VRW Fool For Love Contest For Unpublished Romance Writers

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you all know about this. Sorry, the deadline is April 30, so you'll have to act quickly! The good news is the entry consists only of your first chapter (up to 20 pages) and an *optional* 5 page synopsis. Details:

Virginia Romance Writers Fool for Love Contest


CONTEST TIMELINE:
March 4, 2010 - Contest opens for entries
April 30, 2010 - Electronic entries must be received by midnight EST
June 20, 2010 - First-Round Finalists Notification
July 31, 2010 - Final-Round Winners Announced

Awards:
1st Place in each category - $50
International winners have the option to receive their monetary prize through
Paypal.
2nd and 3rd place winners will receive certificates and will be awarded one free
manuscript entry into VRW's 2011 Fool For Love Contest, providing they haven't
contracted by that time. If contracted before April 1, 2011, then their first
eligible published book can be entered into a future HOLT contest at no cost.
ALL entrants must enter electronically.

First chapter (up to 20 pages maximum) and optional synopsis (5 pages maximum).
A prologue may be included with the first chapter as long as the entry does not
exceed 20 pages.
Each manuscript may be entered in only one category. However, you may enter as
many different manuscripts as you wish. Each new entry must have a separate
contest entry form and payment. All categories that fail to receive at least 10
entries will be cancelled and the entries and entry fees returned.

ENTRIES SHOULD BE E-MAILED TO THE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY COORDINATOR:

Long Contemporary / Romantic Suspense
General Questions
Alleyne Dickens, Contest Coordinator
foolforlove2010@...

Historical
Beth Trissel
bctrissel@...

Inspirational
Judith Kohnen
jgkwriter@...

Paranormal
Pam Roller
paranormalpam2010@...

Short Contemporary
Judy Butler
jb24lion@...

ENTRY FEE:

Payment for electronic entries may be received either through PayPal or by check
made payable to Virginia Romance Writers. Again, all payments must be received
by April 30, 2010.

$20 for all current VRW members; $25 for non-members. (Entrants do not have to
be members of Romance Writers of America.)

CATEGORIES AND FINAL ROUND JUDGES:

Short Contemporary - TBA
All publishers of contemporary series romance: Harlequin.
Approximate word count: 40,000-85,000

Long Contemporary - Katelynn Lacopo, Literary Assistant, BookEnds, LLC

All publishers of longer contemporary/non-series romance.
Approximate word count: 90,000-120,000

Historical - Lucy Gilmour, Harlequin Editor

Romantic novels with non-contemporary time periods, including Regency and gothic
romances.
All publishers of historical single titles, including Harlequin Historical and
Mills & Boon Historical.
Approximate word count: 40,000 - 110,000

Paranormal/Futuristic/Fantasy/Time Travel - Amanda Barnett, Senior Editor, The
Wild Rose Press

Romantic novels of any time period (historical or futuristic) that contain
elements such as time-travel, paranormal or fantasy themes. The emphasis must be
on the romance.
All publishers of individual titles of romance, including Harlequin Luna,
Nocturne, Berkley, and Dorchester Love Spell.
Approximate word count: 40,000-120,000

Inspirational - Elizabeth Mazer, Assistant Editor, Steeple Hill

Romantic novels with an inspirational message or theme, include romantic
suspense, historical, etc.
All publishers of inspirational single title, including Silhouette Love Inspired
and Steeple Hill.
Approximate word count: 40,000-100,000

Romantic Suspense - TBA
Romantic novels that include an element of mystery or suspense.
All publishers of individual tiles of romance, including Harlequin Intrigue and
Silhouette Romantic Suspense.
Approximate word count: 40,000-100,000

For more information, visit www.virginiaromancewriters.com

Yeah, I think the benefit lies more in the guest judges than the prize money. At least in my opinion. It's a great opportunity to get your work exposed to some excellent agents and editors. But again, that's my opinion of course. :0)

I don't see it that way, but of course we're all entitled to our own opinions. After all, people could say that about conferences as well.