Leave a comment today for a surprise
Amazon gift card to go under your Christmas tree.
For two writers, a critique of the first 15 pages
of their inspirational manuscript, to prepare for the Genesis.
Three winners announced in the Weekend Edition.
🎅🎅🎅THIS JUST IN! An anonymous SEEKER will take on two more critiques.
So a total of four! Keep those comments coming! Merry Christmas!
Published Manuscripts
NRCA is open. Deadline December 15.
New England Readers' Choice Contest is now open. (Formerly Beanpot) Deadline January 6, 2017
Golden Quill is now open. Deadline January 13, 2017.
Holt Medallion is now open. Deadline January 15, 2017.
Booksellers' Best Award is now open. Deadline January 19, 2017.
Attention Readers!
- Interested in judging the (New England) Reader's Choice Awards? Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Interested in judging the NRCA? Check this page for the form.
Unpublished Manuscripts
A reminder: always ask to see the contest score sheet before entering any contest.
Emma Merritt Contest. Deadline November 30. Open to published and unpublished authors. Each entry must be an unpublished work – it cannot be published or under contract in any form or format, not in digital or print prior to the entry deadline. Entry must be the first 5,000 to 8,000 words.
Contemporary: Piya Campana, Senior Editor, Harlequin Super Romance; Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Tara Cuskaden, Editorial Director, Entangled Select-Otherworlds; (agent TBA)
Suspense/Mystery: (editor TBA); Marisa Corvisiero of the Corvisiero Literary Agency
Historical: Tara Gavin, Executive Editor, Kensington Publishing Corp.; (agent TBA)
LGBTQ: Angela James, Editor in Chief, Carina Press; (agent TBA)
Women’s Fiction: Susan Litman, Senior Editor, Harlequin Special Editions; Danielle Marshall, Editorial Director, Lake Union Publishing, an imprint of Amazon Publishing
Inspirational: Raela Schoenherr, Acquiring Editor, Bethany House/Baker; Cori Deyoe of 3 Seas Literary Agency
Young Adult (YA): Susan Chang, Senior Editor, Tor/Tor Teen; Louise Fury of the Jenny Bent Literary Agency
Romance Me Novel Writing Contest. Deadline December 15. Open to published authors. "Be it historical or contemporary, a grand love story or the gripping tale of a torrid affair, through December 15 submit your Romance novel for the chance to win prizes and be read by judges from Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Hachette Book Group." Submit the first thirty pages. One entry per person. NO FEE! Cash prizes awarded to our top three writers. Everyone else will receive AUTHORS.me basic service; your submission viewed by multiple publishing professionals; and access to future contests and writer services. Winners will be announced on Valentines Day, February 14, 2017.
Final editor judges:
Marissa Sangiacomo-Macmillan Publishers
Lexi Smail-Hachette Book Group
Katherine Pelz-Penguin Random House
The Golden Heart Contest- Contest opens on December 1- Deadline January 11. The Golden Heart requires a full manuscript and is open to RWA members. The cost is $30. Once again Seekerville will provide an opportunity for entry reimbursement to writers who enter the Golden Heart in the category formerly known as inspirational. We're going to reimburse 10 entries -if the category makes it. So please consider entering! Read the rules here.
How it works. You enter and send us proof of entry. After the January deadline, RWA will announce if the category made it. If it does, we randomly pick 10 entrants to be reimbursed and then email them privately. Winner's first names only are announced on the blog in an effort to preserve contest integrity.
*** Here's a meme to share with your writer groups such as FHL, ACFW and your local chapters. Include this bitlink to this post: http://bit.ly/2fGt8LT
Great Expectations Contest. Open for entries October 30, 2016. Enter now, submit your manuscript later. Entry and payment must be received January 4, 2017.Entry consists of the first 5,000 words. NO synopsis or blurb. Finalists will be asked to include an unjudged synopsis for editors. Unpublished and Published authors.
