2026 Write Start Competition Rules and Guidelines:
- All entries must be submitted in English
- All submissions must be in PDF format
- Submissions must be the full manuscript, but only the first 25 pages of the manuscript will be reviewed prior to the Quarter Finals. Judges for the Quarter Finals and above will review as many pages as necessary to make their decision.
- All works submitted will remain the property of the writer(s). Neither Roadmap Writers, ACM nor any judges and/or their respective companies assume any attachment to your work.
- Multiple manuscripts may be submitted but each manuscript is required to pay a separate registration fee.
- Must be 18 years old and over to enter.
- Applicants who have traditionally published will be disqualified.
- Must be an original idea; free and clear of any copyright issues.
- Material must be the original work of the submitter(s).
- Neither Roadmap x Aevitas Authors nor any of its judges and/or competition partners investigate or confirm the authenticity of an entrant’s authorship rights or claim.
- In the event of multiple authors, please list all additional co-writers.
- Material written by co-authors must be submitted by one of the authors, with consent of the other(s).
- If a manuscript written by co-authors places in the competition or is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each writing team is responsible for dividing or sharing the prize benefits.
- Entrants may be contacted as a result of the competition by Roadmap x Aevitas Authors , a member of the judging panel, or other industry professionals.
- Roadmap x Aevitas Authors is not responsible for any technical issue(s) that may arise from electronic submission.
- Roadmap x Aevitas Authors’ Write Start Competition readers’ decisions are final.
- Submissions will be evaluated by experienced independent industry experts and judged on the criteria of: Premise/Concept, Characters, Plot, Pacing, Voice/Style, and Relevant Genre Expectations. Submissions will receive multiple evaluations based on the competition's proprietary scoring system.
- Announcement Dates are tentative and subject to change.
- Roadmap x Aevitas Authors reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- If a judge or competition partner is no longer able to serve in their specific capacity, Roadmap Writers will make best efforts to secure a replacement. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
- By entering the Write Start Competition, you agree to receive competition updates via email and periodic marketing emails from Roadmap x Aevitas Authors. You may unsubscribe at any time. See the Submission Agreement for a full list of Terms and Conditions for submitting an entry.
- To enter the Write Start Competition, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.
- All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.