WORKSHOPS BY RWA-WF CHAPTER MEMBERS
**Make Your First 50 Pop!**
WHERE: Online via Yahoo Groups
WHEN: May 17-June 21, 2011 (5 weeks)COST: $125
REGISTER @: http://editordevil.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-classes.html
Now that you have a manuscript you want to submit to editors and agents, you must be sure THE FIRST 50 PAGES meets the criteria they’re looking for. I’ll not only help you ensure your characters, pacing, and story structure is starting off right, but I’ll give you tips and tricks to make that story sparkle like a diamond. We’ll cover:
1) First page “Do’s & Don’ts”
3) World building mastery
4) Character development seeds to plant early
5) Dialogue that engages and sells itself
6) Critical story elements you must establish by page 50
7) Key turning points to keep readers moving
8 ) Scene-writing techniques to improve pacing and tension
9) Genre requirements to meet
10) Layering story/character arcs for deeper meaning
And much, much more… INCLUDING A READ BY ME WITH A CRITIQUE! So I can point you in the right direction and tell you what you need to focus on.
So, not only will you learn tons of secrets to success, but you’ll get personal attention and 5 weeks to incorporate what you learn. I’ll help you along the way. And knowing my usual band of great students, they will give great feedback and support, too.
This class is not for the faint of heart. I’m going to kick some butt here. And I believe it’s going to be worth every moment. I’ve helped people place in contests, get published and get attention with agents. I know I can give you the information to face your biggest obstacle. The question is will you take the challenge?
About the Instructor:
Christine M. Fairchild has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor. Though trained as a journalist, she spent the last two decades working for publications (XFiles, SciFiMall.com), technical giants (Microsoft, AT&T), and consumer product companies (DHL, Hitachi). She now helps fiction writers improve their use of language, timing, and perspective to deepen their work. Christine has written 2 historical fiction women’s fiction stories as well as a Romantic Suspense. As a writer, editor and ghostwriter, her experience ranges from novels to screenplays to non-fiction, from science fiction to romance to memoir. She offers free tips and tricks, visit: http://EditorDevil.blogspot.com
WORKSHOPS
Dunes & Dreams RWA Chapter 215 May 2011 Online Workshop.
Cost: $10 D&D members, $25 all others. Payable in US funds only.
MAY 2nd – 30th
THE HERO (HEROINE’S) JOURNEY FOR DUMMIES
The hero’s journey isn’t really complicated. It’s about a lesson that needs to be learned, and the route your character takes to get there. It’s about goals, motivations and obstacles. But if you’ve read The Hero’s Journey or another writing book, you might think mapping your character’s journeys is far more complicated. More importantly, how does the journey apply to romance novels? After all, most of the examples given are movies or adventure treks. Beginning with the concept of story structure and using tips drawn from a variety of sources, this workshop lays out the hero’s path in nice, easy-understand terms anyone can understand.
Topics include:
· What is the Hero’s Journey really? (Understanding the concept of journey and the archetypes involved) How does the Hero’s Journey apply to romance novels?
· Who is learning the lesson and how to they work together?
· Basic Story Structure (And why it’s important to the Hero’s Journey)
· Deconstructing some examples
· Mapping the Journey through Three (or Four Acts)
· Helpful sites and tools
BARBARA WALLACE -SPEAKER BIO
A lifelong romantic and daydreamer, it’s not surprising Barbara Wallace decided to become a writer, at the tender age of eight. However, it wasn’t until a co-worker handed her a romance novel that she knew where she belonged. In 2005 she was a Golden Heart finalist in the Best Traditional category -the last year that category was offered -but lost to now Harlequin Presents author Jennie Lucas. In 2007, she was a finalist again, and won the award for best short contemporary manuscript. Today she is an author with Harlequin’s Romance line, having received The Call two days before her son’s fifteenth birthday. Her debut novella, Magic under the Mistletoe, was released in November 2010, followed by her debut solo title, Cinderella Bride in December and Beauty and the Brooding Boss in March 2011. Her next release will be The Heart of a Hero in September. A life-long Yankee, she lives with her own true love, their son and two very spoiled cats.
Registration deadline is April 29th.
PLACE: Dunes & Dreams RWA Workshop Yahoo Loop
Registrants will receive a yahoo invitation to the workshop several days before the workshop begins to allow ample time to accept it. Please notify the coordinators if you have do not receive your invite before the class begins.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: No registration fees will be refunded. All payments for a workshop must be received by the registration cut off date. Payments received after the cut-off date can be applied to a future workshop of the applicant’s choosing.
