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Booksthakam Foundation

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 'The Complete Author' Contest

 

The contest, organized by the Booksthakam Foundation, is dedicated to supporting Indian authors on their publishing journeys. The Booksthakam Foundation, a public trust, is committed to enhancing the well-being of writers across India. The Complete Author contest is dedicated to uplifting Indian authors in self-publishing, a domain often overlooked in prestigious awards. The Foundation seeks to foster the self-publishing culture by establishing three prestigious awards, offering recognition and a lifetime opportunity for authors to participate in each contest.

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'The Complete Author Contest 2025'

logo of the contest

India's first writing contest that considers global sales performance, with participants gaining eligibility for future annual contests.

Self-Publish Your Work with Booksthakam Foundation

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Whom do we recommend for the self-publishing contest?

This contest is for authors who consider their writing a serious career and wish to explore the possibilities within the industry. The goal of this contest is to bring a foreign cultural approach to India, where self-publishing is often used by established authors to enhance their careers. This contest is an improvised adaptation of the foreign culture, aimed at upscaling the Indian self-publishing industry to better support authors.

The contest provides opportunities for significant income generation through royalties and author copies available at print rates, allowing authors to sell at higher margins for better returns. This self-publishing entity of Booksthakam Foundation supports authors by providing unlimited author copies in 13 countries throughout the contract period.

The contest is also for authors whose works are well-written but have been rejected by traditional publishers, offering them the chance to gain prominent recognition and awards in the industry.

Only 50 slots are available for the year 2025, with 25 slots allocated to each category. 

Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Submission Process

  1. Initial Submission: Submit a synopsis, genre, total word count, author bio, and two sample chapters/poems in Word format to self-publishing@booksthakam.org.

  2. Verification: Once the team reviews the initial submission, you will receive a contract, submission form, donation instructions, and an author ID.

  3. Donation Process: Donations can be made through the self-publishing page on the Booksthakam Foundation website or as instructed in your confirmation email.

  4. Confirmation: Upon receiving the donation, signed contract, and completed submission documents, a confirmation email will be sent with your lifetime donation certificate and slot confirmation for the contest. The publishing team will then begin working on ISBN allotment, cover design, formatting, publishing, and release dates (April 19, 2025), and will notify the author at each stage.

Booksthakam Foundation 'The Complete Author' Contest: Terms and Conditions

Self-Publishing with Booksthakam Foundation
 

  1. Royalty: Authors receive a 50% royalty on all formats and marketplaces/countries where the book is available, disbursed annually.

  2. Lifetime Contest Eligibility: One-time donation, lifetime benefits. For a one-time donation, authors are eligible to submit one new, original work each year without any additional charges.

  3. Formats: Books will be available in eBook and paperback formats worldwide, exclusively on Amazon—the leading global platform for maximizing visibility and sales potential for self-published books.

  4. Author Copies: Authors can order unlimited copies at print cost in 13 countries, including India.

  5. Marketing Support: Quarterly marketing guidelines and occasional online meetings will be provided to authors. Relevant dates will be communicated to the author via email.

  6. Pricing: Pricing in each country will depend on production costs, genre trends, and market studies specific to that country. Final decision is made  by the Booksthakam Foundation. 

Contest Entry
 

  1. Entry Submission: Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis via email at self-publishing@booksthakam.org

  2. Slot Limitation: Only 50 slots are available for the year 2025, with 25 slots allocated to each category. Submissions received after the slots are filled, with the author's approval, may be considered for next year's contest.

  3. Language and Originality: Only original works in English are accepted. Previously published works will not be accepted. Plagiarism will be checked, and at any point, the Booksthakam Foundation reserves the right to disqualify any author involved in such malpractice.

  4. Eligibility: Only Indian authors who make a one-time donation of Rs. 36,500 to the Booksthakam Foundation, thereby becoming lifetime donors, are eligible to participate. ₹36,500 as a Lifetime Donor supports the Booksthakam Foundation's mission, fostering reading, writing, and education for 100 years.

