Reminder: Lone Star Writing Contest Closes Midnight June 8

You have only 1 day left to enter the 26th Annual Lone Star Writing Contest.

This prestigious contest, sponsored by the Northwest Houston Chapter of Romance Writers of America, closes: June 8, 2018 at midnight CST. Get your entries sent immediately.

Eligibility

• Competition is open to published and unpublished authors.
• Entry must be an unpublished work – (it cannot be published or under contract in any form or format, not in digital or print prior to the announcement date in October 2018). If the entry is disqualified, a letter will be sent to the contestant and the entry fee will be forfeited.
Judges:
Final Round judges are chosen from experienced editors and agents within the romance publishing industry. Each category will have three final round judges.

Categories

CONTEMPORARY: Present day romance novels or novellas that focus on the romantic relationship. Word count is between 20,000 and 70,000 words.
Judges
• Susan Litman, Editor, Harlequin
• Sharon Roe, Acquiring Editor, Soul Mate Publishing
• Kate Brauning, Editor, Entangled Publishing
HISTORICAL/REGENCY: Romance novels or novellas with a time period prior to WWII. Projected word count between 20,000 – maximum open.
Judges
• Janet Clementz, Acquiring Editor, Soul Mate Publishing
• Allison Byers, Editor, The Wild Rose Press
• Third judge tba
FANTASY, FUTURE AND PARANORMAL: Romance novels or novellas in which the future, fantasy or paranormal elements are an integral part of the plot. May include vampires, ghost, time travel, werewolves, etc. Projected word count: no less than 20,000 – maximum open.
Judges
• Laura Costello, Assistant Editor, Sourcebooks Casablanca
• Callie Lynn Wolfe, Senior Managing Editor, The Wild Rose Press
• Tera Cuskaden, Editor, Entangled Publishing
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE: Novels or novellas in which religion or spiritual beliefs (in the context of any religion or spiritual belief system) are a major part of the romantic relationship. Projected word count: no less than 20,000 – maximum open.
Judges
• Nicola Martinez, Editor-in-Chief, Pelican Books
• Dina Davis, Editor, Harlequin
• Raela Schoenherr, Acquisitions Editor, Bethany House Publishers
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE/INTRIGUE: Novels or novellas in which suspense, mystery or thriller elements play and integral part of the plot. Projected word count: no less than 20,000 – maximum open.
Judges
• Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency
• Patience Bloom, Editor, Harlequin Romantic Suspense
• Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
YOUNG ADULT: Novels or novellas that fit into the following: Young adult; geared to young adult readers between the age of 16-25 (Most fall in audience range of 12-18 yrs old) . Projected word count: no less than 20,000 – maximum open.

Judges

• Alycia Toretta, Editorial Director, Entangled Publishing
• Michelle Klayman, President, Boroughs Publishing
• Candace Havens, Editorial Director, Entangled Publishing
SINGLE TITLE: (includes Women’s fiction and Chick Lit) Novels that may have subplots, but the romance is the central part of the story. These are usually stand-alone novels and have a word count of 75,000 to 100,000 words.
• Susan Grimshaw, Editor at Large, Penguin-Random House
• Alicia Condon, Editorial Director, Kensington Publishing
• Deb Werksman, Editorial Director, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Judging and Awards

In the primary round three (3) judges, at least two of whom have been published in novella or book length will judge each entry.

The lowest of the three scores from first round judges will be dropped from the final tally. This means that although an entrant will receive three critiques, only the top two scores will be used to determine which three finalists go to the editor and agent judges. The top two scores will be added then divided to achieve an average score. The entries with the top three average scores will advance to the final round. In the event of a tie, the third dropped score will be consulted to determine the finalist.

Finalist will be sent back the scores and comments from the first round judges and given one week to make edits on manuscript before they are sent in to the final round judges. Finalist will receive a seal to place on their website announcing they are a finalist in the Lone Star Writing Competition.

Editors and agents will judge final round entries. Each editor and agent will rank and score the finalists from first through third.

Winners will be announced in October 2018 at the Northwest Houston RWA meeting held in Spring, Texas (and notified by telephone/email). Winners in each category will receive a certificate, $50.00, and a seal/banner announcing they are a winner in the Lone Star Writing competition.

