History of the Sheila

The Sheila contest asked contestants to submit the first 20 pages of their unpublished works for scoring and specific feedback on the WIP. Works were scored and feedback provided to each entrant.

Here is what prior entrants have to say about the Sheila Contest, and how it helped their writing craft and careers!

“Because of the Sheila I have an opportunity to put my work in front of a wonderful editor, and I’m am beyond grateful! Thank you!!” ~ Meta Carroll, 2017 Best of the Best winner.

“Enter the Sheila! This contest led directly to my three-book sale to St. Martin’s Press. My book, Secrets of a Wedding Night, was published in 2013! Thanks Valley Forge Romance Writers and the Sheila Contest!” ~ Valerie Bowman

“I highly recommend the Sheila Contest. It’s not only highly regarded, but I love that I had the opportunity to make changes based on the first round judges before it went to the editor for final judging. I went on to sell my entry The Sweet Spot, in a three book deal to Grand Central!” ~ Laura Drake

“The Sheila Contest is on my MUST enter list. The feedback was helpful and professional. My manuscript, Worth the Fight, benefited from the constructive advice. I’m thrilled to say it sold to a publisher, too!”  ~ Michele Mannon

“The Sheila was the contest that launched my career. The final judge was Leah Hultenschmidt of Sourcebooks who requested the full when I won. Two days after I sent it, she rang to say she wanted to buy The Devil of Whitechapel, which is now Kiss of Steel. Fast forward two years and I am happy to say that I wouldn’t be where I am without the Sheila Contest.” ~ Bec McMaster

“I’m excited to say my finaling historical manuscript, Tempting Bella, sold to Entangled Scandalous in a two-book deal. Critiques from the first-round judges were detailed and very helpful, with excellent suggestions. Final-round judge Elizabeth Poteet from St. Martin’s Press also put her comments directly on the entries themselves!” ~ Diana Quincy

“My feedback from the judges was helpful and encouraging, and I received an editor request, so what do I have to complain about? Thank you for the opportunity and I hope to participate in future Sheila contests. This is my second first place win in the Sheila historical category (I won several years ago with my debut novel “Fire at Midnight” that went on to be published by Medallion Press in 2009).” ~ Lisa Wilkinson

“The judges feedback was wonderful and very helpful to me when doing revisions. My contest experience with the Sheila has been amazing, thank you to the Valley Forge chapter—and especially thank you to you for all your help and hard work (I was a contest coordinator until recently, I know how much work is involved!).” ~ Raewyn Bright

“Not only was the feedback from the Sheila judges helpful, but I was given a chance to apply their suggestions to my finalist entry before submission to the final judge. I still think of those judges every time I apply what I learned to my writing. I guess it worked because I won the category and sold my manuscript! Cat on a Hot Steel Flight Deck sold in a four-book deal, along with the first book in my ‘Love in the Fleet’ series, and Books #3 and 4! Cat – newly entitled Forget me Not  – will be released in hard copy by Henery Press in December 2013. (Book #1 came out in July 2013)” ~ Heather Ashby

“In 2013, I entered my manuscript, Dare to Love, in The Shelia Contest. It received good ratings, but the judges suggested my hero was too unlikeable. While I didn’t fully agree, I decided to integrate their recommendations. Six months later, I sold my book to Lyrical Press. The judges thoughtful feedback was critical to my success.” ~ Alleigh Burrows

“The Sheila Contest is fantastic! Thanks to the input I received from the contest judges I was able to improve my manuscript and sell it.” ~ Jacki Kelly, The Sweet Road Home (Release Date – 11/17/12)

 

2019

Best of the Best: Love Me Like a Love Song by Annmarie Boyle

 

Contemporary
Final Judge: Rhonda Penders, Wild Rose Press

1st Place – Love Me Like a Love Song  by Annmarie Boyle

2nd Place – Fight For It  by Jessie Harper
3rd Place – Something to Talk About  by Despina Karras
4th Place – A Fast Woman  by Laralynn Doran
5th Place – Love In An Elevator  by Kilby Blades

 

Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal
Final Judge: Lori Polito, Soul Mate Publishing

