Lookin' For Some FREE Marketing?

Are you looking for FREE book publicity? If so, check out The Home Sweet Home Writing Challenge For Authors. Basically, this is an author spotlight blog, and all you have to do to get your own author spotlight is copy and answer the interview questions, which they provide and list right on the site, then send them in to the blog owner(s). That's it! They say turnaround time is three days to one week, unless otherwise specified. Easy, peasy, huh? From the site: The Home Sweet Home Writing Challenge series of author interviews is the product of Pump Up Your Book Promotion, an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion. All interviews are FREE of charge and is our way of helping the author gain online exposure during the recession that has gripped our nation. It’s our little way of giving back to the community which has helped our company become a success. For submission guidelines, visit the“How to Play” page. The Home Sweet Home Writing Challenge Pump Up Your Book Promotion

FREE Downloads At Harlequin Celebrates DOT com

To celebrate 60 years of pure reading pleasure from Harlequin, you can download, read and share 16 full books! To download your FREE books, go to HarlequinCelebrates.com Here's a fun little thing I discovered at the site. Put yourself in the story. Just fill in the questions and create your own, personal Harlequin Romance. Here's mine: My Harlequin Romance #1 Glamorous Socialite Carol heads across Paris, the City of Lights's most dangerous territory to break her unwanted society engagement. Only, her biggest problem isn't outlaws and killers. It's a rugged, relentless cowboy.... With a killer to catch, Moe has better things to do than escort his commander's fiery daughter. But his feisty charge is as irresistible as she is off-limits, and to protect her he'll risk his reputation, his life—and his heart. and another one... My Harlequin Romance #2 He was a poor, simple boy. She was a wealthy, feisty young lady. Though they were worlds apart, their innocent friendship bloomed into a mutual admiration. Then suddenly Moe was wrenched from Carol 's life. Now, years later, he has returned to the Grand Canyon society as an influential cowboy, determined to seek revenge on Carol 's father—and Carol herself. But she is no longer the spoiled schoolgirl Moe remembers. She is a adventurous young glamorous socialite of conviction and faith, raising a son on her own. Now Moe must look deep into his heart. For only in abandoning his thirst for revenge can he finally become the man most worthy of her love. LOL. I think I like the first one best, don't you? To get your own Harlequin Romance (blurb) and download your FREE ebooks, visit HarlequinCelebrates.com . HarlequinCelebrates.com http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/

How To Jumpstart The Muse Course Workshop

How to Jumpstart the Muse Workshop presented by Kim Smith Have you ever had long stretches where your Muse goes on holiday and didn't invite you? Did it take off and didn't leave a forwarding address? I have too! Daily writing prompts and free-style writing can save the "empty mind" syndrome every time. Come and join in the fun as we "locate" the Muse once it takes a hike and leaves us still on the porch. Date: January 26 Time: 7pm EST Place: Chat Lounge 1 located at: http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/ To register please send an email to: museitupeditor@yahoo.ca with your name in the body of the email and KIM SMITH WORKSHOP on the subject heading. Writing Space - Kim Smith's Blog The Muse Online Writers Conference Room 1

Writers Digest Annual Writing Competition

***permission to forward*** Writer's Digest is having their annual writing contests. One of the categories is genre short stories. First place winner in each category receives $1000 and other prizes. You can find the rules, deadlines and more information here:http://www.writersdigest.com/annual 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, 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 meet and share your work with four editors or agents! Plus, you'll receive a free Diamond Publishing Package from Outskirts Press. Entry Deadline: May 15, 2009. 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 $20 for the first manuscript; $15 for each additional manuscript submitted in the same online session. Add $5 per manuscript to all entries postmarked after May 15, 2009. Entries postmarked after June 01, 2009, will not be accepted. For entrants paying with a credit card, we will accept manuscripts submitted online. Manuscripts in the script categories must be submitted via regular mail. Writers Digest Homepage Writers Digest Annual Competition

Sourcebooks/Casablanca Authors Contest

*Permission to Forward* Break Up the Winter Doldrums With A Contest from the Casablanca Authors and our Acquiring Editor Deb Werksman! We all know the hardest part of being published is to grab the interest of an editor. Well, here's your chance to get your foot in the door. Deb will make her monthly visit to the blog on Thursday, January 29. The Casa Authors invite you to submit a 50-word pitch for your book in the comment section of Deb's blog. If we like yours the best, Deb will request your full manuscript and provide feedback. Two runners up will be asked to submit a synopsis to Deb. As an added extra, several of the Casa Authors have offered critiques of a first chapter and synopsis (up to 50 pages) to selected runners-up! What is Deb Looking For? Single title romance (series/trilogies too!) in all sub genres:

• Paranormal
• Historical
• Contemporary
• Romantic suspense
• Erotic. romance

Minimum 90,000 words, please.

