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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The Great Expectations Contest is for unpublished material, to include works from all authors who have never been published in book-length romantic fiction, as well as authors who have not been contracted or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.