What people are saying . . .

"The Great Expectations is a fantastic contest to enter. I'm a three time finalist with this contest and have gotten valuable feedback as well as editor interest. I would highly recommend entering this one.”

Lindsey Brookes

American Title III Finalist

~ ~ ~

Romance author Lindsey Brookes spent part of her life growing up in the deep south, the rest up north where winter brings in the cold and the snow. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin's Great American Romance Novel contest. She's married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

Check out her websites:

www.lindseybrookes.com

www.possumhollowseries.com

What people are saying . . .

"I choose my contests carefully and Great Expectations proved to be a great pick. Even though my story didn't place with the top entries, I received excellent, constructive feedback that bolstered my belief that I'd soon be published. Now, a year later, I'm happy to say that WHERE SOULS COLLIDE (formerly Inkling) will be released this summer by Dorchester/Leisure. Thanks again for this worthwhile opportunity."

Stefanie Worth

HEAVENSENT.COM, Holiday Brides anthology, Leisure Books, October 2009

WHERE SOULS COLLIDE, Dorchester, August 2007

~~~

I write fantasy because, well, I believe in magic. From those negligible every day moments when a smile changes a stranger's mood, to those random acts of kindness that alter the course of another's life - magic surrounds us at every turn.

I've been writing practically all my life - reading even longer. The first fantasy book I remember devouring was Mio My Son by Astrid Lindgren. The story must have transformed me because I've been all about Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Stephen King and Dean Koontz ever since. I suppose I've never lost my childhood fascination with the wonder of "what if?"

Since I grew up to be an author, writing gives me the luxury of morphing run-of-the-mill magic into bigger-than-life characters with problems and powers to match. I've fueled my imagination over the years by living a drama-filled life and scrutinizing human nature.

There's no greater feeling than making up an ordinary woman and turning her into the heroine of my book. She's always somebody from today's world who gets caught up in a supernatural situation that tests her smarts and her heart. She'll meet the challenge with grit. She'll make the tough choices. She'll change and she'll win. But the question will always be "At what cost?"

With my stories you'll see: Magic works in mysterious ways. Just believe.

http://www.stefanieworth.com/

What people are saying . . .

"My manuscript which placed first in the Long Contemporary category in 2005 will be published in June 2007. Laura Shin, who was the contest judge, requested the full, and then after I revised it and resubmitted, she bought the book in October 2006 for Harlequin SuperRomance.

"I gave the Great Expectations contest a plug in my chapter loop. I thought the personal touch with your communication was amazing. The feedback was wonderfully thoughtful and right on target! I thoroughly enjoyed my GE contest experience, even before I sold the book.

"Thanks for all you do for the romance writing community!"

Ellen Hartman

WANTED MAN, Harlequin SuperRomance, June 2007

HIS SECRET PAST, Harlequin SuperRomance, May 2008

THE BOYFRIEND'S BACK, Harlequin SuperRomance, December 2009

~ ~ ~

I've been making a living as a writer since I got my creative writing degree from Carnegie Mellon University and went to work for Microsoft. I spent fifteen years writing technical manuals no one ever read until I finally decided to take a shot at writing what I really
love...romance. 
http://www.ellenhartman.com/

What people are saying . . .

"Contests can be the quickest route to an editor or agent, particularly one such as Great Expectations that has category-specific score sheets. I credit contests with helping me sell and establishing my name.”

 

Dianna Love

WORTH EVERY RISK

Silhouette Intimate Moments March 2005

2006 Rita® Best First Book

~ ~ ~

New York Times bestseller Dianna Love once dangled over a hundred feet in the air to create unusual marketing projects for Fortune 500 companies. She now writes high-octane romantic thrillers, young adult (as Micah Caida) and urban fantasy. The first five books in her new Slye Temp romantic thriller series - LAST CHANCE TO RUN, NOWHERE SAFE, HONEYMOON TO DIE FOR, KISS THE ENEMY and DECEPTIVE TREASURES - all met with rave reviews. Her books are available in print, e-book and audio. On the rare occasions Dianna is out of her writing cave, she tours the country on her BMW motorcycle searching for new story locations. Dianna lives in the Atlanta, GA area with her husband who is a motorcycle instructor and with a tank full of unruly saltwater critters. http://www.AuthorDiannaLove.com or Join her Dianna Love Street Team on Facebook and get in on the fun!

What people are saying . . .

