Manuscript Title: __________________________________________ Entry # ___________

Category ________________________________________________    Judge # _________

TOTAL SCORE (100 points possible): ______________

Please rate each area 1 - 5. You may also write directly on the manuscript.

        5 = Outstanding; ready for submission
        4 = Excellent; minor revision recommended
        3 = Good; some areas for improvement noted
        2 = Fair; has potential but considerable revision recommended
        1 = Problematic; extensive revision recommended

1. OPENING HOOK:

      _____ The story starts in the appropriate place and grabs the reader’s attention.

      _____ Story questions, character motivations are present that make you want to read on.

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

2.STYLE:

      _____ Is the author’s writing vivid and evocative?

      _____ Do sensory details, word choice and setting enhance the mood of the story?

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

3. CHARACTERIZATION:

      _____ Does each character have a unique voice?

      _____ Is hero and/or heroine sympathetic or likeable despite possible flaws?

      _____ Do secondary characters support rather than overwhelm the romantic plot?

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

4. NARRATIVE:

      _____ Are the narrative passages relevant and do they move the story forward?

      _____ Is the narrative well balanced with the dialogue?

      Comments:

 

 

 

 

5. DIALOGUE:

            _____ Is the dialogue natural, not stilted or overly narrative?

            _____ Is dialogue used effectively to deepen characterization and move the story
                       forward?

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

6. CONFLICT/MOTIVATION:

            _____ Is there a hint of realistic external conflict between the hero/heroine?*

            _____ Is there a hint of realistic internal conflict between the hero/heroine?*

                        * If either hero or heroine is not yet in the story, is there sufficient foreshadowing
                           of romantic conflict?

            _____ Does the motivation of the character(s) create genuine conflict, not contrived
                      or forced?

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

7. ROMANCE/RELATIONSHIP:

            Please score only one column below for a total of 10 points

 

If hero/heroine meet in the entry:

  ___ Has the author set up a believable and

         well-motivated romance?

  ___ Does the attraction appear to be
         emotional as well as physical?

 

If hero/heroine do NOT meet in the entry:

___ Is the meeting between the hero/heroine
       foreshadowed?

___ Has the author laid the groundwork for a
       believable and well-motivated
       relationship?

 

        Comments:

 

 

 

8. PLOT:

      _____ Is the story line fresh, or does the author at least make it seem so?

      _____ Does the entry progress satisfactorily and end on a note that makes you want to
                 keep reading?

      Comments:

 

 

 

 

9. MECHANICS:

            _____ Is the manuscript reasonably free of spelling and grammatical errors?

            _____ Is the manuscript formatted according to publishing industry standards?

        Comments:

 

 

 

 

10. OVERALL IMPRESSION: (Expand on strengths or areas of improvement. In the judge’s
 opinion, what two or three things might make this manuscript more marketable?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judge signature (optional): __________________________________________________

____ Published in romance
____ Published, other
____ RWA Pro
____ Award winning
____ Unpublished

 
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