KalamaQuilts - thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered that book. Reviews on it are great.
nakuna - an excellent way to get familiar with the judging at the local quilt shows is to volunteer to assist during judging. The assistants typically hold up the quilts for the judge, or keep the records. If one of your quilts is being judged you will be expected to leave the area. You not only get to see the quilts up close and personal before the show opens, but you get to hear some of the thoughts of the judges. I have assisted with the judging at a guild's quilt show and also at the county fair. We also had a quilt judge as a guest speaker at a guild meeting.