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is not responsible for misinformation, and the listing of these contests does not constitute an endorsement!! Please do your own homework.
Categories abbreviations used: Contemp (Contemporary), ER (Erotic Romance),
FFTP (Futuristic / Time-Travel, Fantasy, Paranormal), HF (Historical Fiction),
HR (Historical Romance), MS (Mainstream), Mys-Sus (Mystery / Suspense), Para (Paranormal), RC (Romantic
Comedy), RE (Romantic Elements), RS (Romantic Suspense), ST (Single Title),
Sci-Fi (Science Fiction), YA (Young Adult).
Contests for published works show "Type" in this color. |
| Stephie Smith's debut historical romance:-) DUKE OF DECEPTION is available in ebook and in print at several retailers. |  |
Current Contests Click here for contests with deadlines that have passed
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Stephie Smith's debut humorous mystery RULES OF LYING is available in ebook and in print at several retailers. |
| Sponsor / Org | Contest | Type | Eligibility | Dates | Entry | Fee | Submission | Categories / Judges | Awards / Other Info |
| Storyboard TV | Television Pilot Competition | TV Script | Adults age 18 and older, one writer or team of two. Must be a registered member (free). Entries cannot be under development or option, or submitted to any competition which could result in a 3rd party having an option or claim. | Midnight EST May 19, 2013; semifinalists notified ~June 17; three finalists announced ~July 15; grand prize winner announced Aug 12. | Wholly original, uncontracted script for the first hour or first half hour of a new TV comedy or drama, written in English, in proper screen-writing format. See official rules. | $25 | electronic upload | Initial judging panel, selected by Storyboard, will choose 10 semi-finalists. 2nd judging panel will determine 3 finalists; Storyboard members will vote for the grand prize winner. | 10 semi-finalists receive a notes session with SBTV. One grand prize winner receives $1,000 and a Lifetime Subscription to Scripped Pro software. The 3 finalists and grand prize winner win 5-yr memberships to Script Pipeline's Writers Database. |
| The Word Hut | Short Story Writing Competition | Fiction Short Story | Entrant must be over 18 years of age. Entries must be in English. New stories as well as those previously blogged are eligible. | May 19, 2013, midnight, UK time; winner and short list announced May 31 | 1,000 words max | £4.00 GBP | All stories will be read and judged by James who has a background in publishing and teaching, and Jessica, who is an Oxford English Language and Literature graduate currently working in theatre production and writing her first novel, and Wendy, who is a published author of three novels. | 1st = £60.00 GBP 2nd = £30.00 3rd = £15.00 Winning story published on website. | |
| Charter Oak Romance Writers of America | Golden Acorn Quick Look Hook | Romance | Unpublished / uncontracted by RWA publisher at time of deadline | Submitted by 11:59 EST May 20, 2013; finalists notified in mid-July; winners announced mid-Aug. | 1st 3 pp of ms plus 200-word max description and optional synopsis (3 pp max; synopsis will not be judged). Finalists must submit a synopsis. | $15 | electronic only, pay via check or PayPal | 3 judges; lowest score dropped unless needed to break tie. 5 finalists per categpry. Para (Chris Keeslar, Boroughs Publishing); HR incl Regencies (Linda Ingmanson, Samhain); Contemp (Rebecca Strauss, McIntosh & Otis, Inc.); MS with RE (Susan Litman, Harlequin Special Edition); YA (Agent Eric Ruben) | Five finalists in each round will receive certificates. The first place winner will receive $25.00 and their certificate. Results will be publicized. |
| Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America | Emerald City Opener | Romance | Writers (RWA and non-RWA) unpublished in the last five years; entry must be unpublished and not contracted. | Postmark by midnight PDT, May 31, 2013; winners announced at Emerald City Writers' conference Oct 18-20 | first 7 pp of ms in MS Word format only | $12 for members, $20 for nonmenbers | Electronic entry. Pay by check, MO, or PayPal | Judges will be: PRO members, published authors, or Golden Heart finalist / winners. Categories: Contemp (Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary Agency); HR (Selina McLemorre, Grand Central); Para (Chris Keesler, Boroughs Publishing); Novel with Strong RE (Tara Parsons, Harlequin); RS (Judith Engracia, Liza Dawson Associates), YA (Courtney Miller-Callihan, Sanford J. Greenberger Associates); Erotica (Ellen Smith, Champagne Book Group). | Finalists receive a private pitch with their editor or agent of choice if attending Emerald City Writers' Conference on October 18-20. Top prize in each category is $25, a framed certificate and a trophy. Winners receive framed certificate. Finalists announced in RWR. |
| Heart of Denver Romance Writers of America | The Molly | Romance | unpublished or not published in past 3 yrs | Received by 11:59 PM MDT, May 25, 2013; 1st round semi-finalists notified ~July 20; 2nd round finalists notified ~Aug 9; winners notified ~Oct 5. | 1st 25 pp plus 5-pp max synopsis, which will not be judged. | $30 - HODRW members, $35 - other RWA members; $40 non-RWA members. $5 early bird discount by May 1; money order, check, or Paypal | email an rtf file | 1st Round has 2 qualified judges. Top 30% in each category moves to 2nd round. Re-judging will occur in the 1st round only, and only w/ diff of at least 20 points between judges and if higher judge gave score of 85 or more. When re-judging occurs, lowest score is discarded. 2nd Round judged by 2 published authors. After the 4 scores from 1st and 2nd round are received, the lowest of the 4 scores is dropped. The 3 entries with highest total of the 3 remaining scores advances to finals. All entries are judged for the Unsinkable Heroine award. Categories: Contemp; HR; Para / TT / Futuristic; Para; YA; ST / MS; RS; Unsinkable Heroine; Heart of Molly (Member-Only Award) | The 1st Place winner in each category will receive the "Molly Award Plaque." All other finalists will receive certificates. Results will be in the RWR. |
| Barbara Bush Foundation | Devotedly, Dad Letter Writing Contest | Letter | Open to America's fathers and grandfathers | May 30, 2013, 5 PM EST; winners notified by email on Father's Day, June 16 | letter (800 words max) written to a child or grandchild about the importance of literacy and learning. | free | submit online or via mail | Two letters per state will be selected and featured on the Barbara Bush Foundation website. All entries, upon the sole discretion of the Barbara Bush Foundation, may be published in full or excerpt form, online or in print/broadcast form via the Barbara Bush Foundation, news organizations or other publications. | Winners will receive an autographed copy of All the Best, My Life in Letters and Other Writings by President George H.W. Bush, plus a pair of his favorite and fun First Family socks! |
| Women On Writing (WOW) | Flash Fiction Contest | Fiction, see website for theme | Anyone, any age. Entry must be in English. | Midnight PST May 31, 2013. Capped at 300 entries. | 250 words min to 750 words max (title not included in count) | $10 (extra $10 if you want a critique) | Online submission. Pay via PayPal | (Assume) judges are Women On Writing editorial staff. You will be provided with your scores (1-5) in each category, and personal editorial feedback for each category as well. | 25 winners. 1st-3rd Place receive cash prizes ($300, $200, $100); 1st - 3rd plus 7 runners-up will be interviewed on WOW Blog; all winning entries published on WOW! Women on Writing website, all receive e-book pack, all receive Amazon gift certificates. |
| Heart of Denver Romance Writers of America | Aspen Gold Reader's Choice | Romance Book / Novella | book length romantic fiction with ISBN first published in 2012. | Received by June 1, 2013; finalists notified ~July 23; add'l two books must be received from finalists by Aug 6; winners announced at awards luncheon in Oct. | 3 print copies of book or electronic version | $20, $25, $30 | by mail | YA, Contemp, ST, HR, Para / TT / F, RS, Erotica, Novella. First round judged by romance readers. Top 3 books in each category advance to final round. Final judges: Booksellers or librarians. | 1st Place winner receives Aspen Gold award. Finalists receive certificates. Results publicized on website, loops and in the RWR. |
