New 'Indie Publishing Contest' Revamps the Traditional Writing Contest with the Benefits of Indie Publishing

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Since when can a writing contest turn the winner into an author with a published book ... and provide a staff of book marketing professionals to help get the book into book stores and publicized? This is the new reality of combining a traditional writing contest with the myriad advantages of indie book publishing. The non-profit San Francisco Writers Conference and San Francisco Writers University announced they are partnering with indie book publishing leader Author Solutions, Inc., and its integrated author marketing division, AuthorHive, to launch the Indie Publishing Contest for writers. The winner will be announced at the 2011 San Francisco Writers Conference, February 18-20.

"In this new era of digital publishing with eBooks, POD books and more, there are now many paths to publication," said Laurie McLean, SFWC Contest Director. "We are offering the indie alternative - working to establish the credibility for indie book publishing that the indie film and music industries enjoy today."

The deadline is January 5, 2011 and American-based writers can immediately enter up to the first 5,000 words of an unpublished manuscript, short story, essay or poem in the categories of fiction, non-fiction/memoir, children's/young adult, and poetry. Cost per entry is $35 for the fiction, non-fiction and children's categories; $25 for the poetry category.

"We're pleased to be able to offer the grand prize and category winning writers the opportunity to publish their works. We believe this serves writers better than simply awarding a small cash award, because it allows them to share their work with readers," said Keith Ogorek, Author Solutions senior vice president of marketing.

The Prizes:

The four category winners will receive their choice of a one-hour consultation with an agent or a free publishing package from an Author Solutions imprint, plus a certificate and publicity. The runner-ups will receive $50 and a 50% discount coupon for a publishing package from Author Solutions.

The Grand Prize winner will receive an indie publishing contract that includes:

• A print publishing package from Author Solutions
• eBook format conversion
• 90 days of mentoring from a literary agent
• 90 days of consulting from an AuthorHive publicist
• A high-quality video book trailer
• The scheduling of a blog tour and a video press release
• Distribution of the book online and in bookstores
• Book signing at a bookstore near the winner's home (continental US only)
• Public announcement and promotion at the San Francisco Writers Conference
• ISBN number

For further information on this contest, contact Laurie McLean, Contest Director for SFWC, at 650-747-0796 or [email protected].

About the San Francisco Writers Conference/San Francisco Writers University:

SFWC is a 509(a)(2) tax-exempt charity that sponsors the annual San Francisco Writers Conference (http://www.sfwriters.org), February 18-20, 2011, at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Keynoters are Dorothy Allison and David Morrell.

For further information, contact:

Laurie McLean: SFWC/SFWU (650-747-0796) [email protected]

Kevin A. Gray: Author Solutions, Inc. (317-246-9348) [email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE San Francisco Writers Conference