The Somerset Awards ~ Contemporary & Literary Fiction Novel Writing Contest ~2025
The search for 2025's best Contemporary & Literary Fiction Books
Deadline November 30, 2025
Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring contemporary stories, literary themes, adventure, magic realism or women and family themes, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.
For Humor, Satire, or Allegorical works, we suggest that you consider the Mark Twain Book Awards division of the CIBAs.
Prizes to be won:
ENTER TO WIN the 2024 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
Enter to WIN the 2025 SOMERSET Book Awards Grand Prize of an Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview along with e-newsletter and social media promotion (Valued at $795) Exclusive for only CIBA Grand Prize Winners!
Or the more than $30,000 in Additional prizes, services, and awards for Finalists, 1st Place Category Winners and Division Grand Prize Winners!
Five 1st Place Category Positions will take home blue ribbons and prize packages, digital badges, & more!
The Finalists will be recognized on stage at the CIBA ceremony and will be eligible for prize packages & services, digital badges, etc.
- The SOMERSET Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Fantasy Fiction Book of the Year, and goes on to compete for the Chanticleer Overall Grand Prize Best Book of the Year
- The Overall Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year, and awarded the $1000 prize
- All Winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Package which includes a digital badge, a ribbon and a whole assortment of goodies detailed below (winners outside the US pay a shipping & handling fee)
The entry fee is $99 for Non-Members and $75 for The Roost at Chanticleer members per entry per category.
Email Chanticleer@ChantiReviews.com for membership information or click here for more info about this exciting new Members-Only Community:
Currently accepting entries. Deadline: November 30, 2025.
What are you waiting for? Enter today!
The 2023 SOMERSET Grand Prize Winner is Judy Santamaria for
You Can't Fool a Mermaid
Click here for the Full List of 2023 Somerset Winners
The Chanticleer Prize Package includes:
- A Prize Ribbon to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals
- Digital Badges for display on your website or incorporation into book covers
- Book stickers to identify your print books to book store shoppers as they browse
In addition to all the ribbons and badges and cash awards we will be showering you with, you will also receive a powerful promotional boost from Chanticleer Reviews, with:
- Your name and book title announced on our high traffic website at the finalist stage, the category winner stage, the genre grand prize stage, and the overall grand prize stage, depending on how far you go in the competition
- Corresponding social media announcements of your contest advancements
- Corresponding newsletter announcements to our sizable email list
- Your winning title's review published in our Chanticleer Reviews Magazine
- Your book may also receive trade show representation as we show off our winners at conferences and trade shows across the US and Internationally. We like to show off our winners in as many ways as we can.
- Your book may also be seen and noticed by agents, publishers, Hollywood producers, and others within the publishing and entertainment industry who see our contests as a way to spot new and upcoming talent and original story ideas
The Somerset Awards Categories are:
- Literary
- Contemporary
- Adventure/Suspense
- Humor/Satire -- See the Humor and Satire Book Awards
- Women's Fiction
- Magic Realism
Work submitted will be judged on the following criteria:
- Is the story compelling?
- Professionalism of editing and formatting
- Characterization
- Continuity of storyline
- Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
- Intriguing opening
- Uniqueness of story
- Writing craft
- World construct
- Premise
Eligibility Requirements:
- Novels may be Manuscripts, Self-published, Indie Published or Traditionally Published.
- E-pub accepted.
- All published novels must have ISBN/ASIN designation, manuscripts are not required to have this designation at the time of submission.
- Entries must be in the English language.
- No erotica. No graphic violence, please.
- Copyrighted works before Dec. 31, 2020 will be disqualified.
- Novels must be 60,000 plus words.
- You may enter in more than one category. However, each entry must be accompanied by the entry fee.
- You may enter more than one novel into a given contest.
- Default winners will not be declared. Contests are based on merit and writing craft.
- Digital Files must be submitted in PDF or Word DOC format.
- Fees and Digital File must be received before November 30, 2025 midnight.
- Please read our Terms and Conditions page aka The Fine Print. Prizes and Award Packages may change without notice.
Helpful Links
Previous Winners:
Click here for a list of ALL previous CIBA winners organized by Year
If you have any questions or concerns, please email: info@ChantiReviews.com
Note: You will receive a confirmation email after you have uploaded your work and paid entrance fees through PayPal. PayPal also sends us your contact information. If we have any questions or concerns, we will contact you within 72 business hours of receiving entry(ies).
You should receive a confirmation emails from PayPal and from Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media. If you have any questions or concerns about your submission, please contact us at admin@ChantiReviews.com.
If you are having problems seeing the order page, try a different browser or contact us a chanticleer<at>chantireviews.com.
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