Fast Draft Challenge

Candy Havens is holding another Fast Draft Challenge. The official starting date was yesterday, Wednesday, January 30th, but it's not too late to join. Fast Draft is a writing challenge similar to NaNo or, as some of you may remember, the old Survivor Writer's group run by Donna Caubarreaux. The challenge is to write twenty pages a day for two weeks. At the end of the challenge, you should have 280 pages of a first draft. If that's a bit much for you, you can set your own goal. Whatever works for you.The point is to set a daily goal and stick to it. You can join one of the many sub-support groups, or form one of your own, or you can go it alone. The choice is up to you. A few weeks after the challenge, Candy holds the Revision Hell Class, where you revise and edit your Fast Draft creation. Candy will post guidelines and rules to the list for encouragement and to help you along. What I like about Candy is, she's a no nonsense kind a girl. She lets you know right off that she won't put up with any whining or excuses. She works full time, 50-60 hours a week, has a husband and two teenage sons, and still finds time to write, so you should, too. To participate, you'll need to join Candy Haven's Write_Workshop Yahoo group. Oh, and did I mention, it's FREE? To join, go to Candy Haven's Website here and click on the Workshops tab, or visit Candy's blog, or sign up at the Wrtie_Workshop homepage (links below). Also, each month Candy will be teaching a new class and may sometimes have guest speakers. Classes are for beginners through advanced. Write_Workshop-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Write_Workshop Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Write_Workshop Group email address: Write_Workshop@yahoogroups.com Happy Writing!

Wild Rose Press Contest

*Reposted with permission For all you paranormal/Warewolf authors - Wild Rose Press is holding a writing contest. Below are the guidelines and info. Just a note (as per the WRP website). Wild Rose Press is currently accepting submissions in all romance sub-genres in all lengths. Good Luck! Got Wolf? Black Rose Writing Contest If you've got a hot hero/heroine that also happens to turn furry at least once a month, then Black Rose is looking for your story. We are interested in werewolf stories with tight, well-written storylines and plots. If the hero is female make sure the male is equally impressive. All stories must have at least one HOT consummated love scene and, of course, the traditional story requirements still stand. Please take a moment to look at our submission requirements (www.thewildrosepress.com and click on the tab for "Submissions") before sending in your stories. Stories that do not follow traditional guidelines will be disqualified. Submissions are now open! Please place "Got Wolf? Contest Entry" in your subject line along with the traditional subject line matter, also found on the Submissions Guide. Contest deadline: August 30, 2008 Winners to be announced: October 31, 2008 Contest details: 4 shorts -- 15-25,000 word maximum and2 full shorts -- 25-45,000 word maximum will be chosen from the entries. All six winners will be included in a Black Rose anthology and will also receive a special Black Rose contest T-shirt. In addition, one winner will be chosen from those six to receive an author's survival basket full of goodies. Anthology Publication (estimated release) date June 2009 Judges: Ami Russell, Callie Lynn Wolfe, Jade Alexander, Amanda Barnett, Joan Archer, and Rene Stephens Please feel free to copy the following and spread it to all your loops and groups. Thanks. Rhonda Penders www.thewildrosepress.com

First Page Contest At Literary Agent Nathan Bransford's Blog

Literary Agent Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown, LTD is holding a First Page Challenge on his blog. Author Holly Burns will co-judge. Nathan says everyone is welcome to participate, so I plan to enter. :) Below are the contest guidelines. Good luck!

• All may participate. First pages may be from your work in progress or one you invented solely for the SEFPC. I've learned my lesson from contests past, and am limiting entries to one (1) per person.
• b) Leave your first page in the comments section of this post. People who subscribe to the blog via e-mail: please click through to the site and leave your pages on the actual blog. Entries that are e-mailed to me will not be counted.
• 4.6) First pages are limited to 500 words. Use them wisely. Paragraphs should be single-spaced with double-spaces between paragraphs (like how this blog post is formatted). Please do not get crazy with your formatting.
• +) The preliminary deadline for entries is Wednesday at 5:00 PM Pacific time although for some reason I always end up changing my mind about these deadlines, so please keep checking back. Nominees will be announced whenever Holly and I have had a chance to decide upon them, and you will have a chance to vote on the ultimate winner.
• £) Spreading word about the contest on the Internet is encouraged. I am ready to judge this contest. No matter what. Even a million entries will not faze me. My voice only quivered a little when I said that.
• X) And the prizes! The ultimate grand prize deluxe winner will receive the satisfaction of knowing they have a seriously awesome first page, and will have a choice of a query critique, partial critique, 10 minute phone conversation, or one of my clients' books. Runners-up will receive a query critique or other agreed-upon prize.

