Saturday, May 30, 2009

Agent Pitch Blog

Musetrackers Agent Pitch Shop

Musetrackers would like to invite you all to participate in our newest venture. 'Agent Shop'

What's 'Agent Shop'?

Well, how many of us wish we could pitch to an agent? That is, without the frills? No parties, no travel, no conference costs, no hectic schedules? Don’t get me wrong, the conferences, promos, signings and parties have their place and time, but what about in between?

Here’s what we’re going to do.

This isn’t a contest… there aren’t any winners… just a chance to put your pitch in front of agents who are interested in shopping a bit. They’ll read them and request more - IF – your pitch grabs their attention. What they request is up to them. We'll host 3 or more agents for each session and a few agents who couldn't commit mentioned stopping by from time to time.

If you're interested in pitching, visit the link below to read the rules. First date to submit is May 30th, and only the first thirty e-mails get in!

http://musetracks.wordpress.com/agent-shop

(Please feel free to forward to anyone you think may be interested, with credit given to Musetracks.wordpress.com)

Monday, May 11, 2009

One Line Pitch Contest At QueryTracker

QueryTracker is having a one line pitch contest for those of you who write in any of the genre's below.
  • Young Adult Thriller
  • Young Adult Horror
  • Young Adult Fantasy
  • Young Adult Science Fiction
  • Adult Science Fiction
To enter, submit a one sentence pitch for your novel. QT recommends you read agent Joanna Stampfel-Volpe's article on how to write a pitch before entering. Read Article Entries will be accepted Monday, May 11th (12:01 am to 11:59 pm Mountain Time). Winners will be announced May 18th on the QT Blog . Literary agent Brendan Deneen of FinePrint Literary Management will be judging. You must be a QueryTracker member to enter the contest. Membership is free, you can register at the QT site. Good Luck! QueryTracker QT Contest Page Fine Print Literary Agency

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Dorchester Accepting eMail Submissions

I pulled this info from Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt's Blog, Romantic Reads. Dorchester Publishing is now accepting general submissions via email. Authors should attach their full manuscript in a Word or .rtf document, along with a 3- to 7-page synopsis. The body of the email should contain the material of a normal cover letter:
  • contact information, including physical address and phone number (so we don’t call a Californian at 9 a.m. EST)
  • word count (70,000-90,000 words)
  • the genre of the novel
  • and a brief, tantalizing description of the plot.
Authors who currently have submitted via regular mail should not resend their material. Submissions should be sent to submissions(at)dorchesterpub.com. Romantic Reads Blog Dorchester Publishing Dorchester Submissions Guidelines

Monday, May 4, 2009

FREE eBook Download At Bantam Dell

To celebrate the May 26th release of Lara Adrian's ASHES OF MIDNIGHT, Book 6 in the"Midnight Breed" vampire series, Bantam Dell is giving away a free e-book download of Kiss of Midnight, the first novel in the NYT bestselling series.
To download your FREE copy visit http://www.midnightbreedread.com/
Lara Adrian Website

Sunday, May 3, 2009

This N' That

It's been a while since I did a writer's hodge-podge post. So, here goes. Hope you find something useful. :) ~Carol
Screeners Needed at Lyrical Press, Inc
LPI is looking for a very small number of submission screeners. This is a volunteer position only. No wages or royalties are paid.
Requirements:
  • You must have Microsoft Word, Open Office and a gmail account.
  • You must have at least 2-4 hours free each week to read.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older. (LPI receives all types of submissions, including erotica, and we can’t discriminate in the screening process) You must not already be employed or contracted by LPI or another publishing company of any sort. (No, line editors, you do not get to screen subs, too, sorry. Fresh eyes really do mean fresh eyes).
  • You must not be engaged as a screener for any other publisher.
  • You must be prepared and able to give concise, constructive feedback on subs. This does not mean you need to be a grammar/story excerpt. It means you must be able to explain what you liked, why you liked it, what you didn’t like and why you didn’t like it, what you found difficult to read through, etc.
  • You must be prepared to be delighted by subs, but also remember publishing is a business.
  • You must abide by the first rule of sub club: Don’t talk about sub club. If you screen for us, you must never share information about subs, authors or procedures with any one else for any reason. (We’re evaluating ppl’s dreams, here. Have some respect.)

