Contests!

[Stacia Kane]

Hey all!

Cathy and I have decided to go ahead and start a thread for members to post various romance/women's fiction-related contest information. And this is it.


We do ask that you not discuss the contests in this thread, unless it's to ask the sort of questions which will add to/improve the information (i.e "Do you know who the judges are?" or "How do they define 'published'?") or clarify things.

We also ask that you mention whether the contest is for published or unpublished authors in the first line of your post and boldface it, like this:


Golden Notebook contest: for Unpublished Writers


Please post legitimate contests only. Any illegitimate ones, for example, "Win your book as a POD" run by a vanity press or brand-new house, especially if such a contest has an entry fee, will be deleted at the moderator's discretion.

We hope there will be plenty of fun contests to mention, and plenty of winners from AW! We're sure there will be.

[Collectonian]

2010 Houston Writer's Guild Fall Novel/Screenplay Contest: for Unpublished Writers (of a novel or screenplay)

Seven genre/categories, with a $300 first prize for each. A "cream of the crop" will be selected from the winners of the genre cats for an additional $200 prize. Full rules and what not at http://www.houstonwritersguild.org/Contests.htm . Deadline to enter is September 3.

Genres are:
1. Mystery/Thriller
2. Mainstream/Upmarket/Woman’s Fiction
3. Romance
4. Narrative Nonfiction
5. Historical Fiction
6. Action/Adventure/ Sci-fi
7. Young Adult (any genre)

$25 for the first entry, $15 each additional one. You don't have to be a member of the guild to enter,

[Working Spy]

Wow this is great!! Thank you both.

[Amergin]

For Published and Unpublished authors

The 2010 Get Your Stiletto in the Door Contest
sponsored by Chick-Lit Writers of the World (a special-interest online chapter of RWA) is open for entries NOW through September.

http://chicklitwriters.com/home/get-your-stiletto-in-the-door/

Has your manuscript been shredded in other RWA contests because it’s not quite romance?
Do you write fun, sassy, contemporary fiction centering around the journey of the heroine? (Maybe you don’t even have a hero at all.) Do your manuscripts not play by the romance rules?
Do you strongly believe that chick lit isn’t a flash in the pan? That, despite what the publishing houses may say, it’s hip, hot, happening and here to stay (even if it’s called something else)?
If any of the above apply, then this is the contest for you!

Category Descriptions

Single Title (Contemporary, Contemporary Series): If your heroine, like Bridget Jones, reveals her innermost fears and unsightly blemishes on the way to self-acceptance, she’ll fit in with the classics of the genre. (Think: Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins, Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter)

Women’s Fiction (Mainstream): Finding a dreamy man isn’t the only challenge women face. If your central plot revolves around another obstacle in your heroine’s life–with romance on the side–she’ll be at home in this category. 
(Think: Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella)

Note: Trying to figure out the difference between Single Title and Women’s Fiction (Mainstream)? Single Title entries are romance-focused and will usually have the happily-ever- after ending. Women’s Fiction is less about the romance and more about the journey through life.

Thrill (Suspense, Mystery, Thriller): If your heroine’s primary goal is to solve a mystery, track the bad guy, or escape the villain, she belongs in this category. (Think: Living La Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez, Sex Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis)

Paranormal (Paranormal, Fantasy, Time Travel): If you built another world as the background for your ghost-hunting, spell-casting, time-traveling heroine, your manuscript will fit into this category. (Think: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson, Midnight at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta)

Inspirational: If faith shapes your heroine’s journey and spiritual growth is a strong element in your plot, she’s a contender here. (Think: The Whitney Chronicles by Judy Baer, What a Girl Wants by Kristen Billerbeck)

Red Hot:Is your heroine too hot to handle? If she knows what she wants in and out of the bedroom, she belongs here. (Think: Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl, Dirty by Megan Hart)

Young Adult: It’s less about the boys; more about the poise. If your teen heroine is sassy, classy, and has wit to spare, she’ll fit in right here. (Think: Lifted by Wendy Toliver, Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

================================================== ====
Finalist judges include agents and editors from, e.g. Greyhaus Literary, Mortimer Literary, Harper-Collins, Kensington, Simon Shuster, St. Martin's, and more.

Check site for eligibility, details, and updates.
(CLW membership not required)

http://chicklitwriters.com/home/get-your-stiletto-in-the-door/

[Amergin]

One week! October 2nd is the deadline

....to enter the first 5,000 words of your chick-lit novel in the CLW Get Your Stiletto in the Door contest.

