Romance Writing Contests

Several times a year, romance publishers and Romance Writers of America chapters host romance writing contests. For a small entry fee, authors can submit their novellas, short stories, full-length novels, pitches, and synopses for potential book deals and Judges' feedback.

Here are some contests going on right now.

Music City Romance Writers' Pitch Contest

Deadline: April 15, 2013
Read for complete rules and details.
Entry Fee: $15
Open to all authors, all genres. Pitches for unpublished manuscripts only.

Final Round Judges:
Kristin Daly Rens, Senior Editor, Balzer + Bray
Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, Agent and Partner, Foreward Literary
Abby Zidle, Senior Editor, Gallery & Pocket Books
Jill Marsal, Agent and founding partner, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Jennifer Enderlin, Vice President and Associate Publisher, St. Martin's Press
Lauren Macleod, Agent, The Strothman Agency

1. Max 200 words.
2. Can revise after round one.
3. Entry cannot be published, but author can. 

First Place Prize: e-Copy of “QUERY: Everything You Need to Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed”, choice between a PR campaign or cover by Vania Stoyanova, Premium membership to Amy Atwell’s Author EMS, Announcement in RWR

Second Place Prize: e-Copy of “QUERY: Everything You Need to Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed”, Announcement in RWR

Third Place Prize: e-Copy of “QUERY: Everything You Need to Get Started, Get Noticed, and Get Signed”, Announcement in RWR

TARA Contest
Deadline: May 1, 2013
Read for complete rules and details.
Entry Fee: $25
Open to published and unpublished authors in novel-length fiction. Manuscript must be unpublished.

1. First 4,5000 words of manuscript. 
2. 1,500 word synopsis due when revised entry for final judging is submitted. 
3. No short stories.
4. Manuscript must center around female protagonist. 

First Place Prize: Sterling silver TARA pendant.

All finalists receive certificates.
Winners are announced in the Romance Writers Report.


Alaska Break-Up Contest
Deadline: May 1, 2013
Read for complete rules and details.
Entry Fee: $30
Open to published and unpublished authors. Unpublished manuscripts only.

1. Enter your best, most tension filled break-up or darkest moment scene.
2. Must not exceed 10 pages.
3. Include a set-up scene (1-3 pages) to assist judges in understanding
   entry selection. (Not synopsis.)

Winning Entry:
Will be submitted for a personal critique by New York Times Best Selling author Cherry Adair.


2013 Maggie Awards
Deadline: May 8, 2013 (published manuscripts)
                    June 10, 2013 (unpublished manuscripts)
Read for complete rules and details.
Entry Fee: $20 (published)
                       $30 (unpublished, non GRW members), $25 (unpublished, GRW members)
Open to published RWA authors only. (Prestigious award, authors. Try to win this.)

Winners announced at GRW's Moonlight & Magnolias banquet on October 5, 2013.


Harlequin Blaze Writing Contest
Deadline: June 1, 2013
Read for complete rules and details.
Entry Fee: None
Open to all legal U.S. and Canada residents (excluding Quebec).

1. Send your synopsis (max 10 pages) and first chapter (max 25 pages) of a Harlequin Blaze targeted manuscript to blazewritingchallenge@harlequin.ca. Include author name, phone number, address, and name of manuscript.

First place prize: Winner will have a Blaze editor as a mentor for a
month for advice and guidance with respect to the submission.

Second place prize: Winner will get a one-time editorial consultation
regarding the submission, conducted via telephone, with a Blaze editor.

Third place prize: Winner will receive a six months' subscription to the
Harlequin Blaze series. 

Want more romance writing contests? 
Check out these:

Orange Rose Contest; and
Passionate Plume Contest (erotic romance);