| Killer Nashville | Claymore Award | Mystery / Thriller | Anyone. Entry must be unpublished and uncontracted. | Postmark by June 1, 2013. Winner announced at Killer Nashville Awards Banquet Aug 24. | First 50 pages | $35 by check or PayPal | 10 finalists will be judged by Five Star Press / Tekno Books. Any subgenre of mystery or thriller, incl political thriller, cozy, police procedural, private eye, romantic suspense, paranormal, and historical. | Over $1,500 in prizes. Winner receives engraved replica of a Claymore dagger. Winner / top 3 finalists receive free admission to Killer Nashville and Awards Dinner. All Finalists will be considered for a publishing contract. | |
| Music City Romance Writers | Minuet of Love | Novella | Authors may have previously been published but manuscript entered must not have been published in any format as of entry deadline. Enty projected length must be between 15,000 and 40,000 words and have a HEA or HFN ending.. | Midnight June 1, 2013 | First 10 pp. Optional: a 250-wd max synopsis OR a sample query letter (will not be judged). | $15 via PayPal or check | Two first-round judges. A third judge for discrepency / tiebreaker. Top scorers in each category have 2 wks to revise. Contemp (Rhonda Helms, Carina Press); HR (Kerri-Leigh Grady, Entangled Publishing); Para (Holly Atkinson, Samhain Publishing) | The top scorer in each category will receive $25, a certificate, and announcement in RWR | |
| Toronto Romance Writers of America | The Catherine | Romance | Open to all unpublished writers (whether or not a member of RWA) and published members of RWA who are not eligible to join RWA-PAN. Entry must be uncontracted, unpublished as of entry date. | Received by 11:59 PM EST June 1, 2013; finalistgs notified mid-August. | beginning of ms plus synopsis (7,500 words max) | $25 TRW members, $30 others, by PayPal or check | email as rtf document | Finalists have a week to revise entry. Contemp Series (Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin); Contemp ST (Leonore Waldrip, HQN); HR (Katherine Pelz, Berkley); RS (Leis Pederson, Berkley); Strong RE (Kathleen Gilligan, St. Martin's); Para / F / F (Esi Sogah, Avon); YA (Karen Chaplin, HarperCollins Children's Books). | Category winners receive certificates and are entered into the Gold Ticket competition judged by Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency. The Gold Ticket winner receives a three-chapter critique by NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong. |
| Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America | Lone Star | Romance | anyone unpublished or not published in last 5 yrs in category entered | e-deadline midnight CST June 8, 2013; finalists announced Aug 19; winners announced at awards luncheon in Oct. | first 25 pp | $20, $25 via PayPal | 3 first round judges, at least 2 of them published. Lowest score dropped. Top 3 high scores in each category final. Categories: Contemp Series; ER; ST; HR / Regency; RS; FF&P; Inspirational; YA | First place winners in each category will receive the Lone Star Brooch. Achievement certificates will be awarded to all finalists. | |
| New Jersey Romance Writers of America | Golden Leaf | Romance Book, Novella | All NJRW members and RWA members in Region One published in novel-length fiction. Books with copyright of July 2012 - June 2013 | June 17, 2013; finalists notified early Sept; winners announced Oct 12 | Romance novels with a first copyright date or first NA printing date of July 2012 through June 2013 are eligible. Includes E-books in print book format, with copyright page produced by publisher, with perfect or case binding and print on both sides of the page. See rule about erotic or sexually explicit scenes. | $25, $30 taken thru MyRWA. See website. | mail in entry | Judges are booksellers, librarians, readers groups, romance readers. Three finalists per category: Best First Book; Contemp Series, Contemp ST, HR, Novella, Para, RS, RE, YA | Winners announced at Golden Leaf Ceremony at "Put Your Heart In A Book" Confrerence |
| ArtAscent | Mother Earth International Literature Competition | Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and more | Any writer 18 yrs and older. | June 30, 2013 | 500 words with theme of Mother Earth. | $7 via PayPal | online | Judges: ArtAscent | Winner receives $50. Winner plus 2 honorable mentions will be featured in ArtAscent Magazine, website and social media. |
