WOW! Winter 2009 Flash Fiction Contest

WOW! (Women On Writing) WINTER 2009 FLASH FICTION CONTEST

OVERVIEW:

WOW! hosts a (quarterly) writing contest every three months. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. We are open to all styles of writing, although we do encourage you to take a close look at our guest judge for the season (upper right hand column) and the flavor of our sponsor, if you are serious about winning. We love creativity, originality, and light-hearted reads. That's not to say that our guest judge will feel the same... so go wild! Express yourself, and most of all, let's have some fun!

WORD COUNT:

Maximum: 750 Minimum: 250

The title is not to be counted in your word count. We use MS Word's word count to determine the submitted entry's word count.

PROMPT:

OPEN PROMPT!

That’s right, this is your chance to shine, and get creative. You can write about anything, as long as it’s within the word count and fiction. So, dig out those stories you started way back when and tailor them to the word count.

We’re open to any style and genre. From horror to romance! So, get creative, and most of all, have fun.

GUEST JUDGE: LITERARY AGENT, JANET REID

Janet Reid is an agent with FinePrint Literary Management. Her specialty is relentlessly commercial crime fiction but she also swoons over well-written projects in many other categories. Her asssssistant is a 12 foot long stuffed snake (given to her by Lee Child.) She maintains a blog at http://www.jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/ to rant about everything that makes her snarl from query letters to…well, query letters. She also runs Query Shark to critique query letters. After hours she stalks Jack Reacher.

CONTEST DEADLINES:

FALL: September - November 30th Midnight (Pacific Time) - CLOSED WINTER: December - February 28th, Midnight (Pacific Time) - NOW OPEN! SPRING: March - May 31st, Midnight (Pacific Time) - CLOSED SUMMER: June - August 31st, Midnight (Pacific Time) - CLOSED

ENTRY FEE: $10.00

We are limiting the amount of entries to a maximum of 300 stories. Please enter early to ensure inclusion.

If we reach 300 entries, we will disable the PayPal buttons.

This sounds like an awesome contest. Hurry and get your submission in before it’s too late! Also, not long ago I blogged about the below post (scroll down to Sunday, January 11th post), but I thought it was worth mentioning it again.

Good luck to those of you who decide to enter the contest!

WOW! is seeking writers for their upcoming themes:

- Finances - Genres - The Process

We are also looking for photo essays and video on a variety of subjects: workspaces, tours of author's homes, how-tos, speakers on craft of writing subjects, author interviews, event coverage, balancing work/writing with family, etc. If you have an idea for a photo essay (300-500 words), or a video, please query us with examples of photo essays/video work you've previously completed. Please review our submission guidelines on our Contact Page (scroll to the bottom) for pay rates and how to submit. We look forward to hearing from you!

LSFW Mayke It Happen Challenge

Liberty States Fiction Writers Mayke it Happen Challenge (No, that's not a typo in Mayke! - the deadline for completion is May 31.) Write your personal "Great American Novel" in the LFSW Mayke it Happen Challenge.· The Goal: 60,000 words by midnight EST May 31, 2009· The Prize: Everyone who finishes their goal will be eligible to win a critique of their proposal (synopsis and three chapters) from a published author, agent or publishing house editor Who is Eligible: The Mayke it Happen Challenge runs from February 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009. A support loop, moderated by a number of published authors, will be available to help participants reach their goal. The cost for non-members is $25 and a link for payment will be available on February 1. This challenge is free for all Liberty States Fiction Writers members. The following published authors will be moderating the loop and providing guidance to Mayke It Happen participants:

• Debra Mullins
• Linda Parisi
• Caridad Pineiro
• Lois Winston

For details, meeting information or to join Liberty States Fiction Writers visit the website at: http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/ contact: Chris Redding http://www.chrisreddingauthor.com/

2009 PNWA Literary Contest

Fron the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Website:

The 2009 PNWA Literary Contest presents an opportunity for writers to showcase their unpublished work.

Deadline is Febuary 20th, so hurry and get your entry in!

Contest Categories 1. Mainstream 7. Non-Fiction Book/Memoir 2 .Inspirational Genre 8. Screen Writing 3. Romance Genre 9. Poetry 4. Mystery/Thriller Genre 10. Short Story 5. Science Fiction/Fantasy Genre 11. Children’s Picture Book or Chapter Book 6. Young Adult Novel 12. Adult Short Topics: Article/Essay/ Short Memoir

Awards and Benefits

The eight finalists in each category will be notified before June 2009 prior to the PNWA Summer Conference on July 30 - August 2, 2009. Award Winners will be announced at the conference.

Every entry accepted in the contest will receive two –critiques—a useful tool for any writer.

Finalists who attend the PNWA Summer Conference will receive a Finalist ribbon for their name badge, giving them high visibility to the agents and editors at the conference. Finalists’ manuscripts will be made available to agents and editors during the conference. In addition, finalists entries are read and judged by an agent or editor to determine the top three in each category.

Winners are given the opportunity to attend the Agents and Editors Reception at the PNWA Summer Conference.

Awards will be given as follows:

First Place: $600 and the Zola Award The Zola Award honors founding member Zola Helen Ross for her vision in creating a writing community more than 50 years ago.

Second Place: $300

Third Place: $150

Entries must be postmarked no later than FEBRUARY 20, 2009.

PNWA Webite PNWA Contest Rules/Guidelines

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!