Agent Pitch At Musetracks Coming up SOON!

Want a opportunity to pitch your ms to an agent? On Sunday Feb. 7th.at 10:00 a.m. E.S.T. you'll have your chance, and you won't even have to leave your house!

Once a month Musetracks blog hosts an "Agent Shop" where the first 30 people to submit their pitch will have the opportunity to get their ms in front of an agent. This month (February) Stan Soper from the Soper Literary Agency will be the featured agent.

Pitches accepted in: Romance – All genres, subgenres, elements and Women’s fiction. (At this time we are not offering any other areas of writing, but you can always check back. If more agents become interested – we might expand.)

The following is from the site:

Agent Shop will only be ‘open’ one day, per month, and I’m only taking the first thirty pitches that I receive. But don’t worry, if you don’t get in the top thirty this time, you can try again the next month. Hopefully, enough great pitches come in to keep these agents coming back for more.

After the pitches go up, the agent(s) have one week to read and decide. They will then contact me and I will forward on information to the author(s) who received requests. I will also be posting results after the week is up. Just the total number of requests made – no specifics or names.

 Sounds awesome, doesn't it? For rules, guidelines and more info, visit  MUSETRACKS.

MUSETRACKS 
Soper Literary Agency

Nathan Bransford YA Writing Prompt Contest

In celebration of Jennifer Hubbard's YA debut novel,THE SECRET YEAR, Nathan Bransford is having a writing prompt contest.  To enter, write the most compelling (fictional) teen diary entry. It may be a diary entry or an unsent letter, but it should be in a teen's voice.

Prizes:
The GRAND PRIZE ULTIMATE WINNER of the THE SECRET YEAR Teen Diary Writing Contest Extravaganza will win:

- A signed copy of THE SECRET YEAR (pending winner's proximity to the US of A)

- Their choice of a query critique, partial critique, or 10 minute phone conversation/consultation/dish session

- The pride of knowing OMG you are like the greatest writer for teens ever.

Runners up will receive a signed THE SECRET YEAR bookmark (pending finalists' proximity to USA), plus a query critique and/or other agreed-upon prize.

The contest deadline is 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday January 6th.

Visit Nathan's Blog for rules & guldelines.

Good Luck!

Secret Agent Contest For Middle Grade and YA

Every so often (I think every month) over at the Miss Snark blog, there is a Secret Agent Contest for certain genres. This month's contest is for:

Middle Grade fiction, all genres

Young Adult fiction, all genres

Submissions will open on Monday, January 11 at 12:00 PM EST

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Submissions will be open for 24 hours or until 50 eligible entries have been received, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
• Submissions received before the contest opens will be disqualified.
• Submissions are for COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS ONLY. If you wouldn't want an agent to read the entire thing, DON'T SEND IT. If an "entire thing" doesn't exist, you shouldn't even be reading these rules.
• Manuscripts THAT HAVE BEEN IN A SECRET AGENT CONTEST DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS (June-November) will not be accepted.
• You may submit A DIFFERENT MANUSCRIPT if you've participated in any of the 2009 Secret Agent contests.
• Only ONE ENTRY per person per contest. If you send more than one, your subsequent entry(ies) will be deleted. 
• If you are PAST WINNER, please DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST. (Unless it's a different manuscript.)
• Submissions are for THE FIRST 250 WORDS of your manuscript. Please do not stop in the middle of a

Your submission for this contest should be formatted as follows:

SCREEN NAME

TITLE
GENRE

(Followed by the excerpt here.)

•  No "chapter one," chapter titles, etc.
• You will receive a confirmation email with your post number. I don't always get through quickly. Don't resend.
• Submissions go to facelesswords(at)gmail.com. They DO NOT GO to my authoressmail address. Those of you who are subscribed to this blog via email will note the latter address as the "from." If you use this address for the contest, I WILL NOT SEE YOUR SUBMISSION.

For more information, visit Miss Snark Blog

FREE Query Letter Critique

I received the info below today and thought I'd pass it on.
~Carol

FREE Query Letter Critique

At Romance University, CJ Redwine picks one reader's query letter each month for a detailed critique that she then posts on our site for educational purposes. If you've ever taken CJ's query letter critique class, you'll understand how valuable her recommendations are.

