Publisher’s Declaration: Burt Award for Caribbean Literature 2015
*Please read the Eligibility and Entry Guidelines for the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature (APPENDIX A) carefully
before completing this form.
**Please also read the draft Publisher Agreement (APPENDIX B) which contains a draft version of the Agreement that
CODE will negotiate and sign with each Publisher of a Burt Award winning title.
The Burt Award Programme Description:
CODE’s Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is an annual literary award and readership initiative. Established by CODE –
a Canadian charitable organization that has been supporting literacy and learning for over 50 years – in collaboration
with William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation, the Bocas Lit Fest and CaribLit, the Award aims to provide
engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across the Caribbean.
The Award will be given to three English-language literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by
Caribbean authors. Publishers of winning titles will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of up to 2,500 copies of each
winning book. Copies purchased by the program will be donated to select literacy organizations, reading programs, as
well as some libraries and schools in Caribbean countries. Winning publishers commit to actively market an additional
minimum of 1,200 copies of each winning title throughout the region and elsewhere before and after publication. The
winners of the inaugural Award will be announced in April 2015 at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago.
CODE’s Burt Award supports and promotes the writing and publishing of high quality, culturally relevant books. While a
quantity of copies of the winning title is purchased in print form, it is CODE’s strong desire that the Publisher will
endeavour to actively market the title and to make the book available in electronic versions at a future date to ensure
young people’s love of reading is possible in as many digital formats as possible. CODE and partners, Bocas Lit Fest and
CaribLit, commit to support winning publishers in these endeavors.
The Purpose of this Form:
The Burt Award is open to published books, unpublished manuscripts, and previously self-published books. The purpose
of this form is to identify eligible publishers interested in bidding on the publication of previously self-published titles or
unpublished manuscripts in the instance that same wins any one of the three Burt Awards in 2015. CODE and Bocas Lit
Fest staff will review the completed Publisher’s Declaration forms and, in close consultation with the winning author(s),
select the most appropriate Publisher(s) based on the responses provided below, so please be thorough.
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Please note that Publishers submitting this form must be Caribbean-based Publishers and meet the criteria found in the
Eligibility and Entry Guidelines for the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature (APPENDIX A). However, where feasible,
Declarations from Caribbean-based Publishers that involve a co-publishing arrangement or partnership with an
international Publisher and/or distributor will be considered.
Publisher’s interested in publishing a Burt Award winning manuscript or previously self-published title are asked to
please submit their completed Publisher’s Declarations Form to The Bocas Lit Fest at burtaward@bocaslitfest.com on
or before January 31, 2015.
1. Name of Publishing House:
2. Contact person:
3. Address:
4. Telephone:
5. Email:
6. Website:
7. Name and title of editor/publisher:
8. Distributor in the Caribbean (if applicable):
9. Area(s) of Focus:
Reference [ ]
Fiction [ ] Non-fiction [ ] Poetry [ ] Children’s [ ] Young Adult [ ] Academic or
10. Have you published Childrens or YA fiction before? Yes[ ] NO [ ] If yes, please list other YA titles in your
catalogue:
11. List countries in which your books are distributed and sold:
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12. Proposed publishing formats:
Print only [ ] Print and electronic [ ] Electronic only [ ].
Initial print run: ____ copies
13. Author royalties
Indicate the royalty rate you propose to offer the author and the schedule according to which you will pay
royalties.
14. Reviews and Endorsements
Describe your plans for securing reviews and endorsements for the book, both within and beyond the Caribbean.
15. Marketing and Promotion
Describe your plans for promoting the book to your target audiences. Include any endorsements you have
received or plan to secure. Indicate any planned media or speaking appearances or plans to serialize the content
in publications or other media.
16. Distribution
Describe where the book will be made available for sale locally, regionally and internationally. For electronic
books indicate all electronic bookstores to which the book will be submitted or other means by which you will
electronically market the title. Include plans for donating copies to libraries, schools, non-profit organizations.
