My Very First Author Spotlight!

My good friend Judith graciously offered to do my very first author spotlight on her blog, J.Kaye's Book Blog. Judith does author interviews and book review's, and she also holds a weekly book raffle. She really did an awesome job with my author spotlight. If you'd like to check it out, you and do so by going here. Thanks, Judith! J.Kaye's Book Blog

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

First Annual Short Story Contest

****PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED**** First Annual Short Story Contest It's said everyone has at least one story inside them. This is your chance to let yours out. The Long and the Short of It is seeking the best new short story 1,000 words or less.So... put on your thinking cap, dial up your muse, and give it a shot. The story must be a romance and must end with a HEA. PG-13 or less, please. You can see samples of the types of stories we're looking for by checking the short story archive at the bottom of this page. The Grand Prize Winner will receive (a $155 value!): Publication on The Long and the Short of It website A banner for their blog or website One year free book cover/banner advertising Six months of author pages An award certificate suitable for framing. The First prize Winner will receive (an $85 value!): Publication on The Long and the Short of It website A banner for their blog or website Six months of author pages Three month free book cover/ banner advertising An award certificate suitable for framing. The Second Prize Winner will receive (a $40 value!): Publication on The Long and the Short of It website A banner for their blog or website Three months book cover/banner advertising An award certificate suitable for framing. Five honorable mentions will receive (a $20 value!): Publication on The Long and the Short of It website A banner for their blog or website An award certificate suitable for framing. Twelve Door Prizes (randomly drawn from all participants): One copy of Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress Six autographed books Five goodie bags RULES: Submit your entry via email with the subject line: Short Story Contest: NAME OF STORY. Your entry will be provided to our judges with all identifying names removed and will be scored by a rating system. Deadline for entry to this contest is June 14, 2008. The winners and runners up will be notified via email and posted on our website on July 1, 2008. By entering the contest, you agree to allow The Long and the Short of It to publish your entry on the LASR website, regardless of whether it is selected as a winner. All stories chosen to be published will be archived for a period of six months following publication. All rights revert back to the author, at the author's written request, and the story will be pulled from our archives at that time.

Happy Memorial Day!

Hot! Myspace Comments

A Little Bit of Everything

Here's an awesome contest. Answer the following question for a chance to win a Chapter Critique by Leisure author Emily Bryan. In whose POV does PLEASURING THE PIRATE start? For contest details and to enter, visit Emily's contest page. My friend Maria Zannini's fantasy romance, TOUCH OF FIRE is now available in digital format from Samhain. If you'd like to learn more about Maria and her debut novel, visit Maria's blog or website, links are on my sidebar, or visit Maya Reynold's blog and check out Maria's interview. Leave a comment and you'll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a download of TOUCH OF FIRE. Congratulations on your release, Maria! On Monday, May 26th EPIC-eWorkshop Yahoo Group will be giving a short research workshop. Here's the workshop description: Research:Yes You Have To Do It And No It Isn't That Hard A short workshop on research. A necessary that really isn't evil. How to do it, where to do it, why to do it, and even when to do it. Go here to join EPIC-eWorkshop Yahoogroup. Here's a new author promotional Yahoo group I ran across recently: Infinite Possiblilites Yahoo Group: Are you an erotic or romance author? Any books published, reviews received? Perhaps you have an excerpt you'd like to share? Or maybe you're a reader who wants to check out some of the most amazing authors around? Infinite Possibilities wants to know about them. We are a Yahoo Group moderated by erotic/romance authors for erotic/romance authors. We're interested in helping each other get the promotions and publicity needed to succeed. So if you want to show off a hot excerpt or if you have a review, we want to see it. Reviews can come from any recognised source, we want to see them all, every author likes to show them off, don't we? So come and join us because, like you, writing hot stories is our second favourite pastime. Join us and who knows where it could lead – the Possibilities are Infinite. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Infinite_Possibilities Lyrical Press, now has an official podcast site. Please take a minute and check out our very first podcast. And don't forget to stop by the Lyrical Press Website and check out all our new releases!

