May Contest Update

 

 Welcome to the May Contest Update, where we inspire,

 nag & you get neat giveaways! 

Leave a comment today for a chance to 

win Alicia Rasley's Conflict Without Combat (ebook) 

for a couple of writers, 

  and a surprise bag of books for one reader. 

Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

The Duel on the Delta 2016 “Cover Me Contest." Deadline May 7.

 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award “NERFA.” Deadline May 25.

 Heart of Excellence Reader's Choice. Deadline May 31. Digital Only.

Aspen Gold Readers Choice. Deadline June 1. 

I Heart Indie. Deadline June 1. 

National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award “NERFA. ”Deadline May 25. - See more at: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2016/04/april-contest-update.html#sthash.5RglyIDU.dpuf

Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Deadline June 30.

 STAR Crossed Covers Contest. Deadline June 30.

The Tara. Deadline May 25. Now open. The TARA Contest is open to unpublished writers and published authors of novel length fiction. The author does not have to be a member of Romance Writers of America® (RWA) to enter the TARA Contest; however, the entry must be the author's original work of novel length, unpublished, and not contracted at the time of the contest deadline. Entries previously published in any format visible to the public such as on a website (including blogs), as an eBook, mass-market copy, self-published, etc., or works in the process of publication with the intention of being released through any venues at any time prior to October 1st of this TARA Contest year, will not be accepted. Up to the first 25 pages.Per the request of our editor judges listed below, all finalists must submit a synopsis with their entry.**

Category (also known as Series Contemporary)-Liz Pelletier -Entangled Publishing
Contemporary Single Title -Gabrielle Keck -Avon / Harper Collins
Specialized-(Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel)-Cat Clyne-Sourcebooks, Inc.
Historical - Brenda Chin-Imajinn Books
Inspirational-Raela Schoeherr-Bethany House **
Romantic Suspense -Alison Dasho-Montlake Publishing
Women’s Fiction- Junessa Viloria-Ballantine Bantam Dell

Colorado Gold. Deadline June 1. Enter the first 4000 words of your manuscript and a 750 word synopsis. Unpublished authors only.

Action/Thriller (Judge: Peter Joseph of St. Martin's Press)
Mystery/Suspense (Judge: Amy Stapp of Tor Books)
Romance ( Judge: Elizabeth Poteet of St. Martin's Press)
Speculative Fiction (Judge: Diana Pho from Tor Books)
Young Adult/Middle Grade (Judge:Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency)
Mainstream and Other Genres (Judge: Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Management)


Lone Star. Deadline June 5. Competition is opened to published and unpublished authors. Entry consists of the first 5,000 words of your manuscript.**

CONTEMPORARY:
Piya Campana,Editor Harlequin  
Cindy Davis-Editor, Wildrose Press
Victoria Lowe- agent, The Bent Agency

HISTORICAL/REGENCY:
Char Chaffin- Editor, Soulmate Publishing
Allison Byers-Editor, WildRose Press
Robin Hasletine – Editor, Entangled Publishing

FANTASY, FUTURE AND PARANORMAL: 
Brenda Chin-Editorial Director, Imajinn Books
Debbie Gilbreath- Editor, Soulmate Publishing
Sarah Hershman – Agent, Hershman Rights Management

** INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE:
Raela Schoenherr, Acquisition Editor, Bethany Books
Nicola Martinez, Editor Pelican Books
 3rd Judge TBA

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/INTRIGUE:     
Tara Gelsomino, Editor Crimson Romance
Andrea Somberg – Harvey JKlinger Agency
Michelle Graikowski- 3 Seas Literary Agency

YOUNG ADULT/ NEW ADULT:    
Alycia Tornetta, Associate Editor, Entangled
Sarah Blumenstock, Berkley
3rd TBA

SINGLE TITLE:    
Alicia Condon, Editor, Kensington Books
Chris Kessler – Editor, Boroughs Publishing
Jill Marsal – Agent, Marsallyon Literary Agency


Ignite the Flame. Opens for entries June 1 and deadline June 30. ***Entry must be from an unpublished completed manuscript in book-length fiction (minimum of 40,000 words).Submit up to 15 pages maximum. Enter the scene of your unpublished manuscript when your hero and heroine first meet (or reunite after a period of time) and experience that first spark of attraction.

