Some Writing Contests

Following are a few writing contests with deadlines next month. I'm thinking about entering one or more -- not to win necessarily, but simply because having a goal is a great motivator!

Basically entering gives your manuscript an opportunity to 1) receive professional feedback; and 2) be seen by agents and editors in the biz, which may give you a step up in the field. If you want to enter, make sure that you read all of the pages on the site pertaining to the contest, and follow instructions carefully. And if you enter, good luck!

1. DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARDS

This is sponsored by the Mystery/Suspense chapter of the RWA, and features two contests: one for published and one for unpublished writers. Here's the info:

Unpublished: http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/pdf/Daphne/UnpubRules.pdf
Entries are up to 5000 words plus a 675 word synopsis
$15 to enter
deadline March 15

Published: http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/pdf/Daphne/PubRules.pdf
must have a 2008 or 2009 pub date
$25 to enter
deadline March 15

Categories for both contests are:
• Category (series) romantic mystery/suspense: any manuscript that fits into series romance as published by Harlequin, Silhouette, etc.
• Historical romantic mystery/suspense: any manuscript set in a time that predatesWorld War II.
• Inspirational romantic mystery/suspense: any manuscript in which religious or spiritual beliefs form a significant part of the story.
• Mainstream mystery/suspense: any manuscript where the mystery/suspense is the main plot: may or may not contain elements of romance.
• Paranormal/time travel/futuristic romantic mystery/suspense: any paranormal manuscript with elements of romance.
• Single Title romantic mystery/suspense: any manuscript where the romance is the main plot but which contains elements of mystery/suspense.

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2. FAITH-HOPE-LOVE AWARDS

This is sponsored by the Inspirational Outreach chapter of the RWA, and features two contests: one for published and one for unpublished writers.

Unpublished: http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/tbl_rules-2009.htm
Entries are up to 30 pages plus 2 page double-spaced synopsis
$25 to enter
deadline April 1

Categories:
• historical romance
• short contemporary
• long contemporary

Published: http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/2010_ircc_rules.htm
must have a 2009 pub date
$25 to enter
deadline March 1

Categories:
• Short Contemporary (40,000-75,000 words) Inspirational fiction where the love story is the main focus of the novel.
• Long Contemporary (more than 75,000 words) Inspirational fiction where the love story is the main focus of the novel.
• Short Historical (40,000-75,000) Inspirational novels or sagas set in an historical time period in which the love story is the main focus of the novel.
• Long Historical (more than 75,000) Inspirational novels or sagas set in an historical time period in which the love story is the main focus of the novel.
• Romantic Suspense (over 40,000 words) Inspirational fiction where a suspense plot is blended with a love story.
• Women's Fiction (over 40,000 words) Inspirational fiction not belonging in another category that contains a strong romantic element, such that one or more romances contained in the story form an integral part of the story's structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed. The romantic elements, while not the primary focus of the story, should be an integral and dynamic part of the plot or subplot.
• Novella (18,000 to 40,000 words) Short pieces of Inspirational fiction that have a strong romantic theme throughout.

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3. ACFW GENESIS

This is sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is for unpublished writers.

website: http://www.acfw.com/genesis/index.shtml
entries are up to 15 pages, plus an optional 1 single-spaced page synopsis
$35 to enter (must be a member; you can join but this is more money
deadline 8 am PST on March 31

Categories:
• Contemporary Fiction
• Contemporary Romance (includes romantic comedy)
• Historical Fiction (not romance)
• Historical Romance
• Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
• Romantic Suspense
• Speculative Fiction
• Women’s Fiction
• Young Adult