If a workshop is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as instructor inability to teach class, registration fees will be applied to a future workshop of the applicant’s choosing.
Hope to see you in class!
Registration form and more information.
Prose and Contests: Everything You Wanted to Know about Contests But Were Afraid to Ask
Instructor: Amy Atwell
Date: May 2-22, 2011
Cost: $20
More Information: www.heartofdixie.org
Overwhelmed by the number of writing contests out there? Unsure whether to enter? Unclear about why you should enter? This class is geared for unpublished writers seeking feedback and/or a chance to final in the hundreds of writing contests offered through RWA® chapters. Contests offer opportunities for feedback from published authors, agents and editors. But contests cost money and valuable writing time. This interactive lecture format will include handouts, examples and open Q&A to help writers understand what they can expect to gain from entering a contest. The class will provide an overview of the contest process, sources for researching contests, help writers identify their motives for entering a contest, and even give tips on preparing your contest entry.
Presenter Bio: 2008 Golden Heart® finalist Amy Atwell has experienced every aspect of writing contests. Having entered over 60 contests over the past ten years, her manuscripts have won the Winter Rose, Great Expectations, Beacon, Golden Gateway, Heart of Outreach contests and Award of Excellence. She has over 25 contest finals to her credit, including The Maggie, The Sheila and The Daphne du Maurier contests. Amy’s also judged numerous contests and she coordinated the 2009 Golden Pen Contest. Amy runs the WritingGIAM community of loops to help goal-oriented writers improve their productivity. http://www.amyatwell.com
MORE THAN WORD: Getting the most from Scrivener for Mac
Presented By: Gwen Hernandez
Dates: May 1st – 31st, 2011
Fee: $20 – OIRW Members, $25 – Non Members
Deadline: April 30
FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus/currentcourselist.htm#May
Course Description
Scrivener’s greatest strength is its flexibility, but are you using this popular writing program to its full potential? This class will teach you how to customize your projects for the way you write. You’ll also learn simple but powerful tools for organizing, visualizing, revising, and sharing your work.
This 4-week workshop is for anyone with a beginning to intermediate level of experience with Scrivener.
Topics include:
Customization: Labels, full screen, binder, templates
Working with files: splitting and merging, grouping, snapshots, split screen, advanced searches, collections, keywords
Helpful tidbits: tracking progress, evaluating word frequency, compiling, printing synopses
And more!
REQUIREMENTS: A MAC, Scrivener for MAC software and a basic working knowledge of Scrivener 1.x or better. Scrivener 2.x upgrade recommended but not required for most topics.
Instructor Bio:
Gwen Hernandez is a former programmer, manufacturing engineer, and business school computer instructor. In 2009, she started writing about Scrivener to share its lesser known features with her writing friends, and the Scrivener page on her website is now a popular resource for writers everywhere. She uses Scrivener to write romantic suspense, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Washington Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and the Kiss of Death online chapter where she is currently serving as Secretary. For 2011, she is also the Chair of the RWA PRO Education committee. You can visit her at www.gwenhernandez.com
All workshops are open to everyone. You do not have to be a RWA member. You can register for the following on-line class through April 30. OIRW Members $20.00. Non Members $25.00. FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus.htm
Cracking The Romance Code: Unlocking Storytelling Secrets for Writing the Quintessential Romance Novel
Presented By: Kimberly Llewellyn
Dates: May 6 – 31
Fee: $20 – OIRW Members, $25 – Non Members
Deadline: May 1
FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus/currentcourselist.htm#May
Course Description:
When it comes to writing the romance novel, everyone wants to know the secret handshake–there isn’t one, but by understanding certain core elements, you can unlock the code to writing a compelling romance. Award winning author, Kimberly Llewellyn, shares how to decode the secrets to writing the quintessential romance novel and create a compelling read.
This three-week course (three lessons per week) provides an overview for beginners and then offers a detailed review for the more experienced writer looking to take her writing to the next level through analysis of her own work in progress.
Course Outline:
Lesson One
The power of love
What makes the language of romance writing so special?