Why to apply:

  • Because you like to read.
  • Because you love to say yes but understand why and when to say no.Why we’re opening this to the public: Because we know editors’ opinions aren’t the same as readers’ opinions.
How to apply:

***Permission to forward granted.***

Also, LPI is accepting submissions (See couple posts down).

LPI Submissions Page

**I thought the following info might be of interest:

GRAND OPENING!

Please join us at 1st Turning Point on our opening day. We have prizes.

What is 1st Turning Point? A place where authors, artists, musicians, and crafters can learn all about promotion. It's all FREE! http://1stturningpoint.com/

We have some incredibly talented industry professionals to tell us all we need to know about the treacherous waters of promotion, including two American Title winners, a man who made movie trailers for Disney, an author who actually wrote for Superman, a real live marketing man who actually does marketing, a woman who owns an Internet radio station, another lady who owns an immense romance readers’ site, and who also now has a site to help writers promote. Did I mention the PRIZES? We have a person who sold while completely in the dark about all this stuff. Another who made the transition from e-press to NY-published. My own PR background was in politics. Yes, a huge variety of experiences.

This is a pay-it-forward site. We’re hoping that those who learn today will teach tomorrow. Besides, there will be PRIZES!

http://1stturningpoint.com/

To learn more about 1st Turning Point, take a look at About Us, then read What Was I Thinking? in the Articles section. Click on On Staff and see who all’s on board. Oh, did you know there will be PRIZES?

1st Turning Point

Loose ID Summer Call for Submissions

Loose Id is looking for a few very special stories for each of the following promotions:

Who's the Boss of You?

October 16th is Boss's Day. One day to celebrate that amazing, elegant, outrageous, irritating, domineering, however you describe the maddening creature called "the Boss." At Loose Id, we want your best and sexiest stories about the Boss. Whether it's comeuppance or just plain coming, we want to see you give the bosses of the world what they deserve.

We're accepting a limited number of stories for the October 16th promotion, but good boss stories are always welcome. To be considered for the promotion, submit completed stories of 20,000+ words, before June 1.

Summer Getaways

Since the only vacation some people can afford this summer will happen between the pages of a book, we're looking to publish some fantastic summer getaway stories before Labor Day. These can be anything, any subgenre, but we're especially looking for solid and sexy contemporaries that focus on the escape. But whether that escape is winning the lottery or meeting the boy next door, that's up to you.

To be considered for this promotion, submit completed stories of 20,000+ words, before July 15, but earlier submissions are welcome as we'd like to stagger them throughout the summer.

Hot Hooks

And, if you're a contest junkie, or hoping to realize your fantasy of becoming a published author, Loose Id has something for you, too. In July, we'll be running a "Hot Hooks" contest, where stories will be judged on their hook, premise, first page and synopsis.

All subgenres of erotic romance will be accepted, but the focus will be on finding sensational saleable stories. So start thinking about the hottest hooks you can imagine and write exceptional stories around them. Even if you don't want to enter the contest, that's good advice.

Keep your eyes open for more information about our Hot Hooks contest, coming soon to a Loose Id website near you. We look forward to seeing your submissions and helping you help our readers unleash your fantasies this summer at Loose Id.

Loose Id Website & Submissions Page

The Passionate Pen 10 Year Anniversary

Did you know Author Jenna Peterson/Jess Michaels' PASSIONATE PEN is celebrating a ten year anniversary? Wow! I started writing just about the same time the Passionate Pen went up, and it was one of the first romance writer's resources I discovered. I still visit when I have a question or need to know about a certain agent or publisher, and I never miss the monthly agent interviews and articles.