Grand Prize

The grand prize for the 2018 Lone Star Writing Contest will be a free session of “Mailing List Expert,” a four-week course designed to teach authors how to build and maintain a strong and engaged email list (a $299 value). The grand prize winner will be selected at random from the first prize winners in each category.

Additionally, all non-finalists will be entered in a drawing to win an Amazon Fire tablet with Alexa, pre-loaded with exclusive romance titles.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: June 8, 2018 at midnight CST

For more info and contest entry forms, please visit Northwest Houston RWA. 

Takeaway Truth

The Lone Star Writing Contest is one of the most prestigious in Romance Writers of America. Many bestselling authors have got their start with this contest. Enter today!

Take 5 With Amber Daulton

Good morning! What a fabulous Wednesday it will be.

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming my friend Amber Daulton, one of my Glass Slipper Sisters, to SlingWords.

About Amber Daulton

Writing is the fruit of happiness, and Amber Daulton lives her life by that one belief even though she normally isn’t so Zen.

As a fan of contemporary, paranormal, and historical romance novels alike, she can’t get enough of feisty heroines and alpha heroes. Her mind is a wonderland of adventure, laughter, and awesome ways of kicking a guy when he’s down.

She probably wouldn’t be too sane without her computer and notebooks. After all, what’s a girl to do when people are jabbering away in her head and it’s hard to shut them up? Write! Nothing else works.

Find Amber Daulton Online

Blogsite * Facebook Author Page * Twitter * Pinterest  * Goodreads 

Take 5 with Amber Daulton, Author of Arresting Mason

Q: What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to food and drink?

Amber: I absolutely love Mountain Dew and fruity flavors of ice cream. When it comes to the cold, yummy goodness, however, I prefer to combine a few scoops each of strawberry and peaches-and-cream into a bowl and then drizzle chocolate syrup all over the ice cream. That’s nirvana for me!

Q: What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to books?

Amber: Bad boys and tortured heroes! You know the kind. Any story with a bad-mouthed, tattooed, extremely buff, and infuriatingly sexy hero is my kind of story, but usually I lean more toward books written in third person, not first. In any case, give me sexy and dirty any day of the week!

Q: What kind of promotion do you enjoy the most?

Amber: I love character interviews. It’s so much fun for me to step back into my favorite character’s shoes (usually the hero’s) and let him answer questions about life, love, and mayhem.

Q: Have you ever cast anyone you actively dislike as a villain in your books?

Amber: Not completely. I sometimes pick the most negative or annoying qualities from my family members and give those poor attributes to my characters, but I’ve never modeled a character in full from a real life person.

Q: What is your biggest goal this year?

Amber: Arresting Mason, Book 1, Arresting Onyx Series, just came out in April 2018. The other four books in the series are already done, but I want to go through and edit them again before I submit them to my editor at The Wild Rose Press. Each book will probably take a month or so to go through. I’ve already started on book 2, and I’m anxious to get the publishing ball rolling for that book.

Arresting Mason
Book 1, Arresting Onyx Series

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation.

After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.

Mia falls hard for the sexy ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life. 

When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Add Arresting Mason to Your Library

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes * Kobo  * The Wild Rose Press Store –

Takeaway Truth

If you're looking for an edgy, sexy contemporary romance, be sure and check out Arresting Mason by Amber Daulton.

Action: Key To Success

People who wait for inspiration before acting usually don't achieve much.

In fact, just about everyone who says he is waiting for inspiration to get started is really only procrastinating.

There's usually some kind of fear at work. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, maybe even fear of succcess.

If you want to achieve anything worthwhile, you must get started by taking action.

Action is the key to success in any endeavor.

That's how writing success happens. You have an idea, and you take action to turn that idea into an article or a book or a screenplay. You work every day, and you stay with it until you reach the end of the book or the project. Completing the project is your success.

By the way, selling a gazillion copies should never be the goal toward which you are working no control over that. Your only control lies with writing the best book you can write.

because you have

Even when you think what you're doing may be crap or a waste of time, you stay with it.

Persistence and consistency of taking action helps you achieve what you want.

