Romance Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing

Direct all queries to: Queries (at) BlackLyonPublishing (dot) com. We prefer email, but will accept snail mail queries. No unrequested manuscripts or other file attachments please. We delete them. And please, no multiple submissions.

Your email should contain your name, manuscript title, type of novel, word count, a 1-2 paragraph blurb similar to what you might imagine the back cover of your book to read, and the first three paragraphs of your finished manuscript. (No formal synopses please. We hate reading them as much as you hate writing them!)

Response time: 10-12 weeks. Full-length novel guidelines are below. We read and respond to all queries, whether you have an agent or not, whether you are previously published or not.

BLACK LYON CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:

There's nothing like a good romance novel with attractive characters, and we don't just mean physically. Heroes and heroines in Black Lyon contemporary romance novels have personality and depth of character. Heroines can come from all walks of life and have all sorts of interests. Settings should preferably be in America. Rural or urban - it doesn't matter. Traditional contemporary heroes such as businessmen and cowboys are welcome in our contemporaries, as are most other heroes. We accept fictional rockstar or moviestar heroes if the character does not demonstrate the lifestyle often associated with those professions. Sexual tension is vital, but we do enjoy sweet romances in the contemporary line. Manuscripts should not contain swearing beyond "damn" or "hell." Happy endings are mandatory. Manuscripts containing infidelity, abuse, addiction or similar behavior on the part of the two main characters will be rejected. Stories should be written in third-person and above all, be romantic. Readers should remember that feeling of falling in love simply by reading one of these books. 45,000 - 60,000 words.

BLACK LYON PARANORMAL ROMANCE:

Black Lyon paranormal romance heroes and heroines have elements in their personalities that set them apart from everyday people while still being firmly grounded in modern society. These paranormals should have a dark, sensuously gothic feel in addition to the romance element. Immortals, vampires, werewolves, mermaids, twisted fairy tales, Roman gods - whatever tickles your fancy as long as the characters are darkly creative and seductive. These are not sweet romances. Steamy sexuality is acceptable for this line, but keep in mind that this is not erotica, either. Happy endings are mandatory. Settings can be anywhere in the world - in exotic locales or in the characters' own backyards. Manuscripts containing infidelity, abuse, addiction or other offensive behavior on the part of the two main characters will be rejected. Stories should be written in third-person and above all, be romantic. Series ideas welcome. 60,000 - 80,000 words.

BLACK LYON HISTORICAL ROMANCE:

Unique heroes, but also standard heroes such as nobility or pirates work well in our historicals. Heroines should be bright and independent, yet believable given the time period. Settings include England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, though other exotic settings are definitely encouraged if well done. While settings in the 1000-1600 AD range are preferred, other timeframes are also accepted. Sexuality should be appropriate to the storyline. Happy endings are mandatory. Manuscripts containing infidelity, abuse, addiction or other offensive behavior on the part of the two main characters will be rejected. Stories should be written in third-person and above all, be romantic. 65,000 - 85,000 words.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: Queries (at) BlackLyonPublishing (dot) com

For submissions: Queries (at) BlackLyonPublishing (dot) com

Website: http://www.blacklyonpublishing.com

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Call for Romance Manuscripts: Evernight Publishing

We're looking for new and established authors to join Evernight Publishing.

We are not a vanity publisher. You never pay to have your book published with us. Upon final acceptance, your book will be edited, assigned an ISBN, and one of our cover artists will create an eye-catching cover. It will be available for sale through our site and also sold at many distributors.

Books that meet word count and sales requirements, either alone or in an anthology, will also be considered for POD publication through our Print Store.

Authors earn 45% gross royalties from sales off our website and 45% net royalties from our distributors. Anthology authors earn 50% gross royalties from sales off our website and 50% net royalties from our distributors.We are currently accepting completed manuscripts of 15,000 to 100,000 words in sub-genres of romance and erotic romance, as well as urban fantasy.

Your book should be thoroughly edited before submitting. No head-hopping. We want to see books that have well developed plots, strong conflicts, memorable characters and dialogue.

NO pedophilia, bestiality, incest, infidelity, rape as titillation, necrophilia, and no depraved or illegal acts. No books from a series started elsewhere or previously published books. We are not currently seeking any sweet romance. Authors must be over 18 years of age.

All sub-genres of romance need to have a HEA or HFN ending.

Formatting:

• Word Document
• 1 inch margins
• 12 pt. Times New Roman Font
• Double Spaced

To Submit:

Send a query letter with your name, pen name (if applicable), working title, word count, genre and any previous writing credits to: evernightsubmissions@gmail.com Please add "SUBMISSION" to the subject field.

Attach a one page synopsis and the complete manuscript in a Word document.

We will make a decision on your submission within three weeks.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: evernightsubmissions@gmail.com

For submissions: evernightsubmissions@gmail.com

Website: http://www.evernightpublishing.com

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Call for applications: 4th FEMWRITE regional women writers' residence (Africa)

Deadline: 30 April 2012

Uganda Women Writers Association (FEMRITE) calls for submissions for her 4th Regional Women Writers Residence to be held in November 2012. This is an inspiring initiative that brings together upcoming African women writers. The main objectives of the residency are:

• To bring established writers to mentor upcoming African women writers
• To give upcoming Ugandan women writers the opportunity to interact with women writers from the continent
• To give African women writers conducive space and time pursue their writing projects
• To create opportunities for inter-cultural discourse among women writers
• To strengthen collaboration among women writers’ initiatives in Africa
• To generate short stories for publication in an anthology

At the end of the residence, we expect the writers to have:

• had mentoring sessions with an established writer
• improved at least one of their writing projects
• enriched each other’s manuscripts through discussion
• submitted their improved short story for the residency anthology

How to apply

Interested women are required to submit;

• Part of a novel / short Story collection in WORD document (40 pages, typed in Times New Roman, font 12, 1.5 spacing).
• A short story for publication in the residency anthology
• A brief bio (not more than 10 lines)

This call is open to African women living on the continent. Writers already attached to writers groups in their countries are encouraged to apply.

