The Warren Adler Short Story Contest is fast becoming the most prestigious online short story contest thanks to the extraordinary literary quality of our submissions. We are pleased to announce our next contest. The theme is simply short fiction in all of its varied genres.

We are looking for original, imaginative pieces featuring compelling characters and creative plots. Whether you specialize in mainstream fiction, romance, horror, fantasy, science-fiction, satire, mystery, or any of their subcategories, we want to read your work.

Entries must not exceed 2,500 words. Stories from all the points of the globe will be considered provided that they are written in English. Mr. Adler will select which story will be awarded the Grand Prize of $1,000.
Although Mr. Adler will have already chosen the winner, the five finalists’ stories will be posted on the Warren Adler website in July. The People’s Choice winner will be determined by public voting.

Submissions will be accepted from April 13, 2009 to July 13, 2009. The entry fee is $15. Five cash prizes will be awarded.

Prizes:

- 1st Prize: $1000
- People’s Choice Prize $500
- Remaining finalists receive $150 each

Authors retain worldwide publishing rights.

Contest Rules:

- Contest is open for worldwide entries from April 13, 2009 until July 13, 2009
- A $15 fee in advance is required for each story submission.
- When you are ready to submit your story, make your payment below to proceed to the story submission form.
- Each story can be no longer than 2,500 words and must be written in English and previously unpublished

To submit your story please visit www.warrenadler.com

***
***Disclaimer: I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work.

If you do submit your work to any of the contests or calls for submissions that I mention on this site, please let me know. Especially if you are published! I always enjoy featuring successful authors. Best of luck in all your submissions.

Thank you! I am very glad, and excited to stop by and visit your blog today. I think we are going to have lots of fun!

List five words that define you as a person.

That is a great way to get all your blog readers to get a broad brush stroke of me. Let me see here I would probably say: enthusiastic, fun-loving, creative, male, and adventuresome.

Tell us briefly about the books you have published.

Well, I have been so blessed to have published two fantastic stories The Wager and The Christmas Rose. Both stories center around the journey the protagonist of each story takes.

The Wager is an emotional, intense, and thrilling journey of Marvin Simon. Marvin lost his wife, job, happiness, dreams, and plans. His life which was everything he ever wanted sadly gets away, in the blink of an eye. Buried in the valley and darkness of pain, missed expectations, and failure Marvin is greeted one night by a mysterious guest who offers him a deal he cannot resist, Marvin can gain a lifetime of happiness if he gives up his only son. Join Marvin on his incredible heartfelt journey as he experiences the consequences of his choices, lies, betrayal, and even murder as he learns what true happiness is all about.

The Christmas Rose is a heart-felt journey taken by Jasmine Reese. Jasmine learns the invaluable lesson of how to cope with pain as she experiences more pain than few people can ever imagine. However, Jasmine is the recipient of a great gift, she is granted the opportunity to go back and right the wrongs of her past. Her journey is inspirational, her will is continually persevering, and her story will be a Christmas classic for years to come.

You mentioned that you twenty-two years old. Can you tell us a bit about how you got into the publishing world at such a young age?

Well, one of the biggest reasons why I decided to write a novel is because I spent long periods of time analyzing how I spend my free time, and I came to the conclusion that my free time could be spent for something far more constructive than video games, sitting on the couch watching television, or looking at trash on the internet.

I will say that writing a novel has taught me a great lesson of hard work and perseverance. Breaking into publishing can happen at any age with a good story, and I wrote my first story between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I had a dream of publishing a book, so after I finished writing The Wager I sent it off, and a few months later I was signing the contract. But, persistence, hard-work, and a very gracious God helped me break into print at such a young age.

What would you say is the most difficult thing about being a writer?

EDITING! EDITING! I’ll stop beating around the bush and say editing;). I have found my Achilles’ heal in writing and I would say that is editing. I do believe this is something I am improving on continuously, but I honestly have to say I have a long way to go. If I made the rules about writing and grammar I would personally make it easy on everyone and make each book one long sentence.

I think that would make writing fairly easy, but it may make reading fairly difficult. Publicity was something I found confusing at first, mainly because I didn’t know how to do it. The Internet makes it easier to publicize, and I am very thankful for that. So, to answer your question in case you were unsure, the most difficult part for me is editing.

