Sourcebooks Casablanca, the romance imprint of leading independent publisher Sourcebooks, is partnering with Bookstore Romance Day on the Discover New Romance Award for unpublished and self-published authors in the category.
“At Sourcebooks, we strongly believe in the power of books to change lives, and we understand the power of booksellers in championing romance while helping publishers create meaningful communities connecting readers and authors,” said Mary Altman, senior acquiring editor. “We’re excited to reinforce our ongoing partnership with independent bookstores by partnering with Bookstore Romance Day in this special effort to discover new voices in romantic fiction while creating powerful discovery opportunities for emerging authors with bookstore tastemakers and trendsetters.”
Entrants must submit a synopsis or pitch and a thirty-page writing sample via email to contest@bookstoreromanceday.org by February 15. Submissions will be capped at fifty entries and will be accepted on a first come, first considered basis. All submissions must be romance fiction, which requires a happily-ever-after or happy-for-now ending; submissions in other genres will be disqualified.
The top ten scores from the first round will be asked to submit a complete manuscript, and the top score from this second round will be read and critiqued by an acquisition editor at Sourcebooks. All entries will receive a minimum of five critiques from a panel of independent booksellers.
“While finding the next great romance hand sell for Indie bookstores is a primary goal, we also want to demonstrate that Indie booksellers are fully invested in the genre; that we support authors and want them to succeed; that we know and love the tropes, traditions, and constructs of romance and are confident in our ability to offer insightful and constructive critique,” said Billie Bloebaum, founder of Bookstore Romance Day. “That Indie booksellers, contrary to the widely held belief, are not just readers of but advocates for romance.”
Visit bookstoreromanceday.org/discover-new-romance-award/ for more details.
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