A few more give-aways

Apparently, it’s impossible to corral all of the writing world’s lovely give-aways in one blog post, so here are a few more to start off your week. Have fun!

1. 8th Grade Superzero giveaway
   • By? the Tenner’s
   • Who can enter? anyone age 13 or over—one per person
   • Deadline? Friday, December 11, 11:59 PM (EST)
   • The Deets: “To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post by Friday, December 11 at 11:59 PM (EST) telling us one way that you might be an "agent of positive change" (at home, school, work, in the larger community, among friends, or some sort of change within) in 2010”
   • The Prize: signed copy of 8th Grade Superzero!
2. Deb’s Book Giveaway!
   • By? Daisy Whitney
   • Who can enter? everyone (I think)
   • Deadline: varies—check her blog
   • The Deets: Daisy will have a series of contests over the next few weeks. View the video on her blog for more info.
   • The Prizes: signed copies of TMI by Sarah Quigley, Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang, Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman, My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman and Ash by Malinda Lo
3. Mentors, Muses, Monsters CONTEST!
   • By? Editorial Ass
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: December 15, 2009, at 11 pm EST
   • The Deets: “Create a tribute to (or a character assassination of) someone who contributed significantly (positively or negatively) to your path toward becoming a writer.
     Rules: Email me at moonratty@gmail.com your submission in the body of an email. (No attachments please.) The submissions can be any length you like, but please keep in mind I have a fairly short attention span, and that submissions may be judged accordingly. The submissions may be prose, verse, acrostic, or whatever other verbal form inspires you.”
   • The Prize: “One hardcover copy of MENTORS, MUSES & MONSTERS, signed by Elizabeth Benedict, Lily Tuck, Alexander Chee, Martha Southgate, and Mary Gordon.”
     

A Completely Non-Exhaustive Roundup of December’s Contests and Giveaways

‘Tis the season for bloggers and such to try to motivate a bit more reader participation—or to attract new readers—or maybe just to have some random fun interacting with readers. Whatever the reason, I’ve come across a number of contests and giveaways lately, and thought you, dear readers, might enjoy checking them out. Have fun!

1. Wake and Fade book giveaways
   • By? FallenArchangel.com
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: Midnight Thursday, December 10
   • The Deets:”In order to enter for a chance to win a set of these books, comment here in this thread and tell us about your weirdest dream. Keep it clean and appropriate for all ages please.”
   • The Prizes: copies of Wake and Fade by Lisa McMann
     
2. FallenArchangel.com ‘Tis the Season of Giving Contest
   • By? Writer Girl
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: Sunday Dec 13th at 11:59 PST.
   • The Deets:
     “It is simple, really. You do a kind deed. It is the time when we really start to think of other people and I love this time of year for that. Do a conscious kind deed, put it up here what you did on this post and that counts as a point. It doesn't have to be big. Not tripping your sister in the hall could count for one. :) Even just smiling at someone that doesn't usually get a smile would be one (and it can be so huge). So you will be earning these books, but in very simple ways. You can get as many points as you want. I will be going off of the honor system here.”
   • The Prize: Pick one of three signed books, Rapunzel’s Revenge (Bruce and Shannon Hale), Wintergirls (Laurie Halse Anderson), or The Lightning Thief  (Rick Riordan)

3. Fourth and Final Readergirlz Writing Contest

   • By? readergirlz author in residence Beth Kephart
   • Who can enter? Everyone!
   • Deadline: December 30, 2009
   • The Deets: "...a challenge that asks you to look at something familiar and transform it into the unexpected. Check out the video posted here. Send your best work to kephartblogATcomcastDOTnet…The winning work will be posted on this site. Our deadline is December 30, 2009."
   • The Prize: an advanced reading copy of The Heart is Not a Size (due out in March from HarperTeen).