If you could do it all again, what – if anything – would you do differently?

I would have started earlier. I think the earlier you start the more you can learn. So, I probably would have pushed my first published date from twenty to around seventeen. I would also have read more. Personally, I think that is where you can learn a lot, from reading other authors.

You expand your vocabulary, you find styles that work, you learn how to build romance, you fashion suspense and thrilling moments, and you learn how to unpack a good story. I’m beginning to read more now, but I do have some serious catching up to do.

You also mentioned that you are donating some of the royalties from your book sales. Could you tell us a bit more about that and why you chose to go that route?

One of the big reasons why I got into writing is because it does lead itself to the opportunity to give something back. I have been so blessed to sponsor a child from India with Compassion International, and I think this has been one excellent experience. I have decided to give 1/3 of my royalties to help fight Leukemia.

I chose to go that route so I could give young people with this terrible disease a chance at life, at love, at scoring the game winning goal, at graduating from high school, and at fulfilling their dreams. If only one life was changed through my writing or my money donated to charity, I would say my writing career has been a huge success.

Do you have any interesting writing habits/quirks?

I write at night 95% of the time. I usually have with me a cup of tea, coffee, and soda when I write. I always write watching a movie, sports, or television show. Right now as I type I am sitting in a very odd position on this leather chair. Also, I do not outline at all my writing. I just go with the flow!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given/learned in your life as a writer?

My advice is three part: 1. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Writing is so unpredictable that you always need to have something else to do. 2. Have people criticize and offer advice, there is always room to improve. Take the criticism gracefully, evaluate it, and see if this criticism can help improve your story.3. Write a story that is exciting, unpredictable, makes sense, and has one surprise ending! If a reader can guess your entire story they don’t have to take the time to read it.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

I love playing sports, reading comic books, hanging out with friends, I have a great girlfriend, I have an awesome family, and I enjoy trying new food, ideas, and adventures!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers here?

I have a wonderful girlfriend, I cannot thank God enough for this great opportunities to touch lives through writing, and my parents are the inspiration behind every word. My email is brianwrites15@yahoo.com, my website is www.christianthrillernovels.com, and you can buy my books on Amazon right here.

Thank you very much for coming by this blog. I wish you great success.

I began thinking about where I was at the beginning of the year in regards to my writing. I’m not much of a resolutions kind of woman, but I recalled making some sort of general goal

I went into the archives and found this post from the beginning of the year:

“That’s right; I’m declaring 2009 the Year of the Novel…

That includes taking Artist Days (or Afternoons if I am well and truly pressed for time) on Mondays. I took my first this Monday and it felt fantastic to be dedicating a solid block of time to writing creatively…”

Looking back on that, I am both happy and a little disappointed with where I am. I find myself falling back into old habits in regards to letting work overrun my life. The 500 Word Challenge has certainly helped me to refocus, but I am glad for this half-year reminder.

Artist Dates? Well, they’re harder to do out and about during the winter, but I need to stop using that as an excuse…

How are you doing at the half-way point? Accomplishing your goals? Forgot about your goals?

*Submissions for the July 6th edition of Scribe are now closed. Submissions for the August edition will open early next week.

*I have recently had a number of people contact me about promoting their contests and such. I’m trying to keep all (but my personal ones) announcements of those sorts on the weekend. If you have any problem with how many I’m advertising or that I’m advertising them at all, please let me know. I have no idea if doing that is annoying you unless you tell me.

*Delurk? Say hello? Is anyone out there?

*Guest posts are good. Sometime here we will have Susan from West of Mars stopping over to talk about her self-publishing experience and why she’s glad she did it. If you would like to guest post here, feel free to let me know. I’m open to most anything writing-related, so I’m sure we can work something out.

*Workshop? I have been debating holding a workshop here for a while, but I’m not sure if anyone is interested. The plan is to have one on the theme “Why You’re Not Writing” and will include exercises, feedback and prizes. If you think that’s a good idea, let me know and I’ll keep working at it.

*If you have anything you would like to announce, promote, post, whatever here, don’t be shy. I’m quite easy-going when it comes to things like that, so it’s better to ask than assume.

That’s all for today. I hope you have a good one.

Heading to the beach with nothing to read? Now you can head out in style with a book from one (or more!) of your favorite authors!