Categories for Single Title (Contemporary, Contemp Series), Women's Fiction (Mainstream), Thrill (Mystery, Suspense), Paranormal (Fantasy, Time-travel), Inspirational, Red Hot, and YA.

http://chicklitwriters.com/home/get-...o-in-the-door/

Check the site for details, including the agent and editor judges for each category.

Good luck!

[Amergin]

The manuscript deadline for 5,000 unpublished words is only a few
hours away--midnight Saturday, Oct. 2.

There are 7 categories--for unpublished manuscripts AND published novels.

Those categories are: (1) Red Hot, (2) Inspirational, (3) Paranormal,
(4) Young Adult, (5) Single Title, (6) Thrill and (7) Women's Fiction.

The published deadline (four printed and bound copies) is Oct. 15.

Get the details, including list of agent and editor judges, at: http://chicklitwriters.com/home/get-your-stiletto-in-
the-door/

Please feel free to forward to your writer friends. Forwarding is a
proven source of good karma. ; )

[JenCannPro]

BookRix "Get Published" free writing contest is for: All authors. On now through January 17. Full details: http://www.bookrix.com/precontest.ht...=BX_1288273506

The grand prize, generously provided by CreateSpace, is a Total Design Freedom Advanced Publishing Solution, which will include all of the following services valued at $2,567:

Total Design Freedom Custom Book Interior
Unique Book Cover
One Round of Comprehensive Copyediting
Promotional Text Creation
Press Release Creation with Distribution
Plus a Complimentary Upgrade to Pro Plan

CreateSpace also will provide the book a free CreateSpace ISBN if the winner of the Contest does not already have an ISBN of his or her own. The winner of the “Get Published” BookRix Contest will be able to choose any of the following sales channels through which he or she would like to enable the book for sale: the Amazon.com website, a CreateSpace eStore, and the CreateSpace expanded distribution channel.

Additionally: BookRix Romance Writing Contest for: All Authors

On December 16th (in honor of the Queen of Romance, Jane Austen) through January 7th. Full details here: http://www.bookrix.com/precontest.ht...=BX_1291027901

Top three winners will receive $300 gift certificates to Nordstrom! FUN!!

[Stacia Kane]

I've been informed that the Marlene contest is in danger of having to cancel some categories due to low entries.

http://www.wrwdc.com/ee/index.php/marlene_awards/

FINAL ROUND JUDGES AND CRITIQUE AUTHORS:

Single Title Contemporary Romance
Final Editor Judge: Amanda Bergeron, Avon
Critique Author: Jane Porter

Series Contemporary Romance (long and short)
Final Editor Judge: Patience Smith, Harlequin/Silhouette
Critique Author: Amanda Berry

Historical Romance
Final Editor Judge: Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks
Critique Author: Janet Mullany

Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic Romance
Final Editor Judge: Latoya Smith, Grand Central
Critique Author: Stacia Kane

Romantic Elements
Final Editor Judge: Holly Blanck, St. Martin's
Critique Author: Gemma Halliday

Young Adult
Final Editor Judge: Kristin Daly, HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Critique Author: Gwen Hayes


Yes, that's me listed as a final critique judge for the Paranormal category, and I know paranormal is one of the categories they're low on.


Entry deadline is January 15th.

[Jamiekswriter]

Stacia, thanks for that update. I had been on the fence about submitting to Marlene, but after reading your post I decided to go for it. Thanks for the push -- Jamie

[MariePinkerton]

All Romance is having a short story contest. 2,500-3000 words. Top prize is $1k. For Unpublished Stories.

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/subm...stonebite.html


The contest committee will whittle the submissions down to 32 entries, and post them on their site for voting.

Because of the length, and that if you don't make the 32 you get your rights reverted to you, I think I'm okay with losing first publication rights if I'm a semi-finalist and don't win.

What do you guys think of this contest? Is it worth it to submit?

[Mark W.]

I wonder what the heat level is for the contest.... the link doesn't say. Perhaps all levels?

[MariePinkerton]

It has you enter what the heat level is, so I'd imagine all levels are allowed. Here's their definition from their FAQ:

1 flame- Stories will either not have consummated love scenes, or if the loves scenes are consummated detail is not given.
2 flames- Stories will have some love scenes. These will be more sensual then graphic and will mostly rely on euphemism.
3 flames- Stories will have sensual, yet more explicit love scenes, and the language used to describe them may be more graphic and direct.
4 flames- Stories have frequent love scenes that are explicit and described using graphic and direct language.
5 flames- Stories have a high frequency of love scenes that are explicit, described using graphic and direct language, and/or contain subject matter that some readers may consider objectionable.