 We're seeking more query letters for 2010. This is a FREE service. CJ can block out any personal identification information at your request.

If interested, please send your query letter in the body of an email to: QueryWriting101@RomanceUniversity.org. Query critiques are posted on the first Monday of each month.

Romance University

Here's Wishing You and Yours A Safe And Happy 2010!

Leah Michaels and Rochelle Chases' Chase The Dream Contest

Tomorrow, January 1st, is the official start date for the fourth annual 2010 Chase The Dream Contest presented by Romance Author's Leah Michaels and Rochelle Chase.

This is an awesome contest and a great opportunity to get your work in front of Agents and Editors, and the best thing about it is, it's FREE!

This year (and every year) they have a great panel of agents and editors. Just look at the lineup!

• Alex Logan of Grand Central Publishing
• Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks
• Theresa Stevens of Red Sage
• Susan Swinwood of Harlequin/Mira/Spice
• Esi Sogah of Avon Books,
• Kelli Martin of Kumani
• Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency
• Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency
• Elizabeth Pomada of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency

and more yet to be announced.

Also, they've added a new feature to the contest website, which I think is pretty cool. Videos from each of the agents and editors on the panel, telling what makes them request more after reading a contest entry.

To enter, submit the first 1,000 words or less of an unpublished romance, chick lit, or mainstream fiction with romantic elements novel/novella. Each Wednesday, from January 13, 2010 to March 3, 2010, Rachelle Chase will select a finalist from that week’s entries and post it on the Finalists page. Visitors are invited to post comments.

So, even though the official date to enter your submission begins tomorrow, you can submit your entry every week until March 2, 2010 (as long as it doesn't get chosen).

I entered Dangerous Desire in the 2007 contest, and although I didn't win, I was the Week 6 Mini Critique Winner and I received some great critiques from Leah and Rochelle.

So, if you're interested in entering, go here for rules and guidelines.

Best of Luck, and Happy New Year!

Chase The Dream Contest
Rochelle Chase
Leah Michaels

A Few Contests

Need something to get your mind off the holidays? How about entering a contest? Below are a few I recently ran accross and thought were interesting.

Good Luck!

~Carol
(Note: I'm not familiar with any of these contests. Please do your research before entering.)

 Announcing the 2010 FlashFiction Contest Of the Pikes Peak Branch of National League of American Pen Women

Deadline: March 1, 2010 (postmarked)

Entry fee: $10 per manuscript

Theme: “The Power of Three”. Prizes: 1st -$75; 2nd - $40; Judge’s Merit Award - $20. A complete but very short story of 100 words or fewer (titles not included in word count). Multiple entries may besubmitted, $10 entry fee for each entry, check or money order payable to PikesPeak Branch NLAPW (a non-profit organization). Entries must pertain to the theme, should benarrative in form, that is, should “tell a story.” All genres welcome, no poetry. Submitters need not live in Colorado orbe a member of Pen Women to enter; male writers are welcome to participate. Obtain an EntryForm, with rules for submission, by accessingon-line at: www.ppb-NLAPW.org Click on “Contests,” then on “Click Here”for Entry Form and submission rules. Forquestions or further information, e-mail dodeq@msn.com(inquiries only/no submissions). Winners will be notified byApril 15, 2010.
 

NEW MILLENNIUM WRITINGS semi-annual writing awards

Deadline: January 31, 2009

Entry Fee: $17.00
Categories: fiction, poetry, short-short fiction, & creative non-fiction
Prizes: $4,000 ($1,000 for first prize in each category) plus print & online publication
For Contest Rules & Online Submissions: http://www.newmillenniumwritings.com/

William Saroyan International Prize for Writing

Submission deadline: January 31, 2010

Nominations for the 2010 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing will be accepted through January 31, 2010. This award, given by Stanford University Libraries in partnership with the William Saroyan Foundation, recognizes newly published works of fiction and non-fiction with a $5,000 award for the winner in each category. The prize is designed to encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan literary legacy of originality, vitality and stylistic innovation. For more information, including official entry forms, contest rules, a press release, and other information on the prize, visit the Saroyan Prize website: http://library.stanford.edu/saroyan/

