WisRWA's FABULOUS FIVE WRITING CONTEST
Make the first ten pages of your novel so compelling that an editor/agent has to have more!
Five Fabulous Finalists in Seven Categories!
Short Contemporary - romantic novels with a projected count of 40,000-75,000 words including short series romances. Example markets: Silhouette Romance or Desire; Harlequin Blaze.
Long Contemporary/Single Title Romance - romantic novels with a projected count over 75,000 words including long series romances. Example markets: Harlequin Superromance or Single Title.
Romantic Suspense/Intrigue - romantic novels with strong suspense/intrigue
components. Example markets: Harlequin Intrigue/Silhouette Intimate Moments. Single
Title
Historical - romantic novels with a historical
setting. Projected word count: 80,000-100,000 plus words. Example target
markets:
Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time Travel - romantic novels with any time setting that includes elements such as time travel, angels or other paranormal themes. Example markets: Tor/Forge, Dorchester/Leisure.
Erotica – Sensual/steamy novels with a romance between hero/heroine. Example market: Ellora’s Cave, Brava.
Woman’s Fiction – Novels with word length of approx. 100,000 featuring stories with a strong romantic element. Target Market: NAL, Pocket, Bantam, etc.
Judging
In the preliminary round, entries will be judged by three qualified judges - WisRWA and other RWA members experienced in critiquing and/or published authors familiar with your genre. The lowest score will be dropped and the remaining two scores averaged. All entrants will receive detailed score sheets and judges' comments from this preliminary round. Top five entries in each category will move to final round.
The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by the following editors:
Historical/Regency, May Chen, Associate Editor,
Short Contemporary, Linda Hyatt, Agent, Hyatt Literary Agency
Long Contemporary/Mainstream Romance, Sha-Shana Crichton, Agent, Crichton & Associates Literary Agency
Woman’s Fiction, Hilary Rubin, Literary Agent, Trident Media Group
Romantic Suspense/Intrigue, Natasha Kern, Agent, Natasha Kern Literary Agency
Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time Travel, Vivian Beck, Agent, Vivian Beck Literary Agency
Erotica, Brianna St. James, Editor, Ellora’s Cave/Cerridwen Press
Five Fabulous Finalists!
First place winners in each category will receive the Silver Quill Award. Second, third place, and honorable mention winners will receive certificates. Non-finalist entries will be returned on or about April 30, 2006 after finalists are determined and statistical information is complete. Winners will be announced at WisRWA's Write Touch Conference, June 3, 2006.
Eligibility:
Contest is open to all authors unpublished in RWA approved full-length fiction FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Previous Fabulous Five winners are not eligible to enter the same manuscript, even in revised form.
Entry Deadline & Mailing:
$ All entries must be received by March 1, 2006. Any entries received after this date will be returned unopened. Do not send your entry via any means that requires a signature.
$ Mail entries to WisRWA Fabulous Five Contest, c/o individual Category Coordinator listed on our entry form. It is the author’s responsibility to enter the manuscript in the correct category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to submission. One entry cannot be entered in multiple categories, but multiple entries are welcome.
$ There is a minimum requirement of 15 entries per category.
Entry Fees:
$ Each entry is $18 for WisRWA members and $20 for RWA members and $22 for non-RWA members.
Entry Format:
$ Four (4) copies of the beginning of your manuscript (maximum of 10 pages). Entries must be in proper manuscript format (double-spaced with one inch margins all around, size 12 font recommended). Paper clip each set of entry pages. At the top of your first manuscript page include contest category, title, approximate word count, and target market (e.g. "Avon Historical," "Silhouette Desire"); subsequent pages should include only title and page number. DO NOT put your name on any manuscript pages. No cover page is necessary.
$ One completed and signed entry form and agreement for each entry.
$ One check or money order made out to WisRWA for the applicable entry fee for each entry in a single category.
$ SASE postcard if you wish to be notified when your entry is received.
$ SASE for return of your entries, score sheets and order of finish (up to seven additional pages). Please use only the free tyvek postal service envelopes. Be sure your SASE is stamped, not metered. We will not return entries with insufficient postage.
