Guide to Writing a Synopsis

Maryland Writers' Association

2008 NOVEL CONTEST
P.O. Box 65
Pylesville, MD 21132-0065

1. Entries must be:
   • English Language
     FICTION.
   • A COMPLETED book-length work of at least 50,000 words.
   • UNPUBLISHED and not currently under contract by an agent or publisher.
2. Entries must be submitted in one of the categories:
   • Action / Adventure / Horror
   • Mainstream / Literary
   • Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
   • Romance / Historical
   • Science Fiction / Fantasy / Speculative  
3. MWA reserves the right to
   • Eliminate or combine categories with fewer than five entries.
   • Break-out sub-categories with more than ten entries into new categories.
4. Entries must conform to the formatting guidelines below.
5. Entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2008. (No electronic submissions).  
6. Entry Fee: $37 per submission for MWA members, $40 per submission for non-members. Make checks payable to the Maryland Writers' Association, Inc. Contest fees are not refundable after the entry has been passed to the judges.
7. Membership in MWA is NOT a requirement for participation or winning in the contest.
8. Failure to follow the published rules and guidelines will disqualify the entry. Publishers discard submissions that do not conform to their guidelines. While a publisher's rejection letter may be terse, we will tell you why you were disqualified.  
9. Submitted materials not specifically listed as send / return to author will be recycled. Prizes: Prizes will be awarded at the MWA Annual Meeting on June 11, 2008. There will be one overall contest winner, and each final category will have a first and second prizewinner. The Grand Prize winner will receive $150.00. The first place entry in each category will receive $100.00. The second place winner in each category will receive $50.00. Each winner will receive an Award Certificate, a quotable letter, and a press release from the Maryland Writers' Association, which you may used to publicize your work. All entrants will receive two (2) judges' critiques of their submission. All entrants will receive two (2) judges' critiques of their submissions.

Judging:

Each entry will be critiqued by at least two judges utilizing a standardized list of writing style criteria. Submissions are scored on the entry's effectiveness in meeting the criteria. Judges' decisions are final. Each category is evaluated as a group and a first place and second place winners will be selected based on critique scores. In the event of a tie, contestants will be required to submit the final 25 pages of their novel.

The winning entry in each category will be entered in the overall run-off competition. These finalists will be contacted to submit the final 25 pages of their novel for judging. Reserve judges will critique and score the final round. When the overall Contest Winner is selected, the second place entry in that category will become first place, and a new second place winner will be selected in that category.

Submission Guidelines Novel Packets:

Send a copy on CD-ROM, and two (2) flat, unbound copies, each 27 pages, each including: Title page: Title of your novel, category, total number of pages and word count of your completed manuscript. A one-page, double-spaced synopsis of your novel. A guide to writing a synopsis is available on our web site: www.marylandwriters.org

The first 25 pages of your novel.  Author's name MUST NOT appear anywhere on manuscript.  

Author Info Packet:

Print or type the TITLE of your entry on an unsealed 4x9. (business size) envelope that contains the following and send with your submission: A 3x5 index card that lists the author's name, address, phone number, email address, title of submission, and category. On the back of this card, print or type a summary of your novel in 40 words or less, which will be used for publicizing the winning entries/authors.

A 4x9 SASE (folded and fit inside of the envelope) for MWA to return the judges' critiques of your entry. A check or money order, payable to the Maryland Writers' Association, Inc.

OPTIONAL: Stamped and addressed postcard, which will be returned to you as confirmation of receipt of your submission. (MWA cannot be responsible for submissions that are lost in the mail.)

Formatting requirements:

• Font: Times New Roman, size 12, in black ink
• 8-1/2 X 11-inch white paper, printed on one side only double-spaced 1-inch margins, top, bottom, left, right
• Header: Title on left, page number on either right or bottom of each page
• Checklist: 2 copies of submission UNSEALED 4x9 envelope containing Index Card, SASE, Check, Postcard.
• Mail to:
  

  MWA Novel Contest
  P.O. Box 65
  Pylesville, MD 21132-0065

  by February 28, 2008.
  
  ** IMPORTANT: The author's name anywhere on the manuscript will disqualify the submission. DO NOT put your name on your manuscript! **

E-mail general inquiries to: info@marylandwriters.org