| Indiana Romance Writers of America | Golden Opportunity | Romance | Open to any unpublished / uncontracted author in novel or novella length fiction by a non-vanity / non-subsidy publisher (according to RWA publishing standards) in the past three (3) years, except members of IRWA. | Received by July 1, 2013; finalists notified ~Sept 9; category winners announced ~Oct 13; Best of the Best winner announced ~Nov 17. | beginning of ms and synopsis (10 pp max) for a total of 55 pp max. Entries may be limited to first 30 per category. | $35. Check or PayPal. | electronic entry. | 1st round: 2 trained judges. If the 2 scores are 75 or more points apart, a 3rd judge is used and the 2 scores closest to each other prevail. 3 finalists per category. Final judges: HR (Laura Fazio, NAL; Erin Molta, Entangled Publishing); Para (Kristine Swartz, Berkley Publishing Group; Heather Howland, Entangled Publishing); ER (Leis Pederson, Berkley Publishing Group; Michele Paulin, Resplendence Publishing); RS (Patience Bloom, Harlequin Books; Deb Nemeth, Carina Press); Contemp ST (Latoya Smith, Grand Central Publishing; Rhonda Helms, Carina Press); YA (Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks Casablanca; Stephanie Taylor, Astraea Press); Inspirational (Shana Smith, Harlequin Love Inspired; Becky Philpott, HarperCollins Christian Publishing); Best-of-the-Best (Katherine Pelz, Berkley Publishing Group ) | 1st Place: $50.00 and certificate; Best of the Best Award: special keepsake award and certificate. |
| New Jersey Romance Writers of America | Put Your Heart In A Book | Romance | RWA member, unpublished / not contracted in book-length romantic fiction at the contest deadline by any publisher and in any format within the last five years. | Received by 12:01 a.m. EST July 1, 2013; winners announced Oct 18-19 at NJRW Conference. | synopsis, prologue, first chapter, 30 pp max. | $25 NJRW members, $35 all others. Check, MO or PayPal | electronic only | 2 judges for 1st round; 3rd judge if difference of 45 points or more. Score is averaged of 2 highest scores. The 3 top entries in each category final. Short Contemp (Agent TBD; Lauren Ruth, Entangled Publishing; Author Katherine Garbera); ST Contemp (Michelle Grajkowski, Three Seas Literary Agency; LaToya Smith, Grand Central Publishing; Author Margaret Mallory); HR (Jordy Albert, The Booker Albert Agency; Tessa Woodward, Avon Books; Author Connie Brockway); Para (Eric Ruben, Ruben Literary Agency; Melissa Johnson, Carina Press; Author Eloisa James); YA (Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency; Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks; Author Keri Mikulski); RS (Pamela Harty, The Knight Agency; Patience Smith Bloom, Harlequin; Author Diana Cosby) | 1st Place: $50 + plaque; 2nd Place: $35 + certificate; 3rd Place: $25 + certificate |
| Land of Enchantment Romance Writers of America | The Rebecca | Romance | Published or unpublished authors with unpublished, uncontracted entry. | Postmark / e-deadline July 15, 2013; finalists notified Sept 16; winners announced at LERA Conference Nov 9. | First 5,000 words in 12 pt TNR double-spaced | $20 members, $25 non-members | electronic, pay via PayPal or check | Top 3 entries in each category final. Contemp (Leis Pederson, Berkley); HR (Jennifer Enderlin, St. Martin’s); Para / SFR / UF (Adam Wilson, Pocket Books); ER (Peter Senftleben, Kensington); YA (Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, Foreword Literary) | 1st Place winners in each category: $50 gift certificate and silver feather;. 2nd Place $30 gift certificate. 3rd Place $20 gift certificate. |
| Ozarks Romance Authors | Weta Nichols Writing Contest | Fiction - any genre ... romance, sci-fi, mystery, etc. | Open to published and unpublished authors. Manuscript cannot be published (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub) or contracted at deadline. | e-deadline midnight CT July 15, 2013; winners announced at Ozarks conference Sept 21. | Beginning of ms plus a one-paragraph flap copy / blurb (3,200 words max combined) | $20 | Email entry. PayPal preferred as payment | Categories: HR, Contemp, Para / Sci-Fi, YA. Final judges: TBA | 1st Place per category: $50; 2nd Place: $25; 3rd Place: certificate and ORA pin |
