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This is a really good opportunity to get your manuscript looked at by a publisher. I only just found this!
The Blog by Heather Howland I found the details about these two competition on Health Howland's blog. You can read more at: http://www.heatherhowland.com/site/2010/09/two-big-publishers-open-to-general-ya-subs/#comment-228 Penguin PublishingFull details can be found on http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/aboutus/index.html#question11Usually their company policy is to not accept unsolicited manuscripts or synopses. However, for a limited three-month period from the beginning of August until the end of October 2010, they are inviting submissions to be sent in electronically to the following address: [email protected]. They don't want you to send in your manuscript but you should send them your covering note (Query letter) and synopsis in the body of the email - NO ATTACHMENTS! Dorchester Publishing
Full details can be found on http://romanticreading.net/2010/09/12/what-im-looking-for-in-ya/Editor Leah Hultenschmidt is looking for YA manuscripts and wants them fast. She's looking for manuscrips with a word count of 60,000-90,000. It can be any setting and genre so long as its aimed at older teens and has a strong crossover potential to the adult market. She wants you to email her word documents as individual attachements for your send a synopsis and manuscript. She wants the manuscript because if you synopsis is good she wants to read the manuscript right away - no waiting. Good luck to everyone that goes for this. I'm gonna do a final proof of my manuscript before sending in my manuscript and work on my synopsis.
Mills & Boons are holding a competition which is free to enter. All you need to do is upload the first chapter of your romance novel by the deadline 22 September 2010. You will need to choose a category for your writing; contemporary, historical, passion, suspence, warm & cosy or paranormal romance. People can read an rate your entry.
I've entered the New Voice competition with 'Instinct'. It is listed under the paranormal romance category. If you could read and rate it then that would be really apprenticated: http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/
I doubt I'll win as its more an ubran fantasy than a paranormal romance but I'm hoping that it might be a refreshing change for the readers voting - you never know. You got to be in it to win it!
If you've entered too, let me know and I'll read and rate your writing too.
The last few days have involved some critical thinking about my writing.
It all started with a visit to my mum’s house on Wednesday evening. Mum isn’t convinced I have really moved out as I’ve left a few bits behind. In mum’s opinion these things are more than 'just a few bits'. Every time I visit, she's anxious for me to review the contents of my old bedroom and move out for good. She threatens that if I don't these things I've left behind will end up in a charity shop... one day. Usually, she convinces me to take away an item or two and I promise to return another day to collect the rest. This routine has been going on for around three years.
During my recent visit the items I took home with me were some Halloween spiders, a book and some software on writing. The book is really good, I can’t believe I left it behind but the Write Your Own Novel software was never much use. The 38 Most common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickman is a real eye opener. The book force feeds you the home truths about the difficulties of getting published. The book reminded me of my original goals to write at least 1,000 words a day or edit a chapter. I’ve just finished editing Drift and it has been so difficult. I could have done it quicker if I had been stricter with myself and set targets. Personally, I hate editing and since finishing it I’ve almost destroyed my will to write as I’ve now become obsessed with picking holes in my work. The software on the other hand is dated but viewing the blurb on the back of the DVD case, I can see that although the software never seemed to be very useful, it does in fact have some good ideas for getting organising.
Then on Thursday, after a long difficult day at work, I returned home to an email rejecting my novel. I’ve received rejections before but this one was different. This rejection was from an agent who had shown an interest and requested more. In addition, this agent was one of my favourites and the idea they were interested filled me with hope. Now, I'm just heartbroken. I tried to be brave but when I went to bed my dreams had gone and I suffered horrible nightmares that woke me from my sleep in tears. Robbed is an understatment, the feeling was closer to mugged. Now in a position to write the sequel I find myself unable to face my characters. I feel that I’ve let them down. It’s ridiculous I know but to me they are very real; they are my creations; I gave them life.
Today, I went to Felixstowe Library to hear a reading by published writer Ruth Dugdall about her journey to publication and part of her recent novel The Woman Before Me. It was exactly what I needed to hear. She has had highs and lows and although she has done well and got books published, she has also had some long waits and disappointments along the way. For her the competitions she entered really helped her to get recognition and she recommended this to everyone who came listen. When I got home I googled the competitions she recommended and noted down the closing dates. I also found some others and noted them down too.