1st Place – Child of Eden  by Laralynn Doran
2nd Place – In Blood and Ice  by Susan Person
3rd Place – Seditious Hearts  by Renee Wildes
4th Place – Hex, Love, & Rock N Roll  by Kat Turner
5th Place – Praetorian Rising  by Lisa Knight

 

Historical
Final Judge: Claudia Fallon, Wild Rose Press

1st Place – Moonshine River by Marie Wells Coutu
2nd Place – Tempting a Thief  by Emmaline Warden
3rd Place – Maiden of Dreams  by Susan Varno
4th Place – Uncoiled  by Susanna Lane **
5th Place – A Good Match for the Major by Josie Bonham

 

Mainstream Fiction with a Central Romance
Final Judge: Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency

1st Place –  Silent Stream by Marie Wells Coutu – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – When We Were Friends by Nancy Yeager – REQUEST FOR FULL
3rd Place – Keeping the Pieces by Brenda Lowder – REQUEST FOR PARTIAL
4th Place – Crocodile Tears by Kilby Blades
5th Place – Legend of the Purple Orchid by Remy LaCosta

 

Romantic Suspense
Final Judge: Meghan Farrell, Tule Publishing

1st Place – Searching for Eden  by Kimberly Ford – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – Raven Falls by Celeste Straub **
3rd Place – Deadly Aim  by Tracy Brody
4th Place – Forbidden Paradise by Barbara Forlenza
5th Place – The Cracking  by Anise Eden

 

Young Adult
Final Judge: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary Agency

1st Place – Escape the Room  by Sandi Van Lieu
2nd Place – Witch of the Wild Beasts  by Catherine Stine
3rd Place – The Keystone  by Wendy Goodman
4th Place – Song of the Sophos by A.Y. Chao
5th Place – A Scent of Lilac  by Frances McCoy

 

Best of the Best Judges:

Xio Axelrod, USA Today Bestselling Author
Pintip Dunn, New York Times Bestselling Author and RITA® Winner
Priscilla Oliveras, USA Today Bestselling Author
Angela Quarles, USA Today Bestselling Author and RITA® Winner
Laura Trentham, Multiple Golden Heart® Finalist
Rebecca Zanetti, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

2018

Best of the Best:  Never Love a Thief by Sarah Leyton

 

Single Title/Contemporary
Final Judge: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency

1st Place – Never Love a Thief, Sarah Leyton
2nd Place – Endangered Love, Jackie Rutherford
3rd Place – Fragments of a Life, Bonnie Pierson
4th Place – No Other Choice, Penelope Leas
5th Place – Royal Misfits, Piper Malone **
6th Place – The Art of Second Chances, Cheryl Ford
7th Place – Counting on Him, Alleigh Burrows **

 

Historical
Final Judge:  Nicola Caws, Harlequin/Mills & Boon Historical

1st Place – Best Laid Plans, Patty Reagin
2nd Place – Edge of Heaven, J. Lynn Rowan
3rd Place – Memories and Moonbeams, Averil Reisman
4th Place – A More Perfect Love, Kate Forest **
5th Place – Duplicity, Cheryl Swafford
6th Place – The Botanist’s Daughter, Sharon Bernas

 

Young Adult
Final Judge: Kate Brauning, Entangled Publishing

1st Place – It Hurts, Robbin Luckett
2nd Place – Casualty, Paula L. Huffman
3rd Place – Now is Everything, Lani Forbes
4th Place – What He Hides, Amy Patrick
5th Place – The Kiss List, Katrina Emmel
6th Place – Wrecked, Amy Gale **

 

Romantic Suspense
Final Judge: Rebecca Strauss,DeFiore and Company

1st Place – Malice for Mercy, Jacqueline Jayne **
2nd Place – Green Carnations, Maureen Marshall
3rd Place – Leather and Lies, Celeste Straub
4th Place – Carly’s Storm, Kay Turnbaugh
5th Place – Saving Stella, Erica Wynters
6th Place – Overdue Justice, Christy Thomas

 

Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal
Final Judge: Tera Cuskaden, Cuskaden Editorial

1st Place – Touch 3.3, Valen Cox
2nd Place – House of Ash and Brimstone, Megan Starks
3rd Place – The Ravine, Michelle Joyce Bond
4th Place – Guardian Awakened, Grace Adams **
5th Place – Desperate Heat, Susanna Eastman

Best of the Best Judges:

Mariah Stewart – New York Times & USA Today Best Selling Author
Joan Silvestro – Indie Bookseller – Book Trader
Judi Fennell – Award Winning and Best Selling Author
Stephanie Julian – New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author

 

2017

Best of the Best Winner: Semper Fi by Meta Carroll

 

Single Title/Contemporary
Final Judge: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

1st Place – Moonshine and Magnolias by Abigail Sharpe
2nd Place – Domino Dancing by Danys Castillo
3rd Place – Coach by Caroline Bradley
4th Place – Devotion and Deception by Carla Conrad
5th Place – Genesis by Piper Malone**

 

Historical
Final Judge: Karen Reed, Loose Id

1st Place – The Red Parrot by Lisa Wilkinson – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – The Rescue of Lord Grange by Elizabeth Everett – REQUEST FOR FULL
3rd Place – The Seduction of Mrs. Smith by Elizabeth Everett
4th Place – The Thunder in the Heart by Susanna Lane**
5th Place – Smith: A Novel by Sara Dahmen

 

Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal
Final Judge: Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency

1st Place – Rogue Dragon Rising by TJ Shaw – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place (tie) – Demon Curse by Raewyn Bright – REQUEST FOR PARTIAL
The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes – REQUEST FOR PARTIAL
3rd Place – Praetorian Rising by Lisa Knight
4th Place – An Alien Exchange by Keri Kruspe

 

Romantic Suspense
Final Judge: Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks

1st Place – Sempre Fi by Meta Carroll – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – When in Rome by Grace Adams – REQUEST FOR PARTIAL
3rd Place – Forgive and Forever by Carla Conrad
4th Place – Under the Influence by Kathrine Black
5th Place – Emerald Drone by Alan Chaput

 

2016

Best of the Best Winner: Fire Rising by Grace Adams**

 

Erotic Romance
Final Judge: Sara Megibow, KT Literary

1st Place – Slow Ride – Shelby Ellis
2nd Place – Renegade – Sara Avellino
3rd Place – Sorting Out The Kinks – Elle Mason

 

Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal
Final Judge: Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency

1st Place – Fire’s Rising – Grace Adams** – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – Rule Breakers, Soul Takers – Jacqueline Jayne** – REQUEST FOR FULL
3rd Place – Dragon’s Spell – Gina Bono – REQUEST FOR FULL
4th Place – Chief’s Mate, A Tribe of the Mountain Screamer Novel –Maggie Pelman**
5th Place – A Shadow’s Kiss – Grace Adams**

 

Historical
Final Judge: Stephany Evans, Fine Print Literary Management

1st Place – Seduction in His Smile – Louisa Cornell – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – Don’t Get Your Vicar in a Twist – Eileen Emerson**
3rd Place – An Unbridled Gentleman – Eileen Emerson**
4th Place – Judgment Between The Rivers – Marie Wells Coutu
5th Place – Lord James’s Challenge – Evelyn Alexie
6th Place – The Duke’s Seduction – Masha Levinson

 

Romantic Suspense
Final Judge: Alicia Condon, Kensington Books

1st Place – The Hustler – Angela Hockman – REQUEST FOR FULL
2nd Place – Beyond Paradise – Barbara Forlenza
3rd Place – Blinded – Lyz Kelley**
4th Place – Aloha Angel – Karen Kinna
5th Place – Closer Than Close – Sheryl Lister

 

Single Title/Contemporary
Final Judge: Junessa Viloria, Penguin Randomhouse

1st Place – Say Everything – Helen Hoang
2nd Place – Without Words – Delancey Stewart
3rd Place – Eire Ever After – Jeanne Dickson
4th Place – Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher – Seana Kelly
5th Place – Scooped Confessions – CA Speakman