2008 Winter Rose Contest

Sponsored by the Yellow Rose Chapter
of Romance Writers of America®

2008 Winter Rose Winners

OVERALL WINNER:
Amy Atwell for Lying Eyes

 

Winners were announced Saturday, May 17, 2008.

Contemporary Single Title:
First: Glynna Kaye Sirpless - A Reason To Dance
Second: Vannetta Chapman - The Cost of Love
Third: Amy Atwell - Painted Blind

Historical:
First: Deb Yates - Heaven Sent
Second: Joanne Barnaba - Fatal Fortune
Third: Susan Newman - Rakes and Radishes

Mainstream with Romantic Elements:
First: Myra Johnson - One Perfect Christmas
Second: Julie Whitby - Alternate Ending
Third: Beth Yarnall - Gift With Purchase

Paranormal:
First: Kristin Welker - Chains of Honor
Second: Kate MacEachern - The Reluctant Vampire
Third: Katherine Lowry Logan - The Ruby Brooch

Series Contemporary:
First: Sandy James - Faith of the Heart
Second: Kathy Coatney - Defining Moments
Third: Kimberly Wenger - Where There's A Will

Romantic Suspense:
First: Amy Atwell - Lying Eyes (Overall Winner)
Second: Linda Lovely - Finals
Third: D. Hall - Guardian Angel

Contest Timeline:

• January 25, 2008 - Postmark deadline for all submissions.
• January 25, 2008 - Email deadline for E-submissions.
• April 10, 2008 - Finalists notified by telephone or e-mail.
• May 17, 2008 - Winners announced at the Winter Rose Luncheon.

 

Categories:

Contemporary Single Title – romantic novels released as individual titles, not part of a series.Word count: over 90,000.
Click here to view the score sheet for Contemporary ST.

Historical – books set in historical setting/time period. May include traditional Regency novels. Word count: over 60,000.
Click here to view the score sheet for Historical.

Mainstream with Romantic Elements – mainstream fiction novels to including but not limited to Women's Fiction and Chick Lit. Word count: over 75,000.
Click here to view the score sheet for Mainstream.

Paranormal – paranormal element. May include Fantasy, Futuristic, Time Travel, Ghost, Vampire, Werewolf, etc. Word count: over 85,000.
Click here to view the score sheet.

Romantic Suspense – books that are not part of a series, in which suspense is a major element of the plot. Word count: over 90,000.
Click here to view the score sheet.

Series Contemporary – books that are targeted for Series Contemporary such as Harlequin: Intrigue, Blaze, Super Romance. Silhouette: Special Edition, Intimate Moments, etc. Word count: 50,000-90,000.
Click here to view the score sheet.

Entrant Eligibility:

All entrants must be RWA members in good standing who have not published a novel with an RWA recognized publisher in the last 5 years. Prospective entrants MAY be published with a non-recognized publisher, however, they may not enter books/manuscripts that have been professionally edited or have ISBN numbers. Also, it should be noted that entries that won the Winter Rose in years past, may not be entered in any form.

Entry Guidelines:

Enter the opening twenty-five (25) pages of romance novels of all above sub-genres (projected length of at least 50,000 words.

Official Rules

Yellow Rose RWA reserves the right to limit entries to the first seventy-five manuscripts received in each category. Failure to comply with any of the entry requirements below could result in return of your manuscript. For those entrants desiring electronic format, please see e-judging specific guidelines.

• Entries shall consist of five (5) copies of the first 25 pages of the novel. A prologue and/or second chapter may be included if within total page guidelines.
• For print entries-entries shall be submitted on WHITE paper only.
• Entries shall be in standard manuscript format, double spaced, 12 point font (Courier or TNR suggested) with one-inch margins and unjustified right margins. The name of the author, RWA number, or any other identifying information must not appear on the entry. A cover page is not necessary. As a side note, manuscript format is not a judged component of the Winter Rose contest. Judges may or may not point out formatting issues to an entrant, but no points are deducted for perceived infractions.
• The header on each page must contain the title of the manuscript, projected length, and the page number. Entrant may indicate target market if desired to help judges customize their comments. For those entering Short or Long contemporary-you may indicate target line. (I.E. Harlequin Romance, Silhouette Bombshell, etc.)
• Do not include illustrations, author bio/photos, vocabulary lists, footnotes or a synopsis. Again, DO NOT INCLUDE A SYNOPSIS! :)
• Bind entries with large paper clips. Large binder clips may be used, but contest coordinators may remove them for mailing purposes. Do not submit an unbound manuscript.
• FOR PRINT ENTRIES: Mail entries in Tyvek envelopes (free Tyvek Priority Mail envelopes may be picked up at the Post Office) with your return address in the upper left hand corner. Include SASE with adequate postage (no metered postage) for return of your manuscripts and score sheets and SASP if you want acknowledgement of receipt. Priority mail is preferred. Return SASEs with insufficient postage or no return SASE mean your entry will not be returned after judging. ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY. (ATTN: International Entrants-please be advised that we offer an electronic option. However, if you wish to enter a printed entry, please email us to assist you with postage concerns. We work with our international entrants to simplify the process.)
• Each entry may only be entered in one category. (i.e., You can’t enter the same exact entry in both historical and paranormal.) However, you may enter as many different entries/different categories as you like. Each entry must have a separate entry form filled out and release signed. This form may be copied. You may send one check/money order payable to Yellow Rose RWA to cover all entry fees. If you’d like to join Yellow Rose, please note that you must fill out a membership application and attach a separate check to cover membership dues.

