WRITING CONTEST: TU BOOKS NEW VISION AWARD

- Win a copy of EVERTASTER by Adam Sidwell (Ends 8/14)

- Win a copy of THE ROCK OF IVANORE on Goodreads (Ends 8/25)
- Win a copy of THE CORPSE RAT KING by Lee Battersby (Ends 8/18)

TU BOOKS, the fantasy, science fiction, and mystery imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS, award-winning publisher of children’s books, is pleased to announce the first annual NEW VISIONS AWARD. The NEW VISIONS AWARD will be given for a middle grade or young adult fantasy, science fiction, or mystery novel by a writer of color. The Award winner receives a cash grant of $1000 and our standard publication contract, including our basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash grant of $500.

TU BOOKS was launched in 2010, dedicated to diversity in the beloved genre fiction market for young people. Titles include Wolf Mark, Tankborn, and Cat Girl’s Day Off. Fall 2012 will bring the publication of Morris Award nominee and Pura Belpré Award winner Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s Summer of the Mariposas.


Eligibility

1. The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a middle grade or young adult novel published.

2. Writers who have published work in other venues such as children’s magazines or picture books, or adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented submissions will be accepted.

3. Work that has been published in its entirety in any format (including online and self publishing) is not eligible. Manuscripts previously submitted to TU BOOKS will not be considered.


Submissions

1. Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another.

2. Submissions may be FANTASY, SCIENCE FICTION, or MYSTERY novels for children ages 8 to 12 or young adults ages 12 to 18. Realistic stories without a mystery or speculative component will not be considered.

3. Submissions should include a synopsis of the story plus the first three (3) chapters accompanied by a cover letter that includes the author’s name, address, phone number, email address, brief biographical note, relevant cultural and ethnic information, how the author heard about the award, and publication history, if any. Do not send the entire manuscript.

4. Manuscripts should be printed in a clear 12-point font, double-spaced, on 8½” x 11” paper. Submissions will not be returned, so do not submit your only copy.

5. Up to two submissions per entrant. Each submission should be submitted separately.

6. Submissions should be clearly addressed to:

TU BOOKS
95 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
ATTN: NEW VISIONS AWARD

7. Manuscripts may not be submitted to other publishers or to TU BOOKS general submissions while under consideration for this award. TU BOOKS is not responsible for late, lost, or incorrectly addressed or delivered submissions.


Dates for Submission

Manuscripts will be accepted from June 1, 2012, through October 30, 2012 and must be postmarked within that period.


Announcement of Finalist and Winners

1. Finalists will be announced and full manuscripts requested no later than January 15, 2013. If your full manuscript is requested, it must be received by TU BOOKS by January 31, 2013.

2. Submissions will not be returned. Be sure to retain a copy of your submission.

3. Judges are the editors of TU BOOKS and LEE & LOW BOOKS. The decision of the judges is final.

4. The Award and Honor winners will be selected from among the full manuscripts requested and will be announced no later than March 31, 2013. At least one Honor winner will be chosen each year, but TU BOOKS reserves the right not to choose an Award winner.

WRITING CONTEST: CALIFORNIA WRITERS EXCHANGE

- Win a copy of THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Steifvater (end 7/11)
- Win a copy of TRACING STARS by Erin Moulton (Ends 7/17)
- Win a copy THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY (Ends 7/23)

It's been months since I've posted a writing contest. I guess I got caught up in getting my book out and spotlighting so many other great books that it sort of slipped my mind. But this one came to my inbox today and I had to tell you about it. The following is taken from the Poets & Writers website:

The California Writers Exchange contest introduces emerging writers from California to the New York literary community and provides them a network for professional advancement. Every third year, writers in California are invited to submit manuscripts. Judges review the entries and select a winning poet and fiction writer. Winners are flown to New York City for an all-expenses-paid, weeklong trip to meet with literary agents, editors, publishers, and writers, and to give a public reading.

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2013 California Writers Exchange contest. Download the application here. The deadline is August 31, 2012.

The California Writers Exchange is funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation.

