The contest opens for entries on January 1, 2025.
MAJOR CHANGE: THE FHLRCA IS ALL DIGITAL THIS YEAR.
The FHLRCA is open to all writers, members of FHLCW and non-members, who are published in Christian fiction or sweet romance. Books entered in the FHLRCA must be written from a Christian worldview. There should be no profanity, graphic sex, gratuitous violence or other objectionable material not accepted by the standards of Christian fiction.
Entries must have a 2024 copyright date.
Novels/novellas entered shall be romances or stories with romantic elements told from a Christian worldview. All entries must be submitted in EITHER EPUB OR PDF, EPUB BEING PREFERRED. An author may submit as many entries as desired; however, each must have a 2024 copyright.
As defined in the FHLCW bylaws, the purpose of Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers is to promote excellence in romantic and women’s fiction that glorifies God and promotes biblical principles; to provide continuing support for writers within the publishing industry; and to preserve a spirit of unity within FHLCW.
For the purposes of our contests, FHLCW defines “Christian fiction” as follows: Stories written by writers whose worldview, influenced by their faith in the God of the Bible, is woven into the fabric of the book or manuscript. Entries in FHLCW’s contest should not include inappropriate or gratuitous demonstration of sin, whether in language (profanity), violence, or sexual situations.
Any work of fiction entered in the FHLRCA that does not follow these guidelines will be automatically disqualified and the entry fee will be forfeited.
Categories:
- Short Contemporary (40,000-75,000 words) Christian fiction where the love story is the main focus of the novel.
- Long Contemporary (more than 75,000 words) Christian fiction where the love story is the main focus of the novel.
- Short Historical (40,000-75,000) Christian fiction set in an historical time period in which the love story is the main focus of the novel.
- Long Historical (more than 75,000) Christian fiction set in an historical time period in which the love story is the main focus of the novel.
- Romantic Suspense (over 40,000 words) Christian fiction where a suspense plot is blended with a love story.
- Women’s Fiction (over 40,000 words) Christian fiction not belonging in 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. The romantic elements, while not the primary focus of the story, should be an integral and dynamic part of the plot or subplot.
- Novella (15,000 to 40,000 words) Short pieces of Christian fiction that have a strong romantic theme throughout.
- Sweet Romance (over 40,000 words) A sweet romance written from a Christian worldview as mentioned above. An overt faith message is not necessary to the story.
- Speculative (over 40,000 words) Stories with an element of romance set in a fantastical world. This can include but is not limited to fantasy, sci-fi, alternate universe, etc. These books must be written from a Christian worldview as described above, but may or may not have an overt faith message.
Entry Fee: $25 for FHLCW members, and $35 for non-members per entry. Entry fees must be paid via PayPal, however, no PayPal account is required. A credit card can be used in the PayPal portal.
Judges: Readers of Christian fiction or sweet romance nationwide and a few international readers.
Scores: Entrant shall understand and agree that scores returned by the judges are final. The judges score according to a score sheet given to them along with the books they are judging. The average of the scores is used to determine the outcome of the award in each category. Scores will not be returned to the entrant.
Prizes: The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of $350 and an engraved box. The second-place finalists in each category will receive a cash prize of $150. All finalists will receive certificates. Winners will be announced during an online presentation.
Deadline: Entries must be received and fees must be paid no later than March 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.
Submission: All entrants must complete and submit the following:
- Online entry form
- Entry fee via PayPal
- Either PDF or EPUB copy of book, EPUB preferred
Please direct any questions to the Contest Coordinator
*If entering more than one book, you must complete a separate entry form for each book.
*If entering more than one book, you must complete a separate Google form for each EPUB/PDF submission. After completing entry form and paying fee, use the button below to submit your book: