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contests :: golden quill

The Golden Quill is the internationally recognized Published Authors' Contest hosted by the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter of RWA®. Judged by Romance Readers, the Golden Quill honors some of the best romance fiction of the year.

2013 Golden Quill Contest Rules {printable rules - PDF}

1. Entries must be book-length fiction with a minimum of 40,000 words (except for the romantic novella category, which accepts stories of less than 40,000 words). The copyright dates must be between January and December 2012, or first North American printing/release date between January and December 2012, or if submitting in electronic format, first electronic publish date between January and December 2012.
2. The Contest Committee reserves the right to add or drop categories, depending on the number of entries received. The Contest Committee reserves the right to place a book in a different category from the one in which the author originally entered it.
3. Entry must be received no later than January 11, 2013.
4. Once a book is accepted for entry in the contest, there will be no refund.
5. Priority mailing of entries is preferred, with no signature required for receipt except for international delivery.
6. Membership in Romance Writers of America is required. Entrants must be members in good standing with current membership paid.
7. Category winner will be the highest scoring book in its category, providing the score is in the upper 25% of scores of all contest entries received. If none of the entries in a given category scores in the overall top 25%, there will be no finalist in that category.
8. Finalists will be announced on or about April 30, 2013.
9. Winners will be announced in a full-page advertisement in the July 2013 issue of Romance Writers Report.
10. Entry in the Golden Quill Contest constitutes agreement by the author to conform to all contest rules, abide by the decision of the judges, and hold blameless the Desert Rose Chapter, the Golden Quill Contest Coordinators and all judges. In entering, the author agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Chapter, its officers, members, contest chair people, and all judges of the Contest from liability for its/their actions arising from or relating to judging and handling of the entry and conducting, sponsoring and advertising the event.
11. The Contest Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry if rules are not fully met.
12. Author must enclose:
    1. Five (5) copies of each book entered. (If a book is entered in two categories, please enclose 5 copies for each entry.) Books will not be returned. Please autograph your books, as they will be donated after judging is completed. No ARCs (advanced reader copies) will be accepted. E-published books must be submitted in book format, printed and bound, or in PDF readable format on five (5) separate CDs. Discs need to come in separate hard plastic disc cases and must include a copy of the autographed cover inside the case. Please note: It is the author’s responsibility to check that each CD can be opened and read. Entries that come with unusable or unreadable files will be disqualified.
    2. A completed entry form for each book entered. Entry forms must be printed from either the online form or PDF entry form. If a book is entered in two categories, then two entry forms must be included. Entry forms may be photocopied.
    3. The entry fee of $30.00 for each book and/or each category entered. The total entry fee should be paid by check or money order made payable to Desert Rose RWA #60, or paid using PayPal.
    4. An optional self-addressed stamped postcard on which the contest coordinator will confirm receipt of your entry.
13. Send entry, marked with category on outside of package, to:
    GOLDEN QUILL CONTEST 2013
    Shaina Hardesty
    P.O. Box 82340
    Phoenix, AZ 85071

PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY EXCEPT FOR INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY.

For additional information, please contact our Golden Quill Coordinator.

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