Aspiring Historical Authors, Wanna Pitch To Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agentcy?

ATTENTION ASPIRING HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHORS!

As part of Ashley Marchs' month-long March Maddness Celebration, beginning today (Thursday, March 17, 2001) agent Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency is taking 3 sentence blog pitches for historical romance on Ashley's blog.

Your 3 line pitch can be a combination of any 3 sentences: 1 sentence blurb of book + 1st 2 lines of ms; a 2 sentence blurb + 1st line of ms; or you can use all 3 lines for the synopsis blurb. The winner gets a partial read. 

RULES:
Beginning today (Thursday, March 17, 2001), you will have until midnight MST on Thursday, March 24th (one week) to comment on this post with no more than three sentences.

The three sentences MUST be either: 1 sentence blurb + first 2 lines; 2 sentence blurb + 1st line; or 3 sentence blurb.

Barbara will choose the pitch/excerpt she likes the best (not random) and the winner will be announced on Thursday, March 31st, the last day of March Madness. Further details on how/when to submit partial will be sent to winner. Completed manuscripts are encouraged, but not required.

Open for aspiring historical romance authors only.

Ashley March Blog
Irene Goodman Literary Agency

Harlequin Contests & Challenges: Pitch Challenge, Patent Your Kiss Contest, Mentor Challenge

Here are a few Harlequin contests I ran across. There are some awesome opportunities for those of you who are targeting the Harlequin Nocturne Bites or Kimani lines, or if you're looking for a mentor, or looking to get your work in front of an editor or just looking to have some fun.

Have Fun & Good Luck!

"Valentine Secrets": Harlequin Mentor Challenge

How would you like to win a Mentor For A Month? Well, now is your chance! Write a Titled, 1k start to a Valentine's-themed, secret-baby romance. All other details are up to you!

Take part in our Valentine Secrets Challenge and you'll have a chance to learn from Harlequin Desire author and long-time Community Member, Tessa Radley! Tessa started out just like you, right here on the message boards, learning from authors and peers before joining the ranks of our published Harlequin authors and now she wants to give back. She has generously agreed to blind-judge all the entries and select a winner to mentor for a month. All you need to do is write the best Valentine of your life!

Go here for more info, rules and guidelines.

Harlequin Mentor Challenge

Editor Pitch Challenge: Nocturne BITES

We're at it again! And this time, we've got another of your favorite lines for you to send your dark and sexy paranormal entries too! Nocturne Bites is looking for YOUR manuscript and Associate Sr. Editor, Ann Leslie Tuttle will be on hand to take your pitch!

To enter, send a two-paragraph blurb of your manuscript to Hosty Rae by February 17th

Five entries will be chosen by Ann Leslie Tuttle and those will be announced no later than February 22nd.

Pitches will happen February 24th, at 2 pm est. But read the rules below to ensure your entry can be accepted.

• You MUST be able to enter and post inside the eHarlequin.com chat room. If you are unable to use the chat room and your submission is chosen, we will be unable to offer you another venue option and it will be unfair to an entrant who is able.
• You MUST have a completed manuscript that is targeted to Nocturne Bites. Editors have the option to request partials or fulls.
• You MUST be available at the given chat time. As stated above, we will be unable to offer another venue or time option.
• Please include your member name, your full name along with your submission.

Editor Pitch FAQs 
Editor Pitch Challenge
eHarlequin Nocturne Bites

Editor Pitch Challenge: Kimani Romance

We're at it again! And this time, we've got another of your favorite lines for you to send your sexy, dramatic, sophisticated and entertaining love story entries too! Kimani Romance is looking for YOUR manuscript and Senior Editor, Kelli Martin will be on hand to take your pitch!

To enter, send a 1-page dbl-spaced synopsis ( not to exceed 250 words ) of your manuscript to Hosty Rae by March 1

• Five entries will be chosen by Kelli Martin and those will be announced on or around March 4th.
• Pitches will happen March 9th, at 11 am est. But read the rules below to ensure your entry can be accepted.
• NO multiple submissions.
• NO Attachments. Please include your entry in the body of the email. If your submission is sent via attachment, it will not be entered.
• You MUST be able to enter and post inside the eHarlequin.com chat room. If you are unable to use the chat room and your submission is chosen, we will be unable to offer you another venue option and it will be unfair to an entrant who is able.
• You MUST have a completed manuscript that is targeted to Kimani Romance. Editors have the option to request partials or full.
• You MUST be available at the given chat time. As stated above, we will be unable to offer another venue or time option.
• Please include your member name, your full name along with your submission.  

