It's In The Details

Friday, May 5, 2017

Query Kombat 2017 Judges

Time for our AMAZING lineup of judges for this year's Query Kombat tournament. Many of them were contestants in prior contests. We've worked hard to find authors that form a diverse group of opinions, talents, and specialties from all categories and genres.

Query Kombat would not be possible without the wonderful people who donate their time to help. For this month-long contest, we've recruited forty-five industry professionals to critique entries and vote for a winner of each matchup. Each and every one of these judges is participating out of the kindness of their heart, so please join the QK Crew in thanking them for volunteering.

THANK YOU!

Remember that the best way to thank judges for their time is to buy their books. Michelle has compiled a Goodreads list to make finding the judges' books easier, and they’ve written some great stuff. Also be sure to follow the judges on Twitter.

On Friday, May 12th, we'll be hosting a Twitter party where writers can reach out to the judges and ask questions about their entries, writing, querying, etc. Join us at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. The hashtag will be #QKChat.

We'll have a second chat to calm raw nerves on May 23rd at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

There are so many judges this year, we're breaking the bios down across all three host blogs. Go here to see them all: Mike, Laura, and Michelle. For a rule refresher, click here.

Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce one set of judges for Query Kombat 2017.

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Carrie DuBois-Shaw

Carrie DuBois-Shaw is the co-author (with Betsy Aldredge) of the upcoming YA romance,Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things (Simon Pulse, August 8, 2017), which has been called "the most hilarious, charming, feminist Sasquatch-hunting book ever to grace a bookshelf" by author Alison Cherry and “a delightfully quirky and hilarious debut” by Darcy Woods. A retelling of Pride and Prejudice, focusing on a family of Jewish Bigfoot hunters, SASQUATCH was the Grand Champion of Query Kombat in 2014. www.betsyandcarrie.com Twitter @carriedubois

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Chad Randall

Chad Randall is a speculative fiction writer living in Portland, Oregon. He has a

B.A. in History from the University of Oregon and currently works for lawyers.

His unremarkable origin story involves scribbling adventures where Princess Leia and Han Solo got into all sorts of trouble, and a school project about dogs who got trapped in the mall on the way to dog prom. Now he writes about cowboys and people living on space colonies. He loves fiction where people are constantly running away from things – whether emotional trauma or monsters foaming at the mouth. Twitter: CasterShellNo9

Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group is trying to sell his first novel. Chad is a success story from Query Kombat 2016.

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CM McCoy

Author CM McCoy (aka Colleen Oefelein) has one pointed ear, an 90-pound "puppy" from Hell, and a very active imagination. She’s well aware nobody can say or spell her real last name, hence the pen name. You can call her Colleen.

She’s a retired Air Force officer, an author, a blogger, and the PR manager for Inklings Literary Agency. When she’s not chatting with her imaginary friends, she’s either stuck in a book or interviewing with PEOPLE Magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the local morning news show, or INSIDE EDITION, where she promotes writing for mental and emotional health. She also mentors pre-published authors through workshops and contests and runs Totem Head's Annual Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its ninth year.

Though she holds 2 Bachelor of Science degrees (Chemical Engineering and German -- Penn State), she's far happier writing near misses and awkward kisses. Some of her off-the-wall talents include speaking in 10-codes (which she learned working 911-dispatch for Alaska State Troopers), flying helicopters, and Irish dance. Her debut, EERIE, a teen paranormal adventure with romance, released in Dec 2015 by Omnific/Simon & Schuster. She has a memoir out on submission to production companies and a picture book out on submission to publishers. She's represented by Michelle Johnson.

In the business world, Colleen is the PR Manager and an associate agent for Inklings Literary Agency.

One of her greatest joys is administrating, judging, and funding the annual free writing contest for kids: Totem Head's Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its 9th year. When she's not stuck in a book or off on an adventure, she's tending to the North of Normal Book Reviews blog.

Colleen was a contestant in New Agent in 2015 and Pitchslam.

