Blurb Contest Guidelines

What’s a blurb?
​A blurb is a short, persuasive summary that is used to attract readers and promote books.

Contest Details:

• Authors can view the “How to Write a Cover Blurb” video presented by Jack Shikaitis* from BookFunnel.
• Authors will submit a blurb using this link.
• Kate Richards**, the publisher and editor of Decadent Books will judge the entries.

Timeline:

• January 8, 2025 - "How to Write a Cover Blurb” presented by Jack Shikaitis from BookFunnel​.
• January 15, 2025 - Contest opens for submissions.
• February 15, 2025 - Contest closes (or when the 50 entry cap is reached)
• April 15, 2025 - Winners will be announced.

Eligibility:

• This contest is for romance (novel or novella) blurbs only.
• Blurbs must be for unpublished works.
• Open to published or unpublished authors.

Submission Guidelines:

• Authors can submit up to two entries. Please submit payments for both entries.
• The submissions will be capped at 50 entries.
• Payment must be made before submitting an entry.
• Entries without a PayPal transaction number will not be judged and no refund will be issued.
• Entries must not be the product of AI technology.
• Results will be returned to entrants after winners are announced.​

​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
• The author's name must be removed from the document.
  • Word for Windows
    • Save the document
    • Select File / Info
    • Select Check for Issues / Inspect Document
    • Check the box next to Document Properties and Personal Information
    • Select the Inspect button
    • If any issue appear for Document Properties and Personal Information, click Remove All
    • To verify data has been removed, click the Reinspect button.
    • If no issues appear, click the Close button
    • Save the document
  • Word for Mac
    • Select Tools on the menu bar 
    • Select Protect Document from the dropdown menu
    • Check the box next to Remove personal information from this file on save 
    • Save the document 

Entry fee:

• RWA/NYC Members - $21.00
• Non-RWA/NYC Members $26.00
• All payments will be made through PayPal only

Contest Judge:

• Kate Richards, publisher and editor of Decadent Books

Scoring Criteria:

• Does the first sentence make the reader want to know more
• Does the blurb give the reader an idea of the story without telling them the story.
• Is it grammatically clean.
• Does it SEO well.
• Blurb should be no longer than 200 words.

 Prizes:

• First Place will win a one-hour session with Kate Richards, or one of her top editors, who will refine your blurb and additionally offer suggestions on your synopsis and your query letter. 
• Second and third place winners will win a 30-minute session with Kate or one of her top editors to help you refine your choice of either your synopsis, your query letter, or your blurb.

Disclosures:
The scores and opinions of the judge do not reflect the opinions of RWA/NYC and are the sole opinion of our judge. All entry materials will be deleted after scores are returned to entrants.

Privacy Policy:
Any information shared by you—name, address, email address—will remain private and never shared. Your information will only be utilized for RWA/NYC contest purposes.

ANTI-Discrimination Policy Statement:
From its founding in 1986, Romance Writers of America/New York City, Inc. has been an inclusive organization that welcomes writers from all backgrounds and stages in their career. Our goal as an organization is to promote excellence in romantic fiction and advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking, advocacy, dissemination of information, professional education, and publications. We also strive to provide support for writers within the romance publishing industry.

*Jack Shilkaitis is the lead author support specialist and director of author outreach at BookFunnel. He is also an author, having written and published more than a dozen books.

**Kate Richards is a USA Today Bestselling author under several pen names, editor, and publisher for Decadent Publishing LLC. In her decade and a half in publishing, she has been privileged to work with some of the most talented, and prolific authors in the industry. Kate has a degree in Education & English from the University of Southern California. 

For questions, contact the contest coordinator at info@rwanyc.com.