Entries that include hate propaganda, racism, gratuitous violence, pornography, and vulgarity (beyond normally accepted literary standards) will be disqualified.

All entries must be submitted in English, as an ASCII text file. Entries submitted in any other file format will be rejected. If unsure how to export your work as an ASCII text file, click here.

All entries must be the original, and unpublished, un-produced, un-optioned work of the entrant. The entrant ensures that he or she is the sole author of the work and that it does not infringe on any existing copyright and the entrant bears full responsibility for any claims to the contrary.

Self-published works are acceptable, provided no rights have been granted to any third-party.

Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Younger entrants must have their entry submitted by a parent or guardian.

Each entry will consist of a completed novel manuscript of any length and in any genre.

Writers are welcome to submit an entry that has been previously submitted to other contests and are free to submit the same material simultaneously to other contests.

An entrant may enter as many novels as he or she cares to, though each must be the original, unpublished work of the entrant.

All entrants must provide a valid e-mail address and postal address. Writer's contact information, including e-mail addresses will remain private. We do not sell or otherwise distribute entrant's information.

All entrants will receive a confirmation e-mail to verify their entry.

Once entered, an entry may be withdrawn by giving notice via e-mail to: pbj@zirdland.com at least 24 hours before the contest deadline.

Using the Zirdland Arc Angel Story Analysis Program, a winning entry will be chosen and an award of $1,000.00 (US) will be paid to the successful entrant within 30 days of the announcement. The winner will be solely responsible for paying any taxes that may apply.

All the entrants will receive an e-mail notification of the chosen finalists and contest award.

All entrants will be solely responsible for determining the legality of this competition within their own country, state and province and for ensuring that their participation falls within the statutes and boundaries of their local and regional laws.

All entries must be received before the contest deadline.

The winning entrant may be asked to provide a head-shot (photo) and additional information and agrees to the potential promotional use of their name, location, entry, and likeness. Personal information (email address, home address, etc. will not be made public).

Entrants must provide all the information requested on the Web Site Entry Form or risk disqualification.

All entries must be made online, via the electronic entry form provided.

The entrant retains all rights to the material submitted. Each entrant agrees that Zirdland.com, LLC may use excerpts of the submitted material for promotional purposes. Excerpts from the top-3 finalist's entries will be posted on the Zirdland web site. Those entries that are not chosen as finalists will not be made public.

If entrant is using a pen-name, his or her legal name should also be provided, framed by parenthesis in the "Name" field of the Entry Form. Award payment will be made in the winner's legal name.

Zirdland.com, LLC reserves the right to extend the contest deadline or cancel the contest at its discretion.

Employees and contractors of Zirdland.com, LLC and their families are prohibited from entering this contest. Entrants agree that Zirdland.com, LLC are not held liable whatsoever for any claims of damages, real or perceived, by any entrant(s) as a result of their participation in this contest..

A $1,000.00 prize will be awarded to the entrant judged to have submitted the best work. The winning entry will be chosen by the Zirdland Arc Angel. The decision of the Arc Angel is final. For more information about the Zirdland Arc Angel, click here.

What is Zirdland?

Zirdland is a quiet place where writers can perfect their craft, analyze their literary works, and explore their market potential. It’s not a community website.  It’s not a “display” site. It’s not an agency.  It’s a private website designed to enhance the writing experience. Membership is free to all writers everywhere.  We're still adding features, so look forward to a variety of writing and marketing tools coming soon. Zirdland also supports literacy development through organizations like FirstBook and National Center for Family Literacy.

What is the entry fee or the novel competition?

It’s FREE to enter. However, you must submit a completed unpublished original novel to qualify for the $1,000 prize. While self-published works are acceptable, nothing that has been distributed by a publisher may be entered.

Who will see my work?

Since the judging is done entirely by the Zirdland Arc Angel software, your material will remain private. If you are among the top-three in the contest, a short excerpt of your work will be displayed on our site. This would be the only public presentation of any of your material.

Am I giving up any rights by entering?

Nope. You maintain copyrights on your entire work. 

Can I enter more than one novel?

Sure. You can even enter multiple versions of the same novel. Just fill-out an entry form for each submission and click on the SUBMIT button.

What happens if my novel wins?

You get $1,000! We’ll also publicize your win on ZirdNEWS and send a press release to literary journals, publications and our publisher/agent database. Who knows, you might get a call from a publisher.

$1,000 no strings attached?

Yep. Pocket the cash, go back to writing.

What if I have other questions?

Write us an e-mail at: info@zirdland.com