Monday Joy!

I've been uber busy so my Monday Contest joy posts were practically non-existent for the month of July. You'll see what I mean by busy from my next post.

To business! Let's hit the Top 5!

5.) MSFV- Gear up for the Baker's Dozen! If you were not aware Authoress held the most amazing contest last year. 12 agents lined up to bid on selected unpublished works. The experience was worth it for the feedback that each submission received and for the tons of waiting to be signed author's searching for the ever elusive agent! Authoress is gearing up for the second issue of this awesome contest. For more details hit the link above and mark it on your calendar!

4.) Operation Awesome- Have you checked out Operation Awesome? This blog is hosted by a group of fantastic authors that specialize in YA. Besides providing great posts on writing and the wonders of,  they host Mystery Agent contests each month. Just another chance to get that log line or brilliant ready to go manuscript in front of the people who will get you published.
3.) The Season Midnight Dance Release Extravaganza!- Tomorrow, A Midnight Dance by Lila DiPasqua will be on book shelves everywhere. The Season Blog is celebrating by giving away 30 copies to lucky commenter's. I encourage everyone to stop by. The book is amazing and additionally visit Lila's blog as her husband is hosting a whirlwind release party with a special tomorrow as well.
2.) Good Housekeeping Contest- the 2011 contest is almost at the deadline. September 1st is the last day to submit. Contest is for 3,500 story based on a theme that reflects an aspect of women's lives today. This contest has a ton of rules listed and as always, I encourage those interested to read every single line. Winner gets potential publication and 3 grand.

1.) 3-Day Novel Contest- Ever write a novel in 3 days??? Would you try for the possibility of getting published? I'm not sure I would, but for some this could be the challenge you've been waiting for. The contest launches over Labor Day Weekend. This contest has been running for over 20 years, so it definitely has a seal of legitimacy in my opinion. Click on the link for more info.  P.S. Thanks to Nancy Berk for bringing this to my attention!

That's it for contests and blog joy! Off to count the purple sheep!

Contest Fun Monday

My top 5 picks for the week. It's been a while, I know. So, sue me! Better yet, don't sue me but bribe me with Dr. Pepper and books to read so I will post more.

5.) Janet Reid Writing Contest- Janet has one of these every so often and it's a fun test at flash fiction. Join in the fun if your brain can think that fast. My unfortunately cannot... this may be the reason I am not published.
Contest Ends: Monday 6/13 @ 7:13pm EST.
Prize: CLAIRE DEWITT AND THE CITY OF THE DEAD by Sara Gran.

4.) The Knight Agency Blog Freebie Friday's- Now this contest is a wiener... I mean winner! Okay I promise no more Weiner jokes. Just had to throw one in there. Anyhoo, every single cotton-pickin' Friday The Knight Agency gives away a book to a lucky commenter. So put this blog on your watch list, you never know what might be available or up for grabs.

3.) The Romance Biggest Loser Contest- Feel up to losing some poundage brought on by last holiday season but you haven't had the time to get crackin'. This is a six month endeavor but the rewards include interaction with published authors, agents, and others in the genre. Plus you could win moo-lah and free books. What's not to like. Check it out this deal rolls out right after the 4th of July.

Plenty of time for you to still enjoy funnel cakes, shortcakes with berries and mountains of whipped topping, or that decadent ice cream sundae you've had your eye on. Did I mention McD's has a limited time Rolo McFlurry out once again? Completely off topic I know, but you get a pic! 

2.) 2011 Hillerman Mystery Writing Short Story Contest- Offer up 2,500 words of tantalizing mystery and you could be a big winner. Magazine publication and $1000, and a trip to the awards ceremony. Of course I always advise discretion when thinking of entering a contest and this one comes with a $20 submission fee. I haven't had time to view all the details, but recommend if you check it out and see something fishy let me know.

