Thursday, August 14, 2014

Romance Writing Contest

2014 Hot Prospects Contest
Sponsor: Valley of the Sun Romance Writers

****Permission to forward****


Looking to sign your first book contract, switch from a small press to a large
publisher or simply explore another genre of romantic fiction? Turn up the heat
on your writing career with the Hot Prospects Contest.

GRAND PRIZE: The grand prize winner of the contest will have their entire manuscript (400 pages, Courier, 12pt, Double spaced) reviewed by two professional editors at Novel Needs

Announcement by a former winner:

“After finaling and winning the hot prospects romantic suspense category with my entry The Gilded Cuff, Lauren Plude from Grand Central made a three book offer for my series. I just wanted to extend my thanks and gratitude to your chapter for hosting the contest and bringing in such great final judges!  Thank you!” ~ Lauren Smith


Fee: $25 for Valley of the Sun RW chapter members
$30 for non-chapter members
Chapter website has PayPal capability. www.valleyofthesunrw.com

Postmark Deadline: September 1st, 2014
E-Submit Deadline: Midnight, September 1st, 2014

Eligibility: The Hot Prospects Contest is open to any work that is not under contract and
is unpublished at the time of entry.

Enter: 3-5-page synopsis and up to the first 25 pages of story (30 pages max). Entry or
synopsis may be shorter, but neither may be longer than specified.

Categories/Judges: Trained judges for preliminary round

Final round judges


1) Historical/Regency

Editor—Esi Sogah, Kensington

Editorial Director - Angela James, Harlequin Carina Press

2) Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal
Editorial Assistant –Kristine Swartz, The Berkley Publishing Group

Editor—Amy Stapp, Tor /Forge
3) Romantic Suspense
Associate Editor- Lauren Plude, Grand Central Publishing 
Editor -Tera Cuskaden, Samhain

4) Contemporary Long/Single Title
Editor at Large – Sue Grimshaw, Random House
Editor—Cat Clyne, Sourcebooks


For More Information, entry form, and rules, see website at


Those entries that do not final will be returned approximately October 30th,
2014 to help those who plan to enter RWA's Golden Heart.


Lena Jakes and Lisa Heartman

Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Co-Chairs

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