Final Judges
The Grand Prize is awarded to the top-judged book, as chosen by a bookseller from the first place books from each category.
Eligibility
Published authors of works of romantic fiction of 25,000 words or
greater. FTHRW defines a published author as anyone who has, or previously had,
an e-book or paperback book/novella available for sale.
This contest is open to authors published in romantic fiction in both print and
electronically.
FTHRW considers all published books, regardless
of RWA recognition, as eligible for The Lories Contest
For books published with first release dates of January 1, 2011
to December 31, 2011. All entries should be author's original
work.
Categories
Historical (includes Short, Long, Inspirational and Regency)
— romance novels with a word count over 40,000 and set in
a time period before 1900.
Contemporary Series Romance — category romance
novels of lengths from 40,000 - 80,000 words and set in a time
period after 1900.
Inspirational – novels of any time period and genre with a word count over 40,000 and a Christian, faith-driven plot.
Erotica — novels of any time period and genre with a
word count over 40,000 and a steamy/erotic level of sensuality.
Novella — short novels of any time period, genre, and heat level, with a word count from 15,000 to 40,000 words.
Romantic Suspense — romance novels with a word count
over 40,000 words and a mystery or suspense element. (May include category romance)
Contemporary Single Title/Mainstream — romance novels of a time period after
1900 with a word count over 70,000.
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements — novels of any
time period with a word count over 40,000 that contain one or
more romantic elements, but in which other themes or stories are
significantly developed.
Paranormal Romance/Furturistic/Time Travel (P/F/TT)
— romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. Word count over 40,000.
Note: From the Heart Romance Writers reserves the right to
return all entries and fees if the minimum entry number for each
category (5) is not received. Entrants will be contacted, and
will have the option to place their entry in another category
before entries are returned.
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Entry Procedure
- OPTION 1: Send signed paper entry form and check/money order to CONTEST COORDINATOR (see address in Details section).
- OPTION 2: Complete electronic entry form and send payment via Paypal to: FTHBOD @ yahoo.com (without the spaces) -- a pre-set PayPal button will appear on the confirmation screen of the electronic entry form.
NOTE: If you are entering with an electronic book, entry form and payment should precede the receipt of the books.
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Entry Fees
| Entrant status: |
First Book Entered: |
Subsequent books: |
| FTHRW Members |
$20 |
$15 |
| All other RWA Members |
$25 |
$20 |
| Non-RWA Members |
$30 |
$25 |
$30 non-RWA members, $25 each add’l entry; $25 RWA members, $20 each add’l entry; $20 FTHRW members, $15 each add’l entry.
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Entry Deadline
All entries must be postmarked/timestamped by August 15th, 2012.
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Entry Details/Checklist
Download The Lories Best Published Contest entry form:
RTF format or PDF
format, OR Fill Out and Submit the Lories
Electronic Entry Form (will open in new window).
Entries will be accepted in electronic (PDF or HTML) OR
print (book) format. See below for the guidelines. If you
have problems sending electronically, the coordinator will do
her best to assist you.
Each ELECTRONIC entry should include:
_____ One (1) copy of your book (PDF file or HTML file) to be e-mailed to the CONTEST COORDINATOR at Lories @ fthrw .com. All PDF or HTML formats must be in one file. The subject line of the email should include the title of the entry and category being entered.
_____ One (1) completed online
Electronic Entry Form for each entry OR one (1) completed
and signed official entry form and agreement to be mailed separately
to Contest Coordinator:
Ami Weaver
P.O. Box 609
Dimondale, MI 48821 .
Lories @ fthrw .com
_____ One (1) check or money order made out to "From The Heart
Romance Writers" for the applicable entry fee for each entry should
be sent to along with entry form to Contest Coordinator address
above. If you would like to use a credit card or direct withdrawal
from your checking or savings account, go to www.paypal.com,
and send the applicable entry fee for each entry to FTHBOD@yahoo.com
at a time prior to the entry deadline. Please specify contest
category and entry title in the Notes section of payment screen.
_____ Make sure name of category and title is listed in the subject
line of all e-mails.
_____ You will get a confirmation of the arrival of your entry.
If you do not get a confirmation within two days of sending, please
e-mail the contest coordinator at contest @ fthrw. com to
ask if it was received.
_____ Electronic entries should be in HTML or PDF format only--in
one file. Should your entry score highest in the category
you entered, you will be contacted and required to mail a bound
printed copy of your entry to the Contest Coordinator within seven
days.
Each PRINT entry should include:
_____ Four (4) copies of your novel to the appropriate CATEGORY Coordinator at the address noted below.
_____ One (1) completed online
Electronic Entry Form for each entry OR one (1) completed
and signed official entry form and agreement to be mailed separately
to CONTEST Coordinator:
Ami Weaver
RE: The Lories Best Published
P.O. Box 609
Dimondale, MI 48821
Lories @ fthrw .com
_____ One (1) check or money order made out to "From The Heart
Romance Writers" for the applicable entry fee for each entry should
be sent to along with entry form to Contest Coordinator address
above. If you would like to use a credit card or direct withdrawal
from your checking or savings account, go to www.paypal.com,
and send the applicable entry fee for each entry to FTHBOD@yahoo.com
at a time prior to the entry deadline. Please specify contest
category and entry title in the Notes section of payment screen.
_____ You will get a confirmation of the arrival of your entry
by e-mail or return mail if you enclose a SASE postcard.
_____ Should your entry score highest in the category you entered,
you will be contacted and required to mail another entry to the
Contest Coordinator within seven days for final judging.
NOTE: The same manuscript may not be entered into more than one category, but different entries are welcomed in the same category. Pick the category that best fits your manuscript entry.
If the above rules aren't met, the entry may be disqualified and entry fee may not be refunded.
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Judging
First and Final Round: The first round will be judged by a panel of readers using a simple scoring system.
(View a Sample
Scoresheet here.)
The top three entries for each category will place as they score (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place). The first place entry in each category will be sent for final round judging.
No comments will be given by the readers. Comments, if any, from
the final round judge will be shared via email. No score sheets
will be mailed.
This chapter is dedicated to protecting the copyrights of
all authors, print and e-published alike. All e-books passed to
judges will do so with permission of the entering authors and
their publishers. No illegal copies of or illegal distribution
of entered e-books will be tolerated.
All judges are required to delete e-books judged from their
computers, at the end of the judging period.
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Notification
The placements will be notified around August 15, 2012. The Lories Best Published Winner will be notified on or around September 15, 2012.
*** Please note: unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances may
delay the announcements. ***
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Awards
Grand Prize Award of a paid registration fee for RWA, RT, or
the writing conference of the winner's choice up to a $400 value, or a cash
prize of $200.
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Submissions, Contest & Category Coordinators
CHECKS/MONEY ORDERS and PAPER ENTRY FORMS MUST BE MAILED TO:
CONTEST COORDINATOR
Ami Weaver
P.O. Box 609
Dimondale, MI 48821
Lories @ fthrw .com
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS AS AN ATTACHMENT IN PDF
or HTML FORMAT (in one file) MUST BE SENT TO THE CONTEST
COORDINATOR AT LORIES @ FTHRW .COM (without
the spaces):
PRINT SUBMISSIONS (4 Copies) MUST BE SENT TO THE
CATEGORY COORDINATOR (you may
include your payment and paper entry form with your books if you
wish to avoid having to send items to two places):
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