  5. Word Count Requirement: Manuscripts must have a minimum of 20,000 words, including poetry, short stories, or novels.

  6. Format: Submissions must be in Word document format.

  7. Residency Requirement: Only Indian citizens residing in India are eligible.

  8. Co-authorship: Co-authored works are not accepted.

  9. Content Restrictions: Submissions must not contain hate speech, defamatory content, or anything that violates ethical standards.

  10. Age Limit: There is no age restriction for entry.

Additional Terms
 

  1. Royalty Disbursement: Royalties are disbursed annually for all formats and marketplaces.

  2. Editing and Proofreading: Available on-demand as an optional, chargeable service.

  3. Author Copies: Author-purchased copies are not counted toward contest sales.

  4. Contract Duration: Five years, with renewal options, mutually agreed upon.

  5. Availability: The Foundation ensures book availability for five years.

  6. Platform Restrictions: The Foundation is not liable if a book is blocked on publishing platforms.

  7. Exclusivity: Works published through the Foundation may not be submitted elsewhere during the contest; however, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) can be obtained post-contest.

  8. Influence Prohibition: Attempts to influence contest outcomes will result in disqualification.

  9. Legal Disputes: Any disputes will be resolved in the jurisdiction nearest to the Foundation's address.

  10. Sales Channels: Only Amazon sales count toward contest eligibility. Author copies sold by authors in any stores are excluded, with Booksthakam monitoring each sale within their channel.

  11. Global Sales Counting: All sales in countries where the book is available through Amazon contribute to the total units sold, which are exclusively available through Amazon platforms respective to each country.

  12. Donation Use: Lifetime donor contributions are used to support the Foundation's mission. 

  13. Imprint: All works are self-published by the Booksthakam Foundation under the "Writers' Readers" imprint.

  14. Waitlist Consideration: Any entries beyond the 50 slots may be considered for next year's contest with author approval.

  15. Formatting and Design: Handled by the Foundation, based on market research and bestseller standards. No alterations are made upon the author's request.

  16. Book Links: Country-specific purchase links will be shared with authors post-release to enhance international sales.

  17. Copyright Compliance: Any author violating copyright will be held responsible, leading to potential contest disqualification.

  18. Note: All terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the Booksthakam Foundation.

The only way to enter The Complete Author Contest each year is by self-publishing with Booksthakam Foundation, which ensures you’re eligible for every annual contest.

Awards and Prizes

The contest includes three categories

INR 100K

Breakout Debut Author of the Year 2025

  • Three finalists and one winner. The winner receives ₹1 lakh, while each finalist receives ₹10,000 and a commemorative award.

    • Criteria: The submitted work must be the author's first work to be published, with sales as the primary criterion.

INR 100K

Bestseller of the Year 2025

  • Three finalists and one winner. The winner receives ₹1 lakh, while each finalist receives ₹10,000 and a commemorative award.

    • Criteria: The submitted work must be by an already published author, with sales as the primary criterion.

INR 100K

Achievement in Artistic Excellence 2025

  • A jury of three members selects one winner from all 50 works submitted, with the winner receiving ₹1 lakh.

7 Awards

One full year of dedicated marketing support

  • All seven awardees will receive dedicated marketing guidelines from Booksthakam Foundation.

Make a one-time donation

Lifetime donor contributions are used to support the Foundation's mission.
 
Only Indian authors who make a one-time donation of Rs. 36,500 to the Booksthakam Foundation, thereby becoming lifetime donors, are eligible to participate in 'The Complete Author Contests' every year.
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Why ₹36,500?
It is a one-time donation. ₹36,500 is calculated as a donation of ₹365 per year for 100 years to the Booksthakam Foundation. ₹365 is calculated as ₹1 per day.
₹365 * 100 years = ₹36,500.

