A Smarter Way for Independent Authors to Advertise Books

ADVERTISE SMARTER

By A.R. Wise

Successful independent authors advertise. It’s as simple as that. You can’t publish a book and expect the world to notice. You must get the word out. However, not all types of advertising produce the same results, and it’s easy to waste an awful lot of money without seeing substantial return. Trust me, I’ve wasted plenty, and I want to help you avoid some of the same mistakes.

I only advertise books that are on sale, or free, and I look for sites with a substantial mailing list. I avoid sites that boast huge Twitter followings as their claim to fame, because it’s easy to artificially inflate social media stats. I also avoid doing banner advertisements on sites, because the click-through rate on those are abysmal. To get the most for your money, you must place your book in front of as many eyes as possible, and I haven’t found a better way to do that than working with the following sites.

Bookbub

Let’s address the behemoth first. I haven’t encountered a site that’s more consistently worth the investment than Bookbub. At first glance, it’s expensive, but an ad with them is worth every penny. On average, for a free book in the horror genre, I see around 8,000–20,000 downloads on the day my ad hits, and the effect continues for several days until gradually coming back down to average. Bookbub can be awfully picky about which titles they advertise, which might be discouraging if they decline your novel. Don’t be disheartened. Acquire more reviews on your book (which is part of their selection criteria), and give them another try in a month.

For tips on finding more reviews, see my article in last week’s FundsforWriters newsletter: How to Get Reviews – Without Cheating!

Freebooksy/Bargainbooksy

This is another pricey option that’s had consistent, positive results, although with nowhere near the same success as Bookbub. Their prices run between $40 and $200 depending on the genre of your book, and I usually see an uptick of about 1,000 downloads (for a free horror novel). Advertising with Bargainbooksy is considerably cheaper, but I’ve never seen an impressive result from them. In my opinion, you should only use this site when your book is being offered for free.

Kindle Nation Daily / Bookgorilla

It’s daunting to look at the pricing structure of this site’s advertisement packages. I’ve participated in several different options (including some of the frighteningly expensive ones) and surprisingly discovered that the best one is also the cheapest. If you’re offering a free book, then it’s worth your time to invest in the $29.99 Free Book Highlighter option.

OHFB

Another free book advertising opportunity. This one competes closely with Freebooksy in terms of price and results, although I only utilize it when I’m putting a slew of ads out all at once.

Bookbasset

Here’s one that’s still relatively cheap (get them while you can), but still manages to drum up impressive downloads. One of its options makes you the featured author for the day and can be used to advertise all of your books. This one runs $21.99 and is a good option if you’re hoping to advertise books that aren’t available for free. If you’re marketing a free book, then there’s an option that runs a meager $7.99, but will usually land you a few hundred downloads.

Good luck advertising your book! If you find a different site that’s worth advertising with, please reply with  a comment.

BIO-
A.R. Wise is the author of several horror, mystery, and comedy novels, including314, which has more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon. Several of his books, including 314, are available for free. If you enjoy his work, then do him a favor by writing a review.

www.arwisebooks.com
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The Central Coast Writers Contest

The Central Coast (CA) Writers Contest call for entries ends July 15, 2016.  Short Stories, Flash Fiction, Poetry and Screenwriting must depict the theme of The Final Word.

Prizes up to $1,000.

Entries will be judged by an array of best-selling and award-winning authors, editors, and publishers.

For further details, submission guidelines, contest rules, judges profiles and to submit your entry electronically please visit: http://www.CCWritersContest.com.

Just Add Words – Video Description Contest

There is no entry fee and there are cash prizes

($2,000/$1,000/$500) for first, second, and third place. 

This is the third year we have done this contest,

which is called Just Add Words. 

It is not a traditional writing contest,

as the entries are video description

(also known as audio description)

for a short film we have picked.

The contest runs the entire month of May 2016!

and is open to U.S. residents 18 or older.

Here is the website: http://videodescriptioncontest.com/

 

ROYAL NONESUCH HUMOR WRITING CONTEST

“Against the assault of Laughter nothing can stand.” 

