Sunday, December 18, 2016

The North Texas Romance Writers of America chapter is proud to announce that the 
2017 GREAT EXPECTATIONS CONTEST is open!


EARLY BIRD FEES END AT MIDNIGHT, CENTRAL TIME, DECEMBER 18, 2016!

The Great Expectations Contest is for unpublished material, to include works from unpublished authors as well as unpublished works from published authors (if you are a published author, please see the 2017 Rules for details.)

Now in its 16th consecutive year, North Texas RWA can help you receive unbiased opinions from three qualified judges on the first 5,000 words of your story. The top four scoring entries (or five, in the event of a tie) will progress to the finalist stage of the contest, where top editors from leading publishing houses will determine the winners.

THE ENTRY!


  • 5,000 word entry limit instead of page count
  • NO synopsis or blurb (finalists will have the opportunity to include an unjudged synopsis for the editors)


DEADLINES AND FEES



Early Bird Dates and Fees:

DATES:  
October 30, 2016 to midnight (Central Time) December 18, 2016

FEES:  

  • $20 per entry for North Texas, DARA, and Yellow Rose Chapter Members of RWA
  • $25 per entry for all other contest entrants


Regular Dates and Fees:

DATES:  
December 19, 2016 to midnight (Central Time) January 4, 2017

FEES:

  • $25 per entry for North Texas, DARA, and Yellow Rose Chapter Members of RWA
  • $30 per entry for all other contest entrants



Midnight, Central Time, Wednesday, January 4, 2017 
the Contest Closes for Entries!

Polish up your manuscript and enter today! 

Questions? Contact Fenley Grant, at GECoordinator@NTRWA.org
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Saturday, October 29, 2016

The North Texas Romance Writers of America chapter is proud to announce that the 
2017 GREAT EXPECTATIONS CONTEST is open for entries tomorrow, October 30, 2016!

The Great Expectations Contest is for unpublished material, to include works from unpublished authors as well as unpublished works from published authors (if you are a published author, please see the 2017 Rules for details.)

Now in its 16th consecutive year, North Texas RWA can help you receive unbiased opinions from three qualified judges on the first 5,000 words of your story. The top four scoring entries (or five, in the event of a tie) will progress to the finalist stage of the contest, where top editors from leading publishing houses will determine the winners.

THE ENTRY!


  • 5,000 word entry limit instead of page count
  • NO synopsis or blurb (finalists will have the opportunity to include an unjudged synopsis for the editors)


DEADLINES AND FEES

October 30, 2016:  Contest opens for entries

Early Bird Dates and Fees:

DATES:  
October 30, 2016 to midnight (Central Time) December 18, 2016

FEES:  

  • $20 per entry for North Texas, DARA, and Yellow Rose Chapter Members of RWA
  • $25 per entry for all other contest entrants


Regular Dates and Fees:

DATES:  
December 19, 2016 to midnight (Central Time) January 4, 2017

FEES:

  • $25 per entry for North Texas, DARA, and Yellow Rose Chapter Members of RWA
  • $30 per entry for all other contest entrants
Midnight, Central Time, Wednesday, January 4, 2017 
the Contest Closes for Entries!

Polish up your manuscript and enter today! 

Questions? Contact Fenley Grant, at GECoordinator@NTRWA.org
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Thursday, March 31, 2016



The North Texas Chapter
of Romance Writers of America is proud to announce …
The 2016 Great Expectations Contest Winners!

Denotes Request for Partial Manuscript *
Denotes Request for Full Manuscript **

CONTEMPORARY SERIES ROMANCE
Final Editor:  Karen Reid, Associate Editor, Harlequin Publishing

First Place:           Shell of a Chance, by Tanya Agler **
Second Place:       The Brothers of Brigadier Station, 
                            by Sarah Williams **
Third Place:          Higher Learning, by Seana Kelly **
Honorable Mention:  Faking His Fiancée, by Jessica Davidson*

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Final Editor:  Gabrielle (Elle) Keck, Editorial Assistant, HarperCollins

First Place:           My Lord Mercenary, by Trace Hemming *
Second Place:       The Lost Letter, by Mimi Matthews
Third Place:          Lord James' Challenge, by Evelyn Alexie
Honorable Mention:  Taming the Earl, by Elizabeth King
                                     
INSPIRATIONAL  ROMANCE
Final Editor:  Raela Schoenherr, Acquisitions Editor, Bethany House
                 
First Place:           Honorable Intentions, by Michele Morris *
Second Place:       The Thief's Redemption, by Connie Queen
Third Place:          Love Never Fails, by Lorri Dudley
Honorable Mention:  15 Days, by Rebekah Millet

MAINSTREAM WITH ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
Final Editor:  Marla Daniels, Assistant Editor, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

First Place:            Off-the-Grid in the Tropics, 
                            by Mindy Miller **
Second Place:       Happily Ever Afters, by Rachel Magee
Third Place:          Lady Jane Lives, by Angie Dicken
Honorable Mention:  A Town Called Hope, by Abby Gaines

