Contest Rules

The Suzannah Contest Rules

The Suzannah – Rules

General

• The contest will be closed after 120 completed entries are received and accepted.
  *We will open the contest two weeks early for NOLA members ONLY!
• The fee is $30 for NOLA members and $35 for non-NOLA members.
• Payments can be made via PayPal.

·         ** Please note. A entry is not considered complete until entry AND payment AND entry form have been received.

• ALL entries must be received as an attachment and properly formatted (see below).
• Enter as many manuscripts as you like, but each entry must have its own payment and own entry form.   Do NOT send one payment for multiple manuscripts. They MUST be submitted separately.
• Entry Forms must be completed via the website form found on the Contest Entry Form Page.
• Entries cannot be under contract (either now or in the past). Should you sell on or before November 30 (the day before finalists are announced) you MUST contact the coordinator and your entry and money will be returned.
• The link to the Entry Form will be available when the contest opens on September 1.

*Failure to follow the rules can result in disqualification and your fee forfeited*

Special Rules for Writing Teams:

• Each member of the team must fill out an entry form separately but each entry form must have the exact information. BOTH entry forms shall be included in submitting the entry.
• The team must agree which individual will take care of the money and which individual will take possession of the trophy, should they win the grand prize.  This information must be indicated on each entry form.  (Only one trophy and one check for the full amount shall be issued.)

Manuscript Formatting

• Entry should be a maximum of 7,200 words, including synopsis (there is no restriction on length of synosis, so long as the entire entry does NOT exceed 7,200). Use your computer counting feature to figure word length. If you are over, YOUR ENTRY WILL BE RETURNED.
• Manuscript pages MUST come from your story’s opening.
• A readable font of Times New Roman 12pt Font or Courier 12pt may be used.
• Standard manuscript formatting of 1″ margins and chapter headings beginning 1/3 of the way down the page should be used.
• Double-spaced (No more than 25-lines per page)
• Headers should be formatted as follows:

o       Category placed on the left side of the header,

o       Title and page numbers placed on the right.

o       Your name should NOT be ANYWHERE ON THE ENTRY

• Please use the following for labeling your entry.
  Note, if you wish you can more specifically categorize your entry as follows: You can list your entry as: Paranormal Romance (UrbanFantasy) OR Romantic Suspense (CozyMystery) OR Historical (Regency) OR whatever suits your story.

Contemporary Romance Romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship.

Historical Romance Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location.

Inspirational Romance Romance novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship.

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements A work of fiction in which a romance plays a significant part in the story, but other themes or elements take the plot beyond the traditional romance boundaries.

Paranormal Romance Romance novels in which the future, a fantasy world or paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot.

Romantic Suspense Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.

Young Adult Romance Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers.

• Saved as rtf. with the title of your entry as the name of the file
• Your synopsis will be judged and should be formatted in the exact same manner as the manuscript. Please paste your synopsis at the end of your manuscript pages and submit only ONE attachement.
• Your name should not appear anywhere on the entry.
• Email all attachments to the contest coordinator, contest@nolastars.com

PLEASE DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR ENTRY BEFORE SENDING! If your entry is formatted incorrectly, you risk loosing your spot in our contest. To avoid this, SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY CORRECT THE FIRST TIME!

If you have any questions or difficulties in submitting your entry, please contact the coordinator at contest@nolastars.com with Suzannah in the subject line. All questions are welcome, but please check our FAQ’s first.

Thanks and good luck in The Suzannah!