Final Round Judges
CONTEMPORARY SERIES
TBA
HISTORICAL
Elle Keck ~ Assistant Editor/Avon Books
INSPIRATIONAL
Raela Schoenherr ~ Acquisitions Editor/Bethany House
MAINSTREAM with ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
Marla Daniels ~ Assistant Editor/Simon and Schuster
NEW ADULT
TBA
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
TBA
SINGLE TITLE
Madeleine Colavita Editorial Assistant/Grand Central Publishing
SPECIALIZED (FFTTP)
Kristine Swartz ~ Assistant Editor/Berkley
Great Beginnings Contest. Deadline February 14. Contest is open to published and unpublished authors. Entry consists of the opening five (5) pages of your romance novel (projected length of at least 50,000 words).
Final Judges:
Historical – Nicole Resciniti, Agent, The Seymour Agency
Paranormal – Lane Heymont, Senior agent, The Tobias Literary Agency
Romantic Suspense - TBA
Contemporary – TBA.
Let's start getting ready for the ACFW Genesis Contest which will open January 2017. The first 15 pages and a one-page synopsis!
- Want to Enter a RWA Chapter Contest? Here’s Everything You Need to Know. A TERRIFIC article by Angie Hockman.
- St. Martin’s Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. Deadline December 12. Details here.
- January 14. Florida Romance Writers Super Saturday Workshop Event. Featuring Debra Dixon. GMC and Big Black Moment. Details here.
- Keep your on on this site, #MSWL for writing opportunities. Manuscript Wish List where editors and agents let you know what they're looking for. It also keeps you apprised of trends in the industry.
- The Erma Bombeck Writing Competition opens December 1. Details here.
- Chicken Soup Callouts for January 2017-Dogs,Cats, Military Families and Teachers. Guidelines here.
- Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference is coming! April 7-11 2017. Details here.
Welcome to our December Diva, Laurie Wood from Canada!
I am honoured to be Seekerville’s December Contest Diva! I met Tina Radcliffe through Harlequin’s “Manuscript Matchmakers” Blitz for their Love Inspired Historical Line, and she graciously asked me to blog about my contest experiences over the years.
Although I grew up writing and dreaming of publication I chose a career in law enforcement and stopped writing. However, I changed careers, got married, and by 1997 I was staying at home raising our two special needs children. While they were/are a joy, I knew I needed something creative for myself.
I joined RWA and in 2003 I came Third in both the Daphne du Maurier and the Jasmine contests with a romantic suspense novel called Black Water. I wrote a sister book and queried agents with both of them because the feedback I got was excellent. Still, I didn’t sell either book.
My “early writing” halted when my husband joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in late 2004. Life became crazy with cross-country moves and deployments. However, when we came back to Winnipeg this time, I decided it was time to get back to writing. It’s been like starting all over again!
The first contest I entered was So You Think You Can Write in the fall of 2015. I got zero response, but I was determined to keep going! In April 2016, I entered my historical romance in the Harlequin “Manuscript Matchmakers” Blitz and made it to the second stage where they requested a partial. Still, it was a rejection.
But that didn’t bother me because I gained what I consider to be the #1 Best Thing you can get from a contest entry: a new critique partner, new friends with other unpublished authors, as well as some lovely published authors with the Love Inspired Lines. Their help and expertise as I kept going throughout 2016 has been invaluable and I cherish these new friendships.
My biggest achievement for 2016 was placing Second in the Inspirational Category of the TARA Contest. This was my historical romance which I finished despite not placing in “Manuscript Matchmakers”. There’s my second tip for entering contests: don’t just write up three chapters and call it a day. If you love your story, finish it! If you get good/great feedback on it, make use of it and keep going. It’s better to have some finished manuscripts on your hard drive than assorted chapters that lead nowhere. You’ll be poised to take an opportunity if it presents itself.
A couple of tips for entering contests in 2017:
• Do you want feedback? Enter a short contest that takes the first 5 to 15 pages of your WIP.
• Do you want to get in front of a specific editor at a publishing house? Scour Seekerville’s monthly updates for that editor and get that entry in!
• Do you want to final/win in some prestigious contests like the Genesis, the Daphne du Maurier, or the Golden Heart, to add these finals or wins to your query letters? Then mark them on your calendar and make a plan now.
By the time you read this, I’ll have finished this year’s NaNoWriMo Contest….which means December will find me editing that WIP, and getting it ready for contests in 2017. I hope to see you in the finalist listings!
