The Carlini Prize — Official Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The Carlini Prize (the "Contest") is sponsored and administered by Casa Carlini ("Sponsor"), located in New York, New York.

1. Eligibility

The Carlini Prize is open to writers worldwide who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Casa Carlini, including its subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, and agencies, and their immediate family members and persons living in their households, are not eligible to enter or win. The Contest is not open to previous Carlini Prize winners or runners-up. All applicable federal, state, and local regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.

2. Entry Period

The Contest opens at 12:00:00 AM EST on January 15, 2027, and closes at 11:59:59 PM EDT on July 31, 2027 (the "Entry Period").

3. How to Enter

A complete entry must consist of all of the following:

(i) One (1) complete, unpublished, English-language manuscript in either the Fiction or Nonfiction category, submitted without any identifying author information on the manuscript itself;

(ii) A completed Entry Form, available at CasaCarlini.com, setting forth the entrant's name, email address, phone number, manuscript title, category (Fiction or Nonfiction), word count, and a brief synopsis of no more than 300 words; and

(iii) A signed statement by the entrant confirming (a) that the manuscript represents the entrant's original, unpublished work; (b) that the manuscript has not been previously self-published in any form; and (c) that the entrant has read, understood, and agrees to be bound by these Official Contest Rules.

Submissions missing any of the above required elements may not be considered for the prize. Manuscripts must be submitted electronically via the submissions portal at CasaCarlini.com and received by Sponsor during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) entry per entrant per category; entrants may submit in both categories, but each submission requires a separate entry fee and entry form.

Entries submitted other than in accordance with these Official Contest Rules will be deemed void. Receipt of a valid electronic entry will be determined by the time at which Sponsor's systems record the entry. Proof of transmission does not constitute proof of receipt. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, or misdirected entries; incorrect entry of information by entrants; interrupted or unavailable network or server connections; or technical malfunctions of any kind. Entries generated by script, macro, or other automated means are void. Current and former students of individuals serving as judges are not eligible to enter or win, and any entry recognized by a judge will be automatically disqualified. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.

4. Categories

Fiction Novels, short story collections, literary fiction, historical fiction, and crime, mystery, or suspense fiction of exceptional literary quality.

Nonfiction History, biography, memoir, science, current affairs, cultural criticism, narrative journalism, and other works of narrative nonfiction intended for a general readership.

Previously self-published manuscripts in any form are not eligible in either category.

5. Entry Fees

Entry fees begin at $55 during the Early Bird submission period. Current fee tiers and deadlines are available at CasaCarlini.com. Entry fees are non-refundable.

6. Selection of Winners

Winners will be selected by an anonymous panel of editors, authors, and publishing professionals assembled by Casa Carlini. Judging will be based on the following criteria: intellectual and cultural relevance; originality of vision; excellence of writing; clarity of structure; seriousness of purpose; and long-term significance and readership potential. All judging decisions are final and binding.

The following awards will be made:

• Category Winner — Fiction: $1,000 cash prize, editorial development process, publication pathway consideration, and promotional support from Casa Carlini.
• Category Winner — Nonfiction: $1,000 cash prize, editorial development process, publication pathway consideration, and promotional support from Casa Carlini.
• Grand Prize — 2027 Casa Carlini Book of the Year: An additional $2,500 awarded to one overall winner selected from among the two category winners.
• Runner-Up — Fiction: $500 cash prize and a formal editorial report.
• Runner-Up — Nonfiction: $500 cash prize and a formal editorial report.

Casa Carlini guarantees that at least one winning manuscript will receive a publication offer, subject to customary editorial review and contract terms. Selected finalists may also be invited to participate in the Casa Carlini Fellows Program, a developmental initiative intended to help promising manuscripts reach publication readiness.

Winning and shortlisted submissions may be featured on Sponsor's website at CasaCarlini.com. Winners will be notified by email and will be required to respond within five (5) business days of notification. Winners may be required to sign and return affidavits of eligibility, liability release, and, where legally permissible, publicity releases. Failure to meet eligibility or other requirements will result in disqualification and, at Sponsor's option, selection of an alternative winner from remaining eligible entries.

7. Key Dates

8. Prizes

All prize amounts are in US dollars. All expenses associated with the acceptance and use of prizes, including applicable taxes, are the sole responsibility of the winners. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, without substitution, transfer, or assignment. Prizes are non-refundable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. In the event of an insufficient number of eligible entries, Sponsor reserves the right not to award all prizes.

9. Limitation of Liability / Release

Entrants hereby release, discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Casa Carlini and all of its respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, and representatives (the "Released Parties") from and against any and all claims, actions, damages, loss, injury, costs, demands, and liabilities arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the Contest, including without limitation the publication of any winning or shortlisted entry on Sponsor's website, and/or the acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize.

10. General

This Contest will be governed by these Official Contest Rules, subject to amendment by Sponsor. These Official Contest Rules shall govern in the event of any inconsistency with other Contest-related materials. By participating in the Contest, entrants acknowledge that they have read and understood these Official Contest Rules and agree to be bound by them and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding without right of appeal.

Sponsor reserves the right to modify or terminate the Contest and amend these Official Contest Rules at any time, without individual notice, and for any reason. In no event will more than the stated number of prizes be awarded.

Personally identifying information ("PII") of entrants is collected by Sponsor solely for the purpose of administering and promoting the Contest. PII of winners may be provided to third parties assisting Sponsor in the administration of the Contest and the awarding of prizes. Submission of an entry constitutes consent to Sponsor's use of PII as described in these Official Contest Rules.

To the extent permitted by law, any and all disputes arising from this Contest shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. By entering the Contest, entrants consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County and agree that such courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all such disputes.

11. List of Winners

A list of winners will be available after January 1, 2028, at CasaCarlini.com. To request a written copy, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Casa Carlini, Attn.: Contest Winners, New York, New York. Request must be postmarked within six months following the close of the Entry Period.

12. Sponsor

Casa Carlini is the sole sponsor of this Contest. Questions, comments, or complaints regarding the Contest should be directed to:

Casa Carlini New York, New York info@casacarlini.com CasaCarlini.com