Please note: This is NOT the call for submissions! The contest will open next Monday, April 3.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefully):
*To enter, please use THE SUBMISSION FORM HERE. (Please note: email submissions are no longer accepted.)
*THIS WILL BE A LOTTERY: The submission window will be open from NOON to 6:00 PM EDT, after which the bot will randomly select 50 entries.
* 2 alternates will also be accepted, for a total of 52 entries.
* PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for figuring out your own time zone. "Time Zone differences" are NOT a reason for not getting your entry in.
* Submissions received before the contest opens will be rejected.
* Submissions are for COMPLETED MANUSCRIPTS ONLY. If you wouldn't want an agent to read the entire thing, DON'T SEND IT. If an "entire thing" doesn't exist, you shouldn't even be reading these rules.
* Manuscripts THAT WERE IN THE 2016 ON THE BLOCK will not be accepted.
* Only ONE ENTRY per person per contest. If you send more than one, your subsequent entry(ies) will be rejected.
* If you WON A CONTEST WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (i.e., offered any kind of prize from a Secret Agent), please DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST. (Unless it's a different manuscript.)
* Submissions are for THE FIRST 250 WORDS of your manuscript. Please do not stop in the middle of a
GO HERE to submit via our web form.
As always, there is no fee to enter the Secret Agent contest.
This month's contest will include the following genres:
Romance (YA, NA, Adult)
Thriller (YA, NA, Adult)
Contemporary (YA, NA, Adult)
Speculative Fiction (YA, NA, Adult) (especially time travel)
Suspense (YA, NA, Adult)
Miss Snark's First Victim
Monday, March 27, 2017
Friday, March 17, 2017
Friday Fricassee
Yesterday I bought a 1-year membership to JibJab.
This is significant. Years ago, as you may recall, JibJab was free. You could pick out a funny little dance, stick in the faces of your friends or family, and make everyone laugh. I loved it.
Then they added a paid membership feature, but there were still a few free choices. Slim pickings, but still free.
Finally, they went to membership-only. And I got annoyed. My inner, entitled brat screamed, "The nerve! They've taken away my free fun!"
I turned my back. I'd find my fun other places.
Then, yesterday, I saw the cutest St. Patrick's Day step-dancing JibJab, and I was annoyed all over again. As in, I-would-so-do-this-if-only-it-were-free.
Suddenly, though, something inside me clicked into focus. It occurred to me, as it should have earlier, that these were creative videos made by creative people. Hours (and hours....and hours) of work go into each 45-second gem.
Sort of like the hours (and weeks and months) that go into writing a novel.
There I was, creative being that I am, scoffing at the idea of paying other creative beings for their work.
I was ashamed.
So I bought the yearly membership (a measly $18 -- what's there to complain about?) and made my first video. And it felt good.
How easy it is to forget, in this age of download-fun-things-for-free, that every person investing time in creative pursuits, whether literary or musical or theatrical or whatnot, deserves to be paid if they're putting their stuff out there for others to read/listen to/watch/enjoy.
(Note: If the content sucks, they don't deserve to be paid. But that's a different story.)
Basically, if I expect people to pay for my novel, then I should be willing to pay for someone's fill-in-the-faces video. It's creative content. It represents time and talent and energy. Why should I expect to use/enjoy it without paying?
And there you have it--my not-so-subtle reminder to HONOR THE CREATIVE OFFERINGS OF OTHERS. It's easy enough to do it with books, because that's what we're all about. We scream with rage when we hear stories about illegally downloaded novels. We froth and groan when we hear tales of plagiarism. But we've got to remember to honor the other creative folks in our universe as well.
And, hey. I'm not calling JibJab a higher art form. It's not. But it IS creative and well done and fun, and I'm happy to have paid my $18.
Also, my family is going to hate me. I think they already might.
Happy weekend, everyone! Go support someone creative. :)
This is significant. Years ago, as you may recall, JibJab was free. You could pick out a funny little dance, stick in the faces of your friends or family, and make everyone laugh. I loved it.
