Launch Pad contest for unpublished novelists

deadlines vary by category: historical fiction is May 10, 2012, suspense/crime/mystery/thriller is June 10, contemporary fiction/women’s fiction is July 10, middle grade, YA fiction is August 10, contemporary romance is September 10, Speculative is October 10. entry fee is $35; details HERE:

http://www.novelrocket.com/p/launch-pad-contest.html

Call for paranormal/noir crime short stories

“Damnation & Dames” by Ticonderoga Publications is seeking short stories of 1,000 – 7,500 words. The anthology pays $.02/word (Australian) up to $150, plus two copies. Details HERE:

http://ticonderogapublications.com/tp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114:new-market-damnation-a-dames-edited-by-amanda-pillar-and-liz-grzyb&catid=75:guidelines&Itemid=81

“Scare the Dickens Out of Us” ghost story contest – 10/1

10/1/2010 deadline; $20 entry fee; prizes are $1,000, $500, $250; 5,000 words max; info HERE:

http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com/dickensform.pdf

Ghost story contest

The Ghost Hunter (a new paranormal Web site) is hosting the Winter Ghost Story Competition. 2,000 words max; Deadline is 11/21/2010; premier 1 members can enter for free; entry fee is $5 for non-members; prizes are (in pounds, not dollars): $500, $200, $150, and a flash fiction writing course; details on how to enter HERE:

http://creativecompetitor.com/competitions

FREE paranormal/supernatural true story contest

Deadline is Aug. 21, 2010; prize is $50; no entry fee; story must be true; info HERE:

http://blackorchidsmanor.com/?page_id=575

Bite Magazine seeks submissions (vampires, etc.)

ghosts, vampires, etc.- real stuff (not fiction) for articles

http://www.bitememagazine.com

Pre-order autographed copies of FreeK Camp from a Bram Stoker Award-winning author

New from Steve Burt

An Adventure that’s Out of this World. And In It.

Free Camp, which somehow became known as FreeKCamp, is

for special kids. But just how special, most people will never

know. Two vans are on their way to the camp in rustic New

England, their passengers just starting to get acquainted. One

van makes it. The other mysteriously disappears. Now each

group of kids must bond together to discover and use their

paranormal and psychic powers. The lives of one group literally

depend on it.  Part mystery thriller, part detective story, part

sci-fi, FreeKCampis all hold-your-breath-I-didn’t-see-that-

coming adventure.

BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET A COPY!

Four versions available for pre-publication ordering. Mailed as soon as they arrive from the printer in

May. Pre-publication orders get free shipping.

–$19.95 dustjacketedhardcover (autographed) –$16.95 trade paperback (autographed)

–$18.95 plastic-jacketed (laminated) school/library/home hardcover $18.95 (autogrif req)

–$100 Collectible hardcover for investors, hardcore fans, and Steve Burt do-good supporters. 250

books from the trade hardcover printing will be signed, numbered #1 through #250, and logged. These

should go up in value–especially if the book or the FreeKsseries takes off or becomes a movie. Each

collectible comes with a free paperback, so you don’t have to bend or smudge your investment copy.

When they’re gone, they’re gone!

_________________________________________________________________________

Reserve ____ paperbacks @ $16.95 each = __________

Reserve ____ plastic laminated hardcovers(school/library/home) @ $18.95 each = _____

Reserve ____ dustjacketedhardcovers@ $19.95 each = ___________

Reserve ____ collectibles  @ $100.00 each = ___________ (collectible inclfree paperback)

(Connecticut orders must add 6% sales tax.)

Name____________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________City/State/Zip_____________________________

Email________________________    Phone_____________________________________

Checks payable to: Steve Burt    Mail to: 29 Arnold Place, Norwich, CT 06360

Or indicate: VISA ___ Mastercard____  Card number: _____________________________

Name on card: _____________________________________ Exp. Date:_______________

Phone orders (including VISA/MC)  860.405.5183

Web orders www.burtcreations.com (we drop shipping charge when we process the order)

Writer’s digest self-published book awards

May 3, 2010 deadline; More than $17,000 in prizes; tons of categories – (poetry, YA, nonfiction, reference, life stories, inspirational, genre fiction, etc. etc.)