MSMs: A brief review of metaphor, simile, and motif
Lesson Two
Romance codes on the outside
Analysis of cover: genre hook(s), title, artwork, back cover copy
Lesson Three
The A.C.E. opening: Part I
What A.C.E. stands for in your novel’s opening
Activity of the opening and the inciting incident
Lesson Four
The A.C.E. opening: Part II
Taking internal and external conflict to the next level to get the editor’s attention
Lesson Five
The A.C.E. opening: Part III
Attraction, romantic conflict, and resistance
Lesson Six
The A.C.E. opening: Part IV
Emotion: Using deep emotional codes that captivate your reader and create a compelling read
Lesson Seven
Character codes: characterization and emotion techniques that go beyond just a “sympathetic” character
Code Word: H.E.R.O. What does it stand for?
Lesson Eight
The Romance Plot
Key romantic plot points that make up the spine of your story
Romance beats checklist and literary devices that serve the story well
Lesson Nine
Speaking the code to industry professionals
Hot buttons to generate editor/agent interest
Editorial codes: understanding an editor’s or agent’s needs
Instructor Bio:
Known as “the Wedding Writer,” Kimberly Llewellyn is the award-winning author of five novels. Her last two were published as humorous women’s fiction in trade paperback by Berkley Books (The Quest for the Holy Veil and Tulle Little, Tulle Late, a Book Sense Notable Pick List from the Independent Booksellers Association). Kimberly has written nonfiction articles as well as stories for the confessions magazine market.
Kimberly enjoys promoting “fiction for women” to the media and to various organizations, such as the Arts Council, Miss Florida State Pageant for Miss America, and bridal expos. She’s made guest appearances on television, including the shows Daytime, Mornings Around the Bay, and Kathy Fountain’s Your Turn. Her most recent nonfiction book, I Want to Be an Author: Now What? is currently available. She can be found on Facebook, as well as RedRoom, and offers writing tips on Twitter. Her web site is: www.kimberlyllewellyn.com.
All workshops are open to everyone. You do not have to be a RWA member. You can register for the following on-line class through May 1. FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus.htm
Online Workshop: Writing from the Heart, While Writing for the Market
Instructor: Laurie Alice Eakes
Date: May 16 – 25, 2011 (Note Changed from 5/2-5/11)
Cost: $5 members, $10 non-members
http://www.thebeaumonde.com/academe/
DESECRIPTION
It’s All in Your Head: Writing from the Heart, While Writing for the Market
Why are you writing?
Because you simply like to?
Because you want to get published?
If you’re writing for publication, you need to know some basic data.
In what genre are you writing?
Popular fiction?
Literary fiction?
Who is your audience?
Your family and friends?
As many people as possible?
Secular
Christian
You need to understand that audience.
What does the audience want?
What do they not want?
We’re talking market, not trends.
Trends come and go and often the bandwagon has passed before you can jump on.
Be a trend-setter.
So where is the heart?
Fit your heart story to the market.
Sometimes you need to compromise.
Stubborn adherence to an idea could cost you sales.
About the author:
Award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes wanted to be a writer since knowing what one was. Her first book won the National Readers Choice Award in 2007, and her third book was a Carol Award finalist in 2010. Between December of 2008 and January of 2010, she sold thirteen books to Barbour Publishing, Avalon Books, and Baker/Revell, making her total sales fifteen. Recently, she added two novella sales to that collection, as well as having her first book with Baker/Revell, Lady in the Mist, picked up by Crossings Book Club, and three of her books chosen for large print editions by Thorndike Press. She has been a public speaker for as long as she can remember; thus, only suffers enough stage fright to keep her sharp. In 2002, while in graduate school for writing fiction, she began to teach fiction in person and online. She lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs, and too many cats even for her. http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com
HOW TO DESIGN AND TEACH AN ONLINE WORKSHOP
Presented by: Catherine Chant
July 11-22, 2011
$20 for FRW members; $25 for non-members.
This 2-week workshop begins with an overview of why you would want to create and teach an online workshop, and covers these topics:
1. Developing a workshop topic
2. Identifying your audience
3. Designing a lesson plan
4. Interacting with your students
5. Designing exercises for your students
6. Your workshop proposal
7. Technical aspects of online teaching (e.g. Yahoogroups)
At the end of this workshop you will have a basic outline of your course and the first draft of a proposal ready to polish and send out to workshop coordinators.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Catherine Chant is a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and webmaster for her RWA chapter, From the Heart Romance Writers (fthrw.com). A graduate of Boston College, she worked for fifteen years at her alma mater as a computing & communications consultant and now provides freelance web editing and design services to other writers and clients such as BC’s Lynch School of Education. Her short fiction and non-fiction work has appeared in RWA newsletters, CharacterS, SchoolArts, MetroKids, Twilight Times, Apollos Lyre, and various instructional websites where she writes about computers, gaming and crafts. Her young adult time travel romance WISHING YOU WERE HERE was a finalist in the 2008 Golden Heart® awards. She is currently working a new young adult novel.
