Contest Details - The contest is open to all romance authors published by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher, in both traditional print and electronic publishing.

The entrant is responsible for selecting the category in which to enter the work. Entrants may designate a second category for the work in the event the first-choice category does not receive the required number of entries to be judged or the category is full when the author's entry is received.

Entrants must indicate the sensuality level of their book.  The choices are Mild, Hot, or Blazing.  Every effort will be made to match entries with judges who accept works with the indicated sensuality level.

There is no limit to the number of eligible books/manuscripts that may be entered for each author in each category, although each category has an upper limit of 150 entries.  Authors may enter any book in multiple categories if so desired (e.g., a book may be entered in the Paranormal category, the Best First Book category, and the Erotic Romance category.) Except for Best First Book, a separate entry form, fee, and 5 books are required for each category entered.

Published works currently available exclusively in electronic formats shall be printed on standard 8.5” X 11” white paper, bound, and mailed with the entry form and fees to the appropriate coordinator by the contest deadline.  Five printed copies of each work are required to be eligible.  Electronic copies will not be accepted.  The bound work must include the publisher's copyright page.

NO books/works will be returned except when the category’s minimum entry threshold is not met or the category’s threshold is exceeded (or categories', if the entrant indicated a second choice on the registration form).

If any category has fewer than 20 entries (defined as all copies of required work to be judged, not just the entry form) received by the deadline, the category shall not be judged. At such a time, an entrant will be placed in an alternate category if one was indicated on the registration form. If an alternate category was not indicated, the entry forms and fees shall be returned to the entrant. No entry shall be allowed to change categories except in the case of category cancellation. Each category has a limit of 150 entries.

All contest entry information and appropriate fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., via the RomCon™ website or at the RomCon™ office (if sending books) no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, January 31, 2010. All forms and fees received after the deadline shall be returned to the entrant at the entrant's expense.

If a check is returned or a credit card charge denied, the replacement money, plus a $25 processing fee, must be in the Romance Conventions, Inc., office by February 7, 2010 or the entrant shall be disqualified and books forfeited.

Readers’ Crown™ Contest coordinators will send a confirmation letter or e-mail to all entrants and/or nominators.

Entries, entry forms, and fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., (ADDRESS TO BE DETERMINED) by January 31, 2010. Failure to meet the appropriate deadline shall result in disqualification, and the books and entry fee shall be forfeited. The person who submits the entry and pays the fee (nominator) shall be responsible for mailing the books to Romance Conventions, Inc.

Finalists shall be notified by phone, and then by an Official Letter of Notification sent by the RomCon™ Office via 2-day registered mail.

The complete list of finalists will be made public and posted on our website no later than April 7, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Neither employees of Romance Conventions, Inc., nor members of their immediate families shall be eligible to enter the Readers’ Crown™ contest.

All deadlines are final.

Readers’ Crown™ non-finalists who so mark their entry forms shall be sent their preliminary-round score totals after the end of the preliminary round.  Finalists will receive their scores after the conclusion of the contest.

Individual scores will not be reported or returned to anyone other than the author(s) of each entry.

If any finalist is disqualified for any reason, no other entrant shall move up to fill a vacant spot.

Communication between judges or entrants and Romance Conventions, Inc., staff shall remain private.

ALL Categories: The romance needs to be the primary focus of the story and there should be a “Happily Ever After” or “Happy For Now” style ending.  Mainstream novels, literary fiction, mysteries and other types of stories without a romance focus will not do well in this contest.  It is up to the author to decide which category or subgenre best fits her work.

ALL ENTRIES must have an ORIGINAL copyright date of 2009.

Entry into multiple categories is allowed with separate entry forms and separate entry fees for each category.

All word counts are as counted by a computer.

All categories will have varying levels of sensuality, from mild to blazing.  Within the Erotic Romance category, the sensuality level will be blazing and more explicit language is expected and allowed.  Entrants are required to indicate their perception of the heat level of their work being entered (mild, hot, blazing).  Every effort possible will be made to pair entries with Readers' Crown™ judges who accept the indicated heat level.

ATTENTION!  When completing the contest entry forms, do not hit the back button or your transaction will be lost!  If you have multiple entries to submit, please do so by following the link you used to get to the form once again.

Short Contemporary Romance
Romance in a contemporary setting including but not limited to Series Romance novels with a word count between 40,001 - 80,000 words.  Primary focus is the romantic relationship.

Enter your book in the Short Contemporary Romance category

Short Contemporary Romantic Suspense/Adventure
Romance in a contemporary setting, including but not limited to Series Romance novels, where suspense, mystery, thriller, or adventure subplots coexist within the romance.  Word count between 40,001 - 80,000 words.

Enter your book in the Short Contemporary Romantic Suspense/Adventure category

Long Contemporary Romance
Romance in a contemporary setting, including Single Title releases and Series Romance with a word count over 80,000 words.  Primary focus is the romantic relationship.

