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5th Drecom Media Awards: Entries Open Through January 8, 2027

作品 already posted on Shosetsuka ni Narou can be entered by adding a single keyword. Entries for the 5th Drecom Media Awards opened on October 9. Works can qualify even if they are unfinished or short, but there are conditions to review before entering, including publication priority rights and checks on generative AI use. Here are the key details based on the official pages.

Translated from Japanese with AI. Read the original (Japanese)

The facts

Entries Opened on October 9

On October 9, the official Shosetsuka ni Narou blog announced that entries had opened for the 5th Drecom Media Awards. The contest is being held in partnership with Drecom. Details are on the official Drecom Media page, which lists the entry period as October 9, 2026, at 12:00 through January 8, 2027, at 23:59.

Sources: blog.syosetu.com, drecom-media.jp

How to Enter and Eligible Works

The entry process is simple: add the keyword 「ドリコム大賞５」 to a work posted on Shosetsuka ni Narou, and the entry is complete. Pay attention to the exact spelling: the 「５」 in the keyword must be entered as a full-width digit. A half-width digit may not meet the requirements, so check how the keyword appears on the work’s page after adding it.

There are no restrictions on whether entrants are professionals or amateurs, on genre, or on word count. Completed and ongoing works are both eligible. However, works posted on three sites, including Nocturne Novels, are excluded.

Sources: drecom-media.jp

Prizes, Guarantees, and Schedule

According to the official page, the top prize is ¥3 million, with publication as a multi-volume series and a manga adaptation guaranteed. The ¥1 million and ¥500,000 prize categories also guarantee publication and a manga adaptation. The books are slated for publication by DRE Novels.

The first-round results are scheduled for April 2027, followed by the second-round results in May. The final results are scheduled to be announced on June 10, 2027, at 12:00. The Q&A also explains that judges’ comments are not planned for entries that do not win.

Sources: drecom-media.jp

Simultaneous Entries, Publication Priority, and Generative AI

Entering the work in other contests is allowed. However, adding the keyword gives Drecom publication priority rights. If another company approaches you about publishing during the entry period or before the final results are announced, you must contact Drecom before replying. The guidelines also say to contact Drecom if the work wins another award.

There are detailed rules for the keyword, too. The official page asks entrants to leave it in place until the results are announced. The Q&A says that removing the keyword during the entry period is generally not allowed. If you absolutely need to withdraw, contact the inquiry desk.

The guidelines state that, if a work wins, entrants may be asked about the extent and manner of their generative AI use. If that review reveals a violation of Shosetsuka ni Narou’s rules, the award may be revoked.

Sources: drecom-media.jp

Analysis

What This Means for Writers (Editorial Perspective)

The following is the editorial team’s perspective. With no requirements for word count or completion, the contest could be an opportunity to make progress on an unfinished novel or submit work that has been set aside for another contest. With about 3 months until the deadline, starting a new work now and developing its opening chapters could also be a practical option.

The fact that judges’ comments are only returned to winning entries may also affect how you approach the contest. If your work does not win, you will not receive feedback, so you will need to look to reader responses and your own rereading for guidance on revisions. The official page does not say how updates to an ongoing work during the entry period affect judging, and the editorial team has no information to determine that.

The length of the commitment is worth considering. You need to leave the keyword on the work even after the entry period ends, until the scheduled announcement of the final results on June 10, 2027. If another publisher approaches you during that time, you cannot respond immediately; the rules require you to contact Drecom first. It would be safest to choose which work to enter with the understanding that Drecom will hold publication priority rights for about 8 months after entry.

What to Check Before Entering (Editorial Perspective)

The editorial team recommends checking three things before entering. First, make sure the keyword uses the full-width spelling. Second, review the rules of any other contests you are entering: simultaneous entries are allowed here, but the terms for priority rights differ between contests. Third, keep a record of your creative process. Even if you use AI tools as support, notes on what you used them for and at which stages can help you respond calmly if asked about your process.

Since you are entering a work published on Shosetsuka ni Narou, readers will find it through the work’s title and synopsis. The timing of your entry can be a good opportunity to check whether they clearly convey the heart of your story. Since the conditions may change, always check the latest information on the official page.

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Questions

Can I enter a work that is still being serialized?
The official page says that any work posted on Shosetsuka ni Narou is eligible, whether it is complete or unfinished. There is no word-count requirement.
Can I enter a work that I have submitted to another writing contest?
Simultaneous entries are allowed, but adding the keyword gives Drecom publication priority rights. If another company approaches you about publishing, you must contact Drecom before replying. The keyword must remain on the work until the results are announced. Be sure to check the rules of the other contest as well.

Sources

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