Since getting home I’ve started organising myself and it’s really helped. I feel refreshed now and more focussed. In addition, with the MS Office (enterprise) software I currently have installed on my PC, I could easily use implement some of those good ideas from the writing software and some of them I’ve already been doing. Here’s how: · MS One Note - I have been using the new MS One Note to keep track of my characters in my stories. There is an overview tab about the whole story such as town, school relationships between characters. Then there is the character tab. The characters tab is split into section such: - Appearance – what does the character look like, how old they, etc
- Details – important information about their history or interests. Details that build them as a person.
- Involvement – how they are involved in the story or will be in the future.
- Snippets – cuts from the story that are particularly important.
- Diary – for crucial characters I’ve written brief diary entries to keep track of what’s going on especially in situation that overlap with other characters
· MS Excel – I’ve create a timeline word count spreadsheet. - timeline – to make sure that event happen in a timely manner and that overlapping events are accurate
- word count – to keep track of words for a chapter, a MC and the total
· MS word – Obviously my Manuscript is written in word. I’ve also used it for noting down ideas. - Manuscript – front sheet with name, contract details, book title; formatted 12pt, Times New Roman, double spacing; footer with word count, title, surname, page numbers.
- Query letter – to enquire whether an agent is interested in giving me a chance.
- Synopsis – an outline of everything that happens from start to finish (was very hard to write on just one page)
- Plot – ideas for plot have been jotted down
- Species – development of the species was started in MS Word but since been moved to One Note
- Re-writes – temporary documents are kept with details of areas I need to go back to an re-write.
· MS Access – Created a database to keep track of submissions - Novels – table of manuscripts and version and word count details and date finished.
- Agencies – name of company, address details and submission details
- Agent – name of person and links to an agency
- Submission – links to novel, agent and records date submitted and date responded
· MS Outlook – Currently it lists my tasks and events but I still haven't manged to link it to my hotmail. - Tasks – details upcoming competitions, their deadlines, how to submit and requirements.
- Calendar – details about writing events that I plan to attend, where and when.
Writing a story is a huge process. I’ve done well finishing my first manuscript and I think I will seriously consider letting an editor give it a final look over before querying any more. I shall also work on Wipeout and shall again set myself the 1,000 words a day challenge. I also need to remember how lucky I am to have such a supportive partner and I’ve also made a lot of writing friends who are really helpful. At the end of the Month I shall be reading at Sue’s Private Writers Group. The start of next month I shall be attending Maureen Blundell’s workshops and receive a one-on-one editorial review of 2,000 words.
The most important thing of all is never to lose faith in my dream. Even if this hard work amounts to nothing, I need to know I tried my very best and gave it my all. Otherwise, all my hardwork before was for nothing. I can't ever give up!
I have been exploring the new AQ forums. The main issue I have is with every 'introduce yourself' post where I am required to state the genre of my novels.
This shouldn't be a difficult thing. Surely, I started writing my story with a target audience? Well, I did... sort of. Drift is aimed at young adults and has a romantic story line with supernatural elements. I turned to my trusty search engine to help me define my genres and ended up on wikipedia.
The following definitions were taken from www.wikipedia.co.uk today (it is a constantly changing encylopedia):
Paranormal RomanceParanormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror.
Well Drift matches this genre very well. The main focus of the story is the romance but there are also the shapeshifters and storm summoning which I think is fantasy.
Fantasy RomanceRomantic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction, describing a fantasy story using many of the elements and conventions of the romance genre.
This sounds very similar to paranormal romance to me except that is defined as being fantasy only (no science fiction). However, fantasy stories tend to be set in another time or world so I'm guessing if thats the case then Drift doesn't quite fit this genre.