Takeaway Truth

Not only will you achieve your goal, but you will also have created the habit of taking action every day. That in itself is priceless.

What Is Lurk Mode

Happy Monday! Or is your day more like Mundane Monday?

I'm still playing catch up so I've been in serious lurk mode for more than a week.

History of Lurk Mode

Did you ever wonder who first used lurk in the online world?

When computer-mediated communication first began as online communities--bulletin boards--lurking was viewed as a problem because the community wanted all members to interact by posting.

However, many people may visit a community because they're interested in the subjects under discussion, but they don't have time to post or they're shy.

Lurking now pertains to anyone who is online, monitoring what's going on, but not posting or interacting. That's me when I'm overwhelmed by obligations and work. I want to keep up, but I have time only to check out what's going on.

Lurk, first used in the 14th century to refer to someone who hid away--usually for an evil purpose--immediately became popular with the internet bulletin board systems in the early 1980's to describe those who were online, using a single phone line that tied up that line so others couldn't get on to post or upload files.

Takeaway Truth

Embrace Monday and have a great week.

Why Write A Review?

Authors are always asking readers, "If you like this book, please leave a short review."

Why do we do this? Because reviews help other readers find an author's books.

Many readers would like to do this, but they're not sure how to do it. Not to worry. I'm here to help.

Writing a book review is a learned skill, and I can show you how to do it. It's really quite easy.

That's why I post this how-to article every quarter to help those who are just venturing into review territory. I want to remove the anxiety and the fear factor from the process.

Trust me. Just read this, and you'll be able to post like a pro. Feel free to pass this post link on to others.

Traditional Reviews

In the past, the formal book review was required by any serious book reviewer. The formal review usually went like this example:

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Name; 1st edition (date)
ISBN: number
Book Size: Format, i.e., Trade Paperback
The Review

You'll still see formal book reviews, but the review most people are familiar with in today's world is the reader review or user review as seen online. Let's face it, the world is a lot less formal. Most formalities seem to have gone the way of daily milk delivery and newspaper subscriptions.

Today's Reader Reviews

Many reader and/or user reviews are thoughtful and helpful. Unfortunately, many are like snarky cocktail party chatter. Some are downright mean.

I'm going to focus on the thoughtful and helpful review and leave the others lying in the muck.

Many readers are wary of posting reviews. I can understand that, but I encourage you to offer your opinion because you're entitled to it.

I think there are many reasons why readers shun the review process. Here are a few that might apply:

• they liked the book but they are aware of the nastiness that some reader reviewers heap on those with dissenting opinions
• they did not like the book but the author has a huge following and they're afraid loyal supporters will subject them to some of the same nastiness
• they don't want to hurt the author's feelings
• they don't know what to say
• they're concerned that they don't have the writing skills necessary to write a review.

I'm sure there are many other reasons, but I think the above are the most obvious. At least, I get emails from readers who love my books, but they never post a review even when I ask them to leave a few sentences about their reading experience.

So this post is for the average book loving reader:

• who is new to the review process
• who may not know exactly what to say or how to say it
• who is wary of attacks from readers with different opinions
• who don't see why they should take time to do this.

How To Say What You Think

If your friend next door dropped by to visit you and saw a book, she'd probably ask: "What do you think about that book?"

You'd answer by telling her briefly what the book was about and what you liked about it or didn't like. That's how you write a review: in a friendly conversational style as if you were telling a friend about it.

So just jot down what you think on a notepad or in some computer word processing app if you want to be sure it looks good and sounds accurate. If you're concerned about spelling or grammar, do a quick check for that which is easy if you wrote it in MS Word or something similar. Cut and paste it onto the review form on the book's webpage. When you're finished, you always have the chance to preview what you wrote in case you'd like to change something.

What To Say

1. Don't worry about summarizing the book. There's already a Product Description on the book's webpage.

If you feel you must give a synopsis, use the gist of the Product Description from the book's webpage.

2. In an online review to be posted on the book's webpage, you just need to say how you felt about the book and why.

If you liked the book, say so. Then say why.

Example: If you were posting a review of Gone With the Wind, you might say: "I liked this novel because it 's set on a plantation in Georgia as the North and South are on the brink of war, and I love books set during the Civil War."

