Thanks for this great post. It sort of reads like a fairy tale, and I love that.

Good luck with your GH entry, Kaycee!

And a big thank you to Debra for her willingness to share her wisdom.

I’d say enter. My own experience was that I’d never finaled with my first book–the one that won. In fact, I changed the beginning based on feedback I’d received in the Orange Rose contest a few months before I entered the GH. I think that major change is what made the difference.

Pat, I don’t think it’s overwhelming. You go through the same kind of writing/polishing regardless of whether you enter a contest or not. The contest just gives you a deadline. As for the national conference, that can be an overwhelming experience, in a good way.

The first time I finaled was also my first national conference, and I had a blast. Romance writers are fun and kind, and you’ll make friends fast.

Robin, it never occurred to me that I’d final in the GH. I didn’t know the calls were going out that day, so it came as a complete shock. I screamed and my boyfriend came running, thinking something was wrong.

Kelly, we both had the same reaction to the call.

Ae Nobel, you receive one score from each judge. That’s the only feedback you get.

To clarify, the final round judges receive your partial. After they turn in their scores, they can request the full manuscript. RWA contacts the author to let her know about the request, although she is not told the editor or the house. The author has the option of sending RWA a new, more updated full within 48 hours, which they will send to the editor. Or, RWA can send the full they have on file.

So even if you turn in a rough full manuscript, continue the work you need to do to finish it. That way you’re prepared if you do final and want to contact agents and editors, or if a final judge wants to read it.

Great post. I think the Golden Heart was a fabulous experience. When I entered, my only goal was to end up in the top 50%. I scrambled to polish the first 50 pages to a blinding shine, sent it in, and quickly forgot all about it. You can imagine my shock when I received a phone call telling me I’d finaled. I had hoped for the top 50 %, but that was amazing! I ended up winning and selling to one of the final judges. The Golden Heart changed my life.

It’s well worth the money and the time.