Links

★ Website/blog: http://www.cmmccoy.com
★ Twitter (@eerie_o): https://twitter.com/eerie_o
★ Facebook C.M. McCoy: https://www.facebook.com/eeriesaga/

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Gail Villanueva

Gail is a Filipina author based in the Philippines. She runs a design studio with her husband in the outskirts of Manila, but also does freelance copywriting on the side. When not in front of her computer coding a website or writing a story, you’ll find her in the backyard, playing with four dogs, five ducks, a chicken, a turtle, and a cat. Gail writes upmarket MG, both historical and contemporary, and with elements of magic. Her fiction is represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group.

Website: www.gaildvillanueva.com

Twitter: @gaildvillanueva

Instagram: @gaildvillanueva

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gaildvillanueva/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaildvillanueva/

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Jamie Howard

Jamie Howard is a legal and compliance specialist by day, author by night, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art. When she’s not tapping away at the keyboard or capturing the world through her trusty Canon, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, devouring books, and perfecting her gaming skills. She lives with her husband and three children in New Jersey, and is almost always awake early enough to see the sun rise, even on the weekends.

Jamie is the author of Until We Break, Until It’s Right, All The Ways You Saved Me, and The Feeling of Forever with St. Martin’s Press. She is represented by Jessica Watterson of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Twitter: @JRHoward9

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Judy Clements

Judy Clemens, aka JC Lane, is the author of TAG, YOU'RE DEAD, which was a 2014 QK Kontestant and the YA winner (and overall runner-up) that year. TAG has been nominated for an Agatha award for Best Children's/YA mystery of 2016. As Judy Clemens she writes mysteries for adults, including the Agatha- and Anthony-nominated Stella Crown series, the Grim Reaper mysteries, and the stand-alone LOST SONS. She is a past-president of Sisters in Crime, an organization whose mission is to support female crime writers, and she is represented by Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary Agency.

Websites:

http://www.jclanebooks.com

http://www.judyclemens.com

Twitter: @judyclemens1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyclemensauthor/

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Kat Hinkel

Kat Hinkel is a speculative thriller writer living in Philadelphia. She is a Pitch Wars 2015 alum (and Michelle's mentee) and is represented by Jaida Temperly at New Leaf. You can often find her drinking old fashioneds at costume parties, playing music, or (obviously) writing.

Twitter: @kathinkel
Website: www.kathinkel.squarespace.com

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Kim Long

Kim Long is an attorney in the Chicagoland area, where she spends her days expressing her clients’ (always true) stories to judges and juries. She writes MG and YA contemporary fantasy that contain a sprinkle of science and is represented by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger. When not managing her fantasy baseball and football teams, she can be found biking, watching Star Wars for the zillionth time, or teaching her nieces about the importance of choosing the correct racer (Toad) and vehicle (standard bike) to obtain success in Mario Kart.

Kim was a contestant in Query Kombat 2014.

twitter: @theSol23

website: KimLongWritesHere.blogspot.com

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Kimberly Ito

Kimberly Ito writes realistic contemporary fiction for teenagers and teenagers-at-heart. She has a passion for angst, romance, and non-traditionally beautiful characters. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading (of course!), butchering power ballads at karaoke, playing with her kids and pets, and speculating about the next Star Wars. She also works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and Japanese-to-English translator. Kimberly lives outside of Tokyo with her family, and is represented by Brooks Sherman at the Bent Agency.
kimberlyito.com

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Lisa Koosis

In addition to writing novels for young adults, Lisa A. Koosis in a prize-winning short story writer, whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Family Circle, The Poughkeepsie Journal, and the Hugo-nominated Abyss & Apex. Lisa is a member of the SCBWI, an ambassador for National Novel Writing Month, and an active member of her local writing community. She’s also a complete sucker for weird science facts. Her debut YA sci-fi novel, RESURRECTING SUNSHINE, came out in 2016.

