The "Avon Books" Writing Contest

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.

Simply fill out this form to submit your manuscript. Good luck!

Click here for more details on the Avon Books Website