THE RAINBOW AWARDS 2020-2021
SUBMISSION AND JUDGING GUIDELINES
The
Rainbow Awards is an annual contest celebrating outstanding work in LGBTA fiction
and nonfiction. Hosted and owned by blogger Elisa Rolle, the contest is open to
all authors of work containing LGBTA fictional characters and work chronicling
the true stories of LGBTA persons.
Suggested Charities:
Abbey of the Brew City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence:
www.brewcitysisters.org/
Accept:
www.acceptromania.ro/doneaza/
AIDS Healthcare Foundation:
www.aidshealth.org/
AIDS LifeCycle: www.aidslifecycle.org/
AIDS Project LA: www.apla.org/
AIDS Support Network of San Luis Obispo:
www.asn.org/
AIDS Walk Kansas City:
www.aidswalkkansascity.org/
Albert Kennedy Trust:
www.akt.org.uk/
Ali Forney Center:
www.aliforneycenter.org/
All Out: www.allout.org/en/
AllSorts: www.allsortsyouth.org.uk/
American Institute of Bisexuality: www.bisexual.org/
Astraea Lesbian Foundation For Justice:
www.astraeafoundation.org/
Audre Lorde Project: www.alp.org/
Australian Marriage Equality:
www.australianmarriageequality.or
Avenue Community Centre:
www.outsaskatoon.ca/
Basic Rights Oregon:
www.basicrights.org/
Bay Area Bisexual Network: www.babpn.org/
BeLonG To Youth Services
www.belongto.org/
Bi Foundation: bi.org/en
BiNet USA:
www.binetusa.org/
Bisexual Resource Center: www.biresource.org/
Broken Rainbow UK: www.www.brokenrainbow.org.uk/
Calgary Outlink:
www.calgaryoutlink.ca/
Callan-Lorde: callen-lorde.org/
CAMP Rehoboth: www.camprehoboth.com/
Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives:
arquives.ca/
Center Long Beach:
www.centerlb.org/
Central Valley Pride Center:
centralvalleypridecenter.org/
Centerpoint: www.centrepoint.org.uk/
Chico Stonewall Alliance:
www.stonewallchico.org/
CliniQ:
cliniq.org.uk/
Colors:
www.colorsyouth.org/
Covenant House
www.covenanthouse.org/
Diversity Center:
www.diversitycenter.org/
Diversity Collective Ventura County: www.diversitycenter.org/
Diversity Richmond:
www.diversityrichmond.org/
Diversity Role Models:
www.diversityrolemodels.org/
Divine Center for Queer Renewal:
www.facebook.com/queerrenewal/
Equality Network Scotland
www.equality-network.org/
Equality Toledo:
www.equalitytoledo.org/
Fair Wisconsin: www.fairwisconsin.com/
Family Builders: www.familybuilders.org/
Frank Harr Foundation:
www.frankharrfoundation.org/
Free2Be, GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services:
www.free2be.org/
GALFA:
www.galfa.org.au/
GALOP: www.galop.org.uk/
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders:
www.glad.org/
Gay & Lesbian Fund of Vermont:
www.glfundvt.org/
Gay & Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York:
www.glyswny.org/copy-of-about-us
Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network :
www.glsen.org/
GCLS Scholarship Fund:
www.goldencrown.org/WaysToDonate/
Gender Centre:
gendercentre.org.au/
Gendered Intelligence:
genderedintelligence.co.uk/
Gerber/Hart Library: www.gerberhart.org/
GLAAD: www.glaad.org/
GLBT Community Center of Colorado:
www.glbtcolorado.org/
Global Poverty Relief Foundation:
gprf.net/index.html
GLYS:
www.glyswny.org/
GMFA: www.gmfa.org.uk/
Hearts United For Animals:
www.hua.org/
HIV/AIDS Care Program:
www.careprogram.org/
HRC: www.hrc.org/
In Other Words Feminist Community Center:
www.inotherwords.org/
Indiana Youth Group:
www.indianayouthgroup.org/
Inland Northwest LGBT Center:
www.thelgbtcenter.org/
It Gets Better Project:
www.www.itgetsbetter.org/
Just like Us:
www.justlikeus.org/about
Kaleidoscope Diversity Trust:
kaleidoscopetrust.com/
Lambda Legal:
www.lambdalegal.org/
Lambert House:
www.lamberthouse.org/
Lavender Library Archives:
lavenderlibrary.com/
Lesbians Who Tech
www.lesbianswhotech.org/