To be eligible, you must:

1) Have never published a book, OR

2) Have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which you are applying

3) Have resided in California for at least two years immediately prior to the date of your submission.

There is NO entry fee.

For details on how to submit, click HERE.

WRITING CONTEST: THE SHERWOOD ANDERSON WRITING GRANT

Giveaway & Interview w/Jenny Lundquist, author of Seeing Cinderella 

Meet Artist Kathy Everts, Ivanore's Map Master

News & Updates - Launch Party for The Rock of Ivanore

Giveaway & Interview w/ Kami Kinard, author of The Boy Project

Giveaway & Interview w/ Megan Miranda, Author of Fracture

The Sherwood Anderson Foundation has been helping developing writers since 1988 in order to honor, preserve, and celebrate the memory and literary work of Sherwood Anderson, American realist of the first half of the twentieth century.

The amount of the award each year depends on a number of factors, including the investment market. The 2011 award was $15,000. Applications must arrive postmarked no later than April 1 of each year. The winner will be announced on or before the following September 1 on this website. If the applications are not deemed to have high literary merit, no award will be made in that year.
Application requirements:

• Applicant has written at least one but no more than two published books of fiction. The books may be one novel and one collection of short stories but not more than two altogether. At least one book must have been published by a respected literary journal and/or trade or university publishers.
• Submit three of the following by mail:
  • One published book of fiction, which may be a novel or a collection of short stories. Self-published works of fiction or short stories do not qualify.
  • Two additional writing samples - these may be book chapters, entire published books or individual short stories.
• Include a resume with your submission that details your education and gives a complete bibliography of your publications.
• Include a cover letter that provides a detailed history of your writing experience and your plans for future writing projects.
• Include a valid, active email address and phone number.
• Poetry is not accepted.
• Submissions must be in English.
• Include an application fee of $75 made payable to: Sherwood Anderson Foundation
This should be placed in a clearly labeled envelope and attached by a paper clip to the front of your application cover letter.
Mail your complete application to: Sherwood Anderson Foundation Anna McKean, President 12330 Ashton Mill Terrace Glen Allen, Va. 23059 No email applications will be accepted. No manuscripts or books will be returned.

2011 WHITNEY AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

What are the Whitney Awards? That's a good question. From the official WEBSITE:

"The Whitneys are an awards program for novels by LDS authors. Elder Orson F. Whitney, an early apostle in the LDS church, prophesied “We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own.” Since we have that as our goal, we feel that we should also honor those authors who excel and continually raise the bar.

The Whitney Awards honor novels in the following categories: General Fiction, Romance, Suspense/Mystery, Speculative Fiction, Youth Fiction, Historical, Best Novel of the Year, and Best Novel by a New Author. Novels can be nominated by any reader (via this website or by mail), and nominees are voted on by an academy of industry professionals, including authors, publishers, bookstore owners, distributors, critics, and others.

The awards were founded in 2007 and operate as an semi-autonomous subsidiary of LDStorymakers."

For a novel to be eligble, it must meet the following criteria:

a. Must be a work of fiction that is at least 50,000 words in length. (Exception for Best Youth Fiction, 20,000 words)
b. Publication date must be between January 1st and December 31st of the award year.
c. Novels must be written by a member or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
d. Novels are eligible whether or not the author is a member of LDStorymakers, Inc.
e. Novels are eligible whether or not they have been published by traditional LDS publishers.

Also...

Anyone can nominate a book, as long as:

• The nominator is at least twelve years old.
• The nominator of a book is not the author of the book, the publisher of the book, a publisher’s employee, or anyone else with a monetary interest in the book.

Why is this so exciting?

Because #1)  I AM LDS!!!  and #2) My first book comes out this year!!!  Whoo hoo! In other words, if you like The Rock of Ivanore, you may (if you wish) nominate it for the 2012 Whitney Awards.  To nominate my book, or any other eligible title, please click HERE.