4. Eighteenth Annual Delacorte Yearling Contest for a  First Young Adult Novel

   • By? Delacorte
   • Who can enter? “U.S. and Canadian writers who have not previously published a young adult novel. Employees of Random House, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and members of their families and households are not eligible."
   • Deadline: December 31, 2009 (postmark)
   • The Deets: Submit a manuscript 100-224 pages, cover page, and brief plot summary suited for readers ages 12-18. See here for more info.
   • The Prize: “The prize of a book contract (on the publisher’s standard form) covering world rights for a hardcover and a paperback edition, including an advance and royalties, will be awarded annually to encourage the writing of contemporary young adult fiction. The award consists of $1,500 in cash and a $7,500 advance against royalties.”

5. FreshBrain Video Book Trailer Scholarship

   • By FreshBrain organic
   • Who can enter? Teens ages 13-18
   • Deadline: December 15, 2009
   • The Deets: Submit a book trailer between 30 sec-2 min in length on the FreshBrain website. See here for more info.
   • The Prize: $1000 scholarship

 

 

 

The Week’s Tweets on how to dodge subconscious blocks and WRITE THE STORY

WTS=Write the Story!

WTS 25: Sometimes, the physical act of writing will trigger a breakthrough. Start small: brainstorm a list of plot twists and surprises.

Newberry winner Susan Patron speaks on tricking your muse (and finding inspiration in the dirty clothes): http://bit.ly/6pJKfB

WTS 26: Brainstorms count as writing! Brainstorm character quirks, flaws, motivations, desires--and see where it takes you.

WTS 27: Take advantage of the brain-body connection. Inspire creativity through movement! http://bit.ly/6QUHNF

More inspiration through movement: Try guided yoga (http://bit.ly/2H6K14) to energize mind and body.

Let a prompt inspire--check out the writing contest over at readergirlz: http://bit.ly/81xHUW

WTS 28: Sign up for monthly inspiration and info in Randy Ingermanson's ezine http://bit.ly/7mGkSj.

...or check out the Dec issue (http://bit.ly/6cFLsv) for tips on creating mood in fiction and tips on keeping yourself accountable.

If you’re interested, come join me at @CherylRWrites for Tweets to help you overcome creative blocks and thrive on the writer’s road!

:) Cheryl

2009 Contests and Scholarships: Cheryl's completely non-comprehensive list of opportunities

1. January 1-31 (postmark date): Highlights 2009 Fiction Contest
   Submit: Contemporary world culture stories up to 800 words (older readers) or 500 words (younger readers). See web site for details.
   Prize: Three prizes of $1,000 or tuition for the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua.




2. February 1: Writing Away Retreats Scholarship Contest
   Submit: Short story or portion of novel UP TO 5K words to using this as your topic: "Dishing up fear" to creativelivesworkshop@hotmail.com with "Writing Away Retreats Contest" as the subject line. See contest web site for details.
   Fee: $10.00
   Prize: Full ride to Writing Away Retreats (worth $1350.00)




3. February 17 (receipt date): The Sandy Writing Contest 2009 for writers unpublished in novel-length fiction.
   Submit: The first 20 pages and up to a 2 page synopsis, for a total page count of 22 pages. See contest rules for categories and additional information.
   Fee: $20 for Crested Butte (or Gunnison) Friends of Library members, fee for all others is $30.
   Prize: Acquiring editors and agents will serve as final judges. They will determine the order of the top three entries in each category. Winners will be announced at the 2009 Crested Butte Writers Conference. The first place entries in each category will receive $50 and a certificate; second place will receive $25 and a certificate; and third place will receive a certificate.




4. April 1 (postmark date): Pan Handle Professional Writers 2009 Youth Writing Contest Submit: Short story or poetry (length varies with age group; see contest link for details).
   Fee: none
   Prize: ??? (info not found)




5. April 15th: fAiRy gOdSisTeRs, iNk 2nd Annual SCBWI Summer Conference Scholarship
   Submit: A 250-word, double-spaced essay describing what you hope to accomplish by attending this year's summer conference. Send your essay to: fairygodsistersink@yahoo.com.
   Fee: none
   Prize: $1500 scholarship for a SCBWI member to attend the August 2009 conference in Los Angeles.




