Contest Circuit: May 13

I'm still recovering from the A-Z Challenge. I managed to post every day, but got behind a few too many times commenting. The biggest highlight of the challenge was being featured as one of Alex J Cavanaugh's blogger buddies for his letter "P" on the Princess Bride.  Thank you again, Alex, for your kind words.

I'll be absent most of May as I get ready to move. Until then, here are a handful of contests and blog hops I had to mention. Enjoy!

Contests and Blog Hops

Secondary Characters Blog Hop hosted by the wonderful ladies: Rachel Schieffelbein, Theresa Paol, Kelley Lynn, Jessica Salyer, Jenny Morris, and Suzi Retzlaff will be May 22.

Alex J Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson and Al Diaz are hosting The Best and Worst Remakes Blogfest on May 17.

Julie at A Thought That Grows pointed out the Unpublished Writer Fiction Contest: Colorado Gold Contest. The contest is for unpublished writers of commercial novel-length fiction and offers an opportunity to get your novel in the hands of an acquiring agent or editor. See Julie's site for details.

SC Write, Michelle4Laughs and Writer's Outworld are hosting Query Kombat Contest. If you survive the tournament, eight agents will be browsing the semifinals to make requests. Submission window is from May 13-May 17 until 225 entries are filled.

80+ bloggers are signed up for Kid Lit Giveaway Hop hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews. Jump around and sign up for a few giveaways!

Steven Tremp, Alex J Cavanaugh, L. Diane Wolf and Michael Di Gesu are hosting the Get Healthy Bloghop on May 29.

DL Hammons and Elise Fallson are hosting the WIPIT Good Blogfest on May 31 focusing on your latest WIPs.

Contest Circuit: February 11

Thank you all for the lovely notes last week. I didn't get a chance to hop around to any blogs, but your notes were kind and appreciated. Hope everyone is having a Happy Monday. Please feel free to let me know if I missed something!

Contests:

Brenda Drake is once again hosting Pitch Madness on March 26-28. Submission window opens on March 15. Get your 35 (max) word pitch and your 1st 250 ready to pitch.

Miss Snark is hosting February's Secret Agent contest on February 18. Enter your first 250 during the submission window from noon to 5:00.

Krista Van Dolzer is giving away a query and 50 page critique to one commenter on her blog. Ends Feb 19. 

NA Alley has a contest going on right now! Head over there to pitch your NA to Sapphire Star Publishing! Only the first 25 pitches will be accepted.

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Feb 28. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jennifer DeChiara.

Blog Hops, Flash Fiction and Giveaways:

The A-Z Challenge will be in April. The sign-up list is already up along with plenty of suggestions on how to survive it. 

I Am a Reader Not a Writer has posted her schedule of Giveaway Bloghops. Sign up to participate or just check out the bloghops she has scheduled for the year. For followers, you can win great books and prizes. For bloggers, you can attract viewers and followers to your site. I love this idea - brilliant. 

Jamie Gibbs of Mithril Wisdom and Allison at Geek Banter are hosting The Level Up! Blogfest. On February 20 talk about a game you play or used to play. Tell how it works and share your love of the game.

Dianne Salerni of In High Spirits and Marcy Hutch of Mainewords host First Impressions in the beginning of each month. Both of them critique your first pages on their sites. I've mentioned this one before, but it's such a great feature I needed to mention it again.

VikLit of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author is hosting a weekly blog hop Celebrate the Small Things. Each Friday, post something you wish to celebrate achieving or doing that week. It can be life related, writing related, reading related - whatever you want to celebrate. I love the idea behind this. We could all use a little bit more celebration over the small stuff. 

Kazka Press puts out a monthly electronic issue full of Scifi, Fantasy and Horror short stories. They offer a theme for each month and accept submissions of stories between 713-1,000 words. They pay $10 per story. The next theme is for 713 Flash Fiction is "Spring Training." Submissions due by Feb 20 for the March 2013 issue.

Suze from Subliminal Coffee, Nicki Elson, and Mary Pax are hosting Back From the Future Blog Party on March 1. If you received a package one day from yourself ten years in the future, what would be in it?

