Chase the Dream Writers Contest

Well, I've come across another contest. And guess what, it's FREE! That's right. FREE. No entry fees! It's the second annual CHASE YOUR DREAM contest and it's sponsored by romance author's Leigh Michaels and Rachelle Chase. Here's the blurb: Enter your 1,000 word unpublished romance novel or novel with a romantic theme, and you could win fantastic prizes and get your work in front of agents and editors. Last year's finalists all received manuscript requests from editors and several resulted in book sales.

RULES Categories: All subgenres of romance, as well as chick lit/mainstream fiction with romantic elements, will be accepted. Entries in other genres will not be considered. Judging Criteria: Weekly winners will be selected based on an entertaining opening that makes the reader — in this case, Rachelle Chase — want to read more. Submission: All entries should be:

• First 1,000 words or less. No exceptions.
• Unpublished and/or not under contract
• Emailed to mailto:chasethedreamcontest@hotmail.com?subject=Chase_the_Dream_Contest_Entrywith the submission text pasted in the body of the email. (Due to viruses running rampant on the Internet, entries sent as attachments will not be considered.)

Emailed entries should contain “Chase the Dream Contest Entry” in the subject line. The body of the email should contain the real name or pen name of the entrant, the title of the entry, the subgenre, and the 1,000 word submission. Entrants can re-enter non-winning entries or submit new entries each week. However, an author can only enter one entry per week and may not continue to submit entries once (s)he has become a finalist. Winners of the weekly mini-critiques may not re-submit that particular entry, but may submit the first 1,000 words of a different work. Entrants who do not want to be considered for the mini-critique must specify this at the beginning of their entry. Entrant must be the author of the work submitted. Entrant can be published or unpublished. However, work submitted cannot be published or under contract at the time of entry. Deadlines: Contest deadlines are as follows: September 1, 2007 - November 12, 2007 Entries accepted September 18, 2007 - November 20, 2007 Weekly Finalists posted and Mini-Critique winners posted November 21, 2007 - November 30, 2007 Readers vote for winner December 2, 2007 - Winners notified via email December 12, 2007 - Winners and interview posted November 20, 2007 - December 12, 2007 Panel of Experts read entries

Hurry and get your entries in. I've already submitted mine! Wish me luck!

Sad News - Romance Novel Cover-Model Rob Ashton Passes Away

With great sadness I learned that Rob Ashton, well known romance novel cover-model, passed away Monday, August 26, 2007 from complications due to an extended illness.

This was very sad and unexpected news to many in the romance industry, and the news of Rob's death spread like wildfire within the romance writer and reader community. Notices were posted to online writers lists, websites and blogs and several Myspace bulletins broadcast the sad news with requests to re-post the bulletin, in an effort to spread the word and pay respects.

Not only was Rob a hunky romance novel cover model, in 1995 he was voted Romantic Times Mr. Romance. The title landed him a gig, among other things, along with model Linda Ryan, to pose for the cover of Janice Reams Hudson's 1996 novel, APACHE FLAME and his career took off. To many women's delight, the 6ft tall, black hair, hazel eyed, 197 lb hunk went on to grace many more romance novel covers. Some covers include:

You Belong to My Heart by Nan Ryan

Prince of Shadows by Susan Krinard

Captivated by Coleen Corbet

White Wind by Susan Edwards

The Pirate by Kate Hoffman

Lakota Dawn by Janelle Taylor

Apache Flame and Hawks Woman both by Janice Reams Hudson

Rob was also a dancer with the well-known and popular Chippendale's and traveled all over the world. Then, he entered the 1996 Mr. Romance contest and the rest, as they say, is history.

Rob was more than just a handsome face, he had other interests besides posing for photo shoots and romance novels. He was a website developer and helped create his own official website. He loved communicating with his fans and added a chat forum, so he could do just that. He liked motorcycles, and enjoyed riding with his father, who, says Rob, had a huge impact on his life.

He loved helping with charities and collected teddy bears, along with his long-time friend, Kelli Salkin (Romance Model, RT Convention and other romance related Web Designer), at the 2001 Romantic Times convention in Orlando for the Hugs with a Heart charity.

Rob completed a Real Estate course and received his Realtor's license. He was a personal physical fitness trainer and created the EUROPEAN NUTRITIONIST, an online training and certified Euro Nutrition program done via Live Cam.

He was a friendly, down to earth, modest man with a big heart that overflowed with love and kindness. To prove that, read the following quote by Rob. It was taken from the 2001 Romantic Times article, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH ROB ASHTON:

I believe that destiny and free will actually coexist at the same time and that everything we do is part of our destiny. We are all here for a reason, and we repeat behaviors to learn from them and grow. I believe there's a lot more to this life than just what's seen, and as I grow, I find that my priorities have changed and that there are some truths that are as real as gravity, although unseen; there are laws of the universe that apply to us all. For example, what you put out comes back to you even more, so. On my site we're giving to several worthwhile causes-not because it's the thing to do, but because it's about real people caring, sharing, giving, and helping those who need it, and it returns in much greater amounts...that's what life is really about!

Rob was a talented model and he was a kind and generous man. My prayers are with his mother and his extended family. Rob will be sorely missed.

Godspeed, Rob.

*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*

Kelli set up a special message board which is linked from Rob's website, where you can post your goodbye's to Rob and your condolences to his family.

Kelli will be compiling posts from the message board for a special Romantic Times memorial commemorating Rob, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.

Click to visit Rob Ashton's Website and the Message Board

Visit Kelli's Web Design Myspace page

Visit the Rob Ashton Myspace Dedication page