• A heroine the reader can identify with
• A hero she can fall in love with
• A world is created
• A "hook" Deb can use to sell the book in 2-3 sentences.

Contest Rules: The contest will run from 12:01 a.m. on January 29 and end at noon on January 30. All pitches must be entered into the comments section of Deb's blog by noon on Jan. 30. No pitches may be emailed to the blog, to individual authors or to Deb. Emailed pitches will be automatically disqualified. Please enter pitches ONLY for finished, polished manuscripts that are at least 90,000 words in length. No works in progress please. Winners will be announced on Saturday, February 14 on the Casablanca Authors blog. No individual messages will be sent to winners. The winner and runners up have until 5 p.m. on Monday, February 16 to send the full manuscript/and or requested synopsis to Deb's assistant Lisa Acosta at: lisa.acosta@sourcebooks.com . If the winning MS is not received by the deadline, a runner up will be chosen. Deb will respond within three to four weeks. Critique runners up will be notified as to how to proceed. Decisions of the judges (Deb, our publicist Danielle, and the CasaAuthors) are final. Winning this contest does not in any way constitute a guarantee of publication or further consideration by Sourcebooks Casablanca. For more information visit the Casablanca Authors Blog. Good Luck to All! Sourcebooks, Inc Casablanca Romance Fiction Submissions Page Casablanca Authors Blog

Blogger Problems - HELP!

Anyone have any idea WHY my post's come out jumbled together? They look fine when I'm writing them, but once I publish them to my blog, they formatting disappears. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know in the comments. This is driving me CRAZY! Thanks! ~Carol

Eric Maisel FREE Creativity Coach Offer

I thought I'd pass this along for those who may be interested in having a Creativity Coach. I signed up for one of Eric Maisels FREE Creativity Coach offers in the past, and it was a great experience. If you need a little help with motivitation, goal setting or if you just need someone to account to or give you a little push with you writing, I recommend you take advantage of this FREE offer. You won't be sorry. :) *Permission to forward*

Hello, everybody: If you could use some help getting your creative efforts, your creative career, and your creative life off on the right foot this year, get some free creativity coaching (16 weeks of email-based coaching) from a coach-in-training during the next training, which begins the week of February 9th. To get the free coaching, please follow the instructions at this link (you will need to scroll down a bit to see the “free client” information): http://ericmaisel.com/em_trainings_lg.html Don’t miss this opportunity! (And pass the word to your friends!) Best, Eric For information on Eric Maisel's books and services visit: http://www.ericmaisel.com/

Women on Writing Looking For Submissions

**NOTE: Once again, this post came out all jumbled together, and once again I apologize. It's still readable, just not formatted for some reason (although it is formatted when I'm writing it. It's after I publish my post when the fun begins. Hopefully I'll find out what the problem is soon. Until then, please bare with me.** In case you haven't heard or WOW before, here's a description taken from the site: WOW! (Woman on Writing): An ezine promoting the communication between Woman Writers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Readers. WOW! is looking for submissions for upcoming issues on several themes: Children's Book Writing (February 2009); Romance (March 2009); Finances (April 2009); Genre Issue (May 2009); The Process (June 2009). See http://forums.writersweekly.com/viewtopic.php?t=8250 for the announcement and pay rates. Below is a brief description: February 2009: Children's Book Writing We are looking for queries and submissions on the craft of writing children's books: picture books, middle-grade, and YA. Please review our October '07 Children's Writing issue to get an idea of topics previously covered: http://wow-womenonwriting.com/14-issue.html March 2009: Romance Issue Craft of writing romance novels: romance sub-genres, heroes & heroines, levels of heat, romance novel queries, how-tos. Please review last year's Romance issue to get an idea of topics previously covered: http://wow-womenonwriting.com/18-issue.html April 2009: Finances This issue is pretty open. We are looking for queries and submissions on anything dealing with the writer's life and finances. We already have health insurance covered, and book publicity expenses. Suggestions: freelance taxes, financial writing, budgeting, recession proofing your writing career, investing, and anything else you can think of! May 2009: Genre Issue Do you write for an interesting or out-there genre? If so, we want to hear about it! We're looking for genres we haven't previously covered: horror, mystery, historical, fantasy, SF, crime, thrillers etc. June 2009: The Process An all How-To issue. We're looking for how-tos on virtually any type of writing--the more specific, the better. Articles should be written in a step-by-step process with bulleted lists, sidebars, graphs, etc., and provide useful take-away information for our readers. Word Count and Pay Rates: Twenty Questions: $50 How 2 (1,500 - 2,000 Words): $75 Inspiration (1,500 - 2,000 Words): $75 Feature Interviews (up to 3,000 Words): $75 Feature Articles (up to 3,000 Words): $150 Submissions: Email Queries/Submissions to: submissions - at - wow-womenonwriting.com Remember, no attachments please. Angela & Annette Editors: WOW! Women On Writing ---------- WOW! Women On Writing, 740 S. Van Buren St., Ste D., Placentia, CA 92870. Email editors - at - wow-womenonwriting.com. Website http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com. Angela Mackintosh, Publisher/Editor Annette Fix, Senior Editor Women on Writing

