Eligibility
- This contest is for unpublished writers of novel-length fiction only. If you have self-published novel-length fiction, you ARE considered a published author and are not eligible. You may still enter if you’ve published only nonfiction or short stories.
- This contest focuses on commercial, novel-length fiction. Poetry, short stories, and nonfiction are not eligible.
- Entries that have previously won first place in a category are not eligible to submit in that same category. Entries that have finaled may be resubmitted.
- If you’re an agented writer, you may not enter your manuscript into a category judged by that particular agent.
- Previously published manuscripts, in any form, are not eligible.
- Entrants must acknowledge their acceptance of the contest Terms and Conditions before their entries will be accepted. These eligibility guidelines apply to your status at the time of contest entry. Should you acquire an agent or secure a book contract after submitting to this contest, your entry will still be eligible.
- RMFW reserves the right not to award prizes if it is determined by the judges that the quality of entries does not merit selection.
Eligibility for Youth Category
- Entrants must be under the age of 22 to be eligible.
- This contest focuses on fiction of a minimum of 1000 words, a maximum of 3000 words. It can be a novel excerpt or short story.
- Entries that have previously won first place in this contest are not eligible. Entries that have won 2nd or 3rd place, or that have finaled, are okay.
- Previously published manuscripts, either traditionally published or self-published in any form, are not eligible.
- Entrants must acknowledge their acceptance of the contest Terms and Conditions before their entries will be accepted.
- The above guidelines apply to your status at the time you enter the contest. If you should acquire an agent or secure a book contract after you’ve entered, your book will still be eligible.
- Previously published authors, whether traditionally published or self-published, are not eligible.
Genres Accepted
Mystery, Thriller
- Thriller and Suspense — Increasing tension and menace keep readers on the edge of their seats. In some, protagonists have only a short time to neutralize fatal threats (to themselves or the world), while in others, a more subtle danger is in play. Sometimes, readers may know more about what’s going on than the protagonists do, which amps up the suspense. Anticipation keeps readers hooked and pages flying by.
- Mystery — Whodunnit? Mysteries are catnip to readers looking for puzzles to solve, no matter the subgenre (like cozies or police procedurals). They can be character-focused or action-oriented, fast-paced, or leisurely. In some cases, the location (or time period) is as much a part of the story as the characters. Tonally, mysteries can range from funny and humorous to downright disturbing.
- Crime Fiction — Crime fiction thrives on what transpires in the shadows—the seedy underbelly of the big city, the forgotten desperation of small country towns, or even quiet domestic angst that begins to boil over. The protagonists in these genres are rarely role models. Instead, they pursue their objectives through any means and often find their primary obstacles in subverting law and civil society. Readers interested in crime fiction may be drawn to the exploration of moral ambiguity, complex characterizations, or vivid descriptions of life outside mainstream society.
Mainstream, Literary
Mainstream fiction consists of stories that can’t be slotted into a particular genre. It can cover any topic, in any time period, be any length, etc. Like genre fiction, mainstream tends to focus on story, though usually with a greater depth of characterization.
Like mainstream novels, literary novels aren’t confined to a specific genre. The writer of a literary novel can tackle any subject, any theme–though these aren’t necessarily the important part of the story. In literary fiction, careful use of language, style, and technique are often as important as subject matter. Literary fiction tends to focus on character development over plot, and explores philosophical issues and ideology. In comparison to mainstream fiction, it often contains more introspection and exposition, and less action and dialogue.
- Comedy/Satire — novels that have a traditional dramatic narrative structure but use humor and satire to tell the story.
- Coming of Age — an adult novel that covers the passage from youth to adulthood. The subject matter might be too mature for the young adult genre.
- Contemporary — set in current time, about modern issues.
- Historical — takes place in a historical setting that may or may not contain actual historical characters. Era, manners, and social customs are presented in detail.
- Western — set in the American Old West frontier during the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century.
- Upmarket — acts as the crossover between literary and commercial fiction. It’s also been defined as book club fiction. The writing in upmarket fiction has a style that’s more literary-leaning. The hook or plotting is more commercial.
Women’s Fiction, Romance
Stories generally focus on a female protagonist’s journey of self-exploration using relationships of all kinds. They get into a woman’s head and heart and are richly layered. The plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey. Genres are wide-ranging, though often appeal more to women than men. Stories tap into the hopes, fears, dreams, and even secret fantasies of women.
- Romance — relationship stories. “Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.” (Romance Writers of America).
- Chick Lit — addresses modern womanhood, often in a humorous way.
- Contemporary — set in the present time.