For information & to sign up go to http://www.frwriters.org/workshops.html
Workshop: From Concept to Synopsis
Presented by: Marcia King-Gamble
August 8-22, 2011 (2 weeks)
Fee: $20 FRW member & $25 non FRW member
Do you have an idea percolating (or maybe you don’t?) This workshop will get you writing. It covers how to generate ideas when the idea well has dried up. Then once you get a firm grip around your plot you’ll put together the dreaded synopsis. By the time you’re through you will have written a query and a synopsis.
Marcia King-Gamble hails from the sunny state of Florida. This national best selling author and former travel industry executive has penned 23 books and 2 novellas since her first book was released over a decade ago. She’s lived in five US states and visited some of the more exotic parts of the world. The Far East, Venice, and New Zealand are still favorites. By day Marcia works for a not-for–profit organization, marketing designers, visual merchandisers, and manufacturers. She still makes time for the occasional outdoor/wilderness adventure. Find out more about Marcia King-Gamble by visiting her website: www.lovemarcia.com
For information & to sign up go to http://www.frwriters.org/workshops.html
CONTESTS
Northwest Houston RWA announces The 19th Annual Lone Star Writing Competition.
The contest is now open for entries.
The Lone Star Writing Competition is one of the few contests with two published authors and one unpublished author judging the first round. Finalists will be sent to BOTH an agent and an editor for judging. NEW THIS YEAR!!! Finalists will also be sent to an e-publishing editor.
EARLY BIRD ENTRY FEE: $5 discount on all entries submitted by midnight May 25, 2011; $15 for NWH members/$20 non-NHW members.
Entry fee: After May 25, 2011 – $20 NWH members; $25 non-NWH members.
All electronic this year. Entries must arrive via email by midnight June 8, 2011. Any entries received after the deadline will be deleted unopened.
Eligibility: Unpublished may enter any category. Published may enter any category in which they’re not published, or in which they’ve not been contracted for five years. Open to RWA and non-RWA members.
Final Round Judges:
Inspirational Category:
Editor: Rachael Burkot – Harlequin
Agent : Kimberly Shumate – Living Word Literary Agency
E-publisher: Nicola Martinez – White Rose Publishing
Young Adult Category:
Editor: Kat O’Shea – Leap Books
Agent: Susan Hawk – The Bent Agency
E-publisher: Meghan M. Conrad – Ellora’s Cave
Romantic Suspense Category:
Editor: Katherine Pelz – The Penguin Group
Agent: Tina Tsallas – Great Titles, Inc.
E-publisher: Kelli Collins – Ellora’s Cave
Contemporary Series Category:
Editor: Wanda Ottewell – Harlequin
Agent: Pam Strickler – Pam Strickler Author Management
E-publisher: Lori Graham – Wild Rose Publishers
Single Title Category:
Editor: Deb Werksman – Sourcebooks
Agent: Michelle Grajkowski – 3 Seas Literary Agency
E-publisher: Leanne Morgena – Wild Rose Publishers
Historical Category:
Editor: Junessa Viloria – Random House
Agent: Sara Megibow – Nelson Literary Agency
E-publisher: Susan Yates – Wild Rose Publishers
Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Category:
Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle – Harlequin
Agent: Jill Marsal – Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
E-publisher: Raelene Garlinsky – Ellora’s Cave
Enter and more information at www.nwhrwa.com.
The Golden Claddaugh Contest presented by the RWA Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Chapter is open now. Don’t let our chapter name dissuade you, your entry does not have to be Celtic based to enter, unless you enter our Celtic Category. We have six categories, Historical, FF & P, Romantic Suspense, Celtic, Contemporary & Erotic Romance.
We are open to Submissions starting April 1st. Our contest due date is May 5th, 2011. Finalists will be notified by July 1, 2010 and winners notified by September 1, 2010.
Eligibility
The competition is open to RWA members and non-members who have not accepted a publishing offer from a non-Subsidy, non-Vanity Publisher (self-published) for fiction in the past five years of 20,000 words or more. Entry must be a full-length novel, no novellas or short stories. Manuscripts must be completed. If a final judge asks for a full, you’ll want to be able to send it out immediately. Entrant must retain all rights to the entry and not have granted any of them to a publisher or any other party by the contest entry deadline. If your manuscript is accepted for publication during the time of our contest (dates will be specified) you must notify the contest coordinator; your submission(s) will be withdrawn from consideration and your entry fee(s) returned.