Please Note:

1. All applicants will receive notification by email once their manuscripts are received.
2. The Residency targets 15 writers
3. The Residency will last two weeks in November 2012
4. Successful applicants will be notified by 30th August 2012.
5. Successful published applicants will be kindly requested to donate copies of their works to the FEMRITE Resource Centre
6. Applicants should not have published more than one book.
7. FEMRITE will solicit support to meet costs of travel, accommodation, & meals.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@femriteug.org

For submissions: info@femriteug.org

Website: http://www.femriteug.org/

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Free Workshop: Write Away Creative Writing Workshop with Judith Shalkowski (Leeds, UK)

Deadline: 22 August 2011

Judith received an Arts Council England Award in 2009 to restructure her novel, Finding Sophia, with the Gold Dust Programme. As part of her award, she is offering a free creative writing workshop. If you are interested in writing creatively, capturing personal experiences or family history, or as a basis for novel writing, book onto this free workshop. Booking required, as places
are limited to 50.

• Individual and shared writing exercises
• Excerpts read from the writer’s novel, Finding Sophia
• Light refreshments provided

Call 0113 247 6016 to book your place and avoid disappointment.

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: Leeds Central Library, Calverley Street, LS1 3AB, Leeds

Contact Information:

For inquiries: call 0113 247 6016

Website: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries.aspx

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Call for Children's Book Manuscripts: Lady Bug Publishing

Deadline: 1 September 2011

Lady Bug Publishing is an eMedia publishing company in its infancy. Currently LBP plans to launch its website by October 2011 and is seeking manuscripts from previously unpublished authors for publication on the website. Authors are paid commission on each book sold (see Compensation for details). This freelance opportunity can lead to future ventures for dedicated writers who can produce quality works within deadline specifications.

If chosen for publication by LBP, authors will be required to sign a legally binding Publisher-Author agreement for each book to include confidentiality, deadline, and compensation specifications. Writers are responsible for the copyright of their works. However, copyright is not required for eMedia publication.

To have a manuscript considered for publication:

• Submit manuscripts via Email to: LadyBugPublishing@verizon.net
• Subject Line: Writer Submission
• Email should include: Title of Manuscript
• Manuscript type (ie. Children's book, Novel, Graphic Novel,
• Short story, poetry, etc.
• Author's Name, Phone Number and Mailing address
• Deadline to be featured in website launch: September 1, 2011
• Deadline for subsequent submissions: 1st of each month

AUTHOR shall prepare the following, to the satisfaction of the PUBLISHER:

• Manuscripts in Arial, Georgia, or Tahoma font in MS Word or MS Works format. Manuscripts should be edited and checked for spelling errors PRIOR to submission.
• All illustrations in digital format (jpeg or pdf) at no less than 300dpi.

COMPENSATION: As AUTHOR's sole compensation herein, AUTHOR shall be paid, minimum royalties of 75% for each eBook sold on PUBLISHER's website and 50% for each eBook sold on subsequent websites unless otherwise specified by said websites as outlined in Publisher - Author agreement. AUTHOR will be paid quarterly or with each $100 profit unless otherwise specified by subsequent eBook websites. PUBLISHER shall render payment via PayPal. AUTHOR shall receive one watermarked copy of published manuscript in each form as specified in the contract. No further compensation shall be due.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: LadyBugPublishing@verizon.net

For submissions: LadyBugPublishing@verizon.net

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Barefoot Books and the Women’s Well Present: Special Summer Goddesses Writing Workshop for Girls (MA)

Dates: 28 July and 11 August 2011 (1-4pm)

This half-day workshop will be led by the Barefoot Books author of such titles as Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic, Grandmother’s Stories, and The Lady of Ten Thousand Names: Goddess Stories from Many Cultures. Young writers are encouraged to have fun and be creative as this award-winning writer leads them through a series of exercises designed to call forth their inner-writing goddess! Co-sponsored with the Women’s Well. For girls ages 8 to12. $30 each. A minimum of 10 girls required to offer this workshop (offered again in early August for those unavailable in July). Pre-registration required.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: call the Barefoot Books Studio at 978-369-1770

Website: http://www.barefootbooks.com

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Actively Acquiring Romance Fiction: Sourcebooks Casablanca

We are actively acquiring single-title and single-title series Romance fiction (90,000 to 120,000 actual digital words) for our Casablanca imprint. We are looking for strong writers who are excited about marketing their books and building their community of readers, and whose books have something fresh to offer in the genre of Romance.

Quick Reference

* 90-120,000 words (actual digital)
* single title or single title series only
* we consider all subgenres
* we prefer email submissions in WORD
* always include a synopsis (including the ending)
* if you have a track record, please include your sales history (# of books sold to readers especially)
* what do you envision as your career arc?
* email submissions will be confirmed received within 21 days; no follow-up please (except agents)
* allow 8-12 weeks for response

Complete Guidelines

Our criteria:

* a heroine the reader can relate to
* a hero she can fall in love with
* a world gets created
* a "hook" that allows us to sell the book in 2-3 sentences
* the author has a career arc

We consider agented as well as unagented submissions in all subgenres of Romance fiction, including:

* paranormal
* suspense
* contemporary
* erotic romance
* historical (prior to 1900 only)

Queries should be emailed in a WORD file (agents may telephone) and should include:

* full author or agent contact info (name, address, phone number, email
address) on every document
* brief bio of author including previous books published (including under pseudonyms), sales history (number of books sold to readers, not to publishers), awards and contest won
* title and word count of proposed book
* short (2-3 paragraph) synopsis
* a paragraph or two on further books planned in the series or otherwise
* author's vision for their career arc

Submissions can be sent via mail or email WORD file (email is preferred) and should include:

* full author or agent contact info (name, address, phone number, email
address) on every document
* author bio including previous books published (including under pseudonyms), sales history (number of books sold to readers, not to publishers), awards and contests won, list of other finished manuscripts or books in progress
* competitive analysis (list of titles that are comparative and/or competitive with yours)
* full synopsis, including actual digital word count and the ending
* a header or footer on each page that includes: book title, page number, author or agent name, phone number and email address
* minimum of 4 sample chapters (preferred for hard copy submissions), or complete manuscript in WORD (preferred for email submissions)

Please send submissions to:

romance@sourcebooks.com

Leah Hultenschmidt
Sourcebooks, Inc.
390 Fifth Ave. Suite 907
New York, NY 10018

Please allow 8-12 weeks for response.