[Nightmelody]

You can download last years top 32 for free from ARe.

[cmckenziemitchinson]

Originally Posted by Nightmelody

You can download last years top 32 for free from ARe.

I've been scouring the website and can't seem to find these. You wouldn't happen to have a link, would you?

[Ann_Mayburn]

Hmmm, very interesting. I wonder if I can fit it in between the bazillion things I have going on right now. Not sure if I would be able to spend the time properly marketing my short story. Since this is going to be a popularity contest type thing it will take some leg work.

[Stacia Kane]

Thanks, HurtingWriter! I've moved the thread into the ongoing sticky Contests thread, so we can keep them all in one place.

[ShashaWriter]

great nice update

[AngelicaRJackson]

Avon's Make Your Dreams Come True Contest (Debbie Macomber-inspired): All writers who have not "received compensation in excess of $100 for publication of a work of prose fiction" (unclear to me whether that means for an ind. story or a cumulative amount, but read the rules here)

Prize: $500 plus winning entry will be packaged with Debbie Macomber's "Family Affair" paperback novella and e-book in July 2013

Stories must meet these requirements:

• The story must be in the Romance genre and have a low-level of sensuality without any explicit love scenes.
• The story must not have been previously published in any form or media, including posting in any manner on the internet.
• Prose romantic fiction only; poetry, plays, screenplays, and non-fiction are not acceptable.
• English language only.
• No less than 20,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words.
• No images or illustrations of any kind.
• No curse words or depictions of vulgar behavior.
• An original work created solely by you without any material that violates or infringes another's rights, including but not limited to material that violates privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.
• The story must be in a Word or PDF file when submitted.

A submission that does not satisfy all of the above requirements will be disqualified. After the entry period concludes on September 30th, three finalists will be selected by a panel of Avon editors based on Plot (40%), Character Development (30%), and Literary Style (30%). Finalists will be selected on or about October 15, 2011.

Debbie Macomber herself will then select the grand prize. The winner will be announced on or about November 15, 2011.

Prizes

• Each of the three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances. Approximate retail value: $100.
• The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a cash payment of $500.
• Total approximate prizing value for contest: $800.

Avon Impulse further reserves the right to publish the story of the Grand Prize Winner and/or the other finalists as described above, but shall have no obligation to do so.

The contest is open to all legal residents of the United States, 21 years of age and older by August 8, 2011, excluding anyone who has ever received compensation in excess of $100 for publication of a work of prose fiction and employees and immediate family members of Avon, and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns, advertising, promotional and fulfillment agents, attorneys, and other representatives and the persons with whom each of the above are domiciled.


---I usually write YA so I don't have anything to submit (there will be a YA market post again on my blog tomorrow) but this sounded interesting enough to pass it on in the Romance thread. Good luck to those that enter!

[Ann_Mayburn]

Western Escape Shooting Star Writing Contest

Starts December 7, 2011

Are you the newest shooting star for

Western Escape Romance?

How it Works

Starting on December 7, 2011, please send one (1) copy of the first chapter of your manuscript (5000 words maximum) and a (1) page synopsis (single spaced is acceptable, but please, keep the font at 12pt or larger) to editor [dot] ansley [at] gmail [dot] com. Total entry must be in one file with the synopsis at the beginning or end of the entry. Entries should be in RTF (rich text format) files only. Name and contact information must be listed in the body of the email.

For more information about the town and its citizens check out the detail pages on this blog.

Participants will receive a confirmation of entry. If you do not receive confirmation within two days of sending, please e-mail Ansley Blackstock, the contest coordinator, or Lea Finley, Western Escape senior editor, to ask if it was received.

Please enter a story only once. Authors may enter more than one story, but only one per week. Please keep in mind, the book must be finished.

Entries must be received by no later than midnight, February 22, PST.

NO Entry Fee or purchase necessary to win.

OFFICIAL RULES:
Eligibility
This contest is open to both unpublished and published authors of romantic fiction. All entries shall be the author’s original work and not contracted for publication prior to the entry deadline.

Entry Deadline
All entries must be received between December 7, 2011 and midnight PST February 22, 2012. Finalists will be announced March 7, 2012. All entries must meet the Western Escape submission limits for heat, content, and length.

