2008 FICTION FROM THE HEARTLAND

MARA Fiction From the Heartland Contest Rules-2008

Deadline September 5, 2008

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Contest open to unpublished and uncontracted writers, excluding MARA members.  The Fiction From the Heartland Contest adheres to the same rules as the Golden Heart. 

Categories: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Historical, Inspirational, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, and Young Adult.

In the first round, entries will be judged by two experienced critiquers, one of which will be a published author.  In the event of scores in the preliminary round having more than 40 points difference between the judges (20% discrepancy) and a contestant has achieved 85% or greater of total points possible from one, a third judged will be used, and the lowest score will be dropped.    Finalists entries will be judged by both an editor and an agent.

In the event of a tie for the first, second, or third place in the final round, the first round scores will be used as a tiebreaker.

Click here to see a list of the finalist judges.

Each entrant will receive a one-page written critique and a detailed score sheet.

Click here to see a copy of the score sheet. 

The contest will have no more than ten overall finalists from all categories.  Manuscripts must achieve 85% or greater of the total points possible to qualify as a finalist. 

Entries, score sheets and critiques will be returned no later than November 15, 2008, allowing entrants to use the feedback in preparing Golden Heart entries. 

Finalists will be announced November 1, 2008.  Finalists will have only their first round entries returned.  Final round scores made by the editors and agents WILL NOT be released to the contestants.   Any comments made by final round judges will be released when all final round judges have completed their judging.  Finalists will need to send an additional SASE for final round comments to be returned.

Click here for the entry form.

Send entries to:

Fiction From the Heartland Contest
c/o Keri Smith
15612 W 125th Terrace
Olathe, KS 66062

For questions please contact Contest Coordinator:  keridwen7@hotmail.com

What to send:

A.  One completed copy of this entry form per entry.
B.  One check in the amount(s) of $30.00 US per entry.  Please make check payable to MARA.
C.  Four (4) copies of your first chapter and four (4) copies of your synopsis not to exceed 35 total pages. (35x4=140 pages max.)
D.  One self-addressed priority mail envelope with correct postage for the return of your entry and critiques. 

Entries must be typed in standard manuscript format (no justification, regular type face, doubled spaced, standard margins, white paper, no dot matrix printing, etc.).  Please do not place your name on manuscript or synopsis pages.   Pages must be numbered sequentially.  Preferred location of this number is the upper right hand corner of each page.  Synopsis numbered separately.  Title of manuscript on every page of first chapter/prologue.  Title/Synopsis on every page of synopsis.  Please include projected word count and target market (if applicable) on the front page of the synopsis.