Magnolia State Romance Writers

       
       Welcome to Magnolia State Romance Writers website! 
Home of the Official Mississippi Chapter of Romance Writers of America® 


 
Dixie First Chapter Contest Entry Form and Disclaimer

Complete form. No entry accpeted without Disclaimer blank checked.
DISCLAIMER:

I guarantee by my signature that the enclosed work is my original work and I have not published a novel in the past five years. I understand that judging is subjective and I may receive critiques with which I do not agree. I understand that I am entering this contest voluntarily and therefore am requesting honest critiques of my work.   I understand that disparities in judging exist and that MSRW has chosen 30 as the smallest disparity which triggers a 3rd judging of manuscripts.  I understand the judges' decision is final. I understand MSRW is not responsible for entries that don't meet guidelines and don't include required entry fee. In consideration of MSRW's acceptance of my entry, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Chapter and any of its members and/or judges of the Dixie First Chapter Contest from liability for actions arising from or relating to the judging and handling of my entry and the conduct, sponsorship and advertising of this contest.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Author Name:
Author Address:
Author phone number (Optional):
Author Email address (REQUIRED) ***NOTE - All contacts and annoucements will be made via email):
Category:
Entry Title:
Word Count:
I accept terms of Disclaimer:
If my entry goes to a disparity judge, I want all entries and score sheets back:
 Mail $25.00 Dixie First Chapter Entry fee to: (*NOTE- Please make all checks out to MSRW)

Dixie First Chapter Contest
113 Derby Lane Drive
Madison, MS 39110

or

Submit Payment via

MSRW Dixie First Chapter Contest (2011)
A Contest for Romance Writers
Score Sheet

Manuscript Title:                 Category entered:

Target sub-genre/publisher/line (optional) _________________________

MSRW USE ONLY:

Entry #________      Final Score ________      Finalist     Y    N

 


Scoring: Range of 1 to 5. 
Total possible score is 100.

Judges are strongly encouraged to comment on the back of the score sheets or on a separate sheet of paper. Guidelines for judges suggest adopting a positive, constructive approach. To encourage a more uniform scoring system, we've given sample interpretations for each number score.


Scoring Interpretation Suggestions: 
5 = Outstanding; ready for Publication                                                           
4 = Excellent; Needs only Minor Tuneup                                                        
3 = Very Good; You're off to a Great Start                                                    
2 = Average; Major Revisions Needed
in Certain Areas                                 
1 = Below Average:  Study and Revise
and Keep Trying  


Professional Impact: (10%) (NOTE: We do not require any particular font. Font size should be 12 point.)  
_____  1. Is the mss presented professionally? Neat? Clear type? Mss format?
_____  2. Mechanics: Is the grammar correct? Spelling? Usage? Punctuation?

Writing Nuts and Bolts: (60%) 
 
_____   3. Is there an intriguing situation that captures reader interest right away?
____     4. Is the situation believable, or does the writer make it seem possible?
____     5. Are the characters believable for the category chosen?
  ____   6. Do the actions/reactions of the characters seem appropriate and well motivated?
 _ ___   7. Does the dialogue sound natural and realistic?
_____   8. Is the setting easy to picture without being intrusive? Are historical/ scientific/| fantasy elements believable and/or accurate?
____     9. Is the point of view consistent and are changes in the pov smooth and logical?
_____ 10. Does the writer use several of the five senses to create a vivid picture?
_____ 11. Is tension or conflict present or implicit?
_____ 12. Is scene free of seemingly unessential details?
_____ 13. Does the scene focus mostly on the hero and heroine? If not, is it handled well enough to sustain reader interest?
_____ 14. Writing style: Does the scene flow smoothly without unintentionally jarring the reader?

 

 

Emotional Reader Reaction: (30%) NOTE: If hero or heroine does not appear in the entry, please judge this section as best you can on such elements as whether sexual awareness or interest or anticipation is present, or the hero or heroine is thinking about the love interest, or other romantic elements. This is a romance contest, and generally, it is expected that both the hero and heroine appear in the first chapter, depending on the category.

_____ 15. Did you feel the sexual tension/awareness between the hero and heroine?
_____ 16. Do you like the hero? Is he sexy, attractive, appealing?
_____ 17. Do you like the heroine? Is she sympathetic, attractive, appealing?
____   18. Is the relationship between the hero and heroine believable? Do you feel these two would actually get together? Or does their relationship seem forced or contrived?
_____ 19. Does the scene seem fresh and clear? Have you read the story line or experienced the story elements too many times before to find this particular version interesting?  Low score = too cliched. High score= fresh or the treatment is such that any  cliched elements seem fresh and different.
_____ 20. Would you like to read more of this book?

_____TOTAL SCORE (total of all 20 questions.)

Constructive Comments (Judges please answer these questions for the authors.)


1. What did you especially like/dislike about the hero?

 

 

2. What did you especially like/dislike about the heroine?

 

 

3. What are (at least) two things you felt were well done? (Tell why if appropriate.)

 

 

4. What are two things (if any) you felt need work? (Tell why and please offer suggestions.)

 

 

5. What, if anything, seemed cliched to you? How can the story be improved?

 

 

6. Anything else? Please use additional sheets if necessary.

 

 

Judges are strongly encouraged to comment directly on the manuscripts. Judges are not obligated to comment or offer suggestions other than on the score sheet. The Dixie First Chapter Contest is known as a tough, fair contest which has been instrumental in helping more than one writer become published. As such, we ask the judges to share their impressions and expertise which may prove helpful in in understanding why an entry received the scores it did. Thank you for judging.

Judge's name or Publishing House (optional)_______________________________________ 

Final Round Judge?  Y   N    Published Romance: Y   N    Published, Other: Y  N  If other, give example

(optional)____________________  Certified Judge: Y  N  Experienced Unpublished Judge: Y  N Unpublished /

Award Winning: ___Y ___N

 Updated 02/28/07                  Copyright 2005 MSRW Inc

Content copyright . Magnolia State Romance Writers. All rights reserved.
Web Hosting Companies