Launch Pad contest for unpublished novelists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
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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:
10 QUESTIONS FOR…Fleur Bradley, YA thriller writer
Author interview with Fleur Bradley
Dozens of Fleur Bradley’s mystery short stories have appeared online and in print, including the Deadly Dames anthology. She’s written a YA thriller her agent is now finding a home for in New York. It’s cold over there in winter, so let’s hope this happens soon.
Fleur also writes freelance, and lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters and way too many pets.
1. Tell us about your latest book.
The Ground Crew, my YA thriller, is about David, who’s that guy with the bulls-eye on his back. The bully target. He just got grounded for Spring Break (for speeding in his cool new car), and has to sit out his punishment in the basement of a neighbor, since his dad has to work.
He gets to know his fellow groundees—The Ground Crew—and just as he’s making friends, someone is targeting The Ground Crew, making them pay for their sins. David has to figure out who’s out to get them, before it’s his turn.
2. How did you get started as a writer?
I loved to read, and one day I thought: I can do this. So I wrote a novel, which really stunk. I mean, really, really bad.
But I caught the writing bug, and I read somewhere that short stories were a good practice. So for the next six years or so, I learned to write. I got some stories published, and eventually sunk my teeth back into novel writing. After a few more stinky novels, I wrote The Ground Crew.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I start with some coffee and email answering. Then from 9 until noon, I write on whatever work is in progress. The afternoon is for freelance work, teaching, blogging, etc. How boring, huh?
Unfortunately, boring is how the work gets done. Those hours when I work on a novel are fun, though. I get to travel in time, hunt for a bad guy, drive a car way too fast, and fall in love—all from my trusty computer chair and with a cat on my lap. Being a writer is such a sweet gig.
4. Describe your workspace.
I have a desk, bookcases full of papers and folders, a futon where my dog naps, and a window overlooking my yard. My desk is usually covered in papers, notes, and candy wrappers—I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Actually, make that a huge sweet tooth.
5. Favorite books (especially for writers)
I love Jordan Sonnenblick’s Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie because of its awesome YA voice. Tedd Arnold’s Rat Life, Graham McNamee’s Acceleration, and Markus Zusak’s I Am The Messenger are perfect YA mysteries.
For those of you unfamiliar with YA, I recommend you read all of those—you’ll never want to leave the YA section of your bookstore again.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you
1. I was born in Holland and grew up there. When I’m really mad, I curse in Dutch.
2. My favorite food is French fries with mayonnaise, curry sauce and onions. It’s a Dutch thing.
3. I’ve been known to eat all of the leftover desserts at convention banquets, and not even be one bit embarrassed about it.
7. Favorite quote
Don’t really have one, because I’m not a fan of quotes. If you think hard enough, you can find profundity in a stop sign, fortune cookie fortunes, and Miley Cyrus lyrics (“It’s the climb,” anyone?).
If I live by anything though, it would be to roll with the punches. Live in the moment, and take whatever comes your way. It’s a good attitude to have, for writers especially, I think.
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
Best part: getting lost in your imagination, hands down.
Worst part: the rejection. But I’ve learned to focus on the best part when the worst part is threatening to take me down.
9. Advice for other writers
Just write. It’s easy to get caught in the business, other people opinions, the self-doubt. In the end, even Stephen King writes his novels one word at a time.
Surround yourself with other writers, encouraging friends who will bring cookies when the rejections get to be too much. I am fortunate enough to have a crew of writer friends, and they’re priceless.
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
After polishing it to a shine, I sent one of my first short stories to a mystery magazine that was being published at the time called Hardboiled. My story was rejected, but the editor, Gary Lovisi, wrote a nice note on the rejection letter.
About seven years later, a writer friend referred me to an invitation-only anthology that was coming out. My story was accepted, and the editor? Gary Lovisi.
Publishing is a small world, and you should never give up.
Where can people buy your book and learn more about you?
The Ground Crew is still trying to find a publisher, but you can find lots of links to my short stories on my website: www.fleurbradley.com
Also, come check out my blog YA Sleuth: http://yasleuth.blogspot.com/ I keep you posted on all things YA, including news, book reviews, and sometimes a picture of a polar bear and a pumpkin, just because. It’s fun, so come join me!
$15 online course! Writing P.I.s in Novels
I took a workshop from Colleen and Shaun this weekend at AuthorFest. They are REAL private investigators and Colleen has written COUNTLESS novels!
http://www.highlandsinvestigations.com/piclass/
October 19-26, 2009: Crime Scenes, Homicides, & DNA ($15.00)
An introduction to crime scenes and homicide investigations (topics include key tasks covered by law enforcement, a general introduction to estimating time of death and types of wounds, and how a PI might be called upon to aid in a homicide investigation). Class concludes with a discussion of DNA, its testing, how it might be deposited by a suspect, and how it’s used in court proceedings. One week, 2 classes, questions answered by email in-between.
>>Registration deadline: October 17, 2009
November 16-23, 2009: Surfing the Web & Digging for Dirt ($15.00)
Ways a sleuth uncovers data, from Internet/database searches to getting down and dirty in someone’s trash. One week, 2 classes, questions answered by email in-between.
>>Registration deadline: November 14, 2009
December 14-21, 2009: Trials 101 ($15.00)
Writing a story with a courtroom scene and need to add some realistic touches? Or perhaps you’re fleshing out a trial attorney, or maybe just want a handle on a few terms for when your protagonist makes a court appearance? This class is an introduction to trials (U.S. legal system), outlining the key players in the courtroom, the history of trials, a few reasons why trials happen (as well as some wrong reasons trials happen, which could provide great story conflict), and ends with several examples of outstanding trials in books and movies. One week, 2 classes, questions answered by email in-between.