This contest update was brought to you by Tina Radcliffe. Find her at www.tinaradcliffe.com
That's it Seekerville! Now go forth and contest! (See you next year!)
Congratulations to DIVA LAURIE!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have a copy of the Merritt Contest score sheet. If you need it, email me. But do enter.
Serving up eggnog and apple cinnamon cronuts from Dunkin'
Those are some great contests! I had already entered my name for both the reader's choice judging so here's hoping I'll hear something back.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Diva Laurie! Thanks for sharing your contest experiences and what you've learned from them. Sounds like you've gained a lot of wisdom when it comes to this over the years. :-)
Tina, I'll take some of the eggnog and a couple of those apple cinnamon cronuts, they sound delicious! And thanks for the chance at an Amazon card to put under my tree! I took advantage of Amazon's Black Friday deals and bought myself a new Kindle Fire HD 8" for $60!! I'd been wanting to replace mine for a while now, but had sticker shock at the new ones ($150??). I couldn't pass this up :-) And I got it in one of my favorite colors, blue!
Way to go, Trixi, you smart shopper. I got a new one this summer when they were on sale. I LOVE SALES. If it is not on sale I don't want to chat about it.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to all of the authors entering the writing contests.
ReplyDeleteI'm going contest crazy this year. Figure my book it a little different than usual this time around, so watch my dollars go.....Not that I have time to add that to my plate right now, but I am.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone want to take over for me with teaching math? I have a kiddo that gah! The poor thing, it didn't even click today on the one lesson for HOURS, but man, finally she got it, but every day, so time consuming, of course, if she was public schooled we'd just be doing her homework together all night anyway because as a former teacher I know there is no way she could get enough one on one help, though she'd likely have an IED....anywho, totally not a homeschool forum, but it eats into writing time!!!
Uh, that would would be IEP, not IED, no explosive devices! THough I'm sure she'd love to lob an IED at her math work.
ReplyDeleteOn the floor laughing with the IED device. I took algebra three times, including college to pass. I doubt I am an option.
DeleteEnter contests for your sanity dear.
Congratulations on your persistence Laurie. I bet a win is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteOh, Melissa, I'm sorry your daughter is having difficulty in math. If I lived near you I would love to help. Course things have changed through the years but I still love math!
I would love to be entered for the Amazon Gift Card. I am having a difficult time getting out to shop this year because of my ailing mother. I've been doing some shopping on line. I must say it is easier and less stressful to shop on line.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
I do all my shopping online, Cindy W. Forever and ever, amen.
DeleteCongratulations, Diva Laurie! Thank you so much for the contest tips as well.
ReplyDeleteTina, thank you for putting together this extensive list. Who knew there are so many opportunities out there...this is great!
So many contests, so little time. You are eligible to enter the Merritt, Jill.
DeleteCongrats, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, Tina! Love your pic. :)
Ho, ho, ho, Jessica B.
DeleteThese are great contests, Tina! Wow, the Genesis is coming up again. Time has flown this year. Enter me for the 15 pages critique for the Genesis and the Amazon gift card. Who doesn't like Amazon? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, Kelly, time is like that. She is a sneaky friend.
DeleteI wish all authors the best in all in these contests. I'd love to be entered for giftcard. I could use that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy Ann. You are entered.
DeleteHi Laurie, Thanks so much for your hands on contest information, It was a pep talk I really needed. I'm hoping I can enter at least one of these contests. I admire your strong will to restart your writing after all that moving, etc. I've had a cold spell too. Had a husband with an Achilles heel operation in a cast for three months. The worst. I do have muscles now from lifting a fifty pound wheelchair for doctor visits and such. Thanks for your inspiring words.
ReplyDeleteTina, what a wonderful line up of contests. Thanks for all you do. But I never heard of cronuts?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on shopping sales. I only hit the clearance aisles in stores. Love a good deal.
Congrats on the Woman's World romance. How many does that make? How do you manage all this? Do you ever sleep??? Smile.
Cronuts are round like a donut but with the layers of a croissant.
DeleteThanks on the WW sale. I have another coming up next week.