Pump Up Your Book Promotion is hosting our very first Summer Beach Reading Giveaway. Four great authors with 4 chances to win!

All you have to do is head on out to one of the blogs listed below and follow directions to win. It’s that easy!

As the Pages Turn is giving away a copy of Dorothea Hover-Kramer’s Second Chance at Your Dream!

This is the first book to apply the breakthrough insights of Energy Psychology to healthy aging. Energy Psychology is an exciting new healing method that changes the vibrational patterns in the energy fields to produce rapid emotional healing and a sense of well-being. With the help of the over fifty exercises for rebalancing yourself offered in this book, you can face the challenges and opportunities of later life to create a time of energy, abundance and joy.

You can visit Dorothea online at www.secondchancedream.com.

Click here to enter!

Fiction Scribe is giving away a copy of DCS’ Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening!

Thirteen bloodlines, The Brotherhood, fanatically loyal to their gods, the Anunnaki, have controlled the planet since his-story was written. In 1925 Stefano Vasco Terenzio, head of the Terenzio crime family makes a deal with the Anunnaki to solidify his control over the American Mafia. Clever and manipulative, Stefano’s true goal was to put his family in a position so one day they would be able to turn on their masters. Two generations later, the shockwave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012, time is running out.

The only thing in the Brotherhoods way is Terenzio, a family now divided as a truly epic battle begins that will determine whether mankind continues existing in a world of lies, or shatters the chains that have held it prisoner since his-story was written. Shocking yet hopeful, Synarchy slowly unravels the tightly laced reality we have created for ourselves. Blending the metaphysical with conspiracy, fact with fiction, debut author DCS has opened up a world that will force you to rethink everything you believe about your own. The knowledge within provokes the question; do you really want to know?

You can visit DCS on the web at www.synarchynovel.com.

Click here to enter!

The Book Stacks is giving away a copy of Dr. Ronald J. Frederick’s Living Like You Mean It!

So many of us long to feel more alive, connected, and secure in our lives, particularly now, in these challenging and difficult times. Why is it so hard? Part of the problem, says Dr. Ronald J. Frederick, has to do with a fear of our feelings—a feelings‐phobia—and the consequences of expressing our feelings to others. It’s this fear that keeps us stuck, detached from the wisdom inside us and distanced from the people around us. And yet positive emotional experiences can actually “rewire” our brain and free us up to experience ourselves and our lives more fully. LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Ronald J. Frederick, shows how we can overcome our feelings phobia in order to enjoy more satisfying lives.

You can visit Dr. Frederick on the web at www.livinglikeyoumeanit.com

Click here to enter!

Zensanity is giving away a copy of Richard Aaron’s Gauntlet!

Six hundred sixty tons of Semtex is detonated in a massive explosion in Libya – the last of a deadly stockpile. The operation seems to have gone smoothly, but within minutes of the explosion, CIA agent Richard Lawrence discovers that one shipment of the explosive was hijacked en route to the destruction point. Days later, a glory-seeking “Emir” broadcasts to the world that he is planning a massive terrorist strike against a major U.S. landmark. And he gives a timeline of one month.

You can visit Richard online at www.richardaaron.com.

Click here to enter!

Four great authors, four chances to win! Hurry before contests end!

This past week has not worked out well for me in the writing arena. I have neglected my writing in favor of movies and computer games. Admittedly, that is my way of relaxing after dealing with various stresses, but I miss the time when I would always run to my writing to calm down.

On the plus side, I have worked out the beginning of another romance, this one in a different sub-genre than the work in progress. Coming up with new ideas is, strange as it sounds, my way of procrastinating. If I keep bouncing from idea to idea, then I get the thrill of an idea without ever having to do the work on the novel.

I know I shouldn’t whine in any way about having plenty of ideas coming through, but procrastination is procrastination no matter how you look at it.

My way of battling this little procrastination technique is to save each new idea with all the details and notes in a word document. That way I can plug away at it at any time if I feel the need, but it’s not bouncing around in my head when I want to work on something else.

Unfortunately, the past two nights have seen me start on my writing so late that I couldn’t stay awake to work on what I should be working on after I finished typing the notes for the new story idea.

That leaves me with ideas being plentiful but slacking off at the same time.

Do you have any strange ways of procrastinating?

