Category Archives: Contests December

Last Diner Standing by Terri L. Austin

Posted on December 18, 2012 | 15 Comments

Welcome to the book excerpt tour for Last Diner Standing by Terri L. Austin. If you follow my blog, you know I love cooking and writing. So when I saw the cover of this book, I knew right away I wanted to read it.

Last_Diner_Standing

If this is the first time you’ve seen this blog tour, be sure to check out the rest of the tour stops. Terri L. Austin is giving away a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card to one lucky commenter on the blog tour. The more times you enter, the higher the probability you’ll win. In addition, one person leaving a comment here will win a bookmark and cover postcard. (U.S. and Canada only.)

Now, on to the book blurb and the exclusive excerpt from Last Diner Standing.

Rose Strickland is having a blue Christmas. Her friend is arrested for attempted murder, her sexy bad guy crush is marked by a hit man, and her boss is locked in an epic smackdown with a rival diner. Determined to save those she loves, Rose embarks on an investigation more tangled than a box of last year’s tree lights. With her eclectic gang at the ready, Rose stumbles across dead bodies, ex-cons, chop shops, jealous girlfriends, jilted lovers, and a gaggle of strippers in a battle for freedom she might not survive.

Exclusive Excerpt from Last Diner Standing

“Any other names you want to give me? What about Roshanda?”

“Asshat’s sister? I know she lives down by Oakwood Elementary, but I don’t have her address or anything.”

“Do you know who else Asshat was dating? Or Flat Ass’s name?”

He sighed. “I don’t keep track of his social life.” His eyes took in Roxy, from her platform Mary Janes to her blue hair. “I’m thinking about my own extra-curriculars.”

Tariq fenced stolen crap and Roxy used to be a juvenile delinquent. She still missed the thrill of taking things that weren’t strictly hers, so I wondered at the wisdom of this Tariq/Roxy matchup. It had fire and gasoline written all over it.

I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jacket and glanced at the gloomy sky once more. I was going to have to invest in some gloves.

“Thanks, Tariq.” I tugged on Roxy’s sleeve. “Call me if you think of anything that can help Janelle.” I pulled her toward the car and we waved at Tariq as I peeled out.

“Want to hit the strip club?” I asked. “I have just enough time before I have to get ready for my parents’ party.”

“Yep,” Roxy said. “So what are these Strickland shindigs like, anyway? Fancy food you can’t pronounce and champagne?”

“Pony kegs and beer bongs all the way.”

She snorted. “Yeah, I can picture your mom with a funnel tube in her mouth. Seriously, are they any fun at all?”

“Not even a little.”

 Author Bio and Links:

Terri L. Austin lives in Missouri with her funny, handsome husband and a high maintenance peekapoo.  She’s the author of Diners, Dives and Dead Ends—a Rose Strickland Mystery.  “Austin’s debut kicks off her planned series by introducing a quirky, feisty heroine and a great supporting cast of characters and putting them through quite a number of interesting twists.” Kirkus Reviews

Last_Diner_Terri_L_Austin

http://terrilaustin.com/

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAustin

http://www.twitter.com/TerriLAustin

http://www.goodreads.com/TerriLAustin

http://www.linkedin.com/in/TerriLAustin

https://plus.google.com/114753055559800020620

https://pinterest.com/terrilaustin

Buy links for Last Diner Standing

Amazon Paper - http://www.amazon.com/Last-Diner-Standing-Terri-Austin/dp/1938383087/ref=la_B008EFCWM2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355232040&sr=1-1
Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Standing-Strickland-Mystery-Series-ebook/dp/B00AGLOFOK/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
B&N Paper - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-diner-standing-terri-l-austin/1113507546?ean=9781938383083
B&N Nook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-diner-standing-terri-l-austin/1113507546?ean=9781938383083

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Posted in Author Interview, Blog Tours, Contests December

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Second Wind Publishing Short Story Contest

Posted on December 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: December 31, 2011

Guidelines: Second Wind Publishing

Second Wind Publishing is running this contest to fill an anthology. If you dream of being published, this may be the chance for you. The contest ends December 31, and they hope to have the book ready for publication and on sale by April 2012. That’s a fast turnaround.

The thing that makes this contest different from others, is they are posting the contest entries online right now. You can read the entries from other writers. The bad news is, once it’s been published on their blog, you’ve given up first electronic rights. That will limit the places you’ll be able to sell your work if it doesn’t win the contest.

