Frequently Asked Questions for the 2008 Silicon Valley RWA GOTCHA! Contest
Questions:
1. Why the name GOTCHA!? Is there a special theme or thread you are looking for?
2. Do I need to be a member of the National RWA organization to enter the GOTCHA!?
3. What is the entry fee for the Silicon Valley RWA GOTCHA! Writing Contest?
4. What if I don’t have a PayPal account?
5. Can I still send an entry by snail mail?
6. Why do the rules specify ‘rtf’ or ‘doc’ format?
7. Times New Roman or Courier?
8. May I single-space my entry?
9. May I enter more than one manuscript?
10. Do I need to include the Contestant Agreement?
12. What is the final day to send entries?
13. How will I know you received my entry?
14. What is the judges’ focus in the GOTCHA! Contest?
15. What is the best way to determine the category I should enter?
16. Does my manuscript need to be complete to enter?
17. How are the scores compiled in the GOTCHA! Contest?
18. What is the prize if I am a finalist in your contest?
19. Do the editors ever ask for the finalist’s manuscript?
20. How will the coordinator return my entry after the contest?
21. I know my entry needs another re-write. Should I still enter?
22. I came in second in the GOTCHA! last year in my category? May I enter that manuscript again?
24. If I final in my category, do I have a chance to edit my entry before it is submitted to the editor?
25. Help. I am having trouble with submitting my entry.
26. How do you select judges for your contest? Do all your judges belong to Silicon Valley RWA?
27. If I wish to judge in the GOTCHA! contest, may I still enter?
29. Why is the GOTCHA! all electronic?
30. How do I format and submit my electronic entry?
31. Why can’t I enter the same manuscript in two different categories?
32. If I don’t have Microsoft Word, can I submit my entry in another format?
Answers:
Q. Why the name Gotcha!? Is there a special theme or thread you’re looking for?
A. We are looking for manuscripts where the all-important first pages pull the reader into the story-the manuscripts that will catch the attention of an editor or agent. Check out the score sheet sample and gauge the details for yourself.
We feel that part of our great track record-many finalists receive requests from our editor judges and many have sold manuscripts over the years-results from our focus. But there are as many fresh, imaginative ways to catch an editor’s attention, as there are talented writers. The name GOTCHA! is an informal (and we hope, catchy) way to communicate our goal.
Q. Do I need to be a member of the National RWA organization to enter the GOTCHA!?
A. No. All romance writers are welcome.
Q. What is the entry fee for the Silicon Valley RWA GOTCHA! Writing Contest?
A. The fee is $25 for each entry, unless you are a current member of Silicon Valley RWA. Then you will pay $22. We encourage entrants to use PayPal.
Q. What if I don’t have a PayPal account?
A. You may send your check by mail but this slows the entry process. Your entry will not be officially entered in the contest until your check is received.
Q. May I still send an entry by Snail mail?
A. Sorry. The GOTCHA! is All Electronic. Contact us if you are having difficulty with your entry and we will try to help.
Q. Why do the rules specify ‘rtf’ or ‘doc’ format?
A. Our judges do not all use the same word processing format, but we encourage them to make comments directly into your manuscript and a .doc MS Word or .rtf format is most easily accessible. It’s easy to convert most other documents to rtf by clicking on “save as” and then choose “rich text format” from the format pull down. Note: if your word processor is the Office 2007 version of MS Word, please save documents in the .doc or .rtf file format compatible with earlier versions, NOT the new .docx or .rtfx format.
Q. Times New Roman or Courier?
A. Either is fine, but the font must be at least size 12. Make sure you observe margin, lines per page and other format rules, and place a header (without name) on each page. Your submission should be professionally formatted, just as you would send it to a publisher.
Q. May I single-space my entry?
A. No. Double space. Editors expect this format.
Q. May I enter more than one manuscript?
A. Yes. You may even enter more than one manuscript in the same category (e. g. two different historicals.) Please email each entry separately and do a separate PayPal transaction or send a separate check (same envelope is okay!) for each. Be sure you send each entry to the correct genre coordinator.
Q. Do I need to include the Contestant Agreement?
A. Yes, it is required. Please fill out and include this agreement in a separate attachment with each of your entries.
Q. When may I enter?
A. Entries open October 1 and will be capped at the first 40 entries in each category. Be an early bird and send it now.
Q. What is the final day to send entries?
A. November 12, 2008 5:00 p.m. PST will be the final deadline for all entries. Barring unforeseen technical issues, we do not plan to extend that date.
Q. How will I know you received my entry?
A. The coordinator for your category will send a confirmation e-mail. If you don’t receive one in a timely manner, contact her.
Q. What is the focus of the GOTCHA! contest?
A. Because judges in the GOTCHA! Contest are only reading the first 15 pages of your manuscript, they focus on the hook and structured beginning of your story. No synopsis is necessary. They will be looking for strong characterization, voice and the beginning of an interesting plot. Be sure both the internal and external conflicts are foreshadowed clearly.