Contemporary: Elle Keck, Editor, Harper Collins
Erotic: Christine Klocek-Lim, Acquiring Editor, Evernight Publishing
Historical: Tara Gelsomino, Executive Editor, Crimson Romance
**Inspirational: Emily Rodmell, Editor, Harlequin, Love Inspired
Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time Travel: Tahra Seplowin, Editor, Harlequin, HQN
Romantic Suspense: Megha Parekh, Editor, Grand Central
Young Adult/New Adult: Liz Pelletier, CEO & Publisher, Entangled

 
Pages From the Heart-Published Division Deadline June 30. ** Eligibility: The writer is contracted or published, but the entry itself must not be contracted or published as of June 30, 2016. Self-published authors are welcome.  Submission Consists of: No more than 6000 words/ first 25 pages.
Short Contemporary
Editor: Elle Keck, Editorial Assistant, Avon Books
Editor: Carly Silver, Editor, Harlequin

Long contemporary
Agent: Courtney Miller-Callahan, Handspun Literary Agency
Editor: Meredith Rich, Editor, Bloomsbury Spark

Romantic Suspense
Editor: Caroline Acebo, Assistant Editor, Grand Central Publishing
Editor: Allison Lyons, Editor, Harlequin Intrigue

Historical
Editor: Deborah Gilbert, Editor, Soulmate Publishing
Editor: Erin Molta, Senior Editor, Entangled Publishing

Paranormal/Fantasy/Time Travel
Agent: Jennie Goloboy, Red Sofa Literary Agency
Editor: Elizabeth May, Editorial Assistant, Kensington Publishing

Young Adult
Editor: Alysia Tornetta, Editorial Director, Entangled Publishing
Editor: Sarah Blumenstock, Editorial Assistant, Berkley/NAL

***Inspirational
Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, Three Seas Literary Agency
Editor: Nicola Martinez, Editor-In-Chief, Pelican Ventures Book Group

Hero Of Our Heart Award:
Agent: Stacy Donaghy, Donaghy Literary Agency
Editor: Elizabeth Poteet, St. Martin’s Press


Pages From the Heart-Unpublished Division Deadline June 30. Submission Consists of: No more than 6000 words/ first 25 pages. Unpublished authors only.

 Unpublished Division:
Long contemporary
Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Agency
Editor: Alexandra Sehulster, Assistant Editor, St. Martin’s Press

Short contemporary
Agent: Scott Eagan, Greyhaus Literary Agency
Editor: Patience Bloom, Senior Editor, Harlequin

Historical
Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Agency
Editor: Janet Clementz, Editor, Soulmate Publishing

Suspense
Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford agency
Editor: Carly Silver, Editor, Harlequin Intrigue

Paranormal
Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary agency
Editor: Kayla King, Assistant Editor, Harlequin Nocturne

Young Adult
Agent: Linda Scalissi, Three Seas Literary Agency
Editor: Alycia Tornetta, Editor, Entangled Publishing

*** Inspirational
Agent: Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency
Editor: Raela Schoenherr, Bethany House


 Linda Howard Award of Excellence.  Deadline June 30. Contest is open to unpublished and published authors. Published authors may submit only unpublished, non-contracted manuscripts that will remain unpublished until the contest has concluded.Entry consists of the first 5,000 words. Finalists have 7 days to submit a synopsis.

Categories

Short/Long Contemporary Romance
Final Judges:
Single Title - Alicia Condon, Editorial Director, Kensington Publishing
Series - Pamela Harty, VP of Sales/Literary Agent, The Knight Agency

Historical Romance
Final Judge: Patricia Nelson, Literary Agent, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Paranormal/Futuristic/Fantasy Romance
Final Judge: Ansley Blackstock, Acquisitions Editor & Author Development Liaison, Liquid Silver Books

Young Adult Romance
Final Judge: Michelle Grajkowski, Literary Agent, Three Seas Literary Agency

Romantic Sensual and Sizzling
Final Judge: Cheryl Yeko, Award Winning Author & Senior Acquisitions Editor, Soul Mate Publishing

The Write Magic
For Southern Magic members only
Final Judge: Kristy Hunter, Submissions Coordinator & Associate Agent, The Knight Agency

May Mini-con with Donald Maass: The Fire in Fiction. Sponsored by Colorado Romance Writers (CRW) Denver, Colorado  Fee: $85–100.00 Date: May 21, 2016
Featured Speaker: Donald Maass, President of the Donald Maass Literary Agency and author of Fire in Fiction, Writing the Breakout Novel, The Breakout Novelist, and Writing 21st Century Fiction. Conference Features: In this full-day hands-on master class, New York agent Donald Maass works from his book, Fire in Fiction, and reveals how master novelists make every book great—and shares how conference participants can use the same techniques of greatness in their current manuscripts. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop for all fiction writers. Participants should bring a WIP and writing materials. Continental breakfast, lunch, and beverages provided. If you can't afford a writer conference, do consider this workshop. It will change your life.

