The Prize
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A Traditional Publishing Contract with Third Coast Literary Press
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Weekend writing residency at the March 2027 Festival
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Announced as the Book of the Year Winner at the March 2027 Festival​
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Professional editing, marketing, ARCs, and publication
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Headlining Debut at the March 2028 Festival
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Overall, a $20,000 investment
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THE TIMELINE
March 21, 2026
Submissions Open
We go live day of the 2027 Third Coast Festival
June 15, 2026
Submissions Close
We have a blind 3-tier reading process. Every manuscript submitted will be read by our paid reader team. Our readers score every entry based on the first 50 pages, the query and synopsis. If they like it, they move it to tier 2. If it passes the tier 2 scorecard, they request the whole manuscript.
Tier 1 - first 50 pages.
Tier 2 - next 50 pages.
Tier 3 - the entire manuscript
September 18, 2026
Top 10 Announced
For any manuscript that passed through all three tiers, we will then take the top ten based on the reader scorecards.
November 1, 2026
Final 3 Announced
Our senior editor will read the top 10 manuscripts and select the final 3.
November 1 - November 15, 2026
Refinement
Our senior editor will provide editorial feedback and assessment to the final 3. The finalists will have the option to revise their manuscript based on this feedback.
January 1, 2027
Final 3 Manuscripts due
The finalists will submit their manuscripts to be reviewed by our Selection Committee.
March 1, 2027
Book of the Year Selected
The committee will have two months to evaluate the final three manuscripts. The winner will be selected at this point.
March 20, 2027
Book of the Year Winner Announced
The three finalists will attend the March Masterclass during the weekend of the Festival. We will have a finalist reading & celebration dinner Friday. VIP access to the festival. All three will be honored, and ONE will be announced as the Third Coast Book of the Year.
April - August 2027
Final Revisions & Production
The Book of the Year winner will undergo final revisions. Cover will be designed. Production will begin.
September - February, 2027
Marketing Push
ARCs will be distributed. Media announcements will commence. Pre-orders will open to ensure we can hit our goal of 5,000 copies sold in the first week of release.
March Festival, 2028
The Debut
The Book of the Year winner will have a headlining debut at the Third Coast Festival. Goal of 5,000+ copies sold to hit the New York Times Bestseller list.
March 2028 Festival & Beyond
Your Career is Officially Launched
You have a traditional publishing contract. You are a festival-headlining author. You have thousands of books sold. Your career is officially launched.