The "Ulysses" Award was begun in 2001 in order to recognize the significant accomplishments of independently published fiction. The award is named after the most famous independently published novel in history, James Joyce's Ulysses, in order to highlight the on-going contribution this type of work has made on the history of literature. Books are judged based upon their literary merit and ability to potentially influence future writers and the culture at large. Normally, one author's book is chosen and promoted by IndyLit as continuing the tradition of great fiction outside the mainstream.
All fiction genres are eligible (poetry & nonfiction are ineligible).
Books must have been published between October 2005 and November 2006.
The winner of the 2006 "Ulysses" Award will be announced in the fall/winter of 2007.
$60.00 reading fee
How It Works
Fill out an entry form and email it as a Word attachment to IndyLit ("cut & paste" from website). We then assign your title a reader and give further instructions. You mail out a copy of your book (along with a copy of your entry form) and the reading fee.
Deadline Extended!
We're extending the deadline to accommodate people who have written us and said they entered and did not receive a response.
1. The competition is open to self-published and independently published books.
2. Entrants must send a printed and bound book with an ISBN. Entries will be judged on writing quality; no attention will be made to production. No photocopied or handwritten books are accepted, nor books without ISBN.
3. All books of fiction published or revised and reprinted from October 2005 to November 2006 are eligible.
4. All books must be accompanied by an Entry Form that matches the entry form submitted to IndyLit via email. Only one entry per author, although a publisher may enter more than one book as long as each entry is acompanied by a separate entry form and reading fee.
5. Check or money order payment for the required reading fee of $60 per entry must accompany submission(s). The fee will be paid to the assigned reader, not IndyLit.
6. All entries must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2005. Confirmation that entry was received will be handled by readers. We do not accept certified mail or other tracking methods that require readers to sign for receipt of entry; include SASE for notification of receipt. Books will not be returned.
7. Entries will be judged by IndyLit readers, with final judging of recommended titles by IndyLit.
8. IndyLit reserves the right to withhold prizes and cancel the award at anytime. The honorarium paid to winner will be determined based on number of submissions and IndyLit does not guarantee a monetary prize for the award.
9. Books written by IndyLit readers, volunteers, staff or previous winners are not eligible.
10. IndyLit is not responsible for the loss, damage, or return of any books submitted to the award competition, nor is IndyLit responsible for refunds or exchanges of titles once they are mailed.
1. Fill out Official Entry Form
2. Email IndyLit the entry form (include in subject heading the words: "Ulysses Award Submission")
3. IndyLit will reply to your email with your assigned reader - this person will be in charge of reading and potentionally recommending your title to the final judges.
4. Send the book, along with a copy of entry form (make sure to keep a copy for yourself), and $60 reading fee to assigned reader.
5. Please do not contact IndyLit or the assigned reader concerning your submission (see Rules)
6. Sit back and wait and see...
INDYLIT
FAQs
** Due to fraudulent claims made by some, IndyLit now requires any writer or publisher chosen as a finalist or winner of the award program to provide some proof of identity when using a pen name. IndyLit will not provide the award or honorarium without this information. We apologize for any inconvenience.
* IndyLit defines "independently published" as either any book paid for by the author to be printed ("self-published"), or any book published by a press that functions independently from a larger publishing house (distribution or strategic alliances do not make a work ineligible, however, imprints or book republished by a larger press do make a work ineligible). If you have any questions concerning this, please feel free to send us a message.