Announcement: The Next Big YA Book Contest!

I was contacted to let you know of a great opportunity hosted by two bloggy peeps I adore! Both Candace of Candace Book Blog Tours and Jenny from Supernatural Snark are a part of this great opportunity for YA writers! I encourage those writers to get out there and enter for this fabulous prize!

Calling all YA authors! 

If you have ever hashtagged #amwriting, #MSWL, or #IWantToBePublishedSoBadlyMyEyeballsMightPop, than pay attention. 

From September 17th through October 1st, Hipso Media Publishing and Jenny from Supernatural Snark will be hosting the ‘Next Big YA Book Event.’ 

Why is this good news for #amwriters? 

Here’s how the event works. Most publishers work exclusively with agents, which makes it difficult (more like close to impossible) for up-and-coming writers to get their work seen. Well, Hipso Media Publishing will be opening their doors to all YA writers who dream of traditional publication, but can’t seem to catch a break. Writers who have mountainous ideas, along with an actual mountain of rejection letters. Hipso wants to pick one of those writers, and treat them like the literary rock star they are, showering them in every publishing perk someone of their caliber deserves: 

•  Publishing contract with a generous royalty program
•  Custom cover from Seedlings Design
•  Candace Book Blog Book Tour
•  Exclusive front-page podcast on AuthorsOnTourLive, iReadBooksRadio and iHeartRadio (which gets an average of more than 1 million hits a year)
•  Novel as an eBook on all major retailers – Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, around the world
•  A featured post on Supernatural Snark
•  Awesome book swag, and more… 

Once the winning manuscript is picked, Jenny from Supernatural Snark (Owner of Seedlings Design) will work with the author to create a custom cover that will be sure to shout, “NEXT BIG YA BOOK”. And then she’ll do a featured post on Supernatural Snark, to make sure the world hears. 

No agents, hoops, or hassles. The only criteria are that your YA manuscript be finished, you must believe it’s great, and it must not already be published somewhere else.
Here’s the link to the submissions page and contact info: 

http://www.hipsomedia.com/the-next-big-ya-book/ 

Good luck and happy writing!

Kindle Giveaway: Team Bootlegger Werewolf!

This is a contest by Moira Rogers. A throwdown between whiny vampire lumberjacks (please!) and those hunky well toned and handsome bootlegger werewolves! Yum. :)

Now, I do have "Sanctuary Unbound" on my tbr and can't wait to read "Safe Harbor" which goes on sale July 13th. However, I still have an opinion on this issue.

Just thinking about it... really how could one like a lumberjack vampire over a bootlegger werewolf? Lumberjacking is usually done in the day (not good for the average vamp) AND just think of the splinters! Talk about playing with fire. No wait... that's another danger. I was just thinking about the vamp tripping and falling on a stray branch or sharp piece of wood and I find another reason it just won't do for a vamp to go lumberjacking. Not too many love fire either.

Now, I know that people didn't like the idea of a possibly drunk werewolf. Uh, now how is that possible with their unusually high metabolism? Drink doesn't affect them, therefore, they don't have to worry about dwindling stock. Oh, and don't forget, once they found their true mate, they are true to the end. All steamy looks are for you alone! Not to mention all that exercise they get while running around the forest (which would be so much safer for them, btw). Yum. Team bootlegger werewolf? Oh yea... ;D

(oh, and I know I'm a bit late with this since the contest ends on the 14th, but now I had some time to have some fun with it)

So, what do you think? Those scared vamps or those handsome weres? Leave a comment to enter. :)

Disclaimer Text:

This post is a part of Moira Rogers’ Creature Feature Kindle Throwdown Contest. By leaving a (meaningful) comment, you will be entered to win a Kindle from Amazon.com, or an alternate grand prize of $275 to spend at an online book retailer. For a full list of rules and more ways to win, visit the contest page.


Winner has been chosen. Go HERE to find out who!

Misfit Salon Contest!

There are going to be 2 contests for Amazon gift certificates and more importantly included in the Misfit Magazine. One contest will be a micro fiction and the other poetry. The theme: Love. All details are at the Misfit Salon. Ah, if only I could write well! No problem, I'll be enjoying the fruits of everyone's labor.

Now, I love the inclusion of poetry in the contest. It reminds me of some of my favorite pieces. In fact, one of my favorite poets is Marge Piercy. A good friend sent The Moon Is Always Female to me when she studied it in school. I was a fan right after that. I'll include one of my favorite poems from this book.

For the young who want to

Talent is what they say
you have after the novel
is published and favorably
reviewed. Beforehand what
you have is a tedious
delusion, a hobby like knitting.

Work is what you have done
after the play is produced
and the audience claps.
Before that friends keep asking
when you are planning to go
out and get a job.

Genius is what they know you
had after the third volume
of remarkable poems. Earlier
they accuse you of withdrawing,
ask why you don't have a baby,
call you a bum.

