Contests

Opportunities

I’ve had some things pile up in my inbox that I wanted to post, so here goes:

My apologies to Paula Kaymac. I told her I’d mention this and then I hit a deluge of things I needed to respond to. Paula has offered to interview the unpublished through her Writer’s Spotlight page. What’s a spotlight page?I’ll let her describe it:


If you would like to step into the Writer Spotlight, are an unpublished writer looking for representation, and have a completed and polished manuscript you’ld like to share on Writer Spotlight , please check out the details on the Writer Spotlight page above and email me (like now). 

If you write juvenile lit, you really do need to check it out. Here are the rules.

A Canadien SF/Fantasy contest is happening for one more day – the deadline’s tomorrow. (Yes, I know. I didn’t know about it, either.) But check out In Places Between. If nothing else, they have an awesome short story linked to the contest that you should read. The contest is free.

I know these last two bits are local Kansas City area things and my apologies to the rest of my readers if you can’t make it!


Please plan to attend the Whispering Prairie Press Writers Conference on Sat., July 23, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (lunch on your own) at the KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Road. Tom Averill will be the keynote speaker. This conference supports the 2011 issue of Kansas City Voices.


There’s a Digital Publishing Workshop at the Writer’s Place (in Kansas City) in mid-May and is $30 for 3 hours. If anyone’s considering this route, you might want to check it out. Check it out here, but please be aware I have not read his book and have never met the author, so I’m neither recommending or condemning his book. However, it’s obvious he’s been through the route he’s talking about and therefore has something to say. 

Sites You’ve Got to Check Out

I just found this site about Antiques and their uses. Before you think, “Bah humbug, I hate antiques and what do they have to do with writing, anyway?” Remember, you may want to write something within an historical context someday. One of the fascinating articles they’ve got up discusses how folks used to cook with quicklime (cooking without a fire) before Chef Boyardee made self-heating cans.

This is an interesting contest with Sarah LaPolla of Curtis Brown. I fear the chance to enter has now closed (I’m not sure on that, so don’t quote me) but it’s still a learning opportunity.

For authors of color, this might be lucrative. Check out publisher Lee and Low’s New Voice Award contest.

And last but not least, many thanks to Fiction Groupie for the link to Jenn Stark’s article on branding tips and trends. Check it out and have a great weekend!

The Fateful Day Has Arrived…Almost: Crested Butte Writers Conference

Okay, the truth is, I wrote this several days in advance of our departure and the “fateful day” will still be twenty four hours from when we leave. That said, it’s the week of and I’m more nervous than the last turkey in the pen on Thanksgiving morning.

My “To Do” list keeps growing, and I refuse to guess at how I’ve overshot my grocery allowance for the month. Snack foods are expensive. I need to pack most of my daughter’s wardrobe to insure against nudity. Sigh. I’m sure to forget SOMETHING, which is why I intend to take notes.

Huh?

Yes. My list keeps growing because of my notes and that won’t change at the conference. Most folks take notes at conferences and I’m sure they share much of what they learn. I am an avid scrapbooker among other things and know from experience, I’ll forget much of what happens and/or is said unless I write it down. That’s why I wanted to let you all know there will be a blog fest upon my return from Crested Butte. In fact, I’ll probably write a daily journal there and post those comments if I can find an available computer. I don’t know if I’ll see any of you, but if you are coming, I hope we meet!

Addendum: Much to my shock and delight, I discovered that I DID get a pitch request from one of the attending professionals. My relief and stress levels have skyrocketed. How on earth did God make it possible for humans to experience both sensations at the same time? Well, however He did it, I want to thank Him for the opportunity. I could never have come this far without Him.

Contests and Critiques

There are a couple of contests with COOL prizes available. The first is at the Alliterative Allomorph’s blog. Head over there as she’s posted the competition to honor her first 200 followers and the competition will close when she reaches that milestone.  Her prizes include a free critique of your first chapter, up to 20% off of an entire ms edit by a professional editior, critiques of queries or synopsis, or a gift card.

The second contest was announced at Query Tracker.net and if you’re not following them, you might want to check and see if you’re alive. (Have you recently been bitten by anyone with a thirst for blood or brains?) Seriously, follow them and get their newsletters. You won’t regret it. This is yet another “Dear Lucky Agent” contest and this time, it’s for writers of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Winners will receive an agent’s comments on their first ten pages plus a year’s subscription of Writer’s Market. WELL worth the effort.

Good luck in all your efforts!

Contests, Give Aways and Cool Stuff

Check out some of the contest postings! Congratulations to SarahJayne Smith. She is celebrating 150 followers with a contest. Please mention my blog when you get there, as it will enter my name, too. ;D Thanks!

Stina and Steena at are having a happy following contest. Check out the chocolate and other great prizes.