These are all the full rules for the Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009. Naturally, the names of the winners will also be posted on the blog!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER
1. To enter, submit by e-mail a Microsoft Word file of a typed, double spaced, first chapter (no greater than 5,000 words) of a story you have written which is suitable for the Harlequin Presents or Modern Heat series, and a synopsis (no greater than two pages in length, double-spaced) of the complete novel, along with your name, address, e-mail address and phone number to:
writingcompetition[at]hmb.co.uk
2. All submissions must be in English and be received no later than November 2nd, 2009. Story concept must be original and must not have won a previous prize/award nor have been previously submitted, reproduced or published. One entry per person.
3. Entries will be judged by a panel of members of the Harlequin Mills & Boon editorial staff, based on the following criteria:
- Voice
- Content
- Writing Skills
in equal measure.
In the event of a tie, duplicate prizes will be awarded. Decisions of the judges are final.
4. Submissions will not be returned and may be used for promotional purposes only. All rights of the submitted work will remain with the author. Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, at its discretion, may request to see one or more full manuscripts from contest entrants after the close of the competition. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, illegible, incomplete, non-compliant, non-delivered or misdirected submissions.
5. This contest is open to entrants who are 18 years of age or older and is void wherever prohibited by law; all applicable laws and regulations apply. Employees and immediate family members of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, including contracted authors, their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter. By acceptance of a prize, the winner consents to use of his/her name, photograph or other likeness for purposes of advertising, trade and promotion on behalf of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Harlequin Mills & Boon, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
6. All entrants may be contacted via email for the purpose of disclosing whether or not the entrant has been declared a winner in the competition. By submitting an entry, all entrants agree to be contacted by Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited via email for this purpose.
7. Winners will be determined no later than November 30th, 2009, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will be required to sign and return a Publicity Release and Affidavit of Eligibility certifying his/her eligibility and that the submitted chapter and story outline are his/her own original work, and it has not won a previous prize/award nor has it previously been submitted/reproduced/published, within 10 days of notification. Non-compliance within that time period may result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Harlequin Enterprises Ltd and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries are not responsible for errors in the electronic or printed presentation of this Contest. Winners agree that Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents and promotion agencies shall not be liable for injuries or losses of any kind resulting from acceptance of or use of their prize.
8. Prizes:
1st – winner will be awarded the services of a Harlequin Mills & Boon editor for one year [1st December 2009 - 30th November 2010], who will offer advice and guidance on contest entry, plus subsequent, previously mutually agreed submissions of partial or full manuscripts aimed at Harlequin Presents or the Modern Heat series.
2nd – consultations for two runners-up on their first chapter and synopsis aimed at Harlequin Presents or the Modern Heat series (5,000 words) with a Harlequin Mills & Boon editor.
Only one prize per person. No cash alternatives.
9. For a list of winners (available after 7th December 2009), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited
Eton House
18-24 Paradise Road
Richmond
Surrey TW9 1SR
United Kingdom
And to let everyone know, we’ve set up a forum in the eHarlequin Community to discuss the Writing Competition here: http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/write-stuff/harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009
I’m pretty sure there’s also a section on the Mills & Boon website (called the Modern Heart Writing Competition over there) — but wouldn’t you know it, when I want it I can’t find it! Does anyone have the link?
Of course, IHP is still your central spot for Competition news and the comments are always open for questions and discussion about entries. We’ll have posts and open threads until the deadline.
~Amy
Hi Amy,
Is this the link you are referring to, http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/write-stuff/how-write-modern-romance
I have printed out the master class tips and they are fabulous. I have them stuck all around my office. lol… This is truly a great opportunity for writers. I started casting my characters and plot this morning which was exciting. I always love starting a new manuscript.
One question. In the rules above it states for Modern Heat. Just to make sure
It is Presents as well isn’t it?
Regards,
Tarnya
“I’m pretty sure there’s also a section on the Mills & Boon website (called the Modern Heart Writing Competition over there) — but wouldn’t you know it, when I want it I can’t find it! Does anyone have the link?”
http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/cafe-social/simply-series/modern-modern-heat
The discussion’s not a separate thread, but in the cafe-social section in the Modern/Modern heat thread.