Jenna is celebrating the 10 year mark by having monthly drawings! Woo-hoo! To enter, answer the question and email the answer. That's it! I won February's contest and received a brand new copy of the newest version of Microsoft Office Professional 2007! Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled. Believe me, I needed that program. :)

Last month (April) the Jenna posted an interview with Bookends agent Jessica Faust and had a drawing for a bag full of research/craft books. This months interview (May) is with Avon's May Chen and the drawing is for a grab bag of recent Avon releases! Awesome!

The Passionate Pen is chock full of articles, interviews, links - all things romance writer related. See for yourself at http://www.passionatepen.com/ . If you decide to enter the monthly drawing, good luck! And don't forget to sign up for the Jenna Peterson Newsletter!

Visit The Passionate Pen and/or the Jenna Peterson Website

**And last but not least...

Call For Article Submissions

A call for submissions for articles on writing to: The Fiction Flyer, a free ezine for writers at http://www.tri-studio.com/ezine.html

Article Submissions Guidelines:

To submit an article, you must be a subscriber of The Fiction Flyer. To subscribe, send an email to kgogolewski@sbcglobal.net and write EZINE in the subject heading. New subscribers may have a free ad featuring their book or book event.

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 reading and writing of fiction.

We offer writers exposure to their work as we have over 1,000 subscribers. When our subscriber list reaches a pre-determined level, we will charge a modest fee for advertising and will pay stipends to authors of contributed articles and stories. Currently, 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. Beyond the right of The Fiction Flyer to publish their article or story electronically, an author retains all other rights.

Additional guidelines for article submissions:

  • 1. No obscene language, excessive violence or pornography
  • 2. Length of article: 500 to 2,000 words.
  • 3. Use Arial or Times New Roman 10 point font
  • 4. Electronic submissions only -- include in the body of your email. No attachments
  • 5. We reserve to right to edit work
  • 6. Simultaneous submissions accepted
  • 7. All articles are archived at http://www.tri-studio.com/ezine.html

Thank you. We look forward to reading your work.

Kathe Gogolewski Editor/The Fiction Flyer

Lyrical Press Birthday Party!

Lyrical is one year old this month! Woo-hoo! Join us for 31 days of Ebook giveaways, chats, and more! Visit the Lycical Press Website and/or Blog for more info.
Hope you decide to join the fun!
Congratulations, and
Happy Birthday, Lyrical!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Lyrical Press Accepting Submissions for New Imprints

My publisher, Lyrical Press, Inc., is now accepting submissions for three new imprints: Allure, Elements and Vintage. Imprinted title payouts: $100 advance (50% upon receipt of signed contract, 50% upon remittance of approved final) + 40% of earned digital royalties. We will not review queries, partials or proposals. Only completed manuscripts will be considered. Required length for all three imprints is 60-80k ONLY. We will not consider works of less than 60k, or longer than 80k for elite imprints. (full submission details to follow imprint guidelines) Titles that do not fit specific imprint guidelines might still be considered for non-imprinted contract/release, but will not be eligible for advance. Questions regarding guidelines or other specifics should be directed to submissions@lyricalpress.com. Specific Imprint Guidelines:

Lyrical Allure

  • Acquiring editor: Emma Wayne Porter
  • Genre: erotic contemporary romance
  • Length: 60-80k
  • Key Characteristic: willful hero, capable heroine
  • Key Characteristic: sexual tension and romantic conflict
  • Requirement: HEA
  • Sensuality Level: extremely hot

Editor's notes: Know your tropes. This line is focused on the buildup and resolution of sexual tension and romantic conflict. The thrill of anticipation is as key as the erotic payoff.We want willful heroes, and capable heroines. We do not want "perfect" or cardboard characters, nor do we want helpless, shrinking-violet heroines. We want compelling, fully developed contemporary characters with GMC and sizzling conflict brought to fulfilling resolution.