Regretfully, we are unable to confirm receipt of unagented hard copy submissions. If you require confirmation of receipt of a hard copy submission, please use a courier service such as Fedex or DHL or US Post Office Priority mail with delivery tracking or Express Mail.

Receipt of email submissions will be acknowledged within 21 days via email.

If you have any questions about our guidelines, please don't hesitate to email deb.werksman@sourcebooks.com. Please allow 21 days for response.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: deb.werksman@sourcebooks.com

For submissions: romance@sourcebooks.com

Website: http://www.sourcebooks.com/

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Oaktree Books Timeless Love Romance Novel Contest

Deadline: 31 July 2011

Submit your complete, most captivating romance manuscript for a grand prize that includes publication in our Timeless Love line.

Grand Prize Winner: Publication (paper and eBook editions) in our Timeless Love line

Second Place Winner: Publication in our eBook catalog

Third Place Winner: Receives a set of books selected from the Oak Tree Press line

The Rules

* Novels of all romance genres, from sweet to supernatural are eligible
* Entries will be judged by a select panel of editors and professional romance writers
* Novels must be typed in a clean, no-frills, easy-to-read font, and double spaced
* Manuscript cover page must list author email address and estimated word count
* Contest is open to authors who have not been published in the past 3 years
* Should no entry meet editorial approval, OTP reserves the right to not declare a winner
* Email submissions to: TL-ContestAdmin@oaktreebooks.com
* Entry Fee $25 per novel. Mail your check or use PayPal link here
* Deadline for all submissions and fees is July 31

Distribution & Promotion

* Timeless Love books are produced professionally, and feature stunning covers and elegant interiors.
* Our eBook files are professionally prepared.
* Our books meet all industry criteria to be sold through all the chain and fine independent booksellers.
* Oak Tree Press is a vendor with Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and others.
* Oak Tree aggressively lists its titles in all appropriate promotional venues, both in print sources and the Internet.
* We support our authors and sell their books from the company website, OakTreeBooks,com.
* Our company blog, OTPBLOG.blogspot.com, offers information and networking opportunities to our authors.
* Oak Tree works with the author to build and execute a book promotion campaign
* We attend and support our authors attendance at writers’conferences and book festivals.
* Galleys, sample books, news releases and media kits are distributed to reviewers, retailers and other potential publicity opportunities.

Contract Highlights

Oak Tree Press will contract with the winning author to publish the novel in trade paperback and E-book formats, with a professionally designed four- color cover.

The author will grant Oak Tree the right to English language publication for distribution in the United States and its dependencies, to Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The author will agree to not publish any abridged or other edition of the Work, including electronic media publishing, tending to interfere with the sale of the Work.

Publisher will prevail in any dispute over editing, illustrations, interior design or cover design.

Publisher will establish retail price and wholesale discounts. Author will have the option to purchase copies at Publisher’s wholesale price.

Publisher registers copyright in Author’s name.

Oak Tree Publishing will pay the author a royalty of 20% on sales. . A modest advance may be offered.. Royalties paid quarterly.

At cessation of publication, Author will have the opportunity to purchase unsold inventory.

(The above are excerpts from the publishing contract. It is not, nor is it intended to be, the complete publishing agreement.)

Also note that Oak Tree Press is now an Associate Member of RWA National, and we do abide by their Code of Ethics.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: TL-ContestAdmin@oaktreebooks.com

For submissions: TL-ContestAdmin@oaktreebooks.com

Website: http://oaktreebooks.com

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Harper Collins Novel Pitch Competition: Get Your Novel Reviewed by Claudia Carroll (UK)

Deadline: 1 August 2011

Get personal writing advice from a bestselling women's fiction author!

We're delighted to announce a writing competition for all you Women's Fiction authors out there! The winner will have the first 20,000 words of their novel reviewed and critiqued by bestselling Women's Fiction author, Claudia Carroll. They, along with 4 runners-up, will also win a signed copy of Claudia's upcoming novel, Will You Still Love Me, Tomorrow?

Best of all, you don't even need to really do anything. Just send us your novel's pitch, which most of you will probably have ready and waiting. Claudia will choose the strongest pitch and invite the author to send in their opening chapters. Pitches should be no longer than 225 words, and, you might want to consider splitting it up into a short (25 words) and a long section (200).

All submissions must be sent to Pitch.Competition@harpercollins.co.uk

Closing date for entry is 1st August. Entrants can submit as many entries as they like, but only one pitch per novel. Pitches can be in any format, however, they must not exceed 225 words.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: Pitch.Competition@harpercollins.co.uk

For submissions: Pitch.Competition@harpercollins.co.uk

Website: http://www.authonomy.com/

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First Annual Romance Competition from Writer's Digest (worldwide)

Deadline: 15 October 2011

COMPETE and WIN with your best fiction! Please, don’t be cold-hearted. Enter by October 15!

Entry Fee: All entries are $20.00. You may pay with a check or money order, Visa, Mastercard or American Express when you enter online or via regular mail.