"I needed some feedback on a new young adult novel I was writing. I decided to enter the North Texas RWA Great Expectations Contest. I was absolutely stunned when I won first place. Within three weeks of winning the contest I signed with my dream agent. She sold my novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, and a sequel within five days! The contest was so well run and they kept us very well informed throughout the entire process! I've also met new writing friends that I may never have found otherwise! Thanks, NTRWA!"

Stephanie Hale

REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, Berkley Jam 2007

TWISTED SISTERS, Berkley Jam 2008

SPRING BREAKUP, Berkley Jam 2009

THE ALPHA BET, Berkley Jam 2010

~ ~ ~

Stephanie Hale is the author of High School Hangover, Revenge of the Homecoming Queen, Twisted Sisters, Spring Breakup, and The Alpha Bet. When she isn't writing funny stories, she is usually daydreaming about where to go on her next vacation. You can find out more about here at www.stephaniehale.com, www.facebook.com/booksbystephaniehale, and www.twitter.com/stephaniemhale

What people are saying . . .

"Editor feedback is so hard to get and so very helpful when you can get it. The score sheet in The Great Expectations Contest (HEIRESS UNPLUGGED, Third, Single Title, 2006) gave me fantastic detailed editor feedback and helped me hone a book that was a totally new direction for me. I've since sold two different books to Silhouette Desire and it's hard to find a downside to selling, but I will miss being able to get unbiased feedback from contests!"

Jennifer Lewis

THE BOSS'S DEMAND, Silhouette Desire 2008

LEGACY OF PASSION, Silhouette Desire 2008

~ ~ ~

I’ve been making up stories since the day I was born. I always loved to draw as well as write and as a child I drew graphic novellas featuring penniless but plucky Cinderella heroines. My love of daydreaming earned me the nickname “Dozy Duck” in Kindergarten, and I still consider staring into space to be a constructive activity.

I've now published  more than twenty books, which have been translated into twenty-two languages. Since moving to South Florida, I have become addicted to kayaking and paddle boarding on the deliciously warm waters. The lush natural environment and its endless variety of flora and fauna provide the perfect backdrop for dreaming up stories of passion and romance.

http://www.jenlewis.com/

What people are saying . . .

"Even though I didn't sell through a contest, I received some great feedback, especially from Great Expectations, but the way contests helped me the most is by being a judge. I had way too much back story in my book and even though people told me, it didn’t sink in. As a judge I saw other people making the same mistake I had over and over. That’s what gave me the kick in the pants to go in and cut all of my back story. So, don’t be shy about judging. It can be as good for your career as entering."

Lori Devoti

LOVE IS ALL AROUND, Zebra May 2005

Lori Devoti worked for three different newspapers in two different states before deciding to stay home with her children and begin writing fiction. The author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance and paranormal romance, Lori has been a finalist for many awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. She lives near Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and children as well as two dogs.

http://www.loridevoti.com/

What people are saying . . .

"Great Expectations seems to run like a well-oiled machine (at least it seems that way from my end). Although I didn't final, I can't think of a contest in which I've received better feedback and suggestions (2006 entry). Most of them will help me to stretch and grow. Since judging is such a subjective thing, I think your judges are very professional in the way they present their comments. Thank you again. I hope you'll allow me to enter next year! I wish I lived a bit closer, I'd love to be part of your chapter!"

Tina Joyce

2009 GOLDEN HEART FINALIST

Tina Beckett published in 2012

Harlequin, Mills & Boon author and a three-time Golden Heart® finalist, Tina Beckett is the product of a Navy upbringing. Always on the move, her travels often took her outside of the United States, where English reading material was scarce. Her supply of books eventually ran out, and she started writing her own stories, fashioned after the romance novels she'd loved through the years. She finished that first book and moved on to the next. After the fourth manuscript, she realized there was no going back...she was officially a writer.

When not in the middle of her latest book, Tina enjoys crafting stained glass panels, riding horses and hiking with her family. Fluent in Portuguese, she divides her time between Brazil and the United States and loves to use exotic locales as the backdrop for many of her stories. You can learn more about Tina at her website: http://www.tinabeckett.com or find her hanging out on Facebook or twitter.

What people are saying . . .

"Thanks to everyone behind the Great Expectations contest for your helpful critiques and comments on my 2005 entry. I received a two-book publishing contract shortly thereafter, and my entry, Blue Collar Guys (retitled GOOD WITH HIS HANDS), was a 2006 release."

