The 2019 Put Your Heart in a Book Contest for Unpublished Authors
is Now Open!
Key Dates
Contest Opens: April 1, 2019
Contest Closes: June 1, 2019, 12:01am Eastern Time
Finalists Notified by: August 31, 2019
Winners Announced at the NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Conference on October 18-19, 2019
Contest Closes: June 1, 2019, 12:01am Eastern Time
Finalists Notified by: August 31, 2019
Winners Announced at the NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Conference on October 18-19, 2019
Entries
Submissions will consist of a FIRST chapter, not to exceed 30 pages, and a PROJECTED WORD COUNT of the completed manuscript. A prologue may be included as part of the first chapter, if within page total guidelines. An UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS". The synopsis will not count toward the page count.
Categories
(All Categories have a 40,000-word minimum. Computer count will be used to determine length.)
- Contemporary Series
- Single-Title Contemporary
- Historical
- Paranormal
- Romantic Suspense
- Young Adult
Final Round Judges
TBA
Registration and Payment
Payment is required before filling out the registration form.
Entry Fees:
NJRW Member - 1st Entry: $25
NJRW Member - Subsequent Entries: $15
Non-NJRW Member - 1st Entry: $30
Non-NJRW Member - Subsequent Entries: $25
Entry Fees:
NJRW Member - 1st Entry: $25
NJRW Member - Subsequent Entries: $15
Non-NJRW Member - 1st Entry: $30
Non-NJRW Member - Subsequent Entries: $25
Pay Here
Then fill out the registration form here
Official Rules
1) Entrant must be a member of RWA in good standing, unpublished, and not contracted in book-length romantic fiction at the contest deadline by any publisher and in any format within the last five years. RWA membership will be verified by the coordinator(s).
2) Previous winning or final-round entries may not be resubmitted, even in revised form.
3) Multiple entries may be submitted by a single entrant either writing within the same category or in different categories. However, the same entry may only be submitted in one category.
4) Entrant may not have accepted a publishing offer for a work of original fictional narrative prose of 20,000 words or more within the past five (5) years. Should the entrant accept an offer prior to the contest entry deadline, she/he will notify the contest chair and withdraw any and all entries. All entry fees will be forfeited.
5) An official entry consists of:
6) Categories:
(All Categories have a 40,000-word minimum. Computer count will be used to determine length.)
7) Format for Entry:
8) Entry Information:
9) First Round Judges
All judges are encouraged to give detailed comments for each entry. Judges will be encouraged to comment directly on the submitted entry in another color or on the score sheet. Each entry will be evaluated by at least two (2) judges. Final score is the average of the two scores. In the case of a difference of 45 points or more between the two scores, a third judge will evaluate the entry. The final score, for contest purposes, will be the average of the two highest scores.
10) The three (3) highest-scored entries in each category will advance to the final round and be ranked by our Final Round Judges. The preliminary round scores are not forwarded to the final round. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
11) Prizes: Awarded in each category:
1st Place: $50 + plaque
2nd Place: $30 + certificate
3rd Place: $25 + certificate
12) A minimum of ten (10) entries must be received in each of the categories in order to consider it a separate category and award prizes. In case fewer than 10 entries are received for any of the categories, the entrants are asked for a second designation for assignment. Reassignment would occur only at the discretion of the contest coordinator.
13) All decisions regarding a disqualification of any entry or clarification of any and all rules will be made by the Contest Committee and will be considered final.
14) Any questions, contact Jessica Collins, Contest Coordinator, at PYHIAB@njromancewriters.org.
2) Previous winning or final-round entries may not be resubmitted, even in revised form.
3) Multiple entries may be submitted by a single entrant either writing within the same category or in different categories. However, the same entry may only be submitted in one category.
4) Entrant may not have accepted a publishing offer for a work of original fictional narrative prose of 20,000 words or more within the past five (5) years. Should the entrant accept an offer prior to the contest entry deadline, she/he will notify the contest chair and withdraw any and all entries. All entry fees will be forfeited.
5) An official entry consists of:
- Completed electronic entry form.
- PayPal payment confirmation number, or check or money order payable to New Jersey Romance Writers (NJRW) mailed to:
P.O. Box 513
Plainsboro, NJ 08636-0513 - Manuscript submitted by electronic (email) submissions and will consist of a FIRST chapter, not to exceed 30 pages combined, and a PROJECTED WORD COUNT of the completed manuscript. A prologue may be included as part of the first chapter, if within page total guidelines. An UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS". The synopsis will not count toward the page count. (please see Format below.)
- The name of the category you are entering must be listed in the subject line of the email entry.
- You will receive a confirmation when the entry is received. If you do not receive confirmation within 72 hours please email the coordinator.
6) Categories:
(All Categories have a 40,000-word minimum. Computer count will be used to determine length.)
- Contemporary Series
- Single-Title Contemporary
- Historical
- Paranormal
- Romantic Suspense
- Young Adult
7) Format for Entry:
- All entries must be in RTF (rich text format) or DOC format only. It should be formatted in standard manuscript format. This includes header and page numbers.
- Header information should include: title and category in the upper left corner, and page number in the upper right corner only. PROJECTED WORD COUNT SHOULD APPEAR ON THE FIRST MANUSCRIPT PAGE (only) so judges can customize their comments.
- The UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS".
- A cover page is not necessary since the entry form will include all necessary information.
- Your name should only be on the electronic entry form and not on the entry anywhere, including document properties.
8) Entry Information:
- Contest opens and submissions may be sent starting April 1st, 2019.
- Entries must be submitted by 12:01 a.m. June 1st, 2019 Eastern time zone. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Finalists will be announced by August 31st, 2019.
9) First Round Judges
All judges are encouraged to give detailed comments for each entry. Judges will be encouraged to comment directly on the submitted entry in another color or on the score sheet. Each entry will be evaluated by at least two (2) judges. Final score is the average of the two scores. In the case of a difference of 45 points or more between the two scores, a third judge will evaluate the entry. The final score, for contest purposes, will be the average of the two highest scores.
10) The three (3) highest-scored entries in each category will advance to the final round and be ranked by our Final Round Judges. The preliminary round scores are not forwarded to the final round. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
11) Prizes: Awarded in each category:
1st Place: $50 + plaque
2nd Place: $30 + certificate
3rd Place: $25 + certificate
12) A minimum of ten (10) entries must be received in each of the categories in order to consider it a separate category and award prizes. In case fewer than 10 entries are received for any of the categories, the entrants are asked for a second designation for assignment. Reassignment would occur only at the discretion of the contest coordinator.
13) All decisions regarding a disqualification of any entry or clarification of any and all rules will be made by the Contest Committee and will be considered final.
14) Any questions, contact Jessica Collins, Contest Coordinator, at PYHIAB@njromancewriters.org.