writers-blog

Results of the Spring Writing Competition 2012

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:24:52 +0100

I am excited to share with you the results from this year’s Spring Writing Competition! I enjoyed reading every entry. There were some I went back to read several times just because I loved them so much! The hardest part about judging a writing competition is that you have to rate the entries. I HATE this part. Each entry was unique, well written, and SO different from the others. But, for the sake of the contest, here are the winners from 3rd to 1st:

3) Socialized Medicine by J. Todd Cumming

My favorite passage from his entry:

“My name is Linda Worthington, and I’m with the Bureau of Medicine and Hospitals. You may be happy to know that, after reviewing his records and judging his needs, we have approved his request for emergency surgery.”

“… what?”

"We’ve approved his request for emergency surgery to reattach both his arms. That was the application to the Bureau of Medicine and Hospitals was for, after all.”

I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”

Well, Mrs. Woodhouse, we are here to help. It’s good that you filled out the Form 1124-B as well, explaining why Mr. Woodhouse was incapable of filling out the Form 12A, Request for Immediate Surgery. I’m not entirely sure if it allows me to communicate with you in regards to this matter. We do need to preserve Mr. Woodhouse’s right to privacy, after all. However, as Form 1124-B authorized you to request the surgery in the first place, I suppose I can tell you what I can.”

“Miss Worthington, I have no idea what kind of sick joke you think you’re playing. My husband died three weeks ago on the floor of that hospital, waiting for approval to begin surgery.”

“Again, my condolences on your loss. We did treat the request with as much expediency as the situation warranted...”

2) Fleeing the Praxis with Cameron by Collin Simonsen

My favorite passage from his entry:

“Cameron?”

“Yes, Honey?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Sorry.”

“Do you have any secrets that you don’t tell anyone?” Leslie said.

“Well, yes.”

“Like what?”

“Well, not many people know I have a pet rooster named Lucky.”

“You do?”

“Yeah.”

“Where is he?”

Cameron pointed to the stricken ship, as a small explosion shook it. They laughed.

“I don’t think Lucky is the right name for him.”

“Maybe if he survives I’ll change his name to Very Lucky. What about you, Leslie? Any secrets?”

Leslie looked at her feet. The pod began to shake a little bit.

“We’re entering the atmosphere.” Cameron said.

“I’m not completely human.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Leslie raised her index finger, and then, using her other hand, uncapped it, revealing a USB drive.

“This is how I saved the Praxis…”

1) The King’s Treasury by Miriam Seegmiller Leman

I was in love with this entry. Written for children, it is a uniquely creative twist on the old nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Six Pence”. One of my favorite passages:

“…King Thomas determined to reduce spending at the palace. He closed half of the palace and dismissed thirty servants. He ordered half of the royal gardens replanted in grass and sent away thirty gardeners. Then he marched to the palace kitchens to command the chef to prepare less costly meals. Queen Valerie was already there.

“Bake an enormous pie made from two dozen pheasants for the next feast,” she commanded the chef.

“Darling,” the King interrupted, “pheasants are costly. Couldn’t you serve chicken? And why serve honey at every feast? Honey costs more than pearls these days.”

The Queen gave a carefree laugh and waltzed out.

The chief plowman rushed in.

“King Thomas, an enormous flock of thrushes is eating your fields!”

The King groaned. If he lost his crops he would be ruined!

Summon the best huntsmen to protect my fields day and night!” Then he had a marvelous idea. “Have the thrushes they kill brought to the royal kitchens.” The king rubbed his hands together with a grin. Thrushes were free, pheasants were not! They would secretly exchange thrushes for pheasants in the Queen’s enormous pie.

The Queen’s feast was a grand success. Hungry guests savored the delectable dishes, especially the pie.

“What fine meat pie! It must have peacock or some equally exotic meat.”

King Thomas smiled as he ate. The thrushes tasted just like chicken. The chirping of thrushes in his fields entered through the windows and he almost chortled to think that dowdy, black birds now crossed the palates of nobles.”

