Contest Circuit: July 30

I'm over at Falling For Fiction today with Hope Roberson, a very talented writer and friend. This is my first interview - ever. Lucky for me, Hope is both a gracious and fun host. Virtual smileys and/or high fives absolutely welcome and encouraged. *bites nails and smiles sheepishly* 

I'll be back on Wednesday for Insecure Writer's Support Group and on Thursday for a fabulous blogger interview with the lovely Amy Sonnichsen, of The Green Bathtub. Other than pure genius, find out just what inspired that blog name! ;)

Contests:

Krista Van Dolzer (Mother. Write. Repeat.), Authoress (Miss Snark's First Victim) and Brenda Drake (Brenda Drake Writes...under the influence of coffee) are hosting a phenomenal contest with the teens of Teen Eyes Editorial. Each of these bloggers will be having one of the three teens judge entries consisting of one sentence pitches/first 250, query letters and/or 35-word pitches. Each site will hold a different type of entry. Prizes include 20,000 word in-depth critiques and a $100 to an editorial service. Contest begins at 8:00a.m. on July 31.

Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency is hosting a contest for crime, thriller or mystery novels. Submit your first 8,000 words with a synopsis, an introductory letter, and a 250-word bio of your central character. The winner will receive offer of representation. Runners up will receive editorial feedback. Submissions must be exclusive. Contest ends July 31.

Operation Awesome is hosting their next Mystery Agent contest on August 1. This contest involves a one sentence pitch for your manuscript. 

NA Alley is hosting a pitch contest with Lauren Hammond for (NA) New Adult entries. Entries will include a brief summary (the meat of your query) and your first 250. Contest begins at 12:01 A.M. EST on Aug 8.

DL Hammons is hosting WRiTE CLUB. Anonymously submit any type of 500 word writing sample. Each week, for twelve weeks, two randomly selected samples will go head to head. Winners will be selected by readers via their votes. Victors will move on to the championship round. The winner of the final round will be picked by a panel of agents, editors, marketers, and published authors. DL Hammon's line up for this is phenomenal. Stop by his site to check it out! The first WRiTE begins July 30, but you can sign up after July 30.

Novel Novice is hosting a Steampunk genre mash-up contest. Combine any genre with Steampunk in 300 words to enter. Ends July 31. Winners receive a copy of INNOCENT DARKNESS by Suzanne Lazear.

WOW! Women on Writing is holding a Flash Fiction contest with guest judge, Literary Agent Marie Lamba. $10 entry fee with fun cash prizes. This contest has an open prompt. Deadline is August 31.

Unicorn Bell is hosting the School's In Query Contest. Submit your query for your complete manuscript. On Aug 13-17, they will host a Study Hall session. Aug 20-24 they will host a workshop session. Then on Aug 27-31, four editors will be judging them and asking for submissions. See post for more details.

Bloghops: 

Alex J Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group is this Wednesday - the first Wednesday of every month. Not only are there over 230 blogs that participate (aka plenty of bloggers to meet and/or "all the cool kids do it"), but it's also incredibly validating - regardless of what stage you're at as a writer. 

Morgan Shamy, Leigh Covington, Mark Koopmans, and Cassie Mae are hosting "What If" Fairy Tale Madness Blogfest. Put a spin on your favorite fairy tale and rewrite a scene. This blogfest is filling up fast and will take place August 13-17.

Jeremy Bates is hosting Dog Days of Summer Blog Fest. Sign up on the linky, answer one of three prompts about your summer, and hop around to as many blogs as you can to make new friends (ideally while enjoying a backyard BBQ).

Deana Barnhart's Gearin' Up To Get An Agent Blog O Rama is quickly approaching. The month long party will start September 3. For one month, Deana will be focusing on one agent-grabbing element (platform building, learning the craft, the novel and queries) in an interactive way. She will be giving away plenty of critiques. The blogfest involves agents, authors and a whole host of other fun twists.

Giveaways:

Portable Magic's Katharina Brendel, an intern of Rhemalda Publishing, is giving away 3 paperback or ebooks and 3 critiques for the first 15-20% of your completed fiction MS! Contest runs through Aug 19.

Maji Bookshelf is hosting multiple giveaways. Enter to win one of twelve 2012 debuts (fabulous titles listed) or one of their other four ongoing giveaways for books/ARCs they've reviewed.

And once again, if you like giveaways, Candace's Book Blog and Pure Imagination offer a linky each week where bloggers link up their weekly reviews and giveaways. The idea is brilliant! AND this week currently showcases 84 different giveaways for various books. Stop by to check it out!