If you're a fiction writer, you'll want to enter at least one of the contests being offered this month. Seekerville has them all nicely categorized and described. Find them at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2014/02/march-contest-update.html
Ready, set, go!
And...good luck.
Leave a comment and I'll gift you one of my novels or a subscription to my Wellness Ezine.
Follow me by email, below right
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
New free critique of your first page by literary agent, Sean McCarthy
If you're a writer, you're sure to love this one. Agent Sean McCarthy will critique the first page of whatever novel you're working on.
See the contest details at http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/free-fall-friday-industry-update-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingAndIllustrating+%28Writing+and+Illustrating%29
Good luck!
See the contest details at http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/free-fall-friday-industry-update-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingAndIllustrating+%28Writing+and+Illustrating%29
Good luck!
Monday, December 16, 2013
More fiction news available
Connect with our other blog, www.freeandbargainebooks.blogspot.com
There's a new post there on a writing contest with terrific prizes. I posted a fantasy entry called TALKING ANIMALS; you can read it there. Check it out!
There's a new post there on a writing contest with terrific prizes. I posted a fantasy entry called TALKING ANIMALS; you can read it there. Check it out!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
10 Dumb Things Not to do When You Query a Literary Agent---and What to Do instead
If you're a writer, you may be in a big hurry to start querying agents after you've finished a novel. But...make sure you don't do any of the ten things below. Take the suggested action and save yourself a lot of rejection.
10. Don't use a category rather than a name, e.g., Dear Agent. Do use the agent's specific name, e.g., Dear Ms. Lioness or Dear Mr. Lion.
9. Don't misspell the agent's name. Do copy the spelling from somewhere online to make sure you don't omit or transpose letters.
8. Don't research the agent; just send your query out. Not. Google the agent and find all the interviews she or he has done and especially read their web site and/or blog. You'll find a ton of information about them from who and what they represent and what they're looking for.
Do follow the directions you'll find on their web site, and make sure to double check because sometime they are closed for submissions until a future date or have changed what they want.
7. Don't ask at least one person whose acumen you prize to critique your query--just send it off. Wait! Have your critique group or beta reader or someone critique it and then make the suggested changes...You'll find your query will be much more specific and therefore, better.
6. Don't write a scintillating query; just get down the facts about your manuscript and send it in. Do you realize how many "facts only" and sometimes even less than that agents receive? You want yours to stand out, so use power words (Google them and you'll find a couple applicable to your work); don't forget to insert them in your query.
5. Don't include the genre of the novel. They'll figure it out. They may, but they may also be ticked off that you haven't followed their directions. So, if they say they represent romance, mystery, and thriller, choose one. If your story doesn't fall into one of the genres they represent, don't send it to them.
4. Don't make up your own genre, e.g., a YA thriller romance horror story. Do use sanctioned genres that you'll find listed online if you Google "genres."
3. Don't forget to tell the agent the name of your manuscript. Do tell them your proposed name. Don't get too hung up over it because the publisher will often change it anyway.
2. Don't start with a 1-2 sentence logline that describes the book, unless the agent asks for one. Instead, start with what they ask you to start with, most often, a description of the book, but sometimes it's why you're querying them. In that case, start with that.
1. Don't forget to include the number of words in your manuscript and contact information, according to the agent's wishes.
Do these things, and you're well ahead of the pack.
Good luck!
Carolyn
10. Don't use a category rather than a name, e.g., Dear Agent. Do use the agent's specific name, e.g., Dear Ms. Lioness or Dear Mr. Lion.
9. Don't misspell the agent's name. Do copy the spelling from somewhere online to make sure you don't omit or transpose letters.
8. Don't research the agent; just send your query out. Not. Google the agent and find all the interviews she or he has done and especially read their web site and/or blog. You'll find a ton of information about them from who and what they represent and what they're looking for.
Do follow the directions you'll find on their web site, and make sure to double check because sometime they are closed for submissions until a future date or have changed what they want.
7. Don't ask at least one person whose acumen you prize to critique your query--just send it off. Wait! Have your critique group or beta reader or someone critique it and then make the suggested changes...You'll find your query will be much more specific and therefore, better.