Kimani Romance Info
Kimani Romance Editor Pitch Challenge

Patent Your Kiss Contest

So pucker up!

Next year it's not who you kiss at midnight but where

We want to hear all about your unique kiss, from romantic to downright quirky. And if yours gets the most votes, you could win a trip for two to spend New Year’s Eve 2012 in fabulous style.

3-Night, 4-Day trip for 2 to Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino + Airfare

Hurry! You have until March 30 to design and submit your kiss. The winner will be chosen from the top ten kisses with the most votes. So don’t forget to vote for your favourite kisses in the gallery too!

Contest ends 30/03/11. Click here for details.

Harlequin Patent Your Kiss Website
Patent Your Kiss Contest
Official Rules

From the Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss

The kiss is the cornerstone of romance. It can change lives, break hearts, start a rumor or ignite passion. The mission of this office is to preserve and celebrate the kiss and we have done so proudly for more than 60 years. So pucker up and come see the important work we do.

The Romance Junkies FREE 2011 Writing Contest is Open For Submissions

Carina Press is sponsoring this years Romance Junkies Writing Contest. Entries will be accepted Feb.1st - April 1st, 2011. And guess what, there's no entry fee! Woo-hoo!

The contest is FREE!

The contest is open to all published and non-published authors, with the exception of all contracted Carina Press authors. Readers will do the voting, so they will have a chance to win, too! Awesome, isn't it?

Want to know more? Here's some info I snipped from the Romance Junkies website:

Entries should contain two scenes: the first 2500-3000 words of the book and then one scene or 2500-3000 words of the author’s choice that features a pivotal moment. This could be the meeting of two characters, a first kiss, a conflict scene, an action scene, a scene of discovery or anything else the author considers a pivotal moment in the book.

About Carina Press

Carina Press, Harlequin’s digital-first imprint, is open to submissions. Our mission is to connect readers with authors who write the stories they want to read.

Carina Press features books from talented authors in all genres of romance, erotica, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, women’s fiction, and more. If the book of your heart fits into a niche that has very little shelf space in a traditional bookstore, Carina Press is eager to read and potentially publish your story.

The Prizes for the Writers!

The Editorial Staff of Carina Press will select winners from among the Finalists.

The Grand Prize will be a Kindle plus a critique* from a Carina editor.

Second, Third, and Fourth place critiqued* by editorial staff of Carina Press.

*Critiques will be offered for a set number of pages, not just the contest entry. Length of critique piece will be decrease from Grand Prize to Fourth place, but will not be less than 15 pages.

The Prizes for the Readers!

The voting process allows readers to provide feedback to the writers through our online form. Each week an email address will be selected at random from these posts and will receive a digital Carina title of the winner’s choice.

The Grand Prize will be 25 digital Carina titles of the winner’s choice and will be selected at random from all of those who voted.

About Writing Contest 2011

FAQs

It's free.

Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, however authors contracted with Carina Press are not eligible to enter or win.

Categories were created for the convenience of the readers. All entries will be judged the same, we will not be breaking it up into winners by category.

Each week we post a group of entries to be voted on by readers.

The entry that receives the most votes from each week will be entered into the final round of competition..

Two Wildcard Finalists will be selected by the Romance Junkies staff from the entries that did not win their week.

Carina Press editors will review the Finalists and select a Grand prize winner and three runners-up

Contest Schedule

February 1st– April 1st-- Take in Entries

Feb 14th– through May 14th– Post entries (every week a group of entries are posted on the contest page to be voted on by readers)

May 30th– Winners Announced

For more info, eligibility, rules and guidelines, visit the Romance Junkies Contest Page.

Good Luck!

Carina Press
Romance Junkies Contest
Romance Junkies Readers Yahoo Group

Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competetion

For 80 years, the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition has rewarded writers just like you for their finest work. We continue the tradition by giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes!

Win a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City !

GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents. Writer's Digest will fly you and a guest to The Big Apple for the conference. While you're there, a Writer's Digest editor will arrange for you to meet and share your work with four editors or agents!

Deadline: May 2, 2011.
Late Deadline: May 20, 2011.

Compete and Win in 10 Categories!

•Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
•Memoirs/Personal Essay
•Magazine Feature Article
•Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
•Mainstream/Literary Short Story
•Rhyming Poetry
•Non-rhyming Poetry
•Stage Play
•Television/Movie Script
•Children's/Young Adult Fiction

Entry Fee: Poems are $15 for the first entry; $10 for each additional poem submitted in the same online session. All other entries are $25 for the first manuscript; $15 for each additional manuscript submitted in the same online session.

Add $5 per manuscript to all entries submitted after May 2, 2011. Entries submitted after May 20, 2011, will not be accepted.

PRIZES

Grand Prize: $3,000 cash and a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City to meet with editors and agents.

While you are there a Writer's Digest editor will arrange for you to meet with four editors or agents ! (Includes airfare within the U.S., meals, transportation and related expenses.)

• First Place: The First Place Winner in each category receives $1,000 cash and $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books.
• Second Place: The Second Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books.
• Third Place: The Third Place Winner in each category receives $250 cash, plus $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books.
• Fourth Place: The Fourth Place Winner in each category receives $100 cash, plus $50 worth of Writer's Digest Books..
• Fifth Place: The Fifth-Place Winner in each category receives $50 cash.
• Sixth through Tenth Place: The Sixth- through Tenth-Place winners in each category receive $25 cash.

First through Tenth Place Winners also receive a 1-year Writer's Digest VIP membership, which includes a one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest Magazine, 1 year access to WritersMarket.com, 10% off Writer's Digest University workshops and purchases at WritersDigestShop.com and more.

11th through 100th Place: All other winners receive distinctive certificates honoring their accomplishment.
Entry Deadline: May 2, 2011

Late Entry Deadline: May 20, 2011 (Add $5 per manuscript or poem to Entry Fee(s))

80th Annual Writer's Digest WRITING COMPETITION COLLECTION

The Grand Prize manuscript, the First Place manuscript in each category, and the names of the top 100 winners in each category will be printed in a special competition collection. Purchase a copy online or use the coupon on the printable entry form. (Publication date: November 2011. You are not required to purchase the collection to enter the competition.)

Go here for more info, rules and guidelines.

Writer's Digest 80th Annual Writing Competition

Wild Rose Press Romantic Suspense Call For Submissions

Crimson Rose (mystery, romantic suspense), of The Wild Rose Press, has issued a call for Christmas manuscript submissions under the series title:

Red Christmas
Someone's ready to kill the holiday...

They have space for six Christmas releases for 2011 so get your story in early. The spaces will be filled in the order they are contracted.

Each story will need to contain Santa Claus - either the hero or the villain needs to be using a costume as a part of the story.

Submissions should be between 7,500 and 60,000 words.  Deadline is March 1st

For rules & guidelines see this Behind the Garden Gate blog post at:
http://behindthegardengate.blogspot.com/2010/11/submission-call.html

Wild Rose Press

Good Luck!

Historical Romance Call For Submissions At Liquid Silver Books

Call for Submissions: Historical Romances 2010!

DEADLINE: September 30th, 2010

We're always looking for Historical Romances! Romances can be set in the Regency era, Elizabethan, Gothic, Victorian, French Revolution, European historical, Canadian Frontier...to name a few. If you have a story in the works or already finished that is looking for a home, send them our way!

As always we ask that the stories end with a HEA (Happily Ever After) or HFN (Happy For Now) but the key piece being plot-driven, historically developed and hot and sexy romance.

This call is open to any heat level. All stories will be published as single titles.

* Submissions are open to all authors currently published with Liquid Silver books and those wishing to be published with Liquid Silver Books.
* All works can be new material. Previously published works or works currently part of a series will not be considered.
* All submissions must be exclusive to Liquid Silver Books; if we decline your submission; you are free to submit elsewhere.

Submission requirements:

* Full manuscript in Arial, 12pt saved as RTF.
* Length: 20k – 80K
* Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Level:

* Open to all our current heat levels – Sterling, Liquid and Molten. Please refer to our submission guidelines for further information.

To submit, please send manuscript via email to submissions@liquidsilverbooks.com with CALL FOR SUBMISSION: Historical Romances 2010 in the subject line.

Include your author bio on the first page of your manuscript, attach the MS and a one page snapshot synopsis with your email.

I look forward to reading your submissions!

Liquid Silver Books Website

*permission to forward*

Opportunity For Zombie Romance Writers

I snipped the following info from an email this morning. This is the first time I've heard this publishers name, so make sure you do your research before submitting.

Good Luck!