                                                                                          — Mark Twain

Welcome to the THIRD annual Mark Twain House & Museum’s “Royal Nonesuch” Humor Writing Contest for writers of all ages from all corners of the globe!

Recognizing that Samuel Clemens (aka: Mark Twain) began writing at an early age and to encourage other young authors, we welcome submissions for two categories:

• Adult (age 18 and over at time of submission) at $23 per submission, and
• Young Author (age 17 and under at time of submission) at $13 per submission.
• Submissions fees go towards the preservation of The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, CT. This contest is a whole new way for “Twainiacs” to support Mark Twain’s legacy. We thank you sincerely!

Celebrity Judges will be announced soon.

Your deadline is Sunday, July 10, 2016. Word limit is 7,000 words. 

Submit your original humorous essays and stories for a chance at a cash prize, and best of all – bragging rights! Last year’s winners took home $3,500+ in prizes.

“If Mark Twain were alive, he’d be happy about this contest, because he’d win it.” – Andy Borowitz

Entry fee: $23.00 USD, $13.00 USD

Deadline: July 10, 2016

•  Submit 7,000 words (or fewer) of any original work of humor writing. (Entries longer than 7,000 words will be disqualified.)

•  Previously published work is acceptable; please do not submit work that has won other humor prizes.

•  Submissions must be in English.

•  Submissions are not required to be in the style of Mark Twain or about Mark Twain. We want to hear your voice. And we want you to make us laugh!

•  Submissions will be judged by our Mark Twain House staff and scholars, Trinity College faculty, and celebrity judges (to be announced).

•  Submissions are due by July 10, 2016.

•  Winners may be asked to provide age verification regarding submission category.

•  You may submit more than one entry; a separate fee is required for each entry.

•  Winners will be notified by September 12, 2016.

•  Winners will retain ownership of their work. The Mark Twain House & Museum reserves the right to publish winning pieces in a public forum with credit to the author.

PRIZES (winners in both categories):

•      1st Prize: $1,000 (Adult), $1,000 (Young Author)

•      2nd Prize: $500 (Adult), $500 (Young Author)

•      3rd Prize: $250 (Adult), $250 (Young Author)

•      Three Honorable Mention Prizes: $100 Gift Certificate for the Mark Twain Museum Store (Adult & Young Author).

•  Staff and immediate family members of the Mark Twain House are not eligible.

The mission of The Mark Twain House & Museum is to foster an appreciation of the legacy of Mark Twain as one of our nation’s defining cultural figures, and to demonstrate the continuing relevance of his work, life and times. The Mark Twain House & Museum operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation. Mark Twain built the house in 1874 and lived here with his wife and children until 1891. This is where he wrote such masterpieces as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and is located at 351 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT. We appreciate your participation in this inaugural writing contest as it supports our preservation efforts.

Visit the website to enter:  https://twainhouse.submittable.com/submit

I MUST BE OFF! TRAVEL WRITING COMPETITION

I MUST BE OFF! TRAVEL WRITING COMPETITION

NO ENTRY FEE.
Deadline July 31, 2016. We want to read about the experiences you can’t wait to share with other travelers. This contest is open to anyone worldwide. Top essays will be published. First-place prize $200; second-place prize $50. There is also a readers’ choice award ($50) based on unique hits and comments tallied on September 30, 2016.

Visit the website:  http://www.imustbeoff.com/2016/03/announcing-fourth-annual-i-must-be-off.html

Hard Times Writing Contest

Hard Times Writing Contest

Deadline: Postmarked by May 30, 2016.

•  Write about a difficult experience in your life, how you overcame this obstacle, and how you were changed by it. Winning stories will be chosen for originality and creative writing style. Stories should be previously unpublished, and should not exceed 5,000 words (double-spaced, 12 point font).
• Your name, address, email and title of work should appear on a separate cover sheet. The entry fee per submission is $25 ($20 for Workshop members).
• Multiple entries are accepted.