Q. What is the best way to determine the category I should enter?
A. Read the descriptions of each category that include information on length, themes, conventions and style. Select the one closest to your manuscript. Finally, check our list of prominent final editor judges. Which publishing house has a line that would be the best fit for your manuscript?
Q. Does my manuscript need to be complete for me to enter the contest?
A. No. We will be judging only the first fifteen pages. However, if you should final in the contest, the editor may ask for more of your manuscript.
Q. How are the scores compiled?
A. Four independent judges will read and score your work, using the newly revised score sheet posted on our website. The lowest score will be dropped and the three highest scores will be added to determine the winners for that category. There is no overall winner. The top four winners in each category are sent to an editor/judge for review and comments.
Q. What is the prize if I am a finalist in the GOTCHA! contest?
A. All finalists will have the opportunity for an editor from a major publishing house to read and comment on their work.
Q. Do the editors ever ask for the finalist’s full manuscript?
A. The 2006 GOTCHA! Contest has a fabulous record, with over half of the manuscripts receiving an editor request. To date, half of the 2007 contest finalists received a request from the editor for a partial or full manuscript. In past years, many have gone on to publish with these houses. Check out the GOTCHA! Hall of Fame.
Additionally, the comments from first round judges have helped entrants revise their manuscripts and go on to final and win other contests, including the Golden Heart. Check out the GOTCHA! testimonials from years past.
Q. How will the coordinator return my entry after the contest?
A. After the winners are announced in late January, all entries will be returned electronically with comment and scores.
Q. I know my entry needs another re-write. Should I still enter?
A. It’s your decision. If you enter, you will receive feedback from four trained judges. Their insights into the beginning of you book can prove very valuable as you edit and revise.
Q. I came in second in the GOTCHA! last year in my category? May I enter that manuscript again?
A. If you wish to enter and have revised your manuscript, you’re welcome, as long as you’re not yet published in that category. But be sure to check our list of editor judges to be sure it’s a wise choice.
Q. I entered my manuscript in the GOTCHA! last year but didn’t final. May I enter a different version of the same manuscript this year?
A. Yes. We hope the comments you received last year proved valuable as you revised your manuscript.
Q. If I final in my category, would I have a chance to edit my entry before it is submitted to the editor?
A. You will have two weeks to edit your entry before you must resubmit it to the coordinator. She will send it to the editor. The editors usually return the entries by mid June.
Q. Help. I am having trouble with submitting my entry.
A. Contact the coordinator of your category or the Co-chairs of the contest by e-mail and we will assist you. Avoid the stress of the last minute rush and send your entry early.
Q. How do you select judges for your contest? Do all your judges belong to Silicon Valley RWA?
A. Our first round judges volunteer from our chapter and from many chapters and writing organizations around the U.S. We have editors, multi-published romance authors and other writing professionals who judge in the first round. All judges are actively writing and many are published in the genre and in other fields. You will have at least one published romance author read your work. We encourage all judges to enroll in our training seminar and/or participate in the chapter’s online judging class.
Q. If I wish to judge in the GOTCHA! contest, may I still enter?
A. You may enter any category you are not judging. Contact the coordinator of the category that you are interested in judging ASAP.
Q. I have a children’s book/ nonfiction book in publication. May I enter the GOTCHA! with my historical romance novel?
A. Yes. Each category is open to everyone who is NOT published in that genre within the past five years, although on occasion a single published work can disqualify an author from more than one category. If your published work(s) is/are in a crossover genre (e. g. paranormal romantic suspense or inspirational historical) please consult the coordinator of the category you plan to enter.
Q. Why is the GOTCHA! all electronic?
A. Many writing contests have moved to electronic formatting in an effort to save time, paper and money. The format allows for a much quicker turn around and significantly less expense for the entrant.
Q. How do I format and submit my electronic entry?
A.1. When you are ready to submit an entry, begin an email to the coordinator of that category and attach the first 15 pages of your manuscript in rich text (.rtf) or MS Word document (.doc) format. See the entry template (LINK PLEASE) or the sample manuscript page at:
http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=598
2. Download the Contestant Agreement and fill it in completely. Attach the Contest Agreement separately, also in .rtf or .doc format.
3. Make sure your name is NOT on your manuscript header but is on your Agreement.
4. Click on the appropriate PayPal link and pay the appropriate fee for your entry.
5. Attach the receipt from PayPal to your entry separately. Or mail a check.
6. Send the email with 3 attachments (2 if you are paying by check) to the coordinator of the category you are entering.
7. You should receive a confirmation message in return within twenty-four hours.
Q. Why can’t I enter the same manuscript in two different categories?
A. We adopted this rule for the GOTCHA! to be consistent with the Golden Heart. A contestant can enter more than one category, but her entries must not be the same manuscript.
Q. If I don’t have Microsoft Word, can I submit my entry in another format?
A. No. Your entry will only be accepted in .doc or .rtf form.
Note that you can create your entry and write it in many different formats using the *free* Open Office word processing suite. Simply visit http://www.openoffice.org and download the program. There are also versions for many operating systems, including Linux and Mac OS.