Heading to the beach with nothing to read? Now you can head out in style with a book from one (or more!) of your favorite authors!

Pump Up Your Book Promotion is hosting our very first Summer Beach Reading Giveaway. Four great authors with 4 chances to win!

All you have to do is head on out to one of the blogs listed below and follow directions to win. It’s that easy!

As the Pages Turn is giving away a copy of Dorothea Hover-Kramer’s Second Chance at Your Dream!

This is the first book to apply the breakthrough insights of Energy Psychology to healthy aging. Energy Psychology is an exciting new healing method that changes the vibrational patterns in the energy fields to produce rapid emotional healing and a sense of well-being. With the help of the over fifty exercises for rebalancing yourself offered in this book, you can face the challenges and opportunities of later life to create a time of energy, abundance and joy.

You can visit Dorothea online at www.secondchancedream.com.

Click here to enter!

Fiction Scribe is giving away a copy of DCS’ Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening!

Thirteen bloodlines, The Brotherhood, fanatically loyal to their gods, the Anunnaki, have controlled the planet since his-story was written. In 1925 Stefano Vasco Terenzio, head of the Terenzio crime family makes a deal with the Anunnaki to solidify his control over the American Mafia. Clever and manipulative, Stefano’s true goal was to put his family in a position so one day they would be able to turn on their masters. Two generations later, the shockwave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012, time is running out.

The only thing in the Brotherhoods way is Terenzio, a family now divided as a truly epic battle begins that will determine whether mankind continues existing in a world of lies, or shatters the chains that have held it prisoner since his-story was written. Shocking yet hopeful, Synarchy slowly unravels the tightly laced reality we have created for ourselves. Blending the metaphysical with conspiracy, fact with fiction, debut author DCS has opened up a world that will force you to rethink everything you believe about your own. The knowledge within provokes the question; do you really want to know?

You can visit DCS on the web at www.synarchynovel.com.

Click here to enter!

The Book Stacks is giving away a copy of Dr. Ronald J. Frederick’s Living Like You Mean It!

So many of us long to feel more alive, connected, and secure in our lives, particularly now, in these challenging and difficult times. Why is it so hard? Part of the problem, says Dr. Ronald J. Frederick, has to do with a fear of our feelings—a feelings‐phobia—and the consequences of expressing our feelings to others. It’s this fear that keeps us stuck, detached from the wisdom inside us and distanced from the people around us. And yet positive emotional experiences can actually “rewire” our brain and free us up to experience ourselves and our lives more fully. LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Ronald J. Frederick, shows how we can overcome our feelings phobia in order to enjoy more satisfying lives.

You can visit Dr. Frederick on the web at www.livinglikeyoumeanit.com

Click here to enter!

Zensanity is giving away a copy of Richard Aaron’s Gauntlet!

Six hundred sixty tons of Semtex is detonated in a massive explosion in Libya – the last of a deadly stockpile. The operation seems to have gone smoothly, but within minutes of the explosion, CIA agent Richard Lawrence discovers that one shipment of the explosive was hijacked en route to the destruction point. Days later, a glory-seeking “Emir” broadcasts to the world that he is planning a massive terrorist strike against a major U.S. landmark. And he gives a timeline of one month.

You can visit Richard online at www.richardaaron.com.

Click here to enter!

Four great authors, four chances to win! Hurry before contests end!

NewFoundSpecFic has reopened for submissions and is looking to hear from you!

Submissions are currently being accepted for future editions of NewFoundSpecFic.

Deadline for submissions is July 6th, 2009.

We are mainly looking for undeveloped and aspiring writers who need a stepping stone in the writing world. If you aren’t sure if you fall under this category, just ask!

We are an anthology of short stories in the speculative fiction genre, ranging from science fiction, alternate history, fantasy, and beyond.

NewFoundSpecFic aims to highlight the creativity the many undiscovered writers of Canada for others to enjoy.

General Fine Print You Should Pay Attention To

You must be 14 years of age or older to submit work to NewFoundSpecFic. If you are 13 years or younger, you may submit work with permission of a parent or guardian. You must have the right to submit this work for possible publication. You must be a resident of Canada. Notification of acceptance or rejection will not be given until after the submission closing date.

Accepted literary pieces will be paid $0.01/word, for up to 4500 words. For peices longer than 4500 authors will be paid a flat fee of $45. All accepted authors will also be given a copy of the edition their work has been published in.

