About The Golden Pen Contest

OVERVIEW OF THE GOLDEN PEN CONTEST

The Golden Pen is an annual contest for unpublished romance fiction sponsored by The Golden Network, an online chapter of the Romance Writers of America that is comprised of current and former Golden Heart finalists. While with our contest we strive to prepare writers for the Golden Heart by emulating many of that contest’s rules and requirements, we also pride ourselves on our differences, particularly that we guarantee that each entry will be judged by at least one Golden Heart finalist. Unlike the Golden Heart, we do not require the submission of a full manuscript in addition to the partial and synopsis. We also are an all-electronic contest.

We hope to make the entry and judging process easy for you. Please read all of the information on this website and direct any questions about the Golden Pen contest to the Overall Coordinator.

2013 FINAL-ROUND JUDGES

Contemporary Single Title Romance – Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks
Inspirational Romance – Melissa Endlich, Love Inspired
Paranormal Romance – Leis Pederson, Berkley Publishing Group
Romantic Suspense – Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press
Series Romance– Susan Litman, Harlequin Enterprises
Historical Romance– Katherine Pelz, Berkley Publishing Group
Young Adult Romance – Regina Griffin, EgmontUSA

AWARDS

First place in each category: a golden pen, a certificate.
Second and Third place in each category: a certificate.
Final placements will be announced in the Romance Writers Report.

ENTRY FEE

$35 per entry received on or before midnight EDT July 15.
$40 per entry received on or before midnight EDT August 15.
$5 judging discount for any entrant who is also a first-round judge in a different category.

KEY DEADLINES

June 1: Contest opens to submissions.
July 15: Early-bird entry submission deadline at midnight EDT.
August 15: Entry submission and PayPal payment deadline at midnight EDT.
August 22: Payments by check must be received on or before this date.
October 1: All finalists notified of status.
October 10: Finalists have the opportunity to revise their entries before final-round judging begins.
Finalists will be instructed to submit their final-round entries to the Overall Coordinator before
midnight EDT on October 10.
October 10: All non-finaling entries will be returned on or before this date to allow entrants time
for revision before the Golden Heart deadline.
Mid-December: Final-round placements will be announced.

Enter the Golden Pen

Read the Rules



We are the finalists and winners of Romance Writers of America's ® prestigious Golden Heart ® Competition. We strive to encourage and promote awareness of and excellence in romantic fiction. About TGN About Us Our Board Our Authors TGN Hall of Gold Join or Renew Membership Membership Benefits Join or Renew The Golden Pen About The Golden Pen Rules & Guidelines Enter the Contest Register to Judge Contest FAQs Contact the Coordinators Past Winners 2012 Winners 2011 Winners 2010 Winners 2009 Winners 2008 Winners 2007 Winners 2006 Winners 2005 Winners Reception/Retreat About the Retreat Register for the Retreat Log In Username Password Remember Me Lost Password	About The Golden Pen Contest OVERVIEW OF THE GOLDEN PEN CONTEST The Golden Pen is an annual contest for unpublished romance fiction sponsored by The Golden Network, an online chapter of the Romance Writers of America that is comprised of current and former Golden Heart finalists. While with our contest we strive to prepare writers for the Golden Heart by emulating many of that contest’s rules and requirements, we also pride ourselves on our differences, particularly that we guarantee that each entry will be judged by at least one Golden Heart finalist. Unlike the Golden Heart, we do not require the submission of a full manuscript in addition to the partial and synopsis. We also are an all-electronic contest. We hope to make the entry and judging process easy for you. Please read all of the information on this website and direct any questions about the Golden Pen contest to the Overall Coordinator. 2013 FINAL-ROUND JUDGES Contemporary Single Title Romance – Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks Inspirational Romance – Melissa Endlich, Love Inspired Paranormal Romance – Leis Pederson, Berkley Publishing Group Romantic Suspense – Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press Series Romance– Susan Litman, Harlequin Enterprises Historical Romance– Katherine Pelz, Berkley Publishing Group Young Adult Romance – Regina Griffin, EgmontUSA AWARDS First place in each category: a golden pen, a certificate. Second and Third place in each category: a certificate. Final placements will be announced in the Romance Writers Report. ENTRY FEE $35 per entry received on or before midnight EDT July 15. $40 per entry received on or before midnight EDT August 15. $5 judging discount for any entrant who is also a first-round judge in a different category. KEY DEADLINES June 1: Contest opens to submissions. July 15: Early-bird entry submission deadline at midnight EDT. August 15: Entry submission and PayPal payment deadline at midnight EDT. August 22: Payments by check must be received on or before this date. October 1: All finalists notified of status. October 10: Finalists have the opportunity to revise their entries before final-round judging begins. Finalists will be instructed to submit their final-round entries to the Overall Coordinator before midnight EDT on October 10. October 10: All non-finaling entries will be returned on or before this date to allow entrants time for revision before the Golden Heart deadline. Mid-December: Final-round placements will be announced. Enter the Golden Pen Read the Rules

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