SUMMERFIELD G ROBERTS AWARD

DEADLINE: January 15, 2010
GENRE: Poetry, short stories, nonfiction and books
DETAILS: Literary manuscripts or published books that "best portrays the spirit, character, strength, and deeds of those who lived in the Republic of Texas" (1836-46). Entries may be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, plays, short stories, novels, or biographies (all genres compete together).
PRIZE: $2500

http://www.srttexas.org/sumfield.html

HIGLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN FICTION CONTEST

DEADLINE: January 31, 2010
GENRE: Short Stories
OPEN TO: Anyone 16+
DETAILS: Write a children's story based on your family. Stories may be any length up to 750 words. Stories for beginning readers should not exceed 475 words.
PRIZE: 3 prizes of $1000 or tuition for the Highlights Foundation
Writers Workshop at Chautauqua. http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest

Postcard contest with cash prizes

Deadline: January 15, 2010
Entry Fee: $20
Deadline extended. Geist (Vancouver, BC) invites entries for their 6th Annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest. First prize: $250. Submit a postcard along with a story that relates to the image. 500 words max. Entry Fee: $20 (includes subscription), $5 for each additional entry.

http://www.geist.com/contest/6th-annual-geist-literal-literary-postcard-story-contest

Here's Wishing You and Yours A Very Merry Christmas

Myspace Comments

An Early Christmas Present

Woo-hoo, I'm soooo excited! I'm getting a FREE Dell Mini Netbook and it's on its way to my house right now! Woo-hoo!

Let me explain. Back in the summer I was having IP problems so I decided to switch (back) to Comcast. Well, at the time (which I didn't even know until a customer rep told me when I signed up) Comcast was running an awesome promotional special. New customers who signed up within a certain time frame would get a Free Dell Netbook 10v! Awesome, right?

But (you knew there was going to be a butt but, didn't you?) the stipulation was, after signing the contract you had to be a customer in good standing for 90 days before you were eligible to receive the Netbook. It is a great deal, however, I couldn't help but think it was probably too good to be true. I figured Comcast would somehow find a way to re-nig.

Well, long story short, I signed at the end of August, which was within  the promotional time frame, so when my 90 days were up last month, I began wondering when/if I'd receive my "gift", so to avoid calling them and being switched from one person to another and holding forever, I decided to check online first.

I went to Comcast's website and without much luck, looked for something, anything about the Netbook promotion, but I could find nothing, nada. I was just about to give up and call the Comcast office when I accidentally discovered a forum that was discussing... you guessed it, the Netbook promotion!

At first, it didn't look good. All the post's were negative. People bad mouthing the company, complaining about the service, etc., etc., etc., but then, all of a sudden it started to actually look ... promising.There, near the very bottom of the page was a post by someone who actually gave some positive and helpful feedback. They even posted a link to a website you could go to and check the status of your promotion and everything (I wonder why Comcast just couldn't have put that information somewhere on the website where you could actually find it?).

Then, just when I was making a bit of progress, on Friday I got a letter from Comcast confirming that my Netbook was scheduled to ship on 12/04/2009. The delivery date is Tuesday,  12/08/09, and guess what? They even had the tracking number! Woo-hoo! Well, you better believe I went straight to the UPS site and I've been tracking that baby ever since.

It appears that my Netbook is in transit. It shipped from LAWNSIDE, NJ on the 4th and right now it's in NEW STANTON, PA, where it has been since yesterday. Slowly but surely it's making its way to my front door step in Michigan. What a relief. *sigh*

I can't help but wonder what color it will be. On the Dell Netbook 10v web page I saw that you could choose from some really pretty colors and designs, but they never asked what color we wanted (yeah, right). I bet they'll send them in basic black or maybe white. If I had my choice I'd pick red, it's just so pretty. But, beggars can't be choosers. I'm just thankful I'm actually getting a Netbook. And just in time for Christmas, too. What a great Christmas present!

I've heard a LOT of good things about Netbooks. It seems everyone who owns one just loves them. What about you? Do you have a Netbook, and if so, how do you like it? 