Website: http://www.lisakoosis.com/

Blog: http://writingonthinice.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MidnightZoo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaakoosis/

Resurrecting Sunshine Buy Link: http://a.co/4DKVYo5

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Richard Pearson

Richard Taylor Pearson is a triple threat: author, actor, and attorney. He grew up

in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he appeared in many plays and musicals. After graduating from Rhodes College, Richard went on to obtain a law degree from Rutgers School of Law. While he works as an attorney by day, his nights and weekends are spent writing novels and performing in theatrical events all over New York City. Richard lives in Jersey City with his husband, Brian, and their daughter, Natalie. His debut novel, The Role, was published by Lethe Press in May of 2016.

Blog: http://www.richardtpearson.com/
FB: http://facebook.com/authorrtp
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/authorrtp
G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RichardPearsonAuthor/about
The Role: http://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p338/The_Role.html

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Sarah Jamila Stevenson

Sarah Jamila Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor and graphic designer in Northern California. She is the author of three YA novels: THE LATTE REBELLION (Flux, 2011), UNDERNEATH (Flux, 2013) and THE TRUTH AGAINST THE WORLD (Flux, 2014). Her first novel for young adults, THE LATTE REBELLION, was a Scholastic Book Club pick as well as an IPPY Bronze Medalist in Multicultural Children's Fiction. Her work has been featured on Capital Public Radio's Insight and NPR's Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She is also an active blogger: since 2005 she has been posting children's literature reviews and information at Finding Wonderland (writingya.blogspot.com), a blog she shares with fellow young adult author Tanita S. Davis, and she is a regular participant in the Cybils Awards.

Website: http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.com

Blog: http://writingya.blogspot.com

Twitter: @aquafortis

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Teresa Frohock

T. Frohock has turned a love of dark fantasy and history into tales of deliciously creepy fiction. She lives in North Carolina, where she has long been accused of telling stories, which is a southern colloquialism for lying.

She is the author of Miserere: An Autumn Tale and several short stories. Her newest series, Los Nefilim, is from Harper Voyager Impulse.

You can keep up with Teresa at Twitter (https://twitter.com/T_Frohock), or her website (www.tfrohock.com).

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Tracy Townsend

Tracy Townsend holds a Master’s degree in Writing & Rhetoric from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree in creative writing from DePauw University, a source of regular consternation when proofreading her credentials. She is chair of the English Department at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, an elite public boarding school, where she teaches creative writing and science fiction & fantasy literature. She has been a martial arts instructor, a stage combat and accent coach, and a short-order cook for houses full of tired gamers. Now she lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois with two bumptious hounds, two remarkable children, and one very patient husband. Her short story, “Late Arrivals,” was published by Luna Station Quarterly in March 2016. Her debut novel, The Nine, is the first in a clockpunk fantasy trilogy from Pyr (November 14, 2017).

links: https://www.tracytownsend.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheStorymatic

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34437448-the-nine?ac=1&from_search=true

Tracy got her agent from Nightmare on Query Street in 2013.

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Wade Albert White

Wade Albert White is the author of the middle grade novel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes (a 2016 BEA middle grade Buzz Book and an ABA Indies Introduce selection), and its forthcoming sequel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me). In addition to writing, he teaches part time, animates for fun, and works hard to maintain his title as the slowest 10K runner—ever. Also, he owns one pretend cat and one real one, and they get along fabulously. He is represented by Elizabeth Kaplan of the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency.

Twitter: @wadealbertwhite

Website: wadealbertwhite.com

Wade was the MG champion in Query Kombat 2014.

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Sunday, April 30, 2017

Quick Writing Advice from Twitter

The other night I got inspired to tweet some writing advice tips. I thought I'd expand on those a little here.

Do unto other writers the good you wish they would do unto you. Even when no one is watching. Help each other after published too.

This goes beyond retweeting for each other and congratulations at their successes. You can also be moral support when someone is having a tough time. Enter your fellow writer's giveaways. Most writers are also readers. Consider purchasing their books if they interest you and leaving reviews. Give back by doing critiques or joining contests as judges and mentors. Do all the good you can for each other.

