Tag Archives: Manuscripts

2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop

December 29, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop, 3 Seas Literary, Agents, Authors, Bethany House Publishers, Betsy Amster Literary, books, Books & Such Literary, Conference, D4EO Literary, Development, Donald Maass Literary, Editors, Experience, Flux Press, Graywolf Press, How To Get Publsihed, ideas, Inspiration, Jolly Fish Press, Manuscripts, Minnesota, Opportunity, P.S. Literary, Published, Red Sofa Literary, St. Martin's Press, St. Paul, Stories, The Seymour Agency, Unpublished, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The 2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). This workshop is a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in St. Paul, MN on February 17, 2018.

Agents and editors confirmed to be in attendance and/or available to pitch are:

literary agent Eric Smith (P.S. Literary)
literary agent Michelle Grajkowski (3 Seas Literary)
editor Lauren Jablonski (St. Martin’s Press)
literary agent Mary Cummings (Betsy Amster Literary)
literary agent Kelly Van Sant (D4EO Literary)
editor Mari Kesselring (Flux and Jolly Fish Press)
literary agent Cynthia Ruchti (Books & Such Literary)
literary agent Laura Zats (Red Sofa Literary)
literary agent Jennie Goloboy (Donald Maass Literary)
literary agent Erik Hane (Red Sofa Literary)
literary agent assistant Lynnette Novak (The Seymour Agency)
editor Yana Makuwa (Graywolf Press)
editor Raela Schoenherr (Bethany House Publishers)
and possibly more to come.

For information on how to enroll and where to stay, go here. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

#SFFpit is Tomorrow!

December 13, 2017Contests, Literary#SFFpit, Adult, Agents, Authors, books, Characters, Dan Koboldt, Editors, Fantasy, Fiction, Hashtags, Horror, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, New Adult, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pitch, Pitching, Polished, publisher, Publishing, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction, Stories, Tweets, Twitter, Unpublished, Writers, Young Adultpdpabst

Hello my lovelies! Tomorrow (December 14, 2017) on twitter is #SFFpit hosted by Dan Koboldt. This is for Sci-Fi and Fantasy manuscripts only! Please do not pitch if your manuscript is not finished, polished, and unpublished.

Now that twitter has expanded most tweets to longer characters, the limit of 140 is no longer necessary. Tweet the full 280 if you have the ability! Just make sure that your pitch includes the hashtag #SFFpit. Additional hashtags that can be used are:

AGE CATEGORY
#PB – Picture book
#MG – Middle grade
#YA – Young adult
#NA – New adult
#A – Adult

GENRE/Subgenre
#FA – fantasy
#CF – contemporary fantasy
#DF – dark fantasy
#EF – epic or high fantasy
#FR – fantasy romance
#HF – historical fantasy
#LF – literary fantasy
#AH – alternate history
#MYF – mythic fantasy
#PN – paranormal
#UF – urban fantasy
#MR – magical realism
#SF – science fiction
#AF – apocalypse fiction
#ML – military science fiction
#PA – post-apocalyptic SF
#SFR – sci-fi romance
#SFT – sci-fi thriller
#SH – superhero / superhuman
#SO – space opera
#DS – dystopian
#SP – steampunk
#TT – time travel
#WW – weird west

The contest will run through 8am to 6pm EST. Also note the change of allowed pitches! Writers will only get 10 pitches (that’s one per hour). For more information check out the #SFFpit webpage. To show Dan Koboldt your appreciation for throwing together this awesome contest, be sure to follow his blog, twitter page, or buy his books.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction

Brenda Drake’s #Pitmad Is Almost Here!

December 5, 2017Contests, Literary#amediting, #amwriting, #Pitmad, Adult, Age Category, Agents, Authors, books, Brenda Drake, Category, Characters, Children's, Editors, Fiction, Genre, Guidelines, Hashtags, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pitch Party, Pitch Wars, Pitching, publisher, Publishing, Rules, Stories, Sub-genres, Tweet, Twitter, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

Nothing soothes the writerly soul than a good twitter pitch party! Thursday, December 7, 2017 is Brenda Drake’s infamous #PitMad between the hours of 8am-8pm (EDT). Common age category and genre hashtags are below.