AudioLark Romance Audio Book Publisher Open To Submissions

AudioLark* is open to submissions for romance shorts (10,000 – 20,000 words), novellas (20 – 40,000 words) and novels (40,000 words and up) in a multitude of genres and heat levels. Your story is the key to being published by *AudioLark*. Ask yourself; if every sex scene was cut out of my novel, would my story still be compelling to readers? If so, we want to take a look.

*AudioLark* ONLY publishes audio books. We only contract audio rights. We match your manuscript with the perfect narrator and create a seamless, professional audio book to sell on our site and through our distributors.

*AudioLark *offers authors 15% of gross sales on our site, and 25% of net sales through distributor sites. Royalties are paid quarterly within 30 days of the end of the quarter in which the sales were made.

We prefer manuscripts that have already been published as ebooks or in print. At this time, we do not have the capability to edit novels. We will make an exception for unpublished works by previously published authors (for example, we'll gladly take a short story if you've published novels and novellas before). Authors should realize that publishing with us first may make it hard to find an electronic or print publisher afterwards for their manuscript. Most ebook publishers, however, do not mind if you retain your audio rights.

Authors MUST have audio rights to their work or we will not consider it. Do NOT approach us if you haven't yet secured audio rights to a published manuscript.

We are interested in all sorts of romance genres, from contemporary to historical, chick lit to paranormal, suspense to science fiction to novels with romantic elements. We are not accepting young adult at this time.

Check back to see if this changes.

We are accepting all heat levels, as well, and would like to offer our readers a full range of story options, from ultra sweet to scorching hot.

Our guidelines mirror most other romance publishers. Erotica is fine, pornography is not. We reserve the right to draw the line where we will. We will not accept stories that include rape, bestiality, sex with anyone under18, incest, necrophilia, racism, sexism, intolerance of others' religion or sexual preference.

Please submit all manuscripts to support@audiolark.com. *Include in your email your name, pen name, manuscript length, genre and steaminess level.*

Manuscripts may be submitted as a pdf if published (preferred), or as a MicroSoft Word 2003 doc file. If we encounter any errors, we will ask for another format. Please send the entire manuscript as we make decisions quite quickly. Our response time is generally one – two weeks.

AudioLark
Submissions Guidelines

Do You Tweet?

Okay, you guys, I did it. I joined Twitter. I'd been hesitant to do so, because really, I belong to way too many social networks as it is and I didn't want to add another to my already way too big list of social sites, but, I've heard SO much about Twitter, I just had to check it out.

Now that I joined, the thing is, I really don't know what to Tweet. I've been watching and reading the people I follow so as to get an idea what it's all about, and what I've discovered is that you basically just Tweet about anything.

Some Tweet about personal stuff, like what they're doing or what they've done, where they're going or what they ate. Some market their books, some post links to blogs, websites, contests and such, and some Tweet about nothing in particular. In other words, you can Tweet about whatever floats your boat. :)

I'll admit I really like the short and to the point info. Love it. You don't have to read through tons of stuff just to get to the meat of the subject like you sometimes do on email groups. That's a HUGE plus.

I'm a little shy about Tweeting. Don't know why. I've been blogging for over a  year, and I belong to tons of writers eloops (where I lurk a LOT). So far I Tweeted once and I did one retweet (Woo-hoo. You go girl!). Guess it's going to take me a little while to get used to it.

So, do you Tweet? If so, feel free to follow me. And please bear with me, as I'm new to this and am just learning the ropes. :)

Happy Tweeting!
http://twitter.com/CarolBurge

P.S. FYI, I ran across some good blog posts about tweeting. I've listed them below if you're interested.

Twitter Articles
How To Use Twitter - Tips For Bloggers
Rajesh Raina [dot] net

Fiction Flyer e-Magizine Submission Call

For those of you who are interested...

Call to Writers: The Fiction Flyer, a quarterly free ezine is seeking qualified articles and fiction stories, including articles on the craft of writing, short fiction stories and flash fiction, poems and/or artwork (the last for our Other Author Art feature) for the first issue of 2010.

The ezine is provided as a free service to writers, and in this spirit, we can offer you what we get from it: exposure. Currently, we have about 1,000 subscribers, so your work will be read. We welcome reprints as well, and you retain all copyright to your work. New subscribers get a free ad featuring your book or book event.