If you have any questions, please contact the Fab Five Coordinator:
Mary Jo Scheibl
Email: scheiblm@execpc.com
Entry #:______________
WISCONSIN ROMANCE WRITERS OF
Title of Entry: __________________________________________________________________
Entrant’s Name (no pseudonyms): __________________________________________________
If part of a team, partner’s name: ___________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City: __________________State:
Country: ____________ Zip:________________
Telephone: Day:( ) Evening:( )__________ E-mail:_________________
I have read and understand the official rules of WisRWA’s FABULOUS FIVE writing contest. I realize and accept that manuscript judging is subjective and agree to abide by the decision of any judges and/or contest officials and shall hold harmless WisRWA, its contest personnel and/or judges for any and all disputes arising from contest rulings or decisions, and/or disputes arising from circumstances beyond the control of contest officials.
Contestant’s Signature:________________________________________________________
RWA member? Yes ____RWA# ________ No____ WisRWA member? Yes _No________
Check appropriate category and mail to the corresponding coordinator:
______Historical: Marilyn Auer
______Erotica: Kathy Zdanowski,
______Short Contemp: Helen Johannes 512 W. Cleveland St., Marshfield, WI 54449
______Long Cont/Single
Title: Debra
Maher
______Romantic Suspense: Jamie Kersten,
______Paranormal: Jill Bevers N98
______Woman’s Fiction: Meagan Hatfield,
Amount Paid: $____________________ Check #____________________________
WisRWA Fabulous Five Score Sheet
Entry Number: ___________ Entry Title:____________________________________________
Judge Number: ___________ Category (circle one): H RS LC SC PFFTT ER WF
Total Score_____________
SCORING: Range of 1 to 10. Total possible score is 60. Judges are encouraged to adopt a helpful, positive approach and add constructive comments on the back of the score sheet.
10 = Outstanding; Ready for submission 5= Average; Off to a good start 1 = Poor Quality; Needs lots of work
Opening:
Is there a hook that captures reader interest? Does the hook serve to catapult the plot and conflict into being?
_______ Or is it simply an eye-catching gimmick? Is the situation believable or does the writer make it seem possible?
Characterization:
Is the main character portrayed as believable and sympathetic? Are the character(s) actions/reactions
_______ appropriate and well-motivated? Do we know what drives them? Is the internal conflict established or introduced?
Plot:
Does the action unfold with a natural feel and a sense of immediacy and good pace? (A good idea what the book will be about? Not too much backstory?) Is the external conflict established or introduced?
_______ Does the scene seem fresh and clear or cliched? (If a standard romance premise, e.g. cowboy/baby/amnesia, has it been introduced in a unique way?)
Dialogue:
Does the dialogue move the story forward? Does the dialogue sound natural and realistic?
. Good balance between dialogue and narrative where dialogue exists?
________ **In the event a ms has NO dialogue, use NA and forward to category coordinator for final score.
Setting:
Is a sense of time and place established? Is the setting easy to picture without being intrusive?
_______ Does the writer use several of the five senses to create a vivid picture?
Style:
Is the writing free of unessential details? Is the author’s voice fresh and/or unique?
_______ Is the point of view consistent and are changes smooth and logical?
Format:
Is manuscript in a standard, readable, neat and clean format?
Yes or No (If No, deduct 5 points.)
Signature (optional)______________________________________________________
Published, Romance _____ Published, Other _____ RWA Pro _____Unpublished _____Contest Finalist_____
Constructive Comments . . .
Judges are not obligated to comment or offer suggestions. However, judges are asked to share impressions and expertise that may prove helpful in understanding why an entry received the scores it did.
1. What did you especially like/dislike about the hero/heroine or both (if applicable)?
2. What are two areas you felt were done well? (Tell why, if appropriate.)
3. What are two areas you feel need work? (Tell why--Suggestions?)
4. What, if anything, seemed cliched to you? (Plot, characterizations, dialogue, setting, etc.)
5. Anything else?