Jolie Du Pre from Precious Monsters is hosting Vampire Bite Blog Hop. Blog about vampires on Feb 14 and hop around to read other entries.

Indelibles is hosting an INDIE-kissing Blogfest on Feb 14. Share a kissing scene from your WIP or talk about kissing scenes in general.

Michelle from Writer-in-Transit and Elise Fallson are celebrating their blogoversaries with the She Said What? Giveaway Bash. On Feb 18, they will post two comic strips on their sites. You will need to select one and fill in the dialogue for your post on Feb 20. Winners will be announced on the 22nd.

Mark Koopmans will be hosting the Who's Your Paddy? "Got Green" BlogO'hop Version 2.0. Save the date. March 15. Details to come - already sounds like fun.

Alex J Cavanaugh will also be hosting Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest on March 18. List your top ten favorite movies.

Contest Circuit: January 21

Today's Circuit post has something for everyone. With four contests and sixteen creative, funny, or touching blog hops, it's hard not to find one to participate in. Anyone signed up for one of these already? Any I didn't mention?

Contests:

The ladies who brought you Pitch Wars will also be hosting a Twitter Pitch Party on Jan 25. Prepare your 140 character pitch AND include the hashtag #PitMad.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest: Submit your MS in any one of their five categories. Send your MS of 50,000-150,000 words, an excerpt of 3,000-5,000 words, a pitch, and author bio info. Entries will be accepted between Jan 14-Jan 27.

Cupid at Cupid's Literary Connection is hosting Blind Speed Dating again this year. She still has three entry windows left on Jan 24, Jan 29, and Feb 1. Enter your query and first 250 in either of these windows to hopefully get past the "Bouncer Round." Chosen MS's will advance to the agent round. Check out her site for details. Entry is $10.

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Feb 28. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jennifer DeChiara.

Blog Hops, Flash Fiction and Giveaways:

The A-Z Challenge will be in April. The sign-up list will begin on Jan 30. Last year, over 1700 participants joined.

Every Wednesday, YA Highway hosts Road Trip Wednesday. YA Highway posts a question for you to answer. After you post your answer, leave a note in their comments section with a link to your post. Then, you hop around and read other bloggers' answers. (Check each Wednesday for a new link of that week's and next week's questions).

VikLit of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author is hosting a weekly blog hop Celebrate the Small Things. Each Friday, post something you wish to celebrate achieving or doing that week. It can be life related, writing related, reading related - whatever you want to celebrate. I love the idea behind this. We could all use a little bit more celebration over the small stuff. 

Kazka Press puts out a monthly electronic issue full of Scifi, Fantasy and Horror short stories. They offer a theme for each month and accept submissions of stories between 713-1,000 words. They pay $10 per story. The next theme is for 713 Flash Fiction is "Spring Training." Submissions due by Feb 20 for the March 2013 issue.

To celebrate her book release, 18 Things, Jamie Ayres is hosting What Are Your 18 Things Blogfest. Blog about your bucket list.  She also has 18 prizes to give away to participants. Jan 17-24.

Sharon Bayliss is hosting The Worldbuilding Blogfest. In a series of five posts on Jan 28-Feb 1, you'll be asked to flesh out the details of your manuscripts make-believe or real life setting. Sharon will have a raffle for those who participate. She'll be giving away autographed copies of her upcoming novel, The Charge, which will come out March 2, along with a full manuscript critique, a partial critique and other fun books. 

Suze from Subliminal Coffee, Nicki Elson, and Mary Pax are hosting Back From the Future Blog Party on March 1. If you received a package one day from yourself ten years in the future, what would be in it?

Annalisa Crawford and Kyra Lennon are hosting Imaginary Friend Bloghop on Feb 1. Share your imaginary friend stories. Participants have the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card or a three chapter critique from Kyra. 

Jolie Du Pre from Precious Monsters is hosting Vampire Bite Blog Hop. Blog about vampires on Feb 14 and hop around to read other entries.

