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​PLEASE NOTE: The pre-published division of the Maggie Award for Excellence is for writers who have either never published a work of fiction of 40,000 words or more, OR who have not published a work of fiction of 40,000 words or more in the last five years.

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The purpose of the Prepublished Maggie Award for Excellence is to encourage, recognize, and reward the mastery of romance writing by pre-published writers of romantic fiction. The Maggie Award is a symbol of achievement given by the Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) to bring special attention to these writers. The Maggie Award, a silver medallion commissioned by GRW, receives national attention. All manuscripts will receive agents, and editors will rank two critiques by published authors, with the finalists in the publishing industry determining their final placement.

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Important Dates:

 

The Maggie Award for Excellence for pre-published writers opens on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026. Entries must be RECEIVED by April 18, 2026, no later than 11:59 pm Eastern. Entries must follow all format requirements listed on the entry form. Finalists will be notified on June 22, 2026, and winners will
be announced at the Maggie Award banquet on October 17, 2026.

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Fees:

GRW Member: $30

Non-Member: $40

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• Payment through PayPal only. No personal checks accepted.

• Entries, including a completed entry form, must be RECEIVED by April 18, 2026, by 11:59 pm Eastern AND before your category is full.

• Entries received after that date or received after the category is declared full will be disqualified.

• Failure to comply with any of the above may disqualify the entry and the entry fee will not be refunded.

• See a complete list of rules here. PREPUBLISHED MAGGIE RULES

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Final Round Judges

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PR - Paranormal/Romantasy

Clair Keck, Assistant Editor

Black Rose Writing

 

Romantic Suspense

Colleen Oefelein, Literary Agent

MacGregor and Luedeke Literary

 

Historical

Albert T Longden, Principal

Albert T Longden Associates

 

Women’s Fiction / Mainstream Fiction with Romantic Elements

Andrea Hurst, President

Andrea Hurst Literary Management

 

Young / New Adult

Laura Bradford, Founder

Bradford Literary Agency

 

Inspirational

TBD

 

Contemporary

Sandy Lu, Founder

Book Wyrm Literary Agency