THE 8th EDITION CITY OF COMO LITERARY AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMPETITION

Submission open November 30, 2020 – 30 june, 2021

PRIZE MONEY € 25,000

Warning

To facilitate the work of the “City of Como Award “ Jury and the reading board, we highly recommend you to send the works well in advance of the deadline (June 30th , 2021).

WHO WE ARE

The “City of Como Literary Award” is autonomous, independent and recognizes equal dignity to all participants, ensuring total impartiality of judgment.

Please refer to our archive of awards here: www.premiocittadicomo.it.

The award operates nationally and internationally. The Award aims to promote interest in culture and literature in particular, through events, courses and presentations of books and authors, who have participated in the competition. And it does so by paying close attention to events or initiatives that can favour cultural tourism in its many aspects.

PUBLISHED SECTION:

POETRY (section dedicated to Alda Merini): This section includes published works on a freely chosen subject (including particular genres such as the epigram and the novel in verse).
NARRATIVE (section dedicated to Giuseppe Pontiggia): This section includes works published in prose on a freely chosen subject of all kinds: novels, collection of short stories, fairy tales, memorial texts, biographies, books for children and young people, texts for the theater, cinematographic subjects, aphorisms (special prizes are available for genre fiction). A brief synopsis of the work and a brief biographical and bibliographical note of the author are required.
NON-FICTION: Will participate in this section published works of non-fiction, of scientific or informative interest, on any subject. A brief synopsis of the work and a brief biographical and bibliographical note of the author are required.

UNPUBLISHED SECTION

This section includes works that have never been published, neither in paper nor digital. Brief biographical notes of the author are required for fiction and non-fiction works.

Works of poetry: a collection of poems in verse by a single author (minimum five, maximum fifty) or an anthology of several authors.
Works of fiction of all kinds: novels, collection of short stories, fairy tales, memorial works, biographies, books for children and young people, theatrical texts, aphorisms, film subjects. A brief synopsis of the work is required.
Non-fiction works, of a scientific or popular nature, on any subject with no limits of treatment. A brief synopsis of the work is required.

MULTIMEDIA SECTION

This section includes multimedia works, both published and unpublished in the following categories:

“Stories”: a literary text (in prose or poetry, published or unpublished, by any author), a landscape or a journey told through images and / or text and / or music.
“Facial expressions”: faces and emotions (of one or more subjects) expressed through images and/or text and/or music.
“Videopoems”: an edited or unpublished poetic text recited through free combination of images and / or text and / or sounds.
“Book trailer”: short-term audiovisual to promote published or unpublished publications.
“Photo reportage of any kind” .
“The environment and nature”.

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WORK

Prose narrative where the author recalls events or moments of main importance in his/her life. Through writing, the author becomes aware of him/herself through memories and a personal path of analysis and introspection. He/She becomes the protagonist of the events and, recalling them, elaborates personal reflections that enrich his/her experience.

THEMED WORKS

For the best published or unpublished work – of poetry, fiction, multimedia art or non-fiction – inspired by the ecological theme in its most different meanings. The relationship between man and nature, the challenges posed by the increasingly difficult environmental balance, the world of our travel companions on the planet, that is, both domestic and wild animals. The threat to the ecosystem that triggers reactions on a planetary level also through epidemics. Tell your love for Earth and those who live there through literary creativity, an audiovisual or a photographic reportage.

INTERNATIONAL WORKS IN ENGLISH

Culture has not borders: the competition aims to open more and more to international authors. For this purpose we will reward a work in the original language. It will meet meet the criteria of “poetry”, “novel”, “non-fiction”, “autobiographical”, “first work” sections – published only from January 1^st, 2020 to June 30^st, 2021. A full translation in Italian or English of the entire work is mandatory.

FIRST WORK

The contest will assign the prize to the text published debuting in the “poetry”, “novel”, “non-fiction” and “autobiographical” sections.

PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTS

Participation to the Prize takes place through the presentation of the papers.

PUBLISHING SECTION

For works published in paper format: please send n. 2 copies of the printed volume.
For works published in electronic format: please send by email, e-book preferably in PDF format.

UNPUBLISHING SECTION

For unpublished works in paper format: please send n.2 copies in format A4, in black and white or color.
For unpublished works in electronic format: please send by email in a single file preferably in PDF format.

MULTIMEDIA SECTION

For works made as digital photographic sequences: please send the sequence – consisting of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 images, progressively numbered, in JPG. Format, maximum weight 2MB each – for email (for submissions of more that 5MB, WeTransfer mode or similar): for the reportage a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 50 images.
For the works made as video: send a video – made in a single file, in format Wav-Avi-Mp4-Mov 15 minutes maximum – for email (with WeTransfer mode or similar). The videos will be inserted in the YouTube channel of the Award. All audio-video processing will be allowed if they meet YouTube regulations. By sending you authorize the publication of the video in the website www.premiocittadicomo.it and in the social networks of reference.