Submission Guidelines:

A. Contest submission guidelines are listed individually for each contest. If we are sponsoring a contest, you will find it in the Table of Contents.

B. Flash Fiction submission guidelines Email submissions. In the Subject Heading: Flash Fiction Submission. In the body of the email include: Your name, story title, email address, word count, bio (up to 50 words), purchasing link to your book(s), blog or website (optional) and your story. Please use size 10 arial font. Send to Raymond Grant at raygogo@sbcglobal.net.

C. Short Fiction Stories Same as Flash Fiction above, but word count is up to 1,000 words and email submissions to kgogolewski@sbcglobal.net. Write Short Story Submission in the subject heading.

D. Advertising Submission Guidelines

1. A short blurb under 100 words about your book or event
2. A jpeg or gif of your book cover as an attachment.
3. A link to your publisher.
4. A short bio under 50 words.

D. Article Submission Guidelines:

Each issue of The Fiction Flyer is packed with information for readers and writers of fiction. We welcome article submissions that will stimulate, motivate, persuade, entertain or inform our readers on topics pertaining to the craft of writing.

We are accepting original work as well as reprints for articles. Please advise us if your article is a reprint and provide the particulars for the first publication so we can credit the publisher. The author retains all other rights. Up to 2,000 words.

E. General

1. No obscene language, pornography or excessive violence.
2. Length: 500 to 2,000 words.
4. Use Arial 10 point font
5. Electronic submissions only -- include in the body of your
email. No attachments
6. We reserve to right to edit work (don't worry – it's light if we
do it at all)
7. Simultaneous submissions accepted
8. All articles/stories are archived at http://www.tri-studio.com/ezine.html

Fiction Flyer Website

Happy Thanksgiving

Submission Call From Wild Rose Press Crimson Rose Jewels of the Night

*snipped from the Behind the Garden Gate blog*

The Wild Rose Press Introduces a Special Submission Call from Crimson Rose Jewels of the Night…

WHAT MAKES THIS SUBMISSION CALL SPECIAL?

One submission will be chosen at random to launch the series. The selected contract will be given a premium publishing slot during Crimson month (November, 2010) as well as a featured review and interview with the review site Once Upon a Romance. The selected story will be showcased on the Crimson Rose Page of The Wild Rose Press website and the Behind the Garden Gate blog. The Wild Rose Press will provide an advertising book banner to the author. Once Upon a Romance will also display this book banner without charge for a thirty day period beginning with the day of book release.

THE STORY:

Must involve a blue diamond. It could be a treasure hunt or a midnight thief or… Let your imagination take flight!

• Must involve a high level of danger 
• Can be in any region of the world
• Can be any timeframe as long as the most prevalent elements are romance and intrigue

Guidelines:

• Stories must be complete. With a word-length between 20,000 and 60,000 words (miniature rose or rosebud length) 
• Must be an original, never-before published work and you must own the rights to it.
• To qualify for the launch, submission must arrive on or before March 31, 2010
• Manuscripts must be formatted per standard formatting rules (Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, 1 in. margins, numbered pages) 
• Submission call is open to both published and unpublished writers 
• Story content must adhere to posted Crimson Rose guidelines as posted on the submissions page of www.thewildrosepress.com

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Email your manuscript as a single Word .rtf attachment to Lori (at) thewildrosepress.com

Put: “Jewel of the Night Series: Manuscript Title: YOUR NAME” in the subject line In the body of the email, include:

• The synopsis 
• Your Real name 
• Pseudonym, if applicable 
• Your contact email 
• Word-count

Submissions received that do not follow these guidelines will be discarded without notice. The Wild Rose Press is not responsible for submissions lost in cyberspace and not received.

Upon receipt, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have not received a confirmation email within five working days of emailing your submission, please send us an email.

Direct questions regarding this submission call to: Lori (at) thewildrosepress.com.

If you have received receipt of your submission, please do not inquire about status until after standard response wait time. All entrants will be reviewed per our normal submission guidelines which are available at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ .

The Wild Rose Press
WRP CR Submission Page