A Few Interesting Articles and Blog Posts

I've been having a hard time coming up with blog posts lately. To try and shake loose an idea, I surfed a few blogs today, and although my tactic didn't work the way I wanted it to, I did run across a few interesting posts. So, to make my life easier, instead of racking my tired brain for a subject to blog about, I decided to take the easy (or lazy) way out and do a blanket post of my finds. Enjoy! Jennifer On Writing did a really interesting blog today. In her post, Reflections of a 5.5 Year Career, Jennifer shared some of what she learned in her five year career as an author. I especially liked her views on what did and didn't work for her promotional-wise. Very informative. If you're a new author, like me, who's trying to figure out what to do about promotion, you should take a look-see. This isn't the only great post, either. Make sure you visit this blog, especially if you're a new and aspiring author. You'll be glad you did. The girls over at The Gab Wagon are talking about the good and bad points of epublishings' image, and what we can do to change it. Interesting article, especially if you're in the epublishing industry. Lenore Rose Burkhard has an awesome Regency website complete with a mini-regency glossary. While you're there, read one of her wonderful articles and sign up for Upon My Word, Lenores Regency newsletter. If you'd rather read a sample before signing on, you can chose a past issue right there from the website. Awesome site. Highly recommended. :) Somewhere I ran across this article, which talks about the new Harper Collins social networking site for aspiring authors. Hmmm, verrrry interresting... Eric Maisel is once again offering 16 weeks of FREE creativity coaching for his coach-in-training program. I snipped the following info from his newsletter: Quick note: It is time to sign up to be a free client to a creativity coach-in-training, if that interests you. The next training begins June 16th and coaches will work, via email, with free clients for the 16 weeks of the training. If you would like a little help with any art-related or creativity-related issue—blocks, procrastination, career issues, motivation issues, etc.—just send me a paragraph about you and a paragraph about what you would like to work on with a creativity coach. If you’ve been a free client before, you are welcome to come aboard again. Send that info to me at ericmaisel@hotmail.com Visit Eric's website for further information. Author Gail Gaymer Martin talks about dialogue. Gayle's blog, Writing Fiction Right is a great source of information on the writing craft. It's one of my fav's. Maura Anderson has a great article on her website about Storyboarding complete with photos and step by step instructions. Check it out here. And last but not least, check out J.Kaye's Book Blog, where I'll be having an author spotlight soon. J.Kaye's Book Blog does book reviews and also holds a monthly book raffle, where all you have to do is leave a comment to win. Hope you enjoyed the links. Have a wonderful weekend!

Lyrical Press Call For Submissions: Pendora's Box

This is the first of two Lyrical Romance Collections in development. We're also planning non- or lighter-romantic element collections, but for today, we're focusing on Pandora. Pandora’s Box Special Project Pandora’s box was said to have contained all the evils in the world, as well as the world’s greatest gift: hope. Lost to all but Greek legend, the box has now been found...and opened. It may be opened by a main character, or someone else may have simply opened it by mistake. Either way, evil personified has now manifested on Earth. Submission guidelines:

• Submissions deadline: No deadline. This will be an ongoing, stand-alone title collection.
• Word count: minimum of 30,000 words
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Plot: an evil or evils have escaped from Pandora’s Box and must be returned in some form or fashion. You may use any evil including sins, diseases, famous or infamous murderers, etc.
• Conflict: Good vs evil, protagonist vs antagonist, but the main character(s) don't necessarily have to be the good guy(s)
• Ending: must be HEA or HEA-for-now.
• Sensuality Level: any (mainstream or erotica but erotica must focus on the plot)
• Time Period: any
• Prop that must be included: the box

These stories should have a sharp focus on the lore and legend of Pandora's Box, a well-rounded, well-developed cast, and a strong romantic element. Be sure you've edited to the best of your ability before submitting.

Please send submissions to submissions@lyricalpress.com. Include the words "Pandora" or "Pandora's Box" in the subject line. Permission to forward granted.

Questions may also be asked here on the blog, or sent to submissions@lyricalpress.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

Business of Writing Workshop

Pauline Baird Jones and Jamie Engle will be presenting a workshop on The Business of Writing all week long on the WRW (World Romanc Writers) Yahoo group. To join, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WRWlist/ Membership is free.

Lyrical Press Grand Opening!

Tomorrow (Monday, May 5th) is the Lyrical Press, Inc Grand Opening. And to celebrate, we're having a week-long party! Woo-hoo! That's right! All week long chat with LP authors and staff, read experts, win prizes, books, gift certificates and more! Sound like fun? I thought so. :) To join the celebration, all you have to do is sign up for the Lyrical Press Yahoo group. That's it! In addition to the LP official launch party (05/05/08) Lyrical Press authors will be chatting at the Joyfully Reviewed yahoo group and, from 7:00 am until noon, we'll be at Alternative Read. http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/ Phew! That's a LOT of partying! Don't forget Lyrical Press is currently accepting submissions for all genres as well as for our new ghost story anthologies, TALES FROM THE SHADOWS. For more information visit the Lyrical Press website. While you're there, sign up for our monthly newsletter, THE LYRICAL PRESS. Find out what's new, read all about upcoming releases, and get to know our authors. And don't forget to check out Once Upon A Bookstore, our brand spanking new bookstore! Woo-hoo! May releases and $5 & $10 gift certificates are available for purchase (Note: June releases are up, but not available yet). Everyone at Lyrical is thrilled and excited about our launch party, as we've been patiently waiting for this day! We have lot's of fun things coming up, so come on over and join the fun - links are below! Lyrical Press Website Lyrical Press Blog Lyrical Press Yahoo Group Once Upon A Bookstore Joyfully Reviewed Alternative Read