I sleep tons. The problem is I never get out of the cave.
Hope you'll venture out later next month though... Hmmm???
DeletePretty please???
I've never had a cronut either but sounds like I need one. :)
WOW! Tons of contests -- even for published authors! --but they always hit right when I'm under a book deadline with no wiggle room for 'extras.' SIGH.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, DIVA LAURIE! Your fortitude is admirable--truly Seeker worthy! :) Keep up the good work!
Life is like that, Glynna. No fun if it was smooth sailing.
DeletePlease enter me for the Amazon card!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Diva Laurie!!
Can't believe DECEMBER is almost here!!!
Jackie Smith! Good to see you. Okay, even here in Phoenix its chilly. 61 in my office, but I refuse to turn on the heat.
DeleteThank you, LAURIE. You have inspired me to get back on the contest horse. You are right, the best rewards are friends and feedback. I looked at the list and am mapping out my strategy for 2017.
ReplyDeleteI have a little extra time today so am going to shore up some things so I can write in December.
Kathy Bailey
Go Kaybee. Success is the best revenge ...er strategy.
DeleteLaurie, you lovely Diva...thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad that you have found your call again. :)
ReplyDeleteTina, wow! Thank you for the wonderful list. My goal is to become actively involved in contests by next year's rounds. I am saving up for ACFW membership and dedicating this year to study, study, study and stepping out on those wobbly writer's legs.
No need to enter me for anything this time. I just won last week and don't want to pig out...on anything other than cronuts! Oh I do miss Dunkin'. Once I moved from the East Coast Dunkin' has become a day trip event. No joke, I have to drive at least 1.5 hours rather than just blocks away like I did in RI.
Happy Wednesday ya'll!
Laurie congrats on being our contest diva!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree w/you more on which contest to enter. After I had entered a few contests, I started searching for the smaller ones that had an editor I wanted to get my work in front of. It worked. Not many entries=better chance of finaling. Pathetic, I know...
And Laurie,I should've hollered at you during the Canadian Blitz.
There's a lot of great contests out there. I'm trying to complete my wip. I'd love to enter the Merritt contest, but I already have a ms on Raela's desk and wouldn't know what ms I could enter that is ready. And the Great Expectation's Contest w/Raela is out. That's how I got my work in front of her the first time.
Wow, Connie Queen. Good for you!!!! Praying for a sale.
DeleteLaurie, congratulations on being December Diva -- and on your manuscript placing second in Inspirational in the TARA. That is a major accomplishment because you went up against published authors, too. Kudos and cheers for your determination.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest update, Tina, and I really, really appreciate the listing of other writing opportunities.
Best wishes to all you contest-ers!
Nancy C
You are welcome, Nancy who is Chill N. Now go forth and contest!
DeleteCongratulations, Laurie on being December's Diva!
ReplyDeleteTina, thanks for all the great contests to consider!
Jackie! A contest a day keeps the ...um, well it keeps your career moving. LOL.
DeleteCongratulations, Laurie! Your determination will pay off, no doubt!
ReplyDeleteTina, as always an exhaustive contest update - thank you! Just to clarify: The Golden Heart is open to unpublished authors who are RWA members?
I've never had a cronut but I'm guessing it's a cross between a donut and a croissant? If so, sounds amazing, though, coming from Quebec, I have to say it's hard to find a really good croissant in my tiny Vermont town.
Yes. Unpublished RWA members. Josee, no Dunkin Donuts in your neck of the woods? They have a key lime cronut and cinnamon apple cronut that are to cliche for.
DeleteJosee! New profile pix. Love it.
DeleteOh, we've got DD! This is New England, for Pete's sake! I have one a half mile from my house BUT I stay away. ; )
DeleteThanks, Tina!
DeleteCongratulations Diva Laurie.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have the one story in the right genre. I'm excited to enter it in the Genesis contest and see what happens. The judges had positive things to say in the contests I entered last year but they kept trying to make the villan into the hero. But now that I realized it is more women's Fiction more than romance I want to see how it does now. I would love a critic of this story.
Praise the Lord it is raining here in the mountains. Hoping this puts out all the fires and reduces our drought enough that no more get started and whoever is starting all this fires just for the fun of it will be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Happy end of November and beginning of December.
