Charter Oak Romance Writers present
The Golden Acorn Quick Look Hook

What does an editor or reader look at when they pick up your book? The query letter or the back-cover copy! And then, if you're lucky, the first few pages.

Announcing the contest designed to help the self-publishing author or the writer trying to grab the eye of an editor or agent.

 

Each entry includes:

  1. An attention-grabbing description of your book that will intrigue any reader (think of a book's back cover copy or the meat of a query letter). Limit 200 words

  2. The first three pages of your manuscript, double spaced, proper ms format.

For finalists, a synopsis will be required.


Fabulous Final Judges!

Deadline: Entries are open now. All entries must be received no later than midnight May 20.

Submissions:
  • This contest is 100% electronic. Links to forms are located near the bottom of this page.
  • For the first round you may include a short synopsis (not to exceed 3 pages) that will not be judged.
  • Finalists will be notified by mid-July
  • Winners will be announced mid-August
  • Finalists will be given five days to polish their entries before they are submitted to the Final Judges, all professionals in the publishing field.
Judges: Entrants will receive a detailed score sheet from three qualified judges which may include trained judges and/or published authors. The lowest score will be dropped before determining the final score. Ties are broken using the dropped low score. The top five entries in each category will advance to the finals.

Contest is open to unpublished and published authors (who may enter only with an unpublished manuscript).

Categories and Final Round Judges:
Paranormal Romance - Chris Keeslar, editor Boroughs Publishing
Historical (short or long and Regencies) - Linda Ingmanson, editor Samhain
Contemporary - Rebecca Strauss, agent at McIntosh & Otis, Inc.
Mainstream with Romantic Elements - Susan Litman, Harlequin Special Edition editor
Young Adult - Eric Ruben, agent

Entry fee - $15 U.S. funds
  • Fees are non-refundable.

  • Electronic payment accepted at CORW2013@aol.com. Please include:
    - Number of entries @ $15 per entry,
    - entry name and genre,
    - your real name,
    - your pseudonym if applicable, and
    - your PayPal account name.

  • Make checks payable to CORW. Send to
    CORW, P.O. BOX 215,
    Southwick, MA, 01077

    along with a copy of your entry form.
Forms
Detailed entry instructions  
Entry Form  
Score Sheet  

Any questions?

If you still have questions, please email gacontest@hotmail.com.

LET US HELP YOU GRAB YOUR READER


Golden Acorn Contest Winners
2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012

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