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2008 Molly Contest
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2008 Molly Information and Rules
Purpose: The purpose of THE MOLLY is to inspire, motivate, and reward
unpublished authors of romance fiction.
Eligibility: Participation is open to all unpublished authors of novel
length romance fiction and those who have not published within three years prior
to contest deadline. Previous Molly FIRST PLACE winning entries are not eligible
to enter that winning manuscript. Reformatting and/or title changes of previous
winning entries will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees.
All work must be the author's original work that has not been contracted for
publication prior to the contest deadline. The official entry form (which may be
copied) and entry fee must accompany each submission.
CATEGORIES:
Contemporary - Romantic novels, which may also include sensuality that
may or may not be intense. Projected word count: More than 40,000 words.
Single Title - Romantic novels released as individual titles. Projected
word count: over 70,000 words.
Romantic Suspense - Romance novels in which suspense may constitute a
strong element in the romance plot. Projected word count: over 70,000 words.
Historical - Novels that have a strong romantic element throughout. This
includes Regency and gothic romances. Settings must be at least one hundred
years in the past. Word count: over 40,000.
Paranormal/Time-Travel/Futuristic - Romantic novels with any time setting
that contain elements such as time-travel, angels, or other mystical/paranormal
themes or set in the future. Word count: over 40,000 words.
Erotica - Romantic novels with an intensely sensual focus to the story.
Projected word length: over 40,000 words.
Young Adult - Novels with a romantic element aimed at teen and young
adult readers. Word Count: More than 40,000 words.
HODRW reserves the right to return all entries and fees if the minimum entry
number for each category (10) is not received. Entrants will be contacted to see
if they wish to place their entry in another category before entries are
returned.
New for 2008, we are accepting Paper or Electronic entries
Entry Deadline: All entries must be received by May 15, 2008.
Any entries received after this date will be returned unopened. Electronic
entries must be received by 11:59pm MDT May 15, 2008. Please
factor in your ISP may not deliver in mere seconds.
Entry Fees: $30 for all HODRW members, $35 for all RWA members who are
not members of HODRW, and $40 for all non-RWA members. Entry fees include
return postage for paper entries. Non-U. S. entrants, please use the electronic
method. You may pay by using
Paypal. (click
here) Payments should go to treasurer@hodrw.com and be marked for
Molly Entry 2008.
EARLY BIRD Deadline - DEDUCT $5 FROM
FEE IF postmarked, e-mailed, or hand delivered BY April
25, 2008
Entry Composition/Checklist:
PAPER entry will include the following:
_____ Five (5) copies of the beginning of your manuscript
(maximum of 30 pages)
_____ Five (5) copies of a synopsis (maximum of 5 pages). *See
NEW 2008 Score sheet for elements helpful in
the synopsis.
_____ One (1) completed and signed official entry form and agreement for each
entry. Entry forms may be photocopied.
_____ One (1) check or money order made out to "HODRW" for the applicable entry
fee for each entry. Or the PayPal printout.
_____ Entry sent to the category coordinator handling the PAPER entries.
_____ SASE postcard if you wish to be notified when entry is received.
_____ A Self-Addressed label for return of manuscripts. Do not
include postage with your entry- your entry fee includes cost of
return postage. PLEASE NOTE: OVERSEAS entrants please use the Electronic
method of entry and PayPal method of payment.
PAPER ENTRIES: Format/Checklist: Each entry will be formatted and
presented as follows:
_____ Entry (ms and synopsis) must be presented in proper standard manuscript
format (double-spaced and approximately one-inch margins, size 12 Courier or
TNR font) and printed on one side of paper only.
_____ Header on manuscript and synopsis pages should contain title and category
in the upper left corner and the page number in the upper right. A category
subgenre (i.e. “Regency,” “Time Travel,” “Young Adult,” etc.) may but
need not also be included in the header. Author's name may not appear
anywhere on the manuscript or synopsis or the entry will be disqualified!
_____ Photocopies and printouts must be legible and of good quality.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOU ENTRY BY ANY MEANS THAT REQUIRES A RECEIVING
SIGNATURE.