Initial Judging
The entrants will be judged by a panel of Decadent Publishing editors and established Western Escape authors. The scores/score sheets will NOT be returned to entrants. Entries will be judged on the following: plot, pacing, characterization, genre appropriateness, narration, dialogue, writing mechanics and originality.

Final Round:
The finalists will be asked to send the first three chapters, last chapter, and synopsis to the coordinator on or before April 4, 2012 for final judging.
The winners will be announced on May 2, 2011.

Notification
The finalists will be announced on the The Western Escape Freewill blog page and Decadent Publishing’s Facebook page, on Mar 7th.

FIRST PLACE: The first place winner will be offered a publication contract from Decadent Publishing, including a detailed edit by the Western Escape team and a custom cover designed especially for the work. In addition, Decadent will provide a blog tour designed to help market the winning title.

SECOND PLACE: The second place winner will be considered for a contract from Decadent Publishing and will receive a detailed critique of the full manuscript by best-selling author Desiree Holt. Ms. Holt, an award winning author of erotic romance with more than one hundred titles to her credit, has graciously written one of the founding stories of the Western Escape line.

THIRD PLACE: The third place winner will receive the possibility of a contract from Decadent Publishing and a detailed edit of the first three chapters by a member of the Western Escape editorial team.

Additional Prizes:
One random winner will receive a content critique from erotic romance author Ann Mayburn. Ann is a Western Escape launch author and a shooting star herself, who has quickly become a recognizable name and talent in the romance world.

One entry for every twenty participants will be selected by random drawing to receive a collection of the Western Escape launch eBooks from authors Desiree Holt, Ann Mayburn, Camryn Rhys, and Barbara Sheridan.

All winners will be announced on the Western Escape blog site and on Decadent Publishing’s Facebook page.


IMPORTANT!
Understand that by entering you are stating that:
1. You have read, understand, and agree to abide by the rules of the Western Escape competition.
2. You understand that contest judging is subjective, and that the decisions of the judges will be final.
3. You agree to be bound by the judges’ decisions and by the contest officials’ decisions, regarding any question or dispute arising from or relating to the contest, the interpretation of official rules, and any other matters relating to the contest, not specifically covered by the official rules.
4. In the event of any dispute arising from or relating to this contest, you agree to defend and hold harmless Decadent Publishing, contest personnel, and judges from any and all liability.
5.You understand that failure to agree to the above terms automatically disqualifies your entry.



---This contest is for published and non-published authors. If you have any questions feel free to PM me---

[Piper Denna]

This contest is open to published and nonpublished writers.


The First Annual Lyrical Press How Lyrical is Your Romance? Contest opens on Monday, January 16th. This contest is open to both published and unpublished authors.
Entries must be complete works, ranging in word count between 15,000-100,000 words, any heat level, and fit into one of the following subgenre categories:
· Contemporary romance
· Historical romance
· Paranormal or urban fantasy romance
· Romantic steampunk
· Romantic Suspense

Prizes:

1st Place: $200 advance and digital publishing contract (advance payable as $100 upon finalized contract and $100 upon publication).
2nd Place: $100 advance and digital publishing contract (advance payable as $50 upon finalized contract and $50 upon publication).
3rd Place: Top-scoring contestant in each genre category will receive an acquiring editor’s critique of synopsis and first 50 pages of manuscript.

Guidelines:
· File type: .rtf, .doc, or .docx only
· 12pt black font (Times New Roman, Cambria, Courier or Georgia preferred)
· Line spacing: 1.5
· Margins: 1" all
· Page-breaks between chapters
Please include a title page listing the following information:
· Legal name
· Pen name
· Email address
· Contact phone
· Working title (include series name and details if applicable)
· Word count
· Genre/category

Entries will be accepted from January 16, 2012 through February 5, 2012, and must be emailed to contest@lyricalpress.com. Entries sent to an email other than the aforementioned will be ignored. Please include book title and contest in subject line thusly: Booktitle – How Lyrical Is Your Romance?. Attach full manuscript, and 2-5 page synopsis in .rtf, .doc, or .docx format (Booktitle_MS and Booktitle_SYN as file names--your book title replaces “Booktitle”). After February 5, the contest will close, but we’ll still be accepting submissions as always at our submissions@lyricalpress.com address.

No entry fee required. Judges reserve the right to Decline to Judge any entry if it does not fit our lines, level of writing is not acceptable, or submission guidelines are not followed.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: Hook, Pacing/Plot, Characterization, Dialogue, Mechanics, and Author Voice.

