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When it comes to blending the cutting edge of technology and helping unpublished writers get a chance of landing a major book deal, Penguin Group (USA) leads the pack. Working in conjunction with Amazon and Hewlett-Packard, Penguin has helped launch the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. From today through Nov. 5th, the first 5,000 contestants to submit an unpublished, English language novel to Amazon will have a chance to secure a publishing contract and a $25,000 advance from Penguin, along with a full HP media suite worth nearly $7,000 from Hewlett Packard.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it won't be easy; the first 5,000 submissions will be read by Amazon's editors and top Amazon customer reviewers who will select the best 100 submissions. At subsequent stages, reviewers from Publishers Weekly, editors from Penguin Group (USA) and a panel of seasoned publishing professionals—a critic, agent, publisher and author—will help narrow the field of entries. In the final month, 10 finalists will be selected, and Amazon.com customers will then vote to choose the grand prize winner.

“Books connect people, change lives, inspire, inform and entertain,” said Susan Petersen Kennedy, president, Penguin Group (USA). “We’re delighted to be a part of a competition that brings writers and readers together. We’re also very pleased to work with Amazon.com as well as Hewlett-Packard, both of whom share our commitment to bring this competition to everyone, everywhere.”

For more information visit Penguin's ABNA page. For complete terms and conditions on the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award as well as more information about the contest, please visit www.amazon.com/abna. For more information on the CreateSpace Print on Demand self-publishing service, please visit www.createspace.com. For more information on BookSurge publishing services, please visit www.booksurge.com.

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