Then they added a paid membership feature, but there were still a few free choices. Slim pickings, but still free.
Finally, they went to membership-only. And I got annoyed. My inner, entitled brat screamed, "The nerve! They've taken away my free fun!"
I turned my back. I'd find my fun other places.
Then, yesterday, I saw the cutest St. Patrick's Day step-dancing JibJab, and I was annoyed all over again. As in, I-would-so-do-this-if-only-it-were-free.
Suddenly, though, something inside me clicked into focus. It occurred to me, as it should have earlier, that these were creative videos made by creative people. Hours (and hours....and hours) of work go into each 45-second gem.
Sort of like the hours (and weeks and months) that go into writing a novel.
There I was, creative being that I am, scoffing at the idea of paying other creative beings for their work.
I was ashamed.
So I bought the yearly membership (a measly $18 -- what's there to complain about?) and made my first video. And it felt good.
How easy it is to forget, in this age of download-fun-things-for-free, that every person investing time in creative pursuits, whether literary or musical or theatrical or whatnot, deserves to be paid if they're putting their stuff out there for others to read/listen to/watch/enjoy.
(Note: If the content sucks, they don't deserve to be paid. But that's a different story.)
Basically, if I expect people to pay for my novel, then I should be willing to pay for someone's fill-in-the-faces video. It's creative content. It represents time and talent and energy. Why should I expect to use/enjoy it without paying?
And there you have it--my not-so-subtle reminder to HONOR THE CREATIVE OFFERINGS OF OTHERS. It's easy enough to do it with books, because that's what we're all about. We scream with rage when we hear stories about illegally downloaded novels. We froth and groan when we hear tales of plagiarism. But we've got to remember to honor the other creative folks in our universe as well.
And, hey. I'm not calling JibJab a higher art form. It's not. But it IS creative and well done and fun, and I'm happy to have paid my $18.
Also, my family is going to hate me. I think they already might.
Happy weekend, everyone! Go support someone creative. :)
Monday, March 13, 2017
On Touching People's Hearts
I think most of us, when we sit down to write a story, aren't thinking, "How can I come up with words that affect people in ways I've never dreamed?"
It's more likely we're thinking things like, "What is going to be my protagonist's main obstacle?" and "How am I going to make this plot twist work?" and "OMG-this-is-the-coolest-world-I've-ever-ever-come-up-with!" And if you're me, you're thinking, every day during the drafting, "I hate drafting."
But then the draft is done, and the notes come back, and the edits begin. And after a while, after however many rounds it takes to get it right, you've got a polished novel.
And then someone reads it--someone, perhaps, who has never read one of your novels before--and it sets his heart on fire.
And you get an email that's time-stamped 2:00 AM, with a subject line that says, in all caps, MY HEART IS GOING TO EXPLODE.
And the reader is exclaiming (with many exclamation points) that he just finished, that he read it in 3 days, and that it's one of the best stories he's ever read.
It's not just about a great story or a captivating world ("I was thrown into the world and never wanted to leave," this reader said), though. It's about deep-heart issues that resonated more completely and more profoundly than you thought possible. A level of relating to the protagonist beyond what this writer dreamed possible. An overflowing thankfulness for how my story spoke to significant issues and situations in this person's life.
I have read this email at least six times. Pretty sure I'm going to keep reading it, too.
What makes this even more exciting--mind-blowing, even--is that this was a "sensitivity read". The reader was my, well, "sensitive reader". I never expected a response like the one I received. I never expected my words to go THAT DEEP.
The first time I read the email, it was with one hand pressed against my wide-open mouth. Honestly. I could hardly breathe.
That, my friends, is the unexpected reward for our labor. We've worked hard to get everything right--the pacing, the arc, the world, the characters. But in the midst of all that work, we really don't know--can't possibly know--how our words will affect someone. And when they do, it's hard to describe the feeling.
