September Contest Update

Back to school and back to the contest circuit!

It's been an AMAZING year for our Villagers who entered contests.

If you entered a contest raise your hand!

Leave a comment today and get your name on the chalkboard for one of two giveaways! A Super Hero Mug and a surprise book package. 
Two winners announced in the WEEKEND EDITION.

Published Manuscripts

Cover the Words. Deadline:  September 4, 2016.

Unpublished Manuscripts

 The Beacon. Deadline August 31. ENDS TODAY! Open to non-RWA writers. Published authors are eligible to enter any category in which they have not been contracted and/or published in book-length fiction (40,000 words and over) in the last 3 years.  (Self-published authors are considered published.)  Entry: First 25 pages of the manuscript. The entrant may also include an optional 5-page synopsis for a maximum of 30 pages. (Synopsis will not be judged.)  

Categories:

Category or Series Romance (Short Contemporary Romance)
 Agent: Scott Eagan-Greyhaus Literary Agency
Editor: Kathryn Lye-Harlequin

Contemporary Romance (Single Title)
Agent: Rebecca Strauss–De Fiore & Co. Literary Agency
Editor: Elizabeth Poteet of St. Martin’s Press

Erotic Romance
Agent: LaToya C. Smith, Lori Perkins Agency
Editor: Toni Kelley – Acquisitions Editor eXtasy Books

Historical Romance (Including Regency)
Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan-Handspun Literary Agency
Editor: Elle Keck-HarperCollins (Avon)

Romantic Elements
Agent: Shannon Hassan, The Marsal Lyon Agency
Editor: Susan Litman-Harlequin

Romantic Suspense
Agent: Laurie McLean – Managing Partner; Fuse Literary Agency
Editor: Nicole Fischer-HarperCollins (Avon)

Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic Romance
Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Agency
Editor: Tera Cuskaden, Editorial Director for Entangled’s Select Otherworld

Young Adult
Agent: Jessica Errera of Jane Rotrosen Agency
Editor: KC Mead-Brewer, Developmental Editor for Bancroft Press

Inspirational ***OPPORTUNITY!!!
Agent: Melissa Jeglinski-The Knight Agency
Editor: Shana Asaro-Harlequin Love Inspired


Heart to Heart. Deadline August 31. ENDS TODAY! Open to non-RWA writers. Enter the scene(s) in which the protagonists meet for the first time or for the first time in the book, if previously acquainted, up to a maximum of 15 page.Open to all writers unpublished by an RWA-approved publisher as of the entry deadline. Prospective entrants may be published with a non RWA-recognized publisher. However, they may not enter books/manuscripts that have been professionally edited or have ISBN numbers. 

2016 Final Judges
Contemporary
    Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency - Agent
    Elle Keck, Harper Collins - Print Editor
    Toni Kelley, Extasy Books - E-Pub Editor 

Erotica
    Sarah Bush, Trident Media Group - Agent
    Adam Wilson, Gallery/Simon and Schuster - Print Editor
    Tera Cuskaden, Entangled - E-Pub Editor

Historical
    Tamar Rydzinski, Laura Dail Literacy Agency - Agent
    Nicole Fisher, Avon - Print Editor
    Alycia Tornetta, Entangled - E-Pub Editor

Paranormal
    Lane Haymont, The Seymour Agency - Agent
    Bethany Blair, Berkley - Print Editor
    Stephanie Doig, Carina Press - E-Pub Editor
YA
    Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary - Agent
    Michael Strother, Harlequin - Print Editor
    Samantha McMahon, SoulMate Publishing - E-Pub Editor  

Hot Prospects Deadline September 1. Open to non-RWA writers. The Hot Prospects Contest is open to any Romance work uncontracted and unpublished at the time of entry. Entry consists of up to the first 30 pages to include a 3-5 page synopsis and up to 25 pages of your manuscript.