That being said, if you’re still interested, head on over and check out the guidelines and the other entries.

Happy writing!

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Posted in Contests, Contests December, Writing, Writing markets

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Christmas Chillers Writing Contest 2011

Posted on November 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: Still just 5 pounds

Deadline: December 31, 2011

Guidelines: Christmas Chillers website

Can you write a Christmas story that will send chills down your readers’ spines? You know I don’t mean from the cold. I mean from the macabre.

As you can tell from the title of the contest, the tale doesn’t take the warm, fuzzy route. Have fun with this twist on Christmas with a scary holiday story in 1,200 words.

According to the website, many stories don’t make the final cut because of basic problems. Too many spelling or grammar errors, not having a good opening, or not following directions are mentioned. So be sure to read the rules, send in your best work, and have the best of luck in this contest.

You might want to bookmark the site. They have quarterly writing challenges, so if you don’t have time to get into this one, you might want to try the next.

Happy writing!

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Posted in Contests, Contests Anytime, Contests December, Writing, Writing markets

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$780 Prizes in Writers’ Village Story Contest Winter 2011

Posted on November 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

Fee: $15 for two entries

Deadline: December 31, 2011

Guidelines: Writers’ Village

I love to get notes telling me about contests. This one came in to my email box at Suite101 and it looks like a interesting one. As their website states, “Every entrant wins because…everyone, winner or not, gets back personal tips.”

Here are the details from the email.

Prizes totalling $780 can be won for short fiction in any genre in the winter 2011 round of the Writers’ Village ‘Best Writing’ award. The top award is $400 (£250), with a $155 (£100) second prize and third prize of $75 (£50) plus five runner-up prizes of $30 (£20).

All entrants, winners or not, gain a helpful critique of their story – a feature thought to be unique among low-fee writing contests.

Winners will be awarded the title ‘Winner, the Writers’ Village Best Writing winter 2011 Award’ and see their work showcased online.

Any genre of prose fiction may be submitted up to 3000 words, except playscripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed world-wide. The fee is $15 (£10) for two entries and multiple entries are permitted. Deadline is 31st December 2011. Entry rules plus all winning stories since 2009 can be found at the Writers’ Village website.

Happy writing!

 

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Clive Cussler 2012 Adventure Writing Contest

Posted on July 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

Deadline: Opens October 1, 2011, closes January 1, 2012 or after the 25th entry

Entry Fee: Free

Guidelines: Adventure Writers Competition

Who hasn’t read a Clive Cussler adventure novel? Okay, put your hand down and head to the bookstore and pick one up. You’ve been missing out on a good read.

Cussler’s books are imaginative, fast paced, and with a hero that can beat any odds. Sort of like James Bond and Indiana Jones rolled into one character. My friend Ann swoons whenever she picks up a Cussler book.

If you’re unpublished in the adventure genre, you’re eligible to enter your manuscript to this contest for free. The grand prize is a cool $1000.

The guidelines state the contest opens on October 1 and closes when they receive 25 manuscripts. That means that if they receive 25 manuscripts on the first day, the conest is closed. So polish up your work and get your manuscript in to the contest early!

Good luck and happy writing!

 

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Posted in Contests, Contests December, Contests January, Contests November, Contests October, Writing, Writing markets

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Writers of the Future Contest

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: March 31,  June 30, September 30, December 31 every year.

Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Guidelines: Writers of the Future Contest Rules

If you’re a new writer, and you’ve not been professionally published in a novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, then you can enter this popular contest. It is judged by some of the biggest names in science fiction today, such as Kevin Anderson, Orson Scott Card, and Anne McCaffrey. The contest began in 1988 and is still well respected.

This contest is free to enter, and awards are given every three months. All rights to the story remain the property of the author, which means it may be published elsewhere or in different formats. Enter a short story or novelette up to 17,000 words. They use a blind judging process, so after the cover note, only include the title and page number in the header, not your name.

SEND YOUR ENTRY BY MAIL TO:
L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest
PO Box 1630
Los Angeles, CA 90078

Only one entry per quarter is allowed.

Prizes are:

  • $1000 for first place
  • $750 for second
  • $500 for third.

What are you waiting for? The future is yours!