For more information including information on formatting your submissions, please visit http://www.NewFoundSpecFic.com

***Disclaimer: Please note that I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work to anyone.

The Warren Adler Short Story Contest is fast becoming the most prestigious online short story contest thanks to the extraordinary literary quality of our submissions. We are pleased to announce our next contest. The theme is simply short fiction in all of its varied genres.

We are looking for original, imaginative pieces featuring compelling characters and creative plots. Whether you specialize in mainstream fiction, romance, horror, fantasy, science-fiction, satire, mystery, or any of their subcategories, we want to read your work.

Entries must not exceed 2,500 words. Stories from all the points of the globe will be considered provided that they are written in English. Mr. Adler will select which story will be awarded the Grand Prize of $1,000.
Although Mr. Adler will have already chosen the winner, the five finalists’ stories will be posted on the Warren Adler website in July. The People’s Choice winner will be determined by public voting.

Submissions will be accepted from April 13, 2009 to July 13, 2009. The entry fee is $15. Five cash prizes will be awarded.

Prizes:

- 1st Prize: $1000
- People’s Choice Prize $500
- Remaining finalists receive $150 each

Authors retain worldwide publishing rights.

Contest Rules:

- Contest is open for worldwide entries from April 13, 2009 until July 13, 2009
- A $15 fee in advance is required for each story submission.
- When you are ready to submit your story, make your payment below to proceed to the story submission form.
- Each story can be no longer than 2,500 words and must be written in English and previously unpublished

To submit your story please visit www.warrenadler.com

***
***Disclaimer: I have neither the time nor the resources to fully investigate every contest/call for submissions that get posted here. Use your best judgment when submitting your work.

If you do submit your work to any of the contests or calls for submissions that I mention on this site, please let me know. Especially if you are published! I always enjoy featuring successful authors. Best of luck in all your submissions.

By way of introduction, tell us five words that words that describe you as a person.

Wow, five words. I like that. Lessie: schizophrenic, loud, easy-going, adventurous, story-teller.

You’re currently on virtual tour with your book , Synarchy. Can you tell us about the book?

In their quest to dominate the world, a powerful crime family, the Terenzios, discovers who the real players are that control the planet, and just how far they’re willing to go to keep their hold on humanity. Because of sheer arrogance, and the fact that they may be the only ones who can, the Terenzio family decides to fight back. Now, they’ve got until December 21st, 2012, to stop a sinister, centuries old plan and give Earth a choice it was never given before.

What got you started on writing this book?

Synarchy was the culmination of a very personal journey for me, and that urge every writer has whose got a story to tell that just has to come out. I don’t just want to entertain, I want to mix in what I think are some important concepts for our times. Ideas that take us out of the mundane and into the possibilities of the fantastical.

It is my intent that someone will read Synarchy, find something in there that perks their interest, go look it up and it will be the catalyst that starts them on their own journey of awakening.

If you were a character in your novel, what would your character be like?

My character would be the investigative journalist; knows everyone, mildly manipulate, busily putting the events taking place onto paper.

Who was/were your biggest influence(s) in your early writing life?

I actually didn’t have anyone that really influenced me. I’ve just generally always had the urge to write something, and I’ve stuck with it, even when I didn’t know I wanted to seriously pursue this as what I’m going to do with my life.

What do you feel is the most important thing for a writer to remember?

First thing’s first; tell an awesome story.

What are you working on now?

The big project right now in between marketing and promotion for Book One, is getting Book Two finished. I also want to write Stefano’s story but I want it to be a graphic novel so I’m starting to collaborate with a comic artist who is a good friend of mine. We’ll see what comes of that.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

On an island, juggling a small publishing company and an online RPG that rivals WoW (World of WarCraft), in between lots of traveling. I love to travel.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

Playing with my dog, reading, meditating, or out and about in the French Quarter and Marigny causing trouble.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I want to thank you, JM, for giving me the chance to swing by and chat with you! And I hope your blog visitors enjoy reading Synarchy as much as I did writing it.

Thank you for your time. I wish you great success with Synarchy.

________________
Would you like to win a copy of this book? Leave a comment telling me what kind of character you would be if you were in a mafia family style novel.

*Winner will be announced July 2nd.