2025 GUIDELINES FOR THE TAPESTRY WRITING CONTEST

FLORIDA TAPESTRY AWARDS CONTEST GUIDELINES 2026// Sponsored by Word Weavers Orlando Chapter  (Updated DATE)

· You must be an active member of Word Weavers Int’l (in-person or online) to enter. All proceeds go toward FCWC Scholarships for Word Weaver Orlando Members.

· If an entry has been entered into a previous Florida Tapestry Awards Contest and won first place, it may not be entered again. However, if the piece did not win first place, it may be entered again, but the second time is the final opportunity for that piece to be entered. 

· Multiple submissions are accepted, but NOT within the same category.

· When entering the Florida Tapestry Awards Contest, You WILL receive your scored rubrics that we receive from the judges to in order to aid you in your craft!!

· UNPUBLISHED, UNCONTRACTED entries ONLY.If you go under contract after you have submitted, you are still allowed to compete. If you are currently under a signed contract with a publisher, you cannot enter.

· If your entry is “PUBLISHED ONLINE OR PUBLISHED IN PRINT,” you can only enter IF YOU WERE NOT PAID ANY CONTRACTUAL MONIES OR ROYALTIES. If you were paid, you cannot enter. 

· Submissions will be received via email between Dec 10, 2024 through Jan 31, 2025 (MUST be received via email by 11:59 pm Eastern Time Zone on 1-31-25.) 

· You must submit your info and entry via one email in (2) separate “Word Document” attachments: YOUR FIRST DOCUMENT IS YOUR COVER SHEET. Include your Name, Mailing Address, phone, Word Weaver Chapter, Email address, Title of your work, Word count of your entry (DO NOT include your description paragraph, outline, or synopsis), Total word count of your manuscript, Category entered, and Sub-category if applicable per the guidelines. YOUR SECOND DOCUMENT IS YOUR ENTRY, including synopsis, or paragraph/description on the first page followed by your manuscript. NO PERSONAL INFO. Include your word count of entry, word count of total manuscript, then if applicable, your description/paragraph, outline, or synopsis. After that, your title and entry as per guidelines.  Everything is to be double-spaced, (except Poetry entries and Bible Study Outlines) Times New Roman (black) size 12 font, 1" margins. Email both documents via one email to: FloridaTapestryAwards@gmail.com. 

· DO NOT include your name or any tell-tale evidence of the author with your ENTRY submission. Your COVER SHEET is the only document with personal information. If your entry is from a series, please use an unrecognizable “working title.” 

· THE FEE PER ENTRY IS $20. Mail your check or money order PAYABLE TO "WORD WEAVERS INTERNATIONAL." You may make one payment for multiple entries. Payments must be POSTMARKED no later than 1-31-25 and mailed to: Julie Payne PO Box 180334, Casselberry, Fl 32718-0334. Include email address for confirmation. 

· Our writing contest, THE FLORIDA TAPESTRY AWARDS, will present awards on 3-8-25 at our annual KINGDOM CREATIVES EVENT at Calvary Chapel Orlando. Word Weavers showcase their talent(s) to the community with presentations of songs, poems, narratives, art, etc., and this event culminates with The Florida Tapestry Awards presentations.

· NOTE: The judges reserve the right to switch the category for an entry, or to cancel a category if the number of entries is insufficient, or to decide not to have a winner if the level of the best entries is not up to publishing industry standards.

· Here below are the categories and submission guidelines for your UNPUBLISHED and UNCONTRACTED works:

Categories- only 1 entry per    category

FORMATTING – double-spaced,    (except Poetry entries & Bible Study Outlines,) 

Times New Roman (black) size 12    font, 1" margins. Title and    footnotes NOT included in word count.

Children's Picture Book 

Submit the entire work, NO   graphics.  Manuscript must be under   7500 words. 

(You may add a description paragraph and/or a   “text line” about the graphic,

just keep in mind, these words are included   in your total word count.)

Devotions

Single Devotional (Entire devotion must be 1000 words or less) Submit   entire devotion,

1000 words or less, double spaced,   including Bible verse, devotion, and prayer/inspirational saying.

Book length Devotional (Manuscript must be over 7500 words) 

Submit a one paragraph description,   double spaced, on your theme/inspiration followed by the 

first 1,500 words, including Bible   verses, prayers and/or inspirational sayings.

MG/YA

(Middle Grade/Young Adult Novels) 

Middle Grade- OR - Young Adult Novels   (Manuscript must be over 7500 words) 

Submit a one paragraph, double   spaced description of your manuscript, 

followed by the first 1,500 words.

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY:  Middle Grade – OR - Young Adult

Book-Length Non-Fiction 

Book length Non-Fiction Novel (Manuscript must be over 7500 words)  

Submit up to a one-page, double   spaced synopsis of your manuscript 

followed by the first 1,500 words.   

Book Length Bible Study (Manuscript must be over 7500 words) 

Submit up to a one-page, single   spaced OUTLINE of your Bible Study followed by the first 1500 words 

Short Nonfiction 

Short Non-Fiction (Manuscript must be under 7500 words) 

Submit a one-paragraph, double   spaced description of your manuscript, followed by the first 1,500 words 

Fiction Book Length Novels 

Fiction Novel (Manuscript must be over 7500 words) 

Submit a one-page, double spaced   synopsis of your manuscript, followed by the first 1,500 words

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY:   Contemporary, Historical, or Speculative Fiction

Short Fiction 

Short Fiction (Manuscript must be under 7500 words): 

Submit a one-paragraph, double   spaced description of your manuscript,

followed by the first 1,500 words.

Flash Fiction:  Submit   the entire piece. No more than 1500 words.

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY:  Short Fiction Story OR Flash Fiction

Poetry

Submit one poem, SINGLE spaced. No   more than one page.