Lyrical Elements

  • Acquiring editor(s): Renee Rocco a/o Emma Wayne Porter
  • Genre: paranormal romance
  • Length: 60-80k
  • Key Characteristic: gripping and dangerous paranormal conflict
  • Key Characteristic: romantic conflict
  • Sensuality Level: any
  • Requirement: HEA

Editor's notes: The paranormal conflict should be on an equal footing with the romantic conflict - there must be an imminent threat to the hero, heroine or both. We want to worry the will get them before the boy can get the girl. Know your lore. Know your characters. Make us believe the lore, make us care about the characters, and scare the crap out of us at will.

Lyrical Vintage

  • Acquiring editor: Renee Rocco
  • Genre: historical romance
  • Length: 60-80k
  • Key Characteristic: immersive historic setting
  • Key Characteristic: romantic conflict
  • Sensuality Level: any
  • Requirement: HEA

Editor's notes: For now, Old West/Western is lumped in with all other historic eras. We want fully immersive, rich settings positively rotten with conflict of the times. No contemporaries in historic disguises - we want driven characters caught in authentic, seemingly insurmountable conflict, and we want our heart-wrenching HEA fulfillment.

For full submission procedures and guidelines please visit http://www.lyricalpress.com/imprint_submissions

Want a Chance to Win a Prize Package?

My friend Maria Zannini is having a fun contest/challenge and she's offering up a great prize package for the winner. Info is below. From now until May 28, 2009 at 12 Noon (cst) you earn a point every time you post the words below and my website link on any blog, forum, or social networking group. Google Alerts will tell me every time these words are used, but if you want to make sure you get credit, email me at: countdown DOT apocalypse AT gmail DOT com and send me the direct link on where you posted it.
THE APOCALYPSE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
Buy TOUCH OF FIRE by Maria Zannini http://www.mariazannini.com/
Write a review for Touch Of Fire on Amazon or any other review forum, and earn 5 extra points. Post the phrase and link on Twitter and earn 3 extra points. The person with the most points by noon, May 28, 2009 will receive a prize package worth $100. The prize package includes a signed copy of Touch Of Fire, a $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com, and assorted trinkets and VERY COOL goodies totaling $35. Maria's blog Maria's Webiste Good luck!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

NABBW Your Age of Elegance Writing Contest

The National Association of Baby Boomer Women, is proud and excited to sponsor the... Entering YOUR Age of Elegance - Writing Contest Ah, Baby Boomers. Look who's entering the Age of Elegance... According to author Chloe Jon Paul who wrote, Entering the Age of Elegance - A Rite of Passage & Practical Guide for the Modern Maturing Woman, this second adulthood reaches us around age forty and if this "rite of passage" isn't done with style and grace, we can become disoriented and lose our way. We want to know what the Age of Elegance means to you. Fulfillment? Exploration? Discovery? Tell us! To enter this contest, simply follow these short and simple guidelines before submitting your story. CONTEST GUIDELINES: Using 500 words or less, and using these helpful questions below, tell us;
  • What does the "age of elegance" mean to you?
  • Have you embraced this time in your life? If so, how?
  • Have you used this journey to define yourself as a new woman?
Please submit your entry in a WORD document AS AN ATTACHMENT. Include your name, email address, and short bio (no more than 75 words) INSIDE the WORD document NOT IN THE BODY OF THE EMAIL.
  • SUBMIT to - contest@nabbw.com with Age of Elegance in the subject line.
  • DEADLINE - May 31, 2009PRIZE
  • MONEY - 100.00 and F-R-E-E membership or renewal in the NABBW. Plus your story will be published in the Our Voices section at http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/. Also . . . TWO LUCKY RUNNER-UPS will receive a framed copy of The Litany of Elegance plus easels, compliments of author Chloe Jon Paul!
Visit the NABBW Website NABBW on Facebook

Friday, April 10, 2009

FREE Online Conference - Promo Day!