Entries must have postmark of January 25, 2008. If postmark requirement is not met, entries will be returned unopened. Electronic entries are required to be sent via email to E-submission Coordinator by January 25, 2008. Payment and entry form also to be received by Contest Coordinator before accepting contest email entry.

NOTE: We must have entry form/release and payment in hand before accepting email entry.

Mail your PRINT ONLY entries to the following:

For categories Contemporary Single Title, Paranormal and Mainstream:
Amie Stuart
Address listed on Entry Form

For categories Historical, Romantic Suspense and Series Contemporary:
Lynn Matherly
Address listed on Entry form

 

Specific Guidelines for Electronic Entries

Entrant MUST sign, date and mail entry form and release to YRRW before entry will be entered into contest. This is mandatory. No electronic entry forms will be accepted. Once the E-judging Coordinator has release/entry form and payment is recorded, she will send a confirmation email to entrant advising them that entry can be emailed to her. Entrant has up to contest deadline of January 25. Once entry is received, the coordinator will send a confirmation email back to entrant.

• Entries will be received in RTF (Rich Text Format) files only. (To convert your file to RTF, open the document, go to File, click on Save As and choose RTF format. This will create a new document with the same title in RTF format.) Please make sure your entries are in RTF format. Any other format will NOT be accepted.
• Document title should be the title of the manuscript only. Do not add your name, page count, category, etc. to filename.
• Email your entry to the Electronic Contest Coordinator as an attachment.
• When emailing your attachment entry file to the coordinator, type the Entry Title and category in the subject header of the email. In the body of the email please include your full name, title of entry, the total number of pages and the font used for the entry (this is to ensure there are no changes during transition).
• Entrants will receive email confirmation for receipt of their entry.
• Format is not a judged component of the Winter Rose contest. Whether print or electronic, no points are deducted for format infractions.

Mail ELECTRONIC ONLY entries and contest fee to:

Michelle Miles
Address listed on Entry Form

 

Click here for entry form
 Click here for rules in PDF format

We now accept PayPal payments for the entry fee! If you wish to enter and pay via PayPal, please use the button below.

RWA Members:

Format

Print Electronic

Yellow Rose Members:

Format

Print Electronic

To become a member, fill out the membership form and submit your dues. Use the button below to submit payment for dues ONLY.

Judging:

First round entries will be judged by experienced, qualified, or published judges. Golden Heart Winners/Finalists, RWAPRO members are also a large part of our annual judging pool. Yellow Rose cannot guarantee judge commentary will be on every entry, however, we strongly encourage our judges to provide positive, constructive feedback. E-judging and print judging will use same scoring methods, same scoresheet and same pool of judges. The only difference is entry format.

Entries will be judged by FOUR (4) first round judges. Lowest score will be dropped to determine final average. Three highest scoring manuscripts will advance to the final round. All judged copies will be returned to non-finalist entrants following finalist announcement. Finalist entries will be returned after winners are announced.

 

2008 Finalist Judges

Contemporary Single Title: Becky Vinter, Editorial Assistant, NAL

Historical (Includes Regency): May Chen, Editor, Avon

Mainstream with Romantic Elements: Rose Hilliard, Editor, St. Martin's Press

Paranormal: Heather Osbourne, Editor, TOR

Romantic Suspense: Abby Zidle, Senior Editor, Pocket Books

Series Contemporary: Victoria Currin, Editor, Harlequin Superromance

 

Awards:

Grand Prize

The top scoring manuscript from all seven finalist categories receives partial read by Holly Root of the Waxman Literary Agency.

First Prize

All First place finalists receive $50.00 cash prize, Sterling Silver Rose pendant, Yellow Rose badge pin, and a certificate.

Second Prize

All Second place finalists receive $25.00 cash prize, Yellow Rose badge pin, and a certificate.

Third Prize

All Third place finalists receive $15.00 cash prize, Yellow Rose badge pin, and a certificate.

All Finalists and Winners will be recognized in Romance Writers of America’s RWR.

Questions?

Please email the Contest Chair(s):

Print Coordinators:
Lynn Matherly
mlmatherly@sbcglobal.net

Amie Stuart
spamless@amiestuart.com

Electronic Coordinator:
Michelle Miles
michelle@michellemiles.net

Published Coordinator:
Denise McDonald
denisebmcdonald@earthlink.net

For Published Contest Information-Click here