Romance Short Story Contest

I received the following press release in my email today and thought it might be of interest to other writers.

MyRomanceStory.com Announces Romance Short Story Contest

Winner will Receive Cash & Prizes

Gathersburg, MD – July 16, 2008 – Arrow Publications, publishers of the online romance novel website MyRomanceStory.com, today announced the "Forever After" Romance Short Story Contest. The contest invites readers to continue one of the site's romance novellas to win cash and prizes.

"You know, something as simple as 'the end' should not get in the way of a good romance," said Patricia White, publisher. "So we thought, why not let our readers continue their favorite novella and let us know what happens during the 'they lived happily forever' after part?"

Contestants are invited to pick any of the MyRomanceStory.com's online romance novellas and write about what happens next in the character's lives. Did they encounter bumps along their road to romance? Did they truly spend the rest of their lives happily together or did the passion fizzle? Were the characters living secret lives we didn't know about in the original novella? Who knows? "We want our readers to tell us," said White.

"This is a wonderful way for someone who would like to become a romance novel writer to get their foot in the door and receive some valuable feedback," said White. "We'll be judging the stories on creativity, faithfulness to the original story and characters, strength and appeal of the romantic elements, and the overall writing."

Submissions are due August 31, 2008, and must be between 2,000-2,500 words. The story line should focus on the challenges the couple face after the novella ends, and what circumstances occur to fortify their love for each other. The writer of the winning story will receive $250 in cash, a $25 gift package, a two-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com, and a written critique by one of the sites' editors on another of the writer's short stories or a sample chapter from a novel.

Cash prizes will also be awarded for the 2nd through 4th place winners and 10 honorable mentions. In addition, visitors to the site can read all qualified submissions and vote for their favorites. The top vote-getter will receive the Reader’s Pick prize valued at $25.

To enter visit www.MyRomanceStory.com/foreverAfter/. All qualifying submissions will be posted on the site.

About MyRomanceStory.com:

MyRomanceStory.com, the premier online romance graphic novella site, is published by Arrow Publications, LLC, a 24-year old Potomac, MD corporation. In addition to graphic novellas, MyRomanceStory.com features lifestyle columns, book reviews, online shopping, a reader blog and quarterly newsletters. The site is enjoyed by millions of readers worldwide.

Romance Writing Contest

Unfortunately, I've been sick for over a week now; hence the delay in writing new posts. In the meantime, however, I thought some folks may be interested in this new writing contest sponsored by MyRomanceStory.com.

“Forever After”
Romance Short Story Contest

Don’t let something as simple as “The End” get in the way of a good romance.

MyRomanceStory.com is holding a romance fiction short story writing contest from March 24, 2008 to August 31, 2008. Winners will be announced in September 2008.

Select one of MyRomanceStory.com’s romance novellas and write about what happens when happily Forever After begins. Each of our stories has its passionate ups and frustrating downs. So select the hero and heroine from your favorite novella and tell us how their love deepens and their relationship is cemented in the Forever After of their story.

How it works: Submit your follow-up to one of our novellas as a 2,000 to 2,500 word short story using our online submission form. (Submissions are limited to no more than two per entrant.) The novella can be chosen from one of our free stories, member’s stories or one of the stories from our Buy E-Books section. You can find our novellas online at MyRomanceStory.com, many can be read for free, so no purchase is necessary. Your submission should focus on the challenges the couple face after our novella ends and what circumstances occur to fortify their love for each other.

Our editors will judge all qualifying submissions on:

1. creativity
2. faithfulness to the original story and characters
3. strength and appeal of romantic elements
4. overall writing.

The contest is open to all U.S. citizens who are 18 years of age or older by the end of the day on August 30, 2008. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2008. Prizes will be awarded during the week of September 30, 2008.

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Prizes

1st Place: $250 in cash a gift package valued at $25 a two-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com plus a written critique by one of our editors on one of your other short stories or a sample chapter from a novel (no more than 5,000 words).
2nd Place: $200 in cash a one-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com a MyRomanceStory.com tote bag	3rd Place: $150 in cash a one-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com a MyRomanceStory.com tote bag
4th Place: $100 in cash a one-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com a MyRomanceStory.com tote bag	10 Honorable Mentions (each will receive): $50 in cash a one-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com a MyRomanceStory.com tote bag

All qualifying submissions will be posted on MyRomanceStory.com, so readers can vote for their favorite romance short story. The top vote getter will receive the Readers’ Favorite Prize. (Only one vote per person a day). Submissions can be awarded one of the above prizes and the Reader’s Favorite.

Reader’s Favorite:

• a gift package valued at $25

See MyRomanceStory.com for
a complete list of Terms of the Contest

New Writing Contest: The Wild Rose Press

Got Wolf?
Black Rose Writing Contest
If you've got a hot hero/heroine that also happens to turn furry at
least once a month, then Black Rose is looking for your story.
We are interested in werewolf stories with tight, well-written
storylines and plots. If the hero is female make sure the male is
equally impressive. All stories must have at least one HOT
consummated love scene and, of course, the traditional story
requirements still stand.
Please take a moment to look at our submission requirements
(www.thewildrosepress.com and click on the tab for "Submissions" )
before sending in your stories. Stories that do not follow
traditional guidelines will be disqualified.
Submissions are now open!
Please place "Got Wolf? Contest Entry" in your subject line along
with the traditional subject line matter, also found on the
Submissions Guide.
Contest deadline: August 30, 2008
Winners to be announced: October 31, 2008
Contest details:
4 shorts -- 15-25,000 word maximum and
2 full shorts -- 25-45,000 word maximum will be chosen from the
entries.
All six winners will be included in a Black Rose anthology and will
also receive a special Black Rose contest T-shirt. In addition, one
winner will be chosen from those six to receive an author's survival
basket full of goodies.
Anthology Publication (estimated release) date June 2009
Judges: Ami Russell, Callie Lynn Wolfe, Jade Alexander, Amanda
Barnett, Joan Archer, and Rene Stephens

2007 Brava Novella Contest

Sorry for the late notice- I just heard about the contest through an online discussion board.

It’s back…
The contest that launched several successful publishing careers and brought readers hours of joy is back! Are you ready?

The Rules:
1) The 5th annual Brava Novella Contest will begin accepting entries at midnight central time on August 1, 2007 and will cease accepting entries at midnight central time on September 30, 2007.

2) All entries must be made using the online entry form (which can be accessed by the link below.) No email or snail mail entries will be accepted.

3) Entries will be 750 words (computer count/actual word count) and entrant’s choice of any scene in the novella. Entries over 750 words will be disqualified.

4) This year, for the first time, the contest will have a theme. Entries must be written to the theme of: reunited lovers.

5) All entries will be judged by established Brava authors with the top twenty finalists being judged by Kensington Editorial Director Kate Duffy. As in previous years, there will also be voting by readers with the highest voted entry being named the “Readers’ Choice.”

6) Judging will be held during the month of October with winners announced by November 15, 2007.

7) One entry per person (multiple entries is cause for disqualification.) Open to unpublished authors and those published with houses other than Kensington.

The Reward:
If your 750 word entry is selected as one of the 20 finalists, your entry will be read by Kate Duffy. Take a look at the books in the sidebar and below to see how many previous Novella Contest entrants became Kensington authors because of having their entries read by Kate.
Got Questions?
Visit the message board’s Contest Forum and post them there. The contest will be run through the message board, so get accustomed to it now!