Q: How can you afford three $100,000 prizes?

A: Many large presses could afford to offer similar size prizes, but choose not to. For fiction and non-fiction, the prize value is not too different than an large advance for a book. In our case, the prizes are backed by an investor with ties to the Chicago art scene.

Q: Is the prize an advance for the winning manuscripts? How will the payment work?

A: The prize is not an advance. Each winning writer will receive $100,000 plus a standard royalty contract. The payment of the prize will be half upfront and half when the winning manuscript is ready for publication, likely early 2028.

Q: Can I submit to the press outside of the contests?

A: No. The contests will serve as the reading period for the press. We hope to offer publication to a small handful of non-winning manuscripts which will include a small advance and a standard royalty contract.

Q: Who is judging the prizes?

A: There will be a small group of paid readers who will help select a group of finalists in each genre. Then, Founder, Dirk Marple, will make the selection for the winning prizes. In future years, we hope to bring on guest editors to help select the winning manuscripts.

Q: If I choose to receive editorial feedback, how does that work?

A: One of our editors will read your work and provide detailed feedback to help the work move into the direction of publication. Not everyone has the time or money required to study writing at the undergraduate or graduate level. We think of our editorial work as a way to help the general writing community to become stronger, more capable writers and readers.

Q: How can I contract you for additional questions?

A: Feel free to email us as rexinc.litmag@gmail.com