Info & entry HERE:

http://www.writersdigest.com/selfpublished

10 QUESTIONS FOR…Lynda Hilburn, author of “The Vampire Shrink”

Author interview with Lynda Hilburn

Lynda Hilburn writes paranormal fiction. More specifically, she writes vampire books. After a childhood filled with invisible friends, sightings of dead relatives and a fascination with the occult, turning to the paranormal was a no-brainer. In her other reality, she makes her living as a licensed psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, professional psychic/tarot reader, university instructor and workshop presenter. Her first novel, “The Vampire Shrink” — which introduced us to Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight and a hidden vampire underworld — was released by Medallion Press, October, 2007. The second book in the series, “Dark Harvest,” released October, 2008. Several more books are planned. Her short story, “Blood Song,” is part of the “Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance” anthology, April, 2009. For more information, visit Lynda’s website:  www.lyndahilburnauthor.com

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest novel is the second in my Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist series. The first was called The Vampire Shrink and the second, Dark Harvest. The series explores the ongoing story of a Denver psychologist who stumbles into a hidden vampire underworld. The books blend genres: urban fantasy, romance, mystery, humor, sex and are written with a contemporary vibe.

2. How did you get started as a writer?

I wrote nonfiction for a long time: articles, columns, various teaching materials and case studies. In 2003, I discovered the wonderful world of paranormal romance. I’d been a vampire fanatic since childhood, when I read Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but I hadn’t considered writing fiction myself. Something about the blending of paranormal aspects with romance really got my attention, and, after exploring the genre, I got excited about writing my own vampire books. After a session in my psychotherapy office, involving a young client who talked about wanting to belong to a non-ordinary species, the idea of writing about a Denver Psychologist who counsels vampires was born!

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

That question made me smile. There are no typical days. I work for a mental health center 4 days per week, and I have a private practice on Mondays. Evenings and weekends I do singing activities and try to get some writing in.  I do best when I have a few disciplines and routines, such as using my treadmill twice per day (morning and evening) for 30 minutes per session. It would be great to have a personal life, and I’m thinking about how I can work that into the schedule! I haven’t even thought about going on a date in years (I’m divorced).

4. Describe your workspace.

I live in a “garden level” apartment in a lovely home. My computer sits on a huge table, surrounded by files, books, magazines, office equipment and various papers. There are vampire posters on the walls around me. I keep the TV on in the background for noise. I can’t play music because I’m a singer and music distracts me.

5. Favorite books (especially for writers)

I’m a fan of good stories. All of my favorite books are fiction. J.D. Robb’s “Eve Dallas” series. Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series. Anne Rice’s books. The “Dexter” books. So many I can’t even think of all of them!

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you

Hmmm. I don’t know if it’s interesting or crazy, but in addition to being a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, I also work as a psychic/tarot reader. I’ve done that since I was a teenager. I sing in a rock and roll band. I write vampire books. I have clients who talk about being abducted by aliens. I had a childhood filled with ghosts and bizarre situations. My favorite programs are about a serial killer (“Dexter”) and a narcissistic genius (“House”).

7. Favorite quote

“Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.” – Richard Bach, Illusions

8. Best and worst part of being a writer

Best part is typing the words, “the end.” LOL. Worst is forcing yourself to sit in the chair long enough to get the words out.

9. Advice for other writers

It really is true that you should never give up. Read stories about other writers and how many dark times they had to overcome before achieving whatever they consider success. Just when you think it’s all over, it begins again. Be persistent, tenacious and stubborn. Keep writing. Keep laughing.

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.

I don’t have one specific story. Since I had no experience writing fiction for publication, I did a lot of impulsive things for the first couple of years. I didn’t know about any “rules” regarding genre writing or publishing, so I did what I wanted. I made lots of mistakes! I talked WAY too much. Gave my opinion MUCH too freely. The entire experience of writing, selling, and publishing books has been humbling.

Where can people buy your books?

My books can be purchased at a book store near you, as well as online outlets (Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Borders.com and many others). Website: http://www.lyndahilburnauthor.com, blog: http://paranormalityuniverse.blogspot.com

Ghost stories wanted – $100 payment

Descant, a Canadian publication, is seeking poetry, fiction and nonfiction pieces for a 
special issue titled, "Ghosts and the Uncanny."turns ghost hunter and dares to explore the
Pays $100; March 1, 2010 deadline; Info and entry HERE:
 http://www.descant.ca/submit.html