Contest Circuit: A New List and My First Giveaway!

This weekend I spent some time at Printer's Row Lit Fest in Chicago. While it didn't quite pack the same craziness as BEA, I still managed to add more books to my reading list than I'll ever be able to read while meeting some really wonderful YA authors. My favorites were the ladies of the Dark Days Tour: Veronica Roth (DIVERGENT series), Aprilynne Pike (WINGS series), Elizabeth Norris (UNRAVELING), and Bethany Griffin (MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH). While speaking with all of these charming and adorable ladies, I snagged signed copies of Roth's and Norris's books that I'll be giving away to some followers! See the end of this post for details!

Liz Norris (left) and Veronica Roth (right)

Can't miss opportunities:
I found four Blog Hops this week that seemed like really great opportunities to either win a little something or meet new people.

Elana Johnson is hosting the Never Surrender Blogfest to celebrate her recent release of SURRENDER, the second book of the POSSESSION series. Topic: Blog about a time you didn't surrender. After Johnson reads all the entries, she'll select three winner for $15 gift certificates. This is going on this week! Sign up now!

Jaycee DeLorenzo and Victoria Smith are hosting a Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Blog Hop that features interviews with your heroines. Prizes include ebooks, book gift certificates, and/or a Custom Blogger/Word Press Header. Post entries on June 22.

Katie Mills hosts a weekly Friday Morning Follower's Bloffee. After she presents a question, you leave a comment and also check out another follower's blog. It's a great, creative way to meet new bloggers.

Alex J. Cavanaugh hosts The Insecure Writer's Support Group on the first Wednesday of every month. With 300+ participants, you're bound to make a few friends with this one.

Contests and Giveaways:
The Friedrich Literary Agency is hosting a periodic call for submissions through a contest called "Vivid Voices." This recent contest is featuring YA manuscripts. Send in the first 500 words to win a full length evaluation of your complete manuscript. The catch: no manuscripts currently on submission will be eligible. Still, how amazing is that prize? This contest ends June 11, so submit NOW!

Write Integrity Press is hosting a Manuscript Contest. Ready for this one? They are looking for books in a series of three that carry the message of "hope." Submit your synopsis, a blurb from each book and the first chapter of Book 1. Prizes include cash and A PUBLICATION CONTRACT!!! Contest ends June 15.

YA author Lisa Burstein is hosting a contest to celebrate her new release PRETTY AMY. The contest offers 2  3 chapter critiques - one from her and one from her editor, a $25 gift certificate for books, and a talking parrot toy (the last one cracks me up!). Contest ends July 6.

YA author Susan Kaye Quinn is hosting Critique Wednesday: Respecting the Craft every Wednesday this summer. Enter Rafflecopter for a 5 page critique from her. She will also offer her comments section as a way for people to meet crit partners.

Lauren Ruth, a literary agent from BookEnds, hosts a weekly query critique called QueryDice.

Literary Rambles is currently giving away A SPY LIKE ME, SURRENDER and REGRET, LIKE CLOCKWORK and STRUCK. Just go to each post and leave a comment to be entered!

YA author Wendy Higgins celebrates her debut novel SWEET EVIL with a Cover Adaptation Contest. This one just sounds like fun. Recreate any YA or MG cover and send digital shots to Higgins. (Check out her own recreation of her cover with her husband. Ha!) Winners will receive swag gifts. Contest ends June 14.

And of course, last but not least MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!! Sign up with Rafflecopter below (*fingers crossed it works*) by June 30 for a chance to win either a SIGNED hardback copy of INSURGENT or UNRAVELING. I will have two winners - one for each book! My only catch is you have to be a follower. If you follow me on Twitter - even better!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check back tomorrow for my NEVER SURRENDER Blogfest entry. On Thursday, I have an interview with author Ruth Lauren Steven that I promise will make you laugh out loud at LEAST once.