Go, you, Wilani. You are entered.
DeleteCongrats Wilani! Keep it up!
DeleteOh my yes. It's still raining here in middle TN but the weather radio was alerting ALL. NIGHT. LONG. High winds, tornado watch/straight line as well as flash flooding.
Read there have been 3 deaths so far in G'burg area.
Right there with you on prosecution. Catch those arsonists and throw the book and then some. Grrr.
This has been a long month with all the fires. All this effected my being able to do Nano like I had planned. Although I managed to write something every day and got 18 K written for the month.
DeleteKC, you stay safe there in middle TN I didn't realize you were so close.
Yes, terribly sad about the fires, Wilani! Praying the rain will help. We're expecting more in the Carolinas later today.
DeleteSo thankful for the rain. Sending prayers to the folks in Gatlinburg. God bless our wonderful firefighters!
DeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteI'm teaching my two teens Algebra. Most of it, I don't mind. But the kids always get the "You know I don't like these," warning if they struggle w/finding the volume of some odd never-before-seen-object. I really hate those. Thankfully my kids normally do well with them.
My daughter has always struggled w/Math too. The teachers in school worked with her, but they only have so much time. She's do pretty good, although we do have our days.
Congratulations Diva Laurie! Thanks for the great tips on picking contests to enter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great contest update, Tina!
Entering contests, Rhonda? Go you!
DeleteI need to write something new, first. Been working on my R&Rs which have already been entered in multiple contests. I hope to have something ready after the new year. Not sure how many contests I'll enter in 2017, but I know I want to enter the Genesis, again.
DeleteDECEMBER DIVA LAURIE! Congratulations on all your contesting experience! Thanks for the great advice...especially finishing those manuscripts! And way to go for completing NaNo....that is an amazing accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteTina, thank you for the contest update. Since this is the first year I have a completed manuscript.....and I want/need the feedback.....I'm going to enter the Genesis!!! Please enter me for the critique (if sending my pages after the first of the year is acceptable.)
BTW: I loved your WW story, Puppy Love......Awwww! :D
Our first snow of the year arrived yesterday...perfect weather for sitting by the fire enjoying egg nog and cinnamon apple cronuts....yum!
WOOOT!! SHERIDA, you diva you. Go Go Go.
DeleteThanks on Puppy Love!
YAY Sherida!!!! Go go go, go go go!!! (I'm 2nd-ing Tina here. :)
Delete("") ("") Power of the paws! ;)
Wow, I'm just learning about the whole concept of contests. There are so many! My WIP isn't ready to be seen yet, but hopefully next year I'll be submitting. (Which would make that critique so helpful!)
ReplyDeleteKelsey :)
Good for you, Kelsey! You are entered!
DeleteA big thank you to everyone for your encouraging comments! I had the most wonderful news yesterday - Dina Davis from LIS requested the full of my manuscript which I entered in the "Ooooh...Canada Blitz"! I whooped so loudly the kids were afraid something was wrong with me. So, enter these wonderful contests that Tina compiles for us and let's hear lots of "Call" stories in 2017! Tina, I think I'm going to need to be entered for that 15 page critique. :)
ReplyDeletehave a blessed day,
Laurie
Whoo hoo!! Congratulations on the requested full, Laurie! Dina Davis is the editor I worked with during the "Blurb to Book" contest and she currently has my revised "Killer Voices" contest manuscript. She's wonderful! Fingers crossed that we both end up getting "the call" from Dina and LIS!
DeleteRhonda, that would be a dream come true for me! This is truly a journey and it's wonderful that we have each other along the way to keep up our spirits and energy. :)
DeleteExciting news, Laurie! Congratulations!!!
DeleteWOOT!! CONGRATULATIONS, Laurie. A FULL REQUEST IS FANTASTIC!
DeleteWe have lots of authors here in Seekerville doing R and Rs for the last few HQ LI contests. Praying for sales..SOON!
Laurie, congrats! Dina is delightful...as are all the LI editors. Keep us posted!
