Reimbursing dreams since 2022

The CFA seeks to publicise original, mould-breaking works of fantasy from self-published and unpublished authors.  2022 is our inaugural year!

Our site will showcase each year's top 3 novelists; the winner receiving a cash prize of £2500, with £1200 for second and £600 for third place. Our website will also feature the 12 shortlisted candidates and their work, and each of the 12 can opt to receive constructive feedback from one of our judges.  Our guest judge this year is award-winning author Christine Amsden; our other 11 judges work freelance for the CFA.

If you are a self-published or unpublished author who would like to compete for our award, please email the first 10,000 words of your manuscript, along with a single page synopsis, to the address below. All novels entered for the prize must be at least 50,000 words; we shall request full manuscripts from the shortlisted 12. Entry is a mere £6 to help cover prize costs, plus we will never spam you with adverts for writing courses, proof readers, copy editors, 1-on-1 tutorials, marketing videos, secret recipes for perfect sausage sandwiches or luxury timeshares on the moon. Chimera is about sponsoring indie talent - we won't reap dubious profits from the fields of your dreams.

Closing date for 2022 entries: 1st December.  

Shortlist announced: 21st December.

Winners announced: 30th January.

Congratulations to all our entrants, our shortlist and our winners. We had over 100 submissions in total, and the general standard was extremely high. We hope to return with another contest, commencing in August 2023, so stay tuned.  Thanks to everyone who supported our writers; you are all amazing!

  • Submissions

The 2022 contest is now closed for submissions.

Christine Amsden

Guest Judge

Christine Amsden is the author of nine award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels, including the Cassie Scot Series. Her most recent publication, "Please Stop Murdering Grandma," is available at Daily Science Fiction. In addition to writing, she is a freelance editor and political activist. In her free time, she enjoys role playing, board games, and a good cup of tea. She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and two kids.

A Deeper Rift in Time by S D Ballentyne

First Place

An ancient artefact rewinds Kaira to 2016, before her cheating husband and Britain went to the dogs. Can she forgive Josh for what he hasn't yet done? Will future knowledge scam her money, save her marriage, and ignite a literary career, or spiral her into madness? Coping with younger versions of her friends proves a challenge, and then her husband’s future lover enters their lives several years early. Kaira soon realises she can indeed change the past, but will the changes she makes be for the better?

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Evanescent Sunrise by Lauri Lane

Second Place

After centuries of religious wars, Lymara’s oligarchy chose to ban all forms of religious expression from public and private life. Later, the study of philosophy and literature were criminalized due to their tendency to promote subversive behaviour. Living in a world where machines do most of the thinking, Saanvi discovers a secret society that meets weekly to read and discuss ancient books; fragments of the past that were salvaged and passed on from generation to generation. But when their secrecy is compromised by government agents, Saanvi must decide where her loyalties lie, and whether her beliefs are worth dying for.

Toothless Dragon by Zanda Carter

Third Place

Dragons aren’t all primitive, vicious creatures. Some are really quite cultured and charming. Tyrok is an exemplar of this breed of ‘New Dragon’, striving to improve relations between wyrms and humans and promoting equal rights wherever possible. When he accidentally sets fire to a village and roasts its corrupt mayor following a misunderstanding about a goodwill barbecue, Tyrok must go on the run. Sworn to his code never to (intentionally) harm humans, Tyrok learns to navigate a world marred by corruption, vicious politics, and a band of vengeful villagers seeking to separate his skeleton from the rest of his body.

Toothless Dragon

by Zanda Carter

Dragons aren’t all primitive, vicious creatures. Some are really quite cultured and charming. Tyrok is an exemplar of this breed of ‘New Dragon’, striving to improve relations between wyrms and humans and promoting equal rights wherever possible. When he accidentally sets fire to a village and roasts its corrupt mayor following a misunderstanding about a goodwill barbecue, Tyrok must go on the run. Sworn to his code never to (intentionally) harm humans, Tyrok learns to navigate a world marred by corruption, vicious politics, and a band of vengeful villagers seeking to separate his skeleton from the rest of his body.

