VIC In-House Writing Contest  

 
Introduction

This is a friendly, in-family contest, intended to encourage VIC-RWA members to write and submit work, and to help them develop their skills.  This is a good place for beginners to try their wings as well as for the experienced to reach high.

There is no submission fee.  Entries will be submitted in paper format.  Experienced judges (at least 2 published) will judge each entry and provide detailed feedback.

Who may enter

The contest is open to all VIC members in good standing who have been unpublished in book-length romance fiction for the last ten years.  “Unpublished” is judged by VIC standards rather than RWA® National standards – i.e., if VIC has awarded a rose, the member is “published” for the purposes of the contest.

The contest is for book-length works of fiction, not short stories.  The book need not be a pure “romance” but must have a sufficient romantic element that it would qualify for entry in RWA’s Golden Heart® contest (for information on Golden Heart categories, see www.rwanational.org) or other RWA chapter contests.   For example, a romantic suspense is eligible; a mystery or thriller with no romance is not eligible.  The intent of the contest is to be as inclusive as possible.  If you have any doubts as to whether your manuscript qualifies, check with the contest coordinator rather than assuming that it doesn’t meet the requirements.

A member may enter one manuscript only.  S/he may enter a manuscript that’s been entered in other contests and/or submitted to a publisher or agent. 

Contest Requirements

The entry is a “novel beginning” – i.e., the opening pages of the book.

Submit 2000 words (approximately 8 double-spaced manuscript pages) from the beginning of the novel. Ten percent over or under will be forgiven, but words in excess of 10% over will not be read, and marks will be docked.  Entries must be double-spaced.  In terms of judging format, the judges will be as lenient as most editors are.  The major factor is how easy the entry is to read and how close it is to standard submission guidelines.  Marks will be lost for unacceptable presentation.

It is not necessary to complete a scene for it to be judged fairly.  The judges are looking more for a sense of the characters and situation, for instant energy and interest for the novel opening and story concept.

Also submit a synopsis no longer than 500 words (i.e., 2 pages).  The judges will mark the synopsis for the sense of a book being possible.  It will only be a small percentage of the marks.

The author’s name must not appear anywhere on the entry.  The header of each page of the entry should set out the title of the book, the target market and/or line (e.g., “long contemporary” or “long contemporary – Harlequin Superromance”), and the page number (of the entry, not the page number in the book itself).  The author must provide a separate sheet with her name, the title of the book, and whether she is a first time entrant in this contest.

There are no submission categories. 

Contest entries are anonymous.  The cover page will not go to the judges, and the Coordinator will not in any other way identify the entrant to the judges.

Submit four copies of the entry in paper format. 

Format

 In summary, each entry in paper format should consist of:

  • a single sheet with your name, the book’s title, and whether you are a first time entrant
  • 4 copies of the opening pages of your novel up to 2000 words (a romance or novel with romantic elements), double-spaced, with each page header setting out the title, target market and/or line, and page number
  • 4 copies of a synopsis up to 500 words


Deadline

The deadline for entries is the regular chapter meeting in November, usually the second Saturday.

Judging

The judges will use a scoring system based on a total possible score of 100 points.  As well, judges are encouraged to write comments on the manuscript itself or on the score sheet.   Any judge questions will be directed to the coordinator.

Results/awards

The results will be announced at the annual Valentine’s Day luncheon.

First Prize - VIC contest trophy and $50 Canadian towards a Golden Heart entry fee

All entrants - A flower for courage

 

Good Luck!