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- The contest is open to published ACFW members in good standing. An author can join ACFW at the time of entry by filling out a membership application and submitting the application along with the membership dues. If a book is co-authored, both authors must be members of ACFW in good standing.
- The book must be written from a Christian worldview in any Christian fiction genre through a publisher on the ACFW Recognized Publishers list* and for which the author did not participate financially in the production or distribution (did not enter into a subsidy contract of any kind) and was/is paid royalties.
- All contest entry information, appropriate fees, and books must be received by the contest coordinator no later than March 31, 2010. Failure to meet the appropriate deadline shall result in disqualification, and the entry fee shall be forfeited. The author is responsible to make sure all materials (books, fees, and application) are submitted on time to the contest coordinator.
- All deadlines are final.
- Fee of $35.00 per title entered must be paid online via PayPal, credit card, money order, or check. NO CASH. If entering a title as both Debut Author and a genre category, this is considered two entries and two fees are required (for a total of $70 for that title). Checks should be made out to ACFW.
- There are no refunds and books will not be returned.
- The author shall select the appropriate category for entering the work. However, the work shall be disqualified if the word count does not match the category requirement (see "Categories" below for established word count requirements).
- No single title shall be entered in more than one category, with the exception of the Debut Author category, in which case the book may be entered in BOTH Debut Author and the entry's genre category (please remember to send 3 books for each category).
- A debut author is defined as any author who has never published a fiction title. Previous works of fiction, regardless of market, disqualify the author from the Debut Author category.
- There is no limit to the number of eligible books an author may enter in each category.
- In any category, if fewer than seven (7) entries are received, the category shall be dissolved and the entry/entries added to the General Fiction category and judged therein. Exceptions:
- If fewer than seven (7) entries are received in the Short Contemporary Suspense category, the category will dissolve, and these shall be entered into the Short Contemporary category of the contest and judged therein.
- If fewer than seven (7) entries are received for the Mystery category, this category will dissolve, and these shall be entered into the Suspense category of the contest and judged therein.
- If fewer than seven (7) entries are received in either the Long Contemporary or the Long Contemporary Romance categories, the two categories will be combined.
- If fewer than seven (7) entries are received in either of the novellas categories, they will be combined into a generic Novellas category.
- If fewer than seven (7) entries are received in the General Fiction category, the authors will be contacted regarding an alternate choice category.
- Entrant shall understand and agree that all scores are final once returned from the judge and entered into the database. Scores are assessed by individual judges who score according to an established guideline/score sheet. There will be no discrepancy judging or altering of scores submitted (unless there has been a computational error in determining the final score). Tally cards will not be returned to the entrant.
- Entry must be a work of original fictional narrative prose that is offered for sale to the general public through print or digital media. The author must not participate financially in the production or distribution of the work.
- Authors or Publishers of E-Book entries must submit 3 copies of a standard bound book with cover art. No electronic copies, spiral bound, stapled or 8 1/2 x 11 manuscripts will be accepted.
- Entry must have an original copyright date (printed on copyright page) between January 2009 and December 2009.
- The book must be written from a Christian worldview in any Christian fiction genre through a publisher on the ACFW Recognized Publishers list* and for which the author did not participate financially in the production or distribution (did not enter into a subsidy contract of any kind) and was/is paid royalties.
- Entry may NOT have previously been entered in the Book of the Year contest.
- Entry must be an English-language edition.
- Audio books may not be entered.
- THREE copies of the book must be submitted. Those entering Debut Author must send three copies for that category as well as three copies for the genre category.
- All entrants are required to sign the Contestant's Agreement located on the entry form indicating their acceptance of terms.
* The decisions about publisher recognition are made after careful consideration of ACFW goals, member benefits, and the vision of the ACFW boards. The Advisory Board has the final word on publisher recognition.
- Contemporary Novella (between 15K and 35K)
- Debut Author (at least 50k)
- General Fiction
- Historical Novella (between 15K and 35K)
- Lits (includes chick-lit, mom-lit, lady-lit, lad-lit, etc.)
- Long Contemporary (65K+)
- Long Contemporary Romance (65K+)
- Long Historical (65K+)
- Long Historical Romance (65K+)
- Mystery (judged in Suspense if fewer than 7 entries)
- Short Contemporary (Includes series/category, 45K-65K)
- Short Contemporary Suspense (45K-65K)
- Short Historical (45K-65K)
- Speculative (includes science fiction, fantasy, allegory, etc.)
- Suspense/Thriller
- Romantic Suspense(**excluding series/category suspense unless series word count exceeds 65K**)
- Women's Fiction
- Young Adult
- January 18, 2010 - Contest officially opens.
- March 31, 2010 - ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED (not post-marked) by the contest coordinator. Entries must have an entry form, entry fee, and three copies (or six if entering in the Debut Author category) of the entered book.
- April 15, 2010 - Books sent to judges.
- July 12, 2010 - Score cards due back to contest coordinator.
- July 19, 2010 - Finalists Announced. Score cards will not be returned to the entrant.
- September 2010 - Winners announced at the ACFW Conference Indianapolis, IN.
- Winner in each category receives a plaque.
- Editors of all winning entries receive a certificate.
- Finalists receive a certificate.
E-mail Coordinator Mindy Obenhaus at boty@acfw.com.
Please fill out one form for each book that you enter. Thank you!
Selections for Book of the Year are judged by ACFW members in each of the categories listed below and awarded in the fall at a ceremony during our Annual Conference.
BOTY TEMPLATE 5
| | A Passion Most Pure | Julie Lessman |
| | Sweet Caroline | Rachel Hauck |
| | Controlling Interest | Elizabeth White |
| | Symphony of Secrets | Sharon Hinck |
| | My Heart Remembers and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires | Kim Vogel Sawyer and Cathy Gohlke |
| | For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls | Nancy Mehl |
| | Stuck on You in A Connecticut Christmas anthology | Rhonda Gibson |
| | Broken Lullaby | Pamela Tracy |
| | Family Treasures | Kathryn Springer |
| | Family of the Heart | Dorothy Clark |
| | The Restorer’s Journey | Sharon Hinck |
| | Fossil Hunter | John B. Olson |
| | The Shape of Mercy | Susan Meissner |
| | The Big Picture | Jenny B. Jones |
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