• Short Contemporary – Romantic novels under 60,000 words, including traditional novels.
• Long Contemporary – Romantic novels over 60,000 words, including category suspense novels.
• Single Title – Romantic novels not printed as part of a series.
• Romantic Suspense – Romantic novels with a strong suspense element.
• Historical – Historical romance novels, including Regencies, series/category and single title historicals.
• Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy – Romantic novels featuring any or all of these elements.
• Inspirational – Romantic novels featuring an inspirational message of personal faith conveyed as a major element of the plot, and not just used as a plot device.
• Mainstream w/Romantic Elements – A work of fiction not belonging to another category that contains a strong romantic element, such that one or more romances contained in the story form an integral part of the story’s structure, but in which other themes or stories may also be significantly developed.
• Erotic Romance – Also known as Spicy, these are romantic novels featuring sexual content and language that is explicit and leaves nothing to the imagination. No pedophilia; no rape as titillation; no necrophilia; no knives or stabbing weapons used in or on various parts of the female anatomy; no beastiality – this refers to common animals indigenous to earth. Please contact the AOE Coordinator, preferably by email, for detailed definitions/information.

1. All entries must have an original copyright date of 2009.
2. All entries must be full-length novels. No anthologies or novellas will be accepted.
3. All entries must be accompanied by an official, completed and signed entry form.
4. An official entry consists of three copies of the title, the entry form, and the fee of $20.00.
5. Authors may enter as many books as desired that meet the entry qualification – there is no limit by author.
6. Entries may be submitted by anyone – the author, an editor, a reader, etc. as long as these rules are followed.
7. No entry may be entered into more than one category.
8. Make all checks and money orders payable to Colorado Romance Writers. If using the PayPal links on our website at www.coloradoromancewriters.org, please include your name, book title and category in the "Optional Instructions" section of the payment form.
9. CRW will accept e-published books. These entries must meet ALL category requirements as outlined above, with the following exception: It is preferred the entrant supply three (3) contest-quality book copies, however, if book copies are unavailable, CRW will accept three (3) bound galleys of the entry.
10. A minimum of five (5) total entries per category must be received for the category to be viable.

Entries must be received by Friday, January 8, 2010

Use a separate form for each entry

Books will not be returned


Entry Forms: PDF, RTF

Name, Title, & Category

Previous finalist and winners: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010