Romance Writers Australia

Opal Award

Name: Opal Award
Brand: Romance Writers Australia
Price: 70.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

$70.00 AUD

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Eligibility Aspiring and Emerging romance writers.

The Opal is a contest for aspiring and emerging romance writers to win the opportunity for short mentorships with established RWAus authors.

Opens: 2 Feb 2026 9am AEDT

Closes: 1 March 2026 5pm AEDT

Eligibility: Aspiring and Emerging romance writers.

Entry: There will be two tiers to the Opal; one for aspiring romance writers and one for emerging writers. All entrants will need to submit the first 10,000 words of an unpublished/uncontracted romance or romantic elements manuscript along with a 1,000 word synopsis that depicts the main plot points of your romance story or story with romantic elements, complete with the ending/resolution.

Emerging writers will also need to submit a 500 word pitch depicting how they would benefit from a mentorship. The top 6 entries from each tier will proceed to a second round, judged by a panel of RWAus established authors who will determine final placings and be available for mentoring. Winners will be announced at the RWAus Gala Dinner at the annual conference in August 2026.

Each entry will be scored against a number of criteria including (but not limited to):

- spelling, grammar and punctuation

- how understandable and comprehensive the synopsis is

- how quickly readers become immersed in the story

- writing technique (pacing, dialogue, characterisation and description)

- reader enjoyability

Terms and Conditions

Contest Formatting Sample