The 20th Emily Contest
Emily Submissions are Now Closed.
Finalists will be announced in late December.
We’re 20 Years Old!
The mission of The Emily is to professionally support writers and guide them toward a path to publication.
***News Flash: Now accepting ELECTRONIC and PAPER entries.***
New this year, the Emily will be allowing both electronic/emailed entries and paper/snail mail entries. For more information: please read the Contest Rules. We are also accepting entry fees via paypal.com this year.
Entry Fee:
Members of West Houston RWA - $20
Non-members - $30
Contest Timeline:
October 7, 2008 - Deadline for all submissions/fee payments to be received.
December 31, 2008 - Finalists notified by telephone and/or email.
January, 2009 - Non-Finalist entries/score sheets returned.
February 14, 2009 - Winners announced at the West Houston Emily Awards Luncheon.
February, 2009 - Finalist entries/score sheets returned.
February 27, 2009 - Finalists submit entries for the Best of the Best judging.
April, 2009 - Announcement of the Best of the Best winner!
Questions?
Contact: Ellen Watkins, Emily Chair
Categories and Finalist Judges:
Note: Each entry must state the type and/or targeted market of the manuscript you are entering. Multi-cultural, inspirational romances and romantic suspense should be entered in the appropriate category based on time period and length.
Contemporary Single Title: 90,000 + words, marketed as a single title book, includes these types:
* Single Title— Mainstream Romance.
* Romantic Suspense—Suspense is a major element of the plot.
* Women’s Fiction—novels which deal with women’s relationships and women’s issues, including romance, self reliance and attainment of personal goals. (A separate score sheet will be used for Women’s Fiction if it is so specified in the heading. )
Final Judges: Elizabeth Pomada, Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents and Kerry Donovan, NAL
Contemporary Series: Under 75,000 words, marketed as a series book includes these types:
* Traditional Series—sweet romantic novels released as part of a series. Word count 50-60,000.
* Short Contemporary Series— Word count 50-65,000.
* Long Contemporary Series— Word count 65-75,000.
* Romantic Suspense—suspense is a major element of the plot. Word count 50-75,000.
Final Judges: Patti Steele-Perkins, Steele-Perkins Literary Agency and Patience Smith, Silhouette
Historical: All types and length, includes these types:
* Short Historical— Word count 50-110,000.
* Long Historical— Word count over 110,000.
* Regency—primary settings during the Regency period, typically 1800-1820.
Final Judges: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management and Tessa Woodward, Avon
Paranormal: 50,000+ words, having one or more of the following elements:
* science fiction, futuristic, fantasy, near future/speculative fiction
* shape-shifters, horror/otherworldly beings, witches/witchcraft, psychic abilities
* time travel, possessed objects, alternate history/alternate timelines, reincarnation/love through time
Must state the type and/or targeted market of of the manuscript you are entering in each category. If you have any questions, please contact your Category Coordinator.
Final Judges: Maura Kye-Casella, Denise Marcil Literary Agency and Allison Brandau, Berkley
Best of the Best:
The Best of the Best manuscript will be selected by booksellers from the first place manuscripts of each of the four categories. The winner will be awarded a detailed critique of the first three chapters and synopsis by Leis Pederson of Berkley