Amy, they don’t seem to have set up a special thread yet on the M&B community forum. Or if they have, we haven’t found it! A few of us are getting some conversation going on the Modern thread-http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/cafe-social/simply-series/modern-modern-heat .
Hurrah! I was hoping that you would repeat this contest at a time when I could participate! I have a brand-new netbook dedicated to romance writing, a husband who’s free all summer to amuse the children, and six weeks of vacation ahead of me from my compensated writing jobs. Count me in, with enthusiasm!
Karily
We’re working on getting a thread up on the M&B website – I’ll let you know where to find it when it is up and running!
The contest is for Presents too and not just Modern Heat? The original posting said it was for both but the rules state it’s for MH.
Hello all,
Yes, the contest is for Presents as well, sorry for the confusion. I can see where the confusion came from is since it doesn’t mention “Presents” in the first paragraph (under prizes it says “first chapter and synopsis aimed at Harlequin Presents or the Modern Heat series”). Let me just check there are no legal-y problems with clarifying the first bit in the official rules before I update the post…
~Amy
The hardest thing about a contest is deciding to try again. At least that’s the part that nearly defeated me. I watched part of the special ceremonies honoring Michael Jackson and I feel the people who showed him the most respect and honor was his family. His brothers helped him become the pop icon he was. They sang and danced and rehearsed for years right there with him. And his sister did to. I think I am learning by reading the websites of Harlequin that it takes a lot of people to make an “instant star”. Thank you for the encouragement and patience and the sharing your writers do. I think the most important part of these contests to me is the feedback given by the helpful Harlequin team as they help us aspire to be writers of romance.
Hi, I’m new to this contest. Can you help me understand, are we to send our first chapter and synopsis as word doc or other preference? Is there a word count requirement for the first chapter? Must the book be entirely written or just a synopsis outlining where the story line will go?
sorry for so many questions – hope you can help.
Thanks.
Hello all – please note that the rules have been edited to include two things mentioned in the contest announcement but were left out of the official rules originally:
1) Only ONE entry per person will be accepted (so better make it your best! Quality over quantity
)
2) The synopsis should also be double-spaced.
JoAnne — The answers to your questions are in paragraph #1 of the post: Word document attachment, maximum of 5000 words for the first chapter. You don’t need the full manuscript completed, just the first chapter and synopsis.
Wanting to have a first-time go at entering this competition I have a question, sorry if it’s a such a basic question, but in the rules it said that it has to be written “double spaced”. What is that? Isn’t that the normal line spacing in a Word document?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hi btlim5163 — double-spaced means there is a blank space between each line of text. So this paragraph here is an example of single-spacing since the lines are right on top of each other…
….but this paragraph here is
double spaced because there
is a blank line in between.
That probably looks a tad wonky, but I hope you understand my example
In Word, go to the “paragraph” menu and there will be an area to change your spacing from single (which is usually the default) to double.
~Amy
Dear Amy,
Thanks for your quick reply!
I do got your example of double spaced paragraphs. I just don’t understand why it should be typed like that. Perhaps it’s more easier to read for the judges? Nonetheless, thanks for your answer!
-Bettina
Hi Bettina,
Double spaced is easier for editors to read and there is room to write notes. Pretty much every publisher (and agents, too) ask for double-spaced submissions as well.
~Amy
Hey .. i want to ask a question .. suppose I am Taking part in Competition ..
I despratly want to Take part in it .. But i got many Querries 
Hope my sisters goona help me out .. ryt? 
And sending my Entry ..
I want to know that I have to write the 1St chapter first and then the synopsis or 1st I have to write synopsis and them the 1St chapter?
Plx Help me out Girls
no ans 4 me?
It would be nice to be able to read all of the contest rules, but the ad for “Free 60th Anniversary Books” blocks out a lot of the information. Besides, the contest does not tell how many words your manuscript is supposed to contain. I have several stories that I could enter, but all are over 80,000 words. Do they fit with the word count for Harlequin or Modern Heat? All the contest says is 5,000 words for first chapter and synopsis, and that’s for second place.
Hi, I wanted to know whether the competition is open internationally, i.e. to countries outside the U.K. ?
Linda, you will find the manuscript guidelines for Harlequin Presents and Modern Heat on eharlequin.com.
http://eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=547&chapter=0
http://eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1294&chapter=0
Both of these lines run 50,000 words in length.
