Emotion, tension, drama. Does your book have what it takes to be the next bestselling romance?
Marlene Awards are open to unpublished writers who have not signed a publishing contract for novel-length romantic fiction (regardless of publisher) within three years of the contest deadline. Published authors may enter if they have not signed a publishing contract for novel-length romantic fiction (regardless of publisher) within three years of the contest deadline OR if s/he has a book with a small press but has not earned at least $1,000 in royalties. The entry must have a projected minimum length of 50,000 words. Click here for a copy of the Rules & Entry Form (in RTF, rich text format).
Categories, final round judges, and critique prize authors:
Single Title Contemporary Romance – Final Editor Judge: Alicia Condon, Dorchester; Critique Author: Elise Chidley, 2009 Rita finalist for Single Title and Best First Book
Series Contemporary Romance (long and short) – Final Editor Judge: Patience Smith, Harlequin/Silhouette; Critique Author: Dana Marton, 2009 Rita nominee for Best Contemporary Series--Suspense/Adventure
Historical Romance – Final Editor Judge: Jen Enderlin, St. Martin’s; Critique Author: Diane Gaston, 2006 Rita winner for Best Regency Romance
Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic Romance – Final Editor Judge: Katherine Pelz, Berkley; Critique Author: Gwyn Cready, 2009 Rita winner for Best Paranormal Romance
Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements/Chick Lit – Final Editor Judge: Latoya Smith, Grand Central; Critique Author: Lani Diane Rich
Young Adult – Final Editor Judge: Emilia Rhodes, Simon Pulse; Critique Author: Carrie Jones
Please see below for a listing of our category definitions based on the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest.
NOTE: If fewer than 10 entries are received for a category, that category will be eliminated and the author given the choice of switching the entry to another category or having the entry and fees returned.
NEW THIS YEAR: All entries must be submitted electronically.
DEADLINES: The contest opens for entries on December 15, 2009. All entries must be received electronically by 11:59pm EST on January 15, 2010. Entries received after the deadline will be returned. Finalists will be notified the week of April 1, 2010. Winners will be announced at the annual WRW Retreat on April 18, 2010. Those winners and finalists not attending the retreat will be notified after the event.
ENTRY FEE: $25 for WRW members/$30 for all non-WRW members. All entries must be paid via PayPal. All entry fees are non-refundable unless your category is cancelled and you choose not to switch to another.
JUDGING: Three judges will score each entry on a 50 point scale. Judges will be encouraged to comment on the score sheet and/or manuscript, but WRW cannot guarantee that all judges will comply with this suggestion. The lowest of the three scores will be dropped. The top three scoring entries in each category will be ranked by an editor or agent. The decision of the judges is final. Sample Marlene score sheet (rich text format)
WINNERS: First-place winners receive a Marlene Medallion and a detailed critique of her/his submission by a published author. All other finalists will receive certificates.
ENTRY FORMAT:
Entries:
• One electronic copy of a synopsis (up to 5 pages) and the beginning of the manuscript not to exceed 35 pages total for synopsis and manuscript pages. Important: Your attachment file must be received as one .doc or .rtf attachment that should include your manuscript pages first and then your synopsis second. Total page count must not exceed 35 pages. Files must be saved as: storyinitials-Marlene-category.doc or storyinitials-Marlene-category.rft (example: Little Red Ridinghood should be: LRR-Marlene-YA.doc). The categories for purposes of file saving are: YA, RE, Single, Series, Para, and Hist.
• Entries must be presented in proper standard manuscript format: double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper with one inch margins using 12-pt. Courier, Courier New, or Times New Roman font, 25 lines per page. NOTE: Entries using any typeface other than Courier, Courier New, or Times New Roman will not be accepted.
• The title and category of entry must appear in the top left corner and the page number in the top right corner of every page.
• The author’s name may not appear anywhere on the manuscript or synopsis.
• Each entry must also include the following information in the body of the e-mail submission:
a. Entry title
b. Author’s name
c. Address
d. Phone number
e. Email address
f. Projected word count
g. Category for submission
h. Targeted publisher/line
i. Your completed and signed agreement form copied and pasted into the body of the e-mail. (The fewer attachments for the coordinator to open, the better). For the purposes of this contest your typed name will be accepted as your signature on the agreement form.
j. Electronic confirmation of your PayPal payment receipt copied and pasted into the body of the email.
Entrants who do not comply with the above rules will be contacted and given until the contest deadline to make corrections. Failure to comply by the deadline will disqualify the entrant and the entry fee will be forfeited.
We reserve the right to limit the contest to the first 120 entries. We also reserve the right to extend the submission deadline in order to boost entries if a category is in danger of being canceled due to lack of entries.
Questions? Contact Candy Lyons at
Category Definitions
Contemporary Series Romance
Series romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship. The love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Contemporary Single Title Romance
Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series. The love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Historical Romance
Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location. The love story is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
A work of fiction in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries. Novels of any tone or style, set in any place or time are eligible for this category. A romance must be an integral part of the plot or subplot, and the resolution of the romance is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Paranormal Romance
Romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world, or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. In this category, a futuristic, fantasy, or paranormal element is blended with the love story, which is the main focus of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Young Adult Romance
Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers. In this category, the love story is an important element of the novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.
Download Rules & Entry Form (in RTF, rich text format).
Submissions: Send entries to the individual category coordinators as follows:
Paranormal
Jean Marie Ward
Series Contemporary Romance (long and short)
Category Coordinator Barbara Burnham
Historical Romance
Nicky Penttila
Young Adult
Merry Banerji
Romantic Elements
Anne Barton
Single Title Contemporary Romance
Gail Reinhart