6. April 1-June 1 (???2009 dates tbd): Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Writing Contest (2008 info here) for writers of commercial fiction.
   Submit: 20 manuscript pages and an eight-page synopsis.
   Fee: (2008) $25, with additional fee for written critique
   Prize: (2008) SIX highest-scoring submissions in each of four categories will make the finals and then be judged by an agent or editor who works in that genre. They will pick one winner in each category. The winner receives $100 and a framed certificate. The remaining finalists will receive $25 and a framed certificate.




7. June 30th(?): RMC-SCBWI Manuscript Critique - entry deadline (specific date tbd)
   Submit: Details tbd
   Fee: tbd
   Prize: Top manuscripts will receive critiques and one-on-one appointments with an editor or agent attending the RMC-SCBWI 2009 Fall Conference.




8. March 1-August 15: Pockets Fiction Contest
   Submit: 1,000 to 1,600 word story (1,400 words preferred). Manuscripts are disqualified if they are shorter or longer by even a few words. Note accurate word count on the cover sheet. Stories must be previously unpublished.
   Fee: none
   Prize: The winner, notified by November 1, will receive a $1,000 award. Because the purpose of the contest is to discover new writers, previous winners are not eligible.
   




9. September 25: Decatur Public Library Annual Writing Contest
   Submit: See contest rules here
   Fee: $3/entry, 5 entry max
   Prizes: Small cash prizes for top 3 manuscripts in each category, plus comments (sometimes--not guaranteed) from published author who judges your submission
   




10. September 1-November 1 (??? 2009 dates tbd): Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Contest (2009 info)
    Fee (from 2008): $30 PPWC members, $40 non-members, with additional charge for optional critiques
    Prize: First place winner in each category will be refunded his/her conference registration fee if attending the 2010 PPWC or will be awarded a cash prize of $100 if not attending. Second place will be awarded $50, and third place will be awarded $30. In addition, winners attending the conference will be given top priority with respect to their editor/agent pitch appointment selections.

SCBWI 2009 Summer Conference -- scholarship!

From the wonderful Shrinking Violet Promotions blog:

fAiRy gOdSisTeRs, iNk announces its 2nd Annual SCBWI Summer Conference Scholarship!

FGI is offering a $1500 scholarship for a SCBWI member to attend the August 2009 conference in Los Angeles. The 2008 scholarship to Linda Lodding of the Netherlands.

To apply for the 2009 scholarship, submit a 250-word, double-spaced essay describing what you hope to accomplish by attending this year's summer conference. Send your essay to: fairygodsistersink@yahoo.com.

The application deadline is April 15th, 2009. The winner will be notified May 15th, 2009.

fAiRy gOdSiStErS, iNk. is a small, benevolent squadron of Santa Barbara children's book authors who believe in the magic of passing forward lucky breaks, bounty, and beneficence, as so many have done for us. We are: Thalia Chaltas, Mary Hershey, Valerie Hobbs, Robin LaFevers and Lee Wardlaw.

If you would like to share some fairy dust of your own to help send a writer to the 2009 Summer Conference, FGI welcomes your donations!For more information about the grant and/or making a donation, please visit the FGI website (which will be up and running any day now! We promise!) at http://www.fairygodsistersink.com/.

Just One Word...

RETREAT.

Or should it be WOW?

I returned from the first-ever Writing Away Retreat, hosted by the incredible Cicily Janus, and it was far and away one of the best writing events I've ever attended. More on that later, when I have more than a few secs to write. BUT...if you're interested, check out http://www.writingawayretreats.com/. If at all possible, I'll be there for the May 2009 retreat.