• Enclose legal size self-sealing SASE for critique and list of winners. Do not use Fedex, certified mail, etc.
• Make check or money order payable to The Writers’ Workshop, and mail to:  Hard Times Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Road, Asheville, NC  28805.
• Emailed submission may be sent to writersw@gmail.com, with “Hard Times Contest” in the subject. Entry fee is payable online.

Visit the website:  http://www.twwoa.org/

Enter here

WRITERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND

WRITERS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND
The Writers Emergency Assistance Fund helps established freelance writers who, because of advanced age, illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant. However, applicants must establish a record of past professional freelance nonfiction writing over a sustained period of years, which means qualifications generally similar to those of ASJA members. WEAF does not award grants to beginning freelancers seeking funding for writing projects, nor does it fund works-in-progress of any kind.

Visit the website for complete details:  http://www.asja.org/for-writers/weaf/

CLAYTON MEMORIAL MEDICAL FUND

CLAYTON MEMORIAL MEDICAL FUND

The fund helps professional science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery writers living in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska deal with the financial burden of medical expenses.

Visit the website for details:  http://www.osfci.org/clayton/index.html

THE THINK-WRITE-PUBLISH SCIENCE & RELIGION PROJECT

THE THINK-WRITE-PUBLISH SCIENCE & RELIGION PROJECT

We will be awarding twelve $10,000 two-year TWP Science & Religion Fellowships to develop a publishable true story or series of stories. Open to novice and experienced writers, anyone who has a compelling true story or true stories illustrating or exploring harmonies between science and religion is encouraged to apply. Over a two-year period, Fellows will develop, write, and market their creative nonfiction stories. They will be mentored throughout the project by experienced writers, editors and teachers. They and their stories will be featured in a series of regional and national events. As part of the workshop, Fellows will participate in three intensive training workshops.

Deadline May 15, 2016.

TWP Science & Religion is a project of Arizona State University’s Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, in collaboration with Creative Nonfiction and Issues in Science and Technology.

Visit the website: https://scienceandreligion.thinkwritepublish.org/

ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS in SCREENWRITING

ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS

The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is an international screenwriting competition established to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters. Early Deadline: March 7, 11:59 pm PT ($45 entry fee). Regular Deadline: April 18, 11:59 pm PT ($60 entry fee). Late Deadline: May 2, 11:59 pm PT ($85 entry fee). Each year, the Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. To enter, submit a feature length screenplay and entry fee via the online application. Up to five fellows in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November. Fellowship recipients will be expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the fellowship year.

Visit the website for details: http://www.oscars.org/nicholl

ARCH AND BRUCE BROWN FOUNDATION PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

ARCH AND BRUCE BROWN FOUNDATION PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

NO ENTRY FEE

Deadline May 31, 2016

Only full-length works (dramas, comedies, musicals, screenplays) will be considered. One entry per author, please. Scripts must be original and in English. All must concern lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or genderqueer life and be based on or directly inspired by a historical person, culture, work of art, or event.

First Prize, $3,000; Second Prize, $1,500; Honorable Mentions, $500. Prizewinners will be announced before the end of the year.

Visit the website: http://aabbfoundation.org/comp-guidelines

 

The Great Break Short Story Contest

As you already know, The Writer encourages all of our readers to practice their craft and put their stories in front of the eyes of as many people as possible.

The biggest advice to any writer is to keep writing, and to help you do that, we’ll be hosting writing contests across every genre. From time to time, we’ll team up with our esteemed colleagues in the industry to up the ante (and prizes).

Contests have always been a vital part of the writing world, giving writers the chance to have their work reviewed by editors and possibly published. Literary journals, universities and even The Writer regularly host contests, helping authors gain exposure and hone their craft. And sometimes even win some money.

Choose your inspiration, submit before the deadline and, as always, keep writing.

---

Hosted by The Writer magazine

I need a break.

I broke through.

Don’t break my heart. 

Those are the breaks.

Break out! 

It’s time for your Big Break in the short story form. Frame a short story using any nuance, definition or understanding of the word “break.” Write 2,000 words of fiction and submit it to The Writer by April 25, 2016.