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Posted in Contests, Contests December, Contests June, Contests March, Contests September, Writing

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One Tight Write Fiction Contest

Posted on December 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 30, 2010

Guidelines: A Word With You Press

Here’s a fun writing contest for all you writers who love to write flash fiction and micro fiction.The December short story contest at A Word With You Press is all about being succinct and spare in your prose. Write a story in 100 words or less. Win $1.00 per word. Entries may be posted on the website. In fact, several short story entries are already online . Take a few moments to read them; that’s all you need for 100 word stories. One I enjoyed is Sheer Resistance.

Be sure to read all the guidelines. You’re basically giving away your first electronic rights for a chance at the $100 prize money. But if you need writing clips, this is a small one to add to your collection.

The theme for this month’s One Tight Write contest is “Secrets.” It could be yours, it could be imaginary, or it could be one you wish you had. Take a look at some of the Writing Picture Prompts I’ve posted here to get your creative writing started.  You’ll have to click on each day to see the pictures.

Happy writing!

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Pillsbury People Essay Contest

Posted on December 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 20, 2010

Guidelines: Pillsbury People Essay Contest

Here’s a contest that allows you to rave about why you love baking. It’s not often that anyone will listen to you talk about your passion in the kitchen, right? If you love baking like I love baking, this is one contest you’ll want to check out.

In 250 words, explain what makes you a “Pillsbury People.” I believe that particular term is up for interpretation, but it probably involves flour and frosting.

All entries are done on their website. The winner will receive a $10,000 kitchen makeover. Yes, you read that correctly. No, I did not accidentally type a couple of extra zeroes. Ten thousand big ones. For your kitchen.

Judging criteria is as follows:

  • 50 points: Relevance to Theme
  • 20 points: Creativity
  • 20 points: Originality
  • 10 points: Clarity of Expression

That last one surprised me. Only 10 points for clarity? What if you have a great idea, and you just can’t express it clearly? I suppose it’s a good thing I’m not a judge.

Competition is certain to be stiff in this contest. It closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 20. Check out the Pillsbury Essay Contest official guidelines carefully before submitting.

Here’s a picture of my world famous Monkey Bread that I make with Pillsbury Biscuits in a can.

Monkey_bread

Image by Suzanne Pitner

Why it’s called Monkey Bread I have no idea. But its cinnamon gooey yumminess is perfect on a holiday morning. It’s fast and easy to make.

Here’s the recipe for Monkey Bread.

Happy Writing!

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Terry Pratchett Novel Competition

Posted on November 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 31, 2010

Guidelines: http://www.terrypratchett.co.uk/news/termsandconditions.html

Here’s another fabulous competition with a grand prize of publication.

  • Are you an author who has never had a novel published?
  • Do you have a completed adult novel, between 80,000 and 150,000 words?
  • Do you live in the UK or Ireland?

If you answered yes to all three questions, you may enter your novel into the Terry Pratchett competition for free. (Be sure to read the guidelines in their entirety.)

Yes, folks, this is one of the few free novel competitions left on the planet. The grand prize winner will receive a publishing contract with a sizable advance. Five runners up will be chosen as well.The winner will be announced May 31, 2011.

If you write science fiction and fantasy, this may be your opportunity.

Happy writing!

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Affordable Insurance Essay Contest

Posted on November 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 13, 2010

Guidelines: http://www.affordableinsuranceoptionsonline.com/essay-contest/

If memoir writing is your thing, or you love writing essays, then consider this contest. Affordable Insurance is looking for true stories that (yeah, you guessed it,) exemplify the importance of insurance coverage.

Tree fell on house.

Image by Bradleygee on Flickr

The stories or essays only need to be 200-350 words long, so your writing must be succinct. Here are some short story writing tips for micro fiction. The nice thing about this contest is the guidelines also indicate how the writing will be judged. The weighted categories are as follows:

  1. Importance of insurance coverage: 50%
  2. Creativity: 30%
  3. Grammar: 20%

The first two items are totally dependent on your own point of view. To help with the third item, grammar, try using the Autocrit Editing Wizard. It will catch redundant phrases, overused words, cliches, and more writing oops that sometimes slip into a story. With a free version, you can submit up to 500 words at a time.

The contest has some nice cash prizes.

First place $200

Second place $100

Third place $50

Entry is easy using the online submission form at the Affordable Insurance blog.

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Posted in Contests, Contests December, Writing, Writing Tips

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