Please Note:
Previously entered manuscripts may be entered again, but no previous winning manuscript shall be re-entered, even if revised.
You may submit multiple entries so long as you pay an entry fee and submit a completed entry form for each submission.
You may not enter the same manuscript in more than one category. *Entry fee per entry: $20.00 CHRW member and $25.00 non-member.
Entries are 30 pages maximum with a synopsis no longer than 5 pages, for a total of 35 pages max. All entries are electronic. Entry fee is $20 for CHRW members and $25 for non-members.
How To Enter
Entries should be submitted to Althea Preston– contests.
CHRW reserves the right to discard all electronic entries and return fees if a minimum number of three (3) entries is not received in any category. Entrants will be contacted before the entries are returned and given the option to place their entry in another category. We may also refuse an entry that does not follow the rules stated here in the guidelines.
Pay by Check
CHRW Treasurer
c/o Rebecca Syme
4022 Rain Roper Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715
Pay by Paypal
Paypal address: treasurer
All entries will be read and scored for the first round by two trained judges and one published author, and the lowest score dropped. The three entries with the highest total scores in each category will move to the final round. An editor/agent will judge the final round and select a winner from the finalists in each category.
Categories
Future, Fantasy & Paranormal: Romance novel where the mains focus is on the romantic relationship, but the future, fantasy or paranormal elements are integral to the story (includes time-travel).
Contemporary: Includes, single title, long and short romantic fiction with a contemporary setting set after 1945. Main focus is the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.
Romantic Suspense: Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. Main focus is still on the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.
Historical: Romance novel set primarily before 1945 — any location.
Celtic – Romantic fiction set in any time period and in any location, but MUST have a Celtic theme (Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Bretons, Isle of Man). Please specify your time period and setting in your entry.
Erotic Romance: any genre or time period, erotic romance submission only – no straight erotica – this means there must be a HEA ending or at least a Happy For Now.
Judges
Final Round Judges
To Be Announced
Entry Composition
Your entry must have the following:
A separate cover page which includes the author’s real name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address, submission title, category and manuscript word count should be submitted in text of the e-mail. Do not include the cover page in the same attachment as your manuscript and synopsis. The manuscript and synopsis will be sent together as one document as an attachment.
The beginning of your manuscript, including prologue, cannot exceed thirty (30) pages. Standard manuscript format must be followed: 1 inch margins, double spaced in a standard font and size that gives 24-26 lines per page. We will not accept entries that have colored, or designer fonts. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE MANUSCRIPT. See ENTRY FORMAT.
The synopsis must be included with the same file attachment as the manuscript, must be double spaced and is not to exceed five (5) pages. Do not send the synopsis in a separate attachment. Whether the synopsis is at the beginning or the end of your entry, it should start and end as though it were separate from your manuscript. Any entry that contains a single spaced synopsis and/or begins or ends on the same page as the manuscript will be refused and sent back for correction. The synopsis will be scored.
NOTE: Your entry, which includes the synopsis must not exceed thirty- five (35) pages total. ANY MANUSCRIPT, OR SYNOPSIS THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE RULES SET DOWN HERE WILL BE REFUSED AND YOUR ENTRY WILL BE RETURNED SO THAT YOU CAN CORRECT IT. However, our deadline still stands; corrected manuscripts will need to be returned by the midnight deadline on May 5, 2011 to be valid. (should the contest deadline be extended, you will have until that extended date to return your ms, but only if the contest deadline for entries is extended)
Entry Format: Standard manuscript and synopsis format, double-spaced, 12-point readable font, twenty-six (26) lines maximum per page, minimum 1″ margins all around. Only the TITLE of the manuscript, the category, and any subcategory should be placed on the top left hand side of the entry. The PAGE NUMBER should be on the top right hand side. IF THE NAME OF THE AUTHOR(S) APPEARS ANYWHERE ON THE MANUSCRIPT OR SYNOPSIS, THE ENTRY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND THE ENTRY FEE WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
Important: Manuscript and synopsis must be in a .doc or .rtf file.
Awards
The FIRST PLACE winner in each category will receive a golden Claddaugh pin.
The SECOND PLACE winner in each category will receive a silver Claddaugh pin.
The THIRD PLACE winner in each category will receive a bronze Claddaugh pin.
All winners will receive certificates and icons to place on their websites.