Or, you might say: "The heroine of this book is Scarlett O'Hara, a spoiled, headstrong young woman, and I like the kind of conflict created by women like that." Or, you might say: "I like to read anything that is historically based and well-researched."

If you didn't like the book, say so. Then explain why.

Example using the same book: "I didn't care for this book because I could not identify with the arrogant woman who manipulated and used everyone around her." Or, "I don't like books set in that historical era, and I abhor unrealistic books about slavery."

That's a fair statement because it explains why you didn't like it, but at the same time, your review doesn't personally attack the author or demean him or her for having created such a character.

3. Never include “spoilers,” elements of the book that are to be surprises, in a review.

4. Give your opinion of the book as it is written, not how you think it should have been written.

5. Do not allow your personal prejudices or attitudes about the author, the premise of the book, the theme of the book, the manner in which it was published, or anything else not related to the writing to intrude in your review.

If you normally don't read romance, but you got a free romance novel, and you didn't like it because it had sex scenes in it or whatever, then do not review it. A review should not reflect your personal prejudices. Instead, make it a policy to review books that reflect your reading taste.

Please don't ever make personal remarks about the author, i.e. anyone would have to be a moron to write a book like this. Or, the author must be a pervert to write sex stuff like this.

6. Summarize your thoughts about the book and feel free to make recommendations such as, "if you like southern humor, you'll love this book."

7. Always be respectful of the author and his or her time and effort. This doesn't mean suppress your true opinion. It does mean to present your opinion in a respectful, professional manner as if you were talking in person to the author. Why? Because no author sets out to write a bad book. And because what you dislike may be what another reader adores.

Give other readers a chance to make up their minds for themselves. Example: "While this book was well-researched and smoothly written, it just wasn't my cup of tea, but someone who loves brash heroines would probably find it compelling."

To paraphrase what Danielle Steele once said about reviews: "Writing a book, getting it published, and getting bad reviews is like making a beautiful cake and someone comes along and sits on it."

So be diplomatic and kind in your review even if you did not like the book. The author did not set out to write a bad book, but sometimes all the elements just don't come together.

Always Take The High Road & Ignore Those Crawling In The Muck

If you post reviews, and someone makes a comment on it, for instance, This person is an idiot if he thinks this is a good book. (Or a bad book.) Don't answer back.

You are not required to defend your opinion or to answer any detractors. You have the right to your opinion and to state it publicly. For every person who disagrees with you, there is at least one (probably a lot more) who will agree.

A fight can't start without 2 combatants so simply ignore any negative comments.

Why Post Reviews

Believe it or not, writers try to learn from their reviews. If a thoughtful review mentions something the author is doing particularly well, she'll do more of it. Good reviews boost an author during the long process of writing another book.

If it mentions something the author failed at, she'll try to improve. Bad reviews may bring her down, but if they contain some insight, then they too are valuable.

Be responsible. Be objective. Be polite.

I think a lot of the acid-tinged reviews I see wouldn't be posted if someone had to say all that to the author's face and/or would have to sign their real name to the review.

Takeaway Truth

Please keep in mind that no one ever sets out to write a bad book. Authors know that not everyone will like their "baby," but they expect literary criticism to be handled in an objective, friendly way.

The Sky Is Falling--GDPR

Yesterday, as I was wading through all the requirements and various websites, a line from an old country music song popped into my brain, "Gloom, despair, agony on end..." That's what yesterday was.

What's Uh Happening, Hot Stuff?

Just about every author I know who maintains a subscription mailing list has been inundated with information about the General Data Protection Regulation, commonly known as GDPR.

Privately I added an adjective in front of GDPR that indicates my general state of disgruntlement as I tried to figure out what the heck I needed to actually do about this regulation that is focused on the rights of citizens living in a country that is part of the European Union.

If you just said, "Huh?" you know exactly how we all feel.

GDPR Apocolypse

Apparently, the EU is out to make sure that all of the citizens under them never receive an email without having subscribed AND confirmed the subscription.

They also want their citizens to understand their rights to privacy to protect them from having their data used in a way they were not advised about.

