How exciting is it to know that one of the big five publishers has imprints that allow authors to submit without having an agent? Of course, I feel the need to stress that I’m a firm believer…
Source: Witness Impulse Open Submissions
Tag Archives: Opportunity
Picture Book Party To Get An Agent
Holy-moly! It’s another picture book contest. Things are looking up for the PB writers and illustrators, indeed. On March 26, 2017 Michelle Hauck and Sharon Chriscoe will co-host a Picture Book Party. Submission will open at noon EST and will close when 250 entrants have been received. You need to have a completed and polished PB manuscript and illustrations are encouraged to be submitted (if you’re an illustrator). The agent round will be between April 5-7, 2017. Be sure to checkout the complete guidelines on the website. You can also follow helpful hints for all writers on the twitter hashtag #PBParty.
As always, good luck.
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grants Worth $8000 via The Loft
If you have lived in Minnesota for at least one year, this contest is for you! The Loft has opened entries for the Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grants. Up to five grants of $8,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who have lived in the state of Minnesota for at least one year. Writers who have published no more than two books in any genre are eligible to apply. (So YAY, previously published authors CAN apply!) Using the online submission system, submit 15 to 20 pages of poetry or 20 to 30 pages of prose, an artist proposal, a brief bio, and a résumé by March 31, 2017. There is no entry fee. Be sure to visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
As always, good luck!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
Tomorrow is #Pitmad
Nothing soothes the writerly soul than a good twitter pitch party! Tomorrow is Brenda Drake‘s infamous #PitMad between the hours of 8am-8pm (EDT). This is for completed and polished manuscripts only. 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.
Operation Awesome: Pass or Pages
Operation Awesome is hosting a Pass or Pages contest finally this year. Woot! For this round, the category is for adult science fiction or fantasy. Submissions are open NOW from February 13-15, 2017. This is an opportunity to get feedback from an agent on your query and first 250 words of you manuscript. Peeps, this is priceless! And as a possible bonus, the agent reserves the right to request your FULL.
The participating agents are:
- Lisa Abellera at Kimberley Cameron & Associates
- Hannah Fergesen at kt literary
- Kirsten Carleton at Prospect Agency
There will be a form for submissions on Operation Awesome when the entry window opens. For complete rules and previous feedback reveals, go here. As always, good luck!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
10 Minutes With An Expert via Manuscript Academy
If you’ve ever wanted to sit down with an agent or editor? Well now you can! Manuscript Academy has put together a day for authors to chat with the professional’s of the publishing world called 10 Minutes With An Expert. The time can be used to:
- Pitch your project
- Get instant feedback on your query or first page
- Ask about your unique publishing situation
- Ask any publishing question!
Meetings last 10 minutes and are first come first served. The cost for this invaluable access is $49 (US). To make the most of your time, have your questions ready. And have fun learning!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
James Patterson Masterclass and Co-Author Competition
With New York Times Bestselling author James Patterson‘s net worth at $700 million, who wouldn’t want to take a MasterClass with him? There will be 22 video lessons and exercises for $90. Super afforadable peeps! Even better, he’s choosing someone from the class to co-author a book with him!
Say what?
Yeppers, you heard right. James Patterson will choose someone to write a novel with him. During the competition, each stage is designed to help you craft and pitch a novel. And the prizes are:
- 10 Semi-Finalists: Ten students will win $1000 based on book hook and sample chapter.
- 3 Finalists: Three students from the ten semi-finalists will be chosen to submit outlines for their books and will win $2500.
- 1 Grand Prize Winner: Opportunity to co-author a book with James Patterson. In addition, $5000.
If you’re interested, get your words polished. The deadline for the competition is March 1, 2017!
As always, good luck!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
Dear Lucky Agent Contest: Middle Grade Fiction
Chuck Sambuchino announced Writer’s Digest is hosting the 30th “Dear Lucky Agent Contest“. The agent judge is Caitie Flum from Liza Dawson Associates.
She is now building her own list of clients. She graduated from Hofstra University in 2009 with a B.A. in English with a concentration in publishing studies. She interned at Hachette Book Group and Writers House. Caitie is looking for commercial and upmarket fiction with great characters and superb writing, especially historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers of all kinds, romance, and book club fiction. She is open to science fiction and fantasy that crosses over to a young adult market. She is also looking for middle grade and young adult projects. In nonfiction, she is looking for narrative nonfiction, especially history that’s impossible to put down, books on pop culture, theater, current events, women’s issues, and humor. But remember, this contest is for Middle Grade fiction only.
The contest is now live and runs through the end of January 31, 2017 (PST). There will be three winners! According to the website, they all get the same prize (which is different than prior contest). Top 3 winners each get: 1) A critique of the first 10 double-spaced pages of your work by your agent judge. 2) Their choice of any of Chuck’s two new books that came out in fall (the Guide to Literary Agents 2017 or the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market 2017).
Be sure to check out the submission guidelines and pay close attention to a few things you need to do in order to be eligible. And as always, good luck!
P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.
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