Blood Runs True

by E L Armstrong

The King is dead… Alone and far from home, word of her father’s murder is the worst possible news for Tamara to receive. With the previous regime massacred, a usurper has claimed her rightful throne and sent elite warriors to ensure she never returns. Whilst attempting to evade them, Mara discovers another kingdom in danger, under attack from the same demons who killed her father. Helping them could allow her to acquire a power strong enough to win the war against the demons forever. But the city won’t give up its secrets easily. Between a distrusting monarch, his overly attentive son, and a supposed prophecy of dubious origins, finding a way home might have a higher price than Mara is willing to pay.

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Oy Yew

by Ana Salote

Part adventure, part mystery, part gothic horror, wholly original. 'The waifs will grab your heart from page one and not let go. This book entertains on so many levels. Charles Kingsley meets Jasper Fforde with shades of Gormenghast.'

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The Iron Curse

by Jeff Richards

In the days before his selection process, when his lifelong occupation will be chosen and branded onto him, Garryd unknowingly triggers an ability to sense Iron, and uncovers a priceless cache of the Ancients’ weapons. Five centuries ago, Garryd’s world came close to annihilation by invaders who wielded dark magic. In the final battle, when all seemed lost, it was discovered that iron absorbs magic. The Iron Defence was established, and the invaders magic thrown back at them. They stripped every piece of iron they could find as they retreated. Threatened by corrupt Aldermen, who want to use his ability to enrich themselves, Garryd flees from his village, helped by Marcus Northbridge, who has an ulterior motive in aiding him: he needs Garryd’s abilities to uncover magic wielders who are spying their lands. A second invasion is coming, and Garryd’s life may be the price of preventing it.

The Enemy of Heaven

by Reni Stankova

Raphael is a despondent angel prince who spends his time on drugs and entertainment, but this changes one night when he witnesses the extraordinary, inhuman abilities of a young demon from the capital’s ghetto. He hires the demon to be his personal guard in public, while in private they conspire to dethrone Raphael’s father—the Angel King of Heaven. Dante never trusted the royals, but after Raphael saved him from an unfair execution and said he wanted to make the world a better place, he followed him. Meanwhile, he better not fall too hard for his new employer.

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Wolf Blind

by Hannah Faoilean

Sixteen-year-old Mirelda discovers a secret her mother hid from her: witchcraft. Her book’s whispering pages will give her any spell she asks for but cannot warn her that freeing a princess trapped inside a wolf will unleash vengeance, heartache, death. They cannot tell her a potion to protect herself from jealousy will throw her kingdom, her friends and her life into danger. Mirelda thinks of a spell. One spell should do it. She’s wrong.

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A Deeper Rift in Time

by S D Ballentyne

An ancient artefact rewinds Kaira to 2016, before her cheating husband and Britain went to the dogs. Can she forgive Josh for what he hasn't yet done? Will future knowledge scam her money, save her marriage, and ignite a literary career, or spiral her into madness? Coping with younger versions of her friends proves a challenge, and then her husband’s future lover enters their lives several years early. Kaira soon realises she can indeed change the past, but will the changes she makes be for the better?

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Tallulah Belle

by Damien McKeating

Tallulah Belle is a coming-of-age story set within the walls of a fantastical burlesque theatre. When Death stalks the theatre, an orphaned young woman fights to escape it and uncover the truth of who she really is.

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One Magic Summer

by Pamela Jo Keeley

Eire's fairies are doomed. Their numbers dwindling. Across the sea in Kansas City, Missouri, newly widowed Jackie doesn’t know why she has to move her fifteen Native American mustangs to Ireland. Just that at 55, she needs to begin a new life. Returning to the land where she was born seems right. But when Bernie moves next door with her 21 rescue Chihuahuas, Jackie feels she’s made a terrible mistake. The two women are thrown together when Co. Wexford’s pookas think Bernie’s rogue Chihuahua and Jackie’s old cowpony are the key to revive their failing powers. When an ambitious and mysterious young Garda suspects the two unwitting witches of murder, they are caught in a web of magical mayhem. Can their two unruly familiars turn the tables and rescue them?