Age Categories:

#PB = Picture Book
#C = Children’s
#CB = Chapter Book
#CL = Children’s Lit
#MG = Middle Grade
#YA = Young Adult
#NA = New Adult
#A = Adult

Genres/Sub-genres:

#AA = African American
#AD = Adventure
#CF = Christian Fiction
#CON = Contemporary
#CR = Contemporary Romance
#DIS = Disabilities
#DV = Diversity
#E = Erotica
#ER = Erotic Romance
#ES = Erotica Suspense
#F = Fantasy
#H = Horror
#HA = Humor
#HF = Historical Fiction
#HR = Historical Romance
#INSP = Inspirational
#IRMC = Interracial/Multicultural
#MR = Magical Realism
#M = Mystery
#Mem = Memoir
#LGBT
#LF = Literary Fiction
#NF = Non-fiction
#R = Romance
#P = Paranormal
#PR = Paranormal Romance
#RS = Romantic Suspense
#S = Suspense
#SF = SciFi
#SPF = Speculative Fiction
#T = Thriller
#UF = Urban Fantasy
#W = Westerns
#WF = Woman’s Fiction

The rules clearly state to only pitch THREE times per manuscript during the contest. Don’t break the rules and clog the feed! Also, please remember anyone can stalk the feed. So, do your research before submitting your manuscript!

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction.

MasterClass With Author Judy Bloom

November 30, 2017Literary, Webinar/WorkshopAre You There God? It's Me Margaret, Authors, Banned, Blubber, books, Characters, Children's Fiction, Class, Creativity, Critique, Dialogue, Feedback, Fiction, Genre, Judy Bloom, Kids, Learn, Learning, Lessons, Libraries, Manuscripts, MasterClass, Middle Grade, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pre-Enroll, Readers, Realistic, Stories, Superfudge, Tiger Eyes, Videos, Words, Workshop, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

Image result for judy bloom masterclass

Judy Bloom will be teaching a Master Class in early 2018. While the dates don’t appear to be set, you can pre-enroll for only $90. The award winning author broke the rules. Her refreshingly honest children’s books were banned by hundreds of libraries—and loved by generations of readers, who bought 85 million copies of classics like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Superfudge.

Learn with one of the best with 24 lessons on writing vivid characters and realistic dialogue. There will be a workbook along with the videos, and Judy will critique select members of the class. Have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst

Blogger and writer of MG/Fiction

2018 Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship

November 25, 2017Contests, Literary, Mentor ProgramApplications, Art, Authors, books, Children's Fiction, Chilidren, Critique, Development, dreams, Editing, Experience, Feedback, Fiction, Genre, Illustrator, Inspiration, Julia Durango, Kids, Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship, Manuscripts, Memborship, Mentorship, Opportunity, Picture Book, Published, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Stories, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will open for applications to the Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship. The mentorship was established in memory of picture book author Laura Crawford.

This year’s mentor will be author Julia Durango, who will help with one picture book manuscript for a six month period.

Julia Durango

In order to apply, you must be a SCBWI member with an application dated between December 1-7, 2017. Applicants must never have had a picture book traditionally published. For complete details, go here.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction.

Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core (Retreat)

November 19, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAdult Books, Application, Authors, Awe-Inspiring, books, Conference, Elena Georgiou, Exercises, Explore, Feedback, Fiction, Hawaii, Inpiration, Jungle, Kaimu Black Sand Beach, Kalani, Lava, Lava Tree Forest, Manuscripts, Massage, Memoir, Middle Grade Books, Non-Fiction, Oceanside, Pele's Fire, Pool, Rahna Reiko Rizzuto, Readings, Registration, Retreat, Sea, Stories, Swim, Volcaniclly-Warmed Pools, Volcano, Volcano National Park, Workshops, Write To The Core, Writers, Writing, Writing Topics, Yoga, Young Adult Bookspdpabst

Looking for a place to type your new manuscript and need a place of inspiration. Try the Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core. This retreat is held at the Oceanside retreat in Hawaii called Kalani.

Image result for kalani cottage

Participate in yoga, meditation, dance, or another wellness program while visiting Kalani. Take a swim, get a massage, or explore the nearby jungle, land, and sea. And if you want an extended stay beyond the writing retreat, look into being a volunteer and get a discount or a scholarship!

Here are some of the things Pele’s Fire all-inclusive writing retreat offers:

Your own quiet writing time
Small-group workshops with both of their teachers (Rahna Reiko Rizzuto & Elena Georgiou)
Generative inspiration and exercises
Guided conversations on a variety of writing-related topics
Your own one-on-one conference for manuscript feedback
Group readings
Optional free time to explore the island.

Things you can explore:

Volcano National Park
Lava Tree Forest
Kaimu black sand beach
Volcanically-heated warm pools

Join us in 2018

Most importantly, you get to write-write-write in beautiful and awe-inspiring surroundings! But hurry, registration for spring 2018 may still be open, but application deadline expires on December 4, 2017 (or until retreat is full).

Have a great writing experience!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction

Entangled Publishing Submissions

November 17, 2017Literary, Publishing OpportunityAdult Fiction, Amara, August, Authors, Bliss, Blog, books, Brazen, Comedy, Comtemporary, dreams, Editors, Embrace, Entangled Publishing, Entangled Teen, Erotic Fiction, Fantasy, Genre, Historical, Humor, Indulgence, Love Story, Lovestruck, Manuscripts, Novellas, novels, Opportunity, Paranormal, publisher, Romance, Scandalous, Scorched, Stories, Submissions, Sweet, Teen Crave, Teen Crush, Writers, Writing, Young-adult fictionpdpabst

Have you just finished writing a steamy romance novel, or maybe a teen novel sprinkled with some love? Entangled Publishing doesn’t require writers to have agents to submit to them. That’s right! Polish that manuscript and send it to one of their imprints that best fits your story.