6. Don't write a scintillating query; just get down the facts about your manuscript and send it in. Do you realize how many "facts only" and sometimes even less than that agents receive? You want yours to stand out, so use power words (Google them and you'll find a couple applicable to your work); don't forget to insert them in your query.
5. Don't include the genre of the novel. They'll figure it out. They may, but they may also be ticked off that you haven't followed their directions. So, if they say they represent romance, mystery, and thriller, choose one. If your story doesn't fall into one of the genres they represent, don't send it to them.
4. Don't make up your own genre, e.g., a YA thriller romance horror story. Do use sanctioned genres that you'll find listed online if you Google "genres."
3. Don't forget to tell the agent the name of your manuscript. Do tell them your proposed name. Don't get too hung up over it because the publisher will often change it anyway.
2. Don't start with a 1-2 sentence logline that describes the book, unless the agent asks for one. Instead, start with what they ask you to start with, most often, a description of the book, but sometimes it's why you're querying them. In that case, start with that.
1. Don't forget to include the number of words in your manuscript and contact information, according to the agent's wishes.
Do these things, and you're well ahead of the pack.
Good luck!
Carolyn
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Share your idea about success in publishing and win a chance to get published
What's your idea of writing success?
All you need to do is share it and you could a chance to get it published on the Writers Digest blog.
Sounds good? Bop on over to the web site that follows and check it out.
Keep writing and reading...
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-q-what-defines-writing-success-a-chance-to-get-published?et_mid=582809&rid=49847111
All you need to do is share it and you could a chance to get it published on the Writers Digest blog.
Sounds good? Bop on over to the web site that follows and check it out.
Keep writing and reading...
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-q-what-defines-writing-success-a-chance-to-get-published?et_mid=582809&rid=49847111
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Share a favorite dessert recipe and appear in our book!
Do you have a favorite family recipe for a dessert? If you're willing to share it, you could get featured in our next book. We prefer more healthy than less healthy, but if your recipe is really terrific, we might waffle on that...
We're looking for recipes for our upcoming book, CANDY, MURDER and JUST DESSERTS, and we'll be taking recipes for the next two weeks.
Interest you?
Here's the format to use:
Ingredients:
(list them one per line, by amount)
Directions:
(how you combine the ingredients, temperature to bake at, if applicable, and any other directions needed for serving).
What do you get?
We'll mention your name, your blog, your web site, your twitter address, your next project, a current book you've written or plan to write, or something else if you can think of something else you'd rather have listed, as long as it fits in with the book.
We can't do two of the same recipe, so e.g., if someone sends in pumpkin cake and we already have a pumpkin cake recipe, you're out of luck. It's first come, first served in that case.
NOTE: You cannot use recipes you find in a cookbook or online. They have to be original family recipes you've tried and loved or we'll have to disqualify you.
That's it!
Just put your information below in the comment section, along with your email or twitter address or website where we can leave information.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
We're looking for recipes for our upcoming book, CANDY, MURDER and JUST DESSERTS, and we'll be taking recipes for the next two weeks.
Interest you?
Here's the format to use:
Ingredients:
(list them one per line, by amount)
Directions:
(how you combine the ingredients, temperature to bake at, if applicable, and any other directions needed for serving).
What do you get?
We'll mention your name, your blog, your web site, your twitter address, your next project, a current book you've written or plan to write, or something else if you can think of something else you'd rather have listed, as long as it fits in with the book.
We can't do two of the same recipe, so e.g., if someone sends in pumpkin cake and we already have a pumpkin cake recipe, you're out of luck. It's first come, first served in that case.
NOTE: You cannot use recipes you find in a cookbook or online. They have to be original family recipes you've tried and loved or we'll have to disqualify you.
That's it!
Just put your information below in the comment section, along with your email or twitter address or website where we can leave information.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
DEAR LUCKY AGENT Contest now on!
11th Free “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest (Middle Grade Fiction) is going on now!
Agent judges and super-cool prizes...
To find the 11th (free!) “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest go to the GLA blog by clicking More information about the contest, which is live through August 27th!
I know I'll be entering...what about you?
Agent judges and super-cool prizes...
To find the 11th (free!) “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest go to the GLA blog by clicking More information about the contest, which is live through August 27th!
I know I'll be entering...what about you?
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