CONNections Contest 2004!

Welcome to the CTRWA's CONNections Award for Unpublished Authors. It is our wish that through our contest, the "CONNection" between authors and editors will be successfully made! Good luck and thank you for entering!

Rules and Information

Eligibility:

• Participation is open to all authors of novel length romance fiction unpublished by an RWA recognized publisher within the past 5 years. All work must be the author's original work that has not been contracted for publication prior to the entry deadline.

Categories:

• SERIES CONTEMPORARY: Under 90,000 words, targeted toward publishers like Harlequin/Silhouette.
• SINGLE TITLE CONTEMPORARY: 90,000+ words. Romantic novels released as individual titles.
• HISTORICAL: Novels with settings at least 100 years in the past. Must have a strong romantic element throughout. Word count: over 40,000 words.
• FUTURISTIC/FANTASY/SCI-FI/TIME-TRAVEL/PARANORMAL: Romantic novels with any time setting that contain elements such as time-travel, angels, vampires or other new-age/mystical/paranormal themes, or are set in the future, on other planets or in other dimensions. Word count: over 40,000 words.
• ROMANTIC SUSPENSE: Romantic novel in which elements of suspense or intrigue are integral to the plot. May have a contemporary OR historical setting. Word count: over 40,000 words.
• INSPIRATIONAL: Romantic novel in which elements of spirituality and faith are integral to the plot. May have a contemporary OR historical setting. Word count: over 40,000 words.

CTRWA reserves the right to return all entries and fees if the minimum number of entries (10) is not received in any category. Entrants will be contacted and given the option to place their entry in another category before entries are returned.

Entry Deadline & Judging:

• Entries must be postmarked by September 1, 2004 and received by September 5, 2004.
• Each entry will be judged by three qualified/trained judges. The lowest score will be dropped and the two highest scores averaged for the final total.
• Finalists will be announced by the beginning of November. There will be five finalists announced for each category. Finalists will be contacted either by phone or e-mail. Winners will be announced by late December/early January.

• Final round judges are editors from major publishing houses appropriate to each category.
  

Final Round Judges

• Series Contemporary - Susan Litman, Harlequin/Silhouette
• Single Title Contemporary - Abby Zidle, HQN Books
• Romantic Suspense - Natashya Wilson, Silhouette Bombshell
• Historical - Kate Seaver, Dorchester
• F/F/P/TT - Roberta Brown, Brown Literary Agency
• Inspirational - Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency

Entry Fee:

$25.00 non-CTRWA members, $20.00 CTRWA members; check or money order in U.S. funds, made payable to CTRWA.

Awards:

Five finalists in each round will receive certificates. The first place winner of each category will receive a cash prize of $25.00 and a certificate. Results will be publicized.

The CONNection Award

A separate prize will be given to the entry judged to have the best first "CONNection" (meeting) between hero and heroine. Winner receives a sterling silver heart pendant. In case of a tie, the CONNection Award score and the overall score will be averaged to determine the winner.

ENTRY CHECKLIST:

_____ Four (4) copies of the beginning of your manuscript (maximum 30 pages, not limited to first chapter)
_____ Four (4) copies of synopsis, maximum 5 pages double-spaced, that will be used only for purpose of overall plot evaluation (see score sheet). Technical aspects of synopsis formatting/construction will not be judged.
_____ One (1) completed and signed official entry form and agreement and entry fee for each entry.
_____ One (1) check or money order made out to CTRWA.
_____ SAS postcard if you wish to be notified when entry is received.
_____ A self-addressed Tyvek Priority Mail or Flat Rate Priority envelope for return of manuscript with sufficient return postage affixed.

Mail to: Lorraine Yetke
Contest Coordinator
32 Patton Road
Wallingford, CT 06492

FORMATTING CHECKLIST:

Entry must be presented in proper standard manuscript format:

_____ Double-spaced. One-inch margins. Left justified, indented paragraphs.
_____ AUTHOR'S NAME MUST NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE ENTRY.
_____ Size 12 font (Courier or Times New Roman)
_____ White paper printed on one side only
_____ Chapter headers (i.e., Chapter One) start 1/2 - 1/3 of the way down the page
_____ Header on manuscript and synopsis pages must contain title and category in the upper left corner and the page number in the upper right. A category subgenre or targeted line (i.e., "inspirational", "regency", "Blaze", "Special Edition") is recommended but not required, and should follow the title and category in the upper left corner.

Example: Kiss Me Now - Series Contemporary - Harlequin Blaze

_____ Each set of copies must be bound by a SMALL binder clip. Please do not use paper clips, staples or rubber bands and do not bend or fold pages.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY
DISQUALIFY THE ENTRY AND THE ENTRY FEE MAY NOT BE REFUNDED.

All questions should be directed to Lorraine Yetke, Contest Coordinator.

Click on the links below to access a PDF version of the Contest Rules, Entry Form, and Scoresheet. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these documents.

Contest Rules

Entry Form

Scoresheet

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