Prizes

First Prize: The First Place-Winner receives $1,000 cash, promotion in Writer's Digest, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Second Prize: The Second Place-Winner receives $500 cash, promotion in Writer's Digest, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Honorable Mention: Honorable Mentions will receive promotion in Writer's Digest and the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Competition Rules

The Categories:

You may enter as many manuscripts as you like. All manuscripts must be 4,000 words or fewer.

Preparing Your Entry:

1. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, the entry must be accompanied by an Official Entry Form or facsimile, and the required entry fee (credit card information, check or money order made payable to F+W Media, Inc.). If you are entering more than one manuscript, you may mail all entries in the same envelope and write one check for the total entry fee; however, each manuscript must have its category indicated in the upper left-hand corner.

2. Your entry must be original, in English, unpublished and unproduced, not accepted by any other publisher or producer at the time of submission. Writer's Digest retains one-time publication rights to the First Prize, Second Prize and Honorable Mention winning entries in each category to be published in a Writer's Digest outlet.

3. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, the entry must be typed on one side of 8-1/2 x 11 white paper (computer printout acceptable) or A4 paper. Manuscripts must be double-spaced. If you are entering via regular mail, your name, address, phone number and competition category must appear in the upper left-hand corner of the first page—otherwise your entry is disqualified. No refunds will be issued for disqualified entries. Online entries must be submitted in one of the following file types: doc, docx, rtf or pdf. We recommend that you avoid adding your own symbols/punctuation in file names of the documents you are uploading.

4. Be sure of your word count! Entries exceeding the word limit will be disqualified. Type the exact word count (counting every single word, except the title) at the top of the manuscript.

5. Mailed entries must be stapled.

Judging and Notification

1. Every entry will be read by the judges. Judges' decisions are final.

2. Judges reserve the right to re-categorize entries.

3. Entries must be entered online or postmarked by 11:59 pm EST on October 15, 2011. We cannot return submitted manuscripts; however, to receive notification of the receipt of your manuscript, send a self-addressed stamped postcard along with your entry. Please note that it may take up to 30 days after the deadline for all entries and payment to be processed.

4. The following are not permitted to enter the contest: employees of F+W Media, Inc., and their immediate family members; Writer's Digest contributing editors and correspondents as listed on our masthead; Writer's Online Workshops instructors; and Grand Prize Winners from the previous three years in any Writer's Digest competitions.

5. Top Award Winners will be notified by mail by December 31, 2011. Winners will be listed in the May/June 2012 issue of Writer's Digest, and on www.writersdigest.com after the May/June 2012 issue is published.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: contact (715) 445-4612 ext. 13430 or email writing-competition@fwmedia.com

For submissions: enter online here

Website: http://www.writersdigest.com

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Open Call for Manuscripts from African-American Women Writers: J. Burrage Publications

J. Burrage Publications, LLC has announced an open call for new writers to submit manuscripts within multiple genres. JBP specializes in new authors, with a focus on helping African-American women with stories to tell get their manuscript published and in the hands of readers around the world.

JBP is seeking new writers, though established writers are also welcome to submit manuscripts. Currently, JBP is accepting submissions in the following genres:

* Fiction (general, contemporary and urban)
* Poetry
* Science Fiction
* Mystery (general, contemporary and urban)

Urban and contemporary fiction are the most heavily sought submission types, and writers are asked only to submit samples of their manuscript (not full manuscripts). The publisher offers full submission guidelines at http://www.jbpublications.com/becoming_a_jbp_author/submission_guidelines.

JBP is a new publishing house that began accepting new authors in 2011, and their goal of “taking over the industry, one book at a time,” is very apparent. While the company might be new, they have published several critically acclaimed novels, including Caught Up, a street thriller, and Secrets Revealed, a sci-fi thriller. One factor that sets JBP apart from other publishers is their mission – to find unknown writers with powerful, compelling stories to tell and build their reputations. With a significant focus on attracting and promoting minority female authors, the publisher offers something that few others can.

The “3-B Dimension” experience is another innovative development here. This is an entirely new reading experience, designed to hook readers and leave them wanting more – creating the most unique experience the reader has ever known. Lesser-known writers, undiscovered talents and new authors will help build the 3-B Dimension through compelling stories unlike anything readers have read previously, creating a synergistic platform for all authors published through JBP.

How to Submit Your Manuscript

We highly suggest that you contact us at info@jbpublications.com to get more information prior to submitting a sample to us.

When submitting your book for consideration, DO NOT send the entire manuscript. Send the first three chapters, along with the written synopsis on what the book is about. Include your name, email address, and bio with your submission. Telephone number is helpful but not required. The sample and synopsis can be in Word or PDF format. All samples and manuscripts must be in 12-point font, Times New Roman type font, and double-spaced with 1 inch margins all around. Do not send a sample if you are not finished writing your manuscript. Incomplete manuscripts will not be considered.

Once your book has been considered, we will email you to inform you if it has been accepted for publishing. If accepted, we will then send you a contract and ask you to send the complete manuscript. This contract will explain the terms and conditions. You can either scan or fax the signed contract to us or you can mail it to the mailing address we will provide in the email. All complete manuscripts MUST be emailed in Word format. From there, the publishing process will begin.

If your book is not accepted, we will inform you on the reasons. This doesn’t necessarily means that your book is not worth publishing; it simply means that it is not what we are looking for at this time. You can always improve your manuscript and resubmit it at a later date.

Send your samples and completed manuscripts to submissions@jbpublications.com. Do not send samples or full manuscripts as part of the email (copying and pasting the sample in the body of the email). Send them as attachments to the email.

You can also mail samples to:

J. Burrage Publications, LLC
Attn: Submissions
P. O. Box 1949
Mesilla Park, NM 88047

All mailed submissions must follow the same format as if it was emailed. No handwritten submissions will be accepted and they must be bound. We do not return submissions, so do not send your only copy.

Any submission not following these guidelines will automatically be rejected.

