October Contest Update

Happy Birthday to us! 

Seven years of unparallelled goofiness.

Welcome to the October Contest Update!

Today I'm giving away a five page critique to two writers

 considering the First Impressions Contest 

(please mention you want this in the comments.)

And a Seeker book of choice as available on Amazon, to one reader.

 Winner announced in the Weekend Edition. 

Published Authors

2015 RWA RITA® Contest. Opens for entries at 9:00 AM, CDT on October 15, 2014. 

Unpublished Authors

ACFW First Impressions Contest. Deadline Ocober 15. Contest is open to ACFW members and non-members. Any author whose work has not been previously published in novella or book-length fiction (in ANY print or online form) is eligible to enter First Impressions.Manuscripts do not have to be complete in order to enter First Impressions. Send the first 5 pages of your manuscript. Prologues are acceptable. DO NOT send more than 5 pages of your manuscript and a 200-word blurb (6 pages in all). Final round judged by agents.

Hook, Line and Sinker. Deadline November 1. RWA Membership is NOT required to enter the contest. Entry fee: $10.00 Entries should include the first three pages of your manuscript along with a cover page with your name, address, phone number, e-mail and title/genre of your unpublished, book-length novel. The top five entries will be ranked by Allison Lyons from Harlequin. THIS IS THE PERFECT CONTEST TO WET YOUR CONTEST DIVA/DIVO FEET!

2015 RWA Golden Heart® Contest is coming!  December 2, 2014:  2015 Golden Heart Contest opens to entries at 9 a.m. CT. January 12, 2015:  Entered works and related contest fees must be submitted to RWA's contest site. The Golden Heart contest is open to 1,200 paid entries.

 

Other Writing Opportunities

WD Short Short Story Competition. Early bird deadline is November 17. Deadline is December 15.  Think you can write a winning story in less than 1,500 words? Enter the 15th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference! The winning entries will be on display in the 15th Annual Writer’s Digest Competition Collection.

Chicken Soup Call Out. Stories about Christmas and the whole holiday season!

Everyone loves holiday stories and that's why our holiday books are so popular. In fact, we create a new edition for Christmas/Hanukah every other year. We are now collecting stories for our Holiday 2015 book and we are defining Christmas as the entire December holiday season, including Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and the New Year's festivities too.

We want to hear about your holiday memories and traditions. During that time of the year we reunite with scattered family members, watch the wonder in a child's eyes, and feel the joy of giving gifts. The rituals of the holiday season give a rhythm to the years and create a foundation for our lives, as we gather with family, with our communities at church, at school, and even at the mall, to share the special spirit of the season, brightening those long winter days. Please share your special stories about the holiday season with us.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS JANUARY 31, 2015. More information here.

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Seekerville Congratulates our October 2014 Diva, Tanya Agler!

Contest Finals:

2013 Golden Rose Contest, 2nd place, Contemporary Single Title, Mr. Commitment
2014 NTRWA Great Expectations, 2nd place Contemporary Series, A Pinch of Cinnamon
2014 Winter Rose Contest, 1st place Contemporary Series, A Pinch of Cinnamon   
2014 Marlene Contest, 3rd place, Contemporary Series, A Pinch of Cinnamon
2014 Laurie Contest, 3rd place, Contemporary Series, Mistletoe Misgivings
2014 Georgia Romance Writers’ unpublished Maggie finalist, Contemporary Series, Mistletoe Misgivings
2014 New Jersey Romance Writers’ Put Your Heart in a Book Contest finalist, Mistletoe Misgivings
Honorable Mention, 2014 Seekerville Perfect Pitch Contest

When my oldest son entered kindergarten, I’d leave the house and head to the library to write a book. Until I was almost finished, I didn’t tell anyone. Toward the end of that book, I finally told my husband. His supportive response surprised me. “What took you so long?” I sent the unedited book out to publishers and agents and received a stack of rejection letters. When I reached the final chapter of my second book, I stopped writing. I discovered I was pregnant with twins and wanted a “maternity leave.” 

 After my twins entered preschool, I knew I needed to write. But something was different. Instead of not showing my work to another soul, I reached out for help in my writing journey. I discovered a local writing chapter where a talented published author shared her time and gave me my first critique. This chapter has a “Good News” moment where writers talk about anything from signed deals to rejection letters to contest finals. 

What were these contests that so many people discussed? Depending on the contest, they may help you gain feedback and critiques from published and unpublished judges. I entered my first contest in 2013 and received respectable scores. I didn’t final, but I proved to myself I was ready to let other people read my work and learn from their comments.

In a little over a year, I have had the good fortune to final in seven contests with three manuscripts. One contest judge wrote of my dependence on the word “that.” Since then, I’ve tried to become more cognizant of sentence structure and word repetition. If two or more judges all make the same comment, I go back to my manuscript and layer in the conflict or remove even more introspective backstory (although I am one of the rare people who have had judges ask for more backstory!). 

In this roller coaster world of contests, I’ve discovered the importance of getting on the ride and submitting my work. I’ve discovered the nadirs when I grit my teeth at the low scores. And I’ve discovered the crests upon receiving calls from coordinators. Hanging on through the whole process and finishing the whole manuscript garners a loud whoop of joy. 

So what’s taking you so long to enter your first contest? It’s a wild journey, but prayer, support and the Seekers help smooth the ride. So review those guidelines, grab a cup of tea, and review your manuscript with a heaping helping of waffles and cinnamon scones. 

Plus a huge thank you and an extra caramel apple scone to the women of Seekerville for the honor of selecting me as the October Contest Diva!

Are you entering a contest this month??? Tell us about it! Have contest news to share? Tell us about it!

Genesis Winner Candee Fick with ME!

I get to pose and smile outrageously with CAROL AWARD WINNER Melissa Jagears!

Finally some teeth! With the lovely Sara Ella, Villager and Genesis Winner!

Carol!

Flowers from the Love Inspired Team!

That's it for this month. Now go forth and contest!