by Diane Perkins

(From the December 2003 issue of the Update.)

The deadline to enter WRW’s prestigious Marlene Contest is fast approaching (January 13!). The Marlene Awards are open to members of RWA who have not signed a publishing contract for novel length romantic fiction (regardless of publisher) within three years of the contest deadline. The entry must have a projected minimum length of 50,000 words. Categories include: Single Title Contemporary Romance (final judge Jennifer Enderlin of St. Martin’s Press); Series Contemporary Romance—long and short (final judge Stephanie Maurer of Harlequin); Historical Romance (final judge Alicia Condon of Dorchester); and Paranormal Romance (Erika Tsang of Avon). The winners will receive a Marlene Medallion and a critique by either Shirley Hailstock, Suzanne Brockman, Linda Lael Miller, or Ann Lawrence.

If that alone does not convince an aspiring romance writer to enter the Marlene, let me, the Contest Empress, twist your arm.

Kathy Caskie (Rules Of Engagement, Warner, May 2004, and Golden Heart winner in 2002) dubbed me the “Contest Empress” because I have entered and won several RWA chapter contests over the years, culminating in my winning the 2003 Golden Heart for best Long Historical. Two years ago, I was entering two manuscripts to the same contests. I wound up a double finalist in three contests, made the finals a total of seven times, and won first place four times. That year my manuscripts came in first and third in The Marlene. So I am a firm believer in entering Romance writing contests.

Let me tell you why.

1. Contests are an excellent way for an unpublished writer to come to an editor’s or agent’s notice. To me, this is really the only reason to enter contests. When I did my double entering, it was for the express purpose of double-finaling and standing out from others. I had no Golden Heart entry that year and had to devise some way to keep my name alive for that potential editor who might decide to buy my manuscript. Look to see if the editor or agent you are hoping to attract is judging the contest. If you final in a contest and attend the conference where winners are announced, you will get extra attention from the agents and editors. If you make the finals often enough, your name will be remembered.

2. Contests give you a writing credit. If you are like me, when you began romance writing, you’d never written a word before. You have nothing of significance to put in a query letter. Making the finals in a RWA chapter contest gives you something to tell editors and agents to show you can write well.

3. Contests give you feedback from someone other than your best friend or mother. If you are wondering if your story idea works or if your writing is compelling, contests can help. RWA chapter contests are typically judged by experienced critiquers or published authors (and final judges—editors and agents) who may be able to tell you what is strong about your writing and what needs work. You can learn from the feedback you receive. Be careful, though, critiquing is very subjective, and what one judge loves another might totally trash. Low scores do not necessarily mean your writing is no good. It may mean you are pushing the envelope or breaking new ground. Only take the feedback seriously if it truly makes sense to you. On the other hand, if several judges give you the same feedback, listen carefully to what they say. Then still do what makes the most sense to you. Only you can write your own book.

4. Contests prepare you for the experience of submitting to editors. Some of us freeze up when it comes to sending our work “out there” to editors or agents. We’re afraid of rejection from the people who count the most, the ones who will buy our books. The stakes are not so high in submitting to contests. The negative comments judges give you will help you develop the calluses needed to face those inevitable rejection letters. (Everyone receives rejection letters, even best-selling authors.)

5. Contests can lead to SELLING. There are no guarantees that if you win contests, even multiple contests, it will lead to selling your manuscript, but it does happen. Six months ago I would not have included this as a reason to enter contests. I was a Golden Heart finalist for the second time with the same manuscript. When it made the finals in 2001, I sent it out to every agent and editor I could think of, but it was rejected over and over. Last Spring when I was notified that it made the finals again, I thought it was a lost cause. But on May 30, I received a phone call from Mills and Boon in England. Editor Kate Paice had judged my manuscript in the Golden Heart and wanted to buy it! And when The Mysterious Miss M is published in England in July 2004, it will have Golden Heart Winner on the cover. But that’s not all. Remember those contests won in 2002? One of them was judged by Melanie Murray of Warner Books. She was just waiting for me to finish the book. When I did, she bought it! The Improper Wife will be released November 2004. Two sales in six months, both due to contests.

Have I convinced you?

The Empress says give it a try!! Enter The Marlene. You never know what could happen to you.

Diane’s favorite contests (biased because these contests have been very kind to her!!):

• The Marlene—it has the most fabulous judges! And you win a fabulous pendant!!
• The Royal Ascot—great exposure and feedback if you write traditional or non-traditional Regencies.
• Put Your Heart in a Book—the New Jersey Romance Writers contest. Good judges, and the conference is close enough to attend.
• Fool for Love contest—The Virginia Romance Writers contest. Has a prestigious name, along with their Holt Medallion for published authors.
• Fabulous Five contest—WisRWA contest. Only five to ten pages to enter and it costs less, too.

For more available contests, look in the RWR, or ask to join

~~~~~
Since making that first sale of her Golden Heart winner, Diane Perkins has contracted to sell FIVE books.