2017 PAGES FROM THE HEART CONTEST
FIRST-ROUND JUDGE SCORE SHEET
Entry TITLE:
Entry NUMBER:
JUDGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: ______
**Judges:Please “save as” and include your judge number in file name!
Judge’s Bio (required, mark all that apply with an x)
Winner or Finalist / Published_____Unpublished / _____ RITA / _____Romance
_____PRO / _____Golden Heart / _____Other Genre
_____Contest / _____PAN
Judges are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to comment
within the manuscript of entries as well as on the scoresheets.
Suggestions and helpful comments are hoped for, and
appreciated by every author who enters a contest.
Feel free to add lines to this sheet if there is not enough room. To comment within the manuscript, please use all capital letters, a different color font, highlight, or “track changes” within your word processing program.
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Directions: There are a possible 100 points in this section. Each question should be scored on a 1-5 scale. Half points ARE permitted. Please remember that Published Author means the author is published, NOT the entry!
5Ready for an editor’s desk
4 Minor revisions needed
3 Shows promise, but more revisions needed
2 Extensive revisions necessary
1 Writer should review this concept before revising
Opening/hook – (10 pts possible)- Did the opening draw you in/grab your attention?
- Did the end of the first chapter make you want to continue reading?
Opening/hook Subtotal
Opening/hook Comments:
Setting –(5 pts possible)- Is the location/setting and/or world building clearly established within the first chapter?
Setting Subtotal
Setting Comments:
Please remember that Published Author means the author is published, NOT the entry!
Each question should be scored on a 1-5 scale. Half points ARE permitted.
5Ready for an editor’s desk
4 Minor revisions needed
3 Shows promise, but more revisions needed
2 Extensive revisions necessary
1 Writer should review this concept before revising
Main Characters – (25 pts possible)- Are the main characters multi-dimensional?
- Do the main characters reveal inner strengths and weaknesses?
- Are the actions and reactions of the main characters believable throughout the entry?
- Does the story show possibility for main character development to overcome flaws and change?
- Can you easily recognize who the heroine/hero is going to be?
Main Characters Subtotal
Main Characters Comments:
Dialogue – (15 pts possible)- Does dialogue seem natural?
- Does the dialogue move the story forward?
- Is there a good balance between narrative, dialogue, and introspection?
Dialogue Subtotal
Dialogue Comments:
Conflict/Plot – (10 pts possible)- Has a central conflict been introduced? Do we have a sense of the internal/emotional and external/situational conflicts that will drive the story forward? Do the main characters have significant emotional stakes at risk?
- Is backstory integrated into the story (vs. an information dump)?
Conflict/Plot Subtotal
Conflict/Plot Comments:
Please remember that Published Author means the author is published, NOT the entry!
Each question should be scored on a 1-5 scale. Half points ARE permitted.
5Ready for an editor’s desk
4 Minor revisions needed
3 Shows promise, but more revisions needed
2 Extensive revisions necessary
1 Writer should review this concept before revising
Style/Voice – (20 pts possible)- Did the scenes flow smoothly and at a nice pace?
- Is there a balance between telling and showing?
- Does the author exhibit good use of all five senses?
- Are the descriptions, imagery, world‐building, language, and vocabulary appropriate for the genre?
Style/Voice Subtotal
Style/Voice Comments:
Mechanics – (10 pts possible)- Is the entry free ofmajor grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors?
- Are switches in POV easy to follow?
Mechanics Subtotal
Mechanics Comments:
General Feelings – (5 pts possible)- Would you like to read more of this story?
General Feelings Subtotal
General Feelings Comments:
TOTAL SCORE:
Unscored Judge Question:
In your opinion, what is the greatest strength of this manuscript?*** SEE NEXT PAGE ***
ATTENTION JUDGES
Please move on to the Hero Scoresheet, if appropriate for this entry.
When you are finished judging the scoresheets, please remove your identifying information by doing the following:
If you use Word 97-2003, you have the option at File | Options | Trust Center | Trust Center Settings | Privacy Options to “Remove personal information from file properties on save.” Save, adding your Judge Number to the name of the file.
If you use Word 2010/2013 or Office 365, then you have to use File | Info | Prepare for Sharing: Check for Issues | Inspect Document: Document Properties and Personal Information | Remove All. Save, adding your Judge Number to the name of the file.
If you use Word for Mac: Please notify your Category Coordinator. Identifying information cannot be completely removed from the entry using Word for Mac. The file will need to be processed by contest personnel who use Word for PC and can remove your identifying information before distributing to judges or returning the judged entry to the author.Save, adding your Judge Number to the name of the file.
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PAGES FROM THE HEART CONTEST
HERO OF OUR HEART AWARD SCORE SHEET
Entry TITLE:Entry NUMBER:
OPT IN FOR HERO AWARD?
_____ YES NAME OF HERO: ______
_____ NO (Judges: If no, STOP. Do not continue)
Directions: This score should be completely independent of all other scores. This award is separate from the regular contest scoring and in no way reflects adversely or advantageously to the general scoring system.
For this award, first round judges will give 1 - 10 points per question (100 points possible.)
The use of decimals is preferred to offset the probability of a tie. Ex. 9.7 Of course, if you think the hero deserves a 10, please score it that way. Highest score per question is 10.
Is the hero multi-dimensional? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:Is the hero interesting? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Did you like the hero? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Were you sympathetic toward the hero? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero selfless and/or caring? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero confident and/or brave? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero sexy and/or beddable?
(or Kissable/Swoon-worthy for YA) / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero dedicated and/or responsible? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero capable and/or strong? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Was the hero daring and/or courageous? / (1-10 points) / SCORE:
Total Score:
COMMENTS: