Welcome Tiffany Colter and Writing Contests

Please interact with our guest authors by answering the question they provide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TIFFANY COLTER is a full-time Writer, Speaker and Writing Career Coach. In addition to judging writing contests she also works as coordinator of the Frasier Writing Contest. The Frasier is in its 2nd year and offers a scholarship to a writing workshop valued at $500 to the winner. Details are available at The Book Therapy Site.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Writing Contests
By Tiffany Colter

I've been a full time writer for more than eight years now and one thing that helped me early on in my writing was entering writing contests. Writing contests are a great way to help advance your writing career, but not all contests are created equal.

* Make sure when you decide to enter a writing contest that the one you enter offers some kind of feedback.

When I started writing I ran after the contests that offered big rewards and no feedback. I thought that the way I was going to become an author was by having my "Big Break". The reality of writing, however, is that getting your big break comes from taking a series of little steps. Getting feedback in writing contests helps you know which steps to take.

* Make sure some of the writing contests have editors and agents as final round judges

Notice I didn't say that every writing contest had to have this. Some contests are great simply for peer input, but as you improve in your craft getting your entries in front of judges can open the opportunity to get your work read by people who can help you to the next level of your writing career.

* Writing contests are highly subjective

This is another great, though highly painful, aspect of writing contests. You will have wildly different opinions from people sometimes. This can be very frustrating for someone who is trying to build a writing career. One person says they can't stand the way the main character snaps at people and another person says they love your saucy heroine. While coordinators try to make sure things are as fair as possible in judging, it won't always be equal.

But you know what? That is exactly how it will be when readers are evaluating you on the shelf. So this is just one more skill to develop as a writer: a thick skin.

* Entering and judging offer learning opportunities

Some of you may be writing contest veterans. You've entered many contests and feel there isn't much you don't know about this topic. That is when you move to the next level and you start entering and judging various writing contests. As an unpublished author some of your best opportunities to judge will be judging published books. My shifting to this other side of the score sheet you learn many things about craft and you become much more understanding when you get your own score sheet back.

* The bottom line is they help a writer

Many writers that I work with as a writing career coach got their foot in the door by doing well in a writing contest. It wasn't always that an editor or agent requested a manuscript, sometimes it was because they were able to use their strong finish in a query letter or editor/agent appointment. That was one thing that happened to me. When I met my agent the fact that I'd won a national writing contest for unpublished authors caused him to take an extra look at my writing.

But for all of this, I don't think I would have made any progress if I hadn't learned when to use the advice from a judge and when to throw it away. Understanding how to adjust a story without losing your voice is an important skill, and one every writer must master.

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Thank you, Tiff, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: How do you use the comments from contests and critique partners to improve your writing? When do you choose not to use the comments?

CFBA Blog Tour - Susan May Warren and The Perfect Match

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Perfect Match
Tyndale House - January 1, 2009)
by Susan May Warren

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SUSAN MAY WARREN grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ellie Karlson is new to Deep Haven. As the town’s interim fire chief, she is determined to lead the local macho fire crew in spite of their misconceptions about her. But when someone begins setting deadly fires, Ellie faces the biggest challenge of her life. Especially when sparks fly with one of the volunteers on her crew: Pastor Dan Matthews. As Ellie battles to do her job and win the respect of her crew, she finds that there is one fire she can’t fight—the one Dan has set in her heart. (This book is the repackaged edition published in 2004)

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Perfect Match, go HERE.

Awards:

2004 American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year
A Romantic Times Magazine TOP PICK – 4½ stars

Review:

Romantic Times Magazine:
Vibrant characters and vivid language zoom this action-packed romance to the top of the charts. This is a one-sitting read –once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.

Buy your copy of The Perfect Match Today!