DeleteCongrats Laurie,
ReplyDeleteand thank you for who you are, a real servant in the truest sense of the word. Gracious. Law enforcement, Mom of special needs kiddos, Air Force wifey and now writer...
My hat's off to you, but it's not as cute at Tina's. ;)
Great opportunities here. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you May the K9 Spy - I have lots of experiences to write about, that's for sure! :)
DeleteCongratulations, Diva Laurie, fellow Canadian!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, TINA. Love that you include the reader's choice ones as well. And you make it so easy to apply. I'm glad you didn't say that you wouldn't see us before next year!
XX MARIANNE!
DeleteLaurie, congrats on the request from Dina!
ReplyDeleteThank you Connie! :)
DeleteWelcome, Laurie, and congratulations on your contest achievements! Thanks also for the helpful tips about what contest entrants need to think about!
ReplyDelete"If you love your story, finish it." Super advice!
Agree with that, Myra. WRITE TO THE END!
DeleteCONGRATS, DIVA LAURIE! Way to go on progress! (And congratulations on your editor request. Well done!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, TINA, for the wonderful December contest update.
I had so much fun with Genesis last year, I *may* enter a new story THIS YEAR!!!!!!! Please toss me in for the critique. My name, that is. LOL
You are in Cynthia. And hey dudette, two finals in the Genesis has to be fun!!!
DeleteYou're so sweet, TINA! (Kudos to sweet mentors and accountability partners!)
DeleteDIVA LAURIE, huge congratulations on entering all those contests! Thank you for giving the savvy tips for entering contests. Wishing you much success!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Thank you so much Janet!
DeleteWILANI, I am glad you are good in math. Would you like to come over and balance my checkbook or do my taxes? The offer is open if you are ever in New Hampshire.
ReplyDeleteIt is raining here too and probably just as well, we have been under severe drought since June.
I was the overall winner in one contest this year, and didn't even place in the other ones I entered. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, it's a krapshoot, it's an inexact science. Am excited about my new crit partner though I miss my old one. There is always hope.
KB
Why do the entry fees have to be so much? 30-35 dollars is more than I have (I'm so po I can't even afford the last two letters), and for the one free contest you have to be eighteen to enter! Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest update, but I think I'll just focus on writing my books right now. I've got a third book to write after all.
Also a huge congrats to Dive Laurie!
DeleteYour time will come, Nicky!!! WRITE ON!
DeleteTINA, thanks for the contest update. I'm off to enter The Holt.
ReplyDeleteBut before I go, I have to tell you, I loved your Woman's World romance Puppy Love! Your short romances are so fun and uplifting.
Janet
AW, Thanks, Janet.
DeleteI owe a lot to the editor.
LAURIE, congratulations on the request for a full. That is such a step forward for any of us. You are on your way.
ReplyDeleteKB
thank you Kaybee, that means a lot!
DeleteCongratulations Diva Laurie! Thank you for the contest tips and advice. Tina I'd love a cronut, it sounds fantastic! Have a Merry Christmas : )
ReplyDeleteStacy T. Simmons. Welcome to Seekerville. Have two cronuts. They're small.
DeleteCongratulations, Diva Laurie!
ReplyDeleteAnd great contest update, Tina. This is a busy time for contests, isn't it? I'll be perusing the links. :)
Yes. We are about to hit the CONTEST SEASON!!! LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
DeleteHi Laurie! I'm so glad to hear about the full request.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the community on the Matchmaker contest board. It was fun getting to hear about all the great stories people were working on. I'm looking forward to reading your story when it's published!
Evelyn, welcome to this contest Wednesday. Reader or writer??
DeleteThank you Evelyn...there was fantastic camaraderie on the Matchmaker contest board. The Canadian one's been quieter because it was series wide. But I love being able to chat on the HQ forums and share information, angst, and encouragement.
DeleteTina -- both! I did sell a ms. to LIH as a result of the Matchmaker contest. It's in the process of being Improved at the moment :)
DeleteLaurie, congrats on your contest successes! I love your contest advice and think you have a great attitude about contest feedback and support from writer friends. Support I've gotten through the years has really helped me, too.