Do you live in Missouri? Then here's an opportunity! Michael Hauge’s Story Mastery Sponsored by the Missouri Romance Writers of America Location: Drury Hotel, 1118 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon, IL 62269 (18 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri.)
Cost: Story Mastery $85, Advanced Class $300. Date: May 14, 2016 and May 15, 2016. Description: On May 14, speaker Michael Hauge presents an all-day event with an optional advanced workshop on May 15. He is a story expert, author, and lecturer who works with writers, filmmakers, marketers, attorneys, and public speakers around the world.  

 WOW. Women on Writing SPRING 2016 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WITH GUEST JUDGE LEIGH EISENMAN OF HSG AGENCY. Do you need some writing inspiration? Contests are a great way to spark your creativity, and you may even win a prize! Get your best work together and consider entering the WOW! quarterly flash fiction contest with guest judge, literary agent Leigh Eisenman of HSG Agency. Stop by the contest page, download the pdf guidelines, and read all about Leigh's preferences. The Spring Contest is open to all genres of fiction between 250 - 750 words. Only 300 stories are accepted, so enter early to ensure your spot in the contest. Deadline: May 31, 2016. Details here.

 

Enter the Golden Donut Short Story Contest. Deadline July 1, 2016. The contest winner receives the prestigious Golden Donut Award AND and free registration to any 2017 WPA-hosted event! The Writers’ Police Academy is pleased to continue the Golden Donut short story contest in 2016. The rules are simple—write a story about the photograph above using exactly 200 words, including the title (each story must include an original title). The image in the photograph MUST be the main subject of the story. We will not provide clues as to the subject matter of the image, or where the shot was taken. That is for you and your imagination to decide. Remember, though, what you see in the image absolutely MUST be the MAIN subject of your tale.

Angels, Miracles, Cats, Dogs, Canada and more... The Chicken Soup upcoming topic line up can be found here.


Another terrific paying market for your short fiction is Splickety Magazine. Check out the guidelines here.


ACFW Virginia  Short Story Contest. Opens June 1, 2016. Deadline June 30, 2016. The theme is Christmas. Entry consists of an original 4,000 – 6,000 word short story. Entries must not have been previously published in any form. You do not have to be a member of ACFW to enter. Details here.


Interested in selling to Woman's World Magazine? Details for submission can be found in the February Edition of the Contest Update here.

 Contests. Contests! Come enter a CONTEST!!!Megan: Before you go and wrinkle your nose, hear me out. Please, I brought imaginary tea and cookies if it would help?

You: You’re telling me that you want me to willingly allow someone to not only see the words I’ve loved, laughed, and labored over for the past weeks. Months. Years even. But allow them the opportunity to rip my story and me to shreds. And pay them to do it? Yeah, no. No thanks.

Megan smiles and holds up the imaginary plate of goodies, tilting it at just the right angle so the sunlight sparkles across the sugary tops. “Here try the polka dotted ones, they’re my favorite. Sooo…Once upon a time, I entered my very first contest. I’d never had a critique partner, so I knew I needed someone else to look at my stuff. When I received my scores back, they were horrible, no good, very, very awfully-bad. And at the time I felt like a complete failure, wondering what in the world I was doing writing.

You eye the square iced cookie and frown. “You’re not doing very well with this whole persuasive go-forth-and-enter-a-contest thing.”

Megan holds up a finger: “Ahh, but all stories have a beginning, and who doesn’t love an underdog? Plus, I’m just laying the ground work to prove that if I can enter a contest, you can too. Another treat? The chocolate ones are scrumptious. Remember they’re imaginary so you can have as many as you want without any negative side effects.”

You plop two sugars into your tea and grab the mentioned chocolate. “Just get to the facts.”

Megan rubs her hands together. “Facts. Okay. Let’s call them Megan’s Top Reasons to be Brave and Enter a Contest List.”

Deadlines. When I know manuscript x has to be finished by date y it keeps me focused, productive, and continuing forward in this long writing journey. Contest entry deadlines also cut back on honing my already professional procrastination skills. It’s a win-win.