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17. Other Publishing Plans
Please describe any other plans you may have for the publication of the book that may contribute to its success
and CODE’s objective of championing literacy and fostering the love and habit of reading among young adults by
providing them with engaging, culturally relevant books that they want to read.
I confirm that the statements in this form are complete and accurate, to the best of my knowledge.
__________________________
Signature of editor/publisher
__________________________________
Date
For more information, visit the CODE site at http://www.codecan.org/burt-award-caribbean, Bocas Lit Fest at
http://www.bocaslitfest.com/burt-award-for-caribbean-literature/ or CaribLit at cariblit.org.
*Please submit the completed Publisher’s Declarations Form to The Bocas Lit Fest at
burtaward@bocaslitfest.com on or before January 31, 2015.
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APPENDIX A
The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature 2014
Eligibility and Entry Guidelines
The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature 2015
Eligibility and Entry Guidelines
The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is an annual Award that will be given to three English-language
literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by Caribbean authors. Established by CODE – a
Canadian charitable organization that has been supporting literacy and learning for over 50 years – in
collaboration with William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation and the Bocas Lit Fest, the Award aims
to provide engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across the Caribbean.
Up to three prizes will be awarded each year to the authors of the winning titles: a First Prize of $10,000 CAD,
a Second Prize of $7,000 CAD and a Third Prize of $5,000 CAD.
Publishers of winning titles will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of up to 2,500 copies of each winning
book. Copies purchased by the program will be donated to select libraries, schools and literacy organizations
for distribution throughout the region. Winning publishers commit to actively market an additional minimum
of 1,200 copies of each winning title and are encouraged to develop digital versions (ebooks) of winning titles.
Published books, previously self-published books, and unpublished manuscripts are eligible for the Award.
Eligible books and unpublished manuscripts can be submitted to the Bocas Lit Fest by publishers registered
and operating in the Caribbean. Unpublished manuscripts or previously self-published books can also be
submitted by authors directly to the Bocas Lit Fest.
Books published between 1 October 2012 and 23 October 2014 and eligible manuscripts must be received at
the office of the Bocas Lit Fest by 24 October 2014. Books that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.
The Award longlist will be announced in February 2015. The shortlist will be announced in March 2015. The
winners will be announced in April 2015 at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
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Award Eligibility and Submission Criteria
Who is eligible?
 The Burt Award is open to authors who were born in or who are citizens of an eligible Caribbean*
country, regardless of their current place of residence. See Appendix 1 for definitions of which
territories constitute the Caribbean for the purposes of the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.
 Authors must have been alive on 23 October 2014.
What books and manuscripts are eligible?
 The Burt Award is open to original, English-language literary works for young adults written by
Caribbean authors. For this Award, the term young adult generally refers to readers from ages 12
through 18.
 Published books, previously self-published books, and unpublished manuscripts are eligible for the
Award.
 Works of literary fiction, literary non-fiction, and graphic novels written for young adults are
eligible. Works of poetry or drama, anthologies, short story collections, textbooks or instructional
manuals are not eligible.
 Books and manuscripts must be in English. Works that have been translated into English are also
eligible. In these cases, the Award would be shared equally between the author and translator
 Eligible books and manuscripts can be submitted by publishers registered and operating in the
Caribbean*. See Appendix 1 for definitions of which territories constitute the Caribbean for the
purposes of the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.
 Eligible self-published books or manuscripts can also be submitted by their authors directly.
 Published books previously submitted to the Burt Award cannot be resubmitted for consideration
in subsequent years; manuscripts previously submitted to the Burt Award can be re-submitted for
consideration in subsequent years but ONLY if they have been significantly revised.
 Works should be engaging and entertaining and reflect issues of interest to Caribbean youth. The
Award is given for literary and artistic excellence. Publishers and authors should submit works
accordingly.