Please allow 8 to 10 weeks for us to review your sample.

About J. Burrage Publications, LLC: Founded by author JB Burrage in 2007, J. Burrage Publications, LLC has seen significant growth, and opened their doors to new, unknown authors with compelling tales to weave. JBP is a company on a mission – to take advantage of e-publishing and Internet technology to bring readers the best novels and the most unique reading experience possible. Unlike most major publishers, JBP has embraced the e-publishing revolution and offers eBooks as well as printed books through an immense array of online retailers.

Via: news.yahoo.com

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@jbpublications.com

For submissions: submissions@jbpublications.com

Website: http://www.JBPublications.com

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Children's Book Editor Wanted

An editor of children's books is needed for editing a Christian 3,500-word piece for 5-6 years old children. When responding, please (1) submit your resume and (2) specify the cost of the project. Experience in writing and/or editing children's books is a MUST. You will have to assign the copyright. Payment by Paypal after completion of the project.

Compensation: Negotioble

Contact Information:

For inquiries: job-hpxqn-2503283966@craigslist.org

For submissions: job-hpxqn-2503283966@craigslist.org

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Call for Women's Fiction: Creative Publishing's Unpublished Authors Print Ready Competition

Deadline: 31 August (for Women's Fiction category)

Creative Print Publishing Ltd. is proud to introduce a bold and exciting new venture for unpublished writers across the English-speaking world.

The chance to see your unpublished book in print with our Unpublished Authors Competition.

To have your book promoted and marketed with skill and vigour.

All submissions to be sent using the form at the bottom of this page.

OUR PLAN

To choose one novel every month, selected from the submissions sent in to us by writers as part of the competition.

Each month will have its own genre. (Please see below for details.)

Each month the winner will receive a contract of agreement.

Copyright will in all cases be retained by the author.

The winner will be published and the book receive promotion and marketing along with all our other titles.

Each winner will be announced as it happens on our news page and on the competition winners page subject to contract.

Winners will have their books published and receive royalty payments.

At the end of the twelve-month period all the twelve winners will be considered for the CREATIVE PRINT UNPUBLISHED AUTHOR BOOK OF THE YEAR.

THE COMPETITION

The writing competition runs for twelve months from May 2011 to April 2012. The closing date for a genre is the last day of the month in which that genre appears. Thus, 31 May for Romance;
30 September for Crime; and so on.

There are 12 genres, which is one for each month. They are:

• MAY 2011 - Romance
• JUNE 2011 - Thrillers and suspense
• JULY 2011 - Action
• AUGUST 2011 - Women's Fiction
• SEPTEMBER 2011 - Crime
• OCTOBER 2011 - Humorous and Comical
• NOVEMBER 2011 - Novellas (any genre)
• DECEMBER 2011 - Young Adult & Teen Fiction
• JANUARY 2012 - Science Fiction
• FEBRUARY 2012 - Historical and Mythological
• MARCH 2012 - Westerns
• APRIL 2012 - Horror and the Supernatural

THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION

1 All submissions must be written in English and be original and print ready.

2 All submissions to be sent using the form at the website.

3 All scripts must be sent as a single file in Word, document single spaced typed ms, page size A5, with all margins set at 1.7cm. Text should be justified and not smaller than size twelve point type. A new page for each chapter.

4 Authors may submit novels in different months and categories, but not the same novel twice.

5 There is no limit as to length, except in the case of novellas.

6 Only unpublished authors of fiction will be considered. If you have gone down the route of vanity published / self-published fiction with an ISBN, you are not eligible. (Non fiction does not count and you may submit. Poems or short stories in anthologies do not render you ineligible either.)

7 Books formerly submitted to Creative Print Publishing Ltd and rejected by us for publication cannot be considered.

8 Anyone unsure of any aspect of the competition or these rules may contact us by email, marking your subject clearly as COMPETITION QUERY.

9 Attempts to influence any member of Creative Print Publishing Ltd staff will mean disqualification.

10 Authors may use a pseudonym but your own name and details must be given, for contractual purposes.

11 It is essential that you complete the ENTRY FORM online.

12 CLOSING DATE. The last day of each month for the genre of that month 23:59 BST.

If you do not have access to Word processing, please write to us or telephone and we will be able to suggest alternatives.

UK Tel: 0845-868-8430.

International Tel: +44 (0)845 868 8430

This competition is organised and administered by Creative Print Publishing Ltd. an independent publishing house with no legal or financial connections to any other company or entity.

All decisions are made by the management of Creative Print Publishing and their decisions will be final.

NOTES ON GENRES

The choice of genre depends on the dominant theme in a novel. Some books cross boundaries, but it is usually possible to detect a dominant theme.

These notes may help you to decide into which category your book falls.

1 Romance.

Love, with or without a happy ending. Usually written from the point of view of the central character, who may tell the story.

2 Thrillers and suspense.

Taut, exciting tales set in the present or the recent past. These books have a strong resourceful hero or heroine. They are full of action. There is always doubt about the outcome. Danger is important. Such novels can be set in exotic locations: mysterious foreign cities, desert regions, secret research establishments. Think John Buchan, Hammond Innes, James Bond, Jack Higgins, Alfred Hitchcock.

3 Action.

War, espionage, adventure. May involve government corruption or dirty tricks in multinational business corporations. Lots of intrigue. And often a beautiful but dangerous woman.

4 Women's fiction.

Anything that appeals to adult women of all ages from 18 years upward.

A broad category. Can deal with just about any subject of interest to women of all ages..
May be gritty and realistic: dealing with adultery, divorce, abuse.

May be of the Harlequin/Mills & Boon variety, with a feisty heroine. Exotic locations and exciting jobs are often featured.

Medical stories are popular here. Doctors and nurses. A life-threatening disease that must be diagnosed and cured in time. A love interest somewhere.