M.L. Swift is hosting Progressive Book Club. Read the book he's chosen about writing and post your comments about it on the third Wednesday of each month. The first book selected is one of my favorites, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Nick Wilford of Scattergun Scribblings is hosting his first blogfest. The theme is Overcoming Adversity (for something you believe in). Post on Feb 4 or 5. Keep your entry to 500 words. The coolest part about this is that Nick will be using the entries to compile an anthology. Proceeds from this anthology will be used to help Nick's stepson, Andrew, who has cerebral palsy, attend a college that would not only meet his needs, but also help him continue to excel. What a beautiful idea, Nick.

Misha Gericke is hosting The Word Master Challenge. Each month, she'll have a new theme to write about. January's theme: How Not to Write  Novel Beginning. Keep posts to 300 words. Post anytime in Jan. The winner will be announced Feb 8 and will win a voucher to an Internet book vendor or a 10 chapter critique from Misha.

Stephen Tremp, Mark Koopmans, Elise Fallson and C.M. Brown are hosting Re-Introduce Myself Blogfest on Jan 28. Simply take a moment to say something fun about yourself. 

Michelle from Writer-in-Transit and Elise Fallson are celebrating their blogoversaries with the She Said What? Giveaway Bash. On Feb 18, they will post two comic strips on their sites. You will need to select one and fill in the dialogue for your post on Feb 20. Winners will be announced on the 22nd.

Mark Koopmans will be hosting the Who's Your Paddy? "Got Green" BlogO'hop Version 2.0. Save the date. March 15. Details to come - already sounds like fun.

Alex J Cavanaugh will also be hosting his first blog hop on March 18 with details TBA.

Contest Circuit: November 26

What do David Spade, Alex Cavanaugh and the Hobbit all have in common? They make up the oh-so creative themes of December's blogfests! 

I hope you all had plenty to be thankful for this past week. Happy Monday!

Contests: 

Pitch Wars. 31 agented authors or industry interns "coaches" will be teaming up with aspiring authors. Nov 26 coaches will post the genres they are interested in working with. Dec 5 aspiring authors will apply to their 3 top choices for coaches. If picked, each coach will read and give comments about your entire manuscript and query. Jan 23-24 Agents will read pitches and make requests. See any of the coaches' sites for details like Monica B.W's site Love YA!

Operation Awesome is hosting a Mystery Agent contest on December 1. Enter your one sentence pitch for a chance to win a full MS request! The Mystery Agent is looking for YA and MG. See site for subgenres.

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Savvy Authors is hosting a Pitch Your Book opportunity to Kerri Nelson of Prism Book Group on Nov 30.

Scribophile is hosting a NaNo Spectacular First Chapter contest. Ends Nov 30. Cash prizes of $50 and $25 available. You must be a member, but membership is free.

Scribophile is also hosting a Haiku Break Contest for cash prizes. Ends Nov 30.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Victoria Smith and Jaycee Delorenzo are hosting The Mating Game Blog Hop. Choose a couple from your MS. On Dec 3 hop around to five judges' blogs where they will have dating game type questions for your characters to answer. Then post those answers on Dec 10.

Romantic Friday Writers is hosting Holiday Spirit Blogfest. They are looking for excerpts of up to 800 words (fiction or nonfiction) that focus on a family tradition, unique family recipes, inspirational articles - anything that captures the holiday spirit of whichever holiday you celebrate. The linky will be open from Dec 12-31.

I'm a Reader Not a Writer and Oasis for YA are hosting their third annual Mid Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Sign up if you'd like to participate in the giveaway, or check out the list of 100+ bloggers already signed up to giveaway great prizes! Dec 21-27.

Morgan Shamy, Mark Koopmans, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp are hosting Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest on Dec 10-12. Pay tribute to rock-star blogger Alex Cavanaugh by answering questions that describe him: What does he look like? Who would play him in a documentary? Who does Alex remind you of? There is a bit of flash fiction fun and you can comment to Mrs. Cavanaugh for bonus points. Since Cavanaugh is such an enigma, these answers will be fun to read. The prize is one of the best parts... signed copy of CassaStar or a picture of Alex and a download of him playing his guitar (either of which are not to be shared online). The masterminding behind this one cracks me up. Well done Morgan, Mark, David and Stephen!

Emily R King and Tammy Theriault are hosting "And You Are...?" Blog Hop. For this clever and entertaining blog hop, Mrs. Claus is giving away three presents to three lucky people who answer David Spade's interview questions. Dec 3.

