Thursday, April 8, 2010

Friday Discovery: 2010 Reveal Your Inner Vixen Contest

This post comes from the Maryland Romance Writers. Since I don't cover so-called "genre" fiction here on FPP that often, I thought it'd be good to mix it up. As always, I encourage you to do your research before submitting to this or any contest.


CONTEST OVERVIEW:
Attention romance writers: show us the chemistry!

Maryland Romance Writers is proud to announce the 2010 "Reveal Your Inner Vixen" Contest for writers of romantic fiction. Send us your most sizzling scene showcasing sensual tension between your hero and heroine. Your scene can be a flirtation, a kiss, or a hot and heavy love scene, just as long as the reader can feel that tension!

WHY SHOULD I ENTER THIS CONTEST?

• FEEDBACK: Entrants receive constructive feedback from first-round judges, many of them published authors. Finalists receive a brief critique by the final round judge.

• EXPOSURE: Finalists in each category will be judged by editors publishing in that subgenre. First place winners and category finalists will be listed in advertising and announcements in the RWA® Romance Writers Report.

• PRIZES: First place category winners receive a $50 cash prize and a gold Vixen pin!

• OPPORTUNITY: Last year, ONE THIRD of our contest finalists were asked to submit partial or full manuscripts. One Young Adult finalist has already sold her manuscript!


WHAT DO I ENTER?

Up to 20 pages of any scene that showcases your use of sensual tension, plus an unjudged 1-page set-up (optional).


WHO CAN ENTER?

Anyone! Membership in Maryland Romance Writers or Romance Writers of America is NOT required. The author can be published or not yet published, but the contest entry must be original and uncontracted as of June 1, 2010.



WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?

(Word counts apply to targeted length of completed manuscript.)

Series Contemporary: 1950-present, 40,000-79,000 words

Single Title: 1950-present, 80,000-120,000 words

Historical: BCE-1950, 40,000-120,000 words

Alternative: time travel, fantasy, futuristic, paranormal, 85,000-120,000 words

Erotic Romance: 60,000-120,000 words

Young Adult: 40,000 words or more

HOW DO I ENTER?

Reveal Your Inner Vixen is a fully ELECTRONIC contest. To enter, you will need to visit the Maryland Romance Writers Web site at http://www.marylandromancewriters.org. and visit the Contest Page.

On or about March 15, 2010, you will be able to download the Entry Form and pay for your entry via PayPal. The Entry Form will include complete instructions for formatting and submitting your manuscript.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$20 MRW members

$25 Non-MRW Members--U.S. entries and International entries

WHO JUDGES MY ENTRY?

Each entry will be judged by THREE qualified judges, i.e., trained and/or published authors. The three top-scoring entries in each category will advance to the final round for evaluation by TWO EDITORS in that genre.

FINAL ROUND JUDGES:

Series Contemporary: Gail Chasan, Harlequin/Silhouette; Rhonda Penders, The Wild Rose Press

Single Title: Allison Brandau, Penguin/Berkley; Bethany Morgan, Samhain Publishing, Inc;

Historical: Mary Altman, Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc; and Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks, Inc

Alternative: Chris Keeslar, Dorchester; Amanda Barnett, The Wild Rose Press

Erotic Romance: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc; Angela James, Samhaim Publishing, Inc

Young Adult: Krista Marino, Delacorte; Lindsey McGurk, Samahain Publishing, Inc


WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?

Entries must be time-stamped no later than June 1, 2010.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Email the 2010 "Reveal Your Inner Vixen" Contest Coordinator,

Beth Werrell, mrwvixen@live.com


Show us the chemistry... we dare you!

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