ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/
NEW YORK CITY, INC.

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.
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    • HOME
    • ABOUT
      • Chapter History
      • Board of Directors
      • Member Directory
      • Memoriam
    • EVENTS
      • Calendar
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Brooklyn Book Festival
    • Past Events
      • Golden Apple Awards
    • CONTESTS
      • Big Apple Contest
      • 2024 Winner
      • Past Winners
    • MEMBERS ONLY
      • Handouts
      • Self Publishing 101
      • Members Only Brunch
    • CONTACT

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/
NEW YORK CITY, INC.

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA/ NEW YORK CITY, INC.

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Chapter History
    • Board of Directors
    • Member Directory
    • Memoriam
  • EVENTS
    • Calendar
    • Meeting Schedule
    • Brooklyn Book Festival
  • Past Events
    • Golden Apple Awards
  • CONTESTS
    • Big Apple Contest
    • 2024 Winner
    • Past Winners
  • MEMBERS ONLY
    • Handouts
    • Self Publishing 101
    • Members Only Brunch
  • CONTACT

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The Big Apple Contest Guidelines

Eligibility:

  • This contest is open to all published and unpublished authors.
  • The entry should be the first chapter of a romance that has not been published in any form or under contract with a publisher.
  • There is a limit of 25 pages. *Please note if your first chapter is less than 25 pages, you should not submit another chapter. Only the first chapter of the manuscript will be read.*

Timeline:

  • Contest Opens: July 1, 2025
  • Contest Closes: August 31, 2025
  • Finalists Announced: October 31, 2025
  • Winners Announced: December 6, 2025

Contest Structure:

  • First chapter (up to 25 pages). *Please note if your first chapter is less than 25 pages, you should not submit another chapter. Only the first chapter of the manuscript will be read.*
  • Manuscripts cannot have been previously published in any form or under contract with a publisher. Any manuscript published before December 6, 2025 will be disqualified.
  • The top five selections move to the final round.

Format: 

  • Electronic submissions only (.doc or .docx)
  • All entries must follow the standard manuscript format:
    • Double-spaced
    • Times Roman 12 pt font
    • 1 inch margin all around
  • In the header on each page include the title, category, and page number
  • Do not include your name on the submission. Please use your programs' privacy features to remove all identifiers from the excerpt.

Cost: 

  • RWA/NYC Members: $25
  • Non-Chapter Members: $40

Submission Process:

  • THE CONTEST WILL OPEN ON JULY 1ST
  • Once you have uploaded your entry, you will be directed to the payment page. No entries will be read without payment.
  • Please make certain that you include both your given name, and pen name (if applicable) on the entry form.
  • Once your entry has been fully processed, you will receive a confirmation email from the contest coordinator.
  • Authors can enter more than one entry/book for consideration. Each entry must be accompanied by its own payment.

Judging:

  • First Round: Romance Authors
  • Final Judge: Vanessa Aguirre, Editor, St. Martin's Press

Prize:​

  • The winner will receive $100.00

For questions, contact the contest coordinator at bigapplecontest@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2025 Romance Writers of America/New York City, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.


For more information, email info@rwanyc.com.

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