Copyright 2012 Southern Magic, Inc., RWA Chapter 178
IMPORTANT DATES
- Must be emailed by October 15, 2011 - 10 p.m. central
- Finalists should be announced by January 7, 2012
- Revised final entries must be emailed by January 17, 2012 (with synopses)
- Winners should be announced on March 17, 2012
ELIGIBILITY
- All work must be the author's original work and the author has not been contracted for publication five years prior to the entry deadline. Published authors must not be contracted (by RWA publishing standards) in the past five years. Authors contracted after October 15, 2006, are not eligible.
- Previous winners and finalists may not re-enter the same manuscript, even in edited format. They may enter another manuscript.
- Entrants may enter as many manuscripts as they wish, however, each manuscript may only be entered in one category.
- Failure to comply with any of the rules may disqualify the entry resulting in a forfeit of the entry fee.
SCORING
- Three judges will fill out a detailed score sheet on each entry. Comments on manuscripts will be requested but not required. Lowest score of the three will be dropped.
- Other entries will be returned after finalists are announced.
- First place will receive a metal bookmark. Second to fifth place will receive a certificate.
FORMAT
- Standard manuscript format: double space, one inch margins, no more than 25 lines per page with header (Title/Contest category upper left, Page number upper right)
- Your name must not appear on the manuscript or your entry will be disqualified and entry fee forfeited.
- First 25 pages or less of each entry. The 25 pages includes prologue if applicable. Send to respective category coordinator listed on the next page.
- All entries must be saved in .rtf format.
FEE
Before Oct. 1, 2011: SM Member: $20; RWA Member $25; Non-RWA Member $30
Oct.1-15, 2011: SM Member $25; RWA Member: $30; Non-RWA Member $35
Send funds and then the entry. If you agree to judge two or more entries, you will receive a $5 discount on your entry fee.
Two ways to pay:
1) Check or money order to be made payable to SOUTHERN MAGIC in U.S. Dollars
and mailed with a completed and signed entry form to contest coordinator. Do not
send entry until we notify you of receipt of funds. Must be received before deadline.
Email category coordinator for address.
2) Or pay by PayPal, send funds to treasurer@southernmagic.org. In the comment
section of PayPal, type the category of your entry.
Before Oct. 1, 2011: SM Member: $20; RWA Member $25; Non-RWA Member $30
Oct.1-15, 2011: SM Member $25; RWA Member: $30; Non-RWA Member $35
Send funds and then the entry. If you agree to judge two or more entries, you will receive a $5 discount on your entry fee.
Two ways to pay:
1) Check or money order to be made payable to SOUTHERN MAGIC in U.S. Dollars
and mailed with a completed and signed entry form to contest coordinator. Do not
send entry until we notify you of receipt of funds. Must be received before deadline.
Email category coordinator for address.
2) Or pay by PayPal, send funds to treasurer@southernmagic.org. In the comment
section of PayPal, type the category of your entry.
ENTRY:
Email Category (show below).
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGE OF RECEIVING YOUR FUNDS AND YOUR ENTRY BY THE DEADLINE, PLEASE NOTIFY CONTEST COORDINATOR IMMEDIATELY.
If you agree to judge two or more entries, you will receive a $5 discount on your entry fee.
Email Category (show below).
- Subject line of email: Title/Category/PayPal (or other method of payment).
- Completed entry form attached
- Attach entry in rtf format
- Entry saved by title of manuscript. E.g., PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.rft
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGE OF RECEIVING YOUR FUNDS AND YOUR ENTRY BY THE DEADLINE, PLEASE NOTIFY CONTEST COORDINATOR IMMEDIATELY.
If you agree to judge two or more entries, you will receive a $5 discount on your entry fee.
If You're a Finalist:
Finalists to provide synopses with final, re-edited entry. This will be returned to category coordinator via email.
In a single category, if less than ten entries are received, the authors will be placed in their alternate category and notified.
Finalists to provide synopses with final, re-edited entry. This will be returned to category coordinator via email.
In a single category, if less than ten entries are received, the authors will be placed in their alternate category and notified.
Categories
Series/Short & Long Contemporary
Romance-based series novels. Word count: 40,000 to 90,000
Final Judge - Editor: Susan Litman, Harlequin
Final Judge - Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhil Associates, Ltd.
Single Title
Romance-based novels published as individual titles. Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks
Final Judge - Agent: Jessica Alvarez, Bookends, LLC
Suspense (series or single title)Romance-based novels that include an element of mystery or suspense. Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Kristin Sevick, Tor/Forge
Final Judge - Agent: Joyce Holland, D4EO
Historical
Romance-based novels with non-contemporary settings, including regency & gothic romances. Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Megan Records, Kensington
Final Judge - Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel)
Romance-based novels of any time setting that contain elements such as time-travel, paranormal or fantasy themes. Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Melissa Frain, Tor/Forge
Final Judge - Agent: Marlene Stringer, The Stringer Literary Agency
Young Adult
Romance-based novels published for the Young Adult market. Word count: 40,000 or more
Final Judge - Editor: Adam Wilson, Harlequin Teen
Final Judge - Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
The Write Magic
For Southern Magic members only
Final Judge - Editor: Debra Dixon, Editor, Bell Bridge Books
Final Judge - Agent: Paige Wheeler, Agent, Folio Literary Agency
Series/Short & Long Contemporary
Romance-based series novels. Word count: 40,000 to 90,000
Final Judge - Editor: Susan Litman, Harlequin
Final Judge - Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhil Associates, Ltd.
Single Title
Romance-based novels published as individual titles. Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks
Final Judge - Agent: Jessica Alvarez, Bookends, LLC
Suspense (series or single title)Romance-based novels that include an element of mystery or suspense. Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Kristin Sevick, Tor/Forge
Final Judge - Agent: Joyce Holland, D4EO
Historical
Romance-based novels with non-contemporary settings, including regency & gothic romances. Word count: 40,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Megan Records, Kensington
Final Judge - Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel)
Romance-based novels of any time setting that contain elements such as time-travel, paranormal or fantasy themes. Word count: 90,000 to 110,000
Final Judge - Editor: Melissa Frain, Tor/Forge
Final Judge - Agent: Marlene Stringer, The Stringer Literary Agency
Young Adult
Romance-based novels published for the Young Adult market. Word count: 40,000 or more
Final Judge - Editor: Adam Wilson, Harlequin Teen
Final Judge - Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
The Write Magic
For Southern Magic members only
Final Judge - Editor: Debra Dixon, Editor, Bell Bridge Books
Final Judge - Agent: Paige Wheeler, Agent, Folio Literary Agency
Series/Short & Long Contemporary
Heather Leonard
HNLeonard@gmail.com Heather Leonard
Single Title
Chris Bailey
Crb.writes@bham.rr.com Chris Bailey
Romantic Suspense (series or single title)
Heather Leonard
HNLeonard@gmail.com Heather Leonard
For questions about The Write Magic category, contact the contest coordinator. All Southern Magic members who either final in their category or earn a score of 90 or higher will be automatically entered into The Write Magic category final round.