Here are the Youth Category finalists for 2011 (For a list of all 2011 Finalists, click HERE.) The winners will be announced in May:

YOUTH-SPECULATIVE CATEGORY:

My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Slayers by C.J. Hill

Tuesdays At The Castle by Jessica Day George

Variant by Robison Wells

Also, YOUTH - GENERAL CATEGORY:

Girls Don't Fly by Kristen Chandler

Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams

Pride & Popularity by Jenny James

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsay Leavitt

With A Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo

Here are some past winners and finalists:

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (2010 Winner)
Matched by Ally Condie (2010 Winner)
The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009 Finalist)
The Host by Stephanie Meyer (2008 Finalist)
Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card (2008 Finalist)
Fablehaven Books by Brandon Mull (2007, 2008,2009, 2010 Finalist)

DISCOVER MYSTERY WRITING CONTEST

From the Poisoned Pen website:

Dear Mystery Writers,
Poisoned Pen Press would like to announce the first annual Discover Mystery Award, a first book contest for unpublished writers trying to break into the mystery genre. This spring, join us by entering your mystery manuscript of 60,000-90,000 words in an effort to win a $1000 prize, the Discover Mystery title, and a publishing contract from Poisoned Pen Press.

At Poisoned Pen Press, we take our mission to “Discover Mystery” very seriously. We’ve always prided ourselves on the discovery of new writers, and now we’re on the  hunt for fresh voices and new stories. We’re not afraid of something different, either, so if you’ve got a mystery, we want to see it! Poisoned Pen Press is waiting to discover you!

Here’s how to play:
Read the guidelines carefully and click on the link below to fill out the form, pay the $20 entry fee, and attach your manuscript. All entries are due by 11:59 pm (Pacific), April 30th, 2012. A winner will be announced by May 31st, 2012. Entries will be judged based on their synopses and manuscript text, with the assistance of celebrity judge, Dana Stabenow!
Click here for the entry form

TARCHER/PENGUIN WRITING COMPETITION

Tarcher/Penguin and Julia Cameron are seeking undiscovered writing talent!

1. This competition is open to novel and novella-length fiction as well as narrative nonfiction.
2. Submissions should be no more than 10 pages (roughly 4-5,000 words maximum), and only one submission per person will be accepted.
3. All submissions must be work that has not been published previously or awarded any prize in a prior contest or competition.
4. Submissions should be sent electronically within the body of an e-mail (no attachments) to feedback@tarcherbooks.com, along with your full name and contact information. Be sure to put “TTA [Your first and last name]” in the e-mail subject line. Submissions must be received by March 2, 2012.
5. Semi finalists will be contacted March 23 to submit (electronically) the full manuscript. The winner will be announced online on April 26.
6. The winning piece will win a cash prize of $5,000 and a manuscript review by a Penguin editor.
7. View the complete official rules

TIMELINE
Submissions accepted from Jan 1, 2012 through March 2, 2012
Semi-finalists chosen: March 23 (Tarcher-Penguin will contact semi-finalists for additional material, which will need to be submitted to us by April 6). The semi-finalists’ manuscripts will be reviewed by Tarcher-Penguin editors. Winner announced: April 26

THE BEST FANTASY WRITING CONTEST EVER!

I am thrilled to announced the first ever FANTASY FACTION WRITING CONTEST. Fantasy Faction, a terrific fantasy book blog, will soon be compiling an anthology. that will contain short stories by some of the industry's most well-known voices, but also works by new authors. The winners of the writing contest will have their stories appear in the anthology. There will be $800+ in cash prizes, too. The best part is that there is NO ENTRY FEE.

Submissions open to writers who have not yet published a book and will open on FEBRUARY 1, 2012. In the meantime, visit the website and subscribe to the newsletter to receive regular updates. Also, be sure to visit Fantasy Faction. Lastly, spread the word!

JANUARY WRITING CONTESTS

AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award brings together talented writers, reviewers, and publishing experts to find and develop new voices in fiction. The 2012 international contest will award two grand prizes: one for General Fiction and one for Young Adult Fiction. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.

