Calling All Writers!

Happy May Day! And happy birthday to my son! :) I have information on a couple of great opportunities for writers/authors to learn more about publishing and writing craft.

Indiana Romance Writers of America is hosting NYT and USA Today bestselling author Liliana Hart for her program The Future of Self-Publishing at the Indianapolis Central Library on September 12! Topics included Algorithms, Backmatter, Social Media and Marketing That Works, Street Teams, Foreign Translations, Audio, Diversifying Your Books, Moving From Small Time Writer To Big Time Corporation, and much more. Seating is limited. For more info and to register, go to https://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1520. A room block is available!

IRWA is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of its IGO Contest for unpublished writers! Get detailed constructive feedback on comprehensive category-specific score sheets. Two lucky entrants will receive a critique of their 55-page entry from an editor. One winner will be selected from the first 25 COMPLETED entries received. (Completed entry means registration form is completed with payment received. Actual entry can be sent closer to contest deadline.) One winner will be selected from ALL entries received. So, enter early for two chances to win! For more info and to enter, go to https://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1494.

Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

2014 IGO Contest!

Happy Thursday!

Hey, unpublished writers, check out Indiana RWA's IGO Contest! Submit up to 55 pages (including synopsis) and get detailed constructive feedback from trained first-round judges. Our four-page score sheets are category specific. Second-round judging offers TWO acquiring editors for each of our seven categories (contemporary romance, erotic romance, historical romance, inspirational romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and young adult romance).
Ten of our 21 finalists from the 2013 IGO Contest received requests for full manuscripts from our editor judges! Four of last year's finalists are finalists in RWA's 2014 Golden Heart Contest! Many of our previous entrants are now published authors!!!

Deadline to enter is July 1, 2014!
For complete rules go to http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=1180.

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Announcements!

Happy May Day!!! Besides my son's birthday, a couple other exciting events happen today. :)

Brenda Novak's Diabetes Auction opens for bidding today! Be sure to check out all the great items in the auction, including a Love Served Hot reader package and a Writing Tip Wednesday writer package. Bidding is open through May 31, 2014.

Also check out the 2104 IGO Contest for unpublished (or uncontracted for three years) authors! Modeled after RWA's Golden Heart Contest, IGO entries are 55 pages (includes up to 10-page synopsis) and receive detailed feedback from trained judges. Our scoresheets offer fantastic analysis of all writing aspects. Ten of last year's finalists received full manuscript requests from our editor judges and four finaled in the Golden Heart Contest!

Have a wonderful first day of May!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

A Couple Announcements!

Indiana RWA's IGO Contest for unpublished writers opens May 1! Get detailed feedback on up to 55 pages of your manuscript (opening + up to 10 page synopsis). We have trained first-round judges and TWO second-round editor judges in each category! Ten of the twenty-one 2013 IGO finalists received requests for full manuscripts from our editor judges and four are finalists in the 2014 Golden Heart Contest!

Brenda Novak's Diabetes Auction also opens May 1! I have two items up for bidding this year--one for readers and one for writers. Reader item is a signed print copy of Love Served Hot, a "Kiss the Cook" apron, and a pair of oven mitts. Writer item is a signed print copy of WTW: The Writing Craft Handbook, a first-chapter critique, and meet-up at the RWA National Conference in San Antonio.

Enter and bid!!!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Opportunity for Unpubbed Romance Writers!

The entry deadline for the Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest is quickly approaching! We offer trained first-round judges, detailed constructive feedback on our four-page score sheets, and TWO acquiring editor final judges in each category!!! Enter your opening chapters and synopsis (up to 55 pages total) by July 1st! Click on the link for complete rules and entry form!

Back to the writing cave! :)

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

A Golden Opportunity

I'm very active in my local chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA). Yes, a professional organization for romance writers exists; no, you do NOT have to be published to join.

Each year, we hold a contest for unpublished writers, The Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest. Our trained first-round judges will give you detailed feedback on the opening chapters and synopsis of your story (a combined total of 55 pages). I'm one of the trainers and a judge. :) You'll get constructive and supportive comments to help you improve your story, and the top three entries in each category will move to the second round of judging--one acquiring editor from a traditional publisher AND one acquiring editor from an e-publisher. Many of our past finalists have gone on to final or win RWA's Golden Heart Contest (which has the same page requirement for entry), receive requests for full submissions from our second-round judges, and/or sell their manuscripts. Our score sheets are available for viewing prior to entry by following the contest link above. See below for more details!