LGBT Center Central PA/Lancaster:
www.centralpalgbtcenter.org/
LGBT Center Los Angeles:
www.lalgbtcenter.org/
LGBT Center Greater Cleveland:
www.lgbtcleveland.org/
LGBT Center New York: www.gaycenter.org/
LGBT Center Sacramento: www.saccenter.org/
LGBT Foundation: www.lgbt.foundation
LGBT Youth Scotland
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/
LGBT National Help Center:
www.glbthotline.org/
LGBT Youth Line: www.youthline.ca/
LBGTQ Center of Durham:
www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/
LGBTQ Resource Center of Gulfport Library:
www.mygulfport.us/lgbtq-resources/
Lifelong AIDS Alliance:
www.llaa.org/
Like Me Organization: www.likeme.org/
London Friend:
londonfriend.org.uk/counselling/
Long Island Crisis Center:
www.longislandcrisiscenter.org/
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center:
lalgbtcenter.org/
Lost-n-Found:
www.lost-n-found.org/
LSVD:
www.lsvd.de/
LYRIC www.lyric.org/
Margays: www.margays.de/
Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center
www.mglcc.org/
Mercury Phoenix Trust:
www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com/
Mermaids:
www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/
Metro LGBT Wellness Center - St Pete
www.metrotampabay.org/
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center:
www.mkelgbt.org/
Moveable Feast:
www.mfeast.org/
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance:
www.nqapia.org/
National Center for Transgender Equality:
transequality.org/
Network for Good:
www.networkforgood.com/
New Zealand Rainbow Youth:
www.ry.org.nz/
NOH8 Campaign: www.noh8campaign.com/
Odyssey Youth
Center:
www.odysseyyouth.org/
One 'n' Ten: www.onenten.org/
One Iowa: www.oneiowa.org/
Opening Doors London:
www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk/
OUT Foundation:
theoutfoundation.org/
Out Saskatoon:
www.outsaskatoon.ca/
Out Youth: www.outyouth.org/
OutFront Minnesota:
www.outfront.org/
OutSpokane:
www.outspokane.com/
PACE:
www.pacehealth.org.uk/
Pasadena Pride Center:
www.pridepasadena.org/
Pathfinders Milwaukee: www.pathfindersmke.org/
PFLAG: www.community.pflag.org/
Point Foundation:
www.pointfoundation.org/
Pride Centre of Edmonton:
pridecentreofedmonton.ca/
PRIDE Community Center of North Central Florida:
www.gainesvillepride.org/
Pride Foundation Australia:
pridefoundation.org.au/
Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC:
www.pridefund.org/
Q Center Portland:
www.pdxqcenter.org/
Qmunity: www.qmunity.ca/
Quatrefoil Library: www.qlibrary.org/
Queer Rock Camp:
www.queerrockcamp.org/
queerblick: www.queerblick.tv/
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County:
www.rainbowcc.org/
Rainbow Railroad:
www.americanrainbowrailroad.org/
Rainbow Resource Center:
www.rainbowresourcecentre.org/
Ruth Ellis Center:
www.ruthelliscenter.org/
Sacramento LGBT Center: saccenter.org/
Sage: www.giveto.sageusa.org/
Seattle Humane:
www.seattlehumane.org/
Seta:
en.seta.fi/
Sherbourne Health Centre: www.sherbourne.on.ca/
Soy Toronto:
www.soytoronto.org/
St. James Infirmary: www.stjamesinfirmary.org/
Stonewall: www.stonewall.org.uk/
Stonewall Alliance of Chico:
www.stonewallchico.com/
Switchboard: switchboard.lgbt/
Tampa Bay LGBT Welcome Center: www.lgbtwelcomecenter.com/
Tennessee Equality Project:
www.tnep.nationbuilder.com/
Terrence Higgins Trust:
www.tht.org.uk/
Time Out Youth:
www.timeoutyouth.org/
Trans Lifeline: www.www.translifeline.org/
Trans Media Watch:
transmediawatch.org/
Trans United Fund:
www.transunitedfund.org/
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund:
http://www.transgenderlegal.org/
Trevor Project:
www.thetrevorproject.org/
True Colors Fund: www.truecolorsfund.org/
UCAN:
www.ucanchicago.org/
