Heart of the Rockies Unpublished Author Contest

Heart of the Rockies
Unpublished Author Contest

 THE HOTR CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED AND ALL ENTRIES ARE WITH THE JUDGES! FINALISTS WILL BE DETERMINED AND ANNOUNCED SOON.

 The HOTR contest has been extended.

The new deadline is midnight on Friday, August 17, 2012!!!

Contest Opens - Friday, June 1, 2012

ENTRY FORM

Colorado Romance Writers is pleased to announce the 2012 Heart of the Rockies Contest for unpublished writers. Numerous past Heart of the Rockies entrants have gone on to publish their works in book-length fiction. This year, there will be nine categories with achievement awards given in each.

Entries are limited to the first 215 received. Any entries received after the limit is reached will be rejected and returned to the owner.

Each entry will be judged by two experienced judges. Entrants will receive one written critique and two comprehensive evaluations of their work based on twenty different potential problem areas. Each category uses an individualized score sheet for its particular genre.

Manuscripts that qualify for the final round will be judged by select editors or agents. All finalists will be notified via phone or email no later than September 10, 2012.

The First Place winner in each category will receive a cash prize of $25.00. In addition, winners will be announced in the Romance Writers Report. All finalists will receive a achievement certificate.

The entry deadline has been extended to midnight, Friday, August 17, 2012. Any entries received after that time will be disqualified and returned to their owners.

SAVE POSTAGE, PAPER, AND PRINTING COSTS!

THE HOTR IS AN ALL ELECTRONIC CONTEST! NO PAPER SUBMISSIONS!

By submitting electronically, the person entering the contest understands that submission constitutes a signature. If paying by check, send by snail mail to:

Colorado Romance Writers,
P. O. Box 448
Eastlake, CO 80614-0448

Names MUSTnot appear anywhere on the submission entry or synopsis.

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

YOUNG ADULTNovels with a romantic element aimed at teen and young adult readers. Proposed length - 40,000 words or more.  (Examples: TOR, Kensington)

SHORT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCESeries romance novels that focuses primarily on the romantic relationship. Proposal length - less than 60,000 words. (Examples: Harlequin Presents, Romance and Temptation; Silhouette Desire and Romance; Avalon)

LONG CONTEMPORARY ROMANCESeries romance novels that focuses primarily on the romantic relationship. Proposed length - more than 60,000 words. (Examples: Harlequin American, SuperRomance, Silhouette Special Edition)

SINGLE TITLE ROMANCEContemporary romantic novels not printed as part of a series. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more. (Examples: Mira, Avon)

ROMANTIC SUSPENSEContemporary novels that contain a strong element of suspense or mystery mixed with romance. This may include gothic-style romances if they are set in modern times. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more.

HISTORICAL ROMANCENovels that feature romance in time periods other than the present. Most editors consider historicals as books set in times prior to World War II. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more. Note: Entrants submitting Gothics will have to decide whether their entries fit better here or in the Suspense category. (Examples: Avon, Zebra, Harlequin Historicals, and all Regency lines)

PARANORMAL/TIME TRAVEL/FUTURISTIC/FANTASYNovels that mix romance with elements of the paranormal, time travel or fantasy. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more. (Examples: Love Spell, Jove Time Passages, Magical Love)

INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCENovels featuring an inspirational message of personal religious faith conveyed as a major element of the plot and not used as a plot device or subplot. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more. Examples: Love Inspired, Waterbrook Press, Palisades, Barbour/Heart Songs, Multnomah Publishers)

MAINSTREAM WITH ROMANTIC ELEMENTS A work of fiction not belonging in another category that contains a strong romantic element, such that one or more romances contained in the story form an integral part of the story’s structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed. Proposed length - 60,000 words or more. Note:The synopsis may be critical in judging the Mainstream category if the Hero/Heroine do not meet in the first 30 pages and if the romance is not yet introduced.

