Purpose: The purpose of THE MOLLY is to inspire, motivate and reward unpublished authors of romance fiction.

Eligibility: Participation is open to all unpublished authors of novel length romance fiction and those who have not published within three years prior to contest deadline.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:

Short Contemporary - romantic novels, which may also include sensuality that may or may not be intense. Projected word count: 40,000-70,000 words. 

Long Contemporary - romantic novels, which include long series romance novels in which sensuality may constitute a strong element in the romance. Projected word count: over 70,000 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. 
 
Novels In Which Romance Is An Element, but not the major element, of the plot.  This category includes subgenres popularly known as chicklit and women’s fiction.  Projected word count: over 70,000 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 08, 2004. 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.  EARLY BIRD - DEDUCT $5 FROM FEE IF POSTMARKED or hand delivered BY April 17,  2004

Entry Composition/Checklist:

Each 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 scoresheet 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.

_____ Entry must be bound by a binder clip (also called Boston or Banker's clips). Please do not use paper clips, staples or rubber bands and do not bend or fold pages.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY DISQUALIFY THE ENTRY AND THE ENTRY FEE MAY NOT BE REFUNDED. 

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

2004 EDITOR JUDGES:

Short Contemporary--Stephanie Maurer, Silhouette Desire
Long Contemporary--Johanna Raisanen, HQ-SuperRomance
Single Title--Lucienne Diver, Spectrum Literary Agency
Historical--Cindy Hwang, Penguin/Putnam
Paranormal/Futuristic/Time Travel--Chris Keeslar, Dorchester
Romantic Suspense--Kim Nadelson, Harlequin Intrigue
Books with Romantic Elements--Lauren McKenna, Simon & Shuster/Pocket BooksTBA

Heart of Molly Award (HODRW members only):  Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary
Agency.

Unsinkable Heroine Award:  Linda Kichline of Imajinn Books

Notification: First Round semi-finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY July 7, 2004. Second Round finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY August 14, 2004. Winners will be notified by October 18, 2004, 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 2004 final round "Unsinkable Heroine" judge is TBA.

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. The final judge (TBA) will select a winner from the top three scoring, final round HODRW scores for the 2004 Heart of Molly Award.

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

Short Contemporary:                                  Long Contemporary:
Sue Longsdorf                                               Darlene Roberts 
533 South Gilia Drive                                    1929 7th Avenue
Pueblo West, CO 81007-1645                     Greeley, CO 80631-5809
onethousandwords@comcast.net                   darroberts@greeleyschools.org 
 
Historical:                                                    Single Title:
Sharon McCrea                                             Maggi Landry 
18230 Wedemeyer Road                               6818 So. Birch Way
Kiowa, CO 80117                                         Littleton, CO 80122-2129
Shazzaho1@aol.com                                      Maggiwrite@aol.com 
(with a number 1 (one), not a letter 'l')
 
Romantic Suspense:                                     Books with Romantic Elements:                        
Becky Martinez                                               Su Wright
4954 So Evanston Street                                 1575 So. Grape St
Aurora, CO 80015                                          Denver, CO  80222
Goldbooks2@aol.com                                     Suwriter@aol.com    
 
Para/Fut/TT: 
Barbara Zukowski
6752 So. Gibraltar Court
Aurora, CO 80016
Bz5@juno.com

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

Click here to print out a Molly Entry Form.

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