1.) Spoil of War- Best Arthurian Novel Ever! I don't care if you disagree with me, I loved it! So I'm posting it as my number 1 contest. I contest to you all to pay the small fee of $1.00 to snag this jewel among self-published novels. The story is wonderful, amazing, and while I have yet to post my official review, I ate the thing up in under 24 hours. I don't want to spoil anything by posting more and you'll get to read my full review soon. Until then click the link and read the first chapter as a sampler. I'll tell you though it was worth the $1.00. You don't get deals like this every day.

Break Week

This week is going to be a doozy. That said, I will be taking a blog break for the week.

I am also extending the DABWAHA Rap contest for an additional week (deadline: Sunday 27th), just because (a) no one entered, and (b) you can't force genius in a few short days. I know that everyone was hard at work on their latest projects and ensuring that they got the vote out for their picks.

The winner of my other contest is Ludmeiser (Lora). If you would email me at landra.graf7@gmail.com and let me know which of the 3 books you would like as your prize.

See you all next Monday!

DABWAHA Rap

Starting messing around and next thing I know I am rapping about DABWAHA... old school.

So here ya go! To the tune of Ice Ice Baby

Yo, DABWAHA. Let's Kick it!

Alright stop collaborate and listen
DABWAHA is back with a new competition
Voting has begun finally
Try to do both, daily & nightly
Who's gonna win, I don't know.
Bribes are being posted, fo' sho
To the extreme Meljean's like a vandal.
Hoping for an upset of Last Night's Scandal
Tweet, in support of your favorite authors
Otherwise bribe folks with your coffers
Deadly, are the historical lovers
Don't be fooled even if they're mothers
Love it or like it just don't hate
You better just hope your not to late
If there's trash talk, yo I'll ignore it
Check out my blog while the DJ revolves it

DABWAHA-HA-HA
DABWAHA-HA-HA

2nd verse is still open for takers. Comment with a second verse, I will select one as the winner on Sunday March 21st. Grand Prize 1 book of your choice from the contestants of DABWAHA.

Also, just in case don't forget to vote! http://www.dabwaha.com/

Contest!!!

Email Excerpt is postponed for this week! Instead it's Contest Time!!!

The "I NEED LOVE" contest

The INL Grand Prize is one copy of either Delirium by Lauren Oliver, A Taste of Desire by Beverly Kendall, or Iron Duke from Meljean Brook. The title is the winner's choice.

INL Contest- To be eligible complete the steps.
1. Follow my blog or follow me on Twitter (@RiseoftheSlush).
2. Leave a comment and let me know where your following.
3. In the same comment tell me one book that I read in the month of February. *hint-this info is readily accessible.
4. Finally tell me what you would like to see on my blog to keep you coming back for more!

Contest Deadline: Sunday March 20th, 11:59 pm CST.

The winner will be randomly selected and posted on Monday March 21st.

Shake it and Bake it!

Writing Fun Stuff

Salute to another Monday. From now on this post is going to be my Top 5 countdown.

5. If you aren't following Miss Snark's First Victim blog creator Authoress on Twitter, I recommend you do so NOW! I know, a little demanding, but there is an EPIC contest taking place as I blog. If you have not visited her blog before I recommend highly that you do that as well.
The epic contest involves several smaller ones on Twitter at various times and the giveaways range from books to query critiques. A great opportunity for little to no work.

4. Chatterbox Chit Chat Lynnette Labelle also has a fun contest happening as I blog. The prize: a critique of the first 500 words of your manuscript or your query letter. Your choice. There is some basic instructions and it pays to follow them. Deadline for the contest is this coming Sunday March 13th, 2011.

3. Mer Bear from Fine Print has a new blog. She is offering up some great advice on blogging Do's and Don'ts. While this may not exactly fall under every one's 'Fun' category, learning how to successfully traverse the crazy world of online social media can be rewarding.