Good luck!
roorkee,
I believe it is open to everyone…Harlequin Mills & Boon has authors from all over the world.
I do remember reading somewhere that the manuscript must be written in English.
Good luck!
Giya,
You may write the first chapter first, or you may write the synopsis first. It is completely up to you. You would submit them both at the same time, however.
Good luck!
Oh thank u Trenda thx thx thx a lot
Hi Linda,
What browser are you using? I might be able to fix it if the post looks all wonky.
You don’t need a full manuscript for this contest, but generally Presents books are 50,000 words (as Trenda mentioned, thanks for posting the links to writing guidelines!)
~Amy
Are there more rules on the format of the synopsis? I know it should be max two pages and double-spaced, but what about
- font (Times Roman or Courier New?)
- font size (12 pt?)
- paragraphs indented or separated by a blank line?
- 1 inch margins all round?
Given how little space there is in two double-spaced pages, this could make a lot of difference.
Hi Everyone,
I believe this to be the official rules. It’s all in there. The synopsis, the first chapter, font, and font size.
http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/07/official-rules-for-the-harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009/
If this doesn’t get you there, it can be found on the left under archives on the 9th of July.
Also I think one should have an idea of the characters including plot before writing the synopsis. And double spaces are for ease of reading and a requirement most publishers insist on.
Suzanne
Are men eligible on the competition?
and about people living out of US or UK?
Just a question putting our contact details in our entry. It is sufficient to put our name, addy and phone number in the body of the email or should it be on each page in the header or footer area? Is there a preference for adding page numbers etc and where they should go?
cheers
When it says the entry is not to have won another contest, what if the entry has finaled in a RWA chapter contest? Is that still within the submission rules?
I have just sent off an entry of a new book I am working on to a RWA contest and if (with fingers, toes & eyes crossed!) I final, I wondered if this will make it ineligible.
Thanks in advance,
Rachel
@Felipe Yes, men can enter the competition & people from all over the world!
@Rachel & Kerrin, I’ll check with the editors for you questions.
~Amy
Should I hav to describe the Location truly??
??
Or can I take help from my fantasy
Hi Giya,
Well if you’re describing a real place it should be accurate as possible. But there are Presents with totally made up kingdoms so it really depends where you’re setting your story…
~Amy
Awlrite .. ThX Girl
Hi again, got some answers for questions from Jo! She’s having trouble posting so I’m doing it on her behalf.
@Rachel – As it didn’t win the contest and wasn’t submitted to Harlequin – this will be fine.
@Kerrin – Please include page numbers – no preference where they go. No need to include all contact details in header/footer – your name and name of submission will be fine.
~Amy
Your prize says ‘winner gets the services of an editor for a year’ – does this also translate into a manuscript accepted for publishing?
Thanks Amy!
Is it possible to enter the competition from another country? I mean not UK or USA. And if your first language is not English?
Thanks, I´d love to try it, been a fan of these novels for long…
@Nishat That depends — writing contest winners have been bought after working with their editor in the past, but winning is not a guarantee of selling.
@Pat Yes, submissions from all countries all welcome as long as the manuscript is written in English.
If you enter the competition can you do so under a pseudonym?
Adora – yes you can!
I was getting quite interested in this when I spotted the ‘no immediate family members … of contracted authors’ rule. By contracted, that means actually under contract right now, is that correct? Both my late mother and my sister used to write for M&B, but presumably I’m still okay to enter this competition? Thanks, Jane
Jane – that is correct, you are fine to enter if your family members are no longer under contract.
Is it really a must for the writer’s to be 18 or above?? Would a little younger hurt ? :S
Can partners of contracted authors enter or are they excluded under the family rule?
I’m not sure what Modern Heat means. Is this explicit sex scenes or implied?
Orlene,
You can find writing guidelines for Modern Heat here:
http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1294&chapter=0
Happy Writing!
Trenda
Thanks for the info Trenda. It helped
Orlene
Can a published author who hasn’t written for HQ and hasn’t sold in the past three years enter the contest?
Does the entry have to be from a completed work? Or can it be from a work in progress?
I’ve got a question.
Can a Preface be submitted as the first chapter?