Heidi Pitlor, editor of The Best American Short Stories series and author of the novelThe Daylight Marriage, will judge the winning entries.

It’s time you had a break.

Visit the website:  http://www.writermag.com/writing-resources/contests/

Call for poetry submissions: Dine and Rhyme

CONTRIBUTE

this is to anyone who would like to contribute poetry to dineANDrhyme associated with a restaurant located anywhere in this small world. submissions will require restaurant information, a picture of any meal from selected restaurant, and a poem that highlights the menu, taste of food, information about the restaurant, and/or any relevant information that will show off selected restaurant in a way that dineANDrhyme has always strived to do.

I AM NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS. SUBMIT YOUR WORK TO DINEANDRHYME@GMAIL.COM

again, please include:

• name and location of restaurant
• picture of any meal from restaurant
• poem that shows off selected restaurant in a way dineANDrhyme has always done
• your name AND e-mail are required. a short bio and including any personal website, social network handle (Twitter, Instagram) are optional but preferred

IF YOUR WORK IS ACCEPTED YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA THE E-MAIL YOU PROVIDED.

Contribute your poetry: http://dineandrhymeblog.com/contribute/

Visit the blog website: http://dineandrhymeblog.com/

ABOUT ME

DONNA CHLIMON

to put it simply,

I created the blog dineANDrhyme to combine the two things in my small world I absolutely love: food and poetry. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and that is where most of the restaurants I have the pleasure of trying are located. I hope that with my writing you will not only enjoy the poetry but that you will be hungry while reading it.

yours,

Donna Chlimon

Filigree anthology: call for submissions

http://peepaltreepress.com/

The Inscribe imprint of Peepal Tree Press, one of the UK’s largest publishers of Black and Asian British writing, is seeking submissions of original poetry for an upcoming anthology titled, ‘Filigree’.

‘Filigree’ typically refers to the finer elements of craftwork – the parts that are subtle; our ‘Filigree’ anthology seeks work that plays with the possibilities that the word suggests, work that is delicate, that counters the heavy handed representation of colour in the media, work that responds to the idea of edging, a comment on the daily marginalisation of the darker voice. But as Inscribe enjoys pushing boundaries, we are open to poets turning the word, the image, upside down to present us with a Filigree poem that we wouldn’t expect!

Poems for ‘Filigree’ must be previously unpublished. The anthology will include work from established Black British poets residing inside and outside the UK, Black poets who have made Britain their home, as well as exciting new and emerging poets around the country who have never published a poem before who respond in compelling ways to the idea of ‘Filigree’.

The deadline for submissions is Saturday, 30 April 2016.

Further information can be found at:

https://peepaltreepress.submittable.com/submit/47692

MasterClass Provides Aspiring Writers A Once-In-A Lifetime Chance To Co-Author A Book With New York Times Bestselling Author James Patterson

The world’s bestselling author, James Patterson, will pick a student from his online writing MasterClass to be his co-author.

MasterClass (masterclass.com), the premiere online education platform offering classes taught by the world’s best, announced today a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to collaborate with acclaimed authorJames Patterson. Aspiring authors from around the country can compete for the chance to co-author a novel with the New York Times bestselling writer.

The idea was proposed by Patterson after seeing the quality of work students were submitting in his MasterClass. “There are a lot of people who have the talent, but haven’t been shown the door to walk through. I’ve been surprised and impressed by the passion, devotion and talent of my students. They inspired me to want to help guide one of them through the publishing process. I’m looking forward to reading the submissions that are skillful, fast-paced and unpredictable,” said Patterson.

Students can visit http://www.masterclass.com/jp to signup and enroll in James Patterson’s writing class, where those who wish to enter the competition can submit an original book hook, story summary and a sample chapter. Each stage of the competition is designed to help writers learn how to craft and pitch their novel.  Students submit their initial submission through MasterClass’ website. The initial submission period begins February 16, 2016 and ends Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The top 10 semi-finalists will be awarded $1,000 and, from there, 3 finalists will be awarded $2,500 and given the opportunity to write an outline for their idea. Patterson will select the winner by May 24, 2016 and offer to co-author a future book with them. See Official Rules for details. There is no additional fee after enrollment and submissions are limited to one per student.