Enter your book in the Long Contemporary Romance category

Long Contemporary Romantic Suspense/Adventure
Romance in a contemporary setting, including Single Title releases and Series Romance novels where suspense, mystery, thriller, or adventure subplots coexist within the romance with a word count over 80,000 words.

Enter your book in the Long Contemporary Romantic Suspense/Adventure category

Mail your entry in any of the four categories above to the coordinator below:

The Readers' Crown Contest
Attn:  Tiffany James
PMB 204
111 W.S. 1st Street
Johnstown, CO  80534

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Short Historical Romance
Romance in any historical setting preceding 1946 with a word count between 40,001 - 80,000 words.

Enter your book in the Short Historical Romance category

Long Historical Romance
Romance in any historical setting preceding 1946 with a word count over 80,000 words.

Enter your book in the Long Historical Romance category

Romance Novella
A Novella is defined as any Romance story with a word count between 15,000 and 40,000 words.  The Novella category is open to all sub-genres.  Only ONE story per anthology will be judged per entry.  If multiple authors of an anthology wish to enter this category, a separate entry is required for each novella.

Enter your novella in the Romance Novella category

Mail your entry in any of the three categories above to the coordinator below:

The Readers' Crown Contest

ATTN:  Elaine Levine

PO Box 159

Eaton, CO  80615

Paranormal Romance
Romance novels that take place on Earth in any time period up to the present that include a supernatural element such as (but not limited to) Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies, Shape-shifters, Psychics, Demons, Zombies, Immortals, Witches, Wizards, Ghosts, etc…with a word count over 40,000 words.

Enter your book in the Paranormal Romance category

Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements
Romance novels that take place on Earth or on alternate Earths in a contemporary urban setting with supernatural elements with a word count over 40,000 words.

Enter your book in the Urban Fantasy with Romantic Elements category

Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time-Travel Romance
Romance novels that include Time-Travel, Futuristic or Post-Apocalyptic settings, settings on Fantasy Worlds separate from Earth, or other Science Fiction elements in their plot and structure with a word count over 40,000 words.

Enter your book in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time-Travel Romance category

Erotic Romance
A romance where the sexual relationship plays a central role in the development of the romance.  Sensuality level of the love scenes is extremely hot and more explicit language may be used.  Any time period or setting is allowed.  No torture, beastiality or “golden showers” please.  Novel length is over 40,000 words.

Enter your book in the Erotic Romance category

Mail your entry in any of the four categories above to the coordinator below:

The Readers' Crown Contest
Attn:  Michele Chambers
PO Box 33239 
Northglenn, CO 80233
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Best First  Book
Best First Book is open across all subgenres and categories.  To be eligible, the author(s) must not have had any other story or novel with a word count over 40,000 words previously published in any format, print or electronic.  Authors previously published exclusively in novella-length fiction (less than 40,001 words) retain eligibility.

Best first books must be a novel-length romance with a word count over 40,000 words as counted by a computer.  Entrance in another category DOES NOT automatically enter you in the “Best First Book” category.  To be eligible, the author must indicate on their entry form that their book should be included in the Best First Book category.  However, no additional fees or copies of the book are required for this category.

The Readers’ Crown™ Contest entry deadline has been extended to February 28, 2010.  To enter the contest, you will need to submit your entry form and payment and your books will need to be postmarked by February 28, 2010.  Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to receive true market recognition for your published romantic fiction!

November 1st, 2009: Contest opens for entries!

February 28, 2010- 11:59 p.m Mountain Time
All entries, entry forms, and fees must be received or postmarked by this date.  No books will be returned and no refunds will be given to entrants who fail to meet the deadline.

** Please Note: Except where otherwise indicated, NO BOOKS WILL BE RETURNED **

March 7, 2010
Judging begins.

April 7, 2010
Scores due.

April 30, 2010
Telephone notification to finalists will begin.  Official notification will be sent via registered mail to all finalists via the USPS.  Finalist listing will be posted on the RomCon™ website no later than 11:59 p.m on April 30, 2010.

July 9, 2010
Winners announced Friday at RomCon’s™ Costume Ball and Awards event @ 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time, The Crowne Plaza Hotel DIA, Denver, Colorado.

NOTE:  The words Readers’ Crown™ and the Heart Ribbon/Trophy™ are trademarks belonging to Romance Conventions, Inc.  The image of the Readers’ Crown™ may not be used in generic fashion, as a logo, or decorative motif for any purpose not explicitly authorized by Romance Conventions, Inc. Permission to use RomCon™, Readers’ Crown™ or any other trademarks of Romance Conventions, Inc., must be obtained in writing from Romance Conventions, Inc.

How to Enter - The contest is open to all romance authors published by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher, in both traditional print and electronic publishing.

