Thursday, November 27, 2008

Gobble, Gobble...

Wow, can you believe it? Already turkey day and ~gulp~ only about a month til Christmas! It boggles the mind. Heck, I still feel like yesterday was 4th of July~wishful thinking or brain freeze~

So on this day to be thankful, number one on my list would have to be...

~~I'm thankful I'm not a turkey~~


New Thanksgiving Graphics Top Graphics


j/k...kinda


Myspace Thanksgiving Graphics - More Thanksgiving Images

No, I'm thankful for all my blessings, definitely. Family, friends and good health to one and all.
So, what are y'all thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy all that yummy turkey if that's your thing, if not, rock on the side dishes!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Guess what? It's that time of year again....


Yep, it's time for the Passionate Plume and Stroke of Midnight contests at Passionate Ink. So pull out all those hot, passionate stories and send one in...I know you want too. ;-)
We're open for entries in our two erotic romance contests--for published and unpublished manuscripts. The only all-erotic contest in RWA.Full contest information can be found here: http://www.passionateink.org/contests
Here are the details!
Passionate Ink's Fourth Annual
THE PASSIONATE PLUME CONTEST FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS
Deadline: 2/7/09
The only published, all erotic romance award in RWA!Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:
Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.
Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a historical setting.
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi -novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.
Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.
Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length.
Novellas are considered 10,000 to 25,000 words. All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries–and any entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people, straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.
Judging and Prizes:
First Round: Will be judged by readers, writers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians.
Final Round: Five finalists will be judged by multi-published authors and reviewers. The decisions of judges are final. Winners will be announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at RWA National in Washington DC. First place winners will receive a Passionate Ink pendant and an award graphic for their website. All others will receive certificates and a finalist graphic for their website. Results will be listed in Passionate Ink’s newsletter, on the website, as well as have their names published in the ROMANCE WRITER’S REPORT.
Rules for EntryEligibility:
1. Contest is open to all published authors (25,000 word min. to be considerated “published” for all categories except Novella, which allows authors published in shorter works of 10,000 words or more) in the erotic romance sub-genre with any erotic romance publisher (regardless of RWA non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher status).
2. All entries must possess a first copyright date or first North American printing date of 2008.
Entry Deadline and Mailing: Mail print entries and materials to:
Passionate InkPassionate Plume Contestc/o Karen Steele
1304 Forest Marsh Dr
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Email ebook entries and entry form to pp4@passionateink.org.
Must be in .pdf format. Official Publisher-released digital versions of print books in .pdf are acceptable. Otherwise, print book submissions must be snail mailed in quantities of four books per entry.
1. All entries must be received by February 7, 2009. Any that arrive after this date will be disqualified and returned unopened.
2. It is the author’s responsibility to enter the book in the correct category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to submission.
3. One novel cannot be entered in multiple categories, but multiple novels (up to three per category) are welcome if accompanied by the proper paperwork and full entry fee.
4. There must be a minimum of five entries or the category will be canceled. If the minimum number of entries is not attained, entrants will be notified. The entrant will be asked to provide a second choice of categories. If the entrant does not wish to place the entry in another category, the entry and associated fees will be returned.
5. If you are submitting a print book, feel free to sign your books. Remember, you must send four copies of the print book.
6. Failure to comply with the rules will result in disqualification.
7. Decisions of the Contest Coordinator are final.
Entry Fees: Passionate Ink members: $15 Others: $25 Email payments via PayPal to: Treasurer@passionateink.org or mail payments to:
Passionate InkPassionate Plumec/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
Make checks payable to: Passionate Ink ** A returned check fee of $7 will be charged for an NSF check****Be sure to write Passionate Plume and the title of your entry in someplace (such as the Memo field on a check, or the Other or Messages field in Paypal) so we can match your payment with your entry.**
1. Entry fees must be received prior to the entry deadline.
2. Include your name in the subject line and the titles of your entry(ies) in the Paypal comments box.
Email questions to Karen at pp4@passionateink.org. Entry if via email - Entry form to be copied into your email can be found at Passionate Plume Entry Form
**If you have any problems or questions, email Karen at pp4@passionateink.org
AND
Passionate Ink's Fourth Annual
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT CONTEST
Deadline: Deadline: 2/7/09**Remember The Stroke of Midnight is a contest for unpublished erotic manuscripts. BOTH PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS MAY ENTER. However, if published, this must be a new genre for the author (For example, if the author has published in paranormal erotic romance, she can enter in one of the other categories)
**Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:
Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.
Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developingromantic relationship in a historical setting.
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.
Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.
Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting.
1. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length. Novellas are considered 10,000 to 25,000 words.
2. All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries–and any entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people, straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.
Judging and Prizes:
First Round : Preliminary-round judging will be completed by three qualified judges - Passionate Ink and other RWA members experienced in critiquing and/or published authors familiar with our genre. All scores will be added and averaged to determine the entrant’s ranking. Every attempt will be made to provide entrants with detailed score sheets and judges’ comments from this preliminary round. Top five entries in each category will move to final round.
Final Round : The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by the following industry professionals:
Contemporary: Adam Neville, Black LaceHistorical: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Peter Senftleben, Kensington Aphrodisia
Paranormal/Time Travel: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary Agency
Novella: Tracy Bernstein, NAL Heat
First place winners in each category will receive a free one year membership in Passionate Ink ($25 value), a certificate, and an award graphic for their website. (Writing teams will split the membership.) All other finalists will receive certificates and and a finalist graphic for their website. All entries will be returned after finalists are determined and statistical information is complete. Winners will be announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at the Romance Writers’ of America National Conference in Washington DC. Results will be listed on the Passionate Ink website and in the chapter’s newsletter.
The decisions of judges are final.
Rules for Entry Eligibility:
Contest is open to all authors with unpublished, uncontracted full-length erotic romance manuscripts (at least 10,000 words) in the category they wish to enter.
Entry Deadline and Mailing:Deadline for entry is February 7, 2009. All materials must be received by then.
Three easy steps to enter!
1 - Email all information from the entry form to som4@passionateink.org with the title "SOM Entry". All entries will be confirmed.
2 - Attach your entry to your email in RTF or a Word 2003 compatible format.
3 - Send your entry fee, either via Paypal to Treasurer@passionateink.org or by check to
Passionate InkStroke of Midnight Contestc/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
1. Entry form and payment must be received by the Contest Coordinator by February 7, 2009. Any entries received without corresponding entry form and fee by the deadline will be disqualified.
2. Submit entries (or questions) via email to SOM4@passionateink.org. It is the author’s responsibility to enter the manuscript in the correct category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to submission.
3. Entrants may enter as many categories as they wish with DIFFERENT submissions, but cannot enter the same manuscript in two categories. Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee and Entry form.
4. There is a minimum requirement of 10 entries per category. If a category does not receive a sufficient number of submissions to make the category viable, the category will be canceled. The entrant will be asked to provide a second choice of categories. If the entrant does not wish to place the entry in another category, the entry and associated fees will be returned.
Entry Fees:Passionate Ink members: $15Others: $25Email payments via PayPal to: Treasurer@passionateink.orgor mail payments to:
Passionate InkStroke of Midnight Contestc/o Robin L. Rotham
PO Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701
Make checks payable to: Passionate Ink ** A returned check fee of $7 will be charged for an NSF check****Be sure to write Stroke of Midnight and the title of your entry in someplace (such as the Memo field on a check, or the Other or Messages field in Paypal) so we can match your payment with your entry.**
1. Entry fees must be received prior to the entry deadline.
2. Include your name in the subject line and the titles of your entry(ies) in the Paypal comments box.
Entry Format:
1. All entries must be electronic in RTF or a Word 2003 compatible format.
2. Send a maximum of the first 35 pages of your manuscript, 20 pages for novella entries.
3. Entries must be in proper manuscript format: One sided, double-spaced with one inch margins all around, size 12 font (like Times New Roman or Courier) is recommended.
4. On the first page only, title and category on top left; page number on top right. Subsequent pages should include only title and page number.
5. Name of author should not appear anywhere on manuscript; the entry will be disqualified if name is on submission.
6. A synopsis of up to 5 single-spaced pages (which will not be judged) must also be included. No cover page is necessary.
Email questions to Mia and Felicia at som4@passionateink.org.
**If you have any problems or questions, email som4@passionateink.org