And that is it! Keep checking back for updates because these guidelines may be changed on a whim. Thank you again to Holly (here's her blog one more time) and good luck! Who has the most surprisingly essential first page? Let's find out.

Novel Writing Made Easy Video

I ran across this video and thought I'd share. :) Enjoy!

Well, I'll Be Darn...

Have you ever Googled your name? You should. I do every so often just to see what pops up. You'd be surprised by the things you'll find. I've heard some real horror stories from other's who find their name associated with all kinds of stuff. Thankfully, my name is mostly associated with blog and forum comments. Which brings me to this reason for this post... While Googling my name today, I found a post on Romance Bandits announcing me as the winner for their New Years Booty drawing! Woo-hoo! I don't remember entering this, I think if you left a comment on a post (don't know which one), your name was put in for the drawing. I think I won a Borders gift card, but I don't know for how much. Isn't that just the greatest? I think so. The announcement, which was for a New Years drawing, was posted on the 13th of this month, so, I'm not the only one lagging behind. :) Needless to say, I've already emailed my snail mail info to the contact person, and I'm ready to shop! Woo-hoo! Isn't Google great?

Writing Class Announcement Loop

Have you ever discovered the course or class you've been wanting or needing to take has already been presented? Or, do you need or want to take a certain course, but don't know if it's being offered? If so, you should check out the AnnounceOnlineWritingClass Yahoo group. The loop is privately run and is not affiliated with any one writing group. It's simply a centralized place to find out what's available for classes online. Most of the classes you will see here are sponsored by RWA chapters, but there are a few other reputable agencies providing classes. This is an announcement only loop, no discussions allowed. To join, click here or send a blank email to: Announceonlinewritingclasses-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or simply visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Announceonlinewritingclasses/ Here's another Yahoo group I just discovered. It's an announcement loop that notifies you of any upcoming agent and/or editor info, mostly to do with blogging. Editors, Agents and Blogs, OH MY Here's the blurb from the group homepage: Description This group is designed for serious writers, who are trying to break into publishing or "break out" to the next level of publishing. ANy and all blog information on editors, agents interviews are welcome. Publisher's actively seeking lists are welcome as well. If you're interested in joining, click here or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/editorsagentsandblogsohmy/ Happy Writing!

Need A Diversion? Try FreeRice

Need a diversion, a hem...I mean, want to improve your vocabulary? Try this site - FreeRice. I warn you, though - this site is ADDICTING! They chose a word from their database, and you pick the answer that best defines it. If you get it right, the next word will be a little bit harder, if you guess wrong, you get an easier word. For each word you get right, they (the advertisers listed on the website) donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. I kid you not, I spent hours playing around! You can download a banner and link to them, too. Just for fun (I thought it was cute - I know, I'm a dork), :) here's their warning: WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, job performance...

Have fun - and don't say I didn't warn you! FreeRice http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Need Help Finishing Your Ms? Check Out Endurance Writing

Endurance Writing: Where writing is more than just words on paper. The Idea: Get from A to Z of your draft with the least amount of pain and suffering possible! Like ripping off a Band-Aid. Zzz-zzip! Endurance Writing focuses more on the process of "getting it done," than the actual end product that comes out of the writing--your book. HOW E.W. WORKS: We all get together as a group in a Yahoo Messenger Conference Room and write as fast as we can ("sprint") for a set period of time (between 20 and 45 minutes, usually). Then we take a break (about 15 minutes), for fun discussion, chocolate, coffee, etc. Then we start all over with another sprint. We don't claim to be expert writers... much. In fact, we're not so much concerned with content or your overall page/word count as we are with getting you to participate in the writing sprints that will help you reach that light at the end of the tunnel: A FINISHED FIRST DRAFT! Endurance Writing is not about meeting a specific word count goal or page count goal. It is not about "checking in" with the group on your specific daily or weekly progress, or even about "finishing" any specific project. The ultimate goal is, of course, for participants to be able to finish multiple writing projects, but this should occur more as a natural side effect of participation in Endurance Writing, not as its specific aim. As a part of the Endurance Writing group, you can work on whatever project you desire during WordSprints. Old half-finished novel on the backburner for months? Go ahead and pick it up! Got an outline that's been dying for some attention? Perfect! Basically, if you can dream it, you can sprint with it. In addition, you can participate in whatever scheduled WordSprints you desire. No advance notice is necessary to "jump in" on a daily WordSprint with the group. What Endurance Writing is, essentially, is a wellspring of real-time, online writing camaraderie--as well as a system of time-wise writing accountability for those who find themselves easily distracted from the actual task of writing that draft. Endurance Writing is about putting in the time, in a group setting, making your fellow writers your "partners in crime." Broken up into bite-sized, 20-minute chunks, Endurance Writing takes the enormous, hard-shelled task of writing a novel and makes it more palatable... and sociable. Endurance Writer Site EW Yahoo Group Note: You'll need Yahoo Messenger to Participate

Free Query Letter Critique at Vintage Romance Publishing

In an effort to assist beginning/aspiring authors, Vintage Romance Publishing will be offering a free detailed critique of a one page query letter once every six months. The queries should be submitted during the following time periods only, and any query submitted within these guidelines will be reviewed:

• March 1st-March 31st
• September 1-September 30th

Please note in the subject line: Sample Query for Critique The queryletters will only be reviewed during the above-referenced dates. Please allow up to two weeks after the end of the month for completion of all critiques. www.vrpublishing.com

Need Help Finishing Your MS?

