Our annual theme is the "Spark of Interest" your first chapter generates.  It is open to both RWA and non-RWA members alike.  Entrants may be published or unpublished authors.  No entrant may submit a manuscript that is currently under contract by any publisher, (whether recognized through RWA or not).

Electronic Submissions ONLY.  

Please download our complete submission guidelines below, for more information. 

Many of our finalists have commented on the exceptional quality of our trained judging staff and several have gone on to be requested and later published.

 

First Place: Broken Road - Leigh Stites

Second Place: The Anchoress and The Fifth Knight - Elaine Powell

Third Place: Shades of Deception - MaryLou Keller

Fourth Place: The Story Queen - Joe Frazer

Fifth Place: Redemption - Nancy Evertz

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What to Enter:

  The first chapter of your manuscript, not to exceed 25 pages. 

 

Categories Accepted:

   Contemporary

 

 

Entry Fee:

  $25.00 RWA Members

  $30.00 Non-RWA Members

  Payable via online payment.

 

Entry Deadline:

  Online Submissions ONLY:  August 31, 2010 (Midnight CST)

 

Judging:

  Initial Round Judging -- Three trained/certified judges.  Five finalists will proceed to the second round

 

  Second Round Judging -- Industry professionals in publishing (Agent/Editor)  

        Contemporary -- Susanna Einstein -- LJK Literary Management

        Erotica -- Elaine P. English 

        Historical -- Alexandra Machinist -- Linda Chester Literary Agency

        Inspirational -- Kelly Gottuso Mortimer --  Mortimer Literary Agency

        Paranormal / Sci-Fi / Fantasy -- Jewelann Cone -- Cascade Literary Agency

        Romantic Suspense -- Jill Marsal -- Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

        Young Adult -- Holly Root -- Waxman Literary Agency

 

 

        Finalists Announced:  September 30, 2010

        Final Placements Announced:  November 6, 2010

 

Prizes:

  First Place: $25.00 Cash Prize or Border's Gift Card (Winner's Choice)

                       Short Sleeved Chambray Shirt

                       Certificate Suitable for Framing

  All Other Finalists: Certificate

 

 

Click Here for Complete Submission Guidelines

Click Here for Contest Entry Form

Click Here for Example Scorecard

 

For Further Questions, Please E-Mail our Contest Coordinator

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Electronic Payment:

*Note: While the email address does not specify HERA, it directs to our chapter treasurer, Dennis Barr,  and the account is solely handled/accessed/used by HERA. It is not a personal account. 

RWA Members Pay Here

Non-RWA Members Pay Here