(permission to forward granted)


Zombie Romance Submissions

Ain't no lovin' like undead lovin'—and it applies to more than vampires.

Night Wolf Publications is ahead of the newest paranormal romance trend coming out of New York: Zombies. That's right. Share with us your take on a zombie romance. Light, dark, humorous, serious, gory & greasy, or carefully exfoliated; give us your best polished 50,000- to 100,000-word MS on or before Oct. 1, 2010, for a Valentine's Day 2011 sales season release. We're only accepting the best.

Follow the Directions!

Here's how to submit a zombie-specific, 50,000- to 100,000-word paranormal romance to Night Wolf Publications.

1. Send a query letter AND a two- to three-page synopsis of your completed story to nightwolfpublications@gmail.com by SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. (there's a great summary of how to write a romance synopsis at http://brendacoulter.com/BrendaCoulterTips.htm). Include "NWP Zombie Romance" in the subject line of your e-mail.

2. An editor for NWP will contact you before Oct. 1, 2010, requesting the full MS if he or she is interested in your story. At that time, you will be expected to follow the simple instructions to send the full MS to NWP by Oct. 1.

3. Authors are never expected to pay for their submissions at NWP. There are no submission fees, no reading fees, no editing fees, no processing fees, no printing fees, etc. Authors are not required to purchase copies of their books upon printing. Contracts will be offered when full MS are selected.

Night Wolf Publications

TWRP - New Series Call For Submissions

The following is a new series TWRP is kicking off for LROS (Last Rose Of Summer) line. There is a yahoo loop devoted to the details. If interested, please follow the appropriate submission guidelines or ask questions through the same to queryus@thewildrosepress.com. Please feel free to spread this to your writing loops, etc.

Did you ever wonder what happened to . . .

The Prom Queen? The guy most likely to serve time in a federal prison? The couple voted most likely to succeed?

If intrigued with the opportunity to rewrite a bit of history . . . or exact a little revenge. . . .

The Last Rose of Summer invites you to a reunion of The Class of '85

Dear fellow alumna,

Hard to believe it's been 25 years since we last walked the halls of Summerville High. Wouldn't you like to know what's going on with former classmates?

The Reunion Committee has worked hard to plan a fabulous, fun-filled three day celebration on the last weekend in June at the historic Summerville Inn.

Come for one day or all three—but register early for the SHS package discount. Bring your spouse or come stag. You won't believe the surprises waiting for you!

RSVP to KathyCottrell@thewildrosepress.com

Details which must be included in every submission:

• Summerville is a medium size city on the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State.
• Some students may still live in Summerville, others might be returning for the first time since graduation. They might make it back for the celebration; they might not.
• The above invitation will kick off the story but it is the concept of "whatever happened to . . ." which is the key element.
• The reunion might be one feature of the story, only a side-note as in a 'regrets-only' RSVP phone call. The common thread among all Class of '85 stories will be the invitation above. It is up to the author to take it from there.
• The Hero or Heroine [or both] must be a member of the Class of '85.

* Story length: 7,500—40,000 computer word count
* Sensuality level: sweet to sensual [no erotica]
* As always, it MUST be a romance with protagonists who have realistic goals, motivation and conflict—along with a HEA ending.

Submit to: queryus@thewildrosepress.com with "Class of '85" in the subject line.

The Wild Rose Press
LROS New Series Submission Guidelines

*Note*
Several of TWRP lines have a call out for submissions for a specific series such as Scarlet Rose with Cowboy Kink, and Crimson Rose with Jewel of the Night.  Cactus Rose has EarthSongs and Sweetheart Rose has the Flower Basket.  Please review the individual guidelines on each of the pages on TWRP website for more information.

The 79th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition

Enter the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition

GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents

Submit your manuscript for a chance to win a trip for you and a guest to New York, where you'll spend three days and two nights in the publishing capital of the world. While you're there, a Writer's Digest editor will escort you to share your work with four editors or agents.

The Grand Prize manuscript, the First Place manuscript in each category, and the names of the top 100 winners in each category will be printed in a special competition collection.

Reserve your copy of the 79th Annual
Writer's Digest Writing Competition Collection.

Compete to Win in 10 Categories:

1. Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
2. Memoirs/Personal Essay
3. Magazine Feature Article
4. Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
5. Mainstream/Literary Short Story
6. Rhyming Poetry
7. Non-Rhyming Poetry
8. Stage Play
9. Television/Movie Script
10. Children's/Young Adult Fiction

Copyright © F+W Media, Inc.
All rights reserved.
4700 East Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

Forwarded w/ permission.

