Sunday, September 23, 2012

GET YOUR PITCH ON OCTOBER

Here's the details you've been waiting for!

Commissioning and Managing Editor of Hardie Grant Egmont, Marisa Pintado, will be poised and ready to take your pitches both here on Down Under Wonderings and on my group blog YAtopia on October 15th. 

Marisa is looking for YA in any genre and is accepting submissions from any where in the world. It's your chance to skip the slush pile and put your pitch right under the nose of a fantastic editor. There's even better news - there is no limit on how many requests Marisa will make from the contest. 

Here's the rules:

  • Your manuscript must be complete, polished and ready to query - this means no first drafts or almost finished manuscripts.
  • It must be YA.
  • When the contest goes live on October 15th, post your entry details in the comments section of either YAtopia or Down Under Wonderings - each blog is accepting 100 entries only.
  • Your entry detail needs to include a 50 - 70 word pitch.
  • You can enter more than once if you have more than one complete, polished, ready to query manuscript.
Your contest details should be formatted like this:

Name: Sharon Johnston
Email: smjohnston [ @ ] live.com.au
Country of residence: Australia
Title: SLEEPER
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Word-count: 58,000
Pitch: Seventeen-year-old Mishca Richardson is a sleeper soldier with a weak heart. She has no idea that a life saving heart transplant has accidentally triggered her programming. In the search for answers, she discovers the truth and that her creator, Wirth, has classified her remaining "sisters" from her experiment group as defective, scheduling them for termination. Mishca sets out to save them before they're eliminated. 

Just as it's important to get someone else to look over your manuscript before you query, it's a good idea to get feedback on your pitch before you post. We have about twenty blogs who are ready to help you hone your pitch. These workshops start on October 1 and you can find the list of blogs participating here. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

GET YOUR PITCH ON WORKSHOP

I'M A HOST BLOG FOR








YAtopia and Down Under Wonderings are coordinating GET YOUR PITCH ON. a chance to skip the slush pile.  A snippet of information from YAtopia:

Here's the rules:
  • Your manuscript must be complete, polished and ready to query - this means no first drafts or almost finished manuscripts.
  • It must be YA.
  • When the contest goes live on October 15th, post your entry details in the comments section of either YAtopia or Down Under Wonderings - each blog is accepting 100 entries only.
  • Your entry detail needs to include a 50 - 70 word pitch.
  • You can enter more than once if you have more than one complete, polished, ready to query manuscript.
Just as it's important to get someone else to look over your manuscript before you query, it's a good idea to get feedback on your pitch before you post. We have about 26 blogs who are ready to help you hone your pitch. These workshops start on October 1.


I'm one of the 26 blogs hosting pitch feed back October 1!

Want more information? Check it out

Want to be a host for the Get Your Pitch On polish? Sign up here.

Looking for other blogs hosting the Get Your Pitch On polish? They're here.

I'm not participating as my MS is still a WIP, but I can't wait to finish all these contest are so exciting and the information you can take away is invaluable. Good luck to all the participants!!!
I'll share more information as I get it. Be sure to bookmark YAtopia and Down Under Wonderings for the latest news.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

October Challenge

With Gutgaa and Pith Madness and all these new blog things going on I have to make time for work and writing..
I must admit I am having a blast, and I absolutely love meeting new writers and talking about books, books and more books.

So to add to the pile, here is another blog Challenge I've been ask to partake in, and I must admit I am pretty excited to do . If you want to know just  click HERE
 I hope you can join, I can't wait to read all the fun post.

Pen 2 Paper: Short Stories

Pen 2 Paper: Short Stories: Death Why Is It So Long...? Drowning didn't  seem like a bad way to die. At least that's what I told myself as I succumb to the pitc...

Monday, September 17, 2012

Does anyone use Scrivener

Hey all, does anyone use scrivener to write your novel?


Someone recommended I use it, said it's a good tool for organizing your story. I will admit there are some pretty cool features and it really does help with organizing it all. 

For me there is something about the simplicity on actually writing on paper that sparks my create flow. This is how I usually map out a story. From there I use micro word to work in. what I love about scrivener is it breaks the scenes and chapters up for you. IF you are a sticky not and 3x5 index card user you will love it as well. These are features I haven't utilized as of yet.

I love the research and notes features normally I have these items pinned all over my computer, so this is a big help.
Over all I think it is a great tool, maybe if I master all the features it would be more beneficial for me.

Does anyone know of any other programs? Have you used scrivener and can compare it to something you like better. Maybe I'll try it. Maybe you use scrivener and love you can offer me some pointers on how to use it better.

Thanks for stopping by , don't be a stranger.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

So... I was tagged!!


I was tagged by the fabulous  Heather Bryant stop by and show her some love if you haven't already.
Thank you Heather this is a lot of FUN,i needed a break:)










What is the working title of your book?
That a good Question.. no really right now  it's Sapphire's Dawn


Where did the idea come from for the book?
I really can't remember I know that I created the people from my fantasy world first I knew what they were and what their purpose was. Funny thing is that who they are is the reason I haven't completed my MS.



What genre does your book fall under?
YA Fantasy I think  during #GUTGAA  I was classified under horror, goth, and epic I think. You  can get the just of it from these:0


Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I only had one actress in mind for my MC and I never really thought of famous people for my supporting cast:) however I always find myself relating them to real life people I run across
The role of Zara Sapphire Stillos , I would love to have the beautiful Zoe Saldana




What is a one sentence synopsis of your book?
Twin cousins share more in common then looks,` when one is astral projected into another world only to find she is not a stranger there.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agent?
Without a doubt  represented by an agent, but I believe in my story so maybe I will do a Marissa Myers and self publish sell a ton and have agents search for me:)

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
 I am 2 years in and still not completed:(

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
There are a lot of twist and turns, as soon as your stomach settles another nerve racking adventure ensues. There are also a few surprises

Who will I tag ..hmm

TAG! You're it!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

*revise* Excerpt Sapphire's Dawn

After some very good advise I made a few changes to my prologue, if you have the time please take a moment to critique. Thank you Stacey and Jess!! thanks #GUTGAA-ANS




Prologue

“Where did she come from?”

