WF
Women’s Fiction
Contemporary stories centered on women’s experiences and emotional journeys.
Final call · Closes Oct. 21, 2026
A story-first literary honor
Real authors.
Real stories.
The North Star Literary Award celebrates writers whose stories move us, stay with us, and deserve to be discovered.
Coming Soon: True North Literary Magazine — delivered with the Author Spotlight.
Free submissionsStory-only judgingBuilt by writers for writers
Annual physical honor
The Writers’ Choice Award
Voted on by creators, for writers. This annual distinction places the choice in the hands of fellow storytellers and is presented to its recipient as a lasting physical award.
Presented as a physical award
The inaugural author spotlight
The North Star is still watching.
October 21, 2026 · 7:00 PM Pacific
One voice will step into the light. Until then, the name remains sealed—and every eligible story remains in consideration.
Author identity sealedThe moment has arrived
The North Star has chosen.
Inaugural Author Spotlight
The featured author presentation is now live.
Time Until the North Star Reveals Its First Honoree
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Our purpose
Awarding the work—not the size of the platform behind it.
The North Star Literary Award was created to give authors a fair and meaningful place to be recognized. There are no submission fees, and judging centers on the story itself.
We believe powerful writing can come from anywhere. Every eligible entry deserves thoughtful consideration, whether its author is widely known, independently published, or just beginning to find an audience.
Annual award calendar
Every genre has its season.
Upcoming category seals remain muted until 45 days before submissions open. Dates marked “to be announced” are not yet accepting entries.
R
Romance
Love stories shaped by meaningful emotional connection and transformation.
Opens January 2027
F
Fantasy
Immersive worlds, mythic imagination, and unforgettable journeys.
Coming 2027
H
Horror
Stories that unsettle, haunt, and remain after the final page.
Date to be announced
M
Mystery & Thriller
Compelling investigations, danger, suspense, and revelation.
Date to be announced
I
Inspirational
Stories of faith, resilience, purpose, and personal transformation.
Date to be announced
GN
Graphic Novel
Exceptional visual storytelling across original sequential works.
Date to be announced
The process
Judging that begins and ends with the story.
Submit
Authors submit an eligible completed work during the open submission period at no cost.
Read
Entries are considered for storytelling, character, emotional impact, originality, and overall craft.
Recognize
Finalists and winners are selected for the strength of their work—not sales figures or social reach.
Recognition
More than a title.
A moment worth keeping.
The North Star Literary Award honors exceptional work with meaningful recognition created for writers.
1st, 2nd & 3rdPhysical award recognition
Top FivePrintable finalist certificate
Winner ShowcaseFeatured through our interactive reading platform
Author SpotlightSelected interview opportunities
Writers’ ChoiceAnnual physical award selected by fellow creators
Before submitting
Clear rules. No hidden fees.
Eligibility
Submit a completed book that fits the current award category. Full eligibility dates and publication requirements will appear here before entries open.
Entry fee
There is no submission fee. The North Star Literary Award does not charge authors to have their stories considered.
Evaluation
Judging focuses on the submitted story. Marketing reach, follower counts, and sales history are not judging criteria.
Rights
Authors retain ownership of their work. Submission does not transfer publishing or adaptation rights.
Submissions
Your story deserves to be read.
Submit your completed work for consideration in Contemporary Women’s Fiction. There is no entry fee, and your work remains yours.
Questions, answered plainly
Frequently Asked Questions
Does North Star charge a submission fee?
No. Eligible submissions are free. Optional financial support is separate from entry and never influences judging.
Do I keep the copyright to my book?
Yes. Submission does not transfer ownership, publishing rights, adaptation rights, or copyright. The creator keeps the work.
What may North Star use if I win?
Finalists and winners grant a limited 90-day promotional license covering items such as the author’s name, biography, photograph, cover, synopsis, award placement, and reasonable excerpts. North Star may not commercially publish or sell the complete manuscript without a separate agreement.
What manuscript formats are accepted?
PDF, DOCX, and EPUB files up to 15 MB are accepted through the secure submission form.
When does Contemporary Women’s Fiction close?
The final call is October 21, 2026. Future categories open at different times during the year, and their seals become active 45 days before submissions begin.
Are contributions tax-deductible?
No tax deduction is represented. Contributions are voluntary support for the award unless North Star later receives and expressly announces recognized tax-exempt status.
Contact North Star
Write to us.
Questions about eligibility, submissions, rights, or award dates are welcome. Your message will be delivered privately to the North Star team.
Read the Submission Terms & Copyright Policy →