We’re doing something different this year with the SPRU submission process!! SPRU is partnering with Inkitt to run a fanfiction writing contest and one lucky winner will have the chance at a publishing contract with SPRU.
Starting November 1st, hopeful authors will write a fanfiction based in the Penny Reid Universe. Authors can create brand new characters or use existing characters in their story. The stories can be of any length, posted once a week or simple a one-shot short story.
At the end of the contest period (January 31st, 2024) whichever author’s fanfiction touches readers the most will win the contest and that author will have a chance to submit a canon story idea directly to Smartypants Romance for publication.! We will also have second and third place winners who will receive fun prizes, including a chance to consult with the Smartypants Romance team on content and development of a book.
F.A.Q.
QUESTION: How long does my story need to be?
ANSWER: It can be as long or as short as you like. An example would be a 7k word story, with 1 chapter posted a week (a 1000 word chapter posted once a week for 7 weeks). Etc. OR it could be a one-shot short story with just one 3000 word chapter. We’re leaving it up to you.
QUESTION: Will my story that wins have to be the basis for the book contracted by Smartypants Romance?
ANSWER: NO! In order for SPRU to publish or offer a contract, the story proposed by the winning author to SPRU needs to be a story that can be considered canon in the Penny Reid universe (i.e. no stories about existing Penny Reid or other SPRU authored main characters like Cletus Winston or Janie Morris; Garrett Monroe or Grace Buchanan etc.) Furthermore, it doesn’t need to be related to the story that wins the contest
QUESTION: Is it open to all genres? Or just contemporary romantic comedy?
ANSWER: The contest is open to all romance genres; if the winning story and proposed book are outside of contemporary romantic comedy genre, then the author / proposed book may be offered a “out of this world” contract instead of a canon contract.