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MCRW
Melody of Love
Contest Tips!
1) Don't enter if you're
already published in book-length fiction, by any publisher.
If you haven't been published within the past 5 years, that's acceptable.
2) The contest allows up to 25
pages. That doesn't mean you should try to squeeze as much as possible
into those 25 pages! Leave judges with a snappy ending, even if it means
sending fewer than 25 pages. It'll be worth it.
3) Don't forget all the items
needed, especially if you are entering electronically -- chapter, entry form,
and money.
4) Make sure you double check
for typos and grammatical errors. If necessary, get someone to proof for
you. A professional manuscript is not sloppy and will be nearly free of
such errors. Honest.
5) Judges are going to read
your whole submission. They will not put your manuscript down if you don't
have the world's greatest opening sentence. You don't have to wedge your
first paragraph into that currently popular mold--the startling, wacky or
hooky "grabber". This is especially true if your opening doesn't match the
rest of your manuscript in tone or substance or if you're going for shock value.
For reference, we offer this article by
our Grammar Wench.
6) That being said, there is a
section for the opening on our scoresheet. An
interesting beginning is definitely an asset and you don't want to drown your
judges right up front with unnecessary backstory, nonessential or
as-you-know-Bob dialogue, or long sections of worldbuilding or scenery. Sneak that stuff in. Find a
balance!
7) If your entry is sizzlin'
hot, please consider checking the appropriate subcategory box on the entry form. This
will help us assign judges who are familiar with the sizzlin' hot market.
Ditto if your entry is an inspirational or women's fiction instead of mainstream
romance. (If you are unsure as to whether your article qualifies as
sizzlin' hot, err on the side of yeah, baby.)
8) If you happen to final,
take advantage of the chance to revise before we send you to the final round
editor or agent. Put your best partial forward!
9) Use stamps, not metered postage, on your SASE
if you choose the traditional hardcopy entry format.
Most judges write comments directly on the entries in addition to the scoresheets. If there isn't enough postage, you might not get the good
stuff back. Don't forget consider the addition of up to three scoresheets
to your packet when you calculate your postage. Scoresheets are 2-3 pages
long. Also keep in mind--you can use delivery confirmation on your
entry packet if it makes you feel better, but DO NOT use some method that requires the contest coordinator
to sign to receive it, i.e. certified mail.
10) The contest limited to 75 total entries, and we've been
known to top out. The limit is low because we use almost all in-chapter
judges instead of going outside the chapter for help. We're a small
chapter, but we like to keep our contest judging in house. Get your entry
mailed in good time!
Additional questions can be directed to contest
coordinator
Jody Wallace at contest (at) mcrw.com.
Back to Contest Page
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