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group:
uklgig.org.uk/
Ventura County Pride:
www.diversitycollectivevc.org/pride.html
Wanda Alston Foundation:
www.wandaalstonfoundation.org/
William Way:
www.waygay.org/
Women's Resource Center of Scranton: www.wrcnepa.org/
WWTLC: wwtlc.org/
Wyoming Equality:
www.wyomingequality.org/
You Can Play: www.youcanplayproject.org/
You Will Rise: www.youwillriseproject.blogspot.com
YouthCare:
www.youthcare.org/
Youth Project
www.youthproject.ns.ca/
Zebra Coalition: www.zebrayouth.org/
ELIGIBILITY
1.
The book must be published
between 1 September 2019
and 31 August 2021
inclusive.
2.
The book must contain
prominent LGBTA characters. In the case of romance categories, these characters
must be engaged in the primary romance.
3.
The book must fit into one of
the following categories:
Fiction (Non
Romance):
Contemporary General Fiction
Humor
Mystery/Thriller
Young Adult
Sci-Fi/Futuristic
Alternative Universe/Reality
Fantasy
Historical
Erotica
Anthology/Collection
Fiction (Romance):
Contemporary Romance
Erotic Romance
Romantic Comedy
Historical Romance
Paranormal Romance
Fantasy Romance
Romantic Suspence
Non Fiction:
General Non Fiction
Biography/Memoir
Poetry
Visual Arts & Photography
Special Category:
Debut Fiction
Within these categories entries will be further subdivided: Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender
4.
The following books are
eligible:
---a.
First time ebooks or print
books, self-published also
---b.
First time print editions of
previously published ebooks
---c.
Republication by a publisher
providing it was previously self published by the author
5.
The following books are not
eligible:
---a.
Ebook editions of previously
published print books
---b.
Republication by a publisher
if it was previously published by a different publisher
SUBMISSION PROCESS
1.
Book submissions will be
accepted between
22 March 2021
and
20
September
2021
inclusive.
2. A book can only be submitted by its author or its publisher.
3.
The submission must clearly
state which category applies.
4.
Books must be submitted in
electronic format (PDF, EPUB and/or MOBI).
5.
By submitting the ebook,
authors/publishers agree for its distribution with the only purpose of being
read by the commission. It's recommended, but not mandatory, that the file has
some kind of protection, like a specific disclaimer or similar.
6.
Submissions will be made via
email to the following address:
rainbowawards.submission@gmail.com.
For Book Contest, please provide the following info (mandatory if not different stated):
i. Author Name:
ii. Contact Email:
iii. Book Title:
iv. Publisher:
v. Release Date:
vi. Subcategory: Asexual / Bisexual / Gay / Lesbian / Transgender (ONLY for Anthology / Collection AND Non Fiction also LGBTA)
vii. Genre: Contemporary General Fiction / Humor / Mystery Thriller / Young Adult / Sci-Fi Futuristic / Alternative Universe-Reality / Fantasy / Historical / Erotica / Anthology Collection / Contemporary Romance / Erotic Romance / Romantic Comedy / Historical Romance / Paranormal Romance / Fantasy Romance / Romantic Suspence / General Non Fiction / Biography Memoir / Poetry / Visual Arts & Photography (ONLY for Anthology / Collection specify also subgenre: i.e. Anthology Collection Fantasy, Anthology Collection Paranormal Romance)
viii. Debut Novel: Yes / No
ix. Comments: please specify Charity name and amount and forward receipt from donation (email, pdf, jpg, whatever proof you have donation has been made)
xi. Attachment: please attach ebook to the email in PDF, EPUB and/or MOBI (preferably all three of them) AND receipt from donation
7. A Judge can submit books as either the author or publisher providing it is for a category which they are not reading for.