Feedback. Yes, sometimes the critique you receive may make you want to cry. Sometimes it’s even horribly off base. However, most of the time if applied correctly, it can strengthen your manuscript.

Thicker Skin. Not everyone in the world will be all sunshine and roses about what you write, how you write, or even why you write. Hearing criticism about your work will help prepare you for those possible one star reviews that may come in the future. (Which could only mean that you are published! Yeah!!!)

Encouragement. God has used a finalist placement or even a smiley face given by a judge on one simple sentence of my entry to keep me going. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need a little boost of confidence, a ‘sign’ if you will, to prove to me that what I’m doing is worth it.

Platform Building. Oh, no. Wait. Don’t go! You haven’t tried the dipped peanut butter yummies yet… As much as I’d love to remove this phrase from my writing life. I can’t. May I suggest that contests allow your writing, your voice, your name to get out there. Connections are important, and I’ve made several because of my contest entries. And double bonus, if you final, you can use that in your bio, your query, and even on your website. 

Agents/Editors: If your entry makes it to a higher level, your work may land on a desk of a very ‘important person.’ Talk about a big opportunity. Like huge! Before you say, I’ll never make it that far. Let me encourage you. Yes, it took me several attempts to get a manuscript to move on in a contest. But I used my scores and feedback each time like a continual writing education course. I dug into my manuscript and slowly reaped the benefits. Do I always move on in every contest I enter now? No, I sure don’t. But that’s okay. I figure out what I can learn, and then I set my eyes on the future.

Prizes: Winning cash or getting a free critique is a pretty sweet deal. Seriously.

Decisions. In the end, no matter what, your writings are yours. If you enter no one will make you change your plot simply because judge 24902100.5 told you to. Should you set aside your pride and consider it, maybe. Especially if more than one judge suggested it. But can I let you in on a secret? Contest Judges are in fact….human. Who knew? They are people just like me and you who have good and bad days. Combine that with how subjective writing can be and sometimes the worst case scenario happens, like someone being told to give up and never write again. If you get this advice, you have my permission to IGNORE IT! Please. Or better yet, use it as fuel to learn more, and grow in your writing. In all honesty, judges are there to try and help you, not ruin your day, life, or writing career.

Free. If a writing contest is free… what in the world is stopping you??? And no, I won’t accept excuses like: “well, it’s not in a genre I’ve ever done.” If an idea appears…Try it. I’d never written a Historical or in 3rd person before I entered Love Inspired Manuscript Matchmakers and I moved on to the next stage, where I got valuable insight from an editor. (And I might add this is a perfect example of: never say never.

Now, I’m not saying go all crazy and enter every single contest you see.

You stir your tea and ask, “Then what are you saying?”

Megan: Plan and budget.
Figure out what you need from a contest. Do you already have an agent? Then chances are you don’t want to enter one that only has agents as ending judges. If you need feedback, find one that offers authors as first round judges. If your hook is on page four, you probably don’t want a contest where you only enter the first three pages…

Contests are rewarding. They help you figure out your strengths and sharpen your weaknesses. Don’t let the fear of failure keep your stories locked away. Or don’t let a few actual failures keep you from pressing on to tomorrow. Your words may be exactly what the world’s waiting for.

I’ve got my pompoms, tissues, and chocolate. I think we’re ready for another contest. It’s time to be brave.

• MCRW’s 2014 Melody of Love Contest, 1st place, New Adult Category.
• RWA FHL 2015 Touched by Love Award, 2nd place, Short Contemporary Category.
• NTRWA 2015 Great Expectation, 2nd place, Inspirational Category.
• 2015 ACFW’s Genesis finalist, YA Category.
• Love Inspired 2016 Historical Manuscript Matchmakers, Betrothal Stage.

Megan Besing once thought books were only for education and Bible studies. However, now she can be caught hiding by her kitchen cabinets, squeezing in just one more chapter before dinner. She’s represent by Jessica Kirkland, The Blythe Daniel Agency, and when Megan isn’t writing she’s reviewing books over at Straight Off the Page. 

The Hoosier state is home, along with her husband, their children, a cat, and some chickens. Megan loves the beach, adores happily-ever-afters, and drinks way too many Vanilla Cokes. Learn more about her at www.meganbesing.com


That's it! Now go forth and contest!

 

Today's Contest Update was brought to you by Tina Radcliffe. Check out her January release from Love Inspired, Rocky Mountain Reunion.  





 **Indicates an excellent opportunity!! And they don't come along every day! Open doors are for walking through. No guts, no glory. No risk, no reward!