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FLORIDA TAPESTRY AWARDS CONTEST GUIDELINES // Sponsored by Word Weavers Orlando Chapter   (Updated 10-23-25)

·You must be an active Word Weavers Int’l (in-person or online) member to enter. It must be your own writing. You cannot use ChatGPT or other generative AI tools in your entry.   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· UNPUBLISHED, UNCONTRACTED entries ONLY.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 7, 2025 through Jan 31, 2026 (Submissions MUST be received via email to FloridaTapestryAwards@gmail.com by 11:59 pm Eastern Time Zone on 1-31-26.) 

· You must submit one email per submission with (2) separate “Word Documents” attached: 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, Total word count of your complete manuscript, Category entered, and Sub-category if applicable per the guidelines. YOUR SECOND DOCUMENT IS YOUR ENTRY. Include your word count of submission, word count of your complete manuscript, then if applicable, your description/paragraph, outline, or synopsis. After that, your title and entry as per guidelines. 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. 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. 

· If your entry is from a series, please use an unrecognizable “working title.” 

· THE FEE PER ENTRY IS $25. 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 1-31-26 and mailed to: Julie Payne PO Box 180334, Casselberry, FL 32718-0334. Include email address for confirmation. 

· THE FLORIDA TAPESTRY AWARDS will be presented on 3-14-26 at our annual KINGDOM CREATIVES EVENT at Reach Orlando Church, 3580 Aloma Ave, Ste 7, Winter Park, FL 32792, in the Winter Park Commerce Center.  Winner Certificates will be mailed if you are NOT attending.  At this event, Word Weaver Song Writers, Authors, and Artists showcase their talent(s) to the community—culminating with The Florida Tapestry Awards presentations. You will be notified of the live stream.

· 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.

· Guidelines are also posted on our website: wordweaversorlando.com/tapestry-awards (and) Facebook page: Florida Tapestry Awards.

· Below are the categories and submission guidelines for your UNPUBLISHED and UNCONTRACTED works:

CATEGORIES BELOW- only 1 entry per category

FORMATTING – double-spaced (except Poetry entries & Bible Study Outlines,- see guidelines for specifics,) Times New Roman (black) size 12    font, 1" margins. Title and    footnotes NOT included in word count.

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CHILDREN PICTURE BOOKS 

Submit   the entire work, (1000 words or less) NO graphics.   (You   may add a “text line” about the graphic,  just keep in mind, these words are included in your total   word count.)

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DEVOTIONS

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

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.

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY: Single Devotional  -OR-  Book length Devotional  

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YOUTH  LITERATURE

Early Readers- OR - Chapter Books- OR- Middle Grade- OR - Young Adult Novels  

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

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY: 

Early Readers – Manuscript 800–2,500 words (ages 5-7)

Chapter Books – Manuscript 4,000–15,000 words (ages 6-9)

Middle Grade – Manuscript 25,000–70,000 words (ages 8-12)

Young Adult – Manuscript 55,000–85,000 words (ages 12-18)

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BOOK LENGTH NON-FICTION

Book length Non-Fiction (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.

INDICATE SUB-CATEGORY:  Book length Non-Fiction -OR- Book Length Bible Study

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SHORT NON-FICTION 

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.

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FICTION BOOK LENGTH NOVELS

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. 

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

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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 OR Flash Fiction.

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POETRY

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