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of The Perfect Match.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com/net) or that there's a way to contact you. Otherwise, you won't be entered. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Blog Tour - Susan May Warren and Finding Stefanie

I may be ending out the 2-week blog tour for this book, but I'm only one stop along the way in helping promote Susie's latest release that brings a phenomenal 3-book series to a close. Here is a link to the blog tour schedule (it will come in handy later):

http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/2008/07/finding-stefani.html

Check it out for other chances to win free copies of this book and learn even more about Susie.

And a BONUS for this tour is a contest where you can be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theatre of your choice. Read below for the details.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SUSAN MAY WARREN is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

FINDING STEFANIE
by Susan May Warren
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK

When she put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch, she never imagined they would slip out of sight. Luckily for Stefanie, those dreams are about to come knocking at her door.

Lincoln Cash has gained fame and fortune on the big screen, but a crippling secret leaves him one last chance to make his mark on the movie industry. With dreams of hosting a new film festival, Lincoln intends to remodel a sprawling ranch in eastern Montana to make it the new Hollywood hot spot.

Unfortunately, a house fire threatens his plans. So does opposition from his new neighbor Stefanie Noble, who's not thrilled about his Tinseltown changes. What Lincoln and Stefanie don't know is that the fire won't be the last disaster to threaten Lincoln or his future. Someone is out for revenge... but who? And who is the real target?

Buy Your Copy of Beach Dreams Today!

Read an Excerpt

MEET STEFANIE'S BROTHERS

Taming Rafe - In less than eight seconds, two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble lost his title, his career, his best friend-all on the dirt floor of a noisy rodeo arena. Now he has no choice but to head back to the Silver Buckle, but not before he accidentally destroys philanthropist Katherine Breckenridge's NY Charity event. Now she's in town, wanting his money - or his help. And the last thing this broken bull rider is going to do is give her his heart. But Nick's little brother is going to learn just was it takes to tame the heart of a rebel...

Read chapter one

Reclaiming Nick - What was his father thinking? Yes, Nick betrayed his family, his legacy and hasn't been home in nearly a decade, but did that mean his father had to leave the Noble Family ranch to Nick's worst enemy? Nick doesn't care what it takes - Cole St. James isn't going to get a blade of Silver Buckle ranchland. Old secrets and second chances await Nick when he travels home to reclaim his past. Just how far will God go to redeem a prodigal?

Read chapter one

CONTEST

In addition to a book giveaway, you can participate in a special contest related to Finding Stefanie.

Grab your magnifying glass and join me on a Fact-o-Find!

Answer these questions about the bloggers on the tour and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theater of your choice (you know so you can see some of Cash's great movies *G*)!

Email Amy your answers (amy@susanmaywarren.com) Ready, get set, giddy-up!

1. Which blogger is adopting a girl from China?
2. This word 'featherbunkle' is found on which blog?
3. Which blogger is supporting the 'Pickens Plan'?
4. Which blog is "The Cutest Blog on the Block"?
5. Which blogger is a S@HM and also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, nursery director, and woman that is just trying to keep it all together?
6. Which blogger is taking the Southern Reading Challenge?
7. Which blog asks 'How may we serve you'?
8. Which blogger refers to her son as 'super good big guy'?
9. Which blogger is a self-proclaimed 'Starbucks Addict'?
10. Which blogger is a big Trekkie?

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of Finding Stefanie.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada only.

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Blog Tour - Susan May Warren and Taming Rafe

I'm so excited to share the latest book from this author with you today. Not only do you get a spotlight, but you also get the chance to enter a content Susie is hosting on Rafe's blog and enter for a chance to win a FREE copy of this book.

The other sites participating in this blog tour can be found here at Rafe's very own blog: Who's Rafe?. It began back on the 23rd of February and ends on the 7th of March (tomorrow) but you can still check out the other blogs and enter the contests available.

You can learn more about Rafe and his family, as well as check out the "meaty" contest Susan is sponsoring for the tour! "Win a steak dinner (an Omaha Steaks gift certificate) with Rafe".