Samhain Call For Submissions: Cowboy Roundup!

Call for Submissions: Cowboy Roundup! (Deadline 12/1) I'm thrilled to announce my call for submissions for the Samhain Cowboy Roundup Put on Tim McGraw's "Real Good Man", close your eyes and picture a guy who wears jeans to work and who's real good with his hands, and let your muse have her way. I'm looking for 3 novellas to fit intoSamhain's Cowboy Roundup Anthology. This anthology will consist of three novellas to be released individually as eBooks in June 2009 and combined into one print title in 2010. I'm open to any romance genre but the stories must end with a HEA. Submissions are open to all authors previously published with Samhain as well as authors aspiring to publish with Samhain. Submissions must be new material—previously published material will not be considered. Additionally, we will not consider manuscripts previously submitted whether individually or for past anthologies. Please be aware that manuscripts submitted to this anthology cannot be resubmitted at a later date unless by invitation from an editor. To submit, please include the full manuscript of 24,000–30,000 words with a 2–5 page synopsis. Also include a letter of introduction/ query letter if you are an author not previously contracted with Samhain. Submissions are open until December 1, 2008, and the final decision will be made by December 24, 2008. Submissions should be sent to mailto:editor@samhainpublishing.com . Please put Cowboy Roundup Anthology Submission in the subject line. If you receive an auto response, your submission has been received. Anthologies are special projects exempt to the general closing of submissions. I'm happy to answer questions about this anthology either by private email at heidi at samhainpublishing dot com Heidi Moore http://moorethanwor%20ds.wordpress.%20com/ *permission to forward granted

Eternal Press Now Open For Submissions

Short stories, novellas, and full-length manuscripts, from 5,000-105,000 words —erotica, gay, all sub genres of romance as well as mystery, sci-fi, paranormal, historical, suspense, horror, women's fiction, fantasy, and thrillers. Submit your short story or a synopsis and the first three chapters of your novel to our Senior Submissions Editor, Fran Tann at franklinwrite@gmail.com

Open to new writers but please follow our guidelines

• Submit your manuscript in a Word .doc or .rtf file. We cannot accept a .pdf file or a hard copy.
• Your manuscript should contain either 1-1/2 or double spacing and one inch margins. Use 12 pt. legible font.
• If we accept your manuscript for publication, we will supply you with specific formatting guidelines. You must be able to do edits in track changes.

A word from the owner of Eternal Press

Eternal Press is not a vanity or a subsidy publisher, but rather mainly an e-book publisher

We will give certain authors the option of releasing their e-book in print when we launch into POD. There will be a one-time printer set-up fee (to be determined by the printer) for every book released in print. This fee will be paid by the author to the printer. This will vary depending on the length of the book. Minimum length for POD is 65,000 words.

Eternal Press does not profit from this set-up fee. There are no fees assessed to any of our authors at any time to publish in e-format and it's perfectly acceptable not to execute your option to release in print. And you are not obligated to purchase books in any format.

Eternal Press

Wanted: Reviewers at Manic Readers!

I received the below information about the reviewers site, Manic Readers, from a writer group I belong to, and thought I'd share. :) * * * Manic Readers needs you! We’re growing by leaps and bounds, but we need your help to get these fabulous ebooks and print books reviewed! The volume of books we’re receiving for review has exploded over the last month and we need YOU to help us get it all done! We are a volunteer based review site and therefore we do not pay reviewers. However, you’ll receive free books to feed your reading addiction! If you are interested in being a part of our Manic Family send us a sample review (approx. 200words) at info @manicreaders.com (NO SPACES). Here’s a sample review to give you an idea of what to submit: Book Title: Dr. Gnome Author Name: Donna Michaels ISBN #: 1-59998-851-8 Publisher Name: Forbidden Publications Date Released: December 2007 Genre: Paranormal Romance Book Format: ebook Rating: 4 stars Summary: Double O Fang Agent Pierce DeVein is smooth, confident and a hit with all the ladies. Shifter Intelligence Agent Kitty Kat is brash, impulsive and devilishly sexy. When the world’s gold supply starts to come up missing and nations are facing economic downfall these two unwilling agents are paired together as partners. Will they be able to stop the evil Dr. Gnome from destroying the world’s finances and keep their hearts in check at the same time? Opinion: Donna Michaels establishes a whole new world in just a few short paragraphs drawing the reader in from the start. You feel the attraction of the two characters instantly despite their funny insults to each other and don’t want to put the book down for fear of missing part of the mission. Michaels writes a winner with this fast moving comical adventure. Reviewed By: Nicole Whether you currently review with other sites or have never tried it before, all are welcome to submit a sample review!! Manic Readers http://manicreaders.com/ * * * This is the first I've heard of this site. Looks like they're kind of new. Also, you published authors might be interested in submitting your book for review. As far as the site itself, I found it to be pretty user-friendly. You can do a search for book reviews through the database by book title, author or publisher, and you can add your own comments to them. To access the reviews and add comments you have to be a member, but registration is free. And if you're a published author, you get a FREE complimentary author page with registration. Seems they have a MySpace page and a Yahoogroup, too. If you want to advertise with Manic Readers, looks like they have pretty reasonable rates. I'm really not sure what's considered "reasonable" advertising rates, but from what I could see, their prices looked pretty good. I'd try them out. :) If you want to check them out for yourself, here's the link to their site: Manic Readers Happy Writing (and reading - and reviewing, too)!

