RWA members voted The Molly Contest their 3rd favorite unpublished writing contest! (July 2000 issue of the Romance Writers' Report)

2007 Molly Contest Molly Entry Form 2007 Scoresheet Final Round Judges FAQs

2007 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Purpose: The purpose of THE MOLLY is to inspire, motivate and reward unpublished authors of romance fiction.

Eligibility: Participation is open to all unpublished authors of novel length romance fiction and those who have not published within three years prior to contest deadline.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 excluded. All work must be the author's original work that has not been contracted for publication prior to the entry 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.

Young Adult  - Novels with a romantic element aimed at teen and young adult readers. 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 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. 

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.

Entry Deadline: All entries must be received by May 15, 2007. Any entries received after this date will be returned unopened.

Entry Fees: Entry fee is $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. Non-U.S. entrants, please add U.S. $5.00 American for return postage,and please inquire for additional rules; non U.S. entrants paying with checks incurring additional charges for cashing are responsible for such additional charges. You may pay by using Paypal. (click here)  Payments should go to treasurer@hodrw.com and be marked for Molly Entry 2007. 

EARLY BIRD Deadline  - DEDUCT $5 FROM FEE IF POSTMARKED or hand delivered BY April 25, 2007

Entry Composition/Checklist:

Each entry will include the following:

_____ Five (5) copies of the beginning of your manuscript (maximum of 25 pages)

_____ Five (5) copies of a synopsis (maximum of 5 pages). *See 2007 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.

_____ Entry sent to the appropriate category coordinator.

_____ SAS 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 don't forget to add $5.00 for return postage.

Entry Format/Checklist: Each entry will be formatted and presented as follows:
_____ Entry must be presented in proper standard manuscript format (double-spaced and approximately one-inch margins size 12 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.


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.

Second Round: The second round will be judged by two published authors. Judges may write on manuscripts. 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.

Final Round: An editor/agent will select a winner from the finalists.

Final Round Judges:

Romantic Suspense: Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency
(New Category!) Erotica:  Hilary Sares, Kensington
Contemporary:  May Chen, Harper Collins
(New Category!)Young Adult: Sangeeta Mehta, Simon and Schuster
Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic: Erin Galloway, Dorchester
Historical:  Tessa Woodward, Avon
Single Title: Sulay Hernandez, Simon and Schuster
Heart of Molly (HODRW members only): Alice Condon, Dorchester
Unsinkable Heroine: TBA

Notification: First Round semi-finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY July 1, 2007. Second Round finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY August 5, 2007. Winners will be notified by October 21, 2007, following the contest award ceremony.
Awards: The first place winner in each category will receive the "Molly Award." All other finalists will receive suitable recognition. Results will be publicized.

"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 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 2007 Heart of Molly Award.

Submission: Entries must be mailed to the appropriate category coordinator:

General Questions?  Email Lesli Lent at lesli-j@juno.com  

Click here to print out a Molly 2007 Entry Form

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