>>Registration deadline: December 12, 2009
“Fear Drives My Writing” (“Dark End of the Spectrum” author Anthony S. Policastro)
While I wrote this book the fear of losing my own family pervaded my thoughts and I wrapped a plot around this fear using the latest wireless technologies and a lot of imagination. I still have my family and the thought of losing them is unimaginable. This was the fuel for DARK END OF THE SPECTRUM.
Dan’s life is well planned, predicted and uneventful like most of our lives and I wanted to see how Dan would react when all of that is shattered in an instant when his family disappears.
Does Dan have the courage to save his family or will he just give up because he never had to face such insurmountable odds? Will he save millions of people whose lives are threatened by the terrorists or will he save his family? The book is not just about technology.
These are some of the questions I addressed in the book and when or if you read the book you may ask yourself these same questions and maybe better understand your own capabilities.
ABSENCE OF FAITH also addresses universal fears when residents in a highly religious small town have horrible near-death experiences and wake up with burnt skin. They believe they went to hell and that God has abandoned them. Matters get worse when a local Satanic cult emerges and wins over many residents.
My fears of losing all hope and all faith in the face of a downturn in life is what spawned ABSENCE OF FAITH. Again, I was interested in how people would react if you stripped them of all hope and faith. Would they pick themselves up and continue their lives? What would they do when this great fear overtakes them.
These are the questions I address in ABSENCE OF FAITH.
Bestselling author and psychic Sylvia Browne writes in her book, Prophecy, that, “…our beliefs are the driving force behind our behavior, our opinions, our actions. Without faith, without our beliefs, we’re lost.”
I have always been interested in religion and why and how it has such a powerful hold on all of us and what would happen if it were taken away.
Both DARK END OF THE SPECTRUM and ABSENCE OF FAITH are available as paperbacks from Outer Banks Publishing Group, Amazon.com and as ebooks from Smashwords.com and the Amazon Kindle.
Both books will soon appear on Barnes and Noble’s new ebook site.
Visit my blogs for tips on writing, publishing, and books, WRITING IS ABOUT PUTTING YOURSELF TO WORDS and THE WRITER’S EDGE.
Interviews can be found at
The Lulu Blog
Ask Wendy – The Query Queen
Gather.com
Wendy Burt-Thomas, full-time freelance writer
BUY “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters”
Want to see when I post new writing contests? Follow me on Twitter.com/WendyBurt
Wendy Burt-Thomas is the author of:
• “Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick’s Guide to Fun for One” (2001, McGraw-Hill)
• “Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick” (2003, McGraw-Hill)
• “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters” (Dec. 2008, Writer’s Digest Books)
• “The Everything Creative Writing Book” (June 2010, Adams Media)
Other credentials include more than 1,000 published articles, short stories, essays, reviews, poems and greeting cards. She taught “Breaking Into Freelance Writing for eight years and has worked as an editor, columnist, writer and PR specialist.
Wendy lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, two kids and two black labs. She is a full-time freelance writer, editor and PR consultant.
SEND QUESTIONS TO: WendyBurt (at) aol.com
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Ask Wendy – All things writing!- De-Framing the Frame – FREE writing contest May 31, 2012$3,000 prize; create collage of text and image; must be uploaded to YouTube; details HERE: http://www.murderedtheweb.com/contest.htmlaskwendy
- Neil Postman Award for Metaphor (FREE writing contest) May 30, 2012rolling deadline; winner gets $500; details HERE: www.rattle.comaskwendy
- 2012 Rattle Poetry Prize (writing contest) May 29, 2012$5,000 prize; 10 finalists also get $100 each; details HERE: www.rattle.comaskwendy
- Autumn House book-length poetry, fiction and nonfiction contests May 28, 2012all categories have a June 30, 2012 deadline; winners get $1,000 advance and $1,500 travel grants; $30 entry fee per book; details HERE: www.autumnhouse.orgaskwendy
- 2012 Guy Owen Poetry Prize contest May 26, 2012June 15, 2012 deadline; submit 3-5 poems with $20 entry fee (includes 1-year subscription to Southern Poetry Review); $1,000 prize; details HERE: www.southernpoetryreview.orgaskwendy
- Lots of free contests May 25, 2012FanStory.com has more than 50 new contests every month. Contests are free to paid members and have cash prizes. Some upcoming contests: 5-7-9 poetry contest – May 31 deadline Horror Story writing contest – June 6 Faith Poetry Contest – June 13 Free Verse Poetry Contest – June 19askwendy
- Wabash Prize for Nonfiction May 24, 2012entry fee is $15; deadline November 1, 2012; $1,000 prize plus publication; 7,500 words max; details HERE: www.sycamorereview.com/contest/askwendy
- Southern Sin Essay Contest May 23, 20124,000 words max; prize is $5,000; deadline is July 31, 2012; entry fee is $20; details HERE: http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm#southernsinaskwendy
- Seeking submissions on PARENTHOOD for Chicken Soup book May 22, 2012From ChickenSoup.com: They always say it’s the best job and the worst job. But basically it’s the best! We are looking for your stories about parenting – the hard work, the joy, the unconditional love, the funny times and the occasional sad ones too. Whether you’re a new parent of one or an “experienced” parent [...]askwendy
- Chicken Soup call-out: Advice for making changes May 21, 2012From the Chicken Soup website: Have you ever read a Chicken Soup for the Soul story that had a wonderful nugget of advice in it that made a difference in your life? We are looking for stories that contain great pieces of advice, whether they are little things that improve our everyday lives, or major [...]askwendy
- De-Framing the Frame – FREE writing contest May 31, 2012
