Tag: Writing Contests

Newsworthy notes

What’s the Scoop? New Books and Hot Deals – Hurry!

Published on by 53 Comments

Newsworthy notes

 

As I am ultra busy trying to tend to life and preparing to publish my own newest upcoming book by next week’s end, I came across some fabulous finds while doing my blog travels this week. So I thought I’d note a few blogs and books I came across to share with you all here in case you haven’t seen these yet yourself. The book promos are time sensitive so do jump on those. My Kindle is bursting at the seams but that won’t stop me from adding books by some of my own favorite authors!

 

I’m going to break these special offers down in 4 categories:

 

Writing Competitions:

Stevie Turner is still accepting entries for her generous offer for authors to contribute a short story to her Blog Hop where the winner will receive a badge to display proudly and the story will be included in an anthology Stevie is planning to put together next year. Visit the post HERE.

 

Sue Vincent is generously inviting writers to submit your stories, book promotions, and Holiday posts to her by email, HERE. 

 

Book Promotion:

Many of you know some of the various promotions Sally Cronin offers at her Smorgasbord Invitation where writers have a chance to showcase their stories, books and promotions. And starting this coming Monday Nov. 27th, Sally has a new promotion starting for her Christmas Bookfair Promotion. You need to check this out to have your book be part of this wonderful festive promotion.

 

Hot Deals:

Marcia Meara is running a fantastic promotion right now on Amazon where all 3 books in each of two of her series – Wake Robin Ridge and her Riverbend series are on special pricing for a limited time at just .99 cents! Visit Marcia’s Amazon Author Page to see all of her books and snatch a few. I promise she’ll keep you captivated!

Product Details

Product Details

 

 

Newly Published: #Recommended

 

Sacha “De” Black has just released her newest YA first in a series book –  Keepers – An Eden East novel Book 1

Keepers (The Eden East Novels Book 1) by [de Black, Sacha]

 

Sarah Brentyn just released – On the Edge of a Raindrop

FREE for a limited time!!!!

On the Edge of a Raindrop by [Brentyn, Sarah]

 

Annette Rochelle Aben just released – A Tanka Picture Book

A Tanka Picture Book by [Aben, Annette Rochelle]

 

Sue Vincent in collaboration with Stuart France released – An Imperious Impulse (Coyote Tales – Volume 1)

 

Sally Cronin recently released – What’s In A Name? (Volume 2)

 

Christoph Fischer released – The Sanctuary on Cayman Brac: Key to Truth

The Sanctuary on Cayman Brac: Key to the Truth (Fraud or Miracle? Book 3) by [Fischer, Christoph]

 

Stevie Turner recently re-released one of her books with a new title and book cover – Mind Games

Mind Games by [Turner, Stevie]

 

Diana Peach just released a sweet book in a totally different genre for her – Grumpy Ana and the Grouchy Monsters (A Children’s Tale)

 

Carol Balawyder newly published – The Longest Nine Months (Part of the Getting to Mr. Right series)

The Longest Nine Months: A Getting To Mr. Right series by (The Longest Nine Months is the last of the Getting To Mr. Right series.) by [Balawyder, Carol]

 

Belinda Miller has just come out with her Book 3 of – The Reunion (The Ragwort Chronicles)

 

The blogs I’ve linked to here and book release and promos I’ve listed here are not only friends of mine, but mighty fine writers whose books I thoroughly enjoy, so they come #Recommended.

 

If I’ve missed anyone’s promos that may currently be running, please accept my apologies.

Reblog and share

Saturday Blog Share and Mentions- What’s Going on in Blogtown this Week?

Published on by 35 Comments

Reblog and share

 

Happy Weekend folks. I thought I’d share a few of my findings from my readings in blogland as well as a few mentions I found of myself while visiting 2 blogs.  The first 3 listed are writing contests offered by 3 authors many of us know, or who should get to know and then I have some awards to share with you.

 

First up is Stevie Turner’s monthly writing contest where you can submit a short story once every month until the end of the year, maybe longer, she’ll have to let us know.

 

I’ve been struggling to think up a subject for a new novel, and have been letting too many distractions keep me from sitting down at the computer and starting a new book.

However, I decided that with this new category I’d also share my own short stories every month on each main call-to-arms blog, in order to make myself get back in the habit of writing again.  Hopefully word about the contest will soon get about, and perhaps even more authors will want to take part.  The contest is FREE, and I’ve made a laurel for the winner to add to the end of their story each month.  Here’s the first one:

SHORT STORY LAUREL with website.png

Don’t forget, you’ve got until 25th October to add your link via the blue button below.  I’ll choose the winner on 31st October. Continue Reading At Stevie’s blog

 

Next is Sally Cronin’s blogshare feature – The New Sunday Show – The Bucket List, where you get to be featured on Sally’s blog and share 2 of the most hoped for wishes to fulfill on your bucket list.