5 Crime

Hard-boiled private eye. Gentle hero or heroine drawn into events they do not understand. Police procedurals. Gangsters. Murder and mayhem. Think Raymond Chandler or Elmore Leonard.

Or your story may be a cosy detective puzzle not unlike Agatha Christie. This genre is very wide.

6 Humorous and comical.

A novel that makes us laugh, or at least smile often. May be set in the real world of family or business. May be set in a school or college. Satire has a place here too.

7 Novellas.

Short novels on any subject, set in any period, including the present. The plots are spare and linear. No space for multiple sub-plots. Models may be any of the novellas of John Steinbeck. Or Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. Will usually be no more than about 80 pages or 20,000 words.

8 Young Adult & Teen Fiction.

Covers all possible subjects. Must appeal to youngsters between the age of 11 and 18 years. Generally short. Deals with the problems facing youngsters growing up in a difficult world. First love and romance. Bullying. Lack of self-esteem. Sporting heroes.

9 Science fiction and Magic

In spite of the name can also include science fact. Can be set in the contemporary world or be futuristic. May be set on another planet or in a parallel universe. Think Alien and Flash Gordon. Think Brian Aldiss or Terry Pratchett. Or in the Magic section think of Hans Andersen, Anne McCaffrey, G K Chesterton, Richard Adams.

10 Historical & Mythological.

Stories set in the past. Any country and any age. Anything up to the end of World War 2 in 1945.
May be sword and sandal tales. Remember Gladiator? Or more recent times, perhaps, as in Brideshead Revisited. War stories involving danger, love, passion, heroism. The Home Front during two World Wars.

11 Westerns.

The usual Western tale of guns, adventure, danger. Pushing the boundaries of the Frontier.Tough heroes, feisty heroines, corrupt sheriffs. Gold rushes. Diamond mining. Tensions between ranchers and sheep farmers. Between cattle barons and hard-working settlers. Shane by Jack Shafer. The novels of Louis L'Amour. Anything by Nelson Nye or some early Elmore Leonard. Can be set in North America (USA and Canada), Australia, New Zealand or southern Africa.

12 Horror & the Supernatural.

Vampires. Voodoo and the living dead. Apocalyptic. And, of course, good old ghost stories.

Creative Print Publishing Ltd is an upfront, ethical and entirely principled company. We expect our authors, and indeed all who approach us, to behave in the same principled way.

For our Creative Unpublished Author Print Ready Competition there are a number of rules. First and foremost is the central point: that this is a Competition for Print Ready Unpublished Authors. The rules are clear and must be followed.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: click here

For submissions: submit online here (bottom of the page)

Website: http://www.creativeprintpublishing.com/

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Seeking Romance and Inspirational Book Manuscripts: Abbott ePublishing

Abbott ePublishing is actively seeking authors to sign with us!

Unlike many major publishing houses, and even some online publishers, we actively seek out and LOVE to sign previously unpublished authors.

New talent is fine with us. We want to encourage these new authors by bringing their work to the world through eBooks, which we believe is the format in which many people will read books in the future.

Our contract is relatively straightforward and easy to understand. It protects both the author and the publisher. All terms are, of course, negotiable.

Authors who let us produce books of original content and sell it here at our Website receive 50 percent of the online sales price as a royalty. That’s truly an amazing figure in the publishing business (both off-line AND online) but we want to reward our authors for their hard work.

We are accepting submissions in a wide variety of areas.

Please follow the guidelines below and email your submissions to publisher(at)abbottepublishing.com

Our guidelines are as follows:

* We are accepting and actively seeking submissions.
* Submissions should be in double-spaced text in a readable typeface (Arial, Times New Roman, or Tahoma are common) 12-point type size.
* A note on length: Our philosophy is that eBooks should be not a page longer, nor shorter, than they need to be. No padding with unneeded words, please, just to get up to a "magical" 200-page length. Some eBooks will work perfectly at 50 pages, but most should be between 75 and 100 pages.
* Submit entries in MS Word .doc format, as an email attachment.
* Entries should be spell-checked, grammatically correct and ready for publication. They may be further edited by us for length or content, and of course for grammatical clarity and for spelling mistakes.
* Include full contact information (name, full street address, phone with area code, and email) a synopsis of 100 words or less, and a 200-word or less biography of the author.

What we are seeking - genres and specific subject guidelines:

* Fiction - We are seeking works of general fiction, mystery and romance (no porn!) of at least 10,000 words in length.We’re seeking submissions of short-short “Flash Fiction” works of 750 words or less, for at least two Flash Fiction Anthology eBooks. Topics can be history, horror, science fiction (including alternate history, Steampunk, Time Travel, and future history) fantasy, and historical and contemporary romance (non-pornographic.) Works must be complete stories, with a character or characters, a plot and a resolution. More than one story per author may be considered for publication in anthologies. Authors may submit up to five completed stories for consideration. (Authors who are proficient in the genre, and have five or more completed Flash Fiction stories, may be considered for a full eBook of Flash Fiction stories under their own name.) Only authors whom five or more published works in an anthology, or in stand-alone eBooks, will be considered for royalties.

* Religion - We are seeking original works about specific religions, or those focusing on ancient and modern religions - especially New Religious Movements - either from a sympathetic or neutral viewpoint (no anti-cult polemics.) Works on Neo-paganism, Wicca or The New Age Movement as it relates to spirituality and religion are also being sought. We also consider eBooks on theology (Christian or other faiths) Bible study, Biblical criticism, and Biblical history. If you worship in a "non-traditional" religion, we want to interview you for future sequel to our "Secret Religions" eBook.

* History - We are seeking short original eBooks about ancient history (Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Rome, China, the Americas) focusing on the entire culture or a specific aspect of it, as well as more recent history, up to and including the present day. Biographies of historical figures, well annotated, are acceptable.

