How Are Our Contests Judged?

There are two rounds: preliminary and final. In the preliminary round, every entry is read three times by writer judges. The scores are averaged, after any formatting deduction is made, to reach a preliminary score. There is no discrepancy judging.

Any entries whose authors have accepted publication during the contest process, up until the final round, must be eliminated from the contest. Entrants can withdraw at any time but fees will only be refunded if the judging process has not begun.

Entries not meeting the formatting conditions will be returned to the entrant for correction. If a corrected copy is not received by the entry deadline, the entry will be allowed into the contest, but 5 points will be deducted from the entry's total score for the formatting error. Please refer to the entry conditions for formatting conditions. Any entry that has received a formatting deduction will be deemed the loser in the event of a tie for last place in the final.

Every entry score is expressed as a percentage and tallied on the rankings sheet, which goes to all entrants.

The six highest-scoring entries will be the finalists, with the proviso that an entry scoring less than 85% cannot proceed to the final, so there may be fewer than six finalists. In the case of a tie for the last finalist placing, total X-factor score will be used as a tie-breaker; if the tie cannot be broken, additional finalists may be admitted. If only one entry qualifies for the final, it shall be declared the winner. If no entries qualify for the final, there shall be no winner or placegetters.

The final judge will read the finalist entries and decide on the placegetters.

Emerald Award:

There are two sections (category/series and single title) made up of three rounds: first, second and final. Every entry is read three times in the 1st round by reader judges, and the scores averaged. The 15 highest-scoring entries in each section will progress to the 2nd round, providing their average score was at least 85%. There is no discrepancy judging. If no entries in a section qualify for the 2nd round, there shall be no winner and no placegetters in that section. If only one entry qualifies for the 2nd round in a section, that entry shall be declared the winner and the contest concluded.

Two copies of the full manuscript are then requested from the 2nd round entrants, and each entry is read three times in the 2nd round. If there is a tie, the combined scores from the “Reader Enjoyability” and “Overall Impact” sections shall be the tie breaker.

The three highest-scoring entries in each section are the finalists, and are sent to their appropriate final judge for placing, provided they score at least 85% in the 2nd round. If no entries in a section qualify for the final, there shall be no winner and no placegetters in that section.

Every entry score is expressed as a percentage and tallied on the rankings sheet, which goes to all entrants.

Little Gems Short Story Anthology:

There is one round for this contest. Every entry is read three times by experienced readers and writers. The scores are averaged to determine the placegetters in the anthology: 12 to 15 entries, depending on page count.

Every entry score is expressed as a percentage and tallied on the rankings sheet, which goes to all entrants.

Note: Members are not allowed to judge for a contest they have entered. Contest Managers may not enter or judge a contest they are managing, but may enter or judge for another contest.

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