Novel Writing Contests

These writing contests are all about commercial novels which means genre novels.

Romance Genre

Harlequin Writing Competition 2009 is for you romance genre writers. Romance sales are stronger than ever, even in the recession.

The competition entry must consist of either the first chapter and synopsis of a Harlequin Presents or Modern Heat novel. Please email your entry to writingcompetition@hmb.co.uk. The winner receives an editor for a year. (Wow! This is priceless to work with an editor for a year.) Two Runners-up receive critiques of their first chapter entries and an editorial consultation.

Deadline: November 2, 2009.

Crime Novel

First Crime Novel

Rules for the 2010 Minotaur Books/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

Sponsored by St. Martin's Minotaur and Mystery Writers of America (MWA), this Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, who has never been the author of a published novel, as defined by the guidelines. Read ALL the rules and guidelines on the website.

All manuscripts a) must be original, previously unpublished works of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or approximately 60,000 words) written in the English language by the entrants; b) must not violate any right of any third party or be libelous, and c) must generally follow the guidelines.

Deadline: November 30, 2009.

Cozy Mystery

Malice Domestic Competition

This is also sponsored by St. Martin's Minotaur Books, and you'll find the guidelines on the same page as the First Crime Novel guidelines. Read carefully.

Deadline: October 15, 2009.

Takeaway Truth

Why not try? Someone has to win, and it just might be you.