I.
Eligibility of published books
o Must have been published for the first time in book form between 1 October 2012 and 23
October 2014.
o Must have an ISBN.
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o Must be a minimum of approximately 120 pages (or 30,000 words) in length (except in the
case of graphic novels).
o Must be submitted by publishers registered and operating in the Caribbean*
o Published books previously submitted to the Burt Award cannot be resubmitted for
consideration in subsequent years.
II.
Eligibility of self-published books
o Must have been published for the first time in book form between 1 October 2012 and 23
October 2014.
o Must be a minimum of approximately 120 pages (or 30,000 words) in length (except in the
case of graphic novels).
o In the case of a self-published book submitted by an author, the author must agree to have
the work published by an eligible publisher within six (6) months of notification that it has
been successful in the competition.
o Self-published books previously submitted to the Burt Award cannot be resubmitted for
consideration in subsequent years.
III.
Eligibility of unpublished manuscripts
 Must be a minimum of approximately 30,000 words (or 120 pages) in length (except in the
case of graphic novels).
 Must be submitted to the Bocas List Fest electronically via email.
 Must be written using 12 point, Times New Roman font, and double spaced.
 In the case of a manuscript submitted by a publisher, the publisher must agree to publish
the work within six (6) months of notification if it is successful in the competition. In the
case of a manuscript submitted by an author, the author must agree to have the work
published by an eligible publisher within six (6) months of notification that it has been
successful in the competition.
 Manuscripts will be assessed alongside published books: it is recommended that
manuscripts be carefully edited.
 Manuscripts previously submitted to the Burt Award can be re-submitted for consideration
in subsequent years ONLY if they have been significantly revised.
*See Appendix 1 for definitions of which territories constitute the Caribbean for the purposes of the Burt
Award for Caribbean Literature.
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Award Terms and Conditions
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Publishers must notify authors of titles entered for the Award. Winning authors will be invited to
attend the Award ceremony in Port of Spain Trinidad in April 2015 and to participate in activities to
promote themselves, their titles, and the Award.
Publishers or authors must provide five (5) copies of each title entered at the time of submission.
Publishers and authors must agree to provide a further five (5) copies of the titles if they are
shortlisted.
Each submitted title must be accompanied by a completed entry form, including a short biographical
note about the author.
Publishers or authors of shortlisted titles must agree to provide digital photos of authors and
participate in media and promotional activities related to the Award.
Once the winners have been contacted, they must confirm acceptance of the prize and agree to keep
the results of the competition confidential until CODE and Bocas Lit Fest makes the official
announcement.
Publishers of winning unpublished manuscripts they submitted must agree to publish the work within
six (6) months of notification that it has been successful in the competition.
Authors of winning unpublished manuscripts or previously self-published titles that they submitted
must agree to be published by an eligible publisher within six (6) months of notification that it has been
successful in the competition.
Publishers of winning titles are requested to provide to CODE, at no cost, ten copies of winning books
for promotion and sponsorship purposes.
Publishers must commit to actively market an additional minimum 1,200 copies of each of the winning
titles.
CODE’s Burt Award supports and promotes the writing and publishing of high quality, culturally
relevant books. While a quantity of copies of the winning title is purchased in print form, it is CODE’s
strong desire that the Publisher will endeavour to actively market the title and to make the book
available in electronic versions at a future date to ensure young people’s love of reading is possible in
as many digital formats as possible. CODE commits to support winning publishers in these endeavors.
Authors and publishers of winning books must participate fully in all Award events, including the prize
presentation, receptions, media interviews and press conferences. They must also allow photographs
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and public information about themselves to be used for promotion of the awards and in other CODE
promotional initiatives.
The support of CODE should be clearly acknowledged in any public announcements, advertising or
publications related to books that receive a Burt Award.
