To celebrate the 2012 mass market publication of Family Affair, a novella by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, Avon Books is hosting a Debbie Macomber-inspired online writing contest! Aspiring writers who participate in the "Make Your Dreams Come True" contest may find themselves enjoying an "American Idol"-type moment, as the winner receives a cash prize of $500, and the winning entry will be published in the back matter of the paperback and e-book edition of Family Affair, going on-sale in July 2012. In addition, the grand prize winner may also be offered an Avon Impulse publishing contract!
Stories must meet these requirements:
- The story must be in the Romance genre and have a low-level of sensuality without any explicit love scenes.
- The story must not have been previously published in any form or media, including posting in any manner on the internet.
- Prose romantic fiction only; poetry, plays, screenplays, and non-fiction are not acceptable.
- English language only.
- No less than 20,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words.
- No images or illustrations of any kind.
- No curse words or depictions of vulgar behavior.
- An original work created solely by you without any material that violates or infringes another's rights, including but not limited to material that violates privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.
- The story must be in a Word or PDF file when submitted.
A submission that does not satisfy all of the above requirements will be disqualified. After the entry period concludes on September 30th, three finalists will be selected by a panel of Avon editors based on Plot (40%), Character Development (30%), and Literary Style (30%). Finalists will be selected on or about October 15, 2011.
Debbie Macomber herself will then select the grand prize. The winner will be announced on or about November 15, 2011.
Prizes
- Each of the three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances. Approximate retail value: $100.
- The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a cash payment of $500.
- Total approximate prizing value for contest: $800.
Avon Impulse further reserves the right to publish the story of the Grand Prize Winner and/or the other finalists as described above, but shall have no obligation to do so.
The contest is open to all legal residents of the United States, 21 years of age and older by August 8, 2011, excluding anyone who has ever received compensation in excess of $100 for publication of a work of prose fiction and employees and immediate family members of Avon, and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns, advertising, promotional and fulfillment agents, attorneys, and other representatives and the persons with whom each of the above are domiciled.
Official Rules for the Family Affair Contest
ELIGIBILITY
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete the entry form at www.familyaffaircontest.com (the “Web Site”). You will be required to provide (i) your short story in the Romance genre, (ii) full name, (iii) postal address, (iv) e-mail address, (v) phone number, and (vi) date of birth. Multiple entries are automatically disqualified, and only the first entry will be considered.
The contest is open to all legal residents of the United States, 21 years of age and older by August 9, 2011, excluding (i) anyone who has ever received compensation in excess of $100 for publication of a work of prose fiction and (ii) employees and immediate family members of Avon, and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns, advertising, promotional and fulfillment agents, attorneys, and other representatives and the persons with whom each of the above are domiciled. Offer void outside the United States and wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Each entrant in the Contest must be the rightful owner or have authorized use of the e-mail account indicated by the entrant’s e-mail address. In the event of a dispute concerning the identity of the winner submitting an entry, the winner will be deemed to be the person in whose
name the e-mail account is opened. The e-mail account must be opened prior to 9:00 a.m. (ET) on August 9, 2011.STORY REQUIREMENTS
Your story must satisfy all of the following requirements:
(i) The story must be in the Romance genre and have a low-level of sensuality without any explicit love scenes.
(ii) The story must not have been previously published in any form or media, including posting in any manner on the internet.
(iii) Prose romantic fiction only; poetry, plays, screenplays, and non-fiction are not acceptable.
(iv) English language only.
(v) No less than 20,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words.
(vi) No images or illustrations of any kind.
(vii) No curse words or depictions of vulgar behavior.
(viii) An original work created solely by you without any material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to material that violates privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.
(ix) The story must be in a Word or PDF file when submitted.
A submission that that does not satisfy all of the above requirements will be disqualified without notification.
ENTRY PERIOD
The Contest will commence on August 9, 2011 (9 a.m. ET). The last entry will be accepted on September 30, 2011 (5:00 p.m. ET).
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS
Three Finalists will be selected by a panel of two judges, who will be professional editors selected by Avon. Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria: (i) Plot (40%), (ii) Character Development (30%), and (iii) Literary Style (30%). The three finalists will be chosen on or about October 15, 2011. All potential winners will be notified by e-mail. Potential winners may be required to sign and return to Avon an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability (the “Affidavit”), and, if the Affidavit is not returned within 7 days of notification, the potential winner will be deemed to have forfeited the prize, and an alternate potential winner will be chosen.
Based on the judging criteria above, Debbie Macomber will select the Grand Prize Winner from among the finalists, on or about November 15, 2011.
PRIZES
Each of the three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances. Approximate retail value: $100.
The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a cash payment of $500 and his/her entry will be published in the back matter of the paperback and e-book edition of Family Affair, going on-sale in July 2012. Such publication does not have a monetary value.
Total approximate prizing value for contest: $800.
Avon further reserves the right to offer the Grand Prize Winner a publishing contract with Avon Impulse but shall have no obligation to do so.
Only one prize will be awarded per individual, family, or household. All prizes are non-transferable and cannot be sold or redeemed for cash. Avon may substitute a cash payment of equal or greater value for the prize. Any federal, state, or local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner.
Contact Information:
For submissions: submit online here (scroll down)
Website: http://www.avonromance.com/
