2010 REVEAL YOUR INNER VIXEN CONTEST

CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Don’t miss your second chance to enter the 2010 REVEAL YOUR INNER VIXEN Contest! Due to low levels of entries in several categories, our contest deadline has been extended by ONE WEEK. If you wanted to enter, but missed the date, you now have until Tuesday, June 8 at midnight!

Attention romance writers: show us the chemistry!

Maryland Romance Writers is proud to announce the 2010 “Reveal Your Inner Vixen” Contest for writers of romantic fiction. Send us your most sizzling scene showcasing sensual tension between your hero and heroine. Your scene can be a flirtation, a kiss, or a hot and heavy love scene, just as long as the reader can feel that tension!

WHY ENTER THIS CONTEST?

• FEEDBACK: Entrants receive constructive feedback from first-round judges, many of them published authors. Finalists receive a brief critique by the final round judge.
• EXPOSURE: Finalists in each category will be judged by editors publishing in that subgenre. First place winners and category finalists will be listed in advertising and announcements in the RWA® Romance Writers Report.
• PRIZES: First place category winners receive a $50 cash prize and a gold Vixen pin!
• OPPORTUNITY: Last year, ONE THIRD of our contest finalists were asked to submit partial or full manuscripts. One Young Adult finalist has already sold her manuscript!

WHAT TO ENTER:

Up to 20 pages of any scene that showcases your use of sensual tension, plus an unjudged 1-page set-up (optional).

WHO CAN ENTER?

Anyone! Membership in Maryland Romance Writers or Romance Writers of America is NOT required. The author can be published or not yet published, but the contest entry must be original and uncontracted as of June 1, 2010.

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES?

(Word counts apply to targeted length of completed manuscript.)

• Series Contemporary: 1950-present, 40,000-79,000 words
• Single Title: 1950-present, 80,000-120,000 words
• Historical: BCE-1950, 40,000-120,000 words
• Alternative: time travel, fantasy, futuristic, paranormal, 85,000-120,000 words
• Erotic Romance: 60,000-120,000 words
• Young Adult: 40,000 words or more

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$20 MRW members
$25 Non-MRW Members–U.S. entries and International entries

WHO JUDGES MY ENTRY?

Each entry will be judged by THREE qualified judges, i.e., trained and/or published authors. The three top-scoring entries in each category will advance to the final round for evaluation by TWO EDITORS in that genre.

• Series Contemporary: Gail Chasan, Harlequin/Silhouette; Rhonda Penders, The Wild Rose Press
• Single Title: Allison Brandau, Penguin/Berkley; Bethany Morgan, Samhain Publishing, Inc
• Historical: Mary Altman, Ellora’s Cave Publishing Inc; and Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks, Inc
• Alternative: Chris Keeslar, Dorchester; Amanda Barnett, The Wild Rose Press
• Erotic Romance: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc; Angela James, Carina Press
• Young Adult: Krista Marino, Delacorte; Lindsey McGurk, Samhain Publishing, Inc

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?

Entries must be time-stamped no later than June 1, 2010.

HOW TO ENTER:

Visit this link to download the entry form and complete instructions for formatting and submitting your manuscript.
Vixen 2010 Entry Form

To pay for your entry via PayPal, click on the appropriate link:
Members

Non-members

If you wish to pay by check or money order, follow the instructions included on the entry form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Email the 2010 “Reveal Your Inner Vixen” Contest Coordinator,
Beth Werrell, mrwvixen@live.com

View last year’s winners