Indiana' s 2013 Golden Opportunity Contest - ONLY 4 WEEKS LEFT TO ENTER!

Several of our past entrants have gone on to final in the Golden Heart Contest, sell their manuscripts, or become RITA winners.

NEW IN 2013
* TWO Editor Judges for each category (1 traditional print & 1 e-pub)
* Updated rules & score sheets

Contest Opens: May 1, 2013
Contest Deadline: July 1, 2013
Entry Fee: $35.00 US

Entry: Entry consists of the first section of the manuscript beginning with Chapter One (or the Prologue, if you have one), and the Synopsis. The total length of the entry (partial manuscript and synopsis) must be no more than 55 double-spaced pages. Entry must be a .doc format.

The first round of all categories will be judged by IRWA members that are either published authors or trained judges.

Final Judges: Offering TWO editor judges (One Traditional and One ePub) for all category finalists.
Contemporary Romance :
(T) Latoya Smith - Grand Central Publishing (E) Rhonda Helms – Carina Press
Erotic Romance :
(T) Leis Pederson – Berkley Publishing Group (E) Michele Paulin - Resplendence Publishing
Historical Romance :
(T) Laura Fazio – NAL at Penguin Group (E) Erin Molta - Entangled Publishing
Inspirational Romance :
(T) Shana Smith – Harlequin Love Inspired (E) Becky Philpott - HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Paranormal Romance :
(T) Kristine Swartz – Berkley Publishing Group (E) Heather Howland - Entangled Publishing
Romantic Suspense :
(T) Patience Bloom – Harlequin Books (E) Deb Nemeth – Carina Press
Young Adult Romance :
(T) Leah Hultenschmidt - Sourcebooks Casablanca (E) Stephanie Taylor - Astraea Press

Best of the Best : Katherine Pelz - Berkley Publishing Group

Prizes: 1st Place Finalist in each Category: $50 and certificate
2nd Place: Certificate
3rd Place: Certificate
The Best of the Best Award: A special keepsake award and certificate.

Further information, rules, and a sample of our score sheets are available at IRWA website: http://www.indianarwa.com/

Please share this information, and good luck to those who enter!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

A Couple Announcements!!!

After months of work, the new Indiana Romance Writers of America website is live and the Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest is open for entries!!! If you're an unpubbed author or unpubbed in the last three years, you're eligible to enter the IGO Contest. Like RWA's Golden Heart Contest, entries consist of 55 pages, including the synopsis (maximum of 10 pages). Our score sheets provide detailed feedback by trained judges in the first round. The top three finalists in each category will then move on to the second round--ranking by TWO editor judges! Many of our finalists have gone on to final or win the Golden Heart and/or receive an offer of publication for their entries. Check out IRWA's website for the list of our editor judges, to view the complete rules, to preview the score sheets, and to enter!

AND I have a Super Spicy Gift Basket up for bidding at Brenda Novak's Online Auction for Diabetes Research!

Included in the basket: 1) An autographed trade paperback copy of my book, The Sextet Anthologies Volume 3: Occupational Hazards; 2) A autographed oversized postcard with an ebook gift code for my book, The Sextet Presents...Playing in the Raine: A Toy Story; 3) A autographed oversized postcard with an ebook gift code for my book, The Sextet Presents...Bound by Voodoo: Legends; 4) A red satin sash; 5) Three bottles of flavored lubricants; 6) A sex coupon booklet. Value $70. Current bid is $19. Check out all the great offerings for this worthwhile cause, and PLEASE SHARE!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

A Few Quick Updates!

I've been buried in committee work for my local RWA chapter for months, but IGO Contest updates are done and the new IRWA website is up and running just in time for IGO to open tomorrow! Now I can concentrate on finishing my new foodie series. :)

Also, tomorrow is the last day to get Two Knights of Passion (Bewitching Desires 2) for half price at Siren! Only $2.50!!!


And I have this evening to wrap presents for my son's birthday!

See you tomorrow for Writing Tip Wednesday!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Writing Tip Wednesday--Identifying Genre

With my local RWA chapter's writing contest opening for entries on May 1st, I'm reminded of a problem area for many writers--identifying the proper genre for their stories.