Open submissions for manuscripts will begin on January 23, 2012 and run through February 5, 2012. If you're an author with an unpublished or previously self-published novel waiting to be discovered, visit CreateSpace to sign up for regular contest updates.
See the official contest rules, or read details on how to enter.

LAINE CUNNINGHAM 2012 NOVEL AWARD

hosted by Blotterag Magazine

Deadline:     January 31, 2012

Entry Fee:   $25 (check or Money Order)

Prize:          Publication and Cash Prize

Entry Should Include:  1) The first 10-20 pages of your manuscript (typed, double-spaced). Your name should not appear on the manuscript. 2) A separate cover sheet with your name, address, email address, and phone #, and the title of your book.  3) A one page synopsis of your book.

Mail Entry & Entry Fee to:   The Blotter Magazine, 1010 Hale Street, Durham, NC 27705

For more information visit:   /http://www.blotterrag.com/

WRITING CONTEST PICK: BELLWETHER PRIZE

PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction

The Bellwether Prize, which was established in 2000 by Barbara Kingsolver and is funded entirely by her, was created to promote fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships.

Beginning in 2012, the $25,000 prize will be awarded biennially to the author of a previously unpublished novel of high literary caliber that exemplifies the prize’s founding principles. The winner will also receive a publishing contract with Algonquin Books, which will be the participating publisher for at least the next two awards cycles. The first PEN/Bellwether Prize will be conferred at PEN’s Literary Awards Ceremony in New York City in the fall of 2012.

Deadline: Submissions must be received between October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012.

Who is eligible: Candidates must have some publishing experience, but must not have published a work that has sold more than 10,000 copies. The submission must be an original, previously unpublished novel, written by one person, in English, at least 80,000 words in length. Eligible authors must be U.S. citizens. The winning manuscript will be chosen by a panel of three judges: one editor representing the participating publisher and two distinguished literary authors selected by PEN’s Literary Awards Committee in consultation with Barbara Kingsolver.

How to apply:
1) Pay the $25 entry fee online and proceed to checkout. If paying by check, skip to step 2.

2) Fill out the online submission form and click “Submit.”

3) Mail all application items between October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012 to:

PEN/Bellwether Prize
PEN American Center
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012

Applications must include:
• two copies of your typed, double-spaced (11 or 12 point font), and paginated manuscript with title appearing on every page (your name should not appear anywhere on the pages)
• résumé or curriculum vitae (five pages maximum)
• check or proof of online payment
• printed submission form
• self-addressed, stamped postcard for verification of receipt of entry (optional)

For more information, please contact awards@pen.org or (212) 334-1660, ext. 126.

NOVEMBER WRITING CONTESTS, Part I

RONALD SUKEMAN PRIZE FOR INNOVATIVE FICTION  

Entry Fee:  $25
Prize:  $1,000 & Publication
Deadline:  November 1, 2011
Submit to:  Ronald Sukenick American Book 
Review Innovative Fiction Prize
University of Houston-Victoria
School of Arts and Sciences
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901-5731
Guidelines:  Unpublished short story collections, novellas or full length novel manuscripts are eligible. No length requirement.


CATHERINE DOCTOROW PRIZE FOR  INNOVATIVE FICTION
Entry Fee:  $25
Prize:  $15,000 & Publication
Deadline:  November 1, 2011
Submit To:  Submit via online via website
Guidelines:  Unpublished short story collections, novellas or full length novel manuscripts are eligible. No length requirement.

NILSON LITERARY PRIZE FOR A FIRST NOVEL

Entry Fee:  $25
Prize:  $1,000 & Publication
Deadline:  November 1, 2011
Submit To:  Southeast Missouri State University Press
One University Plaza, MS 2650
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Guidelines:  Unpublished short story collections, novellas or full length novel manuscripts are eligible.

ST. MARTIN'S MINOTAUR/MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA FIRST CRIME NOVEL
Entry Fee:  None
Prize:  $10,000 & Publication
Deadline:  November 30, 2011 (requests for submission form must be received by Nov. 15th)
Submit To:  Entrants must request an entry form via email by November 15th. Instructions will come with the entry form. See online guidelines for details.
Guidelines: Unpublished crime novels of approximately 60,000 words by an author who has not previously published a book in any genre.