In the past year, MasterClass launched a series of popular courses, including those taught by Patterson (writing), Dustin Hoffman(acting), Serena Williams (tennis), and Usher (performance). Each of these classes make it possible for anyone to learn directly from the world’s best.

“The goal of MasterClass is to educate and inspire people around the globe by creating classes from the very best” said David Rogier, CEO and co-founder at MasterClass. “I don’t know if this sort of opportunity has ever been available in history before, and I can’t wait to see it unfold. It’s incredible that James wanted to select a student from his MasterClass to co-author a book with him,” Co-founder, CTO, and Creative Director Aaron Rasmussen added,

About James Patterson’s writing class:
Class synopsis: James Patterson, the author of a record breaking 19 consecutive No. 1 New York Times Best Sellers, teaches you everything he knows about writing a bestseller.

Class Includes:

• 22 video lessons (3.5 hours)
• A workbook filled with writing exercises
• A complete outline of Patterson’s book Honeymoon
• Additional class materials like excerpts from Patterson’s first drafts.
• Collaborative learning: students can upload writing samples and receive feedback from other students (and sometimes even James himself!). When James gives feedback, he shares it with the whole class so everyone can learn from it.
• Class discussions via an online community forum
• Q&A: James answers select questions submitted by students the whole class can access.

About MasterClass:

San Francisco-based MasterClass was founded by David Rogier and Aaron Rasmussen on the idea that everyone should have access to genius. MasterClass makes it possible for anyone with an Internet connection to learn from the best through immersive online classes from the world’s most esteemed authors, actors, performers, athletes and more. Learn writing from James Patterson; acting from Dustin Hoffman or Kevin Spacey; tennis from Serena Williams; performance from Usher; or singing from Christina Aguilera. MasterClass pairs world-class instructors with Hollywood directors and Silicon Valley engineers to create a brand new type of learning experience. For more information, please visit:  www.masterclass.com.

CONTACT: Marian Koltai-Levine, PMK-BNC, Marian.Koltai@pmkbnc.com, O. +1 212.373.6130 M: +1 914.672.2418; Leesa D’Alto, Director, Moxie Communications, Leesa@moxiegrouppr.com, M. +1 516-524-7913

The Radiant Peace Education Awards Spring 2016 (The Twenty-sixth Annual)

All students in grades 1-12 — from public and private schools, home schools, youth and after-school groups, and abroad — are welcome to enter the spring 2016 national program of The Radiant Peace Education Awards^®! The Radiant Peace Education Awards program gives students an opportunity to express themselves about Radiant Peace in their own lives in essays, art, videos and projects.

This year’s entries must be postmarked by April 14, 2016, with winners being announced around May 18, 2016. All participants receive beautiful iron-on Radiant Peace Patches, and outstanding entries will also receive certificates and cash awards! Winner’s classrooms will also receive cash awards. In addition, many of the most creative or exceptional entries will be displayed in The International Museum of Radiant Peace.

Printable information is available here in PDF format: the complete packet of information (5 pages), which includes the guidelines, permission form and entry checklist; and the permission form and checklist only for submitting entries (2 pages). If you have any questions or need copies faxed or mailed, pleasecontact the Foundation office.

The next program will be offered with a December 2016 postmark deadline. Materials will be posted online in the fall. If you are not already on the mailing list, please contact the Foundation office to ensure that you receive an announcement.

Visit the website for details: http://www.radiantpeace.org/trpea/invitation.html

About Love Festival of Short Plays

About Love festival of short plays that is held in June/July of each year and is open to all plays. 

The 2016 festival will be June 14 to June 18 at Vancouver’s storied Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC.

The goal of the festival is to provide encouragement for emerging playwrights and an opportunity for Vancouver area actors and directors to engage in new works on stage.