ELECTRONIC ENTRIES: Format/Checklist: Each entry will be formatted and
presented as follows:
Entries MUST be in an .RTF (rich text format) file. Formatting is just as for
paper entries: Header on manuscript and synopsis pages should contain title and
category in the upper left corner and the page number in the upper right. A
category subgenre (i.e. “Regency,” “Time Travel,” “Young Adult,” etc. ) may
but need not also be included in the header. We understand formatting
sometimes changes in transmission, but every attempt should be taken to maintain
proper formatting and ready for printing. Author's name may not appear anywhere
on the manuscript or synopsis, or the entry will be disqualified. Author’s name
should only be on the separate entry form.
Copy Contest Entry Form and Contestant Agreement into an email with a subject line of Molly Entry and Category name. Attach entry and then email completed form to proper category coordinator. (ENTRIES MUST BE .rtf FORMAT). The title of your entry should be the file name.
Payment is encouraged through PayPal, but payment by check for electronic entries must be received by the HOD treasurer - with a printed entry form for proper tracking - by May 20, 2008.
Verification of receipt of entry will be made by email address included on the entry form. If you do NOT receive a verification email within 72 hours, please notify the appropriate coordinator immediately.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY DISQUALIFY THE ENTRY AND
THE ENTRY FEE MAY NOT BE REFUNDED.
Judging:
First Round: Two qualified judges will judge the first round. The top 30
percent of entries in each category will move into the second round. Re-judging
will occur in the first round only, and only where there is a difference of at
least twenty (20) points between the two judges, AND the higher judge gave a
score of 85 or more. When re-judging occurs, the lowest score will be discarded
(whether or not it is an original or rejudged score).
Second Round: The second round will be judged by two published authors.
After the four scores from first and second round are received, the lowest of
the four scores will be dropped. The three entries with the highest total of the
three remaining scores will advance to the finals. Additional finalists will be
added in the event of a tie for third place.
Judges for both rounds may write on manuscripts. Judges are encouraged to comment within the manuscript on ELECTRONIC entries.
Final Round: An editor/agent will select a winner from the finalists.
Final Round Judges:
Romantic Suspense: Patience Smith,
Silhouette Romantic Suspense
Single Title: Lindsay Nouis, NAL/Penguin Group
Historical: May Chen, Harper Collins
Contemporary: Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary
Agency
Young Adult: Lisa Cheng, Margaret K. McElderry
Books/Simon And Schuster
Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic: Kate
Duffy, Kensington Books
Erotica: Theresa Stevens, Red Sage Publishing
Heart of Molly (HODRW members only):
Kate Schafer, KT Literary Agency
Unsinkable Heroine: Alissa Davis, Dorchester Publishing
Notification: First Round semi-finalists will be notified by
APPROXIMATELY July 1, 2008. Second Round
finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY August 5, 2008. Winners will
be notified by APPROXIMATELY October 21, 2008, following the
contest award ceremony.
Awards: The first place winner in each category will receive the "Molly
Award Plaque." All other finalists will receive certificates. Results will be
publicized on loops and in the RWR.
"The Unsinkable Heroine" Award: Each entry will be judged for "The
Unsinkable Heroine" award. This award is separate from the regular contest
scoring and in no way reflects adversely or advantageously to the general
scoring system. The heroine in each entry will be judged for spunk,
imagination, creativity, and unsinkability.
The Heart of Molly Award: Only Heart of Denver Romance Writers (HODRW)
members (as of January 31, 2008) are eligible for this special award at no
additional charge and in addition to the Molly and/or Unsinkable Heroine
Awards. An agent or editor will select the winner from the first and second
round top HODRW scores for the 2008 Heart of Molly Award.
Submission: Entries must be directed to the appropriate category
coordinator:
PAPER ENTRIES: all categories
Grace Larralde
719 Butte Pass Rd
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
spatsmom@comcast.net
ELECTRONIC ENTRIES FOR CATEGORIES:
Paranormal/TimeTravel/Futuristic
Contemporary
Single Title
Email entry to: Lesli Lent,
Mollycoordinator@hodrw.com
ELECTRONIC ENTRIES FOR CATEGORIES:
Romantic Suspense
Historical
Young Adult
Erotica
Email entry to: Anna Hackett,
Molly@hodrw.com
General Questions? Email Lesli Lent at Mollycoordinator@hodrw.com
Click here to print out a Molly 2008 Entry Form
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