What people are saying about the GE...
From Great Expectations contest entrants...
"One of my favourite contests during my unpublished years was the Great Expectations (first in Mainstream with Romantic Elements, 2006; third in Short Contemporary, 2006).
"After coordinating the Great Expectations Contest for several years, I stayed in the background advising in 2009 and was able to enter. I won the Contemporary Series category with SEE JANE RUN and sold the manuscript the following November to Harlequin Intrigue. Thanks to all the people who make the GE a terrific contest with excellent feedback. The volunteers, the judges, and the final-round editors are always stellar."
Hill Country Hold Up, Harlequin Intrigue, September 2010
"One of my favourite contests during my unpublished years was the Great Expectations (first in Mainstream with Romantic Elements, 2006; third in Short Contemporary, 2006). There was an extra personal touch and the coordinators were so helpful regarding my entry coming from overseas. Feedback was excellent and the range of final judges was fabulous. It’s still one I recommend to friends!"
Claiming His Bought Bride, Silhouette Desire, Jan 2010
The Blackmailed Bride's Secret Child, Silhouette Desire, Feb 2010
"In 2005 my short contemporary manuscript, MAGGIE'S MAKEOVERS, placed second in the Great Expectations contest. From the editor's request, I went on to sell that book to Harlequin American Romance and THE MAN FOR MAGGIE was a June 2007 release. That book earned a four and a half star review from Romantic Times, and was a double nominee for a 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award. Thanks NTRWA for running such a great contest. It changed my life!"
FIREFIGHTER DADDY, Harlequin American, July 2010
THE MAN FOR MAGGIE, Harlequin American, June 2007
"In 2008, I won the historical category of the Great Expectations contest. I was really impressed by the quick turn around and highly recommend the GE. Kudos to North Texas RWA for such a well-organized contest. While my win did not lead directly to a sale, I did in fact sell the book that finaled in the GE in a three-book deal to Grand Central. All three books are slated for publication in 2011."
HOW TO MARRY A DUKE, January 2011
“The Great Expectations contest was the first contest I ever entered with my manuscript, PROOF BY SEDUCTION. I got fantastic feedback from judges who tried to "get" my manuscript, not the manuscript they wished I had written. The contest itself was also the best-run contest of every one that I have entered--we received regular communication and updates, and results came out extremely fast. Six months after I entered the contest, I sold the book that finaled."
PROOF BY SEDUCTION, HQN January 2010
"I'd also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire chapter. Way back when I first started writing I naively entered your contest thinking I'd blow everyone away with my superb writing. ;-) I finished second from the bottom and realized much to my chagrin I had a great deal to learn. (Bummer!) Thanks to the constructive and encouraging comments of your judges all those years ago, however, I knew what needed fixed and I worked on that. This year, I'm a finalist. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your chapter rocks."
Dianne Burns
FRANK, INCENSE and MURIEL, 4th Place Inspirational Category
"I don't know if you'll remember me, but I won 2nd Place in the Paranormal category of the Great Expectations contest in 2006 with a manuscript entitled DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY. I'm thrilled to report that I've since sold the manuscript to Avon Books (along with the sequel, WHERE THE GHOULS ARE)! Woohoo! Thanks so much."
DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY, Avon Books 2007
WHERE THE GHOULS ARE, Avon Books 2008
“The Great Expectations is a fantastic contest to enter. I’m a three time finalist with this contest and have gotten valuable feedback as well as editor interest. I would highly recommend entering this one.”
American Title III Finalist
"I choose my contests carefully and Great Expectations proved to be a great pick. Even though my story didn't place with the top entries, I received excellent, constructive feedback that bolstered my belief that I'd soon be published. Now, a year later, I'm happy to say that WHERE SOULS COLLIDE (formerly Inkling) will be released this summer by Dorchester/Leisure. Thanks again for this worthwhile opportunity."
HEAVENSENT.COM,
Holiday Brides anthology, Leisure Books, October 2009
WHERE SOULS COLLIDE, Dorchester, August 2007
"My manuscript which placed first in the Long Contemporary category in 2005 will be published in June 2007. Laura Shin, who was the contest judge, requested the full, and then after I revised it and resubmitted, she bought the book in October 2006 for Harlequin SuperRomance.
"I gave the Great Expectations contest a plug in my chapter loop. I thought the personal touch with your communication was amazing. The feedback was wonderfully thoughtful and right on target! I thoroughly enjoyed my GE contest experience, even before I sold the book.
"Thanks for all you do for the romance writing community!"
WANTED MAN, Harlequin SuperRomance, June 2007
HIS SECRET PAST, Harlequin SuperRomance, May 2008
THE BOYFRIEND'S BACK, Harlequin SuperRomance, December 2009
"Contests can be the quickest route to an editor or agent, particularly one such as Great Expectations that has category-specific score sheets. I credit contests with helping me sell and establishing my name.”
WORTH EVERY RISK,
Silhouette Intimate Moments March 2005
2006 Rita® Best First Book
"I needed some feedback on a new young adult novel I was writing. I decided to enter the North Texas RWA Great Expectations Contest. I was absolutely stunned when I won first place. Within three weeks of winning the contest I signed with my dream agent. She sold my novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, and a sequel within five days! The contest was so well run and they kept us very well informed throughout the entire process! I've also met new writing friends that I may never have found otherwise! Thanks, NTRWA!"
REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, Berkley Jam 2007
TWISTED SISTERS, Berkley Jam 2008
SPRING BREAKUP, Berkley Jam 2009
THE ALPHA BET, Berkley Jam 2010
"Editor feedback is so hard to get and so very helpful when you can get it. The score sheet in The Great Expectations Contest (HEIRESS UNPLUGGED, Third, Single Title, 2006) gave me fantastic detailed editor feedback and helped me hone a book that was a totally new direction for me. I've since sold two different books to Silhouette Desire and it's hard to find a downside to selling, but I will miss being able to get unbiased feedback from contests!"
THE BOSS'S DEMAND, Silhouette Desire 2008
LEGACY OF PASSION, Silhouette Desire 2008
"Even though I didn’t sell through a contest, I received some great feedback—especially from Great Expectations, but the way contests helped me the most is by being a judge. I had way too much back story in my book and even though people told me, it didn’t sink in. As a judge I saw other people making the same mistake I had over and over. That’s what gave me the kick in the pants to go in and cut all of my back story. So, don’t be shy about judging. It can be as good for your career as entering."
LOVE IS ALL AROUND, Zebra May 2005
AMAZON INK, Pocket Books May 2009
"Great Expectations seems to run like a well-oiled machine (at least it seems that way from my end). Although I didn't final, I can't think of a contest in which I've received better feedback and suggestions (2006 entry). Most of them will help me to stretch and grow. Since judging is such a subjective thing, I think your judges are very professional in the way they present their comments. Thank you again. I hope you'll allow me to enter next year! I wish I lived a bit closer, I'd love to be part of your chapter!"
2009 GOLDEN HEART FINALIST
"Thanks to everyone behind the Great Expectations contest for your helpful critiques and comments on my 2005 entry. I received a two-book publishing contract shortly thereafter, and my entry, Blue Collar Guys (retitled GOOD WITH HIS HANDS), was a 2006 release."
GOOD WITH HIS HANDS, Kensington September 2006
"As an unpublished writer (strike one) with a Western historical to sell (strike two), I've had a very hard time getting agents to request more of my work. When I saw that the Great Expectations final judge was one of my target editors, I took matters into my own hands. I ended up with first place, and a request for a full manuscript."
Pamela Hathaway
DESPERATE MEASURES, 1st Place Historical Category 2006