* Inspiration & Self Improvement - Books about thriving in the workplace, or as an entrepreneur, spirituality, time management, and “inspirational thought of the day” eBooks.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: publisher@abbottepublishing.com

For submissions: publisher@abbottepublishing.com

Website: http://www.abbottepub.com/

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James Lorimer & Company Seeks Manuscripts for Young Readers (Sidestreet/ Recordbook Series) - Canada

James Lorimer & Company is currently seeking manuscripts for the following series:

• Sports Stories series – Hi-lo, sports-themed fiction for ages 10 to 13
• SideStreets series – Edgy, issues-based novels for ages 13 and up
• Recordbooks series – Non-fiction sports bios/issues for reluctant readers ages 12 and up

Our first priority is good writing, with believable characters, situations, and dialogue. All settings must be Canadian, with storylines that take place in the child or teen world with minimal adult involvement.

As publishers of novels and short stories based on the original Degrassi TV series, we share the commitment evident in that pioneering series to serious engagement with themes and issues in a way that reaches a contemporary youth audience.

At this time we do not publish picture books, seasonal stories, cookbooks, board books, activity books, historical fiction, or fantasy. We are not interested in stories written to convey a lesson or moral.

Sports Stories series

* Interest level: ages 10-13 (middle school/grades 7-8)
* Reading level: grades 3-4 (hi-lo)
* Length: 25,000 words
* Genre: realistic, contemporary sports fiction

Sports Stories are exciting, plot-driven novels with lots of fast-paced sports action geared toward kids who would rather spend their time playing sports than reading. Settings must be Canadian, contemporary, and realistic. Main characters should be between the ages of 12 to 14 (grades 7 to 9). Popular themes to explore include bullying, rivalry, racial/ethnic conflict, competition, gender discrimination, and sportsmanship. The themes are captured within the sports setting and action, not elsewhere. Hockey, soccer, and basketball stories are in highest demand. We are looking to expand this series to include cricket. Story and characters should have content appropriate for kids reading at level (grades 5 and up). We are particularly interested in manuscripts that reflect the diversity of backgrounds evident in contemporary Canadian schools.

Before you submit, please read the following Sports Stories books to get a sense of what we’re looking for:

• Trading Goals by Trevor Kew
• Hockey Night in Transcona by John Danakas
• Foul Play by Beverly Scudamore
• Falling Star by Robert Rayner
• Delaying the Game by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

SideStreets

* Interest level: ages 13 and up (high school/YA)
* Reading level: grades 3-5 (hi-lo)
* Length: 30,000 words
* Genre: realistic, contemporary, issues-based fiction

SideStreets novels are fast-paced, high-interest stories with the ability to pull in even the most reluctant teen readers. They feature realistic characters, situations, and dialogue, and explore the often difficult feelings and situations faced by contemporary Canadian teens. We’re not interested in overdone story lines drawn from the world of movies and television rather than from real life. Past topics include: addiction, sexuality, bullying, gangs, mental disorders, and gambling. Characters must be aged 15 and up. Stories that feature male main characters are especially welcome. Settings must be Canadian and contemporary, and diversity of background in terms of race, class, and ethnicity is particularly welcome.

Before you submit, please read the following SideStreets books to get a sense of what we’re looking for:

• Klepto by Lori Weber
• Runner by Peter McPhee
• On the Game by Monique Polak
• Hell’s Hotel by Leslie Choyce

Recordbooks

* Interest Level: ages 12 and up
* Reading level: grades 3-4 (hi-lo)
* Length: 15,000 words
* Genre: Non-fiction

Recordbooks are non-fiction biographies that explain how one athlete or group of athletes overcame issues to succeed at sport. These issues can include, gender, race, or political or economic barriers. Profiled athletes/teams are to be Canadian or Canadian-born, or have had a significant influence on Canadian sports history. We are emphasizing sports figures who are meaningful and appealing to contemporary readers rather than historical figures who have no immediate appeal for our audience.

Before you submit, please read the following books to get a sense of what we’re looking for:

• Choice of Colours by John Danakas
• Knockout! By Rebecca Sjonger
• Crazy Canucks by Eric Zweig

Submission Guidelines

Due to the number of manuscripts received, if a manuscript does not meet our editorial guidelines exactly we cannot guarantee a response. For eligible submissions, please allow 12-16 weeks for a response.

* We are only considering manuscripts from Canadian writers.
* Manuscripts should be typed and double-spaced on one side only of 8.5 x 11" white paper.
* All manuscripts should be accompanied by a typed cover letter of no more than one page. Also include a short (1-2 page) synopsis that outlines both plot and sub-plot(s), setting, and characters. Include word count and the name of the series the manuscript is intended for. Also include a brief bio of yourself and a list of previously published works.
* Query letters, cover letters, and the first page of manuscripts should include the author's name, address, and phone number.
* Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your material.
* Manuscripts should be mailed to the attention of Children's Book Editor at the address below.

James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
317 Adelaide Street West
Suite 1002
Toronto, ON M5V 1P9

We strongly recommend that you review the relevant sections on our website, www.lorimer.ca, to familiarize yourself with the types of books we publish before sending in your submission. Lorimer welcomes submissions by first-time and emerging authors.

Contact Information:

For submissions: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 317 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1002, Toronto, ON M5V 1P9

Website: http://www.lorimer.ca/

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Literary Editor Wanted for Romance - Mystery Manuscript

Literary editor /ghost writer wanted to edit a 107,000 word manuscript. Genre: romance-suspense-mystery. Please enclose a resume or short correspondence, salary requirement, and time required to complete an in-depth edit. MFA students welcomed. Private project. Seeking someone who loves writing, reading, critiquing, and ghost writing. Serious inquiries only.