PARTICIPATIONS RULES

The participants (authors and publishing houses) can compete in one or more sections of the Award, without limitation. Each participation requires a separate registration. The publishing houses competes by granting permission for the participation of the author of the text. Publishing houses are recommended to equip, with an adequate book band the winning work for the sections dedicated to publishers. Works already awarded in other competitions are allowed to participate.

SENDING OF PAPER DOCUMENTS

The elaborated in paper format should be send by email, as explained in “Presentation of the paper” – together with the registration form (ENTRY FORM downloadable and fillable from the site) and certification (photocopy of the receipt) and payment of the participation fee (look “Participation fee”) to: C.P. n°260 c/o POSTE ITALIANE COMO CENTRO, via Gallio, 6 – 22100 Como or Associazione Eleutheria, via Oriani, 8 – 22100 Como. For Switzerland: Fermo Posta (Postmail service block) 6830 – Chiasso 1.

SENDING OF ELABORATED IN DIGITAL FORM:

The elaborated in digital form can be sent as indicated in “Presentation of the documents” – by email together with registration form (ENTRY FORM downloadable and fillable from the site) and certification (scan the receipt in PDF format) and the payment of the participation fee (look “Participation fee”) to the e-mail address:

For published and unpublished literary sections: info@premiocittadicomo.it

For multimedia sections (sequences of images and video): sezioneimmagine@premiocittadicomo.it

NOTICE:

For organizational reasons – both for paper and digital form – the registration form (or an equivalent written text), the work in competition and payment receipt of the participation fee must arrive together and simultaneously. Entries sent without registration form and payment receipt will not be admitted to the competition.

PARTICIPATION FEE

The participation fee – for all participants, authors and publishing houses – is 25 euros (each participant requires a separate fee).

People in detention are exempted from paying the participation fee.

The payment can be paid:

By cheque or cash to the Award Office (we suggest you not to put the cheque in the envelope);
By deposit to postal account n° 1016359752 registered to Associazione Eleutheria;
By wire transfer: BPS-IBAN: IT72M05696109010000091X44 – BIC/SWIFT: POSOIT22 Filiale: 073 Como-ag. 1 registered to Associazione Eleutheria.

DESTINATION OF THE WORKS

At the end of competition, the documents will not be returned. The published works can be donated to local libraries. The unpublished works will be destroyed for Copyright protection.

NOMINATIONS AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT AND AWARDS CEREMONY

The works received by the closing date of the call (see “Call deadline”) will be examined: after an initial phase of analysis we will choose a shortlist of selected ones. In the shortlist of selected ones, will be chosen the finalists who will be notified by the secretariat of the Award with special press release. Winners will be chosen among the finalists. The lists of a shortlist of selected and later, the lists of finalists will be announced in the Award web site. Final ceremony will take place, presumably in the month of October or November 2021 in Como, in a prestigious venue and will be open to public with free admission (as per health rules then in force). Information about the date and hour of the ceremony will be published in the website and will be communicated well in advance. The winners will be proclaimed at the ceremony and will be required to participate for the collection of prizes. The cash prizes not collected personally during the ceremony will be available at the disposal of the Award for the next edition. The cost of transfer and stay for the presence of the final ceremony are in charge of the participants. However, The Award has negotiated special agreements and rates with hotels for overnight stays+ (information at Secretariat or on the site of the Award).

PUBLISHING AGREEMENTS, CONSULTING

The Association reserves the right to conclude representation and editorial consulting agreements with the authors of the unpublishing work deemed most worthy of publication. For authors who participate in the sections reserved for unpublished texts who request it through a special form attached to the registration form, will be completed an evaluation sheet of the work submitted in competition in order to highlight merits and any limitations of writing style, content and plot. Will complete the suggestions for possible editing and evaluation of the potential of the work. The card may be, at the author’s request, accompanied by an interview with the Editor who wrote it on behalf of Association Eleutheria.

To access this service, to the fee to the Award will be added the sum of 70 Euro (Seventy VAT included). If the text to be evaluated in more than 60.000 words, the cost will be 90 Euro (Ninety VAT included) more registration for the Award of 25 euros. The evaluation form will be sent by email to those who have requested it by the date for the Award ceremony. The card will be written by an evaluation committee formed by editors and communication professionals already operating in the organization of the Award. The participation in the competition must be formalized by the date for expiry of the notice. Call again the invitation not to wait the last days for sending the texts. The Secretariat of the Award, at the end of the call, remains available for a 15 days for any warnings, omissions, typos or reports.

