IWSG Anthology Contest News!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Today is another IWSG day when we share our insecurities and offer encouragement to those who may need it along the journey.Assisting Alex today are The awesome co-hosts today are  Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and Beverly Stowe McClure.

This month's optional question for you to answer - Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in? 

I've surprised myself several times over by reaching into genres that I wasn't sure I'd enjoy. The latest avenue I've gone done is sweet romance, which is a different set up from romantic suspense and women's fiction. It's challenging to dial down the drama, but I've found enjoyment in writing stories with cute kids and pets.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest

Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free. 

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller

Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence. 

Story deadline: November 1st 2017

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group. 

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. 

The shortlisted entries will then go to our official judges who are listed below: 

Elizabeth S. Craig writes cozy mystery series for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. She curates links on Twitter as @elizabethscraig that are later shared in the free search engine Writers Knowledge Base.

Anne Hawkins is a partner in John Hawkins & Associates, Inc., New York. Founded in 1893 by Paul R. Reynolds, it is the oldest literary agency in the country. She works with mainstream literary and commercial fiction, including mystery, suspense, and thrillers and a wide variety of serious non-fiction, particularly history, politics, biography, science, and natural history. A number of her books have gained distinction through award nominations, book-to-film contracts, significant foreign rights sales, major book club selections, or placement on the New York Times bestseller list. Anne Hawkins is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives. 

Candace Havens is the Editorial Director of Covet has written multiple novels for Berkley, Entangled and Harlequin. Her books have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists, runs a free online writing workshop, and teaches comprehensive writing class. 

Author, Public Speaker, and Executive Producer, Lynn Tincher was born just outside of Louisville, Kentucky in the beautiful city of La Grange. She has written four books, with the fifth one currently in the making. Her first book, Afterthoughts was optioned for movie production by Kilted Pictures and Dancing Forward Productions in Los Angeles. It is currently in pre-production with plans to shoot in Louisville, Kentucky very soon. 

Ion Newcombe is the editor and publisher of AntipodeanSF, Australia's longest running online speculative fiction magazine, regularly issued since January 1998. His qualifications and employment range from horticulture through electronics into literature and communications. 

Patricia (Pat) Stoltey is the author of four crime fiction novels published by Five Star/Cengage including a historical mystery called Wishing Caswell Dead (https://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Caswell-Dead-Patricia-Stoltey/dp/1432834401/) (December 2017). She lives in Northern Colorado with her husband Bill, Sassy Dog, and Katie Cat. To learn more about Patricia and her books, visit her website/blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Mason Canyon had a love of books since childhood encouraged by a mother who loved to read. A 30+year career in journalism fueled her desire to know what a story is all about. Blogging at Thoughts in Progress since 2009 and operating MC Book Tours for over a year. Loves to read and share great stories with others. MC Book Tours

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. 

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word! 


Go to the contest page here

Last, but not least, on Wednesday, October 4 (IWSG Day), for the Show Us Your Writer Insecurity Contest!post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. 

(All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.) We've got some cool prizes in store! Look out for the IWSG Writing For Profit anthology, which will be available by that time.

11 comments:

  1. Who doesn't like cute pets?
    Contest is going to be awesome!

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  2. I've been loving all the anthologies. Short stories are great for when life is busy.

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  3. But your work still all connects so your readers can enjoy them all, and that's a good thing.

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  4. The contest sounds amazing - and heck, who doesn't love sweet romance, especially with pets! ;)

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  5. I've not tried romance in part because I don't read it unless there is more to the plot. Glad you're enjoying your venture into it.

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  6. This year's anthology will no doubt be just as great as the past anthologies. Each one is exciting!

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  7. Cute kids and pets for the win!

    I can't wait to see everyone's photos for the contest.

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  8. Awesome theme for the contest.

    I'm glad you enjoyed making people smile cutely for a little while :)

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Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.