 Alexa Darin

GOOD WITH HIS HANDS, Kensington September 2006

~ ~ ~

Alexa Darin grew up in the small town (not so small now) of Kirkland, Washington, where she spent her adolescent years dreaming of a boy who eventually inspired her to write romance. Today, she spends her days honing her craft, hiking with her two yellow labs, and thinking up ways to keep the critters out of her garden.

http://alexadarin.com/

What people are saying . . .

"As an unpublished writer (strike one) with a Western historical to sell (strike two), I've had a very hard time getting agents to request more of my work. When I saw that the Great Expectations final judge was one of my target editors, I took matters into my own hands. I ended up with first place, and a request for a full manuscript."

Pamela Hathaway

DESPERATE MEASURES, 

1st Place Historical Category 2006

We're gearing up for the 2015 contest.

If you are a past winner or finalist who has a success story

...we'd love to feature it here.

Email GEcoodrinator@ntrwa.org

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . .

CONGRATULATIONS

NTRWA thanks all the contestants, first round judges and final round editors for making the 2014 Great Expectations Contest a success. Best of luck to all on their road of publication. ~Angi

CONTEMPORARY SERIES

MEGAN LONG, Associate Editor, Harlequin Publishing                                        

First: *Small Town Nurse, Surprise Pregnancy by Jill Kay Quincy    

Second: **A Pinch of Cinnamon by Tanya Agler             

Third: Mistress of the Manor by Jen Arnold          

Honorable Mention: All I Need Is The Girl by Joanne Dannon 

Honorable Mention: Blackmailing the Country Music Star by Jessica Davidson

HISTORICAL 

CHELSEY EMMELHAINZ, Assistant Editor, William Morrow Avon                       

First:  The Heretic's Daughter by Jessica Trapp  

Second:  Sure Shot Annie by Kari Bovee           

Third:  The Caged Heart by Carla Swafford

Honorable Mention:  Not Your Average Beauty by Michelle Helliwell  

INSPIRATIONAL

RAELA SCHOENHERR, Fiction Acquisitions, Bethany House                     

First: Kept by Sally Bradley    

First:  The Elephant's Secret by Walt Mussell   

Third:  Heart of Valor by Natalie Monk 

Honorable Mention:  A Twisted Trail by Betty Woods   

MAINSTREAM w/ROMANTIC ELEMENTS   

ALEX LOGAN, Editor, Grand Central Publishing/Forever 

First: *First Blush by Jennifer Sanchez      

Second:  Dead Man's Carve by Kym Roberts         

Third:  Blue Sun, Yellow Sky by Jamie Hoang  

Honorable Mention: Where You Belong by Susan Dunn

NEW ADULT 

ELIZABETH POTEET, Assistant Editor, St. Martin's Press           

First: **The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen   

Second:  Vengeance by Kym Roberts            

Third:   Sanguis Donum by Robin Nelson 

Honorable Mention:  Diary of an Almost Dead Girl by Samantha Lennon  

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE          

LAURA FAZIO, Assistant Editor, NAL/Penguin Group       

First:  Undercover by Linda Bond  

Second:  Seducing the Enemy by Ellen Lindseth          

Third:  The Deep End by Julie Mulhern    

Honorable Mention:  Images by Patricia Dane  

SINGLE TITLE             

MADELEINE COLAVITA, Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing

First: *Wild in Her Eyes by Laura Trentham   

Second: *Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher  by Seana Kelly         

Third:   Love In Living Color by Shelly C. Alexander     

Honorable Mention:  Finding Mr. Wrong by Lisa Houghton  

SPECIALIZED (AE,D,F,F,P,TT) 

KRISTINE SWARTZ, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

First: *The Illusion of Truth by Dawn Alexander 

Second:  Watchtower by J. Hover          

Third: **Recurve by Lisa Fenley  

Honorable Mention: Sucker Punching Magic by Mia Jo Celeste   

YOUNG ADULT

JULIE MIANECKI, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

First: *The Bright Side of the Moon by Jo McAlister

Second:  Burn Me Once by Jo McAlister   

Third:  Alien and the Beast by Amy Paulshock

Third: Sucker Punching Magic by Mia Jo Celeste  

          

**Partial requested

*Full requested

Permission to forward

WHEN ARE WE ANNOUNCING WINNERS?

One category is running a little late... 

Finalists will be notified at the end of this week of their placements.

BEST OF LUCK !
~Angi
AngiMogran.com




We asked our final round editors to return scores by March 17th. Unfortunately, there was a delay.

2014 Finalists

North Texas RWA proudly announces the

2014 Great Expectations Finalists

Congratulations to all who entered and put your work in the hands of strangers. And the Best of Luck to the finalists as they submit their work to our final round editors.

CONTEMPORARY SERIES

MEGAN LONG, Associate Editor, Harlequin Publishing                                        

A Pinch of Cinnamon by Tanya Agler                                    

All I Need Is The Girl by Joanne Dannon 
Blackmailing the Country Music Star by Jessica Davidson  ** 

