Joy of the pen 2020

    Just Write Books is pleased to be sponsoring the Maine-Related Nonfiction Award within the Joy of the Pen Literary Awards again this year! While we are not currently accepting submissions for publication, our specialty is Maine books by Maine authors telling Maine stories since 2005. What could be more appropriate than that we sponsor this non-fiction literary award for Maine-related nonfiction?

Joy of the Pen is the Topsham Public Library’s annual writing competition, and is open to Maine residents, both amateur and professional writers alike, and it’s currently open for submissions!


Rules of Entry:

• Residents of Maine only
  
• Unpublished work only (work that has been self-published or has appeared online, on a personal blog for example, is NOT eligible)
•  Writers are limited to one piece in each category (5 pieces total for adults and 3 pieces total for teens and kids – a collection of poetry counts as 1 piece)
• Work that does not adhere to word/page limit will not be read/considered
• Joy of the Pen is judged anonymously. Please do not put your name on the work itself, only on the application. Likewise, the judges will remain anonymous until the awards are announced.
• Topsham Public Library retains first publication rights to the work of the winners and runners-up (all other rights automatically return to the author after publication)
• Submissions in the Maine-Related Nonfiction category must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words

Preferred Manuscript Format for Fiction, Nonfiction and Maine-Related Nonfiction

• Include the word count in top right corner of page 1
• Always use 12-point, Times New Roman or similar font.
• Double-space paragraphs
• Keep text justified to the left (Word default)
• Indent new paragraphs (use tab button) rather than leave a line space
• Use 1-inch margins (standard Word margins are fine)
  
• Include a top-header with the story title and the page number in top right corner, beginning on page 2
• Use a pound sign (#) to separate any line breaks

For more information on the other categories you can write for and to submit your work, visit the Topsham Library’s website here!

We’re looking forward to seeing your work!

Submit to Joy of the Pen

​​Nancy E. Randolph operates Just Write Books LLC offering consulting and coaching to writers.  With over 50 years of writing experience and two decades in the publishing industry working with dozens of writers, Randolph has learned how to produce a manuscript that is ready for publication. Randolph uses that knowledge to help writers and authors reach their publishing goals. An active community member along with two others she founded and serves as a member of the board of Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org to ensure the maintenance of the historic Roebling-designed and -built bridge connecting Topsham and Brunswick.