What all this means is that I spent an entire day figuring out a Privacy Policy and a Cookie Policy--as if I have any control over what data is automatically gathered by software bots since my blog is hosted by Blogger and my website is hosted by Authors Guild.

Just In Case You Want To Know

Skip over this if you're already bored to tears.

What is GDPR? What does it mean? The General Data Protection Regulation is a regulation on data protection and privacy for all people living in a European Union country.

The purpose of it is to give EU residents control over their personal data and how it can be collected and processed. Uh, privacy? Hasn't that ship already sailed for everyone on the planet?

Still Saying, "Huh?"

Me too. However, since it does no good to try to fight city hall or the EU, I placed a Privacy Policy on my blog (see the tab on the menu bar) and website yesterday and linked one to BookFunnel which hosts my free book that's a welcome gift for Mailing List subscribers.

By Friday, I'll have a Cookie Policy up--for whatever it's worth since I don't actually have any control over that. The Cookie Policy isn't required yet, but people who know far more than I about all this says it will be in the near future.

I'm also having to change the wording on my Mailing List signup. I can't use the text, "sign up for my mailing list and receive a free ebook." Well, that sentence is in the front and back of every published book I have online. So guess what I'll be doing in a few days? Yep, editing every single book and uploading again. Of course, that won't change the books that are already out there.

Takeaway Truth

I'm a writer. All I want to do is write, darn it! How rare it is to have a week--heck, a day--devoted primarily to writing. *sigh*

Unforgettable Weddings Available Now

I'm back! After more than a week away at my brother's farm where there is no WiFi, I'm back.

Every year my younger brother in Colorado and his wife and Darling Hubby and I meet at my older brother's farm for a few days of fabulous food and visiting with those dear to us.

The most challenging thing is being disconnected from everything online. Today, I begin the process of catching up.

Unforgettable Weddings

First, I want to tell you about Unforgettable Weddings: Joyful Memories, the new box set I'm in with 7 of my author friends. Isn't the cover art romantic and beautiful?

To Have and To Hold. That's the promise made by marriage. In this era of casual relationships, true

love STILL exists. True love is what helps a woman and a man overcome huge conflicts. It's what keeps them together despite battles they fight and obstacles they confront. When everything seems to go wrong, true love is what brings the lovers back into each other's embrace.

Celebrate true love and commitment with Unforgettable Weddings: Joyful Memories, 8 breathtaking stories from NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

Follow the adventures of 8 couples as they face many twists and turns on their way to happily-ever-after. These intriguing men and women will navigate dysfunctional families, pregnancy (oopsies!), second chance at love, royalty, trust fund calamities, and even time travel as they make their way down the aisle toward, “I do!” One thing is certain—love is never easy, but it’s always surprising, fun, and memorable!

UNFORGETTABLE WEDDINGS produce Joyful Memories that will stay with you long after you've finished reading each of these heart-throbbing romances.

April Fool Bride, Joan Reeves, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: Is it a Marriage of Convenience or something--more?

The Troublemaker Bride, Leanne Banks, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: When a single pregnant mom needs emergency help from a single dad, sparks fly and emotions run high. But can forever love prevail?

Trouble In Vegas, Patrice Wilton, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: A bride-to-be is in Vegas with her sister and bridesmaid to celebrate her upcoming wedding when calamity, chaos and a hot guy named Josh, sets her life on a different course!

Return Of The Runaway Bride, Donna Fasano, USA Today bestselling author: She ran from her fairy tale wedding; now she's back to face the man whose heart she broke.

Forever By The Sea, Traci Hall, USA Today bestselling author: Will the ceremony they both want so much be the end of their relationship—or will the trials create a love to last forever?

A Bride For Prince Paul, Mona Risk, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: She loved him as her driver, but she can’t abandon her patients for his crown!

Be My Angel, Dani Haviland, USA Today bestselling author: He dreamed of saving the wild horses in the west, but hadn't anticipated being mesmerized by a sassy woman in a wheelchair.

Together Always, Mimi Barbour, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: A new body, a new face, someone else’s husband!

Takeaway Truth

Unforgettable Weddings: Joyful Memories is a Kindle Unlimited "free read" if you are a subscriber. Or, buy it for only 99cents and own it.