NEW ADULT
Final Editor:  Julie Mianecki, Assistant Editor, Berkley Publishing Group

First Place:            Heartfall, by Diana Beebe
Second Place:       Saving Grace, by JoAnn Sky *
Third Place (Tied):  Crossing the Lines, by JoAnna Grace
 The Mercy Killers, by Jessica Grace Kelley
         
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Final Editor:  Alex Logan, Senior Editor, Grand Central Publishing

First Place:           In the Wrong Sights, by Tracy Brody **
Second Place:       Deadly Secrets, by Lynn Balabanos
Third Place:          Thrill of the Chase, by Shelly Alexander
Honorable Mention:  Smoke and Secrets, by Nikki Brock

SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE
Final Editor:  Madeleine Colavita, Associate Editor, Grand Central Publishing

First Place:            Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher, 
                            by Seana Kelly
Second Place:       Season Pass, by LS Rhoades
Third Place:          Murphy's Secret, by Becke Turner
Honorable Mention:  Eire Ever After, by Jeanne M. Dickson

SPECIALIZED ROMANCE (Alternate Earth, Dystopian, Fantasy, Futuristic, Paranormal, Time Travel)
Final Editor: Kristine Swartz, Assistant Editor, Berkley Publishing Group

First Place:            Rolf's Quest, by Aubrey Wynne *
Second Place:       Sanctuary, by Seana Kelly
Third Place:           Rain Goddess, by Amanda Byrd
Honorable Mention:  Beneath Us, by Michelle Joyce Bond

YOUNG ADULT
Final Editor:  Alice Jerman, Assistant Editor, HarperCollins

First Place:           Soren's Resistance, by Christine Gunderson
Second Place (Tied): Mom I Married a Highlander, 
                              by Lana Pattinson
The True Ones, by Nina Bangs
Third Place:           Resistance, by Linda J. Parisi


Congratulations to our winners and good luck on your road to publication!




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Thursday, February 4, 2016



The North Texas Romance Writers of America Chapter is proud to announce the
2016 Great Expectations Contest Finalists

Congratulations to all who entered and put your work in the hands of strangers.
Best of Luck to the finalists as they submit their work to our final round editors.
*denotes double finalist
(Listed in alphabetical order by title)

CONTEMPORARY SERIES
Final Round Editor:  KAREN REID, Associate Editor, Harlequin 

The Brothers of Brigadier Station, by Sarah Williams
Faking His Fiancée, by Jessica Davidson
Higher Learning, by Seana Kelly*
Shell of a Chance, by Tanya Agler

HISTORICAL
Final Round Editor:  GABRIELLE KECK, Editorial Assistant, HarperCollins

Lord James' Challenge, by Evelyn Alexie
The Lost Letter, by Mimi Matthews
My Lord Mercenary, byTrace Hemming
Taming the Earl, by Elizabeth King

INSPIRATIONAL
Final Round Editor:  RAELA SCHOENHERR, Fiction Acquisitions, Bethany House  

15 Days, by Rebekah Millet
Honorable Intentions, by Michele Morris
Love Never Fails, by Lorri Dudley                 
The Thief's Redemption, by Connie Queen

MAINSTREAM with ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
Final Round Editor:  ISABEL FARHI, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group  

Happily Ever Afters, by Rachel Magee
Lady Jane Lives, by Angie Dicken
Off-the-Grid in the Tropics, by Mindy Miller
A Town Called Hope, by Abby Gaines

NEW ADULT
Final Round Editor:  JULIE MIANECKI, Assistant Editor, Berkley Publishing Group     
    
Crossing the Lines, by JoAnna Grace
Heartfall, by Diana Beebe
The Mercy Killers, by Jessica Grace Kelley
Saving Grace, by JoAnn Sky

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Final Round Editor:   ALEX LOGAN, Senior Editor, Grand Central Publishing    
  
Deadly Secrets, by Lynn Balabanos
In the Wrong Sights, by Tracy Brody
Smoke and Secrets, by Nikki Brock
Thrill of the Chase, by Shelly Alexander

SINGLE TITLE
Final Round Editor:  MADELEINE COLAVITA, Assistant Editor, Grand Central Publishing

Eire Ever After, by Jeanne M. Dickson
Murphy's Secret, by Becke Turner
Season Pass, by LS Rhoades
Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher, by Seana Kelly*

SPECIALIZED (Alternate Earth, Dystopian, Fantasy, Futuristic, Paranormal, Time Travel)
Final Round Editor:  KRISTINE SWARTZ, Assistant Editor, Berkley Publishing Group

Beneath Us, by Michelle Joyce Bond
Rain Goddess, by Amanda Byrd
Rolf's Quest, by Aubrey Wynne
Sanctuary, by Seana Kelly*

YOUNG ADULT 
Final Round Editor:  ALICE JERMAN, Assistant Editor, HarperCollins

Mom I Married a Highlander, by Lana Pattinson
Resistance, by Linda Parisi
Soren's Resistance, by Christine Gunderson
The True Ones, by Nina Bangs


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GREAT EXPECTATIONS FINALISTS!