Winning titles will be chosen based on their literary merit, and their ability to engage young readers
and to address issues confronting youth in the Caribbean. There is no guarantee that all three prizes
will be awarded every year. Only titles that meet the criteria and standards of the jury will be
deemed worthy of winning prizes.
The decisions of the jury are final.
Deadline:
In the case of published or previously self-published books, eligible publishers or authors must send five
copies of each title entered by courier to the Bocas Lit Fest.
The Bocas Lit Fest
Attn: Burt Award for Caribbean Literature
38 Coblentz Avenue
Cascade, Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: 1 (868) 222-7099
In the case of unpublished manuscripts, publishers or authors must send 1 copy of the manuscript
electronically to the Bocas Lit Fest at burtaward@bocaslitfest.com.
All submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form, including a short biographical note about
the author.
Titles must be received by the Award administrators by 24 October 2014. Titles that arrive after the deadline
will not be considered.
Works will be accepted at the discretion of the chair of the jury, who will determine questions of eligibility
when necessary. Works deemed ineligible will not be returned to publishers or authors.
Judging:
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The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature will be judged by an independent jury administered by the Bocas Lit
Fest. The jury will consist of four members and will include one Chair, one Canadian representative chosen by
CODE and two representatives chosen by The Bocas Lit Fest. The decisions of the jury are final.
For queries about eligibility requirements or the submission process please contact the prize administrators
at:
burtaward@bocaslitfest.com
or
Catherine Belshaw
Literary Awards Officer
CODE
CBelshaw@codecan.org
The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature 2015
Entry Form
Please refer to the eligibility and entry guidelines when completing this form. Each title entered for the prize must be
accompanied by a completed copy of this entry form.
Date: _________________________________
Name of publisher (if applicable):__________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Contact name and job title: _______________________________________________________
Contact email address: __________________________________________________________
Contact telephone numbers: ______________________________________________________
Title of book: __________________________________________________________________
Genre of book: _________________________________________________________________
Date of first publication (if applicable): ______________________________________________
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Name of author: ________________________________________________________________
Country of author’s birth: _________________________________________________________
Country of author’s current citizenship: ______________________________________________
About the author: _______________________________________________________________
Please attach a short biographical note about the author.
I confirm that I have read and will abide by the eligibility guidelines and terms and conditions for the 2015 Burt Award
for Caribbean Literature.
I confirm that the above information is accurate.
I agree to allow the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature administrators to disclose that this title has been entered for
the 2015 competition, and to participate fully in all Award activities as outlined in the terms and conditions.
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________
Appendix 1
Definition of the Caribbean
For the purposes of the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature, the Caribbean is defined as including the following
countries and territories:
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
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Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
French Guiana
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
St. Barthélemy
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Martin/Sint. Maarten
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sint. Eustatius
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
U.S. Virgin Islands.
Please note: Only English-language titles are eligible for the Award.
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APPENDIX B
Burt Award for Caribbean Literature
DRAFT Publisher Agreement
CODE’s Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is a new, annual literary award and readership initiative. Established by
CODE – a Canadian charitable organization that has been supporting literacy and learning for over 50 years – in
collaboration with William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation, the Bocas Lit Fest, and CaribLit, the Award aims
to provide engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across the Caribbean.
The Award will be given to three English-language literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by
Caribbean authors. Publishers of winning titles will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of up to 2,500 copies of each
winning book. Copies purchased by the program will be donated to select literacy organizations, reading programs, as
well as some libraries and school in Caribbean countries. Winning publishers commit to actively market an additional
minimum 1,200 copies of each winning title throughout the region and elsewhere before and after publication. The
winners of the inaugural Award will be announced in April 2014 at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago.
This Agreement is the contract between CODE and [Name of Publisher] to purchase [name of title, ISBN (when
published, in the case of manuscripts)] by [author], one of the Burt Award winning titles for [year].
In the case of a winning title in manuscript form, or that was a previously self-published book, the Publisher will:
Ensure highest standards for quality.