If your first chapter doesn't accomplish mutiple goals and foreshadow, rewrite it until it does. #writingtips Foreshadow can be added after.

First chapters have to be big workhorses. You need them to accomplish several goals: character introduction and development, plot introduction or foreshadowing, world building, establishing conflict, and so on. It should also create some way for the reader to connect with the opening of the story maybe by making the reader curious about what comes next or through building sympathy with the characters. Foreshadowing can be added after the first draft is done and edited in.

By foreshadowing I mean things like showing your MC is afraid of heights and then having that fear be a part of the finale chapters. Or in Grudging, the characters play a trick on the enemy in the first chapter and the ending revolves around another sort of trick. But your foreshadowing can be as simple as hinting at the conflict/antagonist that hasn't been revealed yet.

Description can show the setting. Even better if it also shows something about your character's personality or sets the mood. #writingtips

When describing the setting try and make sure the words create the proper mood in the reader. A huge bonus is if you can use something from the setting to help show parts of your character's personality or their emotions. This can be done with actions or with introspective.

Vary your sentence length and structure unless you want to put your reader to sleep. #writingtips

This can take practice but make sure to vary the length of your sentences--some long, more medium, and short--and incorporate various sentence structures in each paragraph. If all the sentences syntax is similar, it creates a singsong rhythm in your reader's head and becomes really boring. Watch out and avoid it.

Celebrate small successes when querying or you won't get through the rejection. #writingtips Don't second guess yourself.

My family used to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen down the street whenever I got a full or partial request back when I was querying. I helped get me through all the rejection. We did somewhat the same when I had books out on submission. Rejection can be crushing to the spirit, so treat yourself when you have a positive accomplishment.

Don't waste time with thinking "oh I should have done this" or "I should have done that." Whatever it was is done. Spend your energy on deciding how to proceed in the now.

Avoid a mushy middle section by always have goals for each chapter to accomplish. #writingtips

This works for me and I hope it will for you. Have an established goal in mind when writing each chapter in the middle sections of your manuscript. Have each scene advance the plot, or advance the understanding of the characters, or advance the conflict, or advance the world building information for example. Even better if you do several of these in the same scene.

Check how much character introspective or reflection there is in your favorite books. Probably more than you expect. #writingtips

You're likely to be surprised at how much character thought/introspection or reflection there is in each page, let alone each chapter. Your character needs to think about themselves, other characters, the situation, their feelings and a huge variety of subjects. This helps draw the reader closer to the character, builds a relationship between reader and character. I think a lot of more beginning writers try to limit this use of inner thought because they think it's telling. Sometimes it is. And you have to learn when it's needed and when it's too much. That comes with practice. But you can learn a lot about when to use it from your favorite books.

Trust your writing instinct. If you have writers block, there's probably something wrong with the direction of your story. #writingtips

This is another one that is often true for me. Whenever I get stuck in my writing, it's usually because the story is headed in the wrong direction. It isn't necessarily always a big problem that needs fixed; sometimes it can just be the trend of one conversation being slightly off. Just be aware of what your instincts are telling you.

If you feel like the story is too flat, it may be time to add more conflict. If you feel readers will be bored than you are likely right. Perhaps you have some chapters that aren't achieving any goals and could be cut.

This can be true when you're querying also. Listen to your inner voice because it could be leading you in the right direction.

Don't expect your first writings to be masterpieces. There is a learning curve to everything and writing has rules just like any other job.

Writing is a profession, and with any profession there is a learning curve. There are rules to writing and techniques and skill involved. It will take more than one or two manuscripts to learn them all or to become skilled at using them. Be patient with yourself and just be aware that you will probably grow as a writer. It's an acquired skill and we are all learning.

This is true about writing query letters and synopsis also. They get better over time.

Best way to become a better writer is to read a lot of books in your genre. #writingtips #amwriting

My favorite advice. Read. Read in your genre. You'll pick up so much. Timing, pacing, the amounts of description, introspective and characterization to add. When to throw in a twist. When to change the direction of the story. The list of things to notice in successful books is never ending.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Query Kombat 2017 Free Pass

Free Pass! Free Pass!