Mistress of the Manor by Jen Arnold                                    

Small Town Nurse, Surprise Pregnancy by Jill Kay Quincy                

HISTORICAL

CHELSEY EMMELHAINZ, Assistant Editor, William Morrow Avon                       

The Caged Heart by Carla Swafford              

The Heretic's Daughter by Jesica Trapp                    

Not Your Average Beauty by Michelle Helliwell                   

Sure Shot Annie by Kari Bovee                      

INSPIRATIONAL

RAELA SCHOENHERR, Fiction Acquisitions, Bethany House                     

A Twisted Trail by Betty Woods                     

The Elephant's Secret by Walt Mussell                     

Heart of Valor by Natalie Monk                    

Kept by Sally Bradley             

MAINSTREAM w/ROMANTIC ELEMENTS   

ALEX LOGAN, Editor, Grand Central Publishing/Forever 

Blue Sun, Yellow Sky by Jamie Hoang                       

Dead Man's Carve by Kym Roberts               

First Blush by Jennifer Sanchez                      

Where You Belong by Susan Dunn

NEW ADULT  

ELIZABETH POTEET, Editorial Assistant, St. Martin's Press           

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen                 

Diary of an Almost Dead Girl by Samantha Lennon              

Sanguis Donum by Robin Nelson                   

Vengeance by Kym Roberts               

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE          

LAURA FAZIO, Assistant Editor, NAL/Penguin Group       

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern                     

Images by Patricia Dane                    

Seducing the Enemy by Ellen Lindseth                      

Undercover by Linda Bond                

SINGLE TITLE             

MADELEINE COLAVITA, Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing

Finding Mr. Wrong by Lisa Houghton            

Love In Living Color by Shelly C. Alexander               

Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher  by Seana Kelly                

Wild in Her Eyes by Laura Trentham            

SPECIALIZED (AE,D,F,F,P,TT) 

KRISTINE SWARTZ, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

The Illusion of Truth by Dawn Alexander                  

Recurve by Lisa Fenley                      

Sucker Punching Magic by Mia Jo Celeste                

Watchtower by J. Hover                    

YOUNG ADULT

JULIE MIANECKI, Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

Alien and the Beast by Amy Paulshock

Burn Me Once by Jo McAlister

The Bright Side of the Moon by Jo McAlister

Sucker Punching Magic by Mia Jo Celeste   

~~  ~~  ~~   ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~   ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~ 

Please feel free to forward or share

**First round scores added incorrectly.

ALMOST THERE

Almost all the scores have been reported and recorded...

We're almost ready to announce our

2014 finalists.

Entries Due on January 26th

All entries are due to be returned Sunday, January 26th.

Two categories are already finished.

Get your entries judged, judges !

>>>>smile<<<<

THANKS for your help and timliness.

~Angi

DEADLINE EXTENDED

through DECEMBER 31st

The contest is still accepting entries
please spread the word

~Angi

ENTER TODAY ~ SUBMIT LATER

Feel free to pay for your entry today 

and work on your entry over the holiday break,

submitting by December 29th.

~ $30.00 ~ 

~ 5,000 words ~ 

~ December 29^th deadline ~ 

~ Finalists first week of February ~ 

~ Winners by St. Patrick’s Day ~

REMEMBER: published authors are eligible for the Great Expectations in categories they haven't published work for the past three years ('13, '12 & '11).

SPREAD THE WORD !

Enter Now

EARLY BIRD PRICES

END

Sunday, December 8th

Prices increase on Monday

Pay today at the early bird pricing and submit your entry by December 29th.

EDITORS & FORMS

CHECK out our Final Round Editors:

CONTEMPORARY SERIES – MEGAN LONG
Associate Editor, Harlequin Publishing

HISTORICAL – CHELSEY EMMELHAINZ
Assistant Editor, William Morrow Avon

INSPIRATIONAL – RAELA SCHOENHERR 
Fiction Acquisitions, Bethany House

MAINSTREAM with ROMANTIC ELEMENTS – ALEX LOGAN
Editor, Grand Central Publishing/Forever

NEW ADULT – ELIZABETH POTEET
Assistant Editor, St. Martin's Press

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE – LAURA FAZIO
Assistant Editor, NAL/Penguin Group

SINGLE TITLE – MADELEINE COLAVITA
Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing

SPECIALIZED – KRISTINE SWARTZ

Alternate Earth, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal, Time Travel

Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

YOUNG ADULT – JULIE MIANECKI
Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group

Erotic Romance – Do to a continued lack of entries, we've had to cancel the Erotic Romance category. Erotic entries can now be made in any category. Please indicate EROTIC in the header and on the entry form heat level. Please review our score sheets to see if your entry will benefit from comments.

The entry form is now available.