Content:
The content of all entries should promote a Christian world view. This does not necessarily mean that it is explicitly about Christian themes and topics. The Christian philosophy can be implicit. However, judges should not have to guess at how the story represents a Christian perspective. An extreme example of this might be Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien adamantly denied any explicitly Christian content in his series but the implicit endorsement of loyalty, honor, and other moral themes that Christians appreciate make his Christianity implicit in the series.
Furthermore, orthodox Christianity should be represented. That means, essentially, ‘mere Christianity’ in the sense that CS Lewis promoted. Well written but heretical stories very likely will not succeed in this contest.
Entries from previous years that did not win a cash award are allowed to be re-submitted. If you did win a cash award, you may submit a new story. Honorable Mentions may submit their previously submitted story.
Copyright
Authors retain all rights to their story but grant ACM the right to compile their story into an anthology which is then distributed to every entrant and made available in online retail outlets such as Amazon.com. ACM is granted the right to publish the winning stories on its websites and post the names of contest winners as well as the titles to the stories. Author warrants that the story is completely theirs and does not infringe on the rights of any other entity and is responsible for any plagiarism or other unauthorized use.
Simultaneous Submission
Authors may submit stories that have been submitted elsewhere at other times. Author should ensure that their submissions elsewhere will not jeopardize ACM’s right to publish the story in an anthology if it is the winning story. (Ie, ensure that other contests also allow the authors to retain full rights to their story and allow simultaneous submission.)
Multiple Submissions
Authors may submit more than one story but must pay the entrance fee for each. Each author will only get one anthology, however, so be sure that your subsequent submissions do not include shipping.
Online and Mailed Submissions
Online submissions must be submitted through this page. Submissions cost $15 plus shipping for the anthology. ($15?!?!? I thought it was $10!) For US addresses, the shipping is $3. For other addresses, consult the drop down menu on this page. Paypal and credit cards are accepted. Those who wish to mail their check should still fill out the online submission form and then send a check to the address provided on the payment page. In that case, include the SUBMISSION FORM to ensure that your payment is properly matched up with what we received online.
Group and Mass Submissions
Authors with more than 5 submissions or groups of 10 or more authors can receive a group rate. Email Debbie Thompson at debbie@athanatosministries.org for more information. Be ready to provide the number of entries in question and whether or not you are a teacher or represent an educational organization or ministry. Note: groups cannot use the same upload form for manuscripts, so be sure to inquire about how to get those submissions to ACM.
Judges
Judges are steeped in the writings of CS Lewis, GK Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, and JRR Tolkien. Your story will be evaluated in terms of its quality, its theological insight, and effectiveness in communicating the Gospel. The poetry category is judged by those with background and experience in English Lit.
Right to Revise
Athanatos Christian Ministries reserves the rights to modify this contest if, in its sole discretion, circumstances warrant it.
Poetry
The Poetry Awards may be increased depending on how many entries are submitted. If at least 20 submissions are not received, the awards may be canceled altogether and the entry fee returned. The home page for the poetry contest is http://christianpoetrycontest.net/
English as Second Language (ESL)
ESL contributors will be judged first against those in their age category. If the entry is deemed to be worthy of 1st or 2nd place, then the ESL contributor will receive the higher award. If the ESL contributor is deemed to be worthy of one of the 3rd place awards, the contest administrators reserve the right to include the contributor among them or place them in the ESL category. Contest administrators reserve the right to adjust this as necessary for fairness and appropriateness.
Awards
In order to receive your awards you will have to sign a contract that indicates you agree to these rules and that your material is in fact entirely your own.
New this year: contest winners and those receiving honorable mentions receive complimentary access to ACM’s online apologetics conference, held in May 2010. Read more.