I really love doing these! It's like a random act of kindness. It allows one person who might not have made it into the contest to have a shot at the agents. The free pass winner will skip the slush and become one of my final picks for #QueryKombat!

You'll only have to survive the round one battle to go to the agent round!

And you are guaranteed constructive comments from the judges!

The Free Pass is the great equalizer!

That's the way to hit it out of the ballpark!

Did I mention that we have 30 agents already? 30 agents!

So here we go:

1. Leave a blog comment below about what you believe is the BEST thing about online writing contests. No judging here. Just what aspect gives you the most benefit.

2. You also need to use the rafflecopter to record that you left a comment. The rafflecopter will pick the winner. There will be additional options to score more entries and raise your chances. They are options having to do with my books and that's why they are optional, but I appreciate your support!

There is also an extra option to give addition entries to marginalized writers. Use this option (definition taken from DV Pit) if you are:

This includes (but is not limited to): Native peoples and people of color; people living and/or born/raised in underrepresented cultures and countries; disabled persons (including neurodiverse); people living with illness; people on marginalized ends of the socioeconomic, cultural and/or religious spectrum; people identifying within LGBTQIA+; and more.

This free pass will stay open until May 15th. That gives you three and a half weeks. What are you waiting for--get to entering!

AND BE SURE TO ENTER FOR LAURA'S FREE PASS ALSO!

And good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Query Kombat 2017 Announcement

Bloggers Laura, Michael, and Michelle are back again to bring you the fifth annual Query Kombat tournament.

Contest Mission: To showcase the work of diverse and talented novelists, while providing a learning environment that unites the writing community through knowledge, kindness, and a little friendly kompetition.

The Basics

Query Kombat will host 64 kombatants in a single-elimination, tournament style query-off. Entries will go head to head (one on one) with one another until only ONE entry remains. There will be a total of six rounds in Query Kombat. 64 entries in round one, 32 in round two,16 in round three, 8 in round four, 4 in round five, and 2 in round six.

Unlike traditional tournaments, we won't be using tournament brackets. Entries will be matched up based on target audience and genre. We'll continue grouping that way until it's no longer possible.

If you secure a spot in the tournament, your query and the first 250 words of your manuscript (to the end of a complete sentence) will be pitted against another query and first 250 words. Judges will read each match-up and vote 'Victory' on the best entry. Remember, this is subjective. Considering last year, votes may come down to personal tastes.

The entry with the most ‘victories’ at the end of the round will advance to the next round until only one champion remains.

The agent round will be held after the first round. That mean the top 32 entries will make it to the agent round.

Of course, there's a twist!

The agent round will be conducted in secret. And by secret, we mean TOP SECRET. Entrants won't know who requested what—or how much—until that entrant has been eliminated from the contest.

On the plus side, winners of the first round will be able to submit and updated entry prior to the agent round. So, any feedback the judges give can be implemented before the agents see your work.

Who’s Invited to Submit:

The Query Kombat tournament is open only to unagented writers seeking representation. Your manuscript must be complete, polished, and ready to submit.

If your manuscript has been in the agent round of another contest within the last six months, you are not eligible to participate in Query Kombat. Please don’t try to sneak in. The QK team includes about fifty people and a few hundreds of spectators. Someone will notice and inform us.

Submissions for MG, YA, NA, and Adult works will be accepted (Sorry we aren't accepting Picture books or Chapter Books this year.). Only one entry per person. Do not attempt to submit more than one entry by using different email accounts. Again, the QK family is huge. Someone will notice.

Submissions

The submission window will open on May 17th at 9:00 AM Eastern time and close on May 19th at Noon.

We will have email confirmation. If you don't receive it within an hour of submitting your
entry, contact us via twitter and let us know. Kontestants will be revealed on May 26th, and the tournament will kick off on June 2nd.

