Please read all the directions on the HOME page first. Your question is most likely answered on the home page, CONTEST GUIDELINES page, and the SUBMISSIONS page.

Can a published author submit an unpublished manuscript?

Yes. At this time, published authors can submit unpublished work in a category they are not yet published in.

They cannot enter unpublished work in any categories where they are already published.

What is considered published or unpublished for this contest?

For sake of this contest, please consider yourself a published author whether you are traditional, hybrid, or self-published.

If any published work has a 2025 copyright, it will be ineligible for the contest or awards this year.

If any unpublished work is published or under contract before August 15th, it will be ineligible for the contest and will not receive an award for the unpublished category.

How many categories does the contest have?

We currently have FOUR different categories for both published and unpublished authors for a total of EIGHT separate categories.

How many entries can I submit?

You may submit up to a total of FIVE entries across all categories.

But you may only submit up to TWO different manuscripts in any one category.

Each manuscript or book can only be entered in ONE category.

Can I enter more than one manuscript into the same category?

Yes. But we have a strict limit of TWO manuscripts per category, and FIVE total entries across all categories.

However, 1st place winning entries from the prior year, may not be entered into any future ACFW KidLit contests.

How many total entries can I submit?

You may enter a total of FIVE different entries.

However, each manuscript can only be entered into ONE category. And no more than TWO submissions per category.

Can a published author enter a category or genre they have not yet been published?

Yes. If you have NOT been published in a specific category/genre, even if you are a published author in another category/genre, you may enter as a published author in the unpublished category/genre that you have not yet been published.

For example: If an author is published author of a picture book and a young adult novel, they may enter a middle grade novel or chapter book fiction in the unpublished category.

They may not enter any categories that they have been published. (In this example, they cannot enter a board book, picture book, or YA novel in the unpublished categories.)

See other guidelines for limitations.

How do I enter the contest?

After you have formatted your entry per the CONTEST GUIDELINES page, you will use an online submission tool called GOOGLE FORMS, and upload your entry under the SUBMISSIONS page.

You will also use PayPal at the time of submission. (The link will be in the Google Form.)

NOTE: Each entry will need a separate PayPal payment.

Please copy the payment transaction ID # because you will need that for the Google Form so we can match your entry and your payment.

You will not be able to adjust or change your entry, so please make sure you attach a properly formatted manuscript the first time.

How do I pay for the contest?

When you submit your contest entry, you will be asked to pay for a single entry.

You may use PayPal or your credit card through PayPal.

Please remember to copy the payment transaction ID # because you will need that for the Google Form.

If you are submitting more than two entries, please space them out and monitor your credit card to reduce the chance of getting flagged for fraudulent purchases.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SUBMIT.

How can I save money by joining the ACFW National Organization.

Go to the ACFW NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP.

There is also an ACFW KidLit Online Chapter application, and on that application, there is the address and email for the National Organization dues and the KidLit Chapter dues.

We have created a new fillable Word Doc for the ACFW KidLit Online Chapter membership application.

Note: You do not have to join the KidLit Chapter in order to receive the lower price entry fee.

You must have an active membership in the National ACFW group to receive the discounted entry fee.

What if my payment gets rejected?

Again, do not wait until the last minute to submit.

If your payment is rejected, or your internet goes down, you will want ample time to resubmit payment.

What if my entry is made before the deadline, but I couldn't complete the payment?

Please contact us well before the deadline to make sure we can properly assist you.

Your entry will not be accepted into the contest beyond the deadline for any reason.

You will submit a Google Form for each entry and make a PayPal payment for each entry.

Will I receive confirmation of my entry and payment?

Yes. You should receive an automated message saying that we received your payment through PayPal.

And you will receive an automated message saying we received your entry through Google Forms.

Those emails will both have a time/date stamp. We will use this for the contest deadline cut off times.

You can also use this as a receipt for your business records.

What if I send the wrong manuscript?

Whatever you send us the first time, will be the entry that we judge. No exceptions.

Please do not resubmit an entry.

But please read through the directions twice to see if your question is found on our website.

What if I find a typo or a mistake in my entry AFTER I submit?

Please DO NOT resend your submission.

Please make note of the errors, refine your manuscript for the next contest, and keep working on your craft.

What are the requirements for formatting?

Please see the FORMATTING page and follow the guidelines for your specific category or genre.

DO NOT send alternate formatting unless allowed by the instructions.

DO NOT send illustrations with unpublished work.

If you submit a children's book in poetry, or a novel in verse, read the additional notes about the file name requirements on the FORMATTING page. You will need to add the word, Poetry, in the file name.

Please DO NOT send physical books for the published category.

See the formatting page for the specific formatting for each category.

Where do I find the submission rubrics and judging rules?

There are several distinct tabs, or website pages, this year to help you choose which topic you want to explore.

On the SCORESHEETS page you will find category specific rubrics that the judges will use as their reference when answering questions and scoring your entries.

Can I use AI for my entry?

The simple answer is no, with a caveat.

No entries are allowed with the assistance of a text-generating AI such as ChatGPT or any other AI including, but not limited to, Microsoft Co-pilot.

We value and reward God-given human creativity and ingenuity.

Please do not enter work that has used AI in any way except during research. Your entry will be disqualified.

However, you may use editing software for spelling and grammar checks.

What if I don't have a Google Email?

You will need to sign in to your Google Account before you can enter or judge the contest.

Create a GMAIL account if you do not have one so you can use GOOGLE FORMS.

If you don't have an author email account, you can create an author name or pen name for a new Google account.

You might also be required to use the GOOGLE CHROME Web Browser for your submission(s) depending on your operating system.

What if my question is not listed here?

If you have read all the questions above, please CONTACT US if you need further assistance.

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