New Line of Illustrated Romance Novellas at Medallion Press

Medallion Press will launch a new line of illustrated romance books in November. The line features novellas described as "adult fairytales," illustrated by Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders. The first book will be Passion's Blood. Medallion Press publishes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, as well as mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense and thrillers; science fiction and fantasy, horror and paranormal fiction; and young adult fiction. The Chicago-based publisher launched in June of 2003. They publish in mass market, trade paper and hardcover. Manuscripts must be between 80,000 and 120,000 words. They recently launched Medallion Radio, an internet radio station to promote Medallion Press titles. For more information and to review their guidelines, go to http://www.medallionpress.com/guidlines/index.html#po Medallion Press http://www.medallionpress.com Anyone can sign up for Cindi Sterling's Market News Newsletter by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com www.CindiMyers.com www.myspace.com/CindiMyers *Reposted with permission per Cindi Sterling Market News Newsletter

Jessica Faust Doing Critiques At Romantic Times Online

I happened across this while looking around the Romantic Times online website and thought I'd share. Apparently, if you email the first three pages of your ms, Jessica Faust of Bookends will critique them. It says that members of the Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers RWA Chapter get first dibs, but it doesn't say if/when non-members can submit. So, being that they posted the email address, and said to send it in, that's what I did. :) Here's the link to the site: http://www.romantictimes.com/authors_tip.php?tip=994 Good luck!

THE ALL-IMPORTANT FIRST THREE PAGES

With a new year comes a new Pros on Prose column, which will offer criticism of aspiring writers' first three pages, as evaluated by industry professionals. We asked Jessica Faust, an agent with Bookends LLC, to read the opening manuscript and evaluate it with an eye toward submission. Because the 25th anniversary Romantic Times Booklovers Convention will be held in Pittsburgh in 2008, works by members of the Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers RWA chapter will be the first to be critiqued anonymously. If you'd like the first three pages of your work critiqued, e-mail faygie@romantictimes.com. Please include your name and the category of your story.

Encore Romance Grand Opening April 14, 2008

Encore Romance Grand Opening April 14, 2008 Encore Romance (http://www.encoreromance.com) is a new venture from the publishers of Whispers Publishing (http://whispershome.com/ ) and Vintage Romance (http://www.vrpublishing.com/ ) Encore Romance is devoted to publishing reprints, in ebook form, of previously published, out-of-print romance novels. Authors who own the digital/electronic rights to romance fiction previously published by a mainstream publisher may send a letter of interest with information about the book to encoreromance@gmail.com. The editors will usually respond with a decision within 24 to 72 hours. Encore asks that the author be willing to include information about Encore Romance and the digital sale of your book on your website. All accepted authors will be asked to sign a two-year contract (renewable) for the digital/electronic rights for their book. Print rights shall remain with the author(s). As these books will be sold through outlets requiring distribution discounts, authors will receive 50% of the net price after discount. Encore Romance staff Dawn R. Carrington – Editor-in-Chief/Owner Rene Walden-Wilson – Art Director BG Designs - Website Manager Moonglade Marketing – Marketing and Promotional Services Alexis Poore – Assistant to Editor-in-Chief Encore Romance Anyone can sign up to Cynthia Sterling's Market Newsletter by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com *Reprinted with permission form Cynthia Sterling Market News