Yum...red meat! :)

Oh...and here's a peak at the video trailers for Reclaiming Nick and Taming Rafe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep's Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

TAMING RAFE
by Susan May Warren
Published by Tyndale House

Buy Your Copy Today!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Meet Nick's younger brother--Rafe!

In less than eight seconds, two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble lost his title, his career, his best friend-all on the dirt floor of a noisy rodeo arena. Now he has no choice but to head back to the Silver Buckle, but not before he accidentally destroys philanthropist Katherine Breckenridge's NY Charity event. Now she's in town, wanting his money - or his help. And the last thing this broken bull rider is going to do is give her his heart. But Nick's little brother is going to learn just was it takes to tame the heart of a rebel!

Read the first chapter!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. Finally! The long-awaited sequel on Nick's brother, Rafe. Many women drooled over his picture at the ACFW conference last year, and many more had fun walking around with the stickers on their badges. Once again, you have crafted a story full of adventure, romance and downright grit. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

That was SO fun!! Thanks to all my good-sports/victims who wore the RAFE badge!! I love everything cowboy, and grew up going to rodeo and watching with awe the amazing bull-riders and bronc busters. I began to wonder what it might be like for a bull rider at the top of his game who has a terrible wreck, and how he puts his life back together. Especially how he finds that courage to get back on the bull. The story of Taming Rafe is how he get’s back on…but as a different kind of man.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Rafe and katherine? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

I know that Kat's desire to make a difference in the world echoes my own. The images Kat experiences, and her sense of helplessness I took from my own work in orphanages in Russia. That feeling like I needed to do SOMETHING, but not feeling adequate. Also, Rafe's despair as he feels like he's caused his friend’s death – I remember my own despair when I blamed myself for an attack on our family that happened in Russia. So, although I've never been on top of a real bull, or been an heiress (yeah, I wish!), I've felt much of the same emotions that Rafe and Kat feel.

3. What themes exist in Taming Rafe that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

Taming Rafe is the story of bull-rider who finds himself caught in his worst nightmare. A friend of his has died, and Rafe has destroyed his career, and he's broken and at the end of his rope. Enter Kat Breckenridge, a philanthropist from NYC who is trying desperately to keep her charitable organization from going under. It doesn't help when Rafe decimates her event – so she goes looking for him, hoping he’s a decent guy and will help her out of bankruptcy. Uh…sorry, no. Rafe's too wrapped up in his own problems to help her. But she's persuasive, and she's going to help him heal. In the process she also discovers a few secrets about herself that will change her life. It's one of my favorite stories because I just adore Rafe. He's a great hero – unwilling to see his need for someone until they practically force themselves into his life, but underneath that prickly exterior is a man with a great capacity to give, and love. Add to that the beauty of Montana, the excitement of bull-riding, a delicious subplot with a couple locals, and a spiritual theme about God at work in our lives. It's story I am very grateful to have been allowed to tell.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I agonized, fasted and prayed over Kat's spiritual epiphany. There is SO much I could have written, and keeping it streamlined and focused was a challenge. Also, I really wanted the suspense to be well, suspenseful, and yet, because there as SO much other story, working that thread in took a lot of pondering and care. Because of the "story in a story" aspect of the book, it was probably my most ambitious because of the pacing and the many voices. I'm very aware of the Lord's help in writing it!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I'm very excited for my next book – Wiser than Serpents. Set in Taiwan, where I lived for about a month, it's a story about an FSB agent who goes undercover inside a human trafficking ring, in the hopes of finding her abducted sister. Of course, there is also a handsome Delta Force captain who has to come to her aid when she destroys his cover. Together they face some pretty bad fellas with the hope of finding her sister, and other woman caught in the web of human trafficking. I'm really excited because I'm donating a portion of the proceeds of this book to the International Justice Mission, a real-live organization dedicated to rescuing women and fighting human trafficking around the globe. Wiser than Serpents comes out in May 2008.

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Thank you, Susie, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Taming Rafe.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:" when you leave a comment and type the email address where you'd like them sent. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to U.S. residents only.