 

The Sunday Show Interview and Promotion.

 

In this interview series I would love to know what your top TWO items are on your bucket list and if you have not written one yet, then perhaps it is time to get your thinking caps on.

When you have given the matter some thought you can send to me. I have done an example below to give you an idea of the format.

By the end of the series, if we have a lot of guests, (hint, hint) we should be able to compile a pretty comprehensive list of activities with something for everyone.  I will pull all the wishes together into our own Ultimate Top Ten Bucket List that might take the place of the the one I have featured. Read more at Sally’s blog.

 

Next up is contest #2 open at Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch Rodeo Contest. Geoff Le Pard is running this fun short story entry laughing contest. The deadline for entry has been extended til Sunday night just before midnight so there’s still time!

 

Little and Laugh is your chance to raise a grin, trigger a giggle, release a chuckle, generate a guffaw, give life to a groan.  Tell us a story – it can be true, it might be a BOTS (based on a true story) or it might be complete fiction – and see if what makes you smile, what releases your funny does that for the judges. After all being funny is no laughing matter.

Submission information

You have 299 words, give or take 9 (ok, that means you’ll still be in the competition if you come in above 289 and below 309) to make us chortle. You need a title and, best of all, the title doesn’t count. Though a title that is similar to ‘This is a story of a Knight Errant and his lonely Pooch, Puddle who undertook a quest to better themselves when the world was young and Nutmeg still known as Crazy Megan…’ is not to be encouraged. Continue reading for more instruction

And now for a few mentions!

 

I was delighted to come across friend and author’s blog, Plain and Fancy Girl, Marian Beaman, as she writes about her dilemmas about completing her memoir. Memoir is a tricky genre and as writers we all seem to have our own strategies for putting our plots and arcs together. Marian is showing us how she’s managing that process and I was delighted to see she shared a link about 2 posts I shared on the topic as well as one of my quotes.

Memoir Writing, Myth and Mystery: In Search of the Narrative Arc

by  | Oct 11, 2017 |

Writing memoir is like drawing a self portrait while looking in the mirror. Sort of. Don’t be surprised if your picture turns out backwards. Which may not be such a bad thing!

 

And so I began . . .

Two and one-half years ago after taking an online memoir-writing course, I constructed a timeline of my memoir, using neon-colored stickies unfolding in scenes.  Continue Reading . . .

 

And now for my last mention, I was thrilled to be nominated and chosen by Mr. MN – The Militant Negro Blog and offered 4 lovely blogging awards. Yes there are rules that come with awards, but as many of you know, I love to break rules and share my awards with all of you, so please feel free to copy any or all of these beautiful awards for your own blogs because, if you are my readers, you are all welcomed and deserving. 🙂

 

Mr. MN Says:

I stopped being involved in awards for this blog of mine 5 years ago because I never followed the rules properly. I’m too old to start doing things properly now days so I’;m gonna break these award rules beyond repair.

LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR, IF YOUR NAME IS BELOW, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED BY ME TO DO A THING…..BUT ENJOY YOUR AWARDS. NO RULES APPLY TO ANYONE ON THIS LIST. As you can see, I broke the rules!!!

The Rules:  

  1. Give 11 questions.
  2. Tag 11 people.
  3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  4. Don’t forget to thank the person who nominated/ tagged you.

I’ll start my award rules breaking party by not answering any questions about me but by directing you to two recent blog post about me…… Continue reading

 

liebster award

Get to know me award

sunshine blogger award

blue sky tag award

 

Thanks for dropping by. I hope you all find something here you may like to dive in to, and congrats on all your awards!

Friday blogshare

All Things Writing – What’s Going on Around Blogtown this week?

Published on by 58 Comments

Friday blogshare

 

Today’s post is an info share about a few interesting articles I came across in my blog reading travels this week. Three of these finds are time sensitive, so do check them out ASAP if you want to jump on the bandwagon.

 

The first fun contest I came across is Charli Mills‘ Rodeo Contest at the Carrot Ranch. The month of October is filled with opportunities to submit your writing and win prizes too! Norah Colvin is starting off the Rodeo today.

 

Carrot Ranch contest

 

The Flash Fiction Rodeo is 8 contests with 8 first place prizes and 0 entry fees! Each contest provides a different twist to a flash fiction prompt. The Rodeo takes place Oct. 5-31 with a new contest every Tuesday and Thursday.

