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  • She Writes' First-Ever "We Love New Novelists!" Contest!
This blog was featured on 09/01/2016
She Writes' First-Ever "We Love New Novelists!" Contest!
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The other day I was talking with Rita Arens, a long-time She Writes member and an emerging novelist (who also happens to be BlogHer's Assignment and Syndication Editor), who has been hard at work on her first novel for several years now. (I was lucky enough to read some of it last summer, and it's great.) We were discussing the difficulties of the current publishing system -- namely, that is very hard for first-time authors who aren't "connected" to get the kind of access they need to literary agents and editors. Unfortunately there is a "you have to know somebody" aspect to submitting work to agents and editors, as much as everyone (including the agents and editors), wishes that weren't true, simply because of the sheer volume of submissions agents receive.  Having a personal connection helps an overburdened system to function...except, of course, if you don't have a personal connection.

Sending out queries truly "cold" can sometimes result in long, seemingly interminable delays until you receive a response to your novel (aka your baby), which doesn't add up to much more than a polite rejection letter, with little feedback about what you could do to make your work better. 

Which got me to thinking.  Do you ever wish you could cut to the front of the line? (Aka, catapult to the top of the slushpile?)  Have you ever wished you had a direct line to top literary agents and editors who would read your work, AND give you feedback on it, before you could say "I'm writing to follow up on my query of blah blah blah?"

Now is your chance!  After talking with Rita and many others, I decided that She Writes needs to do another contest, this time for novelists.  (Remember the Passion Project, last year?) I'm calling it the She Writes' "We Love New Novelists!" contest, and it is a way to show our deepest She-Writes-love to five (count 'em, FIVE!) new novelists who do not have agents, haven't been traditionally published (self-published is ok -- see the guidelines for more details)...and yes, would like to cut in line.  The winners of the We Love New Novelists! contest will have the first 2,000 words of their novels (completed or in-progress) read by people She Writes knows: two top-notch literary agents and an editor from a major publishing house.  

And they are...

Sally Wofford Girand, Brick House Literary Agents

Sally Wofford-Girand founded Brick House Literary Agents eight years ago. Prior to that she served as the Director of International rights at a boutique literary agency in Greenwich Village where she worked with such writers as Salman Rushdie, Grace Paley, Kim Edwards, Peter Carey and Ben Okri.  She handles fiction, memoir and narrative non-fiction.  Brick House writers include Kim Barnes, a Pulitzer-nominated memoirist and poet whose novel, KINGDOM OF MEN is forthcoming from Knopf.  Kate Braestrup, author of NYT Bestseller HERE IF YOU NEED ME; Claire Davis, the author of award-winning WINTER RANGE; Vanessa Diffenbaugh, whose first novel, THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS will be released in September in the U.S. and is already a best-seller in Italy, Holland and Germany; and Ellen Sussman, author of FRENCH LESSONS.  *(To hear Ellen speak glowingly of Sally, listen to She Writes Radio episode "This Is Not Feminine Tosh: Writing Meaningful Fiction", hosted by SWer Meg Waite Clayton.) 

Eleanor Jackson, Markson Thoma Literary Agency

Eleanor Jackson joined the Markson Thoma Literary Agency in 2008. Previously, she was an agent at the Queen Literary Agency and at InkWell Management. She is a graduate of Colby College and the Columbia Publishing course. Her list includes debut, award-winning and bestselling authors of fiction and non-fiction in a wide range of categories, including literary, commercial, young adult, memoir, art, food, science, history and illustrated/lifestyle. She looks for books with deeply imagined worlds and for writers who are not afraid to take risks with their work.  *(To hear Eleanor in conversation with freelance editor -- and editor of "The Help" -- Kathryn Stockett, tune into She Writes Radio show "How Books Get FInished: An Editor and An Agent Discuss the Art of Revision.")

Sara Weiss, Grand Central Publishing

Sara Weiss is an Assistant Editor at Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, where she edits both fiction and nonfiction.  Her titles include TIGER HILLS by Sarita Mandanna and SEMI-SWEET by Roisin Meaney, both published in Spring 2011; for November 2011, a business book called EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS I LEARNED FROM THE GRATEFUL DEAD; and in 2012, a memoir by Marie Tillman entitled THE LETTER.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago.  She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

 

And they will...

1) Read the first 2,000 words of your novel
2) Give feedback and notes on the manuscript
3) Provide guidance and advice about what to do next

Sound good?  Read all about the contest, and the requirements for entry, here.  The deadline for submission is August 15th.  

Good luck!  We love you, new novelists.  We really do. :)

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Comments
  • Submissions are due TONIGHT by midnight, EST.  So sorry for the confusion!

  • Dera R Williams Writing

    Just for verification here. The notice the other day said the deadline is Monday, August 15 but everything else says August 16 at 12:00am PST. So, I guess this needs to be in before midnight, but still on August 15 or on the dot at 12:00 midnight?

  • Miranda Koerner

    Can you submit a YA book?

  • Karoline Barrett

    Can't wait to enter!  Best of luck, everyone!

  • Monica Epstein

    What perfect timing! I'm about to begin the query process, and I'd love to get professional feedback.

  • Renee Canter Johnson

    This is exciting!  Must get a pay pal account.

  • Ann Rodela

    Can it be any chapter?

  • Amber Medina West

    I've already passed this along to a couple of my writing buddies who are serious about entering!  This is so exciting, and another reason I love She Writes.

  • Yes, publication of short stories and excerpts is fine -- the only thing that would preclude entry is a traditionally published book!

  • Rita Arens

    Yay for this contest! Going to share now.

  • PS, for the love of writing, if you are not a fiction writer, PLEASE SEND THIS LINK to anyone you know who might want to know about our awesome contest!!  :)