MCRW Melody of Love Contest Tips!

1) Don't enter if you're published in book-length fiction, by any publisher, in the past 5 years.

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) 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!

6) If the text of 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 your entry is not sizzlin' hot in the part of the manuscript you're submitting, it is your choice as to whether or not to check that box.

7) 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! 

8) 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. 

9) 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! 

10) The judges love and appreciate thank you notes. If you feel so inclined, you are welcome to handwrite them and send them to the contest mailbox for distribution or email them to the contest coordinator.

Additional questions can be directed to contest coordinator Jody Wallace at contest (at) mcrw.com.

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