Praise for the Sheila

“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)