International submissions are accepted. Submissions must be in English.

There is a 10.00 Canadian dollars fee for submission of one script and 15.00 dollars for two scripts. There will be a 150.00 dollar prize to the winning playwright.

Submission Guidelines:

• The play should be approximately eight to twenty-minutes in length.

• The play must have no more than four on-stage characters.

• You may submit only up to two plays, so send us your best! If sending two. Please submit both in the same email.

• The play should be in a “play format” making it easy for the readers.

• The play must be unpublished and not have a professional production. (Professional production is one where actors, and all staff are paid. We accept Fringe as being non-professional)

• Submitting your play to our contest grants Tomo Suru Players the right to produce your play in our annual festival and photograph and/or videotape it for archival purposes, if it is chosen as a finalist.

• Does your play need to be about Love? As long as we can see a connection of love, romantic, familial, friendly, we can accept it.

About the fee:

• The fee covers the costs involved in the competition. We are hopeful we can return to a free contest in the future. If any writer wishes to submit a script, and feels the fee is a challenge to meet, please follow the submission guidelines below and put ATTN: Gerald Williams in the body of your email. He will be in touch.

Additional Guidelines:

• The play should have simple technical requirements.  Simple set, simple lighting and sound requirements.

• Surprise us, excite us! We are a diverse group and we are open to a variety of genre’s and styles.

Submit via Email:

Your play must be received no later than 11:59 pm, March 20th, 2016.

Email PDFs (MS word is acceptable) and include

Cover page should have only the title of the play and the genre of the play.

It should NOT include your name or any personal identifiers.

Pages should be numbered.

In the body of your email:

Include your name, the name of your play and your contact information, name, mailing address, telephone number, email address.

In the subject line:

About Love. YOUR FAMILY NAME. PLAY TITLE.

Email plays to:

tomosuru+love@gmail.com

What happens after you submit your play?

• Each play will be read by a reader, who will compile their own short list. A long list will then be compiled and a members committee will compile a short list.

• The short list scripts will be read in a long and joyful afternoon by all members of Tomo Suru, who will then choose the finalists.

• Directors will be assigned, there are open casting calls for actors, and your play will be produced.

• Finalists will receive 5 productions during our festival week. Audience votes will be collected during each performance and a final winner will be announced here by July 31st, 2016.

HOW TO ENTER, VISIT THE WEBSITE:

http://www.tomosuruplayers.com/#!about-love-festival/aj4kd

NORTH AMERICAN SNOWSPORTS JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION CONTEST

$25 ENTRY FEE

Deadline March 1, 2016

NASJA East is seeking works that tell exceptional stories about snow sports. Theses stories should depict people having fun participating or watching snow sports. The goal is to promote snow sports. These works can be in the form of stories, photos or videos or any combination thereof. Eligible entries: Written content (photos are encouraged), Photographs, Videos. Judges may select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, and must select a 1st place winner. Ties are prohibited. Only the first place winner is awarded the $500. Judges may award one or more Honorable Mentions at their discretion. All entries must relate to events that occurred between January 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016.

Visit the website for details: http://www.nasja.org/east

4th Women Inspirational Poetry Contest

This is a call to all women poets to write about WOMEN. Write about someone who inspires you. You may use a character depiction, or a triumphant situation; or you can surprise us with your creativity and talent. Submit in English, original and unpublished poems. We’re searching for the next emerging woman poet. Winners will be notified in June 2016 by Oneal Walters (Founder & Author) ; their names and the title of their winning poems will be published on www.wipconline.com. All poems remain the property of the poet.

Rewards:

1st Place $300 US, plus interview with Oneal Walters

2nd Place $180 US

3rd Place $120 US

Submission fees:

$15.00 US 1-2 poem submission.

$22.00 US 3 poem submission.

$26.00 US 4 poem submission.

Submit the poems that will change your life!

Deadline: April 12, 2016

Submit your poems today!

There are two options for the submission fee; through mail by money order or certified check, or online through PayPal.