Need help finishing your manuscript? Check out Maria Connor's ProSAC website.

Setting goals and finding a way to succeed is what my Web site is all about, especially for those writers who have trouble finishing a manuscript.

I don't know about you, but I can use all the help I can get. :)

ProSAC is an interactive community offering tips, encouragement, challenges and incentives to help writers, especially those who lose steam after three chapters, to finish their manuscript. Sign up for a free newsletter and check out my Web site for contests. Go to www.maria-connor.com and click on "What the heck is ProSAC?"

In addition, I'm looking for published authors to contribute to my weekly blog on the topic of "Finishing Your Manuscript." In exchange for their contribution (3-5 paragraphs), I'll post their name, current release and Web site.

I've already signed up for the newsletter. Maria is also looking for a new name for ProSAC and is running a contest to help find one. Click here to enter. The official ProSAC title will be announced February 14, with a crystal bookmark going to the winner. Maria Connor Homepage ProSAC Website

New and Aspiring Authors - Do You Need A Website Template?

Romance authors Maura Anderson and Celia Kyle of LS Designs believe in authors paying it forward. And to help do that, Maura and Celia have put together a contest and are donating a writers website template for the prize. Rules are below, or visit Celia's website to learn more.

Rules, etc., are below:

*Reposted With Permission

Some of you may know me and know I' m a huge believer in paying forward all the help that' s been given to me. Toward that end, my friend and fellow author Celia Kyle and I have banded together in an effort to start paying forward in a way we hope will make a difference to some new and aspiring authors.

One of the hardest things seems to be that many new and aspiring authors are constantly told how very important it is for them to have some sort of web presence and a website. It 's true – a nice web presence that speaks to your style and writing is a huge advantage. But how many times is it nearly impossible to do if you aren 't technically savvy or have extra money to spend on the effort?

To help someone with this, I am donating a free, customized WordPress website template to a new or aspiring author. This is the design and installation but not web hosting and the design will be done by LS Designs ( http://lsdesigns.net/ ).

The rules are: · The entrant must have 3 or fewer published books at the time of entry. Please be honest J This includes self-published books. I made this rule because I really want to focus the contest. · Only one entry per individual. · The winner will be randomly drawn from all entries using random.org and sequential entry numbers assigned in the order I receive entries. · The drawing is open until midnight on 3/31/2008, Pacific Time. Winner will be announced on 4/1/2008 and the winner will me emailed directly and have 90 days to redeem their prize. · No names or email addresses will be used for ANY other purpose, ever.

Celia has set up an entry form at http://authorspayitforward.blogspot.com/ . Note that the question on the form about why you feel a web presence is merely for me to read and digest . It doesn' t affect your chances of winning as this is a drawing, not an essay contest.

Maura Anderson http://www.realmsoftheraven.com/ Celia Kyle http://www.celiakyle.com/ LS Designs http://www.lsdesigns.net/

Click here to enter Celia donated and designed the Write.Read.Romance website. I think she's doing a great job in paying it forward, don't you?