Single Title Contemporary-
    Senior Editor – Johanna Raisanen – Harlequin
    Editor – Victoria Curnan – Harlequin

Romantic Suspense:
    Editor – Stephanie Doig – Carina Press
    Agent – Melissa Jeglinkski – Knight Agency

Historical/Regency:
    Editor – Rhonda Penders – Wild Rose Press
    Editor – Kate Seaver – Berkley

Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal:
    Editor – Melissa Singer – TOR
    Editor – Michelle Klayman – Borroughs Publishing

Young Adult/New Adult Romance:
    Editor – Annie Berger – Source Books
    Agent – Michelle Grajkowski – 3 Seas literary agency

Inspirational Romance****OPPORTUNITY!!!
    Editor – Giselle Regus – Love Inspired Harlequin
    Editor –  Raela Schoenherr – Revell Bethany House

Erotic Romance:
    Editor Brenda Chin – Entangled
    Editor  – Kate Brauning – Entangled

 
Phoenix Rattler Contest (Christian Writers of the West). Deadline September 3. Submit the first ten (10) contiguous pages of your novel plus a one-page synopsis of the whole book. Completed manuscript no required to enter. THIS IS A GREAT CONTEST TO GET YOUR DIVA/DIVO FEET WET!!
 
Contemporary (includes Contemporary, Women's, Romance)    Michelle Grawkowski    Agent, 3 Seas Literary Agency

Historical (before 1960, includes Historical Romance)    Tamela Hancock Murray     The Steve Laube Agency

Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense    Elizabeth Mazer    Editor, Harlequin Love Inspired

Young Adult (for under 18)    Rachel Kent    Agent, Books & Such Literary Management

Speculative Fiction    Susanne Lakin    Copy Editor, Writing Coach, Owner-Live Write Thrive




Fiction from the Heartland. Deadline September 7. Open to non-RWAwriters. Entry must have a projected minimum length of 40,000 words. Contest will have no more than ten overall finalists from all categories. Manuscripts must achieve 85% or greater of
the total points possible to qualify as a finalist. Finalists will be judged by an industry editor AND agent.

Categories.
• Category Romance includes all novels intended for series lines
• Contemporary Single Title
• Historical Romance
• Romantic Suspense
• Paranormal Romance includes time travel, fantasy and futuristic
• Erotic Romance
• Young Adult Romance / New Adult Romance
• Inspirational Romance

Editors
 Elle Keck, Assistant Editor, Harper Collins
 Patience Bloom, Senior Editor, Harlequin
 Theresa Cole, Editor, Entangled Publishing
 David Long, Bethany House

Agents
 Shira Hoffman, McIntosh and Otis
 Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency
 Marisa Corvisiero, Corvisiero Literary Agency
 Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency


Gateway to the Best. Deadline September 9. Open to non-RWA writers. Entry consists of up to the first 7000 words of manuscript. The Grand Prize winner will receive a 2-hour coaching session with writing coach Michael Hauge (valued at $700), the Gateway Charm, and a certificate of achievement.

Contemporary Single Title/Series
Final Judge:  Diana Steger, Editor, Evernight Publishing

Historical
Final Judge:  Kathryn Chesire, Editor, Historical Team, Mills Boon/Harlequin

Paranormal/Fantasy/Futuristic/Time Travel/Alternate Reality
Final Judge:  Stephanie Doig, Assistant Editor, Carina Press

Women's Fiction with strong romantic elements
Final Judge:  Kristine Swartz, Editor, Berkley

Romantic Suspense
Tera Cuskaden, Editorial Director, Entangled Publishing

Young or New Adult
Final Judge:  Megha Parekh, Editor, Grand Central Publishing


Suzannah. Deadline October 1. The Suzannah is different from most other writers’ contests in that  published authors and unpublished writers all compete against one another in a single pool of entries without categories. Entry consists of maximum of 7,200 words, including synopsis (there is no restriction on length of synopsis, so long as the entire entry does NOT exceed 7,200) *not a cheap contest, but cash prize for the winner*

All six finalists will have their entries evaluated by the full panel of agents and editors. Our 2016 panel of final round judges includes:

Linda Scalissi, Three Seas Literary Agency
Sharon Pelletier, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
Jessica Errera, Jane Rotrosen Agency
Victoria Curran, Sr. Editor, Harlequin Heartwarming and Superromance
Lexi Smail, Assistant Editor, Grand Central Publishing

Editor#3 – TBA


The Emily. Deadline October 2. No synopsis!First 5,600 words, end on a hook, so less may be better.Open to published authors (you cannot have published in any form or length a title in your entry category during the 3 years prior to the contest deadline).Three first round judges for all entries. Lowest score dropped.

Long Contemporary –
Editor: Danielle Marshall, Amazon / Lake Union Publishing
Agent: Paige Wheeler, Creative Media Agency, Inc.

