Contest Rules

The mission of The Emily is to professionally support writers and guide them toward a path to publication.

Emily Benefits:

  • No synopsis!
  • Three judges for all entries. Lowest score dropped.
  • Finalists go to two two publishing professionals: agent and editor.
  • Multiple entries allowed.
  • Open to published authors (not published in category for 3 years).

Important Dates and Fee:

  • Entry Fee- members of WHRWA – $20.00, all others – $30.00.
  • Open to Entries: September 1, 2012
  • Deadline: September 30, 2012 (for the 2013 contest)
  • Finalists announced: December 15, 2012
  • Winners announced: February 9, 2013

Format:

  • First 7,000 words, end on a hook, so less may be better.  (We verify word count.)
  • Times New Roman or Courier, 12 or 14 point size, 1″ margins. Double space.
  • Headers must include title, category, and page number. See website for details on our eight categories. http://whrwa.com/emily/.
  • Save your file in “rtf” file format.

**Do not include your name anywhere on the manuscript. This is mandatory.**

Enter Your Submission.

Step 1: Submit Your Entry. Access our website (http://whrwa.com/emily), click on the ENTER THE EMILY tab, and follow the directions. Create a separate entry for each submission.

Step 2: Confirmation. You’ll receive a confirmation email from our online entry system immediately plus an email with payment information.

Step 3: Payment.
PayPal,  use the link we provide in our email to make you payment submission.
Check, mail your check to the WHRWA Treasurer:
West Houston RWA
c/o Jo Ann Robisheaux
5303 Eleventh St.
Katy, TX  77493
(Note: Include your entry number on the check’s memo line)

A Few Notes

  • The Emily is open to published and unpublished writers. Unpublished authors may enter in any category not contracted in (book-length) by September 30, 2012. Published authors may enter in a category not published (book-length) in the past three years. Book-length = 40,000+ words. Published = Pan eligible.
  • Each manuscript may be entered only ONCE; the same manuscript may not be entered in multiple categories. However, more than one manuscript may be entered in the contest in the same category.
  • Maximum for the 2013 contest is 240 total entries.
  • Every effort is made to have one published author judge each entry. Judges are encouraged to be generous with commenting.
  • The lowest score will be dropped when determining finalists. Top three entries will be selected as finalists.  If a tie occurs, entries will be sent to a discretionary judge.
  • Final judging will be done by both an editor and an agent.
  • Best-of-the-Best is determined by a bookseller from the winning 1st place entries.
  • The decision of all judges is final.

Questions: Email the Emily Co-Chair via the Contact Form or at emily.contest@whrwa.com