Amazon.com and Penguin have launched the second Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, which gives unpublished writers a shot at a contract and a $25,000 advance.

Bill Loehfelm beat about 5,000 entrants to win the inaugural competition. A Penguin division published his novel, Fresh Kills, which the Associated Press called “the finest crime fiction debut since Dennis Lehane burst on the scene … ."

From February 2 to 8, writers with an unpublished English-language novel manuscript can submit their work at the ABNA site. Up to 10,000 entries will be accepted, and they will be whittled in several steps to 100 semi-finalists. Penguin editors will evaluate manuscripts from that group and choose three finalists. A panel of publishing pros, including authors Sue Grafton and Sue Monk Kidd, will critique the finalists on Amazon.com and the public will then have seven days to vote for the winner. Results will be announced on May 22, and the winner will get a publishing contract with Penguin, including a $25,000 advance.