The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, sponsored by RWA chapter Southern Magic, was conceived in honor of multi-RITA Winner Gayle Wilson to award excellence in published romance fiction. The contest is judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and/or librarians. The winners of each category are awarded a bookmark engraved with the author's name and the book's title. Winners will also be included in a full-page RWR advertisement.
Eligibility:Participation is open to all published authors of novel-length or novella-length romance fiction. The earliest publication of the entry - regardless of format - must have an original copyright date or a first printing date (North American or otherwise) of 2009. Entries must be received by January 15, 2010. Electronic books may be entered provided they are printed and bound with a copyright page produced by the publisher.
Entry fee:$20 first book; $15 subsequent books.
Author must provide three copies of the entered book, which will not be returned. If author needs to send books to two different coordinators, she/he may save postage by sending all the books to one coordinator. Finalists will be notified in March 2010. All finalists receive a certificate. Winners receive an engraved bookmark and inclusion in a full- page RWR ad. Authors may enter more than one novel; however, the same novel may not be entered in multiple categories. If a category does not receive at least 5 entries, the category will be canceled, and the entrants' books and entry fees will be returned.
Categories for entry:
Historical
Romantic Suspense Single Title
Romantic Suspense Series
Paranormal/Fantasy/ Futuristic/Time Travel
Contemporary Single Title
Contemporary Series
Young Adult
Inspirational Single Title
Inspirational Series
Novella (20,000 - 40,000 Words)
Judging: All entries are judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and/or librarians. The top two scores are added to form the final score. The lowest score is dropped. Ties are broken using the dropped low score. After the dropped low score is used, if there is still a tie for first place, authors will be asked to send two additional copies of the book to break the tie. Failure of the author to supply these copies in a timely manner will result in forfeiture of the win.
Books are given to the judges as a "thank you" for judging. They are not returned. Scores and finalist placement are not revealed. Score sheets are not returned. The decision of the judges is final.
Send entries (three copies of book, entry form + entry fee) to the appropriate coordinator listed below:
Historical, FF&P, Young Adult, Novella Karen Beeching
Southern Magic Contest Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
3325 Lorna Road, #2-241
Hoover, AL 35216
Contemporary Single Title and Contemporary Series Jennifer Echols
Southern Magic Category Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
P.O. Box 190032
Birmingham, AL 35219
Inspirational Single Title and Inspirational Series Laura Hayden
Southern Magic Category Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
PO Box 241312
Montgomery, AL 36124
Romantic Suspense Single Title and Romantic Suspense Series Misty Wright
Southern Magic Category Coordinator
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
PO Box 5377
Glencoe, Al 35905
Make checks payable to Southern Magic, or by PayPal (please add $1 for the PayPal fee). Or pay by PayPal, send funds totreasurer@southernmagic.org . In the comment section of PayPal, type the category of your entry.