2008 Orange Rose Contest
header

Twenty-Fifth Annual Orange Rose Contest
for Unpublished Writers

The contest is open to any writer meeting the following criteria:

  • Must be a member in good standing of RWA National
  • Has not published or been contracted in book-length fiction in the last five years
  • The entry must have a projected minimum length of 50,000 words.

The categories are:

  • Contemporary Category Romance
  • Historical
  • Inspirational
  • Mainstream w/Romantic Elements
  • Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy
  • Romantic Suspense
  • Single Title Romance (over 70,000 words)

See Complete Official Rules Below


    2008 Contest is now closed for entries.

    Official Rules (Word Doc)

    OCC/RWA Members $25.00 All other RWA Members $30.00
    Please contact 2008 Contest Coordinator: Charlotte Lobb, with any questions:
    email: Charlotte Lobb

The Winners of The Twenty-Fourth Annual Orange Rose Contest

________________________________________

Annual Orange Rose Contest for Unpublished Writers
Orange County Chapter - Romance Writers of America - Official Rules

  1. The Contest is limited to the first 150 Entries.
  2. Contest Deadline is April 12, 2008
  3. Entry fees received after April 12, 2008 will be returned, and the manuscripts destroyed.
  4. Send check, entry form, release and manuscripts to: Charlotte Lobb, 1843 W. 244th Street, Torrance, CA 90501
  5. Make check payable to OCC/RWA.
  6. You may also pay through PayPal --see above.

Contest is open to any writer meeting the following criteria:

  1. Must be a member in good standing of RWA National.
  2. Has not published or been contracted in book-length fiction in the last five years.
  3. If one is accepted before June 30, 2008, entry(ies) must be withdrawn.
  4. Writer will be required to sign a statement confirming no offer for publication has been accepted.
  5. The entry must have a projected minimum length of 50,000 words.
  6. Entries shall consist of: One title page with author’s name, phone number, address, e-mail address (if available), manuscript title, category, projected length.
    • Categories are:
      Contemporary Category Romance * Historical * Inspirational * Mainstream w/Romantic Elements * Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy * Romantic Suspense *Single Title Romance (over 70,000 words)
  7. FIVE copies each of a synopsis and beginning of unpublished manuscript (55 pages total maximum).
  8. A legal-size self-addressed stamped envelope with proper first-class postage for return of preliminary score sheets. Manuscripts will not be returned and will be destroyed.
  9. A self-addressed stamped postcard for verification of receipt of entry, if so desired.

THE TOTAL SUBMISSION INCLUDING SYNOPSIS SHALL BE NO MORE THAN 55 PAGES. ANY ADDITIONAL PAGES WILL BE REMOVED BY CONTEST COORDINATOR AND DESTROYED BEFORE JUDGING

Entries must consist of good quality copies, and be formatted as follows:

  1. Neatly typed on one side of white, 8 ½" by 11" paper, double-spaced (including synopsis). Readable font (12 pt or larger) such as Times New Roman, Courier New, etc.
  2. One-inch margins on top, bottom and both sides. Unjustified right margins.
  3. Header with manuscript title on left and page number on right.
  4. Prologue header should also state ‘Prologue’ after the title.
  5. Your name is to appear only on the title page – please submit no more than one title page per entry. Do not put your name on your manuscript!
  6. Submit entry as loose pages only. Use easy-to-open binder clips to hold it together. DO NOT BEND OR STAPLE.
  • Enter as many different manuscripts as you wish, but each manuscript may only be entered in one category.
  • Each separate entry must be accompanied by an official entry form, a signed release and the entry fee.
  • Preliminary judging will be done on a point basis, with all manuscripts judged by three published authors. The three scores will be averaged to reach the preliminary score.
  • Finalists are chosen by their overall score, NOT by category. A finalist’s manuscript must be among the top ten scoring manuscripts receiving a minimum of 70% of the possible points (a score of 136 or higher).
  • Finalists will be announced July 12, 2008 at the OCC/RWA’s monthly meeting.
  • These manuscripts will be read by two editors. Their scores will be averaged to determine the winners.
  • Winners will be announced and awards presented to the top four scoring manuscripts on October 11, 2008 at the OCC/RWA’s monthly meeting. Winners receive OCC/RWA’s highly coveted Crystal Orange Rose. Finalists and winners not in attendance will be notified by phone or E-mail.
  • Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in disqualification. The OCC/RWA’s Board of Directors will resolve any disputes that may arise. Their decision will be final.
  • The contest cannot be held liable for any failure of the delivery of entries due to the USPS, or your chosen method of delivery.
    Contact Contest Coordinator, Charlotte Lobb, with any questions: E-mail: charmaclay@aol.com.

Problems with the site? Email the webmaster at webmaster@occrwa.org
Webdesign by Amberwing Design