Evanescent Sunrise

by Lauri Lane

After centuries of religious wars, Lymara’s oligarchy chose to ban all forms of religious expression from public and private life. Later, the study of philosophy and literature were criminalized due to their tendency to promote subversive behaviour. Living in a world where machines do most of the thinking, Saanvi discovers a secret society that meets weekly to read and discuss ancient books; fragments of the past that were salvaged and passed on from generation to generation. But when their secrecy is compromised by government agents, Saanvi must decide where her loyalties lie, and whether her beliefs are worth dying for.

The Beast Hunters

by Christer Lende

When a monster brutally kills her parents, Ara is saved by two beast hunters. Becoming their apprentice, she discovers serums, secret bestiary knowledge, and remarkable abilities - all to save unsuspecting souls from the same fate her parents suffered. But, terrifying creatures lurk everywhere and Ara must master the art of beast hunting quickly if she is to uncover the elusive beast plaguing the village of Cornstead.

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Where Fate Whispers

by Estelle Tudor

"I was supposed to be a part of a Fated Pair – I was supposed to stave back the shadows with my Union to my Fated Partner. But instead, our Choosing went wrong, and I was destined to kill him... if he didn’t kill me first.” – WHERE FATE WHISPERS, Book one in the Fated Partners Trilogy.

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Can I submit more than one entry?

Yes you can, so long as you pay for each entry separately.

What is the aim of Chimera Fantasy Awards?

Our aim is to sponsor new talent, in a world where only a fraction of a single percent of writers ever achieve their dreams.  Specifically, we are a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting all breeds of fantasy novelist.

Any terms and conditions I should be aware of?

1) Submissions are overseen by our team of judges and the judges' decisions are final.

2) Refunds cannot be given, nor can entries be retracted, so make sure your entry is polished and carefully checked before submitting.

3) If you are shortlisted but do not wish your name or work to appear on our website, for whatever reason, please contact us and we will act according to your wishes.

4) All submission fees are used to furnish the prize pot. Any profits made will help line the pot for 2023.

5) Submitting an entry to our contest means you agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

To which countries is the contest open?

All.  Whether you hail from England or Canada, the USA or Australia, Iran or Azerbaijan, Lilliput or Atlantis, your submissions are welcome.


What genres of fantasy will you accept?

All, including MG, YA and NA fantasy novels.  Your fantasy could be set in 2022 New York, or an alternate reality, or a goblin-infested pseudo-medieval asteroid in a galaxy far, far away.  It could lean into sci-fi, comedy or romance.  Whatever the tale, your fantasy is our reality.

Does it matter when my self-published novel was published?

No.

All that matters is that you have not had any book published, fiction or non-fiction, by a traditional publisher (vanity publishers do not count).

What language should my novel be written in?

English.  Sadly, this is the only language that all our judges can read, though some are proudly fluent in American, Canadian and even Australian.

What are your judging criteria?

Since contest entries will likely cover a vast range within the fantasy spectrum, from Middle Grade contemporary fantasy to Arthurian romance to Westeros Mark 2,  judging criteria will be applied more intuitively than stringently.  However, as a rough guide:

1) How original is your concept? Does it reinvent the genre, put an intriguing twist on it, or solely rely on tried-and-tested tropes?

2) How compelling is your story, bearing in mind structure and pacing? Are we turning the pages of your novel like a bank teller or falling asleep in our chairs?

3) How well-developed and distinctive are your characters? How realistic and engaging is your dialogue? Is there humour in your novel's universe? If not, why?

4) How beautiful and entrancing is your prose? Are we reading Ursula Le Guin or the phone book?

5) For higher fantasy novels, how immersive, detailed and realistic is your world building?  Will you be the next Tolkien?

Will entries be judged blind?

Yes.

When your entries are passed to the judges, your personal details are not. This eliminates the possibility of discrimination based on factors such as sex and location, or if the judge happens to hate your uncle Paul over a disagreement they once had on whether Han or Greedo shot first.

Do I retain the rights to my work if I take part?

Yes.  Taking part in our contest will not affect any of your rights regarding your work.  You retain 100% control and ownership, and we will never attempt to sell or advertise your work without your express permission.
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