Word and Stuff is hosting Baby Faces Blogfest on Dec 2-3. For Trisha's first blogfest celebrating her blogiversary, post a picture of yourself as a baby/toddler or tell a story about yourself when you were a baby.

Tyrean Martinson and M. Pax are hosting Hobbit Fest. To celebrate the movie's release, Tyrean and M. Pax have four Hobbit related questions for you to answer. Dec 14.

Giveaways:

The Giveaway of all Giveaways....Beth Revis is giving away nearly 50 signed books - and amazing titles at that. Seriously - go to her site just to see the list she's complied. Ends Nov 30.

Smitten Over Books is giving away a pre-order for one of 11 upcoming new releases next year. Ends Dec 25.

Contest Circuit: November 19

Happy Thanksgiving week! I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. At the very top of that list are family and friends - new friends, old friends, blogging friends...I'm very lucky to have such great people in my life. Safe travels for those of you traveling this week! May you all be surrounded be good company and good food.  

Contests: 

Pitch Wars. 31 agented authors or industry interns "coaches" will be teaming up with aspiring authors. Nov 26 coaches will post the genres they are interested in working with. Dec 5 aspiring authors will apply to their 3 top choices for coaches. If picked, each coach will read and give comments about your entire manuscript and query. Jan 23-24 Agents will read pitches and make requests. See any of the coaches' sites for details like Monica B.W's site Love YA!

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Savvy Authors is hosting a Pitch Your Book opportunity to Kerri Nelson of Prism Book Group on Nov 30.

Scribophile is hosting a NaNo Spectacular First Chapter contest. Ends Nov 30. Cash prizes of $50 and $25 available. You must be a member, but membership is free.

Scribophile is also hosting a Haiku Break Contest for cash prizes. Ends Nov 30.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Victoria Smith and Jaycee Delorenzo are hosting The Mating Game Blog Hop. Choose a couple from your MS. On Dec 3 hop around to five judges' blogs where they will have dating game type questions for your characters to answer. Then post those answers on Dec 10.

Romantic Friday Writers is hosting Holiday Spirit Blogfest. They are looking for excerpts of up to 800 words (fiction or nonfiction) that focus on a family tradition, unique family recipes, inspirational articles - anything that captures the holiday spirit of whichever holiday you celebrate. The linky will be open from Dec 12-31.

I'm a Reader Not a Writer and Oasis for YA are hosting their third annual Mid Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Sign up if you'd like to participate in the giveaway, or check out the list of 100+ bloggers already signed up to giveaway great prizes! Dec 21-27.

Morgan Shamy, Mark Koopmans, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp are hosting It's Time to Give Back on Dec 10-12. They will be sharing details on November 19. Until then, they are keeping us all in suspense with their promises that this will be epic. Looking forward to learning more!!

Emily R King and Tammy Theriault are hosting "And You Are...?" Blog Hop. For this clever and entertaining blog hop, Mrs. Claus is giving away three presents to three lucky people who answer David Spade's interview questions. Dec 3.

MizB at Should Be Reading has several weekly events: Musing Mondays, Teaser Tuesdays, WWW Wednesdays and Friday Finds. For Musing Mondays, MizB asks and book/reading related question and you answer on your blog. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme where you share 2 sentences from your current read to entice others to read it. For WWW Wednesdays, you share what you're reading, what you've just finished, and what you think you'll read next. Friday Finds shares books you've heard about throughout the week. See her site for details.

Alison Can Read and Parajunkie host Feature and Follow Friday. Want to build your followers? Sign up on their linky to meet new bloggers. Follow them, leave a comment and they will follow you. Once a week, one blogger is featured. See their site for more details.

Tyrean Martinson and M. Pax are hosting Hobbit Fest. To celebrate the movie's release, Tyrean and M. Pax have four Hobbit related questions for you to answer. Dec 14.

Giveaways:

The Giveaway of all Giveaways....Beth Revis is giving away nearly 50 signed books - and amazing titles at that. Seriously - go to her site just to see the list she's complied. Ends Nov 30.