| Southern Louisiana Romance Writers of America | Dixie Kane Memorial Contest | Romance | unpublished or not published in book length fiction by RWA approved published in last 5 yrs; do not need to be RWA member to enter | Postmark by July 15, 2013; winners announced Sept 30. | first 5 pp of ms, 1 pp synopsis (synopsis will not be not judged) | $15 | Mail. Pay by check or MO. | 1st round: 4 published or trained RWA members, lowest score dropped. Final Round Judges: Short / long series contemp (Rhonda Penders, The Wild Rose Press); ST contemp (Kathy Cottrell, The Wild Rose Press); Para (CallieLynn Wolfe, The Wild Rose Press); Inspirational (Nicola Martinez, Pelican Book Group / White Rose Publishing); RE (Rhonda Penders, The Wild Rose Press); RS (Lori Graham, The Wild Rose Press); HR (Allison Byers, The Wild Rose Press); ER (Diana Carlile, The Wild Rose Press) | The top prize for the highest overall score among all entries receives $50 cash and special certificate. Certificates for 1st through 3rd Places and honorable mentions. Names published in RWR, the New Orleans Times Picayune, and on SOLA's website. |
| Dream Quest One | Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest | Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry | Unpublished, published, All entries must be original. | Recieved by midnighty July 31, 2013; finalists announced by Sept 9. | Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject and / or write a short story, 5 pages max single or double line spacing, on any subject or theme. | $5 per poem; $10 per short story. Multiple submissions accepted. | Mail or email. Can pay via PayPal | All categories welcome. Judges: Dare to Dream Master Selection Committee. Final judge, Andre L. West. | Prizes: Writing First Prize: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100; Poetry First Prize: $250, Second: $125, Third: $50. All winning entries will be published online in the Dare to Dream pages. |
| Rose City Romance Writers of America | Golden Rose | Romance | Open to non-contracted authors of romantic fiction (RWA and non-RWA members) unpublished in book-length (40k words or more) in the last 3 years and any member of RWA not eligible to join RWA-PAN. | e-deadline midnight PST July 31, 2013; finalists notified by xx; winners notified xx. | first 10,000 words | $30-$50 | electronic only; pay by PayPal or check | Preliminary round: 3 trained judges, at least one will be published author or RWA Pro. Lowest score will be dropped (unless needed to break tie). The top 3 in each category final. Contemp Series (Nicole Fischer, Avon / HarperCollins); Contemp ST (Rebecca Strauss, McIntosh & Otis, Inc.); HR (Jennifer Udden, Donald Maass Agengy); MS w/ strong RE (Emily Ohanjanians, HQN); Para (Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Agency); RS (Eric Ruben, Ruben Agency); YA (Lauren Ruth, Entangled Publishing) | The GRAND PRIZE winner is the entrant with the highest total score overall. This winner will win a gold-plated American Beauty Rose. 1st Place Winners in each category will be offered a free chapter membership plus a one-of-a-kind handcrafted necklace. All 1st through 3rd place winners will receive a certificate and a website web banner. The names of all winners will be published on the RCRW website and in the Romance Writers Report (RWR). |
| The Golden Network Romance Writers of America | Golden Pen | Romance | RWA member unpublished and uncontracted by Aug 15, 2013 (or not published in last 5 yrs) by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher | e-deadline midnight EDT August 15, 2013; finalists notified Oct 1; finalists must submit revised entry by Oct 10; winners announced mid December | beginning of ms, synopsis (55 pp max, including the synopsis, which can't exceed 15 pp) | $35 until July 15, then $40. PayPal, check, MO | electronic entry | Preliminary round: 3 judges, incl. at least one published author, one Golden Heart finalist, and one PRO. Lowest score is dropped. The 3 top-scoring entries in each category proceed to final round. Final judges: Contemp ST (Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks); Inspirational (Melissa Endlich, Steeple Hill); Para (Leis Pederson, Berkley Publishing Group); RS (Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press); Series Romance (Susan Litman, Harlequin Enterprises); HR (Katherine Pelz, Berkley Publishing Group); YA (Regina Griffin, Egmont USA) | 1st Place in each category: a golden pen and a certificate. 2nd and 3rd Place: a certificate. Final placements will be announced in the RWR. |