The reason people want M.F.A.'s,
take workshops with fancy names
when all you can really
learn is a few techniques,
typing instructions and some-
body else's mannerisms

is that every artist lacks
a license to hang on the wall
like your optician, your vet
proving you may be a clumsy sadist
whose fillings fall into the stew
but you're certified a dentist.

The real writer is one
who really writes. Talent
is an invention like phlogiston
after the fact of fire.
Work is its own cure. You have to
like it better than being loved.


So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite poem?

Big Red Dobie Birthday Giveaway!

Ok, yes, I know that isn't a dobie in that pic to the left, but at least the dog is big enough to make me think of my baby. :) This month, my pup turns into an official adult dog. He will be 2 years old! Yep, it takes a doberman pinscher 2 years to reach full maturity! So, to celebrate by pup's venture into "adult"-hood I thought it might be fun to have a giveaway. Nothing huge, but something in the way of fun.

What does the giveaway entail? Well, I have a few treats (natural, of course), a squeeky toy, and one of my book covers with a dog print on it. I also thought with so many animals without a home this year due to the economy I'll also donate $10 to the general dog fund at the Morris Animal Foundation in the winners name (or someone else you select). This is a great group who does work on animal diseases. The general fund will go where there is the most need. Oh, and just click on the name to find out more about them.

So, this is just a way to celebrate my dog, your dog (or nearby animal lover)! So, to enter just click on the dobie below or click here. There are ways to get extra entries. One is to tell one of your favorite short stories about a pet (my dog is not a speciest, so he would love to hear about all types of pets) in the comment area. Most animal lovers have at least one story or two up their sleeves, so do tell.

Other extra entries:

• Be a follower, or follow
• blog about this giveaway
• promote in other ways

One of my favorite stories was when I first got my doberman. He had slept with an old shirt of mine until it was time to pick him up. He was the grouchiest of the bunch (not anymore! lol) and he wasn't too happy about being handled. So, when I held him he got a whiff of my underarm. A look of recognition came across his face and he went in for another sniff. He was mine all mine after that!

Your turn.

The contest will end on Wednesday, Dec. 16 around 10pm MST. Open only to those living in the US. I'm sorry again to the International people. Shipping is just a killer right now. Still lots of love for you!

I just hope you all have lots of fun with this one. :) And if it proves to be very successful, I may be able to add to the package. Just click on the picture below or here to enter.

So Where's the next Giveaway?

Yes, I do remember promising another giveaway soon. AND if you wait until next week sometime, you may have a surprise. Hopefully an enjoyable one. The pic seen here does give somewhat of a hint of what it could entail.

So, check back by next week. Giveaway time again! :)

Congratulations Winner!

I'd like to congratulate Christin Q on winning the book, "Powers" by John B Olson. You have an e-mail waiting for you so respond as soon as you can so I can mail it promptly!

The winner was selected by random.org.

Contest and More Contests!

As my first contest comes to a close, I thought I'd direct you to a couple of great contests that just started. First is from a great book blogger, Parajunkee! She is having a 200 follower giveaway. There is a choice of about 15 books. The detail are as follows:

There will be TWO (2) WINNERS

Winner #1 will get a choice in Cat#1 & Cat#2

1. Winner #2 will get a choice in Cat#2
2. If I get up to 250 Followers a 3rd Winner will be added with a choice in #2
3. If I get up to 300 Followers a 4th Winner will be added with a choice in #2
4. This contest is INTERNATIONAL!
5. If you want one of the adult novels (Lover Avenged, Sins of the Flesh etc.) you must be 18 or older!
6. Some of these books are in my possession, some will be sent via Book Depository.  ALL ARE BRAND SPANKING NEW
7. Contest Ends New Year's Eve Eve - 12/30/09 @ Midnight CST
8. Winners will be announced Jan 1 by email - 48 hrs to respond
9. YOU HAVE TO BE A FOLLOWER - the whole point of this contest! :)
   

So head over to this link to sign up for the giveaway!

A second contest is by the wonderful blog by StephanieD. The Misfit Salon is having a Lady Cottington Pressed Fairy giveaway/contest. There are two contests for a Lady Cottington book. One is harder than the other, but both should prove to be fun! So, if you are a huge fan of Brian Froud, head on over to her blog by Dec 14, 8pm PST to enter. You must be a follower of hers. Just use this link to enter!

Good luck to you in these contests. Oh, and I didn't forget. I'll be gearing up for another contest on this blog. So, keep those eyes open!

Blog with Bite Contest!

The first ever Blog with Bite Contest - courtesy of Karen @ MM Publicity. Karen has kindly offered to give away 4 sets of VAMPIRES by Joules Taylor and WEREWOLVES by Jon Izzard!

Rules:

You Have to be Blog with Bite Follower
Open to US, Puerto Rico & Canada only. Also no PO Boxes.
Contest ends Halloween @ Midnight CST.

Quick! Go! Sign up! NOW! ;)