Samhain Open For Submissions

I just found out that as of February 5th, Samhain is once again open for general submissions. This might be old news to some of you, but not for me. Just thought I'd share. :) Happy Writing! General Submissions Samhain Publishing is now open to general submissions of all genres of romance and erotica, as well as fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction with strong romantic elements. We are refocusing our efforts and will no longer be accepting submissions in other genres for the time being. All submissions must be new material to be considered for publication, no reprints. Once you’ve had a new work accepted by Samhain, you are free to submit previously published works to your editor for consideration. Only one manuscript at a time per author please! And, if the manuscript is being offered elsewhere simultaneously, please keep us informed of its status. We encourage you to let your muse have its way and to create tales that don’t always adhere to current trends. One never knows what the next “hot genre” will be or when it will start, so write what’s in your soul. These are the books that, whether the story is based on “formula” or is an “original”, when written from the heart will earn you a life-time readership. The preferred word count is 60,000 or longer, but we are quite happy to publish shorter works with word counts of no less than 12,000. Any book that glorifies depraved or illegal acts will not be considered. No pedophilia, bestiality, racial intolerance, rape as titillation, necrophilia – no ick factors, please! For more information on Samhain and how to submit your book, follow the links! Royalty and Contracts How to Submit Consider joining us! Samhain Publishing, Ltd. an author-friendly publishing house whose fundamental belief is that the world is a better place when there are good books to read. Thank you! Samhain Publishing, Ltd. Submissions Page

Open Call For Submissions For Aspen Mountain Press Del Fantasma Line

Open submisson calls at Aspen Mountain Press for their Del Fantasma line. I snipped this from an email sent to one of my writing loops:

We are having an open submissions call for our Del Fantasma line…we like them hot, and we like to mix up the stories with heterosexual, homosexual couples and ménage situations…at least one of the couple should have some paranormal aspect to them if at all possible. We've had a few where the featured couple weren't at least half paranormal and they haven't done as well as the stories where at least one is a shapeshifter or other worldly character of some sort. All stories must have a scene at the bar with Cody Warren, but that is further explained in the series bible which is attached. We are only offering contracts on completed stories, and we'd like them to be about 15-30k ideally. Sandra www.AspenMountainPress.com Adventure, Mystery, Passion

Overview Del Fantasma is Aspen Mountain Press’ paranormal romance series that is focused around the Del Fantasma bar in Vista Loma, California and the bar owner, vampire Cody Warren. Cody is said to have a story behind every drink he serves and each story must be titled after a real bar drink that somehow relates to the story (eg Del Fantasma: Texas Tea). No drinks may be repeated. The author’s main characters must meet or be reunited at the bar and Cody must appear in at least one scene. If you can have Cody be the one that introduces them or be the one that throws them together in some situation, so much the better. Additional details are in the sections below. Requirements - Genre Del Fantasma series stories are required to be contemporary paranormal romances. They can be any heat level that conforms to other requirements and any sexual orientation (m/f, GLBT, ménage, etc.). Very sexy/sensual is the focus. Aspen Mountain Press’ standard disqualifications still apply. No pedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality, snuff, scat/golden showers or rape/incest. For more information on these, please see Aspen Mountain Press’ general submissions page at http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/submissions/info_6.html. Note that stories submitted for the Del Fantasma series must be NEW stories. Word Count The word count for this series is 5k to 100k. Although 5k is an absolute minimum, authors are encouraged to try for a minimum of at least 15K to provide the readers with the best immersion. Format Books in the Del Fantasma Series are currently offered in ebook format only, with possibility of having them put into print anthologies in the future.

Aspen Mountain Press

Submissions Page

eHarlequin Looking for Submissions for New "Nocturne Bites"

