CATEGORIES:
(Notes on categories. PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU CONTACT THE ORGANIZATION. We will accept all heat levels and will also accept subgenres within these larger headings. In other words, New Adult would usually be entered under Contemporary. YA would probably be PNR or Suspense. GBLT and Interracial enter category as suited to plot.)
- Contemporary (40 – 90k, words to include all heat levels)
- Historical (over 40 – 90k words to include all heat levels)
- Paranormal/Fantasy (over 40k – 100k words to include all heat levels)
- Romantic Suspense (over 40 – 90k words to include all heat levels)
SUBMISSIONS: Any unpublished author may enter before February 1, 2014. Entries in multiple categories are permissible. Maximum 30 pages. Clearly identify entry with author’s name, title of work, category entering, and email toircwriterscontest@gmail.com. Entries limited to 20 per category. All contestants will receive a summary critique from one of the judges.
FORMATTING: We will accept files as Word doc attached to email. Format as double spaced, with one inch margins, numbered pages with author’s name and title on every page as either header or footer. Cover page should include author’s name, title of work, category entering, and email.
ELEMENTS OF STYLE: Judges will be looking for distinctive attributes of story and writing. The following are examples of some of the factors the judges will consider.
1) Romantic elements- (Ex. How compelling is the romance?)
2) Characters and development – (Ex. Is the heroine likeable? Is the hero swoon-worthy?)
3) Plot – (Originality of the story and overall execution.)
4) Quality of the writing.
FINALISTS: The top three entries in each category will be announced March 1st. At that time the judges will require submission of the completed manuscript. If a finalist does not have the manuscript ready to submit, judges will move to the next candidate on the list.
PRIZES: The Victoria Awards WINGED VICTORY trophy engraved with your name.
If you are a vendor who would like to sponsor a prize in the following categories, please contact us at ircwriterscontest@gmail.com. Your donation will be printed in the Con info and announced at the awards ceremony. If you would like to give a service not listed, we will be happy to discuss it.
1.) book cover design Sponsored by Tara Maya
1.) book cover design Sponsored by Tara Maya
2.) website design: Sponsored by Marissa Dobson (preferred Wordpress)
WINNERS: Will be announced on the first night of the 2014 convention. All attending finalists will be introduced.
JUDGES: Victoria Vane and Victoria Danann. (Authors serving as tie breakers will be named when finalists are announced.)
FEE: $10. The entire fee goes toward prizes. It is payable to by Paypal to vdanann@gmail.com or by check to Indie Romance Convention, C/O Laurie Garrison, 2306 Briarcliff Dr., Lebanon TN 37087