A Great Contest for EroRom Authors

If you've ever thought about publishing that erotic romance sitting in the back of your closet, the one you wrote a year ago but were too afraid to let anyone see it, dust it off and bring it out. The Stroke of Midnight contest is back! Some contests can confuse the hell out of you with unclear rules, wacko judging, and uneven scoring. But the Passionate Ink's contests have helped a lot of people find publishers and continue their writing.

Here's information on the contest. I've judged it for a few years, so I know what I'm talking about.

Passionate Ink's Fifth Annual STROKE OF MIDNIGHT CONTEST

Deadline: Deadline: FEBRUARY 5, 2010

**Remember The Stroke of Midnight is a contest for unpublished erotic romance manuscripts. BOTH PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS MAY ENTER. However, if published, this must be a new genre for the author (For example, if the author has published in paranormal erotic romance, she can enter in one of the other categories) **

Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:

Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.

Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a historical setting.

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.

Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.

Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting.

1. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length. Novellas are considered 10,000 to 25,000 words.

2. All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries–and any entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people, straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.

Judging and Prizes:

First Round : Preliminary-round judging will be completed by three qualified judges - Passionate Ink and other RWA members experienced in critiquing and/or published authors familiar with our genre. All scores will be added and averaged to determine the entrant’s ranking. Every attempt will be made to provide entrants with detailed score sheets and judges’ comments from this preliminary round. Top five entries in each category will move to final round.

Final Round : The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by the following industry professionals:

Contemporary: Susan Swinwood – Harlequin Spice

Historical: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Kelli Collins – Ellora’s Cave

Paranormal/Time Travel: Chris Keesler – Dorchester Publishing

Novella: Theresa Stevens – Red Sage Publishing

First place winners in each category will receive a free one year membership in Passionate Ink ($25 value), a certificate, and an award graphic for their website. (Writing teams will split the membership.) All other finalists will receive certificates and and a finalist graphic for their website. All entries will be returned after finalists are determined and statistical information is complete. Winners will be announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at the Romance Writers’ of America National Conference in Nashville, TN. Results will be listed in Passionate Ink’s newsletter, on the website, as well as have their names published in the ROMANCE WRITER’S REPORT.

For rules and submission requirements, click here. And note, the Passionate Plume contest is for published works, the Stroke of Midnight is for unpublished works. Good luck!