Engage appropriate editors, illustrators, designers, and proofreaders to work with the author to make improvements to
the manuscript, including those recommended by the jury, and to ensure that the manuscript is edited and produced to
the highest standards possible in terms of its editorial, design and printing qualities.
Publishers are expected to have negotiated and signed a contract with the author before commencing any editing or
production work on the manuscript.
Publishers will have up to 8 (eight) months from the signing of this Agreement to produce and publish a softcover
edition for sale and distribution in the Caribbean.
Publishers will acknowledge the contribution by CODE and the Burt Award by inserting the Burt Award logo in an
appropriate position on the front cover. Publishers will also acknowledge CODE, The Burt Award, as well as The Bocas Lit
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Fest and CaribLit on or immediately following the copyright page and/or by including the CODE, Bocas Lit Fest, and
CaribLit logos in an appropriate place on the back cover.
In ALL cases, the Publisher will:
Print, Distribute and Promote the title.
Print a minimum of 3,700 (thirty-seven hundred) copies of the published book and deliver a minimum of 2,500 (twentyfive hundred) copies to [Appointed Distributor] [or Institutions X] no later than [X date]. These 2,500 (twenty-five
hundred) copies will be purchased non-returnable by CODE from the Publisher at an agreed price with a 50 (fifty)
percent discount off of the retail value of [retail price] for the softcover edition if the title wins one of the prizes. These
copies will be distributed to select literacy organizations, schools, libraries, community centres that serve youth [in
approximately x number of countries] across the Caribbean. Publishers commit to actively market the remaining
minimum 1,200 copies of the winning title for sale at the Publisher’s regular discount through its normal sales channels.
CODE will work with the Publisher of each winning title to establish an appropriate payment schedule for the 2,500
copies to be purchased through the Burt Award program.
CODE’s Burt Award supports and promotes the writing and publishing of high quality, culturally relevant books. While a
quantity of copies of the winning title is purchased in print form, it is CODE’s strong desire that the Publisher will
endeavour to actively market the title and to make the book available in electronic versions at a future date to ensure
young people’s love of reading is possible in as many digital formats as possible.
Assist the author, and translator where applicable, to participate fully in all Award events including the prize
presentation, receptions, media interviews and press conferences. The Publisher will provide CODE with JPEG and EPS
format files of both a colour and a black-and-white photograph of the author, and allow photographs and public
information about themselves to be used for promotion of the Award and in other CODE promotional initiatives. The
Publisher will also provide CODE with a JPEG and EPS format files of the cover of the winning title as well as the
publisher’s logo for use in both colour and black-and white ads and other promotional material.
Help organize reading promotion activities and publicity events for the author with CODE to promote the title, the
Award and Caribbean literature for youth.
Clearly acknowledge the support of CODE in any public announcements, advertising or publications related to books that
receive a Burt Award. CODE will supply the Publisher of a winning title with JPEG and EPS format files of the Burt Award
seal for placement on the front cover and will supply the publisher with CODE, Bocas Lit Fest, and CaribLit logos for
placement on the back cover for reprints. CODE will also supply the Publisher of a winning title with 50 (fifty) Burt Award
seal stickers to be placed on the covers of existing stock of a winning title.
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Engage in book marketing and selling through such activities as delivering copies to bookshops region-wide and
internationally, liaising with book marketing agencies and books distributors, participating in book fairs, organizing a
book launch, advertising through websites, posters, newspaper articles and radio, and organizing reading events and
author book tours in an effort to widen the awareness of the winning title and support CODE’s activities to do the same.
Will provide CODE with 10 (ten) complimentary copies of the published book gratis.
Signatures
The undersigned agree to the terms in this Book Sales Agreement.
On behalf of CODE
____________________________
Name, title
_____________________________
Signature
_____________________________
Date
On behalf of [Name of Publisher]
_____________________________
Name, title
_____________________________
Signature
____________________________
Date
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