Winners of the 2024 Open Contract Challenge Announced

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, November 24, 2024 — The Open Contract Challenge (OCC), an independent nonprofit division under The JayZoMon Dark Myth Company, LLC, is proud to announce the official winners of the 2024 competition. After another fiercely competitive year filled with original and compelling manuscripts, three standout authors have been selected to receive publishing contracts and cash prizes.

FIRST PLACE – GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Loretta A. Stradley
Winning Manuscript: Night Exterminations, Inc.

Loretta A. Stradley takes home the Grand Prize with her thrilling manuscript Night Exterminations, Inc. She will receive a full publishing contract for e-book, paperback, and hardback editions, distributed through Dark Myth Publications, along with a $200 USD cash prize.

"I'm incredibly enthusiastic about this project. It’s so exciting to know my book will be published," said Loretta A. Stradley.

SECOND PLACE – PAPERBACK PRIZE WINNER

Linda M. Sauve
Winning Manuscript: Little Red

Securing second place, Linda M. Sauve wins a publishing contract for e-book and paperback formats through Dark Myth Publications, as well as a $100 USD cash prize.

"I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as the second-place winner in this year's Open Contract Challenge," said Linda M. Sauve. "Thank you to the organizers for this opportunity and to everyone who supported my entry. I am truly honored to be included among such talented competitors, and this achievement motivates me to continue developing my skills and pushing myself out of my comfort zone."

THIRD PLACE – EBOOK PRIZE WINNER

Tim Law
Winning Manuscript: The Picturesque Picaresque: Book Two of The Prophecies of Andrapaal

Tim Law earns third place with the latest installment of his fantasy saga. He wins an e-book publication contract through one of the JayZoMon brand imprints and a $50 USD cash prize.

"A tough competition... I am thrilled to be third," said Tim Law. "But am so determined to be first next year."

Now in its sixth year, the Open Contract Challenge has grown into one of the most trusted and rewarding indie publishing competitions in the industry. By offering real publishing opportunities, broad market distribution, and promotional support, OCC continues to discover and champion bold new voices in fiction.

"Each year, the OCC showcases incredible talent from around the world," said Walter G. Esselman, Chairman and President of The JayZoMon Dark Myth Company and Director of the OCC. "Our 2024 winners represent the spirit of the challenge–originality, resilience, and storytelling excellence. We can’t wait to bring these works to readers everywhere."