Short Contemporary
Editor: Brenda Chin, Entangled Publishing LLC
Agent: Carrie Pestritto , Prospect Agency

Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal
Editor: Angela James, Harlequin Enterprises
Agent: Moe Ferrara, BookEnds Literary Agency

Historical Romance 
Editor: Janet Clementz, Soul Mate Publishing
Agent: Patricia Nelson , Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Romantic Suspense
Editor: Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks
Agent: Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency

Young Adult 
Editor: Alice Jerman, Harper Collins
Agent: Tricia Skinner, Fuse Literary

Best of the Best is a competition between the first place winners of each category. The winner will receive $100. Best of the Best Judge:2016 RWA Steffie Walker Bookseller of the Year: Anna Brown, Katy Budget Books

Joyce Henderson. Deadline October 9. Unpublished authors and Traditional or self-published authors who have not published in the category they’re entering within the past 5 years. Entry consists of the The first 20 pages of an unpublished manuscript featuring romantic elements, PLUS a brief synopsis (up to one page, single-spaced). Synopsis is not judged. 

CATEGORIES:

Contemporary (including Women’s Fiction)
Editor: Sue Grimshaw, Penguin Random House
Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates

Historical
Editor: Lee Lawless, Tor/Forge Publishing
Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary Agency

Paranormal/Science Fiction/Fantasy
Editor: Georgia Woods, Hartwood Publishing
Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency

Young Adult
Editor: Mary Altman, Sourcebooks
Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary Agency

Romantic Suspense
Editor: Junessa Viloria, Penguin Random House
Agent: Jessica Waterson, Dijkstra Agency

*NEW* Inspirational
Editor: Susan Brower, Gilead Publishing****OPPORTUNITY!!
Agent: Julie Gwinn, The Seymour Agency

Four Seasons. Deadline October 10. Unpublished authors may enter any category. Published authors may enter any category in which they’ve not been contracted or published for three years in any novel-length work of fiction. Entry consists of the first 25 pages. No synopsis.

Historical
Editor: Kristine E. Swartz,  Berkeley Publishing Group
Agent: Terrie Wolf, AKA Literary Agency

Single Title Contemporary 
Editor: Cat Clyne, Sourcebooks.
Agent: Saba Sulaiman, Talcott Notch Literary Services

Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal 
Editor: Deborah Nemeth, Carina Press
Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Agency

Young Adult 
Editor: Amy Stapp, Tor/Forge
Agent: Marisa A. Corvisiero, Corvisiero Agency

Inspirational 
Editor: Elizabeth Mazer, Harlequin Love Inspired**OPPORTUNITY
Agent: Lane Heymont, Tobias Agency

Romantic Suspense 
Editor: Brittany Lavery, Harlequin
Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Agency

Other Writing Opportunities

Romance Writers! Give us your Great Canadian Heroes and Skip the Slush Pile! The Harlequin editors are on a nationwide mission to show the world what our Canadian romantic heroes are made of. Start brainstorming to create the perfect hero for one of our series.From July 1 to September 12, 2016 send us your first chapter plus a 3-7 page synopsis to the Ooooh…Canada! Blitz at Harlequin.submittable.com.  You can submit to any of the Harlequin series we publish as long as your story features a Canadian romantic hero.   Need some inspiration?  Check out all our current series books at www.Harlequin.com.All entries to the Ooooh…Canada! Blitz will be reviewed by the editors with feedback provided by December 1, 2016. So don’t delay—get your submission in soon!


Real Simple Ninth Annual Life Lessons Essay Contest. Deadline September 19. No more than 1500 words. What was the most dramatic change you ever had to make? Maybe you had to move cross-country after being relocated for a job, opening up new possibilities along with fears. Or maybe you needed to sell your house or leave an apartment before you expected to. How did that situation influence the rest of your life? If one unavoidable shift changed your world—for good and bad—in enduring ways, write it down and share it with Real Simple. Enter Real Simple's ninth annual Life Lessons Essay Contest and you could have your essay published in Real Simple and receive a prize of $3,000.

Coming to an Iowa near you!!  Harlequin Red Quill Workshop. Saturday, October 15th. With Harlequin Assistant Editor, Dana Grimaldi. "Learn How to Be a Savvy Romance Author & a Hybrid Superstar." 10am – 2:30pm /Workshops 3pm - ... Socializing/Networking. Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50231. Registration includes the Morning, Afternoon Workshops and Lunch. REGISTER NOW!!

