Welcome to The Laurel Wreath Awards!

The Laurel Wreath serves as an ancient symbol of Triumph, Victory, and Honor. While these ideals are historically applied to physical prowess and victory in battle, a writer's triumph should be likewise celebrated!

We as writers work tirelessly, day in and day out, to triumph over our own worst enemy- ourselves. Whether we face an internal struggle to overcome writer's block, or to reach that goal word count, we don't give up!

However, that hard work and struggle often times goes unrecognized.

            These awards are geared toward writers who lack exposure for their work. (15k reads or less) Proper spelling and grammar are going to be very important, as these awards are not only meant to draw attention to lesser-known stories, but also help writers improve their work.

            A fresh set of eyes can do wonders to help catch small mistakes that might have been passed over. Judges will be expected to provide in-line comments on typos or spelling errors so that the writer may benefit and fix any errors with ease. (More specific instructions will follow.)

            There will be three rounds. The first round, First Impressions, is worth 15 points and will judge a story based on its synopsis, title, and cover. Once again, spelling and grammar are the most important things here. The synopsis serves as a sneak peek into a story, and lays the groundwork for what is to be expected throughout. Readability is key. If the synopsis is lacking, progression to the next round is out of the question. Please make sure to proof-read!

            The second round covers everything from plot, characters, structure, dialogue, and of course... grammar. Within the first few chapters, (prologue optional, judged separately) judges should have a solid grasp on your main characters, your world, and the start of your plot.

(Hint: Information overload in the first chapters will be cause for point deductions.)

            The highest scoring works in each category will progress to a final round where scores are tallied based on the worldbuilding, imagery, and the word quality. This is where a writer's voice matters. Your judges should feel as though they've been transported to another land. They should see what your characters see and feel what they feel.

            There are many exceptional writers whose stories do not receive the attention they deserve. The Laurel Wreath Awards serves to showcase those writers and their work. Originality, worldbuilding, imagery, and a writer's unique voice are all important factors that contribute to a great story.

(Judges will be announced prior to when judging begins.)

Thank you for reading, hope to see you join us!