Thank you to all those who entered this spring’s competition! I look forward to hosting more writing contests later this summer and fall. I hope all who entered found their feedback helpful. Always remember that writing is a journey. Once a piece is completed, it is set aside, and we prepare to start the journey anew. Enjoy each moment of the journey! (Winners, please check your e-mails for codes to your free editing packages.)

-Jessica Drollette
Editor of Mystic Manuscripts

Calling All Writers! First Short Story Contest of 2012.

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:22:14 +0100

What an exciting adventure! I've been looking forward to hosting this contest for several weeks. And now that the novel Curse of the Beast by Ashley Lavering is published, I can breathe easier for a while and focus more on hosting Mystic Manuscripts’ first writing contest.

Do you want to see your work in print? Unsure if your work is up to par? Have you been published before and want the chance to show off your skills? Send your submissions to the Mystic Manuscripts Spring Writing Contest! For submitting, each story will receive a FREE personalized review with suggestions to strengthen their submission and head them toward publication.

Please submit your best work of up to 800 words. This could be a fiction piece for children, a nonfiction piece for an adult science magazine, poetry, or a myriad of other options. Please, no partial submissions (for example: the first 3 pages of a novel chapter, part of a screen play, etc). Submissions must have a clear beginning, middle, and end. [a1]

Rules for Submissions:

There is no fee to enter.
No more than 800 words for the submission itself. Please only black and neutral font (like Arial black). Word count does not include the author's name and contact info. Please don't disqualify yourself for failing to follow these simple guidelines!)
Only one entry per person.
Any genre is acceptable. (Please keep content to PG-13. Aka: limit gore, profanity, and sexual content.)
Follow formatting and submissions guidelines below.
All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST May 20th. I will begin evaluating submissions as they come, so don't wait until the deadline to submit.
No previously published work, please. (Published means you were paid for your work and/or it has been printed in ink or in an online magazine).

For fiction selections, I am looking for strong characterization, plot, setting, tension, and interesting dialogue. For nonfiction, I am looking for clarity of thought, unique information on your chosen subject, sensory detail, and quick pacing. Punctuation, spelling, and grammar are also important. Please proofread! I will evaluate each story on a scale from 1 to 10 and will make notes as I read each submission (which will be included in your review).

Submitting:

Send entries to mysticmanuscripts@gmail.com.
Write "Spring 2012 Writing Competition" in the subject line.
The submission needs to be included inside the body of the e-mail, NOT as an attachment.
Authors retain ALL publishing rights.
Questions? Please ask BEFORE you submit. Once an entry is received, it cannot be resubmitted.

Winners:

There will be one grand prize winner, runner-up, and third place winner.

Winners will be notified by June 5th, 2012 by e-mail. Winners will also be posted on this website and on Facebook. A short synopsis of each winning entry will be posted in each location as well.

Second and third place winners will receive a Gold Package Review of their submission worth $25 plus two stamps for the discount program.

Grand Prize winner will receive a Platinum Package Review worth $38 plus two stamps for the discount program! They will also receive their choice of either a 2nd review of their submission after cleaning up the first draft or a personal phone/e-mail consultation to propel them toward publishers, writing a query letter, and preparing for magazine submission. Happy writing!

Database of Literary Journals By And For Women Writers

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:55:12 +0100

Finding the perfect place for your manuscript, your articles, and your poetry can often be the hardest part of submitting your work. To celebrate the 101's International Women's Day, Writer's Relief put together a list of MANY literary journals that promote work for women by women. Check it out!

Lit Mag Spotlight: Literary Journals By And For Women Writers by Writer's Relief

Rejection--it hurts. But here's how to lessen the blow.

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:59:04 +0100

Does anyone enjoy receiving rejection letters? We all know in the writing business that rejection letters often have their own file drawer, but the sting that sometimes accompanies rejection can be lessened by following some great advice by Tamela Hancock Murray from the Steve Laube Agency.