Urban FantasyA subgenre of Fantasy; the action takes place in this world at this time, with no change in Earth's history, but rather in its dynamics (ie, physics: usually magic is possible). Another area most often under the influence of secular paganism
Drift is based in the present time and has made no change on earth's history other than the fact that there are now types of shapreshifters and magic users under the guise of paganism. Therefore this seems a good description of Drift and could possibly be its genre. Young Adult fiction
Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA) is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 14 to 21The main character is fourteen year old Fern. She has the usual problems that most teenage girls face and her love dilemas. I plan a few more books for the series so its good to know I can take Fern all the way to her 21st birthday. I did wonder if it could be a 'supernatural' romance but I can't find a definition for that but there are book lists of similar stories to drift with unnatural creatures and beings in the present world like vampires and shapeshifters. The Collins and Oxford dictionaries define supernatual as being a manifestation or event that cannot be explained by science such as ghosts.
As you can see the genres are not all that clear and Drift fits into more than one type. The problem is so many forums stress the important of knowing your stories genre and almost ridicule you for not knowing. They ask 'How can you write a story without knowing your target audience?' But, I do know my audience; my audience is typically young adults, particular girls who enjoys a romance story and anyone who love superpowers and wants to escape everyday life. so for now Drift's genre is a Young Adult Paranormal Urban Fantasy Romance until it all becomes more clear to m
Yesterday I worked from 4:45am Sunday to 1:30am Monday (very long working day). Luckily, as a result of this, I've been given the day off today. It's lucky because, if I hadn't got the time off, I may not have had time to switch my AQ account. The message I recieved from my AQ group says that AQ is moving to a knew software forum so eveyone needs to go to the new site and create a new account. They are informing everyone through the groups. I am a member of the Fantasy, Science-Fiction, and YA Resource Networking. I recieved my first message from Clipper and found further instructions in a post by a member called AQCrew. Bascisally, all you have to do is: - Fisit the the new site is at: http://agentqueryconnect.com/
- Create a new account. Once done it will send a verification email to the email address you entered.
- Check you emails and click the link at the end (to verify you details). This will open the forum and automatically log you in.
- Then search for a post called 'Quickie Highlights' (which will detail these instructions in more details)
- Once logged in, in the top right hand corner is your profile icon and name. Your profile name (mine is 'Redfae') is a drop down menu.
- You can select from the drop-down any of the following profile options:
- My Profile
- My Settings
- My Content
- Messenger
- Manage Friends
- Manage Ignored Users
- Click 'My Settings' to edit your profile. Adjust your settings as you wish but the most important one to edit is your profile:
- My Settings
- Forums
- Profile-->Literary status, location, interests, change photo, about me
- Chat
- Blog
- File
The quickest way to create your profile is to copy and paste what you had written for your previous AQ account. However, I would recommend reading it as you may find that things have changed.
The main changes I found is that you can enter your Twitter account into your profile details and a link to your blog.
Going to get on with updating my new account as my internet appears to be running slow. Good luck with updating your account.
They are looking to move everyone ideally by 6 September 2010. On the 10 September 2010 the old AQ Connect will be gone so if theres any information on there you need you must save it now!
Also, over the next few weeks they will be
Apparently Authonomy has been around now for 2 years - isn't it amazing how fast they grow up ;)
A lot of people have left the website due to the unfavourable rating systems. Currently, if you like someone you can watch the book or add it to your shelf. The author only goes points if their book has featured on their shelf. This causes the following problems: - Shelf for Shelf trading i.e. an I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine culture. Some people are only shelfing titles to pay someone back for shelfing theres. It's nice and friendly but it doesn't prove the title is actually any good.
- Spam. Some people send loads of people messages saying 'read my book' rather than letting the book talk for itself. If the title and blurb is a good pitch, then people will read it and respond naturally.
- Popularity contest. This when someone knows lots of people and gets everyone to log on and vote for them. There book sits in solitary on a shelf and most people who backed it haven't even read it.
Authonomy promise to make some changes to fix the above. They are going to amend the rating system. I'm not sure how this will help. I think they are going to make rules about how often you can update your shelf. We'll just have to see.... To celebrate, Authonomy is going to offer prizes to their loyal supporters each week. To be in with a chance you have to log in each month. Winners get drawn each week and will win: - one-to-one time with a HarperCollins editor
- free ticket to an authonomy workshop
- a collection of some of the books to have been discovered on authonomy so far - by HarperCollins and others
The prize sounds very exciting so I logged myself. At the moment the site is unchanged but if I notice anything different, I'll let you know.
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