2. Like Jewelry??? Author Pal Chad Johnston has a fun giveaway on his blog. 
He's giving away earrings for some heartfelt comments. Not a book mind you, but pretty sparklies to dangle from your lobes. Plus, Chad is funny and his stories are comical. Take a peek.

Finally...1. All I can say is Terribleminds. This blog is fun and Chuck Wendig could make anyone fall out of their chair laughing. Disclaimer: This blog may not be appropriate for those under 18, that may be pregnant, have heart conditions, or intake large amounts of anti-depressants. Other that you are free to laugh your ends off.

Writing Fun Stuff

-Authoress got us going with a little Drop the Needle Critique submission. Unfortunately this post comes after submissions have already been taken but have no fear! It is March and if you haven't visited Authoress' blog yet then you may want to as the Secret Agent Contest for March is looming around the corner. No details yet but it would behoove those interested to check out the blog.

-As it is March, I should remind everyone that the PenTales Revolt contest deadline is circling like a vulture keen on catching dinner. The 7th is the cut off date and if you want to be learn more click the pic.



- Finally the BIGGEST NEWS of the Day: I am on Twitter. Whoot! Thanks to the persistent posts by Janet Reid, Mer-Bear and others about the effectiveness of social media I took the final step and established a Twitter account. *my jaw hangs in shock and awe.

Great pleasure also allows me to say that I have more followers on Twitter then I do on this blog LOL!

Fun times, great candy, and purple sheep.... 'til tomorrow

Revolt!!! (Contest alert)

Okay this is a little late in the game... but I thought it would be good to post an upcoming contest, and mention a couple of other fun things.

Contest: REVOLT!

All this talk about fellow members of the human race protesting their leaders in Northern African and the Middle East makes this contest a must enter for those who have their brains on the topic. The deadline is March 15th, and the reward is nice too. Click the title above to head to the infodump.

Plus, Lynette Labelle @chatterbox chitchat has a great blog on creating tension in a single character scene.

If you are still looking for fun stuff to do you can check out the Romance Bandits . Just about every day these lovely group of heart stealer's give away goodies (books and other swag) to lucky commenter's on the blog posts. You learn so much about good reads coming up in the romance category (all genres). Not to mention the ladies are just good ol' fun.



Submission Day!

Well, deadline day is here. The final day to submit to Phoenix's 'Extinct Doesn't Mean Forever Anthology'. I am proud to say that I got my submission done in time.
I submitted, and now have pins and needles rolling through my stomach as I wait.

Good luck to everyone else out there who submitted too. For those still toiling away, I hope you get your submission done before the stroke of midnight. Hey, if Cinderella caught her prince in the same amount of time then anything's possible.

For now I am off to Helium this evening to rate a few articles.

Catch ya on the flipside!

Countdown is on!

Yes, that's right! "It's the Final Countdown!" (da da da... da da da da), and you all know that I am humming the music outloud.
Only two weeks to finish polishing my submission to Phoenix's "Extinct Doesn't Mean Forever" Anthology.
See the details here: http://phoenixsullivan.blogspot.com/p/extinct-call-for-submissions.html
The deadline is Jan. 31st and I have been toiling away for the last couple of months getting my submission written, edited, and polished. While I am trying very hard to submit days before the deaded submission closing, I fear that I will end up coming in at the last second.

For those who have already submitted I wish you luck. For those, like me, still challenging themselves to get their work in before end of the month I salute you!

Just submitted to a great contest

To writers everywhere:

I just submitted to a great contest, Fairest of them all .

I really enjoy it when other's with experience take the time to mentor and share their knowledge with those who may not be at the head of the pack. It is refreshing to really get in the spirit of competition as well and I only hope that my entry is worthy of being chosen.

So, to all who need a little query buffing, similar to bikini waxing--but much more painful, click the link above and check out Lynnette Labelle's blog. She is offering up 4 detailed query critiques for a little bit of work on the author's part. Deadline submission is Friday, Nov. 12th.