2008 First Chapter Contest sponsored by The Writing Show

2008 First Chapter Contest
Sponsored by the Writing Show with Paula B.

The Writing Show is one of the best professional development website and podcast for writers on the web. Anyone who enters this contest will definitely benefit from the writing critiques offered by the experienced judges of this contest.

We want to find the world's best first chapter of an unpublished novel. Above all, you must tell a compelling story. That means that you have to grab us so quickly, so completely, that we can't stop reading, even if the house is burning down.

Your writing will be judged on the following five criteria:

1. Story. Is it a compelling read with a great hook? Are we engaged?
2. Style. Is the writing smooth and tight, without awkward constructions, extraneous verbiage, and redundancies?
3. Dialog. Is the dialog natural and does it move the story along?
4. Character. Are the characters interesting? Do we care about them?
5. Mechanics. Are grammar, spelling, and punctuation correct?

We're not necessarily looking for great literature or fancy writing. We just want an absorbing story. The point is to write tightly and economically. Make every word count. And please, watch those extra commas, capricious capitalization, overuse of individual words, and 'it's' where you mean its and their where you mean there! You will be penalized for poor grammar and punctuation!

Hudson Valley Writers Center Annual Chapbook Competition

Call for Entries: Hudson Valley Writers Center Annual Chapbook Competition
DEADLINE: MAY 15

SOURCE: Yonkers Art Blog

The prize for the 2008 competition is a $1000 cash award, publication, ten books, and a reading at The Hudson Valley Writers' Center.
At the discretion of the judges, a second chapbook may be selected for publication with an award of $250.
Judges use a blind judging system and subscribes to the CLMP contest code of ethics.

Learn more by visiting http://yonkersarts.blogspot.com/

"How To Get a Book Deal Without an Agent"

Source: No Media Kints

It’s hard to find an agent who’ll take you on. I always advise unpublished writers to spend at least as much energy approaching publishers directly as they do approaching agents — it’s more empowering, you’ll learn more, and if you make it happen agents will be more interested in you once you’ve published something if you choose to go that route with your next book. I also think that while there’s editors who will ignore anyone who’s unrepresented, there’s also people in the publishing world who thrive on “discovering” people. Those are the people who’ll champion your book.

It’s even harder to find a good agent. What I mean by that is one who’s suitable for where you’re at and what you’re writing. Some agents will take on everyone who looks vaguely shiny and then not really have the resources to help each individual client, save the one or two who gather some momentum on their own. I’ve always felt that I don’t really want a nice agent, someone who I can pal around with and really relate to: because then I have to ask myself, what can this person do that I can’t do myself? I need someone with thicker skin, a different skill set and a specialized knowledge of the industry — I need someone who’s as alien as possible to me without being completely monstrous. I haven’t found that creature yet, but I’m always keeping an eye out.

Continue Reading at NoMediaKings.org

"30+ Tools For The Amateur Writer"

Source: Mashable.com: 30+ Tools For The Amateur Writer