IMPORTANT: The Query Kombat team reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, at any time, for any reason. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out before the agent round, an alternate from the same host will take its place. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out
after the agent round, the opposing entry will automatically advance to the next round. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out after the agent round but before new match-ups are assigned, match-ups will be assigned by random number generator with one random entry moving forward without a match.

The only time we will ever disqualify an applicant is if you say or do something to blemish the spirit of query contests. Query Kombat is supposed to be fun…

So no fighting!

In order to enter the contest you MUST follow formatting guidelines, and submit during the contest window. All entries that follow said guidelines will be considered.

In the event that we receive more than the available 64 spots (this is highly expected), Michelle, Laura, and I will savagely attack the slush pile in attempts to build the best team. We will pick (and announce) three alternates in case a submission is disqualified.

Entries should be sent to: QueryKombat (at) gmail (dot) com.

Formatting Guidelines:

Font: Times New Roman (or an equivalent), 12pt font, single-spaced with spaces between each paragraph. No (I repeat: NO!) indentations.

Subject line of the Email: A short, unique nickname for your entry [colon] your genre (audience included). Do not skip this step or your entry will be deleted. (ex. I Fell in Love with a Ken Doll: Adult Erotica)

For the nickname, make it as unique as possible so that there are no duplicates. These will be the names used in the tournament (or an abbreviated version if it's too long) so keep it PG-13 and try to have it relate to your story in some way.

In the body of the email (with examples):

Name: Michael Anthony

Email address: myboyfriendwasbittenbyashark (at) gmail (dot)
com.

Twitter Handle: @BarbforSenate36

Title: Eunuchs and Politics

Entry Nickname: I Fell in Love with a Ken Doll

Word count: 72K

Genre: Adult Erotica (If Ownvoices please list here)

Query:

Barbara B. Doll seemed like a woman who had it all, from the perfect body to her own dream house, McDonald's and a variety of vehicles. She even managed to become a U.S. Senator and go to the moon! However, something seemed missing. She didn't have any idea what it was until she met Ken.

Ken Dahl is funny, good-looking, and may have ties to the Illuminati. Barbara is immediately drawn to his shiny, perfect hair and teeth. When he offers to teach her surfing, they hit it off instantly. Everything seems to be going perfectly until Barbara discovers Ken has no
genitalia. She must search within herself to determine whether love can
overcome plastic, non-removable underwear.

Eunuchs and Politics is adult romance, complete at 72,000 words.

***THIS is NOT a PITCH but your FULL query. You may include greeting and closing. Do not include a bio or comp title.

First 250:

Words, words, and more words. Don't indent. Do put spaces between paragraphs.

Don't include the chapter title and please if the 250th word puts you in the middle of a sentence, you may go up to 258 to finish the sentence. Do not start a new sentence after the 250th word. Please use Microsoft Word to count. Both Pages and Google Docs will return incorrect word counts if you have hyphens, em-dashes, and ellipses.

Please use this site to give you an accurate word count if you are concerned about your standard word counter: https://wordcounter.net/. If you must, count by hand. A properly hyphenated word is one word. Words separated by an em-dash or ellipse are two words.

All queries submitted are FINAL. We will not edit them in any way, shape, or form. Please read, reread, and rereread your submission before you hit send. You have several weeks to polishyour work. Take advantage of it. Competition will be fierce.

Host Blogs

Because the immense amount of work ahead of us, the tournament will be hosted on three separate blogs. In order to enter the contest, you MUST follow Michael, Michelle, and Laura's blogs (Twitter is cool too). All three blogs will host the first round and agent round. The second round will be hosted by Michael and Michelle.The third round will be hosted by Laura. The fourth round will be hosted by Michael. The fifth round will be hosted by Michelle. The final round will be hosted by Laura. Have no fear, each blog will have links to all rounds so you will not get lost.

Agents and judges will be revealed soon. (As of now we have 30 agents and 27 judges!)

Questions can be left in the comments and I'll answer them as quickly as possible.

