Avoiding the agent

It's a new fashion.

Publishers are looking elsewhere for new authors -- particularly in genres such as romance.

And Indie authors are as eligible as those who have been traditionally published ... or never published at all.

In the latest instance, S&S is targeting science fiction in its hunt for new young voices.

SIMON451: NOVEL-WRITING CONTEST FOR STUDENTS

Simon451, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is pleased to announce a writing contest for students. Submissions must fall in one of the following categories: science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian or dystopian fiction, apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic fiction, or alternate history in literature. We are looking for full-length novels only; novellas and short stories will not be considered.

The contest is open to legal residents of the United States who are at least eighteen years of age and are currently enrolled in college at the undergraduate or graduate level, and who possess a student ID card valid as of February 2014 . The submission period runs from February 1, 2014 – March 15, 2014, during which entrants are asked to provide a 250-word synopsis and the first fifty pages of their novel via the online entry form at https://simon451.submittable.com/submit, in accordance with the full contest guidelines. Complete contest rules and guidelines can be found here: http://bit.ly/451rules.

Ten finalists will be chosen and contacted by April 15, 2014, at which time they will be asked to submit their complete novels for consideration. The winner will receive a publishing contract with Simon451 and a trip to ComicCon in New York City to participate in the public launch of the imprint.

For any further information about the Simon451 imprint, please contact Cary Goldstein, VP/Executive Director of Publicity of Simon & Schuster, cary.goldstein@simonandschuster.com.

For questions regarding contest details, please contact Simon451@simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com