Last year acquiring editors and agents requested an amazing 10 manuscripts from finalists with two of them selling. This year, we’ve added new categories – Romantic Suspense, Inspirational and Novellas – in our efforts to bring you the most value for your contest dollars.
To enter, submit the first chapter (25 page max) of your romance in any of our nine categories. All first round judges (2 per entry, one trained, one published in romance) will provide constructive comments on EVERY entry. In the final round, two industry professionals (one agent and one editor) will judge each. The overall contest winner has a star named in their honor through the International Star Registry. An engraved, star-shaped paperweight is presented to the first place winner of each category, and stars cover the frameable certificate provided to all finalists. This year’s final round judges are:
Single Title – Editor Selina McLenmore, Grand Central; Agent Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency Romantic Suspense – Editor Sara Goodman, St. Martin’s; Agent Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media
Inspirational – Editor Natalie Hanemann, Thomas Nelson; Agent Rachelle Gardner, WordServe Agency
Historical – Editor Talia Platz, NAL; Agent Elizabeth Pomada, Larsen-Pomada Agency
General Paranormal: Editor Heather Osborne, TOR; Agent Laurie McLean, Larsen-Pomada Agency
Fantasy/Futuristic: Editor Meredith Giordan, Berkley/Jove; Agent Deidre Knight, The Knight Agency
Series Contemp: Editor Susan Litman, Harlequin Special; Edition; Agent Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Agency
Young Adult: Editor Kristen Daly, HarperCollins; Agent Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency
Novellas: Editor Angela James, Samhain; Agent Roberta Brown, Brown Literary Agency
So are you ready to enter? Polish up your first 25 pages (no synopsis needed) and either email it to contest@authorsofromance.com (only for International entries) or mail it in with $25 (STAR members) $30 (NON-STAR members) and a SASE by September 5th to: Launching A Star Coordinator, c/o Lee Rhuday Duncan, 1823 Laurel Oak Drive, SouthRockledge, FL 32955