Winners will be announced on March 12, 2012 via our blog http://lyricalpress.blogspot.com/ and direct emails to winners.

[cvernonpal]

2012 SOUTHERN HEAT WRITING CONTEST
Sponsored by the Romance Writers of America, East Texas Chapter (full rules & details at www.easttexasrwa.com)

Contest opens Feb. 14, 2012 with entry deadline March 31, 2012

ELECTRONIC ENTRIES ONLY

Entries include the FIRST 15 PAGES plus a 5-page max double-spaced SYNOPSIS.

Entry Fee:

Members of Romance Writers of America $25
Non-Members $30

Categories: (listed with Final Round Judges)

Final Round Judges

Paranormal
Ethan Ellenberg - Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Ann Leslie Tuttle - Senior Editor, Harlequin Paranormal

Historical
Courtney Miller-Callihan – Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
Laura Bradford – Bradford Literary Agency

Contemporary Single Title
Rebecca Strause – McIntosh & Otis, Inc.
Rhonda Penders – The Wild Rose Press

Inspirational
Mary Sue Seymour – The Seymour Agency
Melissa Endlich - Senior Editor, Harlequin Inspirational

Contemporary Series
Nicole Resciniti– The Seymour Agency
Alicia Condon – Kensington Books

Romantic Suspense
Aubrey Poole – Sourcebook
Maria Carvainis – Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc

Young Adult
Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency
Leticia Gomez, Sawy Literary Services

Contest Timeline:

March 31, 2012 Entry and Fee Payment Deadline
May 15, 2012 Finalists contacted by Phone and/or Email
June 2012 Non-finalist score sheets returned
July 15, 2012 Winners announced
After July 15, 2012 Finalist score sheets returned

Questions?
Contact Carol Braswell, Contest Coordinator:
cbraswell2@netzero.net
Full rules at www.easttexasrwa.com

[cvernonpal]

ENTRIES FOR THE SOUTHERN HEAT WRITING CONTEST ARE LOW IN ALL CATEGORIES. If you have a manuscript you want an editor or agent to see, this may be the writing contest for you. The deadline is March 31, 2012 but it may possibly be extended, depending on the number of entrants.



Southern Heat Writing Contest: for unpublished writers
2012 SOUTHERN HEAT WRITING CONTEST
Sponsored by the Romance Writers of America, East Texas Chapter (full rules & details at www.easttexasrwa.com)

Contest opens Feb. 14, 2012 with entry deadline March 31, 2012

ELECTRONIC ENTRIES ONLY

Entries include the FIRST 15 PAGES plus a 5-page max double-spaced SYNOPSIS.

Entry Fee:

Members of Romance Writers of America $25
Non-Members $30

Categories: (listed with Final Round Judges)

Final Round Judges

Paranormal
Ethan Ellenberg - Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Ann Leslie Tuttle - Senior Editor, Harlequin Paranormal

Historical
Courtney Miller-Callihan – Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
Laura Bradford – Bradford Literary Agency

Contemporary Single Title
Rebecca Strause – McIntosh & Otis, Inc.
Rhonda Penders – The Wild Rose Press

Inspirational
Mary Sue Seymour – The Seymour Agency
Melissa Endlich - Senior Editor, Harlequin Inspirational

Contemporary Series
Nicole Resciniti– The Seymour Agency
Alicia Condon – Kensington Books

Romantic Suspense
Aubrey Poole – Sourcebook
Maria Carvainis – Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc

Young Adult
Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency
Leticia Gomez, Sawy Literary Services

Contest Timeline:

March 31, 2012 Entry and Fee Payment Deadline
May 15, 2012 Finalists contacted by Phone and/or Email
June 2012 Non-finalist score sheets returned
July 15, 2012 Winners announced
After July 15, 2012 Finalist score sheets returned

Questions?
Contact Carol Braswell, Contest Coordinator:
cbraswell2@netzero.net
Full rules at www.easttexasrwa.com

[cvernonpal]

SOUTHERN HEAT WRITING CONTEST EXTENDED TO APRIL 10! ENTRIES NEEDED IN HISTORICAL, YA AND SINGLE TITLE!

Ready for your book to be published? Want the chance to have your manuscript's first 15 pages read by an agent or editor?

The Southern Heat Writing Contest, sponsored by the East Texas Chapter of Romance Writers of America, is extending its deadline 10 days to midnight, Tuesday, April 10.