Please visit each contest's website for complete guidelines. A Thousand Wrongs is not responsible for mistakes that might appear above, or for the results of any contest entered.

DANA AWARDS for the NOVEL

What you need to know:

1.  The Dana Awards are given annually in four categories:  Novel, Essay, Short Fiction and Poetry.

2.  One winner in each category receives $1,000.

3.  All work must be unawarded and unpublished when submitted, with no promise of award of publication either online or in print. However, they do accept simultaneous submissions, meaning if you get a contract after your work is submitted, you are still eligible for the Dana Award.

4.  For the novel, send the first 40 pages. (Guidelines for other categories are available on the website.). All genres accepted except memoirs and works by authors under the age of 16.

MANY VOICES PROJECT WRITING COMPETITION

What you need to know:

1.  New Rivers Press holds the Many Voices Project writing competition annually. Book length works of poetry, essays, short stories and fiction (including novels and novellas) are included.  The winner receives $1000 and a book contract.

2  There is a $20 submission fee.

3.  Submissions must be postmarked between September 15th and November 1st.

4.  More than one manuscript may be submitted, but each must include its own entry fee.

5.  Novel manuscripts should not exceed 400 pages.

HACKNEY LITERARY AWARDS

What you  need to know:

1. The $5,000 Hackney Literary Award is given annually to a work of unpublished fiction. (Other monetary prizes are also given in the categories of novels, poetry and short fiction.)

2.  There is a $30 entry fee.

JUNIPER PRIZE for FICTION

What you need to know:

1.  The Juniper Prize is awarded annually by the University of Massachusetts Press. The award for Fiction is $1500 and publication.

2.  Submission fee is $25.

3.  Manuscripts must be between 150 and 350 pages in length (double-spaced)

4.  Include separate cover page with contact information. Author's name should NOT appear on the manuscript.

5. Authors may submit more than one manuscript, but each submission must include a $25 fee.

6.  Submissions must be postmarked no later than September 30, 2011.  Winners will be announced in April 2012.

7.  Mail submissions to:   Juniper Prize for Fiction
                                      University of Massachusetts Press
                                      East Experiment Station, 671 N. Pleasant Street
                                      Amherst, MA 01003

For more information, please visit the website for THE JUNIPER PRIZE. Please read the guidelines in their entirety prior to submitting. A Thousand Wrongs is not responsible for anything other than providing the information above.

2012 CHILDREN'S LIT COUNCIL of SO CAL AWARDS

What you need to know:

* For authors, illustrators, poets or contributors of excellence in the of Children's Literature who reside in Southern California (San Luis Obispo and South)

* Children's or Young Adult books must be released in 2011 (self-published books are not eligible)

* To be considered, you must fill out and submit registration form HERE

* You may visit the Children's Literature Council website HERE.

* For more information, contact Alyson Beecher, committee chair:  beecher.alyson@ gmail.com

LEE & LOW'S NEW VOICES AWARD

A Writing Contest for Minority Writers

What you need to know:

* No entry fee

*  Winner will receive standard publication contract and $1000. An honor winner will receive $500.

*  Open to writers of color who have not published a children's picture book (entrant may have published in some other genre such as YA fiction, children's magazines, or non-fiction).

*  Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color

*  Fiction, non-fiction and poetry for ages 5-12 will be considered. (Folklore and animal stories will not be considered.)

*  Manuscripts should be no more than 1500 words in length (picture book length).

*  Up to 2 submissions per entrant will be accepted.

*  Submissions must be postmarked no later than September 30, 2011

For complete rules and guidelines, visit http://www.leeandlow.com/p/new_voices_award.mhtml

2011 HALLOWEEN BOOK FESTIVAL COMPETITION

2011 HALLOWEEN BOOK FESTIVAL COMPETITION

What  you need to know:

*  Entry forms are available at http://www.diyconvention.com

*  Entry fee is $50.

