"Happily Ever After" Contest

    What is the "Happily Ever After" Contest?    

       The "Happily Ever After" Contest is a last chapter contest, the purpose of which is to challenge and inspire authors of romance and to garner feedback on that all-important last chapter and "HEA" before submitting work to an editor or agent.

    Eligibility:   

       You do not have to be a member of Mid-Michigan RWA to enter! The "Happily Ever After" contest is open to all unpublished authors of novel length romantic fiction (40,000 words and over) and to published authors of novel length romantic fiction in genres in which they have not had a new novel released for at least three (3) years.

       Please note that we are making the Guidelines, Entry Form, and Score Sheet available for you to print from this web page. You'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it, but that's free. (Download Acrobat Reader)

    Entry Fee for 2009:   

    Categories & Final Round Judges for 2009:   

       The categories for entries in the "Happily Ever After" contest are listed below. For a combined category, such as Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Time Travel, please specify which of the sub-genres your entry fits in the category (Time Travel, for example), rather than listing all sub-genres in the category.

       We're excited to announce that both an editor and an agent will be judging each category. The partial list is shown and will be updated as we fill the slots - stay tuned!

    Entry Format:   

       Enter the last chapter and epilogue, if applicable (up to twenty-seven pages) of your manuscript and a 1-3 page judged synopsis of the entire novel, for a maximum of thirty pages. The entry must include the final scene in its entirety. All entries must be uncontracted at the time of the contest entry Postmark/E-Deadline of Saturday, November 15, 2008.

       The entry should be presented in proper standard manuscript format (double spaced, approximately 1" margins, size 12 font — Courier New or Times New Roman). Hard-to-read fonts will be disqualified. The synopsis should use the same margins and font as the chapter, but may be single spaced.

       The header on the manuscript and synopsis should contain title and category in the upper left corner and the page number in the right corner. (For a combined category, please specify in which of the subgenres your entry fits rather than listing all sub-genres in the category.) You may also include your targeted house or line, if desired. Do not put the author's name on the submission.

       The same manuscript may not be entered into more than one category. Pick the category that best fits your manuscript.

       A completely filled out, signed entry form must be submitted with each contest entry. You may write one check or money order for multiple entries. Include one flat-rate, pre-stamped (NOT METERED) Tyvek envelope (SASE) for return of each of your judged entries. Entrants from the U.S. may choose either paper or electronic submission format.

       Entrants outside of the Continental United States: A completely filled out entry form should be submitted, along with your entry, in electronic format via email to the category coordinator noted below. Payment for your entry should be made using Paypal. Entries and score sheets will be returned in electronic format. Entries from outside of the Continental U.S. may not be submitted in hard copy format.

Note: If the above rules aren't met, the entry may be disqualified and entry fee may not be refunded.

    Submisions and Category Coordinators:   

    Entrants within the Continental United States:   

       Paper entries: Mail one entry form per manuscript entered, four (4) copies of each manuscript entered, and a check or money order (one for entire package) by November 15, 2008, to the appropriate category coordinator noted below. Please email each for her "snail mail" address. (For electronic entries, please see below.)

    Deadline:   

       All entries must be postmarked on or before Saturday, November 1, 2008. Any entries received after that date will be returned. Finalists will be contacted on or around January 24, 2009. Finalist placements , as determined by the judging agent and editor, will be announced at the MMRWA Retreat From Harsh Reality in April 2009.

       Note: Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America reserves the right to return all entries and fees if the minimum entry number of five (5) for each category is not received. Entrants will have the option to place their entries in another category or to have them returned.

    Judging:   

       Please feel free to download a sample "Happily Ever After" Contest score sheet here.

       First Round: The first round will be judged by experienced and trained judges, each entry receiving three (3) judges with at least one (1) being a published author. A fourth judge will be used in the event a discrepancy score is determined necessary. The top three (3) entries from each category will advance to the final round.

       Final Round: The finalists in each category will be ranked by an agent or editor. The agent or editor will be encouraged to answer four questions to help the author improve his/her manuscript.

    Awards:   

       All finalists will receive a certificate representing their placement. In addition, the First Place winners in each category will receive a lovely heart pendant made from the Petoskey stone which is unique to Michigan.

For more information, or to receive a copy of the contest forms in hard copy, please contact Contest Coordinator Catherine McClain at: contest@midmichiganrwa.org