Meanwhile, here's info on an opportunity to attend for FREE, from Cicily:

Description
Dishing up fear! Let's combine my love for cooking and short stories! I've heard editors say that horror/thriller writer's are hard to find. And good ones, even more difficult to find. So let's prove them wrong.

CONTEST: Submit a short story or portion of novel UP TO 5K words to using this as your topic: "Dishing up fear." Can be anything as long as it fits within this topic. Of course I'm looking for the very best writing, not just gore for gore sake. Not into that. I'm much more easily scared with suspenseful words...

Entry Fee: $10.00 USD via paypal.Once entry is sent into above email address, paypal invoice will be sent out. All non-paid entries will be discarded. For your money, you get a crit. of your short or novel excerpt and if it's good enough, a suggestion of where you can submit the piece within the short story markets.

Deadline: January 1, 2009: Midnight. Must be submitted and paid for by that date.

Submit to: creativelivesworkshop@hotmail.com with Writing Away Retreats Contest as the subject line. Stories must be attached as a PDF/RTF/DOC file otherwise will not be opened. Any entry over 5K words will be disqualified. WINNER ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 15th, 2009.

Winner receives a full ride to Writing Away Retreats worth 1000.00 USD. If winner wishes to bring spouse or friend to the retreat, he/she will have to pay the remainder of 750.00 of the couple charge. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to study your craft with the best in the field, bask in the creative light at a wonderful destination and taste some of the best food you've ever experienced all in one place. Good Luck!

Yours in Words, Cicily (www.cicilyjanus.net)

OH AND PLEASE REPOST THIS ON ANY SITES YOU MIGHT DEEM APPROPRIATE! Website for Writing Away Retreats to be updated with contest details and registration details for May Retreat within the next week or two.

Opportunities Missed

The current busy-ness in my life right now is that I'm coordinating my local SCBWI chapter's Manuscript Critique sessions for our fall conference. It's a cool volunteer position, because it keeps me in the loop for what's going on in my SCBWI chapter. It also puts me in touch with many of the writers in the Colorado area. Writers of all levels enter the sort-of contest. Sort-of, because it's not an official contest; but it feels a little contest-like because the best manuscripts will be forwarded on to editors and agents for critiques. The Manuscript Critique offers a rare opportunity to put your manuscript in front of editor/agent eyes--and then hear directly from them what did and didn't work.

The process makes me realize, though, how many opportunities we miss as writers. Entering the MS Critique was relatively inexpensive--$40 for a critique. Given all the writers in the Rocky Mountain region, you'd think we'd have hundreds of entries--but we have relatively few. Enough that there's still a bit of competition for those coveted editor/agent critique slots, but still. How many people didn't enter because they didn't think they had a shot?

This is also on my mind because I'm in touch with the folks coordinating another opportunity with our fall conference: a scholarship for writers to attend the conference. Again, entering wasn't difficult--entrants had to write a 250-word essay about why they write for young readers, their current projects, and their writing goals. Relatively few entered.

I also read recently that most editors never see the manuscripts they request at conferences.

Submitting--entering contests--putting ourselves out there to be judged. Those are tough things. But we writers have to develop tough hides if we want to make it in the world of publishing. What better way to practice than by entering a few contests and applying for a few scholarships along the way?

:) Cheryl

PS--This message brought to you by Lily, inspirational poodle extraordinaire, and her new cohort, Killian. We haven't figured out his title yet. "Your high cuteness" seems most appropriate at the moment, but he IS still a ridiculously delicious puppy. He's helping me keep the sofa warm as I write, exhausted from his job as Lily's sidekick.

Break-In Markets: Highlights for Children

I decided it's time to plug my favorite magazine market again: Highlights for Children.

Highlights is a great break-in market for new writers. Why? Here are a few reasons:

• They accept--and respond to--unsolicited manuscripts, including manuscripts from unpublished writers. As for any publicaion, a list of publication credits in the cover letter helps, but they'll take a serious look at your writing whether you've been published before or not.