IRWA's Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest (IGO) is modeled after the Golden Heart Contest run by Romance Writers of America, our parent organization, and uses the same category definitions for genre. Other than the erotic romance category we've added, our contests have the same basic rules. We've also combined all contemporary categories.

Within the romance genre, you'll find many sub-genres. These seven don't begin to include them all, but you should see a pattern in the definitions.

Contemporary Romance--Romance that focuses primarily on the romantic relationship and has a contemporary setting. The love story is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance should be satisfying and optimistic.

Erotic Romance--Romance in which the sexual relationship plays an integral part in the love story. The sexual relationship is blended with the love story, which is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance is satisfying and optimistic.

Historical Romance--Romance set in any historical time period. Again, the love story is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance should be satisfying and optimistic.

Inspirational Romance--Romance in which religious or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system) play a major role in the romantic relationship. The love story is the main focus, with religious or spiritual beliefs as a significant part of the love story, and the resolution of the romance should be satisfying and optimistic.

Paranormal Romance--Romance in which the future, fantasy, or paranormal elements are an integral part of the plot. The futuristic, fantasy, or paranormal elements are blended with the love story, which is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance should be satisfying and optimistic.

Romantic Suspense--Suspense, mystery, or thriller elements constitute an integral part of the plot. These elements are blended with the love story, which is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance is satisfying and optimistic.

Young Adult--Romance geared toward young adult readers. The love story is the main focus, and the resolution of the romance should be emotionally satisfying and optimistic.

With those definitions out of the way, I'd like to address some of the issues I've encountered in judging.

Q: How would you define the genre of a story with a contemporary and/or historical setting containing paranormal elements that are vital to the plot?
A: If the paranormal elements are taken out, does the story still work? If yes, contemporary or historical. If no, paranormal. If the story involves both a contemporary setting and a historical setting with the same set of characters, then some sort of time travel, reincarnation, etc. has happened. Therefore, the story is paranormal.

Q: What if my erotic story doesn't end with a happily ever after?
A: Happy for now is acceptable as long as the resolution is optimistic. However, if the characters go their separate ways in the end, the genre is erotica rather than erotic romance. The addition of the word "romance" means the sexual relationship has evolved into a loving one as well.

Q: How much suspense can I put in my romantic suspense?
A: Romance should be at least 50% of any story labeled romance, whether it's romantic suspense, young adult romance, paranormal romance, etc. The main focus in romance is the romantic relationship. That's why genres such as suspense, thriller, mystery, etc. exist. A love story isn't the main focus, or even a minor part sometimes. Romantic Suspense has a good balance of romance and suspense.

Q: Can one story fit into more than one category?
A: Yes. An erotic romance can be contemporary, historical, paranormal, or romantic suspense. In most other cases, choose the genre that most closely fits your story. Sure, an inspirational can be contemporary, historical, or romantic suspense, but the religious/spiritual factor is usually a defining element for a publisher.

Q: Where do steampunk, sci-fi, and urban fantasy romances fit in?
A: If you've read any of these sub-genres, you know that paranormal-type elements are an integral part of the stories. They contain futuristic and fantasy world-building. They're paranormal in the case of the IGO.

Whether you're entering contests or submitting to editors and agents, know your genre. Not knowing--or choosing the wrong one--could mean a disqualification or a rejection.

How about we discuss the dreaded Homophones next week?!?!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Whew!

In between first edits for Two Knights of Passion and final edits for Two if by Sea, I've been working on Bewitching Desires 3: Two Fated For One and judging entries for the Indiana Golden Opportunity writing contest. Final edits are done, first edits are in progress, Two Fated For One is nearing completion, and I finished the last of my judging today. That brings me to the "Whew!"

For those entering contests and submitting to agents and publishers, I have a few words of advice.

**Be sure to follow the formatting guidelines.** Every entry I judged had points taken off for not following standard formatting guidelines. Don't try to squeeze in extra words from your manuscript by beginning new chapters at the tops of pages or on the same page as the previous chapter. This makes a BAD impression. It makes the writer look unprofessional. Take the time to research acceptable fonts, how to make a header, what margin size to use, etc. The points for formatting are giveaways for those who follow directions!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!