Emily Contest

Categories focus on what is found within the entry itself.  Category elements should be apparent in the first 20 pages, otherwise the judges can not adequately score the entry.  Please review the category scoresheets for more insight into how your entry will be judged.

If you are unclear on which category to enter your manuscript entry, please see our Submission Decisions chart.

The Finalist Judges are two experienced judges, an editor and an agent.

Novel length refers to stories of 40,000 words or more.

The Emily Contest Categories

Contemporary Single Title includes romance novels of 75,000 words or more, set in contemporary times, in which the romance is the main plot line.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent -Stephany Evans,  FinePrint Literary Management
♥ Editor – Frances Jalet-Miller, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group USA

Contemporary Series includes romance novels under 75,000 words, set in contemporary times, in which the romance is the main plotline.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency
♥ Editor – Susan Litman, Harlequin Enterprises

Erotic Romance includes romance novels in which erotic elements constitute an integral part of the plot and may focus beyond the standard, one male-one female relationship.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Jessica Alvarez,  BookEnds LLC
♥ Editor – Katherine Pelz, Berkley

Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal includes romance novels in which paranormal elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Vickie Motter, Andrea Hurst & Associates
♥ Editor – Amanda Bergeron of Avon Books, HarperCollins Publishers

Historical Romance includes romance novels set prior to 1950.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Laura Bradford, Bradford Agency
♥ Editor – Leah Hultenschmid,  Sourcebooks  Fire Casablanca.

Novel with Elements of Romance includes Women’s Fiction and all Popular Fiction (mainstream and genre) in which a romantic relationship constitutes an important thread of the plot and adds emotional depth. This category is not appropriate for Young Adult, Erotic Romance, or “classic” Romance novels.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency
♥ Editor – Deb Werksman,  Sourcebooks

Romantic Suspense includes romance novels in which the romance is the main focus but is integrated with suspense, mystery, or thriller elements.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Elizabeth Pomada,  Michael Larsen, Elizabeth Pomada Literary Agents
♥ Editor – Patience Bloom,  Harlequin Enterprises Romantic Suspense

Young Adult includes romance and non-romance novels geared toward readers 12 – 18, and feature protagonists of the same age group.
Finalist Judges:
♥ Agent – Suzie Townsend,  FinePrint Literary Management
♥ Editor – Sarah Shumway, Katherine Tegen Books, HarperCollins Publishers

Best of the Best is a competition between the first place winners of each category. The winner will receive a critique of the first 50 pages by the fabulous Leis Pederson, Berkley Books, Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Best of the Best Judges:
♥ Bookseller – Karla Hodde, Katy Budget Books