2007 Spring Into Romance Contest Rules

Deadline

• Postmark no later than March 12, 2007

Categories

• Short Contemporary: Romantic novels targeted to one of the contemporary lines, such as Harlequin Presents, Silhouette Desire, or Avalon. Word count between 40,000 and 70,000 words.
• Long Contemporary: Romantic novels targeted to one of the contemporary lines, such as Harlequin SuperRomance or Silhouette Special Edition. Word count over 70,000 words.
• Single Title Contemporary: Contemporary romantic novels intended as individual titles. Also encompasses Romantic Suspense. Word count over 70,000 words.
• Historical: Historical novels with a strong romantic element throughout, including Regencies. Word count over 40,000 words.
• Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal(FF&P): Romantic novels where a fantasy world, the future, or paranormal events are a major plot element. It may be a single title or book that fits within the established category romance lines. Word count over 40,000 words.

Note: Any category with fewer than 10 entries will be canceled. See the entry form for options.

Eligibility

• Open to any writer, unpublished in book-length fiction within the last three years of deadline and uncontracted in book-length fiction at the time of submission. You must retain all rights to the entry and not have granted any of them to a publisher or any other party prior to the contest deadline.
• You may enter more than one submission in any category. (Separate fees apply.)
• You may NOT enter any work that has previously finaled in the Spring Into Romance contest. You may, however, enter a different piece.

What To Submit

• Four (4) copies of the first thirty (30) pages, including a prologue (if applicable). Additional pages and/or chapters will be discarded and will not be judged.
• Layout must meet the following criteria:
• Double-spaced on 8-1/2" x 11" white paper. (A4 is okay for international submissions.)
• 1-inch margin on all sides.
• 12-point Courier New or 14-point Times New Roman font.
• Your name must NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript.
• On the header left, list:
• Title of manuscript
• Projected word count
• Category entered
• On the header right, list:
• Page numbers
• Please make sure that each manuscript is secured with a paperclip or binder clip.
• One (1) cover page, which lists:
• Author's name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Entry title
• Category entered
• Projected word count of entire manuscript
• A separate entry form and fee must be submitted for each entry.
• Three (3) copies of the judges' form.
• A non-refundable fee of $25.00 made payable to RWA-SD. US Funds only, please. Do NOT send cash.
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for the return of your judged manuscripts and score sheets.
• All manuscripts submitted without an SASE will NOT be returned and will be destroyed after judging. Score sheets will be returned.
• The envelope MUST be stamped with sufficient postage to return the entire packet back to you. Do NOT use a postage meter to stamp the SASE.
• Contestants outside the US, please add $10.00 to your entry fee to cover return postage (for a total of $35.00).
• Do NOT send anything that requires a signature upon receipt.
• We will notify you via email of receipt of your manuscript, or you may include an SAS postcard which we will return to you upon receipt.

Judges

• First-round judging will be done by published authors and trained judges.
• For point spreads of thirty or more, a discrepancy judge will be used to determine the top five entries (maximum) advancing to the final round.
• The top five finalists (maximum) in each category will be judged by the following industry professionals:
  • Short Contemporary: Diana Ventimigilia, Associate Editor, Silhouette
  • Long Contemporary: Rebecca Soukis, Associate Editor, Mira Books, Red Dress Ink
  • Single Title: Kristin Doyle, Bantam Dell
  • Historical: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
  • Paranormal(FF&P): Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency

Additional Details

• Categories receiving fewer than ten (10) entries will be canceled. You may choose to submit to a different category or have your fees returned in the SASE you provide.
• Entries must receive a minimum score of 120 out of a possible 150 points in order to final.
• Fees will NOT be returned if disqualification or withdrawal occurs.
• Finalists will be notified by approximately the end of April, 2007.
• Winners will be notified by approximately mid-June, 2007 and will be listed on our web site at www.rwasd.com and in an issue of RWR. Winners will receive an RWA San Diego pin.

Mail Your Entry

• Mail your packet to the appropriate category coordinator. (Information forthcoming.)

Questions?

• You may contact contest coordinator Ree Mancini (reemancini@yahoo.com).