If you are unsure where to enter your manuscript, you alone must decide. For instance, if your manuscript is set before 1900, and could be historical or inspirational or romantic suspense, only you, the author, can make that decision. Please be aware that the judge who judges your manuscript will be judging for the particular category in romantic fiction, and enter with that in mind.
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CONTEST RULES:
Any submission not conforming exactly to these rules may be disqualified and returned with entry fee. Take particular note of highlighted rules. They may be new to you.
NEW FOR
2009!!!
-
We encourage electronic entries! Electronic entries will
be scored electronically and returned to entrants via EMail
-
ALL notifications in re' the contest will be handled via
EMail. You will not be called.
-
We encourage payment via PAYPAL. You do not have to have
a PayPal account to pay via PAYPAL.
-
-
Entry is limited to 25
numbered pages, double-spaced, at least 1 inch margins all four sides, in a 12 point font.
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Entry must be the first chapter or prologue & first chapter of your manuscript.
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Page numbers and title of manuscript and category (historical, contemporary, inspirational, suspense, super-sexy erotica or paranormal) must appear on each
page. While optional, it is advisable to include
targeted imprint, line or publisher here. This will help your judges. F/I if
you are targeting Harlequin Intrigue, say so. If you are targeting St.
Martins Single Title Romantic Suspense, make that clear.
-
DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THE MANUSCRIPT. Manuscripts containing author name or pseudonym must be disqualified.
-
Enclose four (4)* copies of your first chapter or prologue & first chapter (limit 25
numbered pages total) bound with
banker or butterfly
clip. Do not bind any other way. Do not staple.
-
banker clip butterfly clip
-
Enclose one (1) cover sheet with your
mailing name, address, phone number, title of manuscript and CATEGORY. THIS IS THE ONLY SHEET ON WHICH YOUR NAME SHOULD APPEAR.
NOTE: If you wish a name other than your given name
to appear on finalist/winner notifications, be sure to specify this.
Otherwise we will publish your real name.
-
Self Addressed stamped US Postal Flat Rate Priority
Mail Envelope, of sufficient size and with flat rate postage to return judged copies and score sheets to entrant.
-- SASE must not have postage meter postage on it. All SASEs MUST have
return
addresses on them and must be US Flat Rate Priority mailer.
No
exceptions for US residents.
--International
Residents, please contact category coordinators for specifics regarding postage for your entry.
--Any questions regarding postage, please contact contest coordinators.
--No entries will be returned without a valid SASE.
-
Enclose a SAS postcard if you would like acknowledgement of receipt of your entry.
DEADLINES:
RECEIPT
OF ENTRY:
Entries must be postmarked by
MARCH 16, 2009
TENTATIVE
1ST AND 2ND ROUND DEADLINES:
|
March
31, 2009
May 01, 2009
May 15, 2009
May
30,
2009
June
20,
2009
|
Mail to 1st Round
judges
Results of 1st Round judging due back
We HOPE
to announce Finalists
Mail to editors (2nd Round judges)
We HOPE to announce winners |
*These
deadlines are subject to change depending on the response times
of judges (not always under
the control of the Contest Coordinator!)
If you have a question about your entry,
please wait until at least
two weeks after the printed deadline to inquire via EMail.
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Print out the
entry form here
and send to:
DIXIE FIRST CHAPTER CONTEST
C/0 Melanie Atkins
P O Box 720845
Byram, MS 39272
Questions: msrwcontest@yahoo.com
**Contest fee of $25.00 must accompany each entry.
($20.00 for MSRW members.)
Make
checks payable to Magnolia State Romance Writers (MSRW). U.S. checks or money
orders only, please. PayPal payments may be made to penwin_2000@yahoo.com.
This
Email address
is for payments ONLY.
Other messages sent to this EMail will not be answered.
Only one entry per category. However, authors may enter and be eligible to win in each category,
but only if each entry is mailed separately, separately follows all contest rules, and a separate $25.00 entry fee accompanies each entry.
All entrants must sign and date the disclaimer. No entries will be accepted without original signature of entering author on the disclaimer.
Only one signature is required for writing partners who are entering.
* Two copies will be judged in the preliminary round, copy 3 is for disparity judging if necessary, copy 4 will go to the final round editor if you are a finalist.
PLEASE NOTE: A separate disparity judge will be used for scores which vary by 30 points or more. 29 points will not be disparity judged. We will NOT return the lowest score sheet unless you
specifically request it on the entry form. Unused copies will be destroyed.
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Checklist:
___25
numbered pages, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point type
(1st chapter or 1st chapter and prologue)
___4 copies enclosed, bound with banker or butterfly clip
___Author name does NOT appear on the 4 copies of entry
___one entry form including the SIGNED AND DATED DISCLAIMER
(click
here for entry form)
___SASE: FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAILER with postage
(No Metered Postage)
and return label
___SAS postcard (optional)
___CHECK or MONEY ORDER for entry fee ($25.00)
Make
checks payable to Magnolia State Romance Writers (MSRW). U.S. checks or money
orders only, please. PayPal payments may be made to penwin_2000@yahoo.com.
This
is for payments ONLY. No questions addressed to this EMail
will be answered.
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