Tara Tyler and Cassie Mae have reached 500 followers and are giving away fabulous prizes to celebrate: a blog banner designed by Tara and a critique by Cassie. Ends Nov 21. 

Smitten Over Books is giving away a pre-order for one of 11 upcoming new releases next year. Ends Dec 25.

Wanted Readers and Live to Read are giving away 23 books of really great titles. Ends Nov 24.

Contest Circuit: November 12

Reason #54 why giveaways are so awesome: A couple weeks ago I entered Rebecca Taylor's giveaway for a Kindle and won. Since then I've become a Kindle addict.

Reason #19 why giveaways are so awesome: Because sometimes they also benefit a good cause. See Sharon Bayliss's giveaway below.

And while you're at it, sign up for one of theses fun and entertaining blog hops! I'm so impressed with the creativity behind these.

Contests: 
Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish and Alex J. Cavanaugh are hosting "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest" on Nov 16. List bloggers you miss who you haven't heard from in a while as well as 1-3 bloggers you would miss if they ever stopped blogging.

Victoria Smith and Jaycee Delorenzo are hosting The Mating Game Blog Hop. Choose a couple from your MS. On Dec 3 hop around to five judges' blogs where they will have dating game type questions for your characters to answer. Then post those answers on Dec 10.

I'm a Reader Not a Writer and Oasis for YA are hosting their third annual Mid Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Sign up if you'd like to participate in the giveaway, or check out the list of 100+ bloggers already signed up to giveaway great prizes! Dec 21-27.

Morgan Shamy, Mark Koopmans, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp are hosting It's Time to Give Back on Dec 10-12. They will be sharing details on November 19. Until then, they are keeping us all in suspense with their promises that this will be epic. Looking forward to learning more!!

Emily R King and Tammy Theriault are hosting "And You Are...?" Blog Hop. For this clever and entertaining blog hop, Mrs. Claus is giving away three presents to three lucky people who answer David Spade's interview questions. Dec 3.

MizB at Should Be Reading has several weekly events: Musing Mondays, Teaser Tuesdays, WWW Wednesdays and Friday Finds. For Musing Mondays, MizB asks and book/reading related question and you answer on your blog. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme where you share 2 sentences from your current read to entice others to read it. For WWW Wednesdays, you share what you're reading, what you've just finished, and what you think you'll read next. Friday Finds shares books you've heard about throughout the week. See her site for details.

Alison Can Read and Parajunkie host Feature and Follow Friday. Want to build your followers? Sign up on their linky to meet new bloggers. Follow them, leave a comment and they will follow you. Once a week, one blogger is featured. See their site for more details.

To celebrate the release of her book, Haphazardly Implausible, Miss Jack Lewis Baillot is hosting a Book Blog Party. Sign up to be featured on her blog and write about your book or recent project. Sign up before Nov 14. Posts will be featured Dec 17-22 and Jan 7-12.

Tyrean Martinson and M. Pax are hosting Hobbit Fest. To celebrate the movie's release, Tyrean and M. Pax have four Hobbit related questions for you to answer. Dec 14.

Giveaways:

Sharon Bayliss is hosting a giveaway that supports the American Red Cross. Curiosity Quills is donating half of all proceeds for several of their books. To add her support, Sharon is giving them away. Enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win them from her and support a great cause!

IWSG and I'm Thankful For My Readers Blog Hops

I like to end on a positive. Because of it, let's start with Insecure Writer's Support Group.

This month marks the end of an era. After Thanksgiving, my maternity leave is officially over, and I return to work. My writing time has already deteriorated...and I'm mostly okay with that. My boys are my first priority and they've needed me these past few months. Not only have they needed me, I've loved my time with them. But once I return to work, what happens to my writing time then? What happens to blogging or critiquing or the pursuit of something I love and believe in and want to be good and successful at? (We're ignoring the horrible grammar in that last sentence.) Time is already limited. What will happen to it once I return to work?

(and now for my lame attempt at a natural transition between the two blog hops)

Blogging and visiting blogs has already taken quite a hit these last few months as life has gotten busier and of course, more beautiful. I'm so thankful to those of you who have stuck with me. I'm thankful for those of you who read my posts and leave comments. I'm thankful to those of you that I email weekly. I'm thankful for so many other writers, moms, teachers, Packer fans, NICU survivors and parents, Chicago residents, Ohio residents that I've connected with at some point this year. I've never believed I would feel like I'd developed relationships through this crazy blogging thing we do.