| First Coast Romance Writers of America | Beacon Award, Unpublished | Romance | unpublished / not contracted in book-length (50K min) in last 3 yrs; RWA membership not required. Contest limited to first 125 entries. | Midnight EST August 31, 2013; finalists announced by Oct 15; winners announced by Dec 15. | 1st 25 pp with optional 5 pp max synopsis (synopsis will not be judged) | $25 FCRW members, $30 RWA members, $35 others | electronic; cn pay by check or PayPal | 1st round = 2 judges, at least one published. Discrepancy judge for difference of 20 or more points with lowest score dropped. 3 finalists per category. Finalists can revise entry. Final judges: HR / Regency (Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency; Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press); ST Contemp (Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co; Kate Dresser–Harlequin Single Title); Contemp Series (Marisa Corvisiero, Corvisiero Literary Agency; Christina Brower, NAL/Penguin Group); F / F / Para (Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Inc.; Kerri-Leigh Grady, Entangled PublishingL); RS (Courtney Miller-Callihan, Sanford J. Greenburger; Allison Lyons, Harlequin Intrigue); YA (Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Agency; Aubrey Poole, Sourcebooks); ER (Beth Miller, Writers House, LLC; Linda Ingmanson, Samhain Publishing); Inspirational (Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency; Shana Smith, Harlequin Love Inspired); Chick Lit / Women’s Fiction / MS (Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency; Leis Pederson, Berkley / Penguin Group) | 1st place per category - Beacon Lapel Pin. All finalists will receive a certificate for their achievement. Winners will be posted in the RWR. |
| Sunshine State Romance Authors Romance Writers of America | Show Me Your Covers | Romance | Any full length romance novel or novella from non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher with original copyright date of 2012. Electronic or traditional format book. | Midnight EST Aug 31, 2013; finalists announced Oct 1; winners announced Oct 15. | Submission guidelines will be posted after July 1. | $10 via PayPal | email submission | Trained judges. Final round judges are qualified, professional artists. 3 finalists per category. HR, Contemp, Inspirational HR, Inspirational Contemp, Para / F / F, YA, RS | Winners recieve trophy, a website button, and similar button for publisher and cover artist (if requested). Winning covers displayed on SSRA website for 6 months. Finalists receive certificates. |
| Windy City Romance Writers of America | Four Seasons Award | Romance | Unpublished or not published in past 5 yrs in novel-length fiction in any format. Windy City members not eligible. | e-deadline Sept 1, 2013; finalists notified by Oct 30; winners announced Dec 20. | 1st 25 pp of ms in RTF | $25 RWA member, $30 other, via PayPal | electronic | 3 judges with at least one a published member of Windy City RWA. 4 highest scores in each category final, lowest score dropped. Final judges: ST Contemp (Michelle Venditti, MIRA; Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency); HR (Editor TBA; Jita Fumich, Folio Literary); Para (Kristine Swartz, Berkley Publishing; Michelle Grajkowski, Three Seas Literary Agency); YA (Leah Hultenschmidt, Fire, Casablanca; Anita Mumm, Nelson Literary Agency); RS (Dana Hamilton, Harlequin Intrigue; Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency); Inspirational (Elizabeth Mazer, Harlequin Love Inspired; Amanda Luedke, MacGregor Literary) | Top prize: Windy City Four Seasons Plaque. All finalists receive certificates. Winners are announced in RWR. |
| Spruce Mountain Press | Past Loves Day Story Contest | True life story, memoir | Submission must be in English | September 17, 2013; winner announced Nov 17. | Your true story of a former sweetheart, in 700 words or less. | Free | email and postal | Judges: Spruce Mountain Press | First Prize $100, Second Prize $75, Third Prize $50 |