Nocturne Bites Length: 10,000 - 15,000 words Editorial Director: Tara Gavin Associate Senior Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle Assistant Editor: Sean MackiewiczSilhouette Nocturne is looking to acquire paranormal editorial with strong sexual, fantasy and danger elements for its new eBook program, Nocturne Bites. We're looking for fast-paced novellas that hook the reader early by establishing a paranormal world and its conflicts. We are looking for stories of vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, psychic powers, etc. set in contemporary times. Many of the elements that make a successful Silhouette Nocturne remain true for Nocturne Bites. Stories should deliver a dark, highly sensual read that will entertain readers and take them from everyday life to an atmospheric, complex world filled with characters struggling with life and death issues. A strong alpha hero is of the utmost importantance. While action-packed and mission-oriented, the scope of these stories should be more contained, with more focus turned to character development. All stories should be capable of standing alone; all loose ends need to betied up, and the relationship between hero and heroine should resolve itself in a satisfying manner. For published authors, this line is a great way to build their miniseries at Harlequin and Silhouette. Unpublished authors are welcome as well. Only complete manuscripts submitted electronically will be considered from unpublished authors; no partials or queries, please. Submissions should be sent as a Word-compatible attachment. Submissions should also follow standard formatting guidelines legible font on numbered pages. Author name and title should appear as a header or footer on each page. Nocturne Bites E-mail address: nocturnebites@harlequin.ca eHarlequin Blog Harlequin Paranormal Romance Blog

The Romance Studio Is Looking For A Few Good Reviewers

2008-02-09 - The Romance Studio, est. 2003, is looking for voracious readers who can write fair, honest, and professional book reviews for the romance genre. Reviewing at TRS is a volunteer position but accepted reviewers will find compensation in the wonderful electronic and print books they review for us. What else we offer: *TRS receives an average of 300-400 review submissions per month from a variety of publishers from NY to our favorite small press publishers - so there's always something to choose from.*We don't assign books - you can choose what YOU'D like to review and you have a generous timeline to complete reviews.*TRS staff edits reviews and notifies authors/publishers/submitting agents for you. We want you to focus ONLY on writing reviews.*Completed, approved reviews post within 5 business days.*You will never be asked to pay for postage costs at TRS in the mailing of print or disk review submissions.*Review for a peer site or publication? You can review with us too. (As long as it's okay with the other place.)*Opportunity to nominate books for the annual Cupid and Psyche Awards (CAPA). Requirements: *Must be at least 18 years of age. (Many of our review submissions are very mature in nature.)*Must be a fan of romance novels AND novels with romantic elements.*Must be able and willing to review EBOOKS as they make up the majority of our review submissions. These are electronic books that would be read on your computer, laptop, or handheld device. Those who wish to review print books only need not apply. You must be willing to review primarily ebooks and for those who are, there will also be the opportunity to review print selections submitted.*While we edit reviews, ideal reviewers should have good writing skills to include grammar, spelling, and punctuation.*Must be able to provide professional, fair, and unbiased opinions on works reviewed. People who delight in writing unfavorable reviews without basis and using insulting or derogatory language need not inquire. We value professionalism above all else.*Must have a positive attitude and team spirit. *Must be flexible in working with TRS on established review procedures. Want to review for one of the biggest romance sites in the business? Have questions? Please email to review@theromancestudio.com. Thank you!

Lyrical Press Accepting Submissions & Best First Kiss Contest

Lyrical Press Grand Opening May 5, 2008 Lyrical Press, Inc. is now accepting submissions in all romance genres except Poetry and Young Adult. Although their main focus will be on books with a darker and more Gothic tone, all romance genres are welcome. All submissions must be sent via e-mail, as all of our work is done electronically. We are accepting submissions in all romance genres and heat levels, except for Poetry and Young Adult. We are also accepting previously published works if the author holds the exclusive rights. Should we accept your manuscript for publication, we will ask you to provide proof of rights and the book will go through the standard editing process. Our preferred word count is 30,000 or longer, but will publish shorter works with a word count of no less than 12,000. Your query should be sent in the body of your email, with a 2-5 page synopsis and completed manuscript as attachments. Send all submissions to: submissions@lyricalpress.com Warm Summer Myth - Summer Anthology We are now accepting submissions for our summer anthology, Warm Summer Myth. All submissions must be 20,000 - 30,000 words and have a summer setting with the theme being the Hero/Heroine as mythical creature - any mythical creature, so let your imagination fly. All submissions must state in the subject line of the email that it for the Warm Summer Myth Anthology. The deadline for submissions is March 1st 2008 Lyrical Idol - Season One Lyrical Press is hosting a Best First Kiss Contest! The winner will receive a contract with Lyrical Press, Inc! Visit the Lyrical Idol page site for official contest rules. Lyrical Press is offering both an electronic and printed monthly newsletter, Once Upon a Newsletter! Email your preference to publisher@lyricalpress.com. Please include your name along with your email or snail-mail address. Lyrical Press, Inc http://lyricalpress.com/index.html First Kiss Contest Rules http://lyricalpress.com/lyricalidol.html