8.
There is no
direct submission fee,
but for a submission to be eligible,
authors/publishers must
donate an equivalent
amount per book to a selected LGBTA non-profit charitable organization:
when
submitting please provide in Comments field Charity name and amount you donated
CATEGORIES
1.
A book can be submitted in
only one category unless it is also being submitted in Debut Fiction.
2. If a category receives fewer than five (5) submissions, the category will not be active in this awards cycle. The submitted books will be reassigned to parent category in the Category Tree.
3.
In addition to specifying
which Genre Category applies (see Eligibility Section) the submission must also
state which
SubCategory applies. There will be not reassignment
cross-gender, unless there
aren't enough submissions within a gender category.
If there aren’t at least 5 submissions for Bisexual
Contemporary Romance AND Bisexual Erotic Romance, all submissions WILL BE
reassigned to Bisexual Romance; they WILL NOT BE reassigned to
LGBTA
Contemporary Romance
or
LGBTA Erotic Romance, unless there aren't enough submission in Bisexual Romance.
4. Special Category: Debut Fiction. This is considered the first published stand-alone book in print or ebook of more than 41000 words meeting the eligibility requirements.
JUDGING
1.
Judges will not judge any
books which they have written, published or edited.
2.
Judges will be required to
read entries from 1
May
to 30 November
2021
inclusive.
3.
Judges must indicate prior to
the commencement of reading which categories they are not comfortable reading.
4.
Each Judge will be required
to read a minimum of
5 books and will only be sent the books they are required
to read.
5.
Each book will be judged
using 4 different criteria: Plot Development, Setting Development, Characters
Development and Writing Style. Judges will rate entries in a range of 1 to 10
points for each criteria.
6. Winners will be
announced
on December
8,
2021.
The gay
and lesbian world is interconnected in many ways and this is especially true in
the world of LGBTA fiction with the rise of social media, internet groups and
other online activities. The community prides itself in the support given to new
and aspiring authors from many sources and in many ways, with the ultimate aim
always being to not only give something back to the community but also to enable
all of us to have the pleasure of more good quality books available. This
support includes reviewing, beta-reading, running book groups and so on.
Qualified judges usually have ties throughout our community and by necessity
they are well read, in fact usually voracious readers who care passionately
about books and their quality. Many of them are already active volunteers within
the LGBTA fiction community as previously described and it is recognized that
entrants may already be known to Judges. This is an issue that is not exclusive
to the Rainbow Awards. Our rules have always been clear that, in order to
prevent any undue bias, anyone who is the author, publisher or editor of a
nominated book is not allowed to judge that book. Likewise, a Judge may nominate
a book for any category providing that they are not then involved in the judging
of that book. In addition not only do the Judges follow clear judging guidelines
but any book reaching the finals will have been judged by 6 to 8 different
judges. Candidates wishing to be judges
are welcomed, please contact Elisa Rolle at rainbowawards.submission@gmail.com.
If you have not judged for this contest before, please give a short introduction
explaining why you wish to participate in the jury for this contest.
As
always we had a close look at the guidelines and refined them so that they
reflect the process with the utmost clarity. Please make sure to read them
before submitting or before volunteering to judge.
"Rainbow Pride Cheesecake" is the official pin-up boy of the Rainbow
Awards especially created by
Paul Richmond
"Air de Capri" is a 1923 painting by Gerda Wegener, with Gerda
herself and her husband, transgender male to female, Lili Elbe