By Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson BRMCWC Contests Director

The pandemic we know as Covid-19 or coronavirus or “that monster” has changed our lives in so many ways, one would be hard-pressed to list them all. For those of us who enjoy Christian Writers Conference Spring Season, we have, for the most part, cancelled flights, plans, and seen a few hopes and dreams placed on hold.

Your Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference directors were faced, like so many other conference directors, with the decision to cancel, postpone, or move forward. They chose to postpone. Of course, just as soon as this was announced, we were asked about the conference contest. With the conference now being held in November, we are excited about the new registrations, but we realized these good folks would not have had a chance to enter The Foundations.

But what about those who have already entered and, perhaps, want to try their hand at another genre? With this in mind, the conference directors—Edie Melson & DiAnn Mills—and I met this past week (using Zoom!) and came up with the following:

We will present The Foundations Awards “Round II” at the BRMCWC 2020 Awards Night!

Here are the rules and limitations:

* The Foundations Awards will be divided this year into two major categories: Round I and Round II.

* Anyone registered for the November 2020 conference can enter Round II, BUT you may not enter work that was sent in for Round I.

* If you entered Round I in a specific genre, you may not enter that same genre in Round II. This means that if you entered Round I you may enter Round II as long as it is not in the same genre in Round I.

* All entrants must be registered for the entire conference in order to compete.

* If a writer has been published in any publication category—or is currently under contract or receives a contract during the entry time-frame—then the writer is ineligible for this contest in that category. (For example, if a writer has had a devotion published, then the writer may not enter the contest in the devotion category, but the writer may enter in a different category.)

*If the entry won first place in a previous years’ contest it is ineligible.

*Writers may enter in more than one category, but we accept only one entry per category.

* There is a $35 entry fee for each submission. It is acceptable to make one payment for multiple entries (see below for how to pay).

* The first entry sent in is the one that will be judged. Any subsequent submissions/corrections will be ignored.

* When emailing your contest entry, please place in the subject line: BRMCWC FOUNDATION CONTEST ENTRY/ [CATEGORY HERE].

* Your work must include a cover sheet that is not part of the entry. Cover sheet info (Name, Address, Title of Your Work, Genre) should be part of your email’s text box only.

* When emailing your contest entry, if sending multiple entries, send them in separate emails. Emails with multiple entries will be returned.

* Email address for entries: BlueRidgeCWC@aol.com. Do not attach more than one entry per email.

How to Pay for Entry:

Send entry fee via money order or check (no cash) made payable to Writing Conferences to:

Edie Melson
604 South* Almond Drive
Simpsonville, SC 29681

*All correspondence must have “South” in the address.

Write “BRMCWC Foundations Contest” in the subject line of the check along with the genre you are entering.

Contest will open June 1, 2020. Please do not send your work in before that time. Deadline for entries is August 31, 2020.

Categories and their details:

1. Articles (For Print or Web) —nonfiction, including how to, or information in nature. This is NOT the category for essays such as may be found in popular compilation books. Word count for this category is 700 – 2000 words.
2. Essays—true events or experiences. (These are similar to “Chicken Soup for the Soul” pieces.) Word count for this category is no more than 1000 words.
3. Devotions—limit of 3, no longer than two pages each, double-spaced. (the $35 entry fee covers up to 3 devotions)
4. Nonfiction Books—True life stories, inspirational guidelines, motivational, encouragement, etc. Submit a two- to three-page outline and the first 15 pages, which may include the introduction. Double space all pages.
5. Novels—fiction ranging from 45,000 to 100,000 words. Submit a one-page, single-spaced synopsis and first pages, not to exceed 15 pages (if prologue submitted, it is a part of the 15 pages). Double space all pages. Please state the genre on the coversheet. Genres include:

• Romance/Historical
• Romance/Contemporary
• Romance/Suspense
• Contemporary Women’s
• Historical/Biblical
• Suspense
• Speculative
• Western

6. Novellas—Fiction ranging from 20,000 to 44,999 words. Submit a one-page, single-spaced synopsis and first pages, not to exceed 10 double-spaced pages (if prologue is submitted, it is part of the 10 pages).
7. Poetry—3 poems or three pages equals one entry.
8. Short stories—approximately 1000-3000 words.
9. Bible Studies (book length)—submit a two-to-three- page outline and first 15 pages, double spaced.
10. YA (Young Adult) Novels—(See Novels)
11. YA (Young Adult) Nonfiction—(See Nonfiction)
12. Flash Fiction—Fiction (a complete story) of no more than 1,000 words.
13. Children’s Chapter Book—Submit short summary (no more than one page, single spaced) and first 10 pages.
14. Children’s Picture Book—Submit entire work. No pictures or illustrations.
15. Middle Grade Novels—Submit a one-page, single-spaced synopsis and first 10 pages.
16. Blogs—Submit your blog address and your blog’s focus. You blog must have been in existence at least four weeks prior to submission and must be an active blog that is updated at least once a week.
17. Film and Teleplay Script—Submit summary and first 15 pages of script in script format.

NOTE: Any of these categories may be combined depending on the number of entries per category. It may also be necessary to refund a contest entry fee if there are not enough submissions in a category group.

We know this is a lot to digest. Read this. Re-read this. Read it a third time carefully. We are here to answer any questions you may have. 

Eva Marie Everson
BRMCWC Contests Director

BlueRidgeCWC@aol.com

Eva Marie Everson is the president of Word Weavers International and the director of its two conferences. She is the multiple award-winning author of nearly 40 works and has received awards as a speaker and Bible teacher. Eva Marie is often seen at writers conferences across the States. She served as a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins’ Christian Writers Guild for several years, and taught as a guest professor at Taylor University in 2011. She is the contest director for BRMCWC. She and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they enjoy their grandchildren. They are owned by one small dog and a princess cat.