ReplyDeleteGolden Heart Rules:
ReplyDeleteThe Golden Heart contest is open to RWA members who have not accepted a publishing offer for, or Self-Published, a work of original fictional narrative prose of 20,000 words or more by January 11, 2017. Entered works must not be published as long as they are under consideration for the Award.
Previously entered manuscripts may be entered again, but no previous Golden Heart-winning manuscript can be entered, even if revised.
If an entry is the result of collaboration, all collaborators must be RWA members in good standing. Any lapse in the entrant’s or collaborator's membership during the course of the contest (from the time of entry until the winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony) will result in the entrant being required to renew membership within 10 days of notification or the entry will be disqualified from the contest.
Entrants must be 18 years of age by the date of entry.
Entrants are required to check a box on the website indicating their acceptance of terms.
Neither employees of RWA nor members of their immediate families are eligible to enter or judge any RWA contest. “Immediate family” is defined as spouse, parents and children. Adopted, foster and step members are included in this definition.
The Golden Heart contest is open to 1,200 paid entries.
Entries must be submitted to RWA's contest site no later than 5 p.m. CT, January 11, 2017. Entrants who fail to meet this deadline will be disqualified, and the entry fee will be forfeited.
PAN, PRO, and other interested RWA members are eligible to judge the preliminary round. The final round will be judged by three editors.
DID YOU SEE THAT LAST LINE? JUDGED BY THREE EDITORS.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Tina, I don't know if I ever noticed that before. Or maybe it's new.
DeleteAlways love the contest update, Miss Tina. Great to hear about more contests.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Laurie on your endeavors in writing. I noticed when you thought you were going to get the call, you had some life crises. I bet you were thankful then not to have a deadline. That is what happened to me also. smile Your time will come. Be persistent. Congrats on all you have accomplished. Way to go and today is last day of NaNoWriMo. Yay
ReplyDeleteSo true Sandra! God is good - His timing is perfect. I thought my car accident was the biggest setback going, but perhaps not having a vehicle all winter and being forced to "stay home" will help with the writing. I'm looking at all silver linings, lol! :)
DeleteYAY, LAURIE! Congratulations on the request for a full! It pays to be a contest diva.
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee! :)
Delete🎅🎅THIS JUST IN! An anonymous SEEKER will take on two more critiques.
ReplyDeleteSo a total of four! Keep those comments coming! Merry Christmas!
Yaaaay!!!! So. Much. FUN!!!!
DeleteCongrats Laurie!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Tina, thanks for keeping us updated on contests! I need to enter. Who mentioned having little time? I'm seconding that comment, but hope to get contest entries ready after the normal workday is over.
ReplyDeleteLoved your Woman's World story, Tina! I was afraid the magazines would be sold out. Thankfully, found one at Kroger! YAY!
Diva Laurie, we're all proud of you! And a full request. How great is that! Congrats!
Thanks, Debby. It was fun to write too.
DeleteThank you Debby! It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for and gotten. I'm still grinning like a fool!
DeleteOooh, I think I'm going to the grocery tomorrow so I'll have to get a copy of WW! :)
DeleteCritiques from Seekers?
ReplyDeleteOK. I'm in. I have a never before seen manuscript in-process that could use a second pair of eyes. (Or is that a third pair of eyes, since I now wear reading glasses. Hopefully, that's not too bad of a joke. :-) )
Congrats, Walt, on writing another manuscript...or at least part of it! Historical? Set in Japan? You have me intrigued!
DeleteWelcome to the "readers" club, Walt.
DeleteDebbie, you did cause this. When I mentioned to you at M&M that I was doing the Kindle Scout program, you mentioned that I needed to have three books ready. I've never let anyone see the opening of Book 2 of my three-part Japan series. (The opening to Book 3 is contest-tested.) I've got three separate projects in process. I'm also close to competing my Christian history in Japan presentation.
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS TO December Diva, Laurie Wood!!!!
ReplyDeleteTINA, a Santa hat has never looked so good as it does on you!
GOOD LUCK to those entering contests!
hahaha. Thanks Caryl!
DeleteYeah, Tina, the Santa hat looks great, especially with the cool sunglasses. Only in sunny AZ. LOL
DeleteJanet
Thanks, Janet. Actually, it has been chilly here.
