2011 PRISM Contest for Published Authors

***CONTEST DEADLINE: March 19, 2011

***Finalists announced in May

***Winners announced at the FF&P Banquet, the Gathering, during the RWA contest in July.

***Contest Closed to entries***

CATEGORIES - (All works must involve both romance and paranormal elements to qualify.)

DARK PARANORMAL: Paranormal happenings are a major element of the plot; these stories may contain ominous overtones. NOTE: Dark Urban Fantasy falls in this category.

LIGHT PARANORMAL: Lighter in tone; these stories also include paranormal happenings as a major element of the plot. NOTE: Light Urban Fantasy falls in this category.

FUTURISTIC: Set in the future with science fiction elements that include technological advancements; these stories may involve futuristic earth, other planets, aliens, or space travel.

FANTASY: Includes mythical creatures and magical elements; these stories are not limited to but may be set in medieval worlds with medieval characters.

TIME TRAVEL/STEAMPUNK: A character or characters travel back or forward in time; these stories can take place in a historical, contemporary, or futuristic setting. Steampunk should include typical steampunk elements.

EROTICA/ROMANTICA: Explicit sensuality is inherent to work; these stories can take place in a historical, contemporary, or futuristic setting.

NOVELLA: Encompasses any of the categories listed above, but word count must fall between 20,000 and 40,000 words.

YOUNG ADULT: Novels appropriate for teen and young adult readers, typically featuring main characters in high school or college. These stories may take place in a contemporary, historical, futuristic, or otherworldly setting. Minimum word count: 40,000 words.

2011 Prism Rules

** Enter your FF&P romance published in 2010. Books must have a copyright of first printing date of 2010, no matter the form, electronic or print.

** Entry form, fee, and book receipt deadline: March 19, 2011.

** Entries need not be published in the romance genre but must contain a significant romance. Romance to plot elements should be at least 40%/60%. (40% of story is dedicated to the romance.) Open to novel (40,000+ words), novellas (20,000 - 40,000 words).

** Books/novellas published by other than traditional paper publishing houses are eligible to enter as long as the e-book is available for download during 2010, provided that they meet the criteria for copyright/first printing date and content and are published by a non-vanity, non-subsidy publisher. The very first publication date , even if electronic, is considered the first date of publication.

**By uploading an eBook (pdf) entry the author acknowldeges that two, or three, depending on the need for further scoring, additional copies of the PDF file will be sent for judging, and accepts responsiblity for any payment required for these copies.

** Entries must represent the author's own original work and be published in book or novella length.

** You must submit the entry form online. Fees may be paid online through Paypal, or paid by check (made payable to "FF&P") included with the books. Authors entering printed and mailed ebooks, paperback books or any print format must also include 3 copies of printed book in either faux-galley or faux-tradebook acceptable.


**For printed books, please send three copies to the corresponding contest coordinator. Their categories and mailing addresses will be emailed to you after we have received your online entry form.

DO NOT SEND YOUR ENTRY RETURN-RECEIPT REQUESTED.

** Entrants may enter as many books/novellas as they wish, however each book may be entered only once, i.e., one book may not be entered in two categories. The appropriate entry fee must be submitted through Paypal, or accompany each entry.

** Judges will be gifted the books as a thank-you for judging. Authors, please autograph your books!

** Judges may not enter in the category they are judging.

** The contest is limited to 35 entries per category.

**A minimum of ten entries is required for each category. If the minimum number of entries is not received, the category will be cancelled, entrants notified by email, and their printed books and fees returned.

Questions? Contact the Prism Contest Coordinators: PrismContest at romance-ffp.com