• They actively encourage beginning writers with their yearly fiction contest (http://www.highlights.com/custserv/customerservicecontent2main.jsp?iCategoryID=203&iContentID=1584&CCNavIDs=3,203 -- deadline of Jan 31; sorry not to mention it sooner,) with the Highlights Foundation's Writers Workshops http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/, and with a generous scholarship program to help struggling writers to attend.


• It's a well-known and well-respected publication with a circulation of two million+ readers.


• They have diverse needs, publishing fiction, nonfiction, multicultural, science, history, crafts, rebuses, poetry, puzzles and recipes.


• They publish a list of "current needs" that helps writers target topics to the publication (http://www.highlights.com/custserv/customerservicecontent2main.jsp?iContentID=2552&iCategoryID=203&CCNavIDs=3,203)


• They're devoted to their writers. Once you've sold a piece to the magazine, they try to respond personally to all future submissions.


• They have a reputation for fairness. Although this company buys all rights, they resell articles and share the profits with the writer.


• Comparatively rapid response time. Depending on the department, response time can range from a few weeks to a few months--which is still relatively quick for the magazine market.


• Highlights is closely associated with Boyds Mills Press, a high-quality children's book publisher. When you build a relationship with the editors at Highlights, you're building relationships with Boyds Mills' editors as well.

On the flip side, Highlights buys all rights (never a favorite amongst writers) and the pay is modest compared to adult publications. If you've spent time studying the children's magazine market, though, then its pay scale starts to sound pretty good!

The market can provide great writing credits for the beginning writer. Sound good? Tune in later this week for an analysis of the most recent Highlights magazine.

:) Cheryl

NF Picture Book Contest

One of the members of the nonfiction children's writers list passed along this contest information:

http://www.thewritemarbles.com/ is hosting a contest this December. TELL THE TRUTH: The Write Marbles Nonfiction Picture Book Contest

GRAND PRIZE: Professional manuscript review by Sue Bradford Edwards –teacher and writing instructor specializing in nonfiction for children.

First and Second Prize: Critiques by Marbles

Open to: Everyone

How to enter: Send your polished nonfiction picture book manuscript, along with a bibliography listing primary and secondary sources, to: mail AT thewritemarbles.com

How the contest works: The Write Marbles will read and judge every entry and send the top three to Sue Bradford Edwards who will choose the Grand Prize winner. The winners will be announced in early January.

Entry Fee: NEVER

If this might be something you are interested in you can go to http://www.thewritemarbles.com/ for even more information.

:) Cheryl

Thursday's thing to love...CONTESTS!

Pictured here are some of the winners of last year's PPWC Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest (http://www.ppwc.net/contest.html.) That's me in front, in black, hoping my friend Colleen won't jab me in the ribs before the photographer finishes....

You gotta love writing contests. They're a great way to get exposure to editors and agents. Often, contests also offer the option of a written critique, providing valuable feedback from someone with more writing experience. Besides, they give us a deadline, which is never a bad thing.

Right now, I'm preparing for the 2008 Paul Gillette Writing Contest again. This is a contest for unpublished writers (*unpublished in book-length fiction only*) and it includes categories for both children's and YA authors as well as multiple adult categories. The top three entries in each category go through a final round of VIP judging by an editor. It sure beats the slush pile as a way to access an editor's eye!

Like any contest, (and like publishing, for that matter,) judging is subjective. My manuscript, The Last Violin, placed first last year in the children's category--but I know of several manuscripts that I consider just as good, if not better, that didn't place at all. I have friends who received incredibly valuable feedback on their manuscripts, and others whose judges didn't seem to get their entries at all. There's definitely a bit of luck involved...but if your writing is beautiful, if your story is well-structured, and if your dreaded synopsis is coherent, you stand a decent chance of rising to the top of the stack. And with a little luck, you might even win.

It's risky, of course. Writing always is. But hey, risk gets easier with practice, so why not?

:) Cheryl