The CFA seeks to publicise original, mould-breaking works of fantasy from self-published and unpublished authors. 2022 is our inaugural year!
Our site will showcase each year's top 3 novelists; the winner receiving a cash prize of £2500, with £1200 for second and £600 for third place. Our website will also feature the 12 shortlisted candidates and their work, and each of the 12 can opt to receive constructive feedback from one of our judges. Our guest judge this year is award-winning author Christine Amsden; our other 11 judges work freelance for the CFA.
If you are a self-published or unpublished author who would like to compete for our award, please email the first 10,000 words of your manuscript, along with a single page synopsis, to the address below. All novels entered for the prize must be at least 50,000 words; we shall request full manuscripts from the shortlisted 12. Entry is a mere £6 to help cover prize costs, plus we will never spam you with adverts for writing courses, proof readers, copy editors, 1-on-1 tutorials, marketing videos, secret recipes for perfect sausage sandwiches or luxury timeshares on the moon. Chimera is about sponsoring indie talent - we won't reap dubious profits from the fields of your dreams.
Closing date for 2022 entries: 1st December.
Shortlist announced: 21st December.
Winners announced: 30th January.
Congratulations to all our entrants, our shortlist and our winners. We had over 100 submissions in total, and the general standard was extremely high. We hope to return with another contest, commencing in August 2023, so stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who supported our writers; you are all amazing!
