How to submit contest entries for PM YUVA Mentorship Scheme for Young Authors
Are you searching for the contest application guidelines and online application forms for the Prime Minister's YUVA Mentorship Scheme for young writers? This article provides complete information on the PM YUVA Mentorship Scheme for Young Authors. You will get details of the scholarship offered, the type of training programs, eligibility criteria, and what type of manuscripts will be accepted.
There's an exciting opportunity for the youth of India to submit creative content on aspects related to the National Movement - and get guidance on how to develop it into a full-fledged book, which if published, will allow the author to get a percentage of the royalties as well! What's more, there's even a superb scholarship tied in with the mentorship program. Overview
The Central Govt. of India has launched a scheme called YUVA (Young, Upcoming, and Versatile Authors) as part of the Prime Minister's 'Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat' program that aims to encourage young authors to become ambassadors of Indian literature. They will appreciate literature and language through the cultural and literary perspectives that they will acquire through the mentorship program. The themes will include creative content on unknown freedom fighters, unsung heroes, and places that played key roles in the National Movement, etc. The modalities and management of the scheme have been entrusted to the National Book Trust (NBT), India which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
[Image source: print advt. in Hindustan Times, 26th June 2021]About the YUVA Scheme
A total of 75 young authors will be selected through a national-level contest by an NBT-appointed Committee, from the applications that are received between 1st June and 31st July 2021. For selection for the mentorship scheme, you have to submit a basic manuscript that can be developed into a full-fledged book. Under the guidance of mentors, you will prepare the final manuscript for the book. If your book is a winning one, it will be prepared for publication by year-end and the published book will tentatively be launched in January next year on the occasion of National Youth Day.
Eligibility criteria
You should be an Indian national of maximum age 30 years or below as of 1st June 2021 (there is no minimum age limit). Foreign nationals are not permitted to participate, but PIOs or NRIs holding Indian passports can do so and must attach a copy of the passport/PIO card with their entry.Online Mentoring sessions
Overall, you will get an insight into content writing, and also know about the editorial and publishing processes. You will learn how to create content in the genre of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as other forms like writing a memoir or poetry, etc. International events may also feature as part of the mentorship program, such as virtual book fairs, a literary festival, etc to give you an opportunity to interact with other authors.
At the initial stage, you will attend an online training schedule by NBT for the duration of two weeks. There will be two eminent authors/mentors who are on NBT's panel of reputed authors and writers. Additional authors and mentors who are serving on NBT's advisory panel for languages will be also giving their advice and input to guide you on developing literary skills. In the next stage, which is also two weeks, you will receive training either online or at onsite National Camps in the various States of India. These will be organized by NBT with the goal to give you a rich exposure to the literary culture of the States.
The rewards
Guidelines for submission of entries
Your entry should focus on the below-mentioned themes, or something similar-How to submit the entry
Before you submit your entry, make sure that it adheres to the rules and guidelines, as once submitted the entry can neither be edited nor withdrawn. The application form is available in both English and Hindi at the National Book Trust India official website under the section of News--Press Releases.
Where to send the entry: In case you wish to submit a hard copy of the manuscript, you can do so, but it is mandatory to send a soft copy as well via email. The soft copy of the manuscript has to be sent via email to nbtyoungwriters@gmail.com
The hard copy can be sent to-
The Project Head, Integrated Project Management Cell,
National Book Trust, India
Nehru Bhawan,
5 Institutional Area, Phase-2 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110070.
Note- The packet or envelope in which you send the manuscript should be clearly marked as 'PM Scheme for YUVA'.The Manuscript requirements
Do not send more than one entry. It should be neatly typed and should not be more than 5000 words (you must strictly adhere to the maximum word limit). It should include a chapter plan, a synopsis, and 2 to 3 chapters. Manuscripts that have been submitted for other contests, or a printed source such as a magazine, cannot be submitted for this one. You are welcome to include pictures or illustrations in the manuscript, but only if these are your own and not under the copyright of others.The Genre requirements
It can be fiction or non-fiction. In the case of the former, you can submit a collection of short stories, something that is historical or a romance fiction or fiction for young adults or for children, etc. However, you should ensure that if it is fictional in nature, then it must pertain to the period of the National Movement. In the case of non-fiction, it can be a memoir or a travelogue, something that is based on research, etc. You are welcome to use external sources, but in such cases, you must mention the source as a footnote/endnote or in a consolidated section of 'Works Cited'.
Note- Poetry entries are not to be submitted.The Language requirements
You can submit the manuscript in English or any one of the following 22 languages: Asamiya, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri.
Note- If you are submitting an entry in one of the above Indian languages you are not expected to attach its English translation. Instead, just convey the general idea in 100-150 words in either English or Hindi.The Format requirement
If your manuscript is in English, the font should be Times New Roman, and the font size should be 14. For other languages, any equivalent font style/size should be used. An Indian language entry can be sent in Unicode.Important dates
Contest begins: 1st June 2021.
Contest ends: 31st July 2021, up to 11.59 p.m.
Selected authors' names will be announced on Independence Day on 15th August 2021.
Selected authors will prepare manuscripts for final selection and winners' entries will be made ready for publication by 15th December 2021.
Tentative launch of published books: 12th January 2022 (YUVA DIVAS or the National Youth Day).Contact information
For further details write to nbtyoungwriters@gmail.com
NBT Website- https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/
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I have submitted but didn't receive any acknowledgement emails.
It shows that there is another submission portal in myGOV site. So if I submit there too, will it be considered multiple entry?