Have a question about format, delivery options, deadlines? Not sure what to include with your submission? The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from previous Launching A Star contests are given below.
Why should I enter the Launching a STAR Contest?
In 2009, our final round judges requested an amazing 28 full manuscripts and 4 partial requests from our finalists. At least one of those signed with their dream agent and sold as a direct result of entering Launching A Star. So, our best advice is to enter your very best work and hope that your entry will final and intrigue one of our excellent group of final round judges.
Can I include a Prologue with my entry?
Yes, you may include a Prologue, as long as your submission’s total page count does not exceed twenty-five pages. If included, the Prologue will be judged as part of the entry.
Can I include a Synopsis with my entry?
Do not include a synospis or set-up page. Launching A Star does not require a synopsis. If included, the synopsis will be discarded without being judged, whether or not it is part of your twenty-five page submission.
How will I know my entry arrived on time?
You will receive an email from us upon receipt of your entry. We’ll contact you via email if there’s a problem. Look for additional emails throughout the contest – when we announce the finalists and contest winners, for example.
What are the differences between the various categories?
Launching A Star has based its categories definitions on the definitions supplied by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) in determining categories for the RITA and Golden Heart Awards. The following definitions have been taken from the RWA website Golden Heart Awards Category Descriptions (www.rwanational.org), and modified only enough to meet the specific needs of the Launching A Star Contest.
Series Contemporary
Series [length] romance novels that focus primarily on the romantic relationship. [The projected length of a finished manuscript in Series Contemporary would be 50,000 – 65,000 words.]
Single Title - including Women’s Fiction
Romance novels which focus primarily on the romantic relationship, released as individual titles, not as part of a series. [The projected length of a finished manuscript in Single Title Contemporary would be greater than 80,000 words or more.] For Women’s Fiction, the focus is on the main character’s journey and includes romantic elements.
Historical Romance, Single Title Length
Romance novels set in any time period prior to 1945, and taking place in any location.
Inspirational Romance, Single Title Length
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.
General Paranormal Romance, Single Title Length
Romance novels in which paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. General Paranormal includes creatures with paws, claws, fangs, fins; or ghosts
Fantasy/Futuristic Paranormal, Single Title Length
Romance novels in which paranormal happenings are an integral part of the plot. Fantasy/Futuristic Paranormal includes urban fantasy, fantasy worlds, time travel, and sci fi.
Romantic Suspense, Single Title Length
Romance novels in which suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot.
Young Adult Romance, Single Title Length
Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers.
My first chapter is only 5 pages long. Does this mean I should only submit those 5 pages?
We want you to get the most value possible from your entry fee. If your chapter lengths are very short, we suggest you combine several chapters into one ‘first’ chapter, separating scenes and places where chapters would ‘break’ by double-spacing and inserting a centered asterisk.
How do I make sure the title of my entry, category and page number appear at the top of each page?
If you are using Microsoft Word, please use the Header feature. This feature will automatically place set information at the top of each page. In the Header, we ask that you put the manuscript title and category at the left margin, the page number at the right. But this isn’t a contest about how well you format your entry. It’s a writing contest, and the focus is on the writing. As long as you’re reasonably close to our format guidelines, you will not lose points on format.
How do I submit my entry via email? What do I send?
Pay via PayPal and jot down the Transaction ID.
Download or copy/paste the entry form to your computer. Fill in the blanks, providing the PayPal Transaction ID in the space required. Save the entry form in .doc or .rtf format using the following naming convention:
Category ManuscriptName App.doc or .rtf – No .docx from Office 2007 users!!!
Format your manuscript entry according to the contest rules and save the file in .doc or .rtf format using the following naming convention:
Category ManuscriptName Pages.doc or .rtf – No .docx from Office 2007 users!!!
Create an email titled LAUNCHING A STAR MANUSCRIPT NAME. Attach both .doc or .rtf files and send it to: contest@authorsofromance.com
We’ll send you a confirmation email after we check to see that your entry is complete.
Do I need to be a member of RWA in order to enter Launching A Star?
No, RWA membership is not required.
I am a member of RWA PAN, or I am PAN-eligible. Can I still enter Launching A Star?
If you have received more than $1000 for any single work of romantic fiction within the past five years (ie, if you are PAN-eligible), you may not enter Launching A STAR.
I am a member of RWA PRO, or I am PRO-eligible. Can I still enter Launching A Star?
Yes. As long as you are not a PAN member or PAN-eligible, or have not earned more than $1000 for any single work of romantic fiction within the past five years, you may enter Launching A Star.
Can I pay my entry fee via PayPal? Is there an extra charge for using PayPal?
All contestants may pay their entry fee using PayPal, and there is no additional fee for using this service. Simply select the PayPal button from the Contest Page on the SpacecoasT Authors of Romance (STAR) website at www.authorsofromance.com and follow PayPal’s easy directions. Write the PayPal reference number in the space provided on your Entry Application.
If you are paying by check or money order – mail it to STAR – LAS, PO Box 410787, Melbourne, FL 32941-0787
How do I thank my judges after the contest is over?
Our judges would love to hear from you! Please send any comments to the Contest Coordinators at the address below and we will forward them appropriately. In Subject line of email type THANK YOU JUDGE # (Be sure to include your complete entry number (ST#, P#, H#, etc.) on all correspondence. You may or may not sign your name – it’s up to you. We will match your Judge’s numbers with the entry log and will forward your thank you notes. Contest Coordinators at contest@authorsofromance.com
What can I do if I disagree with the comments my judge(s) made?
The critiques/comments from the judges are their own opinions and are intended to help aspiring authors improve their skills by pinpointing problem areas and/or highlighting strengths. Please keep in mind, all judging is subjective. Your judge(s) may not have ‘gotten’ your work. Is this a problem with the judge? Or have you, as a writer, failed to get your point across? Again, it’s a subjective call and, ultimately, only you as the author can decide whether or not their suggestions will improve your work. However, if you feel a judge has been overly harsh or critical, or if you feel a judge did not have the skills to do the job, we want to know about it. Send us an email at: contest@authorsofromance.com
Still have a question?
Send it to us at: questions@authorsofromance.com. We want you to have a great Launching A Star experience and we will do our best to clarify the rules or answer your question.
Judy Keim and Linda Wright
2010 Launching A Star Contest Coordinators