Write Your Why Competition

Indie Authors! Announcing the SelfPubCon 2025 Competition: Write Your Why

What drives you to publish independently?

This year, the Self-Publishing Advice Conference invites you to reflect on your indie author journey in our free competition: Write Your Why.

In 500 words or less, tell us why you choose the indie path. Make it heartfelt, humorous, poetic, persuasive—or all of the above. Whether it’s a personal story, a rousing polemic, or a love letter to the freedom of self-publishing, we want to hear what fuels your passion.

There’s no entry fee, and it’s open to all indie authors, at any stage of your writing or publishing career.

Our expert judges will select a Top Three, with one overall winner revealed live at the conference.

How to Enter:

We can’t wait to hear your indie publishing story!

Submission Requirements

  1. Length: Your entry must be 500 words or fewer. It can take the form of an essay, story, poem, letter, or any other written expression—as long as it communicates why you choose to publish independently.
  2. Tone & Style: Whether heartfelt, humorous, poetic, persuasive, or reflective, your piece should express your personal motivation, values, or journey as an indie author. We’re looking for originality, clarity, and emotional or intellectual impact.
  3. Original Work: Your submission must be entirely your own original work and must not infringe on the copyright or rights of any other individual or entity.

Judging Criteria:

  1. Authenticity: We’re looking for entries that feel genuine and personal. Whether reflective, funny, poetic, or bold, your "why" should ring true and offer insight into your experience as an indie author.
  2. Creativity and Originality: Surprise us with your approach. The most memorable submissions will express familiar ideas in fresh, engaging ways; through structure, voice, or perspective.
  3. Impact: Does your piece move, inspire, or provoke thought? The best entries will leave a lasting impression, sparking emotion or connection in just a few hundred words.
  4. Clarity and Craftsmanship: As with all good writing, clarity matters. Spelling, grammar, and sentence flow will be considered. Every word should earn its place, contributing to a polished and purposeful whole.

The Write Your Why competition is a celebration of the indie mindset. It’s your chance to spotlight what drives your independence, your ideals, your passion and show us what being an indie author really means to you.

Write Your Why Competition: How to Enter

Entry to the Write Your Why Competition couldn't be easier. There is no entry fee. We just need your name, email address, and your entry.

Entry to the Write Your Why Competition Opens on August 1st 2025. We will announce the winners live during our Self-Publishing Advice  Conference (#SelfPubCon25).

Here are the steps:

  1. Craft your entry.
  2. Submit your entry here.
  3. The closing date is 17th September 2025, Midnight, UK
  4. The winners will be announced during the 2025 conference within our Conference Platform and across Facebook, X and YouTube. The winners will also be featured in our member magazine and blog.

SelfPubCon Write Your Why Competition: Prizes

prizes image

Click for prize details

Three runner-up prize winners, including one grand-prize winner, will choose services from a package of services provided by ALLi approved and vetted Partner Members.

The prizes will be offer offered across six of the seven processes of publishing (editorial, design, production, distribution, marketing and promotion), with the winners given a list of prizes to choose from. Plus, special prizes from ALLi.

Prizes List Coming Soon!

SelfPubCon Write Your Why Competition: Terms and Conditions

  • The Write Your Why Competition is being run by the Self-Publishing Advice Conference (SelfPubCon), in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
    The Competition is open to working or aspiring independent authors aged 18 and over. No purchase or entry fee is necessary.
  • Employees, consultants or agencies of SelfPubCon, ALLi or their family members, or anyone else connected with the competition (including prize-givers), may not enter.
  • Only one entry per person.
  • You are permitted to submit work you have previously published.
  • Stories that do not meet the entry requirements will be disqualified.
  • The competition is open for entry at 00.01 hours (UK Time) on August 1st 2025 and closes at midnight (UK Time) on 17th September 2025. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
  • The judging panel is Orna Ross, ALLi Director, and Kayleigh Brindley, SelfPubCon Manager. Winners will be announced on Saturday 18th, October 2025 live at SelfPubCon.
  • Competition entrants are automatically registered for SelfPubCon so they can attend the celebration and prize-giving.
  • Three (3) winners will be announced from all entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, with one (1) named as the overall winner.
  • Winners will be announced on the ALLi and SelfPubCon websites, The Indie Author ALLi's member magazine, and in member and subscriber emails.
  • The winner may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Write Your Why Competition and the winner shall participate in such activity on SelfPubCon's reasonable request. The winner consents to the use by ALLi and SelfPubCon, both before and after the closing date for an unlimited time, of the winner's voice, image, photograph and name for publicity purposes (in any medium, including still photographs and films, and on the internet, and in advertising, marketing or promotional material.)

Legal T&Cs

  • All entrants agree to receive emails from SelfPubCon containing news and offers, and updates of interest. You can unsubscribe from these emails any time by clicking the link in the email footer.

  • By entering the Write Your Why Competition, you agree to the collection, retention, usage and distribution of your personal information in order to process your entry and that we may contact you about your Write Your Why Competition entry.

  • SelfPubCon/ALLi do not accept responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering or accepting either the top prize or the book offered to every entrant; for any injury or damage to your or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Write Your Why Competition.

  • SelfPubCon/ALLi reserve the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Write Your Why Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of SelfPubCon/ALLi in all matters under its control is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.

  • SelfPubCon/ALLi shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.

  • SelfPubCon/ALLi accept no responsibility for entries that are misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason.

  • The prizes are non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and not redeemable for cash or other prizes.

Entrants into the Write Your Why Competition shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.

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