• Romance Writers of Australia Judge Volunteer

    Thank you for volunteering to judge RWA's contests. RWA really appreciates all of our judges and the time they dedicate to reading and scoring competition entries. Without you, our contest program would not be possible.

  • If you're unable to judge any entries allocated at any time...

    please let your coordinator know as soon as possible. RWA understands that life happens and that, sometimes, you may not be able to follow through on your commitment to judging but, if we don't know about it, we can't find a new judge, and delays in the process can put finalist and winner announcement timelines at risk. Never hesitate to reach out if you're in a bind!
  • RWA member*
  • Judge Type*

  • CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    As RWA is a close community, you may recognise entries you've been allocated as the work of a friend, or critique partner, or there may be some other connection. If this does occur, please contact the contest coordinator to return the entry. If you intend to enter a contest, you are not eligible to judge it. If you change your mind about entering a contest after you have responded, and do receive entries to judge, you must declare your conflict of interest and withdraw from the judging. Also if you feel like you can't judge an entry fairly please return it.

  • THE RUBY

    The RUBY is judged by reader judges (noting that reader judges may also be writer judges, but you need your reader hat on for these!). RUBY books are generally made available in e-book. Score sheets will be returned via online form. If you are available to judge in the RUBY, please indicate the number of entries you could read, and tick the categories you are prepared to read, below. If you do not want to judge in the RUBY, leave the fields blank
  • RUBY Categories

  • I am also interested in judging entries for the RuBY Diverse fiction category. I understand that I will be reading and reviewing stories featuring characters with diverse representation, including but not limited to diverse genders and sexualities, social and cultural backgrounds, physical and mental abilities, and neurodiversity. I will judge these entries impartially and without bias.

  • THE EMERALD

    The EMERALD is judged as far as possible by reader judges (noting that reader judges may also be writer judges, but you need your reader hat on for these!). The EMERALD is open to Aspiring and Emerging RWA members. The first 10,000 words of a manuscript is judged in round one, while the complete manuscript is judged in rounds two and three. The EMERALD is a fully digital competition and therefore entries will be sent via email and score sheets returned via online form. EMERALD entrants are KEEN for feedback, so you are asked to be as generous as possible in judging these contests with your responses. If you are able to judge in the EMERALD and are willing to give feedback please indicate the number of entries you would be able to read below. If you do not want to judge in the EMERALD, leave the fields blank.

  • THE SAPPHIRE

    The SAPPHIRE is judged as far as possible by reader judges (noting that reader judges may also be writer judges, but you need your reader hat on for these!). The SAPPHIRE is open to Aspiring and Emerging RWA members. The first 10,000 words of a manuscript is judged in round one, while the complete manuscript is judged in rounds two and three. The SAPPHIRE is a fully digital competition and therefore entries will be sent via email and score sheets returned via online form. SAPPHIRE entrants are KEEN for feedback, so you are asked to be as generous as possible in judging these contests with your responses. If you are able to judge in the EMERALD and are willing to give feedback please indicate the number of entries you would be able to read below. If you do not want to judge in the SAPPHIRE, leave the fields blank.

  • THE OPAL

    The OPAL is judged as far as possible by writer judges. The OPAL is open to Aspiring and Emerging RWA members and non-members. The first 10,000 words of a manuscript and a 1,000 word synopsis are judged in round one, while the second round is judged by a select panel of established authors. The OPAL is a fully digital competition and therefore entries will be sent via email and score sheets returned via online form. OPAL entrants are KEEN for feedback, so you are asked to be as generous as possible in judging these contests with your responses. If you are able to judge in the OPAL and are willing to give feedback please indicate the number of entries you would be able to read below. If you do not want to judge in the OPAL, leave the fields blank.

  • RIPPING START AND FIRST KISS

    The RIPPING START and FIRST KISS contests are open to Aspiring and Emerging members of RWA. Entrants in the RIPPING START submit the first 1,500 words of an unpublished romance or romantic elements manuscript. Entrants in the FIRST KISS submit 1,500 words of their protagonists' first kiss (from an unpublished manuscript) along with a half page set up (giving an introduction and context to the kiss). RIPPING START AND FIRST KISS entrants are KEEN for feedback, so you are asked to be as generous as possible in judging these contests with your responses. Please indicate your availability to judge one or more of these competitions by indicating how many entries you can judge below. If you do not want to judge in the RIPPING START or the FIRST KISS, or are unwilling to give feedback leave the fields blank.

  • SPICY BITES, SWEET TREATS and DIVERSIONS- SHORT STORIES

    Entrants in SPICY BITES submit a 3,000 to 5,000 word sexually explicit romance, while entrants in SWEET TREATS submit 3,000 word (maximum) closed door (i.e. non sexually explicit) romance. Entrants in Diversions submit up to 4000 words that feature diverse leads from underrepresent or marginalised groups and any heat level is acceptable. In each case, entrants are expected to include an identified theme as an integral part of their story. Entrants may also be invited to publish their work in the SPICY BITES SWEET TREATS or DIVERSIONS anthologies published each year. Please indicate your availability to judge one or both of these competitions by indicating how many entries you could judge below. If you do not want to judge in any, please leave the fields blank.

  • For those interested in judging for Diversions, please read the following:

    I understand that I will be reading and reviewing stories featuring characters with diverse representation, including but not limited to diverse genders and sexualities, social and cultural backgrounds, physical and mental abilities, and neurodiversity. I will judge these entries impartially and without bias.

  • PREFERRED HEAT LEVEL (ALL CONTESTS)

  • Heat Level (all contests)

  • DISLIKES (ALL CONTESTS)

    If there are any genres, or story themes which you don't think you can't judge objectively, please make a note below. We do our best to accommodate any reading preferences where possible, but our contest coordinators don't have time to review every entry before allocation, and we also can't always accommodate things like POV preference. If you do get an entry which you feel you aren't in a position to judge fairly, for whatever reason, please let your contest coordinator know and it can be reallocated, no problem at all!

  • YOU'RE AMAZING!

    Thank you, again, for putting your hand up to judge, and for your time in completing this form. It will be VERY helpful for us in improving our judge records.

  • This is a gentle reminder that all judges are to remain anonymous during the judging process as well. 

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