“I don't know the young ones found her near the forbidden waters she's not a familiar so they brought her here while she is still unconscious. She has no light doctor, that's impossible right?”

My chest rise and fall uncontrollably. I stretch my eyes wide trying to control my breathing hoping to see past the darkness surrounding me. Who are these voices? Frozen, the need to thrash about and yell consumes me, the fear is relentless it grips my throat holding back sound.

“No. It's not entirely impossible to not have a light.”

Startled at the sound of this voice an older male the one the high shrieked voice calls doctor. The high shriek voice is harder to decipher whether it’s male or female, the pubescent tone was familiar like so many sophomores yelling down the halls on their first day of high school. Zara, are you okay can you hear me?” Mrs. Kensington? I want to answer but at what risk? OMG, I’m dreaming in class again!

“What are you going to do with her doc?” the younger voice interrupts my thoughts of horror. As if being the don't touch or talk to me because I am not interested in joining your clubs or cliques girl isn't enough, I have to also be the freak that falls asleep in class. Kill me now because it will take weeks for this to blow over. The last time this happened I didn’t return to school for a week the taunts were unbearable. After a week people were more worried about me having committed suicide or something more morbid then that.

“How is it possible for one of us not to have a light doc?”

“Please, get the elders, tell them there is a hybrid in our mist they will know what to do.”

“A hybrid? But I thought they didn’t exist, the mere mention is what caused the last uprising” the voice is higher if at all possible. The pounding of his footsteps abuse the hard floor as he run hastily from the room. Hybrid...huh. Focus Zara, must wake up.

Click clack all at once the thumping of several sets of approaching feet invades my ears. More voices three or four riddle with fear in the distance. I could still hear the doctor and the high pitched voice Vincent someone calls him. A boy go figure. My breathing instinctively labors as the thudding feet get louder the closer the get to me.

“Impossible. How did she get here?” A much older male voice shouts.

“We don't know Elder Sythe, but with no light the question ‘here’ becomes in our world.”

“We must get rid of her before the others knows she is here.” Elder Sythe demands.

The doctor interject saying, “I think we should see what we can learn from it. Open it up see why it doesn’t have a light. Maybe we can learn where it came from.”

“Nonsense doctor, we don’t need the threat of another uprising, we wont survive it. The other elders and I will convene and once we make the decision  to destroy, It will be done at nightfall.”

“So is she a hybrid?” Vincent’s says with panic in his voice, I could hear my heart thud behind my ears.

Get rid of me!?

“What if the others elders agree with me?” the doctor asserts.

“They wont I can assure you that,” I could tell Elder Sythe is in control.

“Elder Sythe it’s the same one from before.” The doctor voice is a nervous whisper.

“What!” Elder Sythe roared. How is this possible you said you destroyed it.”

“I did, destroy it just as you instructed immediately.”

Destroyed! Uncontrollable trembles erupt from my body.

“If you destroyed it, why is it lying on this table? How is she back?” Another voice asks.

Give me the chance to learn these answers you seek. Allow me two days to perform test and experiments,” the doctor pleading to decimate my body.

“Absolutely not! Destroy it” Elder Sythe says forceful he is no longer asking.

“Ask yourself

Elder Sythe, is the portal open, how did this creature survive the trip to our world, and she’s alive living breathing in our atmosphere. Can you explain that? If she is not an Empyrean and she is surely not the girl from last time, then the only thing that explains here being here, is that she has to be a hybrid.” A collective gasp fills the room.

“There are no such beings as hybrids and we all thank you to not spread rumors. Are you trying to cause another uprising? Our kind can not mate with human it is not possible those are just old fables told to the young ones to keep them from trouble. You are much to wise to believe such tales.”

“Well then how do you explain this human girl with no light in our world?” Anger infuses the doctors shout.

Why can't I wake up?

“I will tell you this in all my five centuries I have never seen or heard of a sighting of hybrid. This fact is not because we don’t believe in them, but because they can not and do not exist. To end this fruitless debate, I vote now that we destroy this being immediately it is already beginning to taint your views”

“Not without the other elders,” the doctors voice trembles

No one answers him, all the voices in the room each vote yes to destroy me at once. The fact that this is just a dream gives little comfort as a jolt of fear rattles my bones. A slight breeze on my face as my body is whisked away. Rumbling and whistling wheels roll faster taking me to my destruction, my heart pounding to its rhythm. The temperature went from cool to bolstering hot. Beads of sweat fall from my face faster then they form. Sweat trickling down my back and legs. The heat is stifling; my lungs ache while searching for air. My skin withers, like burnt ashes. Sounds of crackling and popping fill the space like a camp fire, oh god. I let out a scream once I realize what is happening. There was no pain, just the feeling of suffocating. Is this what it’s like to be on fire? The thought evokes blood curdling scream to form in my throat that never leave my lips. Darkness, quiet, I’m alone. I felt something cold on my forehead, I hear my name.

“Zara, wake up come back to us.” Mom! Mom! I can’t breathe so the sound suffocates. Something cool brushes my face, weak I drudge up another attempt to find air with every ounce of strength left. I inhale coughing after filling my lungs; I exhale a ferrous scream... “MOM!”

I’m back.