It goes beyond making people cry (5 of my readers this time around cried). Or making them happy or angry or invested in our characters. It's something we could never plan, and rarely anticipate.
And I think it's the best part.
Never doubt that you have the ability to touch people with your words. Indeed, it's your greatest power, and it will come only after you've put in all the time and sweat and angst and WORK it takes to create a novel. I've been writing novels for 12 years (yikes), and there was no way those early works were going to touch anyone on a deep level. Not even a wee prick. So there's something to be said for honing your craft over time as well.
But don't doubt that it's possible. I'm telling you that it is. And that it's humbling and magnificent and beyond any experience you're bound to have as a writer.
I have no words for my thankfulness. And blown-away-ness.
Keep writing, lovelies. I'm beginning to believe that the possibilities are infinite.
It's more likely we're thinking things like, "What is going to be my protagonist's main obstacle?" and "How am I going to make this plot twist work?" and "OMG-this-is-the-coolest-world-I've-ever-ever-come-up-with!" And if you're me, you're thinking, every day during the drafting, "I hate drafting."
But then the draft is done, and the notes come back, and the edits begin. And after a while, after however many rounds it takes to get it right, you've got a polished novel.
And then someone reads it--someone, perhaps, who has never read one of your novels before--and it sets his heart on fire.
And you get an email that's time-stamped 2:00 AM, with a subject line that says, in all caps, MY HEART IS GOING TO EXPLODE.
And the reader is exclaiming (with many exclamation points) that he just finished, that he read it in 3 days, and that it's one of the best stories he's ever read.
It's not just about a great story or a captivating world ("I was thrown into the world and never wanted to leave," this reader said), though. It's about deep-heart issues that resonated more completely and more profoundly than you thought possible. A level of relating to the protagonist beyond what this writer dreamed possible. An overflowing thankfulness for how my story spoke to significant issues and situations in this person's life.
I have read this email at least six times. Pretty sure I'm going to keep reading it, too.
What makes this even more exciting--mind-blowing, even--is that this was a "sensitivity read". The reader was my, well, "sensitive reader". I never expected a response like the one I received. I never expected my words to go THAT DEEP.
The first time I read the email, it was with one hand pressed against my wide-open mouth. Honestly. I could hardly breathe.
That, my friends, is the unexpected reward for our labor. We've worked hard to get everything right--the pacing, the arc, the world, the characters. But in the midst of all that work, we really don't know--can't possibly know--how our words will affect someone. And when they do, it's hard to describe the feeling.
It goes beyond making people cry (5 of my readers this time around cried). Or making them happy or angry or invested in our characters. It's something we could never plan, and rarely anticipate.
And I think it's the best part.
Never doubt that you have the ability to touch people with your words. Indeed, it's your greatest power, and it will come only after you've put in all the time and sweat and angst and WORK it takes to create a novel. I've been writing novels for 12 years (yikes), and there was no way those early works were going to touch anyone on a deep level. Not even a wee prick. So there's something to be said for honing your craft over time as well.
But don't doubt that it's possible. I'm telling you that it is. And that it's humbling and magnificent and beyond any experience you're bound to have as a writer.
I have no words for my thankfulness. And blown-away-ness.
Keep writing, lovelies. I'm beginning to believe that the possibilities are infinite.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Talkin' Heads: Critique Guidelines
We've got 10 dialogue-rich excerpts ready for your sharp eye!
As you critique, please bear the following questions in mind:
As you critique, please bear the following questions in mind:
- Does the dialogue sound natural (do people actually talk this way)?
- Does the dialogue propel the plot or develop character relationships in a meaningful way?
In addition, please feel free to add any additional critique that you feel will be helpful.
Here are the general critique guidelines for MSFV:
- Please leave your critique for each entry in the comment box for that entry.
- Please choose a screen name to sign your comments. The screen name DOES NOT have to be your real name; however, it needs to be an identifiable name. ("Anonymous" is not a name.)
- Critiques should be honest but kind, helpful but sensitive.
