Has your manuscript been shredded in other RWA contests because it’s not quite romance? Do you write fun, sassy, contemporary fiction centering around the journey of the heroine? (Maybe you don’t even have a hero at all.) Do your manuscripts not play by the romance rules? Do you strongly believe that chick lit isn’t a flash in the pan? That, despite what the publishing houses may say, it’s hip, hot, happening and here to stay (even if it’s called something else)?

If any of the above apply, then this is the contest for you!

New for 2011: All finalists in each category will be judged by THREE judges! An agent, an editor, and an e-publisher!

There will also be a Louboutin Stiletto award for the entry that has the best chick lit voice! The winner will be judged by agent Lois Winston.

Read Testimonials from Past Stiletto Finalists!

The Stiletto Contest values diversity. We welcome entries with characters from all racial backgrounds, religious groups, and sexual orientations.

Contest Rules:

Unpublished Contest 2011 Eligibility:

Click to download Unpublished Contest rules as PDF (same as the text below)

The Contest is open to any writer who has never been contracted in book-length fiction (40,000 words or more) from any publisher.

Also eligible to enter are:

Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of five (5) years may enter any category; or

Any writer who has been published but not contracted for a minimum of three (3) years may enter any category except those they’ve been contracted or published in.

There is no limit to the number of entries per author or per category, but each entry may be entered in ONLY ONE category. Any manuscript that has previously finaled in the Stiletto (including any honorable mention) is not eligible for entry.

Membership in Romance Writers of America® and/or ChickLit Writers of the World (CLW) is not a requirement for entry.

Deadline

Entries must be received ELECTRONICALLY NO LATER than September 6, 2011, 11:59PM EDT. Early entries will be held until all entries are received. An ELECTRONIC ENTRY received after September 6, 2011, 11:59PM EDT will not be sent to the first-round judges.

Category Descriptions

Single Title (Contemporary, Contemporary Series): If your heroine, like Bridget Jones, reveals her innermost fears and unsightly blemishes on the way to self-acceptance, she’ll fit in with the classics of the genre. (Think: Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins, Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter)

Women’s Fiction (Mainstream): Finding a dreamy man isn’t the only challenge women face. If your central plot revolves around another obstacle in your heroine’s life–with romance on the side–she’ll be at home in this category. 
(Think: Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella)

Note: Trying to figure out the difference between Single Title and Women’s Fiction (Mainstream)?  Single Title entries are romance-focused and will usually have the happily-ever- after ending.  Women’s Fiction is less about the romance and more about the journey through life.

Mystery/Suspense (Suspense, Mystery, Thriller): If your heroine’s primary goal is to solve a mystery, track the bad guy, or escape the villain, she belongs in this category.  (Think: Living La Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez, Sex Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis)

Paranormal (Paranormal, Fantasy, Time Travel): If you built another world as the background for your ghost-hunting, spell-casting, time-traveling heroine, your manuscript will fit into this category. (Think: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson, Midnight at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta)

Young Adult: It’s less about the boys; more about the poise.  If your teen heroine is sassy, classy, and has wit to spare, she’ll fit in right here.  (Think: Lifted by Wendy Toliver, Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot)

Enter

Submit one (1) Electronic Entry of no more than the FIRST 5,000 words of your manuscript (judged) and one (1) Electronic Synopsis of no more than 500 words (not judged) in the same document.

Note:  Because the synopsis is not judged, it is optional but highly recommended.  Also, if it exceeds the 500 word limit, the entire entry will be disqualified.

FORMATTING & SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY:

Use one-inch margins.

Use 12 pt. or larger Courier, New Times Roman or similar legible font. (Smaller fonts will not be accepted and could cause the entry to be disqualified. )

Entry should be double-spaced (both synopsis and entry).

Each page should have a one-line header with Title and category on the left side and page number on the right side.

CONTESTANT’S NAME MAY NOT APPEAR ON THE ENTRY. ANY ENTRY WITH THE CONTESTANT’S NAME WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

To remove your name from properties:

In Word ’07: File, go to Prepare, go to Properties, go to Summary

In Word ’03: File, go to Properties, go to Summary

Entries must be received in RTF (Rich Text Format) files ONLY. (To convert your file to RTF, open the document, go into File, click on Save As and choose RTF format. This will create a new document with the same title in RTF format.)

Document title should be the title of the manuscript only.

Combine all manuscript pages and synopsis in one file. Paste synopsis before the beginning of the manuscript pages. All pages should be in standard manuscript format.

1) Entry Form will be filled in at time of submission.

2) Synopsis –  not judged (No more than 500 words)

3) Entry (No more than 5,000 – Hint: don’t try to squeeze in as many words as possible to reach the 5,000 word count; end the entry where it feels natural, ie., end of scene, end of chapter, etc.)

Your entry will be given an entry number and submitted to the coordinator of the category you have selected on the entry form. You will be sent a confirmation email with the  entry number. If there are multiple authors of an entry, the second author must fill in an entry form and reference the entry number.

Enter as many times as you wish, but a separate payment and entry form must be received for each entry. Entries without completed entry form and payment will not be judged.

PAYMENT

Entry Fee: $15 CLW Members; $25 all others. Payment may be submitted using Paypal, personal check on US bank, or Money Order in US funds. Payment must reference entry number.

You can pay using PayPal by clicking here.

Checks & Money Orders must be postmarked no later than September 6, 2011 (make checks or Money Order to “ChickLit Writers of the World #204″) and sent to:

Lori McDonald

P. O. Box 1721

San Ramon, CA   94583

Payments made by check or money order must be received by September 6, 2011.

If the entry fee is not received by the payment deadline, the fee will be returned to the entrant and the entry will be disqualified.

JUDGING

Each entry will have four first-round judges; the lowest score will be dropped to eliminate discrepancy judging.

Click for Unpublished Score sheet sample as PDF:

All four entries and score sheets will be returned to the entrants.

The top qualifying three finalists (or more in case of a tie) must receive a score totaling at least 105 points (75% of 140 points) to advance to the final round.

Finalists will be announced on or about October 20, 2011.

Final Round Slate Judges for 2011:

Single Title:

Agent: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management

Editor: Esi Sogah, Avon

E-Publisher: Amanda Bergeron, Avon Impulse

Women’s Fiction:

Agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Associates

Editor: Junessa Viloria, Ballantine

E-Publisher: Rhonda Stapleton, Carina Press

Mystery/Suspense:

Agent: Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency

Editor: Toni Plummer, St. Martins Press

E-Publisher: Kelli Collins, Ellora’s Cave

Paranormal:

Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Editor: Leis Pederson, Berkley

E-Publisher: Jennifer Miller, Samhain

Young Adult:

Agent: Susan Hawk, The Bent Agency

Editor: Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks

E-Publisher: Heather Howland, Entangled Publishing

Louboutin Stiletto Award:

Agent: Lois Winston, Ashley Grayson Literary Agency

Winners

Winners will be announced on or about December 20, 2011.

The first place entry in each category will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Results will be published in the Romance Writers Report RWR®.

Previous Stiletto Contest Winners

DISCLAIMER

Entrants warrant they have read the rules and guidelines governing the Get Your Stiletto in the Door—Unpublished Division Contest and attest to their eligibility. They understand that judging is subjective and agree to abide by these rules and accept the decisions of the judges and contest coordinators as final.

They agree to hold harmless the ChickLit Writers of the World RWA® Chapter #204, the contest coordinators, and contest judges for any and all disputes arising from this contest or from circumstances beyond their control.

Questions?

Please contact the Overall Contest Coordinator: Deborah Bassett