The 2012 Marlene Awards
Presented by the
Washington Romance Writers
The Marlene Awards is a contest for unpublished manuscripts sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America. Every entry is evaluated by at least three judges. Finalists are ranked by publishing professionals. The grand prize winner in each category receives a detailed critique from a published author. This year’s list of judges and prize critiquers is as follows.
Series Contemporary
Judge: Johana Raisanen, Harlequin
Critique Author: Liz Talley
Single Title
Judge: Megan Records, Kensington
Critique Author: Jeanne Adams
Paranormal
Judge: Heather Osborn, Samhain Publishing
Critique Author: Kristen Painter
Historical
Judge: Esi Sogah, Avon
Critique Author: Diane Gaston
Romantic Elements
Judge: Latoya Smith, Grand Central
Critique Author: Deanna Raybourn
Young Adult
Judge: Holly Blanck, St. Martin’s
Critique Author: Diana Peterfreund
Washington Romance Writers has been offering the Marlene contest (named in fond remembrance of Marlene Montano) since 1996. Click here and here for some tips on entering contests from some of our winning members.
Previous Marlene Award Winners: 2011,
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
ELIGIBILITY: The Marlene Awards are open to unpublished novel-length manuscripts. The entry must have a projected minimum length of 50,000 words. All entries must be submitted electronically.
Please see below for a listing of our category definitions based on the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest.
DEADLINES: The contest opens for entries on December 15, 2011. All entries must be received electronically by 11:59pm EST on January 15, 2012. Entries received after the deadline will be returned. Finalists will be notified the week of April 1, 2012. Winners will be announced at the annual WRW Retreat on April 28, 2012. Those winners and finalists not attending the retreat will be notified after the event.
ENTRY FEE: Entry fees vary based on entry date. From December 15 to midnight December 31, EST, the fee will be $20 for WRW members/$25 for all non-WRW members. From January 1 to midnight January 15, EST, the fee will be $25 for WRW members/$30 for all non-WRW members. All entries must be paid via PayPal on the category entry form below. All entry fees are non-refundable unless your category is cancelled and you do not choose 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.
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 file 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.rtf (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” pages with one inch margins using a standard 12-pt. font such as Courier, Courier New or Times New Roman.
• The title and category of the 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:
a.) Entry title
b.) Author’s name
c.) Address
d.) Phone number
e.) Email address
f.) Projected word count
g.) Targeted publisher/line
For the purposes of this contest your typed author’s name and submission of the appropriate category form will be considered your acceptance of the contest terms.
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.
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. If 30 entries are received for a category, that category will be closed, regardless of date.
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 Jean Marie Ward at .
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.
Coordinator:
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.
Coordinator:
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.
Coordinator:
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.
Coordinator:
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.
Coordinator:
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.
Coordinator:
The contest is now closed for submissions.
