Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

I’ve been noticing a few authors with Facebook ads showing up while I’ve been perusing my FB wall. I’ve been liking them as a matter of course, but I’m wondering if I should stop, so I can watch the evolution of the ads.

These are the ones I’ve captured so far. I think Patterson has the most compelling ad, since free offers are very successful on Facebook. Cornwell’s is aimed primarily at existing fans. I’m not sure DiCamillo’s strategy of pursuing aspiring authors is the best way to find new readers for her books, but it will get followers, I’m sure.

Some authors and books initially faced rejection before eventually becoming hugely successful. Bestselling authors such as Patricia Cornwell, J.K. Rowling and John Grisham received many rejections before getting their first book contracts.

Patricia Cornwell talks about working in a morgue before getting published, and even after, to pay the bills.

In an effort to promote the work of California novelists, LuckyCinda Publishing is proudly sponsoring a book contest for self-published and independently published fiction. All entrants of the First Annual California Fiction Writers Book Challenge will receive an autographed award-winning novel, free book marketing tips, and substantial discounts for consultations with big-name authors and expert book promoters.

In addition, every author will be entered into a separate drawing. The prize: Their book will be featured in a story as well as a Free 1/4 page advertisement in the High Desert publication, The Inland Adventurer. This feature article will also be posted online at CNN and LuckyCinda blog sites, as well as on other Social Media.

LuckyCinda Publishing will consider self-published and independently published fiction released on or after Jan. 1, 2010.

Price; $50

Deadline: October 31, 2011

Register Now

Entries must be in English and must be self-published or issued by an independent publishing company. The authors must be California residents. Be sure to use a California address. Proof of residency may be required.

Note: Authors using Print on Demand (POD) firms like Lightning Source or CreateSpace are also eligible for the competition.

Grand Prize for the 2012 Book Of The Year: A one-hour Free consultation with one of the nation’s most respected book marketing experts, Brian Jud, who has self-published five best-selling books on career transition that are distributed internationally.

The grand prize winner will also receive a Free Kindle or Nook Reader.

In addition to the grand prize winner, the judges will choose first, second and third place selections and may also choose honorable mentions.

All winners will receive a combination of books, free writing workshops and/or book marketing consultations offered by some of the industry’s most respected authors, publishers and book marketers including John Kremer, Patricia Fry, Joan Stewart and Dan Poynter.

Free certificates will be made available to all winners.

With the exception of an initial announcement, most of the publicity for winners will start January 2012. Once a winners’ list is officially released, updates will be posted throughout December 2011, so check the site often for the latest announcements.

To celebrate the 2012 mass market publication of Family Affair, a novella by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, Avon Books is hosting a Debbie Macomber-inspired online writing contest! Aspiring writers who participate in the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest may find themselves enjoying an “American Idol”-type moment, as the winner receives a cash prize of $500, and the winning entry will be published in the back matter of the paperback and e-book edition of Family Affair, going on-sale in July 2012. In addition, the grand prize winner may also be offered an Avon Impulse publishing contract!

“This is a great opportunity for a new voice in romance to be discovered,” says Liate Stehlik, Senior Vice President and Publisher of William Morrow/Avon Books. “It’s the publishing equivalent of ‘American Idol’ – entries will be reviewed by Avon editors, and the winner will be picked by Debbie Macomber herself. The possible exposure is amazing: the author is beloved by readers around the globe, and this short story could be read by millions of her fans.”

Avon Books executive editor Lucia Macro states, “We’re hoping to discover a new voice in romance. We’re so excited to work with Debbie on this contest, and publish the winning entry along with the heartwarming novella Family Affair.”

Contests entrants should go online to http://www.familyaffaircontest.com to submit their 20,000 – 25,000 word short story. Entries should be written in a style that complements Macomber’s own gentle, uplifting work.

Book Page attests, “When it comes to creating a special place and memorable, honorable characters, nobody does it better than Macomber,” and the Chicago Tribune notes that Macomber’s books “(glow) with genuine goodness and great emotional warmth.”

The Grand Prize of the “Make Your Dreams Come True” writing contest receives a $500 cash prize and is eligible for an Avon Impulse publishing contract. Three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances (approximate retail value: $100).

“Make Your Dreams Come True” Contest Rules and Entry Procedure:
No purchase is necessary. To enter, complete the entry form at http://www.familyaffaircontest.com. Entrants will need to provide a short story in the Romance genre, as well as their full name, postal address, e-mail address, phone number, and date of birth. Multiple entries are automatically disqualified, and only the first entry will be considered.

The contest is open to all legal residents of the United States, 21 years of age and older by August 1, 2011, excluding anyone who has ever received compensation in excess of $100 for publication of a work of prose fiction and employees and immediate family members of Avon, and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns, advertising, promotional and fulfillment agents, attorneys, and other representatives and the persons with whom each of the above are domiciled.

Story Requirements

Story submissions must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• The story must be in the Romance genre and have a low-level of sensuality without any explicit love scenes.
• The story must not have been previously published in any form or media, including posting in any manner on the internet.
• Prose romantic fiction only; poetry, plays, screenplays, and non-fiction are not acceptable.
• English language only.
• No less than 20,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words.
• No images or illustrations of any kind.
• No curse words or depictions of vulgar behavior.
• An original work created solely by you without any material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to material that violates privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.
• The story must be in a Word or PDF file when submitted.

A submission that does not satisfy all of the above requirements will be disqualified without notification.

Avon Impulse further reserves the right to publish the story of the Grand Prize Winner and/or the other finalists as described above, but shall have no obligation to do so.

Entry Period:
The Contest will commence on August 9, 2011 (9 a.m. ET). The last entry will be accepted on September 30, 2011 (5:00 p.m. ET).

Selection and Notification of Winners:

Three Finalists will be selected by a panel of two judges, who will be professional editors selected by Avon. Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria: (1) Plot (40%), (2) Character Development (30%), and (3) Literary Style (30%). The three finalists will be chosen on or about October 15, 2011. All potential winners will be notified by e-mail. Potential winners may be required to sign and return to Avon an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability (the “Affidavit”), and, if the Affidavit is not returned within seven days of notification, the potential winner will be deemed to have forfeited the prize, and an alternate potential winner will be chosen.

Based on the judging criteria above, Debbie Macomber will select the Grand Prize Winner from among the finalists. The winner will be announced on or about November 15, 2011.

Prizes:
Each of the three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances. Approximate retail value: $100.

The Grand Prize Winner will also receive a cash payment of $500.

Total approximate prizing value for contest: $800.

Only one prize will be awarded per individual, family, or household. All prizes are non-transferable and cannot be sold or redeemed for cash. Avon may substitute a cash payment of equal or greater value for the prize. Any federal, state, or local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner.

More information and complete contest rules available online at http://www.familyaffaircontest.com.

Authors share their tips on dealing with rejection and achieving success in the literary world.