We are especially low in entries in historical, YA and single title. But entries will still be taken in the other categories as well including Contemporary Series, Inspirational, Paranormal and Romantic Suspense.

First-round judges are published authors and final round judges are editors and agents.

Don't miss this opportunity!

Go to our webpage, wwweasttexasrwa.com or contact cbraswell2@netzero.net for rules and entry form.


Cheril Vernon
East Texas RWA
president

[Amergin]

For "unpublished" authors - but see definition:
The Contest is open to any writer who has never been contracted in book-length fiction (40,000 words or more) from any publisher.
Also eligible to enter are:
Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of five (5) years may enter any category; or
Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of three (3) years may enter any category except those they’ve been contracted or published in.

***PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED & ENCOURAGED***
Chick Lit Writers of the World RWA announces that the deadline for The 8th Annual Get Your Stiletto in the Door Writing Contest has been extended.
The new deadline is Sunday, July 8 at 11:59 PM EST.

http://chicklitwriters.com/stilettocontest/

All entries will receive FOUR written critiques from judges. Finalists will be sent to an agent, an editor, and an e-publisher for judging.

Entry fee: $15 CLW members; $25 non-CLW members.
Entries must arrive electronically by 11:59 PM EST
July 8, 2012.
Entries will not be received after the deadline.
Eligibility: Open to unpublished writers.
Open to RWA and non-RWA members.

Final Round Judges:

*Young Adult Category:*
Editor: Aubrey Poole, SourceBooks
Agent: Mary Kole, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
E-publisher: Nicole Langan, Tribute Books

*Mystery/Suspense Category:*
Editor: Kathleen Gilligan, St. Martin's Press
Agent: Bernadette Baker-Baughman, Victoria Sanders & Associates
E-publisher: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora's Cave

*Women’s Fiction Category:*
Editor: Emily Beth Rapoport, Berkley
Agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Associates
E-publisher: Kimberlee Williams, Vanilla Heart Publishing

*Single Title Category:*
Editor: Laura Fazio, Penguin
Agent: Chelsea M. Gilmore,Maria Carvainis Agency
E-publisher: Jennifer Miller, Samhain

*Paranormal Category:*
Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle, Harlequin
Agent: Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary Agency
E-publisher: Abby Rose, Lyrical Press

Enter and more information at http://chicklitwriters.com/stiletto-contest/

Elle Filz
Coordinator, The 8th Annual Get Your Stiletto in the Door Writing Contest

[MAS]

HOW LYRICAL IS YOUR ROMANCE contest for published and unpublished authors.

It’s that time again – Welcome to the 2nd Annual How Lyrical Is Your Romance? Contest
Lyrical Press is searching for the next great romance. Entries must be complete works, any heat level welcome, open to published and unpublished authors.
Prizes:
The entry with highest average score will receive a $100 Advance and publishing contract with Lyrical Press, Inc. Highest-average scoring entry from each category will receive a 25-page edit and a revision letter from an acquiring editor.
Categories are as follows:
· Contemporary Romance
· Romantic Suspense
· Historical Romance
· Paranormal Romance
Deadline to enter:
Entries accepted from Feb. 1-10, 2013
First round
First 50 pages of manuscript will be judged based on the following criteria (50 possible points):
· Hook 10
· Worldbuilding/Backstory 5
· Characterization 10
· Dialogue (consistent with era/culture/personality of character) 5
· Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, 1 POV per scene) 15
· Author voice 5
Top 5 entries of each category will advance to final round. (Any category with fewer than 5 entries will be eliminated.) Finalists will be announced on March 1st, 2013.
Final round
Entire manuscript will be judged in this round, based on the following criteria (100 possible points)
· Premise 10
· Pacing/Plot 15
· Characterization 15
· Dialogue 20
· Mechanics 20
· Author Voice 20
Winners will be announced on April 1, 2013 on our blog:
http://lyricalpress.com/lyrical-press-blog/
How to enter
For formatting instructions and to check allowable content, please follow our submission guidelines http://lyricalpress.com/submission-guidelines/
Entries should be between 20,000 and 100,000 words long, and must be a romance, with a happy ending. Non-romance entries will be disqualified.
Include pen name and category for entry in body of email.
Attach the full manuscript in .doc, .docx or .rtf format (named BOOKTITLE_FULL) and a 1-2 page synopsis (named BOOKTITLE_SYN), include “Contest entry” in the subject line, and email to:
Contest@lyricalpress.com
YA and NA entrants will be ignored, as Lyrical no longer accepts these works.