NOTICE: Beyond this period will not be considered any request regarding the works of the competition. At the end of the call will be published on the site of the prize lists of participants in the competition. The participation in the Award implies acceptance of these rules as a writing partner. Pursuant lo legislative decree of 30 June 2003, n.196 “code on the protection of personal information” and GDPR (regulation UE 2016/679) the participants consent to the processing dissemination and use of personal date by the organization or by third parties for the performance of the tasks related to the competition. The participants declare that they are the authors of their works. Participation in the competition automatically involves the authors granting the promoter the right to reproduce on catalogues and other publications that are intended to publicize the event and the places where set the image, non-profit. Under Resolution n. 8/1251 of 28/10/1976 the Award will not be subject to withholding tax. It is therefore the responsibility of the Award recipient to understand the value of the recognition and the total sums for that purpose obtained in its annual declaration at the end of the determination of income. In the case of minors, the signature of a parent or guardian of parental authority will be required on the participation card. All sensitive data received by those participating in the Award will be processed in compliance with legislative Decree 30/06/2003 n.196 (code on the protection of personal date, also know as “single text on Privacy”) and use exclusively for the purposes of the Award itself. At any time the participants can exercise the rights provided by request addressed to the Association Eleutheria as data controller.

ALL THE COMPETITORS, BY SIGNING THE REGISTRATION FORM, ACCEPT ALL THE CONDITIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMPETITION AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AUTHENTICY OF THE SUBMITTED WORK.

PRIZES

PUBLISHING SECTION

PUBLISHED BOOK OF POETRY

FIRST € 3.000

PUBLISHED BOOK OF NARRATIVE

FIRST € 3.000

Special prizes for genres:

Historical novel € 500
Adventure or travel novel € 500
Mystery or thriller novel € 500
Fantastic novel (fantasy, horror, science fiction) € 500
Published book of genre theatrical € 500
Aphorisms published € 500

BOOK PUBLISHED FOR KIDS:

FIRST € 1000

PUBLISHED BOOK OF NON-FICTION:

FISRT € 3.000

Special prizes for genres:

Popular science € 500
Investigative book € 500
Travel theme € 500

UNPUBLISHING SECTION

The unpublished text that will be the winner – whether novel or story collection, for adults or children or guys – it will be published by the Francesco Brioschi Publisher of Milan with the author’s consent and after careful editing in order to improve the text structure in necessary. Other unpublished deemed worthy of attention mat be published. The Secretary of the Award must be promptly notified if the author of an unpublished text sent for participation reach publishing agreements in the period of competition. At the Award date the winning works, penalty the exclusion, must be unpublished and released from any rights of third parties.

UNPUBLISHED VARIOUS

For other unpublished (non-fiction, aphorism, theatrical works, cinematographic subject, fable, works for kids and guys, novel or collection of stories) one chosen by the Jury among the various genres, the prize will be 1.000€

UNPUBLISHED POETRY

FIRST € 1.000

SINGLE STORY SECTION PUBLISHED OR UNPUBLISHED

First € 1.000
Best story that has the lake, in any geographical or symbolic sense as a protagonist: € 250
Degree theses in specific fields: cultural mediation, cultural heritage and tourism: € 250

MULTIMEDIAL SECTION

SINGLE PREMIUM

FIRST € 3.000

FIRST WORK (identified at the discretion of the Jury among all the works in competition in the various sections)

First € 1000

INTERNATIONAL WORK IN ENGLISH (published book only from January, 1st 2020 to June 30, 2021)

First € 1000

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WORK

First € 1000

THEME WORK

First € 1000

TOP WORK
The Jury can recognize, among all the works in competition, a single text in any section that for the quality of writing and originality of the contests is distinguished from all the others. This work will be assigned a particular acknowledge that prestige and value will have a great symbolic meaning. All other prizes in the various sections will remain unchanged.

Award and Jury will be able to:

Confer recognition with diplomas and plaques, special prizes of the Jury and assign other cash prizes or equivalent to finalists in the various sections or to unpublished novel, assign further cash prizes if publication is not possible in the manner indicated in the notice.
Assign other cash prizes to the second and third classified in the various section.
Assign special prizes to finalists of compositions writer by prisoners with fee participation.
Assign premium stays in renowned hotels in the area listed on the Award site.
Don’t award the prize in the absence of worthy works in a specific section.

During the Ceremony may be awarded:

A prize to the memory of Prof. Augusto Cirla, eminent clinician of the Hospital Sant’Anna in Como.
An acknowledgement to a personality or body wich is distinguished by its dissemination of culture or special humanitarian merits.