Eligibility
Pre-published Eligibility
All manuscripts must be the author’s original work.
Maximum word count is 6,000 words (including prologue, if applicable), no Synopsis.
If you are a published author ~ through traditional or self-published means ~ you may not enter a category in which you have published within the past three (3) years. You are able to enter other categories as long as you have not been published in these genres in the past three (3) years.
The Emily is a ROMANCE WRITING CONTEST limited to seven (7) categories. Please review the list of categories and their descriptions (found on the FINAL JUDGES AND CATEGORIES page) to choose the category that you feel is the best fit for your manuscript.
If a manuscript is published while entered in The Emily, Congratulations! However, your entry will be disqualified without refund.
First Round Judges may enter a manuscript in any category they are not judging and have not been published in that category within the past three (3) years.
Entrants may enter as many manuscripts as they wish; however, each manuscript may be entered in only one category, and there will be a separate entry fee for each.
Any entry that has previously placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in The Emily, even if revised, is NOT eligible to be entered again.
The Emily is open to all writers with eligible manuscripts. No memberships are required.
Co-authored entries are allowed. If one of the authors is a current member of League of Romance Writers, then the entry may be submitted for the member price.
If fewer than five (5) entries are received in any category, that category may be canceled and the entrant’s alternate choice category on their submission form will be used. The author is responsible for choosing the appropriate category for their entry. The member must do the entry and must be logged in to get the member price.
All manuscripts must meet the Manuscript Formatting Rules, or risk disqualification with no refund.