June Contest Update

or a Seeker Book of Choice. 

You get to pick.

 Winners announced in the Weekend Edition.

Welcome to the June Contest Update. The official countdown shows that there are 213 days left to 2016. What have you done today to make your dream come true?

In addition to the contest update, we've prepared a list of conferences by month. You can access that here. If you can't attend a large conference, a small conference, workshop or retreat is a great way to network and meet with your people. WRITERS!! 


From Rhonda Starnes blog:

So, this just happened! I won the Inspirational Romance category of the Wisconsin Fab Five writing contest! I’m so thankful for writing friends and mentors who push me to step outside my comfort zone and enter contests I wouldn’t normally enter.
You may be wondering, what are the benefits of entering contests? Well, I see two main benefits. First, it’s a great way to get unbiased feedback on your writing. Second, entering contests is an excellent way to get your work in front of an editor who might not have seen it otherwise. So, if you’re a writer and you’ve been “sitting on the fence” trying to decide if you should enter contests, I say go for it!

Published Manuscript Contests


Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Deadline June 30.

 STAR Crossed Covers Contest. Deadline June 30.

The Carla. Deadline July 1.

Unpublished Manuscript Contests


Lone Star. Deadline June 5. Competition is open to published and unpublished authors.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


Put Your Heart in a Book. Deadline July 1. Entry consists of the opening chapter of your manuscript, along with a synopsis not to exceed five (5) pages. Submission should not exceed thirty (30) pages total, including text and synopsis.


Final Round Judges: 

Contemporary Series
Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel and Goderich
Editor:Theresa Cole, Entangled Publishing
Author: Katherine Gilles Seidel 

Single Title Contemporary Romance
Agent: Michelle Johnson, Inklings Literary Agency 
Editor: Sinclair Sawhney, Senior Editor, Tule Publishing
Author: Nancy Herkness

Historical
Agent: Miriam Goderich, Dystel and Goderich                     
Editor: Esi Sogah, Senior Editor, Kensington Books
Author: Tessa Dare         

Paranormal
Agent: Margaret Bail, Inklings Literary Agency
Editor: Lori Whitwam, Managing Editor, Limitless Publishing
Author: Terri Brisbin

Young Adult
Agent: Eric Ruben, The Ruben Agency
Editor: Jennifer Herrington, Editor, BookFish Books
Author: Christina June

Romantic Suspense
Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary
Editor: Patience Bloom, Harlequin
Author: HelenKay Dimon


Indiana's Golden Opportunity. Deadline July 1.E ach entry shall be no longer than fifty-five (55) pages. Entries are comprised of the first pages of the manuscript (including prologue if one is used), and the synopsis. The synopsis may be no longer than ten (10) pages. Open to any unpublished author in novel- or novella-length romance fiction. 

 FINAL JUDGES FOR 2015:Contemporary Romance                                                                               

 E-Pub Editor-Latoya Smith -Executive Editor Samhain Publishing

E-Pub Editor- Heather Howland-Editorial Director Entangled Publishing

Erotic Romance                                                                                

Traditional Print Editor- Allison Janice-Editorial Assistant Berkley Publishing

E-Pub Editor- Michele Paulin-Editorial Director Resplendence Publishing 

Historical Romance   
                                                                                      
Traditional Print Editor-Laura Fazio-Assistant Editor NAL at Penguin

E-Pub Editor-Erin Molta-Senior Editor Entangled Publishing

Inspirational Romance***                                                                  

Traditional Print Editor-Shana Asaro-Associate Editor Harlequin Love Inspired

Traditional Print Editor-Becky Philpott-Acquisitions Editor HarperCollins Christian Publishing                      

Paranormal Romance                                                                                     

Traditional Print Editor-Kristine Swartz-Editorial Assistant Berkley Publishing

E-Pub Editor-Angela James-Editorial Director Carina Press / Harlequin

Romantic Suspense                                                                                         

Traditional Print Editor-Patience Bloom-Senior Editor Harlequin Books

E-Pub Editor-Deb Nemeth-Developmental Editor Carina Press

Young Adult Romance                                                                   

Traditional Print Editor-Lauren Smulski-Editorial Assistant Harlequin

E-Pub Editor-Stephanie Taylor-Owner & Editor in Chief Astraea Press

 First place winners in each of the categories will continue to the Best-of-the-Best round.