The entrant is responsible for selecting the category in which to enter the work. Entrants may designate a second category for the work in the event the first-choice category does not receive the required number of entries to be judged or the category is full when the author's entry is received.

Entrants must indicate the sensuality level of their book.  The choices are Mild, Hot, or Blazing.  Every effort will be made to match entries with judges who accept works with the indicated sensuality level.

There is no limit to the number of eligible books/manuscripts that may be entered for each author in each category, although each category has an upper limit of 150 entries.  Authors may enter any book in multiple categories if so desired (e.g., a book may be entered in the Paranormal category, the Best First Book category, and the Erotic Romance category.) Except for Best First Book, a separate entry form, fee, and 5 books are required for each category entered.

Published works currently available exclusively in electronic formats shall be printed on standard 8.5” X 11” white paper, bound, and mailed with the entry form and fees to the appropriate coordinator by the contest deadline.  Five printed copies of each work are required to be eligible.  Electronic copies will not be accepted.  The bound work must include the publisher's copyright page.

NO books/works will be returned except when the category’s minimum entry threshold is not met or the category’s threshold is exceeded (or categories', if the entrant indicated a second choice on the registration form).

If any category has fewer than 20 entries (defined as all copies of required work to be judged, not just the entry form) received by the deadline, the category shall not be judged. At such a time, an entrant will be placed in an alternate category if one was indicated on the registration form. If an alternate category was not indicated, the entry forms and fees shall be returned to the entrant. No entry shall be allowed to change categories except in the case of category cancellation. Each category has a limit of 150 entries.

All contest entry information and appropriate fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., via the RomCon™ website or at the RomCon™ office (if sending books) no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, January 31, 2010. All forms and fees received after the deadline shall be returned to the entrant at the entrant's expense.

If a check is returned or a credit card charge denied, the replacement money, plus a $25 processing fee, must be in the Romance Conventions, Inc., office by February 7, 2010 or the entrant shall be disqualified and books forfeited.

Readers’ Crown™ Contest coordinators will send a confirmation letter or e-mail to all entrants and/or nominators.

Entries, entry forms, and fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., (ADDRESS TO BE DETERMINED) by January 31, 2010. Failure to meet the appropriate deadline shall result in disqualification, and the books and entry fee shall be forfeited. The person who submits the entry and pays the fee (nominator) shall be responsible for mailing the books to Romance Conventions, Inc.

Finalists shall be notified by phone, and then by an Official Letter of Notification sent by the RomCon™ Office via 2-day registered mail.

The complete list of finalists will be made public and posted on our website no later than April 7, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Neither employees of Romance Conventions, Inc., nor members of their immediate families shall be eligible to enter the Readers’ Crown™ contest.

All deadlines are final.

Readers’ Crown™ non-finalists who so mark their entry forms shall be sent their preliminary-round score totals after the end of the preliminary round.  Finalists will receive their scores after the conclusion of the contest.

Individual scores will not be reported or returned to anyone other than the author(s) of each entry.

If any finalist is disqualified for any reason, no other entrant shall move up to fill a vacant spot.

Communication between judges or entrants and Romance Conventions, Inc., staff shall remain private.

Submit Your Entry - The contest is open to all romance authors published by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher, in both traditional print and electronic publishing.

The entrant is responsible for selecting the category in which to enter the work. Entrants may designate a second category for the work in the event the first-choice category does not receive the required number of entries to be judged or the category is full when the author's entry is received.

Entrants must indicate the sensuality level of their book.  The choices are Mild, Hot, or Blazing.  Every effort will be made to match entries with judges who accept works with the indicated sensuality level.

There is no limit to the number of eligible books/manuscripts that may be entered for each author in each category, although each category has an upper limit of 150 entries.  Authors may enter any book in multiple categories if so desired (e.g., a book may be entered in the Paranormal category, the Best First Book category, and the Erotic Romance category.) Except for Best First Book, a separate entry form, fee, and 5 books are required for each category entered.

Published works currently available exclusively in electronic formats shall be printed on standard 8.5” X 11” white paper, bound, and mailed with the entry form and fees to the appropriate coordinator by the contest deadline.  Five printed copies of each work are required to be eligible.  Electronic copies will not be accepted.  The bound work must include the publisher's copyright page.

NO books/works will be returned except when the category’s minimum entry threshold is not met or the category’s threshold is exceeded (or categories', if the entrant indicated a second choice on the registration form).

If any category has fewer than 20 entries (defined as all copies of required work to be judged, not just the entry form) received by the deadline, the category shall not be judged. At such a time, an entrant will be placed in an alternate category if one was indicated on the registration form. If an alternate category was not indicated, the entry forms and fees shall be returned to the entrant. No entry shall be allowed to change categories except in the case of category cancellation. Each category has a limit of 150 entries.

