Welcome to the Charter Oak Romance Writers' Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Award. Our contest is selective, limiting itself to 68 entrants, so that we are able to provide valuable feedback to aid you in your goal to publish.

Our score sheet includes detailed comments on the first 20 pages of your work with an emphasis on whether your work hooked the reader.

Our purpose is to encourage, inspire and motivate unpublished authors of novel-length romance fiction.

Eligibility:
  • Participation is open to unpublished writers in any category.
  • Published writers are published as defined by the requirements for PAN.
  • Published authors may enter any category in which they have not been published in the previous five years.
Categories:
A "Novel" is a work of Romance Fiction of at least 40,000 words as determined by computer word count.

"Series" is defined as those books issued under a common imprint/series name which are usually numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases each time.

All categories may have varying levels of sensuality, ranging from sweet to extremely hot.

  • Contemporary Series Romance: Series romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship. This category includes any series novels including contemporary, paranormal, or romantic suspense..

  • Contemporary Single Title: Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series. This category may include novels with a strong adventure or suspense subplot.

  • Paranormal: Time Travel, Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal. Romantic novels with any time setting that contain elements such as time-travel, angels, vampires or other new-age / mystical / paranormal themes, or set in the future, on other planets or in other dimensions.

  • Historical: Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location.
Final Round Judges:
  • Contemporary Series Romance: Lucy Gilmour, Harlequin
  • Contemporary Single Title: Shauna Summers, Random House
  • Paranormal: Megan Records, Kensington
  • Historical: Sally Williamson, Harlequin
Entry Information:
  • Entries are electronic only.
  • You may "reserve" a spot in the contest by filling out an entry form and sending it to the coordinator. Please send the entry form as a doc or rtf attachment .
  • Once the coordinator has processed your entry, she will send you an email with a Paypal link and an address. Payment may be made through Paypal or paid with a check.
  • Once payment has been received, you have "reserved" a spot.
  • Entries may be sent anytime up until the March 31, 2010 deadline. If the entry is not received by March 31st, the entry fee is forfeited.
  • A waiting list will be formed if necessary.
  • Finalists will be announced around May 31, 2010.
  • Winners will be announced around July 15, 2010.
Entry Fee:
  • $25.00 in US funds
  • Information regarding payment will be sent after your entry form has been accepted.
  • Payment may be sent via Paypal or check.
  • Payment must be received before you can "reserve" a spot.
Awards:
  • Five finalists in each round will receive certificates.
  • The first place winner will receive $25.00 and a certificate.
  • Results will be publicized.
Scoring:
  • Our score sheet is set up to provide feedback on the first chapter with an emphasis on whether the piece has hooked the reader.
  • View a copy of the scoresheet here.
Electronic Entry:
  • Fill out the electronic . It is in the form of a Word Document. Please save the entry form, fill it in, attach it to an email and email it to contest coordinator, Stefani de Ravin. The entry form can be used to "reserve" a spot for the contest.

  • Email your entry followed by the synopsis and saved as one file (rtf or doc) to the contest coordinator, Stefani de Ravin prior to the March 31st deadline.

  • Finalists from the United States will be asked to send a hard copy of their revised work to the contest coordinator to be submitted to the final judge.

  • Finalists from outside the U.S. will have the option to send an electronic copy of their revised work to the contest coordinator to be submitted to the final judge.
Entry Details/Checklist:
  • Entries will be accepted in electronic (email) submissions only. If you have problems sending electronically, please contact the contest coordinator.

  • Send one (1) completed electronic entry form.

  • Send one (1) copy of up to the first 20 pages of your work and 1 synopsis up to 5 pages double spaced in one file. The synopsis will not be judged. Send both to the contest coordinator, Stefani de Ravin.

  • Entries MUST be sent in RTF (rich text format) format only. It should be formatted in standard manuscript format, ready for printing. This includes header and page numbers.

  • The name of the category you are entering must be listed in the subject line of the email entry.

  • You will receive a confirmation when the entry is received. If you do not receive confirmation within 72 hours please email the coordinator.
Formatting:
  • One inch margins, double spaced, TNR or Courier, font size 12.
  • Header on the manuscript pages must contain title and category in the upper left corner.
  • Page number should be in the upper right corner.
  • Your name should only be on the electronic entry form and not on the entry anywhere.

Questions should be directed to the contest coordinator Stefani de Ravin.

Failure to comply with any of the above rules may disqualify the entry and the entry fee may not be refunded.

Thank you for entering the Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Award.

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