Editor Chat January 17th!

Join Castle in the Sky for the first ever Editor Chat on Saturday, January 17! Have questions for editors? Curious about various publishing houses? Well join the fun as we host this great event for authors (published and non-published), editors, and everyone in between.

Publishers and Editors Who Will Participate:

• Black
• Velvet Seductions
• Bold Stroke Books
• Carnal
• Passions
• Champagne Books
• Cerrdiwenn
• Press
• Crescent
• Moon Press
• Desert
• Breeze Publishing Inc.
• Dramur
• Publishing
• Ellora¢s
• Cave
• ePress-Online
• Freya's
• Bower
• Lachesis
• Publishing
• LBF
• Books
• Liquid
• Silver Books
• LindenBayRomance
• Pink
• Petal Books
• Red
• Rose Publishing
• Samhain
• Publishing
• Shadowfire
• Press
• The Lotus Circle
• The
• Wild Rose Press
• Wild
• Child Publishing

To attend, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castleintheskyflightoffantasy/ and sign up.

Cobblestone Press 2009 Annual Words in Motion Conference

**NOTE** I sincerely apologize for the way this post (and the previous one) is all jumbled together. For some reason my post's are not formatting correctly, soooo, please forgive the mess. I hope you don't have too much trouble reading them :) ***Permission to Forward*** Cobblestone Press is hosting the 2009 annual Words in Motion Conference Jan 9-11 (Fri, Sat, and Sun) at in the Community Forums at http://www.cobblestone-mainstreet.com Attendance and participation is free. Theme: Sci-Fi, fantasy, and urban fantasy romance Presentation Schedule includes: January 9th, Friday • Character Development for Urban Fantasy by Yolanda Sfetsos • Creating 3 Dimensional Characters for Paranormal Worlds by Patti O'Shea • Developing Believable Wolf-Shifting Heroes by Loribelle Hunt Saturday, January 10th • World Building for Paranormal Romance by L. Shannon • Writing Science Fiction Romance by Kayelle Alan • Your Underwear is Showing: How to Prepare for Online Events By Alice Anderson Sunday, January 11th • Creating Super Hot Super Heroes by P. Andrews • Top Mistakes that Authors Make When Writing Paranormal Romance by Cobblestone Press Managing Editor, Brandi Loyd • Designing Covers for The Darker Side of Romance Other Events during the 3 day conference is an Author Parade that runs Friday-Sunday – Authors post their contests for readers to enter. Also Publishers will have a Publisher Panel for Q&A throughout the conference. To attend, you only need to register at the Mainstreet Forums and you will be allowed access. (Registration is required to reduce the amount of spammers to the site) We hope you will start off the New Year at Words In Motion Conference! Sable Grey Publisher Cobblestone Press, LLC www.cobblestone-press.com sable@cobblestone-press.com Cobblestone Forum/Registration