- Erotica — focuses on the protagonist exploring aspects of her sexuality that might be considered “taboo” or unusual, like BDSM and sexually open relationships.
- Historical — set in a past time period.
- Inspirational — involves a search for, or dependency upon, faith, religion, or spiritual beliefs.
Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Spec Fic
These stories encompass a broad range of fantastical fiction and include everything from hard science fiction to werewolves and vampires, swords and sorcery. If your work has been described as ‘weird fiction,’ paranormal, or space opera—or if you can picture it being made into a movie that would be heavily promoted at sci-fi/fantasy conventions—this is the category for you.
- Alternate History — speculates how historical events might have turned out differently.
- Fantasy — set in a fictional world, serious in tone, and lengthy. Frequently involves magic, dragons, swords, quests, and epic battles.
- Fairy Tale — a retelling and reworking of fairy tales or fairy tale tropes, sometimes modernizing them or using them to comic effect.
- Futuristic — includes near-future technical, dystopian, and post-apocalypse. Near-future is sci-fi but based in “the next 30 seconds” and typically set on Earth. Dystopia shows the bleak future found in societies often dealing with totalitarianism. Post-apocalypse covers the end of civilization as we know it, whether through war, plague, or other disasters.
- Horror — attempts to create deep feelings of dread and terror. A good outcome for the main characters is not certain. Often involves supernatural elements such as ghosts, witches, werewolves, and zombies.
- New Age/Spiritual — combines metaphysical and spiritual concepts with a strong story.
- Science Fiction — deals with what is possible in science and technology, including space travel, time travel, genetic engineering, androids, and/or aliens.
- Space Opera — adventure-based sci-fi set mostly in space or on an exotic planet. Formerly a defamatory term, it has now lost its stigma.
- Steampunk — futuristic technology existing in the past, often in the Victorian era. Contains elements of sci-fi or fantasy.
- Urban Fantasy — fantastical elements in a realistic urban setting, usually present-day. May contain many of the same supernatural elements and characters as horror, but the story question isn’t necessarily about exploring the things that scare you.
YA, Middle Grade
Young Adult features protagonists and situations of interest to a teen audience, generally from 12 to 18 years old. Can be any subgenre. YA books tend to be shorter than adult fiction and there are some restrictions on content, such as graphic sex, language, and violence (though those lines are getting blurred). Middle Grade protagonists are tweens (between children and teens) who are still in middle school. The audience is 8 to 12 years of age. Can also be any subgenre. MG books are generally shorter than YA and with less focus on sexuality and tough subjects like sex, drugs, and suicide. (We don’t accept younger than MG, i.e. early readers or children’s picture books.)
- Coming of Age — main character(s) mature based on experiences and overcoming obstacles.
- Contemporary — realistic, set in the present and dealing with current issues facing children and teens.
- Historical — focus is on coming of age, but in a historical setting.
- Mystery/Adventure — action or mystery-solving, involving children and teens.
- Romance (YA only) — as with adult romance, the romantic relationship is center-stage and the focus of the story question.
- Scary Stories (MG only) — campfire tales, ghost stories, and horror geared toward young folks.
- Sci-fi and Fantasy — includes science fiction/futuristic, epic fantasy, dystopian/post-apocalypse, steampunk and urban fantasy/supernatural. (see Sci-Fi for genre definitions.)
Entry Guidelines
Submission deadline is May 1st, 2024.
The manuscript and synopsis need to follow these standard submission guidelines:
- The cost for each entry for youth is free, or $50.00 per entry to receive a returned written critique from a qualified judge. Only one entry per entrant is allowed for the youth category.
- The cost for non-youth entry is $25.00, or $75.00 to receive a returned written critique from a qualified judge.
- Up to 3000 words. Longer entries will be disqualified. (NOTE: this is a different word count than previous years.)
- 250-word synopsis. No synopsis is required for youth short story entries.
- Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font.
- 1-inch margins all around with a ragged right margin.
- Manuscript pages come first, 250-word synopsis comes second, with the synopsis starting on its own separate page.
- Start the first page of each chapter AND the synopsis approximately 1/3 of the way down the page (tips to maximize the number of lines on each page: turn off the Widows and Orphans feature and remove Extra Paragraph Spacing).
- Create a header with the title and page numbers on every page.
- Save the submission as a Microsoft Word .docx or .doc file, using the title of your novel as the file name.
- Make sure your name DOES NOT appear anywhere on the submission or the synopsis, only on the electronic entry form.
- You are welcome to enter as many submissions as you like, but you may not enter the same submission into more than one category, nor may you enter two versions of the same manuscript.
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