All contest entry information and appropriate fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., via the RomCon™ website or at the RomCon™ office (if sending books) no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, January 31, 2010. All forms and fees received after the deadline shall be returned to the entrant at the entrant's expense.

If a check is returned or a credit card charge denied, the replacement money, plus a $25 processing fee, must be in the Romance Conventions, Inc., office by February 7, 2010 or the entrant shall be disqualified and books forfeited.

Readers’ Crown™ Contest coordinators will send a confirmation letter or e-mail to all entrants and/or nominators.

Entries, entry forms, and fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., (ADDRESS TO BE DETERMINED) by January 31, 2010. Failure to meet the appropriate deadline shall result in disqualification, and the books and entry fee shall be forfeited. The person who submits the entry and pays the fee (nominator) shall be responsible for mailing the books to Romance Conventions, Inc.

Finalists shall be notified by phone, and then by an Official Letter of Notification sent by the RomCon™ Office via 2-day registered mail.

The complete list of finalists will be made public and posted on our website no later than April 7, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Neither employees of Romance Conventions, Inc., nor members of their immediate families shall be eligible to enter the Readers’ Crown™ contest.

All deadlines are final.

Readers’ Crown™ non-finalists who so mark their entry forms shall be sent their preliminary-round score totals after the end of the preliminary round.  Finalists will receive their scores after the conclusion of the contest.

Individual scores will not be reported or returned to anyone other than the author(s) of each entry.

If any finalist is disqualified for any reason, no other entrant shall move up to fill a vacant spot.

Communication between judges or entrants and Romance Conventions, Inc., staff shall remain private.

Judges Needed -

The contest is open to all romance authors published by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher, in both traditional print and electronic publishing.

The entrant is responsible for selecting the category in which to enter the work. Entrants may designate a second category for the work in the event the first-choice category does not receive the required number of entries to be judged or the category is full when the author's entry is received.

Entrants must indicate the sensuality level of their book.  The choices are Mild, Hot, or Blazing.  Every effort will be made to match entries with judges who accept works with the indicated sensuality level.

There is no limit to the number of eligible books/manuscripts that may be entered for each author in each category, although each category has an upper limit of 150 entries.  Authors may enter any book in multiple categories if so desired (e.g., a book may be entered in the Paranormal category, the Best First Book category, and the Erotic Romance category.) Except for Best First Book, a separate entry form, fee, and 5 books are required for each category entered.

Published works currently available exclusively in electronic formats shall be printed on standard 8.5” X 11” white paper, bound, and mailed with the entry form and fees to the appropriate coordinator by the contest deadline.  Five printed copies of each work are required to be eligible.  Electronic copies will not be accepted.  The bound work must include the publisher's copyright page.

NO books/works will be returned except when the category’s minimum entry threshold is not met or the category’s threshold is exceeded (or categories', if the entrant indicated a second choice on the registration form).

If any category has fewer than 20 entries (defined as all copies of required work to be judged, not just the entry form) received by the deadline, the category shall not be judged. At such a time, an entrant will be placed in an alternate category if one was indicated on the registration form. If an alternate category was not indicated, the entry forms and fees shall be returned to the entrant. No entry shall be allowed to change categories except in the case of category cancellation. Each category has a limit of 150 entries.

All contest entry information and appropriate fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., via the RomCon™ website or at the RomCon™ office (if sending books) no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, January 31, 2010. All forms and fees received after the deadline shall be returned to the entrant at the entrant's expense.

If a check is returned or a credit card charge denied, the replacement money, plus a $25 processing fee, must be in the Romance Conventions, Inc., office by February 7, 2010 or the entrant shall be disqualified and books forfeited.

Readers’ Crown™ Contest coordinators will send a confirmation letter or e-mail to all entrants and/or nominators.

Entries, entry forms, and fees must be received by Romance Conventions, Inc., (ADDRESS TO BE DETERMINED) by January 31, 2010. Failure to meet the appropriate deadline shall result in disqualification, and the books and entry fee shall be forfeited. The person who submits the entry and pays the fee (nominator) shall be responsible for mailing the books to Romance Conventions, Inc.

Finalists shall be notified by phone, and then by an Official Letter of Notification sent by the RomCon™ Office via 2-day registered mail.

The complete list of finalists will be made public and posted on our website no later than April 7, 2010, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Neither employees of Romance Conventions, Inc., nor members of their immediate families shall be eligible to enter the Readers’ Crown™ contest.

All deadlines are final.

Readers’ Crown™ non-finalists who so mark their entry forms shall be sent their preliminary-round score totals after the end of the preliminary round.  Finalists will receive their scores after the conclusion of the contest.

Individual scores will not be reported or returned to anyone other than the author(s) of each entry.

If any finalist is disqualified for any reason, no other entrant shall move up to fill a vacant spot.

Communication between judges or entrants and Romance Conventions, Inc., staff shall remain private.