DeleteThanks for the heads up for reader judging! I love doing that every year, hoping it helps authors out.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are doing that, Susan P. It keeps us in contests!
DeleteCongratulations, Laurie! Persistence is the key to writing success. You go, girl.
ReplyDeleteWish I could enter a few contests, Tina, but life has been a little complicated lately. I'm taking December to clean out my office, reevaluate my priorities, set my writing goals...and pray a lot.
Thanks to you, Tina, for always keeping Seekerville on track. You're a blessing to us all!
There is a season for everything, Barb.
DeleteThank you Barb and Caryl Kane! Yes, Barb, there is a season to everything and if you can rest and rejuvenate over the Christmas season you'll come back stronger than before. We all have to "prime the well" - for me, it's spinning, dyeing fibre, and knitting. So much dopamine floating around after that I have tons of ideas. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to December Diva, Laurie Wood !!! Hooray for your persevering spirit!! It's certainly paying off!! And, you're inspiring the rest of us!!
ReplyDeleteWould love a critique!! Very helpful indeed!!
Have missed all of you, but happy to be able to visit here again as life permits!
Oh, yeah...and THANKS to Tina for the terrific round up of December contests... and beyond!! I have Mt. Hermon on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteIt's a busy season, Kathryn. You are added to the critique hat.
DeleteOhh, my goodness! TWO more critque chances! FABULOUS!!! *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteGreat contest update! So much to do, so many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteI've just finished editing a May release and now diving into edits for a November release... So seeing these opportunities is a wonderful glimpse into the amazing chances out there!
And four critiques????
SUHWEEEEET!!!!!!
And Tina did embedded comments.
ReplyDeleteShe has come to the dark side!!!!!
I had insomnia again and slept in and then went to a webinar and was behind so I sort of HAD to do embedded comments. They makes sense sometimes. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
Delete*Fist bumps Ruthy* :-D
DeleteDiva Laurie! Thank you for spending the day with us. Praying for a sale and continued success for you on the contest circuit.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Diva Laurie. And here's hoping you get good news from LI.
ReplyDeleteI do have a question about the Genesis categories. I write shorter inspirational category romance. Last year I entered in romance and I'm thinking I should have entered in short novel. Any hints?
And I'm determined. Contests until the call.
Thanks Tina for the contest update.
I'd enter romance too. But you can email the coordinators, Tanya.
DeleteBest wishes to all the authors entering contests! That's quite a few opportunities! Congratulations Laurie on being the December Diva and good luck for continued success!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Heidi!
DeleteGood luck to all of you entering contests! Write on! May you receive helpful feedback and continued success!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fedora!
DeleteCongratulations Laurie! Quite an impressive list you've got going on.
ReplyDeleteTina you are rocking that Santa hat while wearing shades!
I see some great contests and one I definitely want to enter. Please enter me for prizes. Thanks!
Thank you, Terri! I'd share my hat with you! And you are entered.
DeleteGreat article today! Just re-wrote Book 1 in my Inspirational Southern Fiction Series. Complete overhaul, but some elements remain the same. Book 1 is Women's Fiction + Romance, the rest are most likely romance, but we'll see. I did not enter the Merrit. I wanted to submit under the Inspirational category, not Women's Fiction. Great insight, Laurie. My sincere thanks to all. I'll get there one day and it will be so sweet!
ReplyDeleteSigned up to judge for both. :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the update, Tina. As well as the great giveaways! Good luck, everyone!
ReplyDeleteTina, thank you for the wonderful contest update!! Love the Santa hat!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, DIVA LAURIE!! Thank you for sharing your journey!!
Looks like all you authors have lots of contests to choose from! Good luck all :)
ReplyDeleteplease toss me into the Amazon surprise..
This is all new to me! I cant wait to submit my WIP to a smaller contest - but I need to polish it and keep writing :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Contest Update! The snowman is cute too. I wish it would snow here...
ReplyDeleteI applied to judge those two contests. I did both of them laser year too and enjoyed it a lot. I hope others will apply too. It's a great experience! I've actually judged several contests and had lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be in the drawing for the Amazon card!