The Level Up Awards [CLOSED]

Judging criteria

This awards will have four rounds. Prologues do not count as first chapters; judges will read them, but not base the scores on it.

Important for judges: During each round, you will not only give scores for all the assessed books, but also write at least 2 sentences of feedback for each entry. This feedback can be what you liked about the story and/or what you think the author can do better. We will send you a Google doc in which you can fill in both the scores and the feedback.

We will give you a deadline for each round. You will have a maximum of two weeks to complete each round. If you want to work ahead, that is absolutely fine.

Round 1:

In round 1, the first chapter of each entry will be read and points will be distributed as such:

Title: -/5

Cover: -/5

Blurb: -/5

Spelling and grammar: -/10

Compelling hook: -/15

Total: -/40

After round 1, 11 out of the 15 entries will go through to the next round. If a certain genre only has 11 entries or less, all entries move on to the next round.

Round 2:

In round 2, the 11 entries that are left will be judged on chapters 1 & 2 and points will be distributed as such:

Plotline: -/10

Characters: -/10

Writing style: -/10

Spelling and grammar: -/10

Total: -/40

After round 2, the top 8 entries will move on to round 3. If a certain genre only has 8 entries or less, all entries move on to the next round.

Round 3:

In round 3, the 8 entries that are left will be judged on chapters 1-3 and points will be distributed as such:

Plotline: -/10

Characters: -/10

Writing style: -/10

World building: -/10

Total: -/40

After round 3, the top 5 entries will move on to the final round.

Round 4:

In the final round, the top 5 entries will be judged on chapters 1-5 and points will be distributed as such:

Dialogue: -/5

Creativity: -/5

Pacing: -/5

Descriptions: -/5

Plotline: -/10

Characters: -/10

Writing style: -/10

Total: -/50

You'll have noticed that some areas of writing are judged multiple times. This is because these are integral parts of any story. You don't have to give the same score every time; the plot may be developing much better in chapter 3 than it does in chapter 2, or chapter 1 may be much better edited on spelling errors than chapter 2.

Here are some questions you could ask yourself for each of the criteria.

Title: Is it short and catchy? Does it capture what the story is about?

Cover: Do the fonts, colours and pictures match the genre and the story? Are the title and author name easily readable? Does it catch your attention?

Blurb: Is it not too long and not too short (about 100-200 words are the guideline)? Does it explain clearly what the story is about? Does it contain the main character, their goals, what stops them from reaching those goals and the stakes of the story? Is it intriguing?

Spelling and grammar: Does the story contain no errors or is it riddles with them? Look also at punctuation, tense slips and paragraphing.

Compelling hook: Is there anything that makes the story stand out from others in its genre? Does it have anything to get the reader intrigued and get them to ask questions and continue reading to find out more?

Plotline: Is it clear what the plot is going to focus on? Is it original and engaging? Are there any plot holes?

Characters: Are the characters introduced to the reader well? Do the characters feel lifelike and with a rounded personality? Does the characters act and talk in line with their personality? Are they relatable?

Writing style: Is the tone of voice fitting with the genre and story? Is the writing style consistent throughout the chapters? Are the sentences clear and easy to read and is there a good variety in sentence structures?

World building: Is it clear what kind of world the characters live in? In the case of alternate worlds, is it clear what this world looks like and how it's different from our world? Is the characters' physical environment described well?

Dialogue: Do the characters have engaging dialogue? Does the dialogue sound real and believable? Are the voices of the different characters distinguishing enough? Is the dialogue always useful or is it often used just to fill up the page?

Creativity: Is the story unique and different from others in its genre? Are the characters unique or are they all a bit bland? Is the word choice creative?

Pacing: Does the story move too quickly, too slowly, or at the right pace?

Descriptions: Are the descriptions clear enough to paint a picture in your mind? Are metaphors and similes and other descriptive language used well (and in the right amount)?