The contest is open to any writer who has been published in book-length commercial women’s fiction (40,000 words or more). There is no limit to the number of entries per author or per category, but each book may be entered in only one category. Membership in Romance Writers of America ® (RWA®) and /or ChickLit Writers of the World RWA® Chapter 204 (CLW) is not a requirement for entry.
Deadline: Entries must be received by October 15, 2010. Early entries will be held until all entries are received. All entries received after the deadline will be returned to sender. Entry fee will be returned less return postage charges incurred for returning an entry.]
UNPUBLISHED
The Contest is open to any writer who has never been contracted in book-length fiction (40,000 words or more) from any publisher.
Also eligible to enter are:
Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of five (5) years may enter any category; or
Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of three (3) years may enter any category except those they’ve been contracted or published in.
There is no limit to the number of entries per author or per category, but each entry may be entered in ONLY ONE category. Any manuscript that has previously finaled in the Stiletto (including any honorable mention) is not eligible for entry.
Membership in Romance Writers of America® and/or ChickLit Writers of the World (CLW) is not a requirement for entry.
PUBLISHED
- Single Title (Contemporary, Contemporary Series)
- Women’s Fiction (Mainstream)
- Thrill: (Suspense, Mystery, Thriller)
- Paranormal (Paranormal, Fantasy, Time Travel)
- Inspirational
- Red Hot
- Young Adult
All entries must be presented in standard industry format. NO DISK SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
E-books are accepted in hard copy, printed in a 12-point font, both sides of 8/5 x 11 white paper, and MUST BE BOUND. Any e-book entry not meeting these requirements will be returned to entrant.
A separate signed entry form is required for each submission (entry form can be found on the website – www.chicklitwriters.com/xxx)
Entry fee: $25 (US) per entry.
Payment may be submitted using Paypal, personal check on US bank, or Money Order in US funds. Payment must reference entry number.
Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to: ChickLit Writers of the World #204.
Mailing requirements:
No entries requiring a signature can be accepted. If they arrive needing a signature, they will be returned to the entrant. (Instead use a USPS delivery confirmation.)
Please make sure to affix correct postage.
Judging: Entries will be judged by experienced, trained judges. The top three (3) entries in each category will be considered finalists. In the event of a tie for third place, all eligible entries will advance.
Each entry will be judged by three judges with the lowest score dropped.
Scoresheet: All judging is done electronically and scoresheets, if requested, will be returned electronically. If you would like comments on your scoresheets, this MUST be indicated on the entry form.
Miscellaneous:
- Winners will be announced on or about December 20, 2010.
- The first place entry in each category will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
- Results will be published in the Romance Writers Report RWR®.
- Books will not be returned.
- Questions: Please contact the Overall Contest Coordinator: Brooke Wills at contest@chicklitwriters.com
Single Title (Contemporary, Contemporary Series): If your heroine, like Bridget Jones, reveals her innermost fears and unsightly blemishes on the way to self-acceptance, she’ll fit in with the classics of the genre. (Think: Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins, Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter)
Women’s Fiction (Mainstream): Finding a dreamy man isn’t the only challenge women face. If your central plot revolves around another obstacle in your heroine’s life–with romance on the side–she’ll be at home in this category. (Think: Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella)
Note: Trying to figure out the difference between Single Title and Women’s Fiction (Mainstream)? Single Title entries are romance-focused and will usually have the happily-ever- after ending. Women’s Fiction is less about the romance and more about the journey through life.
Thrill (Suspense, Mystery, Thriller): If your heroine’s primary goal is to solve a mystery, track the bad guy, or escape the villain, she belongs in this category. (Think: Living La Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez, Sex Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis)
Paranormal (Paranormal, Fantasy, Time Travel): If you built another world as the background for your ghost-hunting, spell-casting, time-traveling heroine, your manuscript will fit into this category. (Think: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson, Midnight at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta)
Inspirational: If faith shapes your heroine’s journey and spiritual growth is a strong element in your plot, she’s a contender here. (Think: The Whitney Chronicles by Judy Baer, What a Girl Wants by Kristen Billerbeck)
Red Hot: Is your heroine too hot to handle? If she knows what she wants in and out of the bedroom, she belongs here. (Think: Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl, Dirty by Megan Hart)
Young Adult: It’s less about the boys; more about the poise. If your teen heroine is sassy, classy, and has wit to spare, she’ll fit in right here. (Think: Lifted by Wendy Toliver, Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)
HOW TO ENTER
Submit one (1) Electronic Entry of no more than the FIRST 5,000 words of your manuscript (judged) and one (1) Electronic Synopsis (not judged) in the same document of no more than 500 words.
Note: Because the synopsis is not judged, it is optional but highly recommended. Also, if it exceeds the 500 word limit, the entire entry will be disqualified.
FORMATTING & SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY:
One-inch margins
12 pt. or larger Courier, New Times Roman or similar legible font. (Smaller fonts will not be accepted and could cause the entry to be disqualified. )
Double-spaced (both synopsis and entry)
Each page should have a one-line header with Title and category on the left side and page number on the right side.
CONTESTANT’S NAME MAY NOT APPEAR ON THE ENTRY. ANY ENTRY WITH THE CONTESTANT’S NAME WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
Entries must be received in RTF (Rich Text Format) files ONLY. (To convert your file to RTF, open the document, go into File, click on Save As and choose RTF format. This will create a new document with the same title in RTF format.)
Document title should be the title of the manuscript only.
Combine all manuscript pages and synopsis in one file. Paste synopsis before the beginning of the manuscript pages. All pages should be in standard manuscript format.
1) Entry Form will be filled in at time of submission.
2) Synopsis – not judged (No more than 500 words)
3) Entry (No more than 5,000 – Hint: don’t try to squeeze in as many words as possible to reach the 5,000 word count; end the entry where it feels natural, ie., end of scene, end of chapter, etc.)
Your entry will be given an entry number and submitted to the coordinator of the category you have selected on the entry form. You will be sent a confirmation email with the entry number. If there are multiple authors of an entry, the second author must fill in an entry form and reference the entry number.
Enter as many times as you wish, but a separate payment and entry form must be received for each entry. Entries without completed entry form and payment will not be judged.
More information here.
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