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Georgia Romance Writers

 

The purpose of the Maggie Awards is to encourage, recognize, and reward the mastery of romance writing by unpublished authors of romantic fiction.

Eligibility:
Participation is open to any member of Romance Writers of America who meets current RWA Golden Heart guidelines for eligibility. RWA membership will be verified. Anyone receiving a full-time professional income from any other form of fiction is ineligible. The Maggie Awards chair has final determination on eligibility.

Categories for entry:
(The entry must have a projected minimum length of 40,000 words and fit into one of the following romance categories.)
■   Short Contemporary (40,000 to 70,000 words)
■   Long Contemporary (over 70,000 words)
■   Historical (includes Regencies)
■   Contemporary Single Title (over 70,000 words)
■   Paranormal (includes Futuristic, Time Travel, Fantasy, etc.)
■   Inspirational

    
Judging:

■   Two published authors will judge each entry. Editors in the romance genre will judge the final round. (Only two copies of each entry will be judged unless that entry moves to the final round of judging.)

■   Judges will give each entry a score from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest). Judges will also rank entries for tie-breaking as needed for advancement to the finals.

■   Judges are encouraged to write their comments directly on the manuscripts and WILL NOT use score sheets, and scores WILL NOT be released to the entrants.

■   Decision of the judges is final.

■   Judges’ names will not be released to entrants.

Awards:
■   First place / highest scored manuscript in each category will receive the Maggie Medallion.
■   All finalists will receive certificates.
■   Finalists will be notified by August 15, 2008.

■   Winners will be announced October 4, 2008, at Moonlight & Magnolias.

Entry Requirements:
■   Entries will be limited to the first 70 in each category.
■   Multiple entries are allowed. Participation is limited to ONE entry per category.
■   A manuscript can only be entered in one category.

■   The entry must not have previously received a Maggie Medallion.

■   If the minimum number of entries in a category is not met, entry will be moved to entrant’s second choice category.
    

YOUR ENTRY MUST INCLUDE:

1.  Completed entry form, including signed entrant's agreement.

2.  THREE (3) copies of the synopsis and THREE (3) copies of the prologue (if applicable) and first chapter(s), TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES MAY NOT EXCEED 35 per copy.

3.  Entry fee:  $25 for GRW members (membership dues must be paid prior to June 2, 2008); $30 for non-GRW members. Please make check payable to GRW. Fee will be returned if the entry category is full, but fee will not be refunded in the event of disqualification or withdrawal. DO NOT SEND CASH.

4.  SASE:  Include a USPS Priority Mail Tyvek envelope with adequate postage (STAMPS only). No metered, FedEx, or UPS returns accepted. Mark the SASE with the title and category of the entry. We cannot accept cash or money orders for postage. Canadian residents please see FAQ regarding return postage.

5.  SAS postcard if you wish to be notified of receipt of your entry.

SEND ENTRY TO:

 

CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE             SHORT CONTEMPORARY     PARANORMAL/INSPIRATIONAL

Tanya Michna                                          Beverley Kendall                            Tammy Holden

810 Andora Way                                     2105 Torbay Drive                            P.O. Box 954

Marietta, GA 30064                                  Conyers, GA 30013                        Forsyth, GA 31029

 

HISTORICAL                                           LONG CONTEMPORARY

Pamela Varnado                                      Elaine Sims

475 Clearwater Place                               4968 Warmstone Way

Lawrenceville, GA 30044                           Smyrna, GA 30080

DEADLINE:

Entries must be RECEIVED at the appropriate address above by June 2, 2008, and before your entry category is full. Those received after that date, sent to the incorrect address, or received after the category is declared full will be returned. Do NOT send by any form of delivery that requires a signature.

 

ENTRY FORMAT

■   Entry must be typed in 12-point font, double spaced, on one side of 8½" x 11" paper, with 1" margins (maximum 27 lines per page). The synopsis must be double spaced.

■   Please do not use fancy fonts. (We recommend using Courier 12 or New Courier 12.)

■   Indicate title in the top left corner and the page number in the top right corner of every page.  Do not include your name anywhere on your manuscript.

■   Separate each synopsis from the chapter(s) by a sheet of colored paper and bind each synopsis/chapter(s) combination with a binder clip.  DO NOT BIND IN ANY OTHER MANNER.

 

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

RETURN OF ENTRIES

■   Every effort will be made to return entries before the 2008 Moonlight & Magnolias conference.

Questions?
Contact Emily Sewell by email at esewell@mindspring.com or by phone at 770.584.6707, or Jenna Kay at jimjennakay@hotmail.com.