triggering, am I allowed to submit it?