IDA FAQs

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  • All entries:
    • Must have an original copyright date of 2019 or 2020, as evidenced by the copyright page and must have been available for sale sometime during 2019-2020 and must be available for sale during the contest.
    • Must have a minimum 7,500 word count. 
    • Must be in English
    • If your book finaled in, but did not win, the 2019 IDA, it is eligible for entry in this year’s contest
  • If an entry is determined to depict pedophilia, bestiality (except in the case of Paranormal shape-shifters), necrophilia, and/or “snuff” (the act of killing for sexual gratification) as acceptable, it will be disqualified, and the entrant will not receive a refund of the entry fee. If an entry contains sexual situations involving human protagonists under the American legal standard of eighteen (18) years of age, it must be reviewed by the Contest Coordinator prior to entry. The exception is in the Young Adult category. Please keep in mind that the YA category is meant for younger readers and all entries will be monitored for content.
  • Only digital books will be accepted as entries. Books that are “print on demand” ARE eligible. You must submit your book in non-DRM.pdf format as an attachment to an email. *** Judges are required to accept the terms of agreement stating they will not share or otherwise use the PDF’s received for judging.
  • There is no limit to the number of titles by the same author that may be entered, but each title may be entered in only one category. PLEASE send a separate email for each entry. Books entered in the wrong category will be disqualified and entry fee will not be refunded.
  • A separate entry fee is required for each title entered; however, entrants may “bundle” payments for multiple entries  Entry fees: Novels – $25.00 (50,000 words and above). Shorts – $20.00 (7,500 to 49,999 words)
  • Membership in any particular writing organization is not required.
  • Entries will be accepted from the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s) or authorized agent(s) of same.
  • The deadline for entry and receipt of payment and books is midnight CT July 31, 2020.
  • Entries will be capped at 50 in each category. Your entry will NOT be counted until payment is received.
  • Each entry will be scored by three judges.
  • The deadline for judges to return scores is October 15, 2020. Finalists and winners will be notified approximately November 7, 2020. *** Non Finalists will NOT be notified. Please check the website on or around November 7th to learn if winners have been notified. 
  • TO ENTER:   Click Here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Where do I locate the coordinator’s email address to send my entry?
All entries are to be sent to the Appropriate Category Coordinator – A list of coordinators and their email addresses can be found here:  Category Descriptions and Coordinators

What happens if my book has a copyright date before the acceptable contest copyright dates?
Books often have a copyright date of one year and a release date in the next. To compensate for this, our eligibility will always have a two-year span on the copyright date. Example: If your book has a 2019 copyright date but doesn’t come out until 2020, you will be eligible to enter it in the 2020 IDA. All books available for sale in 2019 or 2020 with a 2019 or 2020 copyright date are eligible for the current year’s contest.

If my book becomes available in mass print before the end of the contest, am I still eligible to enter?
If your book is not available in mass print by July 1, 2020, you are eligible to enter. 

Are print books eligible for this contest?
Only books classified as Print on Demand are eligible. If your book is available in mass print, check into our National Readers Choice Awards (NRCA entries must contain elements of romance). 

What category should I enter?
Enter your work into the category in which it best fits. If you have a story that is erotic AND suspense, for example, you should decide which element is most prominent and enter your story into that category.

My book is self-published. Is it still eligible?
Absolutely! 

This group is a Romance Writers of America chapter. Does that mean my entry must have romance in it?
Not at all. Your entry must be a work of fiction and fit one of the categories. That’s it. No romance necessary. Of course, romance novelists are also encouraged to enter.

If I live in a foreign country, how can I arrange for the entry fee given the fluctuation of the exchange rate?
You can pay your fee in US funds through PayPal – Send to [email protected].