November Contest Update

 

November already. The slow time for contests, but the final push time for writers. These last 60 days of 2014 are another opportunity to reach your dreams. 

Don't stop now!~

Tell us what your writing plans are for November for a 

chance to win one of these craft books (print)  

and for a reader a Seeker book of choice as available on Amazon. 

Three winners. Don't forget to let us know which book you want!

 

Published Author Contests

2015 RWA RITA® Contest. Opens for entries.The RITA Contest is open to 2,000 paid entries. Entry forms and fees must be received on or before 5 p.m. Central Time, November 21, 2014. 

Golden Quill Awards are now open. Deadline January 9. 2015.

National Readers Choice Awards are now open. Deadline January 15, 2015.

Unpublished Author Contests

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.


The Pacific Northwest Literary Association Contest is now accepting entries. Contest closes February, 2, 2015. Cash prizes.
Categories include: 
1. mainstream
2.historical
3.romance/women's fiction
4.mystery/thriller
5.sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal
6.young adult
7.middle grade
8.nonfiction/memoir
9.poetry
10.short story
11.children's picture/chapter book
12.adult short topics (articles/essays/memoir)

Other Writing Opportunities

 November is a great month to work on your short stories for Woman's World and other magazines. If you haven't attended one of my free workshops on writing the short story, you have until Monday, November 3 to request a free handout in PDF or Word format. Email Tina Radcliffe at seekers@seekerville.net with WW Handout in the subject line.
 

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.

WOW! Women on Writing. Fall Flash Fiction Contest ends November 30th. OPEN PROMPT! That’s right, this is your chance to shine, and get creative. You can write about anything, as long as it’s within the word count and fiction. So, dig out those stories you started way back when and tailor them to the word count of 250 minimum and maximum of 750. We’re open to any style and genre. From horror to romance! So, get creative, and most of all, have fun. Guest Judge: Literary Agent Rachel Brooks.



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.


 The podcast Selected Shorts is sponsoring the Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize for 2015. Submit your short story of 750 words or less on any theme by March 15, 2015. There is a $25 fee to enter. I usually don’t include contests that charge fees in this blog, but since this is a fundraiser for Public Radio (and since Selected Shorts is one of my favorite podcasts) I’m making an exception here. The winner receives $1000, publication of their story on ElectricLiterature.com, a 10-week Gotham Writer’s course of their choice, and a performance of their story to be recorded and broadcast nationally on Public Radio. Find all the information you need to enter here. (via Cindi Myers Market News's Blog)

Details and Sign Up Here-we are not sold out YET!

Seekerville Congratulates our November 2015 Contest Diva, Jackie Layton!

"I'm not sure I would have entered as many contests if it wasn't for Tina at Seekerville encouraging me. I appreciate the monthly updates and words of encouragement. It took me a couple of years to get up the courage to enter contests. Then I had to learn how to gauge the feedback from the first contests. I still usually read through the feedback, let it simmer, and then read through again and determine how to apply it to my story.

Turquoise was the first story I entered in a contest with positive feedback. It was the 2013 Category 5 Contest Romance Second Place winner. One of the judges gave me great feedback with links to online articles that could help make the story stronger. I was so appreciative of the time this judge took with my entry, and I was sold on contests.

One of my goals for 2014 was to enter three contests. I'm still nervous when I enter, but now it's mixed with a sense of excitement.

In January I entered the Genesis writing contest for the first time. My story, Kentucky Deadly, was a semi-finalist in romantic suspense. It was very exciting to be in such great company.

I also entered Fiction First's short story contest. It was fun to test myself by writing such a short story. There was no feedback from the judges, but some of the people who read my story were gracious with their comments. I was in the top 200 which was also very exciting.

I also entered Kentucky Deadly in Utah's RWA contest. I didn't place, but I received good feedback.

In March, I got the nerve up to enter Kentucky Deadly in one more contest. The Daphne du Maurier Kiss of Death Contest. Kentucky Deadly came in second place in the inspirational category. Not only did I receive great feedback, I won prizes! Whoohoo! But really, the feedback is the reason I entered.

During this time I pitched Kentucky Deadly to a well respected agent, who very nicely suggested I move on to my next story. I'd started The Bye Way Inn last year, and pulled it out. The last few months I've finished The Bye Way Inn and pitched it at ACFW. I also entered it in the 1-2-3 Contest, the Lone Star Contest and The Rattler. I now understand even if I don't place in a contest, the feedback will help make the story stronger. And that's what I need. A stronger story to appeal to an agent, an editor, and hopefully one day a reader."

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And finally, as promised....

The remainder of the Week Five winners will be announced tomorrow in the Weekend Edition!