One last thing:

Contests are very time-consuming, and in order to continue hosting each year, we’re asking contestants to give a $5-$10 donation when making their entries. Asking for donations is one way to ensure we’re able to give you the time needed to carefully consider every entry. Chosen Kontestants receive feedback from up to 27 agented/published writers on their query and first page, plus the ability to query agents they otherwise may not have connected with. Some agents even read requested contest entries before the rest of the slush pile! All Kontestants, chosen are not, receive free slush tips from the hosts and the camaraderie that develops from entering contests together. Many writers find lifelong critique partners and good friends from these contests (I did).

Donating this year is strictly voluntary. Giving a donation does not increase your chances of being picked. Giving less than $5 or more than $10 will also have no impact on your chances. Donating will not affect how many rounds a person makes it through if chosen. People who are not able to donate will not be disqualified.

Thanks for your understanding and your donations!

Best of luck in the tournament!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Release Day for The Island Deception

It's here! It's here! It's finally here! After leaving us all hanging at the end of THE ROGUE RETRIEVAL, Dan Kobolt's second novel in the Gateways to Alissia series, THE ISLAND DECEPTION is now available for your SFF reading pleasure. Here's all the info and buy links on Dan's newest book baby!

Publisher: Harper Voyager

ISBN: 9780062659095

Release Date: April 11, 2017

What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But what happens after you step through a portal to another world, well...

For stage magician Quinn Bradley, he thought his time in Alissia was over. He'd done his job for the mysterious company CASE Global Enterprises, and now his name is finally on the marquee of one of the biggest Vegas casinos. And yet, for all the accolades, he definitely feels something is missing. He can create the most amazing illusions on Earth, but he's also tasted true power. Real magic.

He misses it.

Luckily--or not--CASE Global is not done with him, and they want him to go back. The first time, he was tasked with finding a missing researcher. Now, though, he has another task:

Help take Richard Holt down.

It's impossible to be in Vegas and not be a gambler. And while Quinn might not like his odds--a wyvern nearly ate him the last time he was in Alissia--if he plays his cards right, he might be able to aid his friends.

He also might learn how to use real magic himself.

Continuing the exciting adventures from The Rogue Retrieval, The Island Deception blends fun and mystery into a brilliant new fantasy from Dan Koboldt.

Learn More About The Island Deception

Buy It Now:

All e-book formats also available here

About Dan Koboldt

Dan Koboldt is a genetics researcher and fantasy/science fiction author from the Midwest. He works for the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he and his colleagues use next-generation DNA sequencing technologies to uncover the genetic basis of pediatric diseases. He has co-authored more than 70 publications in Nature, Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and other scientific journals.

Dan is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Every fall, he disappears into the woods to pursue whitetail deer and turkey with bow and arrow. He lives with his wife and three children in Ohio, where the deer take their revenge by eating all of the plants in his backyard.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Query Kombat 2017

It's coming....

The Battle Begins

Can your query survive?

Query Kombat Tournament Calendar:

Submission Window: May 17th - 19th
First round revealed: May 26th

Round 1: June 2nd - 5th
Agent round: June 7th -10th
Round 2: June 14th - 16th
Round 3: June 20st - 22nd
Round 4: June 24th - 25th
Round 5: June 27th -28th
Round 6: June 30th -July 1st

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

March 2017 PBParty Agent Round

Once again I really enjoyed this contest. As always the entries just blew Sharon and I away. They are beyond adorable, heart touching, hilarious, sweet and informative. And Picture Book authors are by far the kindest and most polite people! I don't know about Sharon, but I felt like I was in the middle of a group love hug on twitter all week. Something we all need in these difficult times.

Commenting on entries is for agents only. If you'd like to cheer or rave about a favorite, please hop over to twitter at the hashtag #PBParty. The party continues there as we celebrate and support our fellow writers.

I tried to squeeze all the entries onto the front of my blog, agents. But you might double check and use the Blog Archive to make sure you don't miss any. They are numbered from one to 27!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Stay tuned to the blog or sign up for my newsletter for future contests.

Note: If you want your entry taken down after the agent round, I'll need a reminder. Please email the contest address or ask me on twitter.