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Spotlight on Susan May Warren and Chill Out, Josey

Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels and novellas with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A three-time Christy award finalist, and three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice contest, Susan currently has over 500,000 books in print. A seasoned women's events speaker and writing teacher, she's taught at the American Christian Fiction Writer's conference for the past three years, and she runs a fiction editing service (http://www.mybooktherapy.com/) training writers how to tell a great story. After serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries in Khabarovsk, Far East Russia she now writes full-time while her husband runs a hotel on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Her most recent book is Chill Out, Josey! The hilarious adventures of a Minnesota girl who finds herself newly married, and pregnant…in Russia! (not autobiographical, or anything…) For more information, go to http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

CHILL OUT, JOSEY
by Susan May Warren
Published by Tyndale

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is the sequel to your first chic lit, Everything's Coming Up Josey. You've got Josey and her husband headed back to Russia for another adventure. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I loved writing Josey's introduction to missions, and her first adventure in Moscow. I learned so much in my freshman year of being a missionary, and I loved watching Josey grow into her trust in God's plan. But she had so much more to learn! And she wasn't the only one – although we met Chase in the first book, I wanted to see him as a newlywed husband, and how he would adapt to Russian life. I remember vividly the challenges and craziness of being pregnant in Russia, and thought, what if Josey were a newlywed AND pregnant in Russia? And what if Josey, seeing Chase's excitement about living in Russia, didn’t want to douse his dreams…and didn't tell him about her pregnancy? I remember when I discovered I was pregnant – right during our fundraising for Russia! I wondered…if my husband knew, would he still want to go?And if he didn't, would he always wonder what could have been? It was this question that drove Chill Out, Josey. It's about being a newlywed…and trusting God's love, all the way around the world.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of Josey? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

My close friends laugh out loud when they read Josey because they know how alike Josey and I are. From her determination to her love of bagels! But not everything about Josey is me – for example, I'm a great cook, and know how to improvise in the kitchen. And, I'm a little more practical in my footwear. But as for Josey’s spiritual lessons? Yep, all me. And the pregnancy stories…true, every one!

3. What themes exist in Chill Out, Josey that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

As I was writing the "Josey" series (and yes, there is a number 3!) I was studying the book of Ephesians. One of the main themes is the breadth of God's love for us, and how that changes us. I really wanted Josey to feel abandoned by Chase in this book, event hough they were newlyweds. It so often happens in missions that the husband throws himself into his new projects and the wife gets left in the dust. I remember vividly when I sat at home with two toddlers, pregnant, thinking…what happened? I didn't sign up to do this alone! And that's when God showed me how much he loved me in so many creative ways. I wanted Josey to experience God's creative love. And I am hoping that it prompts other moms to look for God's creative love in their lives as well.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The most difficult part to write was also the spiritual theme. Although I knew what I was getting at, there is so much in Ephesians, as well as newlywed life that I could use, (ie, the Proverbs 31 woman!) that I struggled with not putting in TOO many spiritual themes. I struggled to streamline it and now throw in ALL the lessons I learned as a young mother in Russia. And, I really wanted to show Josey growing from the self-centered person she'd been to deeper…although with enough growth left for a book 3!

My favorite part of the book to write was the "Bus Lady" scene (true story!) and the watermelon scene (also, a true story). And I again laughed out loud remembering my own "doctor" experiences. I probably laughed harder writing this book than my readers will (although I hope not!), just because I had so much fun remembering the actual events that inspired the fiction!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next Josey book, Get Cozy, Josey! comes out next year at this time. Join Josey as she and Chase head to…Siberia! Just when should a girl say NO?

My next BOOK is Taming Rafe, the story of a bull-rider whose world crashes at his feet, and the woman who helps him put it all back together again….it comes out January 2008!

Thanks for having me, Tiff!
Hugs!

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE, autographed copy of Chill Out, Josey. If you don't wish to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Otherwise you might miss out on winning a book.

Susie will be back to respond to any comments or questions you leave. This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.