Friday, November 14, 2008

Whew...this is hard!

So here I am at Fri-5 days into Sven and it is hard! LOL

I'm plugging along, but I'm behind in my goal of no less than 1000 words a day. I am however continuing to work at it and I'm writing everyday so the way I figure it I have conquered one of my hurdles.

Now on to increasing those words....

Have a good one.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Sweating with Sven

Hi again, I'm dropping by to let everyone know I've decided to let Sven "pump me up!" hehe

Whose Sven you ask? Well, check him out here. Sven Upper right hand corner, isn't he delish?

Anyhow, this is the first time I've taken part in the Sweating with Sven writing challenge, but I'm hoping it is just the thing to push me to finish the initial drafts of the two remaining novellas for my secret series anthology. My goal is to hit 30k for each story in the 70 days of the challenge. Break that down and I'm looking at 900-1000 words a day.

Doable? Yes. I sure hope so. What the heck have I done!?!

I'm guessing those three statements will be falling out of my mouth quite often in the next 70 days, along with some more colorful ones, but that's OK, if they are it means I'm at the computer working rather then goofing off somewhere else. LOL

Wish me luck, I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. For my fellow authors not signed up for the challenge,

Do you have what it takes to Sweat with Sven?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Holy Cow...I did it!

Yep, you read that right, I did it!



~~Did it, did it, diiiid iiit! Nanny, Nanny, Whoo Hoo~~


Now I bet you'd like to know what exactly I did? Well, I finally finished, edited, and polished my first Novella. Woot!


I have been so surprised by the actual time that's involved in taking an idea from start to finish. Writing, editing, rewriting, re-editing, CP review, re-reedit then finally polish 1, 2 and 3. Whew....


To be honest, some of the above will be carved out with more practice(I hope), but each and every part is so important. When I looked at my story right after I finished the initial draft, heck even the story post first edit, and then the final version, well the differences are extreme. The first story is a pale version of the final, that's for sure.


So what's next? Well, pull together everything I need for the publisher I chose to send it to, then get it out the door. Fingers cross for me everyone.


Have a great weekend!