Manic Readers Romance Novel Writing Contest

The 2009 Manic Readers Romance Novel Writing Contest with NAL Publishing editor, Becky Vinter Contest Rules: 1. Entries will be accepted between January 3, 2009 and February 28, 2009 2. Entries must be written to the theme of "Men in Uniform". Heat level: Steamy! 3. This is a novel length (80k - 100k) contest. Entry length of the excerpt is 1000 words (computer count). Entries over 1000 words will be disqualified. Excerpt can be any part of the story as long as it follows the above theme. Excerpt must be from a new, not yet published, manuscript. 4. Entrants must be registered with the Manic Readers website 5. All entries will be submitted via a submission form on the Manic Readers website (see below). 6. All entries will be kept anonymous but assigned an entry identification number 7. Beginning March 1, 2009, Manic Readers will post 20% of the entries at the beginning of each of the following weeks:

• March 1st
• March 8th
• March 15th
• March 22nd
• March 29th

8. Each week registered users can vote for their top two entries (one vote per entry) 9. The top two entries from each week will be posted April 5, 2009 and read by Becky Vinter 10.Contest is open to unpublished writers and published authors not published with NAL Publishing 11.One entry per person – multiple entries will be disqualified Contest Prizes: 1. The top 10 entries receiving the most votes will be read by Becky Vinter 2. The entry with the most votes will be named "Readers' Choice" 3. Becky Vinter will name one of the top 10 entries "Editor's Choice" Frequently Asked Questions Q: Does the manuscript have to be finished in order to enter the contest? A: That's up to you. However, if the editor really loves your excerpt she may ask you for the full manuscript. Manic Readers Romance Novel Contest Good Luck! And don't forget Leah Michaels and Rochelle Chase's Chase the Dream Contest! It's not too late to enter, and it's FREE!

Happy "Belated" Holidays!

Sexy Comments & Profile Graphics

Enter the 2009 Chase the Dream Contest

Leah Michaels and Rochelle Chase are getting ready to host their 3rd annual Chase the Dream Contest . They’ve got a great lineup of agents/editors and prizes so hurry and get your 1,000 word unpublished romance novel entry ready. If you follow my blog, you'll remember that I entered Dangerous Desires in last years contest (I sold nearly three months later). I didn't win, but I did receive a very helpful Mini-Critique from both Leah Michaels and Rochelle Chase. This is an awesome contest, and believe me, you don't want to miss it.

Leah Michaels gave a great critique of Dangerous Desires. Here's one thing she said:

"And this is a delightful piece of writing – it’s well-constructed, and it gives us a wonderful portrait of a character."

They'll be accepting entries from soon, so hurry! To learn more about the contest and for contest rules and guidelines, visit Rochelle's blog or the Contest page. Good luck, everyone! Chase the Dream Contest Rochelle Chase's Blog Leah Michaels Website If you're interested, go here (October 23rd Post) to see my blog post about the contest & Mini-Critique I won. *The contest pages says to check back on December 8th for updated information.

Books, Books and More Books

Last Sunday I won a drawing at the Unusual Historicals Blog for a copy of Tracy Garretts Western Historical Romance, TOUCHED BY LOVE! Woo-Hoo! It's been a while since I won anything. I'm so excited. Tracy emailed me and said I should receive my copy this week. I can't wait to get it. It sounds like a totally awesome read, it really does. :) One more book to add to my TBR pile.

Not that I'm don't want to add another book to my TBR pile. It's just that, in addition to winning TBL, in the last month I've bought five Historical/Western Romances, one non-romance (fiction) and two research books. I wish I could read them all at the same time, they all sound so darn good, but that's just not possible. Three books at once is my limit. Any more and I'd never get anything else accomplished. :)

Anyway, I thought I'd share my newest additions. Umm, I mean, last month's newest additions.

• The Gunslinger's Untamed Bride by Stacey Kayne
• The Loner by Geralyn Dawson
• A Wanted Man by Linda Lael Miller
• The Rustler by Linda Lael Miller
• Scandalous Deception by Rosemary Rogers
• Victorian London by Liza Picard
• How the West Was Worn by Chris Enss
• The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes

Right now I'm alternating between VICTORIAN LONDON (which, by the way is an AWESOME research book. I highly recommend it) and A WANTED MAN by Linda Lael Miller and I sort of thumbed through HOW THE WEST WAS WORN and THE OLD GRINGO. I'm just so impatient when it comes to new books, aren't you?

I have lot's more books in my TBR pile(s), which includes eBooks, too, but I just haven't been able to get to them all. Because my fav's are Research books and Historical Westerns, of course, those are on the top of my list, and I read those first.

So how's your TBR pile? Are you set for the Winter?

Happy reading!