by Raelene Gorlinsky
In a moment of total insanity over a year ago, I agreed to chair the writing contest for my local RWA chapter. Boy, I had NO idea what I was getting into! But hey, now that we have it underway, I think I've got a handle on this (or else my insanity is now including delusions).
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers
CLEVELAND ROCKS ROMANCE Contest
We’re now paperless—entries and responses all electronic.
Deadline to enter is June 1st, 2009.
All entrants receive first-round judges’ scores and comments. Finalists receive a 1-page critique from the judging editor/agent. Winners receive refund of entry fee and winner logo graphic.
See our website for detailed rules and contest entry form. www.neorwa.com
2009 Categories and Editor/Agent Judges
Contemporary Series/Category Romance: Brenda Chin, Harlequin
Single Title Romance: Susan Yates, The Wild Rose Press
Erotic Romance: Kelli Kwiatkowski, Ellora’s Cave
First Declaration of Love: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave/Cerridwen Press
Historical Romance: Rose Hilliard, St. Martin’s Press
Mainstream with Romantic Elements: Diane Parkinson, The Wild Rose Press
Paranormal Romance: Ethan Ellenberg, Ellenberg Literary Agency
Romantic Suspense: Christine Witthohn, Book Cents Literary Agency
Young Adult: Danielle Poisz, Pocket Books
Due to the publishing market, editors are subject to change without notice.
Contest Rules
Entrants must be unpublished in book-length fiction (minimum 40,000 words) in the last five years.
Actual computer word count is used for all entries and contest categories.
Submit the first 6000 to maximum 7000 words, to a clear story break (such as a chapter break). A synopsis is optional; if you choose to include one, it may be no longer than 750 words, is not counted as part of the entry, and is unjudged.
“First Declaration of Love” category: Scene where the main protagonists first declare their love to each other. Maximum 500 words.
Entry must be in DOC or RTF format, and emailed as an attachment to ClevelandRocksRomance@gmail.com. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Entry Form/Contestant's Agreement.
Fee: $25.00 ($15.00 for NEORWA Chapter members or contest judges)
“First Declaration of Love” category: If scene is from same manuscript entered in another category, there is an additional fee of only $8. If entering in this category only, regular fee is applicable.
What happens in the Cave doesn't always stay there... Conversations and news from Ellora's Cave Publishing, an erotic romance publisher.
2 comments:
Hello, I wonder if you could clarify the rules for me a little as I'm feeling a bit dim.
1. Do the entrants have to be:
a. a member of NEORWA?
b. a member of RWA?
2. Is it heterosexual only?
I'd like to pass the call on - and I know that people will ask me these questions!
1. Nope, you don't need to be an RWA member or a member of the NEORWA chapter. Entrants must be unpublished in book-length fiction (minimum 40,000 words) in the last five years.
2. There is no specific statement about heterosexual or not. However, this is an RWA contest, I'd honestly have to say that most of the judges may not go for non-heterosexual, especially in any category except Erotic or First Declaration of Love.
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