Location: NYC/Brooklyn, NY

Contact Information:

For inquiries: WordproS@yahoo.com

For submissions: WordproS@yahoo.com

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LARA August 21st Meeting with Harlequin Intrigue author Carol Ericson (CA)

Date: 21 August 2011

Speaker: Harlequin Intrigue author Carol Ericson

Best-selling series romance author Carol Ericson suffers from a lack of privacy. She always has a few characters floating in her head as well as snippets of dialogue and several "what if" scenarios. She periodically purges all these voices and images by writing stories of romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. The first two books in her Brothers in Arms series, Navy SEAL Security and Mountain Ranger Recon, spent three weeks and two weeks, respectively, on Neilson Bookscan's top 100 romances and two weeks and one week, respectively, on Borders' top ten series romance list. When she's not writing, Carol is working as a technical writer for Northrop Grumman, reading other fabulous stories, or running to her teenage sons' soccer matches, water polo and basketball games. Carol and her family live in El Segundo near the beach, where Carol is now officially the shortest person in her household.

Topic: Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am: Writing Romantic Suspense in 55,000 Words or Less

There are more differences between short and long romantic suspense novels than just the word count. Spend the morning with me and find out how to create breath-taking openings, hooks, cliff-hangers, and heroes and heroines that simply must fall in love at first sight.

Where:

Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel
12825 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
Toll Free: 800.821.8511
Local: 818.769.4700

Contact Information:

For inquiries: proliaison@lararwa.com

Website: http://www.lararwa.com/

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Free Workshop: Writing for Young Adults Workshop with Award-Winning Author Laura Resau (Mesa County Libraries, CO)

Date: 12 July 2011, 6pm

Join us for an adult writers' workshop for young adult titles. Laura Resau, award-winning author, will give background information about getting started and then conduct a 45 minute workshop focusing on one or two aspects of creative writing.

Adult Summer Reading Program participants: add 100 points to your Summer Reading Log for attending this event!


Contact Information:

For inquiries: call 970-243-4442 to sign up

Website: http://www.mcpld.org/

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Call for Submissions: Avon Impulse

Avon is introducing a digital imprint, Avon Impulse. This format will allow Avon to publish more quickly, with an eye to what's new in fiction and romance, delivering fresh, exciting content directly each month to the digital devices of today's savviest readers.

Avon is looking for stories of emotional complexity, written by authors with unique voices. Books with humor, drama, suspense; with sizzling sensuality and irresistible characters - all types and tones can be right for Avon. If your manuscript is exciting, electrifying, and exceptional then we want to see it. Take us to the darkest depths or make us laugh out loud - everything is welcome!

We're actively seeking all genres of romance of all lengths, including (but not limited to): historical, paranormal, contemporary, and erotica.

How To Submit A Manuscript

To submit, go to AvonImpulse.com and follow the instructions to fill out the form and upload your manuscript. Due to time constraints, we will not be able to respond to every query. If you do not receive a response after three months, that means your story is not right for us at that time. However, times change, so keep trying!

Genres:

• Gothic
• Steampunk
• Shifter
• Vampire
• Ghost
• Magical
• Futuristic
• Time Travel
• Western
• Small Town
• Suspense
• Fantasy

Submissions FAQ

How long does my book need to be?

We are looking for stories of all lengths, from short stories to full length books, and anything in-between.

What font/margin/size should I use?

Your formatting choices are up to you. As long as your manuscript is readable, it's acceptable.

Which editor should I address my submission to?

There is no need to specify an editor. However, if you have a past relationship with someone on the Avon team, or one of our editors specifically requested you submit your manuscript, please note that on the submission form.

Do I need to specify which Avon imprint I am submitting to?

No, all submissions are vetted by the same team of Avon editors, who will decide which imprint is the best fit.

How long will you take to respond?

Due to the volume of submissions, we will only be able to contact you if your project is the right fit. If you have not received a response in three months time, unfortunately your project wasn't right for our current list.

Via: erotica-readers.blogspot.com

Contact Information:

For inquiries: query here

Website: http://www.avonromance.com/impulse/

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Calling all Children’s Writers: Women Who Write Writer's Workshop (Madison Community House, NJ)

Deadline: 1 August 2011 (for sign-up)

Date: 17 September 2011

Women Who Write (www.womenwhowrite.org) is sponsoring a writer’s workshop on 9/17/11 at the Madison Community House in Madison, NJ.

The event runs from 10:00am to 3:30pm and includes the following segments:

1. Marietta Zacker, Agent, Nancy Galt Agency, will speak on the children’s marketplace from 10-11:30.
2. Lunch 11:30am – 1:00pm
3. E-publications from 1:00p to 2:00p. An attorney will discuss e-publications including the legal aspects.
4. “If the Book Fits: How to tailor your writing to readers of all ages.” Katherine Harrison, Assistant Editor, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (an imprint of Random House) and Emily Seife, Assistant Editor, Swartz & Wade (another imprint of Random House) will speak about the unique challenges of writing for kids as opposed to adults. They will touch upon the different skills a writer must draw upon to write Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels. 2:00pm – 3:30pm.
5. Individual Critiques (additional cost). Katherine Harrison and Emily Seife will be joined by Heather Alexander, Assistant Editor, Dial (an imprint of Penguin) to provide one-on-one critiques.

More details:

* Sign up deadline: August 1st, 2011
* Cost: $35 for the whole day ($45 for non-members)
* Seminar payment: Make check out to Women Who Write. Send to PO Box 652, Madison, NJ 07940. Write attention Marie Ascolese on the front.
* Additional Cost: $60 for a one-on-one critique ($70 non-members). Send either one whole picture book or the first fifteen pages of a MG or YA novel. Email submission by August 10, 2011 to pkweissner @ gmail (dot) com. Checks for the critique will be mailed to her as well. You can email Pat for details. The editors will provide you with a written critique and fifteen minutes on the day of the conference to discuss the work or anything else you’d like to discuss!

Via: katiebartlett.com

Contact Information:

For inquiries: pkweissner @ gmail (dot) com

For submissions: pkweissner @ gmail (dot) com

Website: http://womenwhowrite.org/

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