RULES

1. 1. CATEGORIES: Achievement awards will be given in the following categories: Young Adult, Short Contemporary, Long Contemporary, Single Title, Romantic Suspense, Inspirational, Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy, Historical Romance, and Mainstream with Romantic Elements.
      If a minimum of 7 entries are not received in a category, we reserve the right to cancel the category -- OR -- combine that category with another category. If the category is cancelled, all received entries in the cancelled category will be returned to their owners and all entry fees refunded.
   2. ELIGIBILITY: You may enter the HOTR contest if, at the time of submission, none of your novel-length romantic fiction manuscripts, including your work submitted to the HOTR, has been accepted for publication, including e-publishing and self-publishing.
   3. SUBMISSION:  You may enter as many manuscripts in as many different categories as you wish. Please indicate on the submission header the category in which your manuscript is entered.
      Submissions will consist of the first two chapters and the complete 1-5 page synopsis, up to 35 double-spaced pages. There should be no cover page in the submission.
      Only one version of each manuscript will be accepted. Do not submit more than once. Do not follow up with a paper entry.
   4. MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION: Entries must be saved in an .RTF file format. Entries not in .RTF file format will NOT be accepted.
      Entries must be submitted in either Courier New 12 or Times New Roman 12 font. The entry will have 1" margins all around. This formatting provides a 25-27 manuscript lines per page, which is most suitable for judging.
      At the top of each manuscript page in the header, print the title of the manuscript and the category in which it has been entered. Page numbers may be included at the top of the submission.
      Place your 1-5 page synopsis at the beginning of the manuscript, followed by the Prologue/Chapters 1 & 2, for a total of no more than 35 PAGES.
      Names or personal information shall NOT appear anywhere on the attachment, submission entry or synopsis. Your name should appear ONLY in the entry form. If your name appears on any of the manuscript pages, your entry will be disqualified.
   5. FEES: CRW Members $25 --- Non-CRW Members $30.
      A submission will not be considered entered into the contest unless a payment has been received. All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and must accompany your manuscript. You may pay via PayPal or check/money order. Checks or money orders should be made payable to COLORADO ROMANCE WRITERS.
      Note for Paypal entries: When you submit your entry and form, please indicate you used Paypal.
   6. UPLOAD: Your submission, in .RTF file format, should be uploaded as an attachment on the contest entry form.
      This contest is ELECTRONIC ONLY. Since you are submitting your manuscript electronically, you understand that submission constitutes a signature on the entry form.
      A link will be sent to you following receipt of payment and electronic entry form. PLEASE WAIT FOR THIS CONFIRMATION before contacting the coordinator with any questions about your entry.
   7. DEADLINE: Contest entry deadline has been extended to midnight, Mountain Time, Friday, August 17, 2012. All manuscripts and their respective payment must be received by then. No manuscripts will be accepted after midnight, Friday, August 17th.
   8. JUDGING: Each entry is judged by two experienced judges, one of whom is a published author. A score sheet focusing on 20 problem areas (with a total of 105 possible points) is used by each. Judges may make comments on the score sheet and may also choose to write on the manuscript. Please keep in mind that judging is subjective.
      All finalists will be notified by e-mail or phone no later than September 10, 2012. Manuscripts that qualify for a final round will be judged by editors or agents.
   9. AWARD QUALIFICATION: To qualify for an award, an entry must receive a total combined score of at least 160 points (out of a possible combined score from both judges of 210 points). If no entry in a category receives 160 points, there will be no award given in that category.
   10. QUESTIONS: If there are any questions regarding your entry. please contact the Coordinator Grace Larralde at: HOTRCoordinator@yahoo.com.

CONTEST AWARDS

All awards for the HOTR contest will be announced at CRWs Anniversary and Romance Lover's Tea on Saturday, October  13, 2012.
The first place winner in each category will receive a $25 cash prize and will be announced in the Romance Writers Report. All finalists will receive a certificate.

FINAL ROUND JUDGES

CRW is proud to present the following final round judges:

Short Contemporary

• Susan Litman ---- Associate Editor, Harlequin

Long Contemporary

• Jill Marcel ---- Marcel, Lyons Literary Agency

Single Title

• Wanda Ottewell ---- Associate Editor, Harlequin

Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy

• James McCarthy ---- Jove Destral Literary Management

Historical

• Erin Molta ---- Entangled Publishing, LLC

Romantic Suspense

• Patience Bloom ---- Associate Editor, Harlequin

Inspirational

• Claudia Cross ---- Folio Literary Agency

Young Adult

• Ralph Gallegar ---- Associate Editor, Featherweight Press

Mainstream w/Romantic Elements

• Andrea Somberg ---- Harvey Kinger, Inc.

 CLICK HERE TO ENTER