New Agency Accepting Romance

New literary agency, BresslerScoggins Literary Management, is shifting their attention from a large array of subject to a narrower focus. Specifically, romance. "After receiving hundreds upon hundreds of submissions, we have decided to specialize in romance categories, including romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary romance and young adult romance. We also are looking for women's fiction and a very select amount of women's nonfiction (parenting, motivational, business written for women). This also fits in with our new partnership with Mamapalooza." In case you're wondering, Mamapalooza, Inc. is: A company by Women, Promoting (M)others for cultural, social and economic benefit. Dedicated to serving, promoting, celebrating, encouraging, inspiring and awakening ALL mothers through the media and performing fine arts. Musicians, authors, comics, dancers, filmmakers, designers, craftswomen, educators, and community leaders coming together in a collaborative effort to highlight the challenges of motherhood in an ever-evolving personal, social, cultural, sexual and political landscape. Our mission is to empower, encourage and enlighten all women to claim their voice. Establish a new art form that speaks to the unique and collective perspective of women who are mothers, while sharing this with the world. Act as a resource and lifestyle guide for mothers seeking support in mainstream and alternative settings. To support the choices mothers have made, and educate them financially, in order to support these choices. I've heard of Mamapalooza, as my cousin's band, The Mydols, who I blogged about recently, played at a Mamapalooza Festival, but I really didn't know what it was all about. To learn more, visit the Official Mamapalooza website . For guidelines and submission information, visit Bessler/Scroggins Literary Management.

CataUniversity Novella in a Nonth Challenge

25,000 words in 31 days. Are you in? Beginning May 1st, CataUniversity will host a 31 day "Novella in a Month" challenge. You'll have the whole month of May to gear up and write 25, 000 words. To help you along, there will be weekly check-ins and daily inspirational posts from one of five author's who will host the challenge. If you want to be on the official Challenger list, go here and leave a post with your email and/or blog address. You'll be linked on the CataU site, and fellow challengers and Co-Hosts can drop by and give encouragement. Check-Ins will be on Monday and Friday and progress reports will be posted on the CataU sign-up page for all to see. :) Sound like fun? If so, go the the CataU Challenge page and sign up. Below is a little info I snipped from the site:

We are counting down to the Novella in a Month Writing Challenge at CataUniversity. You'll have 31 days to write 25,000 words. Are you up to the challenge?

Join a supportive (and challenging) environment with Co-Hosts, weekly check-ins and daily Inspirational posts. Official Co-Hosts include:

• Gail Barrett
• Leila Brown
• Nicola Marsh
• Isabel Sharpe
• Linda Wisdom

To Sign Up: http://catauniversity.com/?p=126

Get ready to write!

EREC First Line Contest

The EREC Blog (Erotic Romance E-Publisher Comparison Site) is having a first line contest for published and unpublished authors! To enter, email the first line from your published book or manuscript to: ERECMAIL AT GMAIL.COM with FIRST LINE ENTRY in the subject line. In the body of the email paste the first sentence only of your book (if published) or manuscript (if unpublished) along with the title and your pen name. Entries will remain open for at least a week and until at least 10 entries have been received in each category. The entries will be posted anonymously for visitors to the blog to vote on. The winner in each category will win a $20 Barnes & Noble gift certificate. There is a 50 entry limit in each category. As of Friday, April 25th there were only two (2) published entries, and two (2) unpublished entries, so hurry and get your first line in! Good Luck! EREC Blog EREC Website

Want A FREE Query Critique?

Agent Janet Reid is critiquing query letters over at Query Shark. I snipped the following from the QS blog: How Query Shark Works You can send a query letter to the Shark. It might get posted and critiqued. It might not. You'll know either way. You can send a revised query letter after the critique. It will be posted and critiqued as well. To send work to the shark: email your query letter to janet at fineprintlit dot com You MUST put Query Shark in the subject line to have it be considered for the blog. Not all queries will be critiqued. Visit Janet Reid's official blog to learn more about agent's, query letters and other interesting stuff. Happy Writing! Janet Reid's blog http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/ Janet Reid's Query Shark http://queryshark.blogspot.com/