Printed mail entries and submission fees mailed to:
Women Inspirational Poetry Contest
2 Bloor Street West, Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4W 3R1

Visit the website for details on how to enter:

http://wipconline.com/blog/sharenews/

Last call! LEA RYAN’S FUND FOR EMERGING WOMEN WRITERS

LEA RYAN’S FUND FOR EMERGING WOMEN WRITERS

NO ENTRY FEE.

Deadline January 11, 2016 at 5pm, EST.
All women who consider themselves emerging playwrights

(as distinct from fledgling or mid-career playwrights)

are eligible to apply for the FEWW Prize.

Playwrights from all over the world are encouraged to apply,

but the play must be written in English.

Eligibility does not require that a submitted work adhere to the traditional three-act structure.

One-acts, two-acts (even four-, five-, six- acts), monologues, adaptations,

and any other wild (or deceptively tame) format will be considered with equal seriousness.

The only absolute requirement is that the submitted text be a completed full-length work for theater.

The 2016 winner will be presented her award as part of the 2016 Lily Awards,

which honors the work of women in American theater.

The winner will also receive a cash award of $2,500

as well as a staged reading of her play hosted by FEWW

at a theater in New York City. In addition, a stipend of up to $700

for travel and accommodation may be provided by FEWW if necessary.

Visit the website: http://www.leahryansfeww.com/apply.html

The 8×10 TheatreFest — Weathervane Playhouse’s Annual 10-Minute Play Contest and Festival

Call for entries: Now through May 13, 2016
Performances: July 15 to 17, 2016

INFORMATION FOR PLAYWRIGHTS — OVERVIEW

The deadline for entries is midnight on Friday, May 13, 2016

All entrants will receive:
• Acknowledgment of receipt of submissions and administrative fee.
• Notification of 8 Finalist plays, preceding TheatreFest.
• Notification of winners, following the conclusion of TheatreFest

All information will be posted to this website.

THE PRIZES

Each of the eight finalists will receive a full production of his or her play and two complimentary tickets to TheatreFest. (We can’t offer travel and room accommodations for finalists, those who are able to attend will be greeted, feted, and showered with recognition!)

Additionally, we will send out press releases about the finalist playwrights to our local publications and to any of the playwrights’ respective outlets.

First Place: $350
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $150
Five Runners Up: $50/each

THE RULES

EACH PLAY SUBMISSION MUST FOLLOW THE RULES BELOW:

1. Each play must include the 2016 prop, an envelope of cash.  See description below.
2. Maximum running time is 10 minutes.  Less is fine.
3. Cast maximum is three. Any combo, gender-wise.  No characters under the age of sixteen.
4. Technical requirements must be minimal. Plays produced are performed on a bare stage utilizing wooden blocks and simple furniture to signify a variety of things. Costume, sound and lighting requirements must also be simple.
5. No one-person plays, no musicals, or children’s plays.
6. Playwrights must be at least 18 years old.
7. Submitted plays must be un-produced and un-performed outside of readings, workshops, and festivals. Submitted plays may have been entered in other contests.
8. You must be the sole creator of the play and entitled to confer performance rights.
9. If chosen as a finalist, you grant performance rights, royalty-free, to Weathervane Playhouse for three performances during the 2016 8×10 TheatreFest.
10. The play remains the sole property of the playwright.

THE 2016 INSPIRATION — AN ENVELOPE OF CASH

Each year at TheatreFest, the audience chooses a special prop that must be incorporated into the following year’s plays.

Our 2015 audience members chose an envelope of cash.  The envelope is a security envelope 6.5″ x 3.5″.  The cash consists of $3,000 in $100 increments, bills are printed back and front.  The bills and envelope cannot be damaged or destroyed in your script.

Please note:  Although the bills provided are specific, the rules don’t require that you open the envelope to display the currency or use the amount provided. 

How to enter: http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/8x10TheatreFest

Fabula Press Short Story Contests

Contest deadlines: Each year, the winter (Nivalis) contest opens on 01 January, and submissions will be accepted till 31 March. Summer (Aestas) contest begins on 01 July and runs till 30 September, every year. 