Fenley Grant
Great Expectations Contest Coordinator
GECoordinator@NTRWA.org
NTRWAGreatExpectations.blogspot.com
www.NTRWA.org






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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Judge Training

Our judge training is posted on-line for convenience but also so the entrant can review the tips.

 The training is reviewed each year.
Changes are made to the original posting.

 Here are the shortcuts to all the pages:

Articles, tips and references to share with contestants:
We're always interested in articles about editing, how-to-write, constructive shortcuts or inspiration. Please feel free to send suggestions to the GEcoordinator@NTRWA.org

~ ~ ~
Most of the opinions on judging and interpreting the questions’ intent are my own words. I’ve been in the business over 15 years and have spoken to many authors, gathering information. A lot of the time when a question is asked, I go to authors who publish in that genre for advice. Please use your own expertise and experience, but keep our humble interpretations in mind.
~Thanks, Angi Morgan
AngiMorganAuthor.com

Contributions and edits by Fenley Grant.

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Monday, January 4, 2016

* PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED AND ENCOURAGED*
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 6, 2016!
2016 GREAT EXPECTATIONS CONTEST

11:59 p.m., Central Time, Wednesday, January 6, 2016 
the Contest Closes for Entries!

We received record numbers of entries in seven out of the nine categories offered, but need a few additional entries in two of our categories to meet contest requirements:

·   New Adult
· Single Title

To ensure the success of all nine categories and allow the contestants an opportunity to get their work in front of our amazing final editors, we’re extending the deadline.

We will accept additional entries in ALL categories but encourage additional entries in the New Adult and Single Title categories.

The Great Expectations Contest is for unpublished material, to include works from all authors who have never been published in book-length romantic fiction, as well as authors who have not been contracted or published in the entered category during the last three years (during 2013, 2014 or 2015.)

Now in its 15th consecutive year, North Texas RWA can help you receive unbiased opinions from three qualified judges on the first 5,000 words of your story. The top four scoring entries (or five, in the event of a tie) will progress to the finalist stage of the contest, where top editors from leading publishing houses will determine the winners.

THE ENTRY!

·                     5,000 word entry limit instead of page count
·                     NO synopsis or blurb (finalists will have the opportunity to include an unjudged synopsis for the editors)


DEADLINES AND FEES

DATES:  
11:59 p.m. (Central Time) January 6, 2016

FEES:
·                     $25 per entry for North Texas, DARA, and Yellow Rose Chapter Members of RWA
·                     $30 per entry for all other contest entrants


11:59 p.m., Central Time, Wednesday, January 6, 2016 
the Contest Closes for Entries!

Polish up your manuscript and enter today! 

Categories and Final Round Judges:
Contemporary Series: Karen Reid, Assistant Editor, Harlequin
Romantic series novels. If your manuscript is a series romantic suspense, you may enter the Contemporary Series category or the Romantic Suspense category. Please check our score sheets to see which benefits your writing.
Historical: Gabrielle Keck, Editorial Assistant, HarperCollins
Romantic novels with non-contemporary settings, including regency & gothic romances.
Inspirational Contemporary: Raela Schoenherr, Fiction Aquisitions, Bethany House Pubishers
Romantic novels with an inspirational message/theme, including romantic suspense, historical, etc.
Mainstream with Romantic Elements: Isabel Farhi, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group
Novels that include an element of romance but in which traditional romance conventions are not followed and in which there are themes and conflicts beyond romance. Mainly women’s fiction and chick lit.
Romantic Suspense: Alex Logan, Senior Editor, Grand Central Publishing
Romantic novels that include an element of mystery or suspense. Since the final round editor is from a single title publisher, contestants may want to enter series romantic suspense in the contemporary series category.
Single Title: Madeleine Colavita, Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing
Romantic novels released as individual titles.
Specialized (Futuristic/Fantasy/Time Travel/Paranormal): Kristine Swartz, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group
Romantic novels of any time setting (historical or futuristic) that contain elements such as time-travel, paranormal or fantasy themes. The emphasis must be on the romance.
Young Adult: Alice Jerman, Assistant Editor, HarperCollins
Novels appropriate for young adult readers. Includes young adult heroes and heroines not exceeding 18 years of age.
New Adult: Julie A Mianecki, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group
Novels appropriate for new adult readers. Includes heroes and heroines not exceeding 25 years of age. Novels similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult (a more mature YA market featuring the 19 to 25 age range.) New Adult fiction tends to focus on "first" experience issues. Some examples are leaving home, developing sexuality, negotiating education, first job or career choices.


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