What is the worst (or best) rejection letter you've ever received?

Keeping up with the Barns's (and Amazon!)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:10:30 +0100

Are you following the publishing world debacle? If you are, check out this article written recently on up-to-date information on the publishing ecosystem. If you are not, this is a great article to get your feet wet.

To summarize:

The publishing world is moving through a shift--one that may take years to settle. Like ripples in a rainstorm, the extent of effect it with have on not only publishers, but authors and even readers, is hard to tell. One thing is clear: Amazon and Barnes and Noble are prepared for gorilla warfare. Can the traditional publishing world keep up, or will they be forced back to the drawing board? Check out the article and tell me what you think.

Sometimes...change is good.

http://networkedblogs.com/uQ8YO

"I wish someone told me..." Writing Prompt Winners!

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:04:11 +0100

Hello my wonderful writing friends! Thank you for your patience as I evaluated the entries for this competition. I decided it wouldn't be too wise to judge them while on high doses of hydrocodone and pain. But, here they are for your enjoyment!

There were so many wonderful entries it was difficult to choose. Several made me laugh out loud (not a great idea with stitches, but worth the endorphin rush) and some made me ponder deeply. Without further rambling, let's get to the results!

#1: Collin Simonsen: "...that they were juiced beets, not cranberry sauce. This apple-beet juice just isn’t as popular with the old ladies. I heard they’re using it to dye the artificial flowers they made at the Relief Society meeting."

Thank you, Collin, for your unique voice and tart humor! Watch for a coupon code for 10% off any editing service of your choice, including a manuscript edit! (Good through 12/31/2012)

BUT WAIT! Like I said, there were so many wonderful entries, I couldn't choose just one. So, we have a prize for second and third as well!

#2: Diane Yerka: "I wish someone had told me that my copy of Heart of Darkness was upside down. When Evan stared at me on his way to gym, I thought that he'd finally noticed my sexy-smart glasses and was going to ask me out. All that time spent in the boring section of the library would finally pay off. Instead, his laughter closed the book."

Diane, I'm dying to see where this is heading. What a fantastic hook! Look for a special coupon code in your inbox as well.

AND

#3: Amy Jene Bradfield: "I wish someone would have told me that it was all real. Every story told to frighten carefree children to ridiculous legends meant only to entertain. If I would have accepted the reality of fairy tale then my current life would be much easier to come to terms with; now, I am them."

Amy, this sounds like a fabulous paranormal adventure! I can only imagine what fairy tale creature she became. Please check your inbox for a special prize as well.

Again, thank you to everyone who participated in this month's writing prompt contest. Look for more chances to enter in the coming months. Our next contest will be a short story competition with publication on my site for the winner and a free edit to assist toward magazine publication! More details will be announced in the next few weeks. Remember to keep those creative juices flowing!

Who Controls Your Amazon E-book Price?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:09:26 +0100

If you publish through Amazon.com, be aware of their right to change your pricing at any time. BUT, if you sign with them at $2.99, you will receive the 70% royalty rate, even if they drop your book to $0.99 (compared to the 35% rate that you sign for at $0.99/book in the beginning). This article is fascinating. Take the time to read the comments section as well. Who Controls Your Amazon E-book Price? by Jim C. Hines.

Why you should shoot adverbs on sight

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:58:41 +0100

Do you remember your third grade teacher drilling adverbs into your brain like your writing depended on them? They may have served a purpose for our younger years, but for professional writers, they should be shot out of your writing forever. Follow the link below to find out why. You'll discover one valuable tip to whittle down any style of writing to its most precise and profound level.

http://writetodone.com/2010/08/30/shoot-adverbs/

Tip of the Day: Imagination...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:52:16 +0100

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” - George Bernard Shaw

Tip of the Day:

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:44:01 +0100

As we embark into the new year, remember that setting goals is a wonderfully soul-stimulating process, but accomplishing what you set out to do is the real journey. Aim for the horizon, but remember that each small step on that pathway leads to the final destination.