It’s free and includes first place prizes in each category of $25. The best of all eight winning entries will be dubbed the All-Around Best Writer of 2017 Flash Fiction Rodeo and win an extra $50. You can enter one or all contests (it’s free).

It’s a contest, so enter your best, polished work. Quality over quantity matters.

Winners will be announced one contest at a time over 8 consecutive Tuesdays Nov. 7-Dec. 26. The All-Around Best Writer will be announced January 2. Prizes will continue to be given away at each winner post, so be sure to tune in and comment on the Winning Announcement Posts.

WATCH DEADLINES AND ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS: When each contest launches, read the instructions carefully. Everything you need to know to access instructions will be posted at Carrot Ranch midnight EST (that’s New York time if it helps you get aligned). You will be asked to enter a variety of ways, according to how each leader has set up entries. Deadlines will vary, too. If at any time you need clarification, contact The Ranch.

CONTEST PREPARATION: Click on the links below to meet the Rodeo Contest Leaders (and some of their fellow judges) to get a feel for the style of writing you might be called to pull off in a rodeo event! Continue reading Here for a list of contests and dates.

 

Next up is Sarah Brentyn’s Flash Fiction entry where your short entries will help earn a donation dollar towards hurricane victims – Hurricane relief – #Flash4Storms

 

Harvey, Irma, Maria… These hurricanes have hit hard, leaving massive damage in their wakes. Here’s how you can help:

Hurricane relief - #flash4storms

 

1. Write a piece of flash fiction in 50 words or less with the theme: Help 

(This can be any sort of assistance, support, encouragement, or a story of someone or something that needs help. You do not need to use the prompt word. Be creative! It can be 50 words, 15 words…even a six-word story. Anything goes provided it is prose up to 50 words. It doesn’t have to be sunshine and rainbows but keep it PG and friendly.)

2. Add a new post on your blog with your flash fiction and the hashtag #Flash4Storms in the title

3. Link to this post

4. Leave a comment here with a link to your post so I know you’ve participated

5. Help spread the word on social media with the hashtags:

#Flash4Storms

#LemonSharkCharity

I will donate $1 to hurricane relief for every flash that is posted (up to $50). Continue reading Here to read more and enter 

 

And this fun find I came across with a great idea from Deborah Jay to sneak in a little more dedicated writing time – The Pomodoro Method. 

 

WRITERS, HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME? HAVE YOU DISCOVERED THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE? #TIMEMANAGEMENT #AMWRITING

 

I shared this technique earlier on Marcia Meara’s blog, THE WRITE STUFF, while Marcia continues her clear up after the destruction visited upon her home by Hurricane Irma.

I am not a full time writer. Like a lot of others, I have to fit my writing time around my full time business. And my business is VERY full time – I train and judge competition dressage horses at National and International level. It’s a fabulous job, but very time consuming, not to mention sometimes exhausting.

Me at work.
I don’t always look this glamorous, believe me.

When people glibly tell me that there is always time to be found in the work day, I know they have NO idea what my life is like. I can often be on the road by 7am, and not home until 10pm, having been either driving or working the entire time. Please tell me where I am supposed to find time to write in that schedule?

I’m not complaining, no sir, I’m just making a point. Not everybody’s life lends itself to a regular writing routine. Mine certainly doesn’t.

So what is my point?

Well, I recently followed a short writing course, largely because it had a great module on plotting (guess who is trying to learn more about plotting vs pantsing?). But what it also had, was a section on time management.

My first thought was, ‘here we go again, I’ve heard it all before’.

But I hadn’t! This course introduced me to the POMODORO TECHNIQUE.

If you haven’t come across it yet, it is a time management approach developed in the late 1980s, and named after the Pomodoro kitchen timer.

The reason I found this so useful?

Because I have always felt that there was no point starting to write unless I had at least a clear hour available. Anything less than that seemed to me to be unproductive, and I hate to get started only to find I have to give up.

The nub of the Pomodoro technique, though, is that you work for exactly 25 minutes. Continue reading Here

 

 

And Hot of the Press!

My friend Carol Balawyder is releasing her brand new book, The Longest Nine Months – women’s fiction, Friday October 6th. In honor of the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, she is offering her book FREE Oct 6th thru 10th. Grab yourself a copy! I’ve read all of Carol’s books and loved every one of them. To see my reviews just put Carol’s name in the search bar at the top of my page.

The Longest Nine Months by Carol Balawyder

 

Get this book on Amazon!

 And a friendly reminder, I’ll be chatting with fellow writers and authors at 2pm EST today Friday October 6th on Facebook , AUTHORS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I hope to see you guys drop by and join in the convo, or just to say hello. Please don’t forget to click on the page event (below) and hit ‘like’ in order to enter the event.

 

Happy weekend! 🙂