Frequency

One time

Amount

₹36,500.00

Other

0/100

Comment (optional)

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Summary of Important   Dates

Thank you for your interest and commitment.

 

Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to celebrating your literary achievements!

Best regards, 

Trustees, Booksthakam Foundation 

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FAQ:

Booksthakam Foundation 'The Complete Author' Contest

General Information

1. What is the purpose of 'The Complete Author' contest?
This contest, organized by the Booksthakam Foundation, supports self-published Indian authors. It aims to recognize and reward self-publishing achievements, providing a prestigious platform and award options that are often overlooked for self-published authors.

2. How is the contest different from other publishing awards?
Unlike many awards that focus only on traditionally published works, 'The Complete Author' contest specifically acknowledges self-published works, offering three prestigious awards to celebrate the unique contributions and achievements of self-published authors in literature.

Eligibility & Entry Requirements

3. Who can enter the contest?
Indian authors who are residents of India and who donate ₹36,500 to the Booksthakam Foundation as lifetime donors can enter. All submissions must be original works in English.

4. Why ₹36,500?
It is a one-time donation. ₹36,500 is calculated as a donation of ₹365 per year for 100 years to the Booksthakam Foundation. ₹365 is calculated as ₹1 per day.
₹365 * 100 years = ₹36,500.
₹36,500 as a Lifetime Donor supports the Booksthakam Foundation's mission, fostering reading, writing, and education for 100 years.

 5. Are short stories, novels, and poetry included?
Yes, all genres and types of books are allowed. However, the team will review each synopsis sample within 24 hours and inform the author of the status.

6. Are co-authored works allowed?
No, the contest accepts only solo authors' submissions.

7. Is there an age limit for participants?
No, authors of all ages are welcome to participate.

8. What is the word count requirement?
Submissions must be at least 20,000 words, including all forms such as novels, short stories, poetry, etc.

9. Are there any content restrictions?
Yes, submissions must not include hate speech or defamatory material.

10. Can works that are under review with other publishers be submitted?
No, works that are sent as proposals to other publishers and are under review should not be submitted for the contest. Once a work is entered into the contest, the Booksthakam Foundation will only issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) after the contest period.

Submission Process

11. How do I submit my entry?
Send a synopsis, genre, word count, author bio, and two sample chapters or poems in Word format to self-publishing@booksthakam.org. Once reviewed, you'll receive a contract and further instructions.

12. What happens after I submit my initial entry?
After the initial review, you'll receive an Author ID, contract, author submission form, and instructions on making your donation. Once the donation, signed contract, and completed author submission form are confirmed, the Foundation will manage ISBN allocation, cover design, formatting, and publishing.

Awards and Recognition

13. What awards are given in the contest?
There are three award categories:

  • Breakout Debut Author of the Year: The winner receives ₹1 lakh; finalists receive ₹10,000 each.
    Applicable authors: The very first work of the author being submitted for the contest.

  • Bestseller of the Year: The winner receives ₹1 lakh; finalists receive ₹10,000 each.
    Applicable authors: Authors who are already published or self-published, with their previous works already in the market, submitting their newest work for the contest.

  • Achievement in Artistic Excellence: A selected winner by the jury receives ₹1 lakh.
     

14. How are the finalists selected?
Sales data is used to determine the finalists in the Breakout Debut Author of the Year and Bestseller of the Year categories. The Achievement in Artistic Excellence winner is selected by a jury based on the quality of all submissions.
 
Publishing & Royalties

15. What publishing formats are offered?
Books are published in eBook and paperback formats, available worldwide through Amazon.

16. What royalty can I expect as a participant?
Authors receive a 50% royalty from all sales across formats and marketplaces, disbursed annually.

17. Can I order author copies?
Yes, unlimited copies can be ordered at print cost in 13 countries, including India. Author-purchased copies do not count toward contest sales.

18. Are there any additional fees or donations required to enter each year?
No additional fees are required. Lifetime donors can submit one new, original work each year without any extra fees or donations.
 
19. What happens if I am unable to attend the award event?
Attendance at the award event is mandatory for finalists, and absence will result in the award being given to the next finalist.

Marketing and Support

20. What marketing support is offered?
Authors receive quarterly marketing guidelines and occasional online meetings with the Booksthakam Foundation's team to support sales and promotions.

21. How are sales updates provided?
Sales rankings are updated weekly on Booksthakam Foundation's website, and monthly sales data is shared with authors on the 19th of each month until the end of the contest.

Additional Terms

22. How long is the contract for?
The contract duration is five years, with renewal options based on mutual agreement.

23. Can my book be sold on other platforms?
No, contest books are exclusively sold through Amazon to maintain contest eligibility. Booksthakam Foundation monitors all sales within this channel.

24. What happens if my book is blocked on a platform?
Booksthakam Foundation is not liable for any platform restrictions. Efforts will be made to resolve such issues if they arise.

25. How will my donation be used?
Lifetime donor contributions support Booksthakam Foundation's mission to uplift writers across India.

26. Can I make changes to the formatting and design?
Formatting and design are handled by the Foundation following best practices and market trends. No alterations are made upon authors' requests to maintain consistency.

27. How can I learn more about the contest or get further assistance?
For additional questions or clarifications, please reach out via email at self-publishing@booksthakam.org 

Note: All terms and conditions are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the Booksthakam Foundation.

The Complete Author Contest 2025

Timeline & Important Dates

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Submission Period

Start Date: November 19, 2024

Duration: 3 months

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Details:

Submissions are open to all participants. Ensure that all entries meet submission guidelines; entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Final Manuscript Submission

Deadline: February 19, 2025

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Duration:

3 months after the initial submission date

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Details:

Accepted authors must submit their finalized manuscripts by this date.

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Release Date and Pre-Order Period

Release Date: April 19, 2025

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Pre-Order Period:

April 19 – May 18, 2025

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Details:

Books will be available for pre-order for 30 days, with all pre-order sales counted toward total sales figures.

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Achievement in Artistic Excellence Winner Announcement

Announcement Date: July 19, 2025 (Foundation's Anniversary)

 

Duration: 3 months after the release date

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Details: The winner of the Achievement in Artistic Excellence Award will be announced in recognition of outstanding literary contributions.
Note: Achievement in Artistic Excellence Award Winner will be removed from further contest consideration after July 19.

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Finalist Announcement for Breakout Debut Author & Bestseller of the Year

Announcement Date: October 19, 2025

Sales Cutoff: October 18, 2025, at 24:00

Duration: Based on 3 months of post-release sales

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Details: Three finalists will be selected for both the Breakout Debut Author of the Year and Bestseller of the Year categories based on sales recorded up to October 18.

 

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One-Month Final Sales Competition

Details:

The three finalists for each category (Breakout Debut Author and Bestseller of the Year) will compete based on sales over this month.

 

The winner in each category will be selected based on the highest recorded sales by November 18.

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Winner Announcement & Award Ceremony

Date: November 19, 2025

Sales Cutoff: November 18, 2025, at 24:00

Location: Kerala

 

Details:

Winners for Breakout Debut Author and Bestseller of the Year will be announced based on final sales figures.

All finalists are required to attend the award and book signing event. Failure to attend will give the award to the next qualifying finalist. The Achievement in Artistic Excellence award will also be presented to the winner at this venue.

"India's First and Only Lifetime Self-Publishing Program!" 

Stand a chance to win at least ₹1 Lakh every year

"Publish for a Lifetime—Without Fees!"  

As a one-time lifetime donor, publish at least one book per year for free, forever

"First-of-Its-Kind Contest: Lifetime Self-Publishing with Booksthakam!"

Total Cash Prizes of ₹3,40,000 for the 2025 contest

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