*  Multiple submissions will be accepted, but each submission must include a separate entry form and fee.

*  A host of Halloween-appropriate genres will be accepted. (Visit the website for a complete list.)

*  Grand prize is $1500 cash and a flight to the awards ceremony in Hollywood on October 22nd.

*  Submission packages must be received no later than October 1, 2011.

For complete rules and guidelines, visit DIYConvention.  Please read guidelines in their entirety before submitting.

WRITING CONTEST FOR MYSTERY WRITERS

ST. MARTIN'S MINOTAUR/MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA

FIRST CRIME NOVEL COMPETITION

What you need to know:

*  Open to new unpublished authors only (with the exception of self-published authors, but submitted work must not have been self-published.)

*  Author must not be under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel

*  To enter, you must request an entry form via email: MB-MWAFirstCrimeNovelCompetition@StMartins.com 

*  Requests for entry form must be received no later than November 15, 2011.

*  Each entrant will receive the name and mailing address of the judge to whom the submission should be mailed. Submissions must be postmarked by November 30, 2011 and must include a) manuscript, b) cover letter, c) entry form, and d) digital copy of manuscript on CD or USB stick with submission title and author name clearly marked.

*  Winner will receive a contract for publication and a $10,000 advance.

For complete rules and submission requirements, visit http://www.mysterywriters.org/?q=Contests-Writers

Please read the guidelines in their entirety before submitting.

CAST YOUR VOTE!!!

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE WRITING CHALLENGE WINNER!!!

Over the past two weeks, 9 stories were posted in response to our first ever Writing Challenge. Now it's time to select the winner!

Here are the rules:

1.  Anyone can vote. You do not have to be a follower of the blog.
2.  Contestants may vote, but NOT for themselves!
3.  You may vote only once. If you attempt to vote more than once, all your ballots will be disqualified.

VOTE HERE

The story with the  most votes will win one of the following novels:  Water For Elephants, The Latte Rebellion or Bad Girls Don't Die.

All the stories have been pasted below for your convenience. When you are ready, please complete the ballot form HERE. The last day to cast your ballot is next Thursday, August 11th. The winner will be posted on Friday, August 12th.

VOTE HERE

#1:  MY GIFT by Mary F.

I gather the box up, bring it inside. With no clue what is inside I tear open the box and peek inside. Never would I have guessed that inside that box would be the twelve love letters I wrote to my husband at war years ago, with 12 letters to me that he wrote back, that I never got. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I read each one as he told me how he was captured and held hostage but could write one letter a month and someone had found and sent them to me after all this time.

#2:  DRAMA QUEEN by Lissy J.

“Here’s your ring back,” says the note in the package that was dropped at my doorstep.
Cool-headed Sarah! How composed, considering that I broke off our engagement last night. When I wanted the ring back, she briefly lost control:
“I’ll never take this ring off my finger,” she had screamed, throwing a flowerpot at me.
Seems she changed her mind. I open the box. It is the ring. And Sarah kept her word: the ring is still on her finger, cleanly chopped off right above the knuckle.
Drama queen! What if I had asked for her hand??

#3:  SUCKED by Dorine W.  (exceeded 100 words)

Debbie sat on the bumpy sofa, a brown package held firmly in her hands. She turned it this way and that, nothing rattled, what could it be? Who could it be from?
Her 16th birthday was still weeks away, she knew the exact minute, she was counting the days.
"What the heck." She tore open the wrapper, her nails slicing through several layers of tape.
"Drat." A plain brown box, no store label, no cute design, nothing to hint at what was inside.
With a shrug of her shoulders, Debbie opened the box, her eyes wide in excitement.
But, there was nothing there, it was totally empty.
"Real Funny!" But, she couldn't resist, she leaned down over the box, nearly sticking her head into it's small confines. That was when she felt it, the pull, a sucking sensation. She tried to lift her head up, but the force grew stronger.
With a strangled cry Debbie felt herself being sucked into the box. She didn't have time to think about the box only being two feet wide, or the fact that her shoulders wouldn't fit, there was no time at all. She felt her insides twist and then, bam, she was in a dark void, flying like a banshee through nothingness.
When her body hit something hard and unyeilding, she opened her eyes, looking around in shock, speachless. She lay on a rocky outcrop, high up on a bleak mountain. Above her, two moons rose high in the sky, and not just any sky, a hazy purple sky.

