
Announcing the 2023 Stiletto Contest
The Stiletto Contest celebrates and recognizes excellence in the contemporary romance genre for published and unpublished novels.
Contemporary Romance Writers focuses on the contemporary romance genre, and the Stiletto Contest upholds the organization’s goal of bringing awareness to the best work by authors and writers in contemporary romance.
- Submissions open: March 1, 2023
- Submissions close: March 31, 2023
- Winners announced: July 29, 2023 at our Virtual Conference
Unpublished Division Final Round Judges include:
- Jocelyn Travis, Editorial assistant, Sourcebooks
- Elaine Spencer, Agent, Knight Agency
- Eva Scalzo, Agent, Speilburg Literary
- Amy Brewer, Agent, Metamorphosis Literary
- Rachel Gilmer, Editor, Sourcebooks
- Linda Camacho, Agent, Gallt & Zacker
- Ann Leslie Tuttle, Agent, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
The Entry Categories for the Published and Unpublished Divisions are:
- Contemporary Short (20,000 to 50,000 words)
- Contemporary Mid-Length (50,000 to 80,000 words)
- Contemporary Long (over 80,000 words)
- Contemporary Young Adult / New Adult
- Contemporary Women’s Fiction / Chick-Lit
- Contemporary Speculative / Paranormal (includes Urban Fantasy with romance)
- Contemporary Romantic Suspense
- Contemporary Erotic Romance
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Stiletto Contest does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, or religion. We expect the same from our judges and entrants with a zero tolerance policy.
Any questions should be directed to contest@contemporaryromance.org.
Important links:
Finalists | Winners
Unpublished Division
Contemporary Romance Long
Love On Site, Margaret Torres
Twist or Kiss, Savanna Scales
When It Rains, Alexis Rey
Digging Dr. Jones, Olga Jackson
The Hiding Game, J.E. Irvin
Winner: When it Rains, Alexis Rey
Contemporary Romance Mid Length
Trust Me, Ana Morgan
The Love Algorithm, Michelle Hazen
Leaves & Love, Rachel Cooper
Hot Tag, Jessica Raquel Fox
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS, Gina Banks
Winner: Trust Me, Ana Morgan
Speculative/Paranormal Contemporary Romance
Love on Loop, Kathryn Ferrer
100% That Witch, M.C. Vaughan
Drowning in Air, Sree Natesan
Winner: 100% That Witch, M.C. Vaughan
Women’s Fiction
The Tides That Bind, Katie Schenck
The Middle Sister, Lyssa Reese
Weekend Friend, Viktoria Dahill
Winner: Weekend Friend, Viktoria Dahill
Published Division
Long Contemporary Romance
Looks Good On Paper, Kilby Blades
The Corey Effect, Casey Dembowski
The Royal and the Rebel, J. Santiago
Winner: Looks Good On Paper, Kilby Blades
Reader’s Choice: Looks Good On Paper, Kilby Blades
Mid-Length Contemporary Romance
A Full-Bodied Love, Amber Cross
Once Upon a Royal Christmas, Teri Wilson
Sweet Slow Sizzle: Bangers Tavern Romance 4, Sadira Stone
The Perpetual, Cindy Kehagiaras
What to Expect When She’s Expecting, Laurel Greer
Winner: The Perpetual, Cindy Kehagiaras
Short Contemporary Romance
Ever After Exes, Susannah Erwin
Temporary Nanny for the Tycoon, Marie Tuhart
Tender Tide, Laurie Ryan
Winner: Tender Tide, Laurie Ryan
Reader’s Choice: Ever After Exes, Susannah Erwin
Romantic Suspense
Baby Call the Shots, Harper Cross
Baby Heal the Pain, Harper Cross
Christmas Baby Rescue, Jordyn Redwood
Winner: Baby Call the Shots, Harper Cross
Reader’s Choice: Baby Heal the Pain, Harper Cross
Speculative/Paranormal Contemporary Romance
Fire Magic & Ice Cream, Lauren Connolly
Shelter for a Shifter, Lauren Connolly
The Nighthawkers, Amy L. Bernstein
Winner: Fire Magic & Ice Cream, Lauren Connolly
Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance
No Other Love, Lori Jean Rowsell
Wanderlost, Jennilynn Wyer
Whiskey Girl, Grea Warner
Winner: Whiskey Girl, Grea Warner
Reader’s Choice: Wanderlost, Jennilynn Wyer