I'm thankful for my CPs and Beta readers - those who have kicked my ass with a 10 page critique, those who have read the whole damn thing, those who have volunteered to read it, and those who have read the same first chapter 642 times for every time I've rewritten it. I hate to name names....I feel like I'm going to leave someone out and I'm terribly nervous about it...but a special thanks to CPs and Betas Neil, Patrick, Dahlia, Carmen, Hope and Ryan. All of you are such amazing writers - thank you for the encouragement, the feedback and sometimes the smacking around you've given me and my MS.

Last but not least, I'm incredibly thankful for my real life friends and family who have no real interest in the writing process but still read my blog anyway. Thanks Jackie, Trende and Mom. ;)

Thank you Vikki and Tara for this awesome blog hop!

So many people and things to be thankful for this year...Happy IWSG!

Contest Circuit: November 5

Happy NaNoMo for those of you ambitious enough to participate! One post I came across that I wanted to pass on was Krista Van Dolzer's Two Writerly Ways to Help Those Affected by Superstorm Sandy. She mentions some great opportunities for a good cause. I'll be back for my dual post on Wednesday for IWSG and I'm Thankful for My Readers Blog Hops. Until then, let me know if I missed anything! 

Happy Monday!

Contests:

Miss Snark's First Victim her third annual Baker's Dozen contest with 13 agents. YA/MG submissions are Nov 6 and Nov 8. Submissions include the first 250 of your MS. 

NA Alley is hosting Agent in the Alley with Julia Weber for NA manuscripts on Nov 7. Include a blurb about your book (no more than 200 words) and the first 250-300 words.

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Writer's Digest is holding a Short Story competition. Enter your story by Nov 15 of 1500 words or less for a chance to win $3000, national exposure and a paid trip to the Writer's Digest conference in NYC.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Tara Tyler of Tara Tyler Talks and Vikki of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author are hosting I'm Thankful for my Readers blog hop on Nov 5-8. Post a thanks to your readers during those dates in any creative way you can think of. They will also be offering incredible prizes for the most creative and the most heartfelt posts. Prizes include a blog banner design and MS critique. 

Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish and Alex J. Cavanaugh are hosting "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest" on Nov 16. List bloggers you miss who you haven't heard from in a while as well as 1-3 bloggers you would miss if they ever stopped blogging.

Victoria Smith and Jaycee Delorenzo are hosting The Mating Game Blog Hop. Choose a couple from your MS. On Dec 3 hop around to five judges' blogs where they will have dating game type questions for your characters to answer. Then post those answers on Dec 10.

I'm a Reader Not a Writer and Oasis for YA are hosting their third annual Mid Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Sign up if you'd like to participate in the giveaway, or check out the list of 100+ bloggers already signed up to giveaway great prizes! Dec 21-27.

Morgan Shamy, Mark Koopmans, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp are hosting It's Time to Give Back. They will be sharing details on November 19. Until then, they are keeping us all in suspense with their promises that this will be epic. Looking forward to learning more!!

Contest Circuit: October 29

Happy Halloween Week! There are lots of fun blog hops helping us celebrate the scary holiday. For those of you joining NaNoWriMo next month, Cupid is going to be helping keep people accountable by sharing your results as you go. Click HERE for details!

Contests:

Miss Snark's First Victim her third annual Baker's Dozen contest with 13 agents. Oct 30. Submissions include the first 250 of your MS. 

NA Alley is hosting Agent in the Alley with Julia Weber for NA manuscripts on Nov 7. Include a blurb about your book (no more than 200 words) and the first 250-300 words.

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Tara Tyler of Tara Tyler Talks and Vikki of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author are hosting I'm Thankful for my Readers blog hop on Nov 5-8. Post a thanks to your readers during those dates in any creative way you can think of. They will also be offering incredible prizes for the most creative and the most heartfelt posts. Prizes include a blog banner design and MS critique. 

Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish and Alex J. Cavanaugh are hosting "Oh, How I Miss You Blogfest" on Nov 16. List bloggers you miss who you haven't heard from in a while as well as 1-3 bloggers you would miss if they ever stopped blogging.

ScifiMedia is hosting Scare Me Blogfest on Oct 31. Write about the scariest book or movie you have watched or share a ghost story of your own.

Dani at Entertaining Interests and Jackie at Bouquet of Books are hosting Spooktoberfest. This flash fiction blogfest must use 5 mandatory words and be under 300 words. Oct 26-29.

Cally Jackson is hosting The Year I turned 18 Blogfest to celebrate the release of her New Adult novel The Big Smoke. Post about something from the year you turned 18. Pictures are encouraged! Oct 29-Nov 2.

Tim Brannen of The Other Side is hosting Montrous Monday on Oct 29. Write about a monster you like/hate/love or one you created in your own book.

I Am a Reader Not a Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm is hosting the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. Host your own giveaway and link up to spread the word. Oct 24-Oct 31.

Giveaways:

Confessions of a Bookaholic and A Life Bound By Books is having a huge Haunted Halloween giveaway of signed books, ARCs and swag for each day in October. There are still plenty of chances to win some really great prizes.

 

Contest Circuit: October 22

Just spent a fun, pretty perfect weekend gearing up for Halloween - exactly what is needed heading into a stressful week ahead. I would LOVE to hear some of your happy thoughts to keep the positive energy going. Please feel free to leave them. And, as always, let me know if I'm missing something.

Happy Monday.

Contests:

Brenda Drake of Brenda Drake Writes...under the influence of coffee is hosting Trick or Treat with an Agent with Kimberly Chase and Deanna Romito on Oct 24. Send in a three sentence pitch along with your first 200 words. There are also a couple questions to answer. For a list of the costumed agents, click here.

Miss Snark's First Victim is hosting a Secret Agent Contest on Oct 22. Submissions include the first 250 of your MS. her third annual Baker's Dozen contest with 13 agents. Oct 30.

Ben Chiles of Story Multiverse is hosting a contest called Narrate This! From Oct 21-27, Ben will be taking up to 50 entries of your first 750 words and a 500 word synopsis. From those entries, he'll choose one winner and two runners up to win part of their manuscript narrated by Ben. The winner will receive 3000 words (can be anywhere in your MS) narrated by Ben. Runners up will receive 750 words each. I love this unique opportunity! 

Women on Writing is hosting a flash fiction contest due Nov 30. Open prompt should be 750 words or less. The contest will be judged by agent Jessica Sinsheimer.

Blog Hops and Flash Fiction:

Tara Tyler of Tara Tyler Talks and Vikki of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author are hosting I'm Thankful for my Readers blog hop on Nov 5-8. Post a thanks to your readers during those dates in any creative way you can think of. They will also be offering incredible prizes for the most creative and the most heartfelt posts. Prizes include a blog banner design and MS critique. 

Jenny Matlock at Off On My Tangent hosts Saturday Census, a flash fiction blog hop. Writers respond to a prompt, writing style and word count. She also hosts Alphabe-Thursday, a blog hop featuring posts on each letter of the alphabet.

Dani at Entertaining Interests and Jackie at Bouquet of Books are hosting Spooktoberfest. This flash fiction blogfest must use 5 mandatory words and be under 300 words. Oct 26-29.

To celebrate the upcoming release of her novella, Kyra Lennon is hosting the Letting Go Bloghop. Post about a time when you had to let go of someone or something. This can true or it can be flash fiction. Must be under 500 words. The most touching entry will get a $10 Amazon gift certificate. If nothing else, stop by to check out her beautiful cover to NA novella If I Let You Go. Oct 22.

Cally Jackson is hosting The Year I turned 18 Blogfest to celebrate the release of her New Adult novel The Big Smoke. Post about something from the year you turned 18. Pictures are encouraged! Oct 29-Nov 2.

I Am a Reader Not a Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm is hosting the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. Host your own giveaway and link up to spread the word. Oct 24-Oct 31.

Giveaways:
Rebecca Taylor is giving away a free Kindle!! See her blog for details!