Questions
For questions please contact the contest chair, Althea Preston at: contests
Drown your sorrows of income tax day by entering the TARA Contest. Put your hard earned dollars toward something for you–receiving great feedback and hopefully a shot at getting your story in front of an awesome editor acquiring in the category you enter and bling if you win your category.
The deadline of May 1st, 11:59 EST is firm and will not be extended. So get your entries in before it’s too late. Good luck everyone in our contest!!
100% Electronic “ Please visit www.tararwa.com for complete rules and electronic instructions.
Spring is in the air. The bees are buzzing, plants are peeking through the soil, and trained TARA judges are waiting to pollinate constructive feedback to help your manuscript bloom.
In this struggling economy, make your contest bucks count. All editors are actively acquiring in the category they’re judging in the TARA Contest. So give yourself a break and take a chance at sidestepping The Slush Pile! Check out our awesome lineup of editors.
***Categories/Final Judges***
Category Romance – Brenda Chin – Harlequin
Inspirational – Natalie Hanemann – Thomas Nelson
Women’s Fiction – Holly Blanck – St Martin’s Press
Romantic Suspense – Emilia Pisani – Pocket Books
Historical – Leah Hultenschmidt – Sourcebooks
Paranormal – Elizabeth Bistrow – New American Library
Single Title – Lauren Plude – Grand Central
Do you see an editor you’d like to get your manuscript in front of? If you do, now is the time to polish your baby and make it shine. Remember to end your entry on a hook, leaving your judges breathless with no more pages left to turn. TARA encourages finalists to implement changes prior to final editor judging. First place winners receive bling!!!
Fee: $25.00 (U.S. funds) per entry. Fees are non-refundable.
Deadline: Entries must be received by 11:59 pm EST May 1st, 2011.
Contents: The first chapter, 4,000 words max (actual word count), including prologue if applicable. *Word count will be verified. No part of a second or any additional chapters will be judged.
Eligibility requirements: The TARA Contest is open to unpublished writers and to any author who has not been published in the past three years and is not currently contracted for any novel-length work of fiction (40,000 + words) in any format (eBook, mass market, etc.). Manuscripts that have previously won the TARA or First Impressions contest may not be re-entered. For additional information visit (http://www.tararwa.com/)
The 2011 Rebecca Contest for Unpublished Manuscripts is now open!!!
All information here: http://leranm.com/rebecca2011.html
Enter the first 5,000 words of your manuscript and grasp possibility of having an actively acquiring agent or editor read your work!
Contemporary Romance – Natalie Fischer, Laura Bradford Literary Agency
Historical Romance – Deb Nemeth, Acquiring Editor, Carina Press
Paranormal/SFR/UF Romance- Becca Stumpf, Prospect Literary Agency
Erotic Romance – Angela James, Excecutive Editor, Carina Press
Young Adult Romance (YA) – Laurie McLean, Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents
~all entries judged by three judges with the lowest score dropped
~all electronic entry available
~What are you waiting for? This is a great opportunity!
The Catherine
2011 Toronto Romance Writers Contest
(Formerly the Original Golden Opportunity)
Our contest has been renamed The Catherine to honor the late Catherine Witmer. A member of RWA® since 1996, Catherine was an incredible proponent of the romance genre through her work as a Romantic Times reviewer. She also served as president of the Toronto Romance Writers in 1999 and 2001. A portion of the proceeds raised by The Catherine will be donated to Canadian literacy.
Deadline: June 1, 2011
Electronic entries only
Entry includes: The first pages of your novel-length manuscript plus a synopsis. Up to 30 pages combined.
Eligibility: The Catherine is open to all unpublished writers (whether or not a member of RWA) and any member of RWA who is not eligible to join RWA-PAN. Please see the RWA website regarding PAN eligibility rules.
First round judging: Each entry will be judged by three writers; the lowest score will be dropped.
Categories and Final Round Judges:
Contemporary Series – Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin
Contemporary Single Title – Margo Lipschultz, HQN
Historical – Katherine Pelz, Berkley
Paranormal, Fantasy, Futuristic – Esi Sogah, Avon
Romantic Suspense – Leis Pederson, Berkley
Strong Romantic Elements – Kathleen Gilligan, St. Martin’s
Young Adult – Karen Chaplin, HarperCollins Children’s Books
Gold Ticket Grand Prize
The top entry in each category is entered into Gold Ticket round to be judged by Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency. The Gold Ticket winner receives a three-chapter critique by New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.
For more information, visit www.torontoromancewriters.com/contest.html