In the Pennsylvania area? Check out the Keystone Christian Fiction Writer's Conference, coming in November. Love Inspired Editor, Emily Rodmell is taking pitches! 

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

~~~

Seekerville Congratulates our September Contest Diva

2016 Genesis Winner in the Romance Category, Laura Conner Kestner.

DISCLAIMER. If you were a contest judge this year and recognize any of these remarks as having come from you, PLEASE know that I’m explaining (in my own warped way), not complaining. I truly appreciate you! 

Despite what sages and songwriters tell us, life is not about the journey. At least it’s not if you’re a fictional character. The best I can figure, contest judges (and therefore future readers) don’t care how many miles you’ve traveled, what quaint diners or smoky dives you’ve stopped at, or the colorful people you’ve met along the way. They don’t want to know anything about you at all until the first bullet zings past your fictional head as you’re hanging by your fingernails from the side of a cliff (or the emotional equivalent), and your only two choices are to let go and fall into the nest of vipers sunning themselves on the jagged rocks below, or accept the hand that’s reaching down to you. The hand of a handsome, yet sinister looking man who will eventually provide you with a swoon-worthy happily-ever-after. But you don’t know that part of the story yet. So you’re understandably anxious, if not downright fearful. 

And you know the worst part? Judges don’t want you even THINKING about what brought you to this moment in your fictional life.  Oh, you might be allowed a few fleeting thoughts, such as, “Sweet Uncle Fred, if only you’d been more internet-scam savvy.” But under no circumstances are you to think about how Uncle Fred, your only living relative, opened an email one day from a woman who needed just ten-thousand dollars from him to fund the first full-head transplant in medical history, and how dear old Fred emptied your joint checking account to help—leaving you both penniless and homeless—and…well, you get the idea. You can tell all that later in little bits and pieces, but not now. 

So, start with the action. And no back story or info dumps—weave those colorful characters into the story as you go. Those are two things I learned from entering contests. 

I’ll cut to the chase for the rest. In one of the first contests, the judges talked about beats and tags, noting “stilted and choppy dialogue” and too many “he said, she said” moments. They showed me examples of how to correct it. 

For instance, I had something like: “I’m a police officer, ma’am,” Caleb said, pulling out his wallet to show her his I.D. 

And a judge suggested something like: Caleb showed her his I.D. “I’m a police officer, ma’am.” 

Other judges shared information and links on passive vs. active writing, and how to improve character mannerisms in fiction. I realized I’d made MANY mistakes in my entry, and that these judges were going to a lot of time and trouble to help me. 

So, after I got over my hurt feelings (thanks to TINA’s advice here on Seekerville, I said/did nothing for twenty-four hours after receiving my scores) I studied the suggestions and took them to heart. There was one part of my story where my Heroine just sorta “had” something she desperately needed, but I’d not given any plausible explanation of how she’d gotten it. I could be a bit vague because anything goes in fiction, right? Wrong. Multiple judges questioned that particular plot point, so I realized I’d better tell exactly how it had all happened, and I’d better make it believable. 

Thankfully, many judges took the time to leave encouraging comments. Some judges marked places where I’d done things well, and some said they were eager to read more. That helped keep me going. I admit I’ve shed a few tears throughout this contest journey, some of frustration and some of joy, but I believe entering—and visiting Seekerville each day—has helped me improve my writing, and therefore my chance of being published. In a recent contest, a judge commented:  “The dialogue is well written, natural and distinct to the character.” Remember, I started out, “Choppy and stilted.” I’m making progress, people.  Thank you, judges and Seekerville!! 

Laura Conner Kestner has been hanging out in Seekerville since November 2015. Since then she has entered the 2016 Great Expectations, Genesis, TARA, and Lone Star contests. Laura is currently a Lone Star Contest finalist in the inspirational category and she won the 2016 ACFW Genesis in the Romance Category.

With one book completed and two more in the works, Laura is busy these days writing, praying, rewriting, praying and studying the path to publication. She knows that whatever happens, it will happen in God’s time and not her own.  

Laura can be found at http://lauraconnerkestner.com/ 

Or https://www.facebook.com/lauraconnerkestner/ 

That's it! Now go forth and contest!

A cat with very good taste.

Today's Contest Update was brought to you by Tina Radcliffe. Tina writes humorous sweet 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, a 2016 Greater Detroit RWA’s Booksellers’ Best Book Award finalist and a NERFA 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.