Nightmare on Query Street 2016 Free Pass

Contests are subjective. I like to take some of that out of the equation with an equalizer like a free pass! It lets someone who might not make the finals go before agents and get help from mentors. This is one of my favorite parts about any contest I help host. 

So let's talk about this opportunity.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and use the rafflecopter to be entered. Everyone gets a free entry. There will be other extra entry options that you can skip or use for bonus chances.

Something a little harder this year. I want you to describe your favorite Halloween decoration you put out every year or maybe one you had as a child. Give me that description below in a comment, then use the rafflecopter to record that you entered. It can be scary or not. No extra bonus points but extra fun if you want to send me a picture of the decoration on twitter (@Michelle4Laughs) under #NoQS. I'll RT and share them.

I know some people don't decorate, so you can take a picture of an item at your local store next time you're shopping. (Note: I'm not asking you to buy anything, just get ideas there.) I won't be rating you on your ability with words, so relax and have fun with it.

Here's the little doodad I got at the our Blueberry Festival. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks to be a mix between a creepy egg boy and a sad zombie. I needed a decoration that wasn't a pumpkin because I sadly lack variety. :-) 

It's been brought to my attention that some countries don't celebrate Halloween. I offer my condolences at missing all the free candy. But we want to hear from you, too! Instead, please comment with a description of a popular holiday unique to your country. Let us know what we are missing. 

This will run from today until October 10th when the rafflecopter will pick one winner. The Free Pass winner will bypass the slush and become one of Michelle's Minions for Nightmare on Query Street. They will work with a mentor to polish and then be entered in the agent round, where 25 agents will read their work.

Don't forget to use the rafflecopter if you comment or your entry will not be processed.

And that's it!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snow Free Pass 2016

I know this is a busy time of year so right to it!

Sun versus Snow is coming! As of right now we have sixteen agents. (Agents announced in January.) You can see the rules here. My last couple of contests averaged three success stories from my picks alone. My free pass winner from Query Kombat in June became the runner up and got an agent!

I know of one person from Sun versus Snow 2015 who not only got an agent but also a nice book deal!

This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. A free pass allows you to skip the slush and become an instant pick. You will get to work with a mentor to improve your query and first page. Your entry will be seen by our agents and any ninja agents. And you'll be the first member of Team Snow!

You must do two things to enter: leave a blog comment on this post and use the rafflecopter to record that you commented. If you aren't in the rafflecopter, it can't pick you as the winner. This insures the winner is random and no bias slips in.

In the blog comment I want a short paragraph on what your main character would do with a snowball. Your main character suddenly has a snowball what does he/she do with it. Be creative but clean. It should be fun and imaginative. There's no need to post something long. Try and stay under 200 words.

Use the rafflecopter for addition entries and to help spread the word. Please tweet about this mini contest and pass it along to your friends! The more the merrier!

BONUS: 

Amy and I agreed I can have TWO free passes! But the right conditions must be met.

I picked December 22nd for my free pass to open for a reason. The paperback of Grudging comes out today and I wanted to celebrate!

So in honor of that happy event, here are the conditions for a second free pass (Winner also to be drawn by the rafflecopter.):

1. Grudging hits the top 100 on Amazon in the paid Kindle Store category. 
2.  Or Grudging hits the top 10 in the other Amazon categories of historical fantasy, epic fantasy, or fantasy. 
3.  Or Grudging reaches 20 honest reviews on Goodreads or Amazon.

For one or two, someone must send me a screen shot as proof it happened.

To give everyone plenty of time to write their paragraph, the mini contest will stay open until January 11th. Good luck and I hope to see you on Team Snow!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snow Free Pass 2015

Hey all,

One of my favorite parts of these contests is giving someone an opportunity to make the agent round who I would not necessarily pick. It's giving a dark horse a shot at a mentor and getting in front of agents. I've always been something of a dark horse myself.

I'm making it simple this time. No rafflecopters. No following or liking me here or there. Thought if you could retweet about the free pass that would be awesome! I really encourage you to help get the word out. The more the merrier!

You do not have to be planning to enter as a 'snow' contestant. You MC may prefer sun for your entry on January 26th. None of that matters here for the free pass.

I just want you to leave a comment on this blog post with your favorite memory about snow or winter. Be inventive and creative. Have lots of voice. Entertain me! You can be as long or short as you like but no giant essays. Keep it to a paragraph or four, shorter is preferred. I will be picking my favorite comment for the win. Hint: long-time followers know I like to laugh.

I almost forgot the most important part, leave some way for me to get ahold of you. That means a twitter handle or email address in the comment.

The free pass starts now and ends on Friday January 23rd at 4:00 eastern. Good luck and be sure to hang out at #sunvssnow to meet and greet other writers!