Online Conference to Help Authors with Publishing Industry’s New Promote-Yourself Mindset World Wide Web--As the recession deepens for the publishing industry and more and more writers must--absolutely must--promote their own books or see them languish, a free online conference featuring industry experts is here to help! PROMO DAY returns for its second year Saturday, May 9, featuring notable publishing industry experts like Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers including The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward To Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of other author aids like her Amazon short, “The Great First Impression Book Proposal.” Howard-Johnson has appeared on more than 300 TV and radio shows. She is an instructor for UCLA Extension's renowned Writers' Program and award-winning author of fiction and poetry. The conference also features Lael Johnson, Karina Fabian, John Desjarlais - Elysabeth Eldering, Joyce Anthony, Ron Berry, Devon Ellington, Carol Denbo and Lea Schizas. The day, coordinated by Jo Linsell, is an all day online international event packed full of tips and advice. In includes a variety of opportunities for writers, publishers, editors and other book publishing professionals to promote their work and services. Readers are also welcome to drop in and get to know the presenters and attendees better in the online chatroom, view the video trailers, or read the sample chapters on site. Founder and Organizer of the event, Jo Linsdell, says “Promo Day came about because I was looking for opportunities to promote my books using the internet at little or no cost. After attending the Muse Online Writers Conference back in 2006, I searched the internet for similar events aimed at what to do after you’ve written the book and found none. I decided to fill the void.” New features for this year is the official blog for the event, http://promoday.blogspot.com/, where everyone can keep up to date with new announcements and information regarding the event and the official Promo Day book, packed full of information and resources, which will be available to buy during and after the event. To attend go to http://jolinsdell.tripod.com/promoday Learn more about Howard-Johnson at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/ Promo Day Blog - http://promoday.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Writer's Journal Contest(s)

*Romance Category* Prizes: First: $250.00, Second: $100.00, Third: $50.00, Plus Honorable Mentions First, Second, Third, and selected Honorable Mention winning stories will be published in future issues of the WRITERS' Journal. For Contest Winners, please click here. Guidelines For printable version, click here Annual Postmark Deadline: July 30 Reading Fee: $7.00/entry U.S. funds only Send Entries to: (Multiple entries from one party may be mailed in one envelope.) "Romance Contest" Val-Tech Media P.O. Box 394 Perham, MN 56573 Please make checks or money orders payable to: WRITERS' Journal Submissions must be postmarked by the deadline date. (July 30) Manuscripts will not be returned Rules: Length must not exceed 2,000 words. Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Only one copy of each entry required: ~ Writer's name must not appear on submission. Each submission must include: ~ A separate cover page with the name of contest, title of manuscript, writer's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address if available. ~A title page with the manuscript title only. ~On the manuscript itself, each page headed with a title key word and page number. ~Nowhere on the manuscript should the author's name appear. No staples please. Photocopies accepted - manuscripts will not be returned. For those without Web access, a winner's list can be obtained by sending a #10 SASE. Only original, previously unpublished stories accepted. Copyrights to manuscripts remain with author. WRITERS' Journal requires only one-time rights to winning entries. Reading fee must be included. Writer's Journal Website *NOTE: Check out the website, there are other categories available to enter. Not to mention the great articles and monthly Writer's Book Giveaway.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Romancing A Cause Auction

Help friends from The Romance Divas support a struggling romance writer. She and her husband have lost their home, both lost their jobs, and we don't want them to lose hope. Be a Diva and have a ball with these awesome items. A new auction every day! From April 1st through April 7th you can bid on print books, ebooks, writing critiques, banner creation, jewelry, baskets of soap, and other goodies galore! All of the participating authors are part of the Romance Divas writing forum, and include Robin L. Rotham, Gemma Halliday, Jennifer Lewis, Kate Pearce, Jennifer Colgan, Nell Dixon, Sage Burnett, Delia DeLeest, KB Alan, Debbie Mumford, DaraEngland, Cassandra Curtis, Ciar Cullen, Stephanie Adkins, and many more! To learn more visit Ciar Cullen's Auction Page. Happy Bidding! Romancing The Cause Auction Ciar Cullen's Website/Blog The Romance Divas Forum