Amara – 70k-120k word single title adult romance novels.
August – 20k-70k word category romance featuring Gen-X characters.
Bliss – 20k-60k sweet category romance.
Brazen – 20k-60k erotic category romance.
Embrace – New Adult romance novels or novels with romantic elements.
Entangled Teen – 70k-120k word romance novels or novels with romantic elements.
Indulgence – 45k-60k contemporary category romance.
Lovestruck – 20k-60k contemporary, romantic comedy category romance.
Scandalous – 20k-65k historical category romance.
Scorched – 15k-65k novellas, serialized novellas, and full-length novels, all with erotic romance elements.
Teen Crave – 20k-60k paranormal/scifi/fantasy YA category romance.
Teen Crush – 20k-60k contemporary YA category romance.

They even blog about special submission requests. Check them out here! So, if you haven’t written the novel that’s been nagging to leave your brain, get going! After all, it is NaNoWriMo!

Best of luck on your writing journey!

P.D.Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Writer’s Digest Short Story Competition

November 11, 2017Contests, Literary, Publishing OpportunityAuthors, books, Certificates, Competition, Conference, Deadline, Fee, Fiction, Grand Prize, Literary Agents, Manuscripts, Monetary Prize, Non-Fiction, Published, Short Story, Short Story Collections, Stories, Submit, Tales, Writer's Digest, Writers, Writers Marketpdpabst

wd-short-story-competition

Writer’s Digest is hosting a writing competition for short stories (1,500 words or less) with a grand prize worth $3,000, a feature in Writer’s Digest magazine and more.

Make it bold. Make it brilliant. Most importantly, make it brief.

One First Place Winner will receive:

$3,000 in cash
Their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s July/August 2018 issue
A paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
A copy of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition Collection
A copy of the 2018 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market
A copy of the 2018 Guide to Literary Agents

There will also be monetary prizes, books and/or certificates given to 2nd-25th place winners! (There is a fee for entering.) If you’re interested in submitting, go here by the Deadline of November 15, 2017!

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

2018 Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

November 10, 2017Contests, Literary, Publishing Opportunity$10, $10000, Author's Agreement, Authors, books, Competition, Contract, Crime, english, Fiction, Genre, Macmillan Publishers, Manuscripts, Minotaur Books, Monetary Prize, Murder, Mystery, Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition, Novel, Opporutinty, Over 18, Publishers, Publishing, Royalties, Stories, Submissions, Writerspdpabst

Minotaur Books (Macmillan) and Mystery Writers of America are sponsoring the First Crime Novel Competition. This contest is open to writer’s age 18 and older, who has never been published or under contract to be published with a novel. The submitted manuscript must involve murder or another serious crime or crimes at the heart of the story. The winner will be offered a standard form author’s agreement and a $10,000 advance against future royalties. Submissions must be received by 11:59pm EST on January 12, 2018. For complete rules, go here.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Writer and blogger of MG/YA fiction

Bath Children’s Novel Award Submissions Ending Soon!

November 8, 2017Contests, LiteraryAuthors, Bath Children's Novel Award, books, Cornerstone Literary Consultancy, Entry Fee, Genre, International Writing Competition, Jane Brittan, Kidlit, Macmillan Publishers, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, Monetary Prize, Mulcahy Associates Literary Agency, November, Opportunity, publisher, Representation, Sallyanne Sweeney, Shortlist, Sopie Cameron, Stories, Submissions, Unpublished, Unsigned, Vouchers, Writerspdpabst

bath-childrens-novel-award

The Bath Children’s Novel Award is an international writing competition for unpublished and independently published novelists. This years judge is literary agent Sallyanne Sweeney of Mulcahy Associates Literary Agency. And the sponsor is Cornerstones Literary Consultancy. The winner will receive £2,000 (approximately $2467 US) and a shortlist prize of £500 (approximately $616 US)Cornerstones Literary Consultancy vouchers.

This is The Bath Children’s Novel Award’s third year. Inaugural winner Lucy Van Smit was swiftly signed by literary agent Sallyanne Sweeney, Jane Brittan attracted a Carnegie Medal nomination for her indie-published debut and shortlistee Sophie Cameron signed a book deal with Macmillan Children’s after accepting representation with literary agent Hellie Ogden for her YA novel Out of the Blue.

Entry for the award ends November 19th, 2017 (and remember, this is UK time zone)! For complete guidelines and entry fee information, go here. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: