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Nomination Guidelines 2013!

Romance covers published during the 2013 calendar year are eligible. If a cover was published in different formats, during two different calendar years (i.e. A book is published as an eBook one year and published with the same cover as a paperback or hardcover in the following year.), it can be nominated in both years but can only appear in the contest finals once.

If a cover was published in December, 2012 and was not nominated or featured in the 2012 contest then it is eligible for the 2013 contest.

If a cover nomination features an illustration that has been used on another cover, from either the current year or a previous year, the covers must have unique styles and different layouts. If the covers are too similar, the second cover will not be eligible.

Readers, authors, publishers, committee members, and artists are welcome to nominate romance covers.

Covers must be suitable for viewing by the general public.

Short stories and novellas must be at least 9,000 words or 35 print pages.

The book must feature a fictional romantic relationship.

The romantic relationship should be the major focus of the book, not just a subplot.

The book must contain one of the classic elements of a romance with a happy or satisfying ending.

You may nominate as many different covers as you like. However, nominating the same cover several times is not necessary. All nominated covers will receive the same consideration.

E-Book cover nominations must include the date of first publication in order to be eligible for consideration.

International covers are acceptable but it must be a cover that is available for purchase by someone in the US.

The cover image and necessary information must also be available.

At the present time, Cover Cafe is not able to add any additional genres to the annual contest. Poetry, women's contemporary and historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and graphic novels are not eligible.

Genre Descriptions

Contemporary
Features single title present-day romances and romantic suspense.

Contemporary Series
Includes contemporary Entangled Publishing or Harlequin " category imprints" with a series banner or look, such as Indulgence, Bliss, Kiss, Desire, Kimani, Blaze, Love Inspired Suspense, and Super Romance. (For category imprints with historical content, see 'Historical' below.)

Historical
Historical romances, including single title historicals and category imprints from Entangled Scandalous, Heartsong Presents, Harlequin Historicals and Traditional Regency.

Alternate Reality
Includes both romances with a paranormal element and science fiction/fantasy with a strong romance element.

2-Cover
Any covers from the above subgenres are eligible for a TIC nomination. Two Image covers feature either: a Stepback with an additional image placed on the inside or a Back Cover with an additional image comprising more than 50% of the back cover.

Worst
Print covers from any of the above subgenres are eligible for the Worst category. E-books are eligible if they are published by an established publishing company. (Self-published ebooks are not eligible.)

Holiday Favorites
Nominate your favorite holiday romance cover in the Holiday Favorites Contest.
Online voting 12/01/13 to 12/20/13.
Nominations for 2013 Holiday covers accepted until 11/15/13.

Don't know
If you aren't sure which category your cover fits.