Best of the Best-Katherine Pelz-Assistant Editor Berkley Publishing Group 

Other Writerly Opportunities

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.

The Oregon Christian Writer's Conference.  August 15–18, 2016. Held at the Red Lion on the River Hotel (Jantzen Beach) in Portland. Twelve intensive morning classes and 26 afternoon workshops include a variety of fiction and nonfiction offerings, plus writing for young adults, writing for magazines, writing Bible studies, indie publishing, poetry, self-editing and a premium class with pre-conference manuscript reviews. Writers have opportunities to work on craft, get feedback through manuscript reviews, meet one-on-one with editors and agents, and receive “Next-Step” career advice from award-winning mentors. Each year contacts made during this conference lead to publishing contracts. More information check here.

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.

Another great market is the True's (True Confession and True Story). Guidelines here.

 ~~~

Welcome to our June Contest Diva: Angie Dicken!

My first introduction to my most favorite writing group ACFW was in 2010 when I entered my then-WIP in the Genesis contest. Previously, I had taken three years to write a different story, danced with a vanity press and hadn't gotten the vibe nor the funds to go through with it, and realized I needed to stuff that first manuscript in a drawer never to be seen again. So I began a new story and stumbled upon the Genesis contest via the web.

I swear I thought I was closer to publication than what the feedback gave me. Ever felt that way? 

But, if it wasn't for that entry and its feedback, I'd have never ventured further into the ACFW world and joined the Scribes Loop. I met my crit partner/bestie Ashley Clark there, and she pushed me to come to my first ACFW conference in 2010—that magical time where I met another bestie Pepper Basham and soon became an Alley Cat for The Writer's Alley.

All because of an entry fee, honest feedback, and the desire to succeed.

That's where my contest journey, aka thickening-of-skin, began. Honestly, I have struggled on and off with entering contests. I notice that when I first read feedback after a loss, my stubborn pride kicks in and I want to throw a fit...or my laptop. But once I calm down and take in the comments, I often find that there is truth in the advice, or at least, a chance for me to make my writing shine even more than I thought I could. I've had a few finals over these past years, but a LOT more falling short before the next round. While I will always take a win, it has been the losses where I have most seen God shape my perseverance with a huge helping of humility.
I have concluded that contest feedback pushes me to be better. This past year or so, I actually entered a contest FOR the feedback, not the win. One of my WIP's is a genre I've never written in before. I want the sting, the slicing and suggestions I can use as tools to tighten the story and give it a chance. Never thought I'd do that. I was always seeking the win. Of course, the win would be lovely too.

But contests aren't just about the winning, are they?

***

Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written six historical novels and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie is also an Alley Cat and blogs every other Monday on The Writer's Alley. She spends her time designing one-sheets and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check her personal blog at www.angiedicken.com and connect at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dicken.angie 
Twitter: @angiedicken
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/agdicken/

CONTESTS: 

Currently: LIH Matchmakers Contest Betrothal Stage
2016 Colorado Writers Top of The Mountain Award Fiction Finalist
2016 NTRWA Great Expectations Finalist
2014 ACFW Writer's On The Storm Short Story Finalist
2013 & 2011 Touched By Love Contest Finalist
2011 ACFW Genesis Contest Semi-Finalist
2011 Mile High Scribes One Sheet Winner

~~~

That's it, Seekerville. Now go forth and CONTEST!!

   **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!

Today's Contest Update was brought to you by Tina Radcliffe. Tina writes humorous sweet romance and inspirational romance from her home in Arizona. She is a Carol Award winner for Mending the Doctor's Heart.  as well as a 2016 Holt Medallion finalist, and a 2016 Greater Detroit RWA’s Booksellers’ Best Book Award finalist for Safe in the Fireman's Arms.

The fourth book in the Paradise series, Rocky Mountain Reunion is currently available.  Rocky Mountain Cowboy will be available in December.