Red Rose ePublishing Accepting Submissions

Red Rose Publishing, a relatively new ebook publisher of mainstream and erotic romance, are seeking submissions in all sub-genres of romance and erotica. Authors will receive 40% for sales of 300 books, 301 to 500 is paid at 45%, and over 500 books sold is 50% royality paid. Red Rose Publishing is a full service, royalty paying publisher. They're actively seeking MC/IR, Romance, Action/Adventure, Chick lit, Contemporary, Fantasy, Futuristic/SciFi, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Shifters, Time Travel, Vampire, Westerns, B D S M & Fetish, Holiday, Interracial, Menage, Romantic Comedy and Rubenesque that are erotic and mainstream romances. Please follow the guidelines when submitting (per the Red Rose Publishing website): Include your name, email address, snail mail address, and phone number in the body of your email along with a brief synopsis about yourself, experience, current work(s), and literary honors (if applicable). Your manuscript should be 12pt font, double-spaced and saved as well as sent as an attachment in email. Place your story title, name, category, theme, rating, email and phone number in the upper left corner of the first page of your well edited manuscript. NO PAGE BREAKS, Headers or footer in the document. Include a brief 1-2 page synopsis describing setting and main characters. Clearly define your plot, including resolution in at least two paragraphs. Send your manuscript via email as an attached file to redrosepublishing@gmail.com As we are an e-publisher, all submissions must be electronic (via email). Print books will be discussed between the author and publisher. SPECIAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Desert Rose line - Sheikhs, princes with desert roses and impossible dreams! Or are they? The Sahara desert and surrounding countries are your playground, so authors, come out and play! Desert Rose is a line that will incorporate sensuality with the beauty that is the desert and its countries. Want to go over the line of sensuality into Erotica? Go for it, in fact we dare you! Write us a story about a sexy Sheikh, true it's been done before but we at Red Rose Publishing know how talented you are and that you can make the story with twists your very own! Spin us a tale about these dark lovers of the desert and their ladies, or vice versa, we at Red Rose encourage "out of the box". So, stun us. Leave us breathless and begging for more. In other words, use your Desert Rose and turn us on! Follow the above stated guidelines with your submission. Send your manuscript via email as an attached file to redrosepublishing@gmail.com with the subject line "SUBMISSION: DESERT ROSE". Red Rose Publishing Homepage Red Rose Publishing Submissions Page

I've Been Tagged!

Apparently I've been tagged by my friend Maria Zanninni (thanks Maria!) :) I've seen this done on other blogs, but this is the first time I've been hit, er, ah, tagged. LOL I'm to post six random things you didn't know about me. Okay, here goes...

• 1. I still love to play with Barbies - I don't actually play with them, but when my niece or granddaughter drag them out, I always have to pick them up, check out their outfits, see what kind of accessories, etc they have. When I was a kid, I had the biggest and best Barbie stuff on the block. I've never lost my love for them.
• 2. I hate the taste of beer - even though if/when I do drink alcohol, that's the only thing I'll drink! Guess I just kind of got used to it back in my "partying" days. LOL
• 3. I'm half Italian and half Irish - my maternal grandparents came here from Italy in 1906 and settled in Detroit.
• 4. I like to eat spaghetti for breakfast - I've always loved spaghetti, and when/if I have leftovers, I'll warm a bowl up and have it for breakfast - garlic toast and all!
• 5. I'm addicted to Warm Vanilla Sugar body lotion from Bath and Body Works - I wear it every day, and I replenish it many, many times throughout the day. It's an absolutely wonderful, addicting fragrance!
• 6. My first love was Elvis Presley! LOL - when I was a kid, pictures of Elvis plastered my bedroom wall. And I had an Elvis Club. You had to kiss Elvis' picture to be a member!

Gosh, that was harder than I thought! Okay, now I have to "tag" six people/blogs. Who are the lucky six...? JK Konrath at A Newbies Guide to Publishing, Nell Dixon - Romance Writer, Kaya at An*no*ta*tion, Anne Carrole...for love of romance, Cheryl St. John and the girls over at novelsisterhood! Rules

• Link to the person that tagged you
• Post the rules on your blog
• Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
• Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
• Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website

Happy Tagging!

Red Sage Writing Contest

Red Sage Publishing is holding their first writing contest.There will be two prizes awarded for the best stories. First prize will be publication in the Secrets anthology! Second prize will be publication as an e-book! Here are the basic rules: 1. All entries must be original, unpublished erotic romance novellas of 25,000 to 35,000 words in English featuring an alpha male hero. 2. To enter, send a completed manuscript as an rtf file to Submissions@eredsage.com with “Alpha Male Contest” in the subject line. Only rtf formats will be accepted. All other formats will be automatically disqualified and deleted unopened. Include your full name, contact information, and credentials (if any) in your cover e-mail. 3. Entries must be received by March 31, 2008, at midnight eastern time. You may enter as many times as you wish. By entering, you are certifying that your entry is your original unplagiarized work, that you own all rights in this work, that this work has never been published, and that you are willing and able to publish it with Red Sage. Any entry not meeting these requirements will be automatically disqualified. 4. In the event that none of the contest entries are deemed publishable, no winners will be declared. All entries will be reviewed by Red Sage editorial staff. All decisions are final. Non-winning manuscripts will be deleted at the conclusion of the contest. 5. For further tips on what Red Sage looks for in a manuscript, check our submissions guidelines at http://www.eredsage.com/Writers_Guidelines-sp8.html and our blog at http://redsagerevealed.blogspot.com/ 6. There is no fee for entering. Winners will receive a standard Red Sage publishing contract offer with standard Red Sage advance, royalties, and other terms. 7. This contest is void where prohibited by law. Good Luck! Red Sage Publishing Contest Rules