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Be sure and check out the 7th Dear Lucky Agent Contest for YA novels, hosted by the Guide to Liteary Agent’s Blog. Submission dates are from Oct. 21st through Nov. 3rd, and require a logline (one sentence description) and the first 150-200 words. The Awesome Judge is agent Tamar Rydzinski from the Laura Dail Literary… Continue reading 7th Dear Lucky Agent Contest for YA Fiction

Okay, so I get to brag about one of my writing critique partners. She just landed an agent by submitting a one line pitch to the Operation Awesome blog contest. Here is the link Just goes to show, putting yourself out there works!

Awesome check list I had to share: 9 Must-Follow Manuscript RulesSeptember 28, 2010by Anica Mrose RissiHere’s editor Anica Mrose Rissi’s list of what you can do to increase your book’s chances of making it out of the slush pile and into the spotlight. 1. Revise, revise, revise! I don’t want to read your first draft,… Continue reading 9 Must-Follow Manuscript Rules via Writer’s Digest

Go HERE for some fun on the antics of misspelling…

Another contest, this one for a one line pitch. Hurry, only 50 submissions allowed! Pitch Contest

Okay, I admit, I didn’t view the online conference as it happened. But, I had the immense pleasure of checking out one particular bloggers EXCEPTIONAL recap of the event. Go HERE and click on his links to some of the most helpful lessons/advice/tips on writing (especially for MG & YA)

From the following link: If you think you don’t have time to write, think again. See what you can produce with a simple set of writing prompts and ten minutes of your time with this creative writing exercise inspired by Rita Dove’s exercise “Ten-Minute Spill.” Write for ten minutes, incorporating a common proverb, adage, or… Continue reading A Stitch in Time…

An interesting “Blog” contest for a range of genres. Each winning entry (first chapters of a novel Novel Journey For Middle Grade/Young Adult Category (which is mine), submissions are due by Sept. 10, winner announced Oct. 11.

Check this out from the agent extraordinaire Donald Maass: It’s Not the Cougar

A little buzz about Critique Groups… I gotta say, I love mine! I am fortunate to have a group of 5, all writing in the same genre (YA/Middle Grade)and all giving/taking in the most mutally satisfying way. There are always those moments when my nails are down to the nub, but for the most part,… Continue reading Critique Group Buzz

Lia and Wynn sped back to Granda’s shop, and the small band set off along the main road leaving Rockberg. Just as Lia had dreaded, numerous villagers gathered close, gawking. Wynn and Kelven drew stares, the sixteen-year-old boys’ presence adding fuel to the chatter. The horses slowed through the growing throng, as if walking through… Continue reading Tuesday Teaser

Okay, here goes the teaser…(taken from Chap. 1) “You’ve no idea the dangers you face.” Ma’s voice cracked. “It’s too risky, and you’re—” “Nearly sixteen, and a grown woman by all standards. And more capable outdoors than most.” Determination settled like gritstone within Lia. Years of sadness lined Ma’s face. Lia knew Grandma Myrna had… Continue reading Teaser Tuesday — #2

This contest is through Sophie Littlefield’s blog. Click here for instructions. The first 5 sentences of my novel Arrow of the Mist: A pair of horses charged toward Lia’s cottage. She recognized Da’s friend, Kenneth, and then her insides went cold. Riding beside him, Da’s body lay limp upon his horse. Lia dropped the harvested… Continue reading First 5 Sentences Contest–Win a Critique from agent Barbara Poelle

Deadline is June 8th for this contest judging the first 3 chapters of a novel. They’ve added 3 new Sub-categories for the following genres: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/HorrorRomanceMemoir/Non-Fiction. For details go to: Stongest Start Competition

Okay, here’s the first teaser… Granda Luis halted and turned Dobbin to face his troop. The chilled air tugged at his cloak and swept through his winter white hair. His eyes glimmered from his face and the young trio drew their horses back a few steps. “We’ve a straight and narrow trail ahead. We’ll go… Continue reading Teaser Tuesday–First Teaser of my novel "Arrow of the Mist"

Three Awesome Events for the month of April: 1.) Attended the Donald Maass Breakout Novel Workshop–best money I ever spent!! The words Micro-Tension and Unique are forever engraved in my brain. I am an official Maassketeer, mouse ears and all ;-D 2.) SCBWI Spring Conference 2010 in Rocklin was great fun. The workshop on synopsis… Continue reading Buzzzzzzzzz

WOO-HOO, I made it through the second cut (250 people out of 5,000). My first chapter is on Amazon.com to be reviewed by the world, while Publisher’s Weekly reviews the entire manuscript. Next cut is April 27th, bringing the 250 down to 50. I hope ARROW OF THE MIST is on that list as well!!… Continue reading AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL CONTEST

Okay, so this April is a big month for me. I’m all set to go to Donald Maass’s week-long intensive in Oregon and then a week after I get back I attend the SCBWI Conference in Rocklin. Lots to look forward to!! (And more revisions to my ms I’m sure!!)

I attended a workshop hosted by RWA this past Sat. Jan 23rd in Sunnyvale, CA. Donald Maass, literary agent and author of the book “Fire in Fiction”, was simply wonderful! His wisdom, advice, and personable manner were a delight. I can honestly say I learned more in one day with him than numerous days at… Continue reading Attended Fire in Fiction Workshop