𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁?

 

We are thrilled to announce our 2025 SpellBound/Penny Prize competition in collaboration with Bestselling Author Val Penny.

 

The theme for our 2025 competition is:

 DECEIT.

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𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱/𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 Competition E𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 R𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 2025:

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1. The Prizes

First Prize: a one novel publication contract to the winning entrant by SpellBound Books. Provided by SpellBound Books Ltd.

Second Prize: a full critique of a novel (up to 60,000 words). Provided by SpellBound Books Ltd.

Third Prize: a £100 Amazon voucher. Provided by Val Penny.

 

2. Eligibility

Entries must be crime short stories not in excess of 3,000 words in length on the theme of Deceit. Entries must be the original unpublished work of the entrant, and not currently submitted for publication nor for any other competitions or awards. No submissions will be accepted from staff or associates or authors, presently or formerly paid or published by SpellBound Books Ltd, or any family members of Val Penny.

 

3. Entry

The competition is free to enter but you can only submit one entry. Entries must be sent to Sumaira@spellboundbooks.co.uk by 12 noon on the closing date 28. February 2025.

 

4. Manuscripts

Manuscripts must be in English, typed in double spacing and should be contained in a single doc or docx with a separate front page stating your name, address, mobile phone number, email address, the story title and word count. Your story should commence on the second page. Neither the first page details nor the title is included in the word count.

 

5. Competition Judging

The competition judges will be appointed by SpellBound Books Ltd. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

 

6. Notifications

Winners will be notified by 30 June 2025 after which date entries may not be submitted elsewhere for 12 months without the consent of SpellBound Books Ltd who retain the right to publish the entries in any form during that 12-month period.