- Critiques that attack the writer or are couched in unkind words will be deleted.*
- Cheerleading IS NOT THE SAME as critiquing. Please don't cheerlead.
- Having said that, it is perfectly acceptable to say positive things about an entry that you feel is strong. To make these positive comments more helpful, say why it's a strong entry.
- ENTRANTS: As your way of "giving back", please critique a minimum of 3 other entries.
*I can't possibly read every comment. If you ever see a comment that is truly snarky, please email me. I count on your help.
Talkin' Heads (SFF) #10
TITLE: Aqueous
GENRE: YA Urban Fantasy
Indigo and McKile belong to a secret group of mermaids who are struggling to find a way to stop themselves from transforming into mermaid form. Often at odds, these two characters make a connection for the first time in this scene.
Irritated, I walk to the kitchen. I open the fridge and examine the food. There’s plenty in here for a week. Maybe next time they need to refill it I’ll offer to buy. I open each cabinet, studying where the plates are, the mugs, the glasses.
“Beer stash is in the top right cabinet.” McKile leans against the door frame.
“Good to know.”
“Your parents really strict?”
I shake my head, opening another cabinet.
“So they let you drink and stuff,” he continues.
“My mom and I will have a glass of wine, yeah.”
“Ever had beer?”
“Yeah. But I don’t like it.”
“What about your dad?”
“Don’t have one.”
“Me, neither.”
I look at him, pausing in my cabinet rummage. “What happened?”
“Divorced. He battled for custody, but I’ll never know why. His interests included drinking and prostitutes, not kids.” He pauses casually, like he’s telling me what he ate last week. “Lived by the beach, though, and bought us all the surf gear we wanted. So in the end it worked out.”
“We? You have siblings?”
“Older brother, younger sister.”
“I always wanted an older brother.” I slide up onto one of the counters. “I’m an only child. Mom raised me by herself. I’ve never met him— my dad. I only just learned his name, actually.”
I don’t know why I’m telling McKile this.
“What a dick,” he says through a mouthful of raisins. “Leaving you and your mom.”
I can’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.
“What? You think I’m such an a**hole I'd defend your dad?”
“I don’t know. You’re always…”
“Such an a**hole?”
“Pretty much.” I grin, and to my surprise, he does, too.
GENRE: YA Urban Fantasy
Indigo and McKile belong to a secret group of mermaids who are struggling to find a way to stop themselves from transforming into mermaid form. Often at odds, these two characters make a connection for the first time in this scene.
Irritated, I walk to the kitchen. I open the fridge and examine the food. There’s plenty in here for a week. Maybe next time they need to refill it I’ll offer to buy. I open each cabinet, studying where the plates are, the mugs, the glasses.
“Beer stash is in the top right cabinet.” McKile leans against the door frame.
“Good to know.”
“Your parents really strict?”
I shake my head, opening another cabinet.
“So they let you drink and stuff,” he continues.
“My mom and I will have a glass of wine, yeah.”
“Ever had beer?”
“Yeah. But I don’t like it.”
“What about your dad?”
“Don’t have one.”
“Me, neither.”
I look at him, pausing in my cabinet rummage. “What happened?”
“Divorced. He battled for custody, but I’ll never know why. His interests included drinking and prostitutes, not kids.” He pauses casually, like he’s telling me what he ate last week. “Lived by the beach, though, and bought us all the surf gear we wanted. So in the end it worked out.”
“We? You have siblings?”
“Older brother, younger sister.”
“I always wanted an older brother.” I slide up onto one of the counters. “I’m an only child. Mom raised me by herself. I’ve never met him— my dad. I only just learned his name, actually.”
I don’t know why I’m telling McKile this.
“What a dick,” he says through a mouthful of raisins. “Leaving you and your mom.”
I can’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.
“What? You think I’m such an a**hole I'd defend your dad?”
“I don’t know. You’re always…”
“Such an a**hole?”
“Pretty much.” I grin, and to my surprise, he does, too.
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