 

Prizes: The contest carries the following prizes:

1. First Prize:      US$250
2. Second Prize:US$150
3. Third Prize:     US$100

 

All longlisted entries (top 10-15) get published in an anthology, and non-prize winning published entries will be paid US$50 each.

 

Theme: None. There is no restriction on genre either, and we are happy to read historical fiction, mystery/suspense, and horror. However, for consistency of presentation we cannot accept children’s stories, fantasy, young adult or chick lit; likewise hardcore science fiction is not something we are looking for, but are open to science based / alternative history based literary works. In case of doubt, it is best to query the editorial team.

 

Word count: Minimum 1500, maximum 7000. At the editors’ discretion some latitude may be allowed on both minimum and maximum word counts for stories of exceptional merit.

 

Entry fee: US$10.

 

Judges: The panel of judges includes literary agents, authors and essayists.

 

For detailed guidelines, visit:  http://www.fabulapress.com

Many voices book project

Awards: 100 dollar prize to finalists and the 20 Winners are also published in the final book. 

The authors collectively recieve 25% of royalties from book proceeds.

(Note:50% of proceeds goes to Charities)

Entry Fee:  Free

Deadlines: First round dead line is April 1st 2016  Last round deadline is Nov. 18 2018. 

Click the following link to see full list of Deadlines: https://onestoryroad.com/many_voices_rules_and_guidelines

Website URL: https://onestoryroad.com

Contace Email: Caleb@onestoryroad.com

GOLFWELL’S ANNUAL GOLF STORY COMPETITION

DO YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING GOLF STORY TO SHARE? WE ARE LOOKING FOR INSPIRATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, HUMOROUS, BRAVE, AND UNHEARD GOLF STORIES. WE WANT YOUR GOLF STORY FOR PUBLICATION AND WANT YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CONTEST!

GOLFWELL’S STORY CONTEST!
First Prize $300.00 – 2nd Prize $150.00 – 3rd Prize $50.00 and First, Second and Third Prizes receive Publication on our website as the “Golfwell.net Best Golf Stories Ever Heard.” Winners will also receive an Award Certificate Of Acknowledgement from www.Golfwell.net.

No Entry fee.

We’re looking for original unpublished golf stories. Fact or Fiction (Yes, that’s right, we’re lumping fiction and non-fiction together to compete in this contest – since non-fiction golf stories are usually stretched into fiction Haha!). What should be common to both fact and fiction is a golf theme. How creative or dramatic are you? Are you a great story teller? Golfers from all countries and all ages are welcome to enter (Yes, that’s right were lumping all ages together – this is our first contest). Stories should be 700 words or less. Enter as often as you wish.

Deadline: December 31, 2015

To Enter: Email your story to: Golfwellnet@yahoo.com

PLEASE INCLUDE:

1. Your name, address and age.
2. Your story (no longer than 700 words).

Visit the website:  http://www.golfwell.net

Enter to win a Prize Package from Writer’s Digest, BookBaby, and Edit911

Everything you need to release your inner book!

The complete prize package includes:

• Writer’s Digest 1-Year Subscription ($55.92 value)
• Suite of Writer’s Digest Books
  • You’ve Got a Book in You ($19.99 value)
  • The Author Training Manual ($19.99 value)
  • The Writer’s Idea Book ($19.99 value)
  • 90 Days to Your Novel ($16.99 value)
  • Revision and Self-Editing for Publication ($17.99 value)
• 2015 Writer’s Digest Conference Pass ($449 value)
• 1-Year Subscription to Writer’s Digest Online Tutorials ($199 value)
• Scrivener Story Writing Software ($45 value)
• 100 Printed Books ($649 value)
• eBook Conversion with Worldwide Distribution ($299 value)
• Print-On-Demand with Worldwide Distribution ($199 value)
• Deluxe Cover Design ($399 value)
• $500 Credit towards Editing Services ($500 value)
• Total value: $2,889.87

Giveaway ends June 15, 2015.

For complete giveaway rules click here.