Launching A Star Contest now open!

At long last, the 2009 Launching A Star writers contest is open. As you may know, I've worked on this contest for the last few years and it's one of the best things my chapter does. This contest rocks! We always have agent/editor requests and several times those requests have resulted in someone signing with an agent or making that first sale. This is the official info, so feel free to share it wherever you like:

The countdown for the 2009 Launching A Star contest has begun! You won’t want to miss your chance to enter this terrific contest where last year’s acquiring editors and agents requested an amazing 10 manuscripts, resulting in at least two sales. This year, we’ve added new categories – Romantic Suspense, Inspirational and Novellas – in our efforts to bring you the most value for your contest dollars.

To enter, submit the first chapter (25 page max) of your romance in any of our nine categories. All first round judges (2 per entry, one trained, one published in romance) will provide constructive comments on every entry. Two industry professionals (one agent and one editor) will judge each category in the final round. Complete details and entry forms are available on the STAR Chapter website: www.authorsofromance.com

But hurry! You must send your entry in no later than September 5^th.

Launching a Star 2009

Sponsor: SpacecoasT Authors of Romance Chapter (STAR)

Fee: $25-$30, SASE

Please Note: The deadlines listed in RWR are incorrect. The correct deadlines are:

Deadline: Post-marked by September 5th, Received by September 12^th

E-deadline (for non-US residents only): Emailed by September 5^th, received by September 6^th.

Eligibility: Unpublished or not PAN Eligible

Enter: The first 25 pages. No synopsis.

First round judges: One trained; one published.

Final round judges: One editor and one agent for each category

Single Title – Editor Selina McLenmore, Grand Central;

Agent Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency

Romantic Suspense – Editor Sara Goodman, St. Martin’s;

Agent Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media

Inspirational – Editor Natalie Hanemann, Thomas Nelson;

Agent Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Agency

Historical – Editor Talia Platz, NAL; Agent Elizabeth

Pomada, Larsen-Pomada Agency

General Paranormal: Editor Heather Osborne, TOR; Agent

Laurie McLean, Larsen-Pomada Agency

Fantasy/Futuristic: Editor Meredith Giordan, Berkley/Jove;

Agent Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency

Series Contemp: Editor Susan Litman, Harlequin Special

Edition; Agent Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Agency

Young Adult: Editor Kristen Daly, HarperCollins; Agent

Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency

Novellas: Editor Angela James, Samhain; Agent Roberta

Brown, Brown Literary Agency

Prizes: Star named in honor of overall contest winner; Engraved paperweights (just like that star up there) for all First Place in category; Certificates for all finalists.

For More Information: www.authorsofromance.com

Observations of a Contest Judge

I've recently judged about 15-16 contest entries in a very short period of time. Like hours. I did this to help with my chapter's contest because we're getting close to announcing the finalists and there were many entries (thanks to a change we overlooked) that needed discrepancy judging.

One thing I learned reading so many entries in such a short time is that the good ones stand out early. You don't need to read to page 18 to know if it's got potential or not. Sometimes page 4 or 5, but usually by page 1, 1 1/2 maybe, you pretty much have a feel for whether or not someone can tell a story that will keep you reading.

Out of those entries I read, there was really only one that I could imagine myself curled up with on a rainy day. Am I a hard judge? Yes, because I judge against my own standards for my own writing, and those are very high, let me tell you.

Still, I enjoy the judging process. It shows me a slice of what's being done out there in Writerland. What themes are popular, what historical time periods are still holding interest, what paranormal elements show up time and time again.

Now, however, I must read something already published, because reading only the first chapters of 15 books can give a person a real need for closure. What are you reading right now?

Open For Business

The RITA and Golden Heart contests are officially open for business. Any planning on entering?

RITA

Things I know about the RITA: It has the potential to make you dumber. *wink* Also, the little feather pen thing in her hand will eventually fall off. Maybe even the night you win it. Still, I covet one of my very own.

Golden Heart

Things I know about the Golden Heart: Wearing the award isn't recommended for daily use. It can turn your neck green. True story. Can't reveal sources though...

So, who's entering? Not sure if I am. I'd really love to be ineligible.

Woohoo! And Some Contest Info

*First of all, as of today, I am officially down 20 pounds!!! Can I get woohoo? Thx!

*The second important bit of news you need is that the Launching A Star contest is now taking entries. This is a great contest because the finalling entries will be judged by both an editor and an agent! Seriously! Here's the 411:

***Permission to Forward Given and Encouraged***

The 2007 Launching A STAR Contest has been re-vamped and we know you'll love the changes! Entries in this year's contest will submit the First Chapter, with no synopsis. Two industry professionals (one agent and one editor) will judge each category in the final round. All first round judges (2 per entry, one trained, one published in romance) will provide constructive comments on every entry. And we've added a new category, Erotic Romance. So, sharpen up your pencils or warm up your printer and plan to enter the 2007 Launching A STAR Contest!

Launching a STAR 2007
Sponsor: SpacecoasT Authors of Romance Chapter (STAR)

Fee: $25-$30, SASE

Deadline: Post-marked by October 1st, Received by October 8th, 2007

Eligibility: Unpublished or not published by RWA-recognized publisher in book length fiction within 5 years

Enter: First Chapter (up to 25 pages).

First round judges: One trained; one published.

Categories/Final round judges:
Series Contemporary: editor Susan Litman, HQ and agent Elaine English
Single Title Contemporary: editor Erin Galloway, Dorchester and agent Michelle Grajkowski
Historical: editor Keyren Gerlach, HQN and agent Elizabeth Pomada,
Paranormal: editor Heather Osborne, TOR and agent Laurie McLean
Erotic Romance: editor Angela James, Samhaim and agent Roberta Brown
Young Adult: editor Kate Seaver, Berkley/Jove and agent Elaine Spencer

Top Prize: A star named in your honor! FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.authorsofromance.com> or contact Lee Duncan, contest coordinator at leeduncan (at) bellsouth (dot) net