#4: SCHRODINGER'S CAT by Beth

I can’t move it from the front stoop. It’s too heavy for one person to carry, and there’s no one else to help. The postal service won’t take it back, though I don’t see why. It’s just a box, really. Solid wood, seamed tightly. I would guess cedar, or maybe a well-finished oak. It could be the cousin of the dinette table that I just bought. Except, of course, that this is much closer to the ground. And six feet long. And human shaped.

#5:  NOT A NORMAL DELIVERY by Ricki

Ding dong.
I jump over the dog on my way to answer the door. The UPS truck usually honks, but I hadn’t heard anything.
I look out the peephole, but I don’t see anyone on the porch or any truck in the street. Cautiously, I open the door. There in front of me is a rather large box with my name on it but no return address. Books always have return addresses. Before I can reach down to grab it, it shudders, just a little. Then I see the air holes…definitely not books.
Instead, it is my dream come true.

#6:  THE DAWNING by C.E. Hart

I opened my door, alerted by the frosty air. It coiled around me, causing my flesh to prickle. Through the dimness of dawn, I noticed a crate on the walkway, draped with a russet blanket. As I neared and knelt before it, I detected a slight stirring beneath the cover. Snowflakes melted upon contact as I watched intently, yearning for proof that my weary eyes were not deceiving me. At last, through a mounting barrage of tears, I witnessed another movement. I inched back the cover and began to wail. The pleas for my newborn’s safe return were heeded.

#7:  UNEXPECTED by Chuck D.

The loaf-sized box could be from anywhere, wrapped in grocery bags and packing tape. When was the last time I received anything I wasn't expecting?

Pick at the tape, get my hand under a strand, pull — and slice my palm open. God! Lay down railroad tracks of band-aids but my life soaks through.

Drive one handed to the ER. Try to zip round a Prius — crash right into an SUV!

Sitting on the curb an hour later, the guy explains something as he wraps my hand, but all I can think about is that blood-soaked box.

#8:  RECONNECTED by FM

Pride and bankruptcy paralyzed Brenda from traveling to see her Australian father.
She had pined for him for nine long years.
‘If you marry Ron, forget me,’ he had said.
Penniless and alone in America, Brenda understood.

A package arrived with no return address.
Inside, an airline ticket to Australia with an option: she could cash it out!

‘I’ll solve this mystery later,’ Brenda thought.
She flew over to find her father dying.
She stayed by his bedside holding his hand.
As he took his last breath, he smiled at her.
‘You chose to come!’ he said and was gone.

#9:  THE BLACK BOX by Connie W.

A tattered black box? I began a mental list of who it could be from. My parents were dead. Anyone else would have a returned address. My curiosity over came my fear and I tore it open. My eyes squinted-was it a paperback? There were no words at all, just black and white pictures of me as a baby, a toddler and young child. Only my parents had access to these intimate pictures. That was impossible! My mother died early of alcoholism. My father died caught within a lifelong schizophrenic bubble. Startled, I awoke crying. The black box was empty.

VOTE HERE

ACTION/ADVENTURE NOVEL CONTEST

CLIVE CUSSLER SOCIETY ADVENTURE WRITERS COMPETITION

What you need to know...

* Open to unpublished authors only

* Manuscripts must be between 50k and 130k

* There is NO ENTRY FEE

* Submissions open between OCTOBER 1, 2011 and JANUARY 1, 2012

* Only the first 25 entries will be allowed. After 25 have been received, the competition will be closed.

* Participants must be 18 years or older

* Stories must be of the action/adventure genre. Fantasy & science fiction will NOT be accepted.

Additional details, rules and eligibility are found on the competition's website. Please read them in their entirety before entering. http://cusslersociety.com/writers_competition.html