Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Insecure Writer's Support Group and Anthology Contest!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts today are Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and Beverly Stowe McClure!

September’s optional question - Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?

September marks six years for the IWSG group and four years for the website. You know what that means…

The annual IWSG Anthology Contest!


Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Mystery/Crime/Thriller

Theme: Tick Tock. The story revolves around a clock, is time sensitive, or has something about a specific time. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines. No erotica, R-rated language, or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st 2017

How to enter: Send your polished, previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please format double-spaced, size 12 font, and no headers or footers. Include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging or Facebook IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:

Elizabeth S. Craig writes cozy mystery series for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. She curates links on Twitter as @elizabethscraig that are later shared in the free search engine Writers Knowledge Base.

Anne Hawkins is a partner in John Hawkins & Associates, Inc., New York. Founded in 1893 by Paul R. Reynolds, it is the oldest literary agency in the country. She works with mainstream literary and commercial fiction, including mystery, suspense, and thrillers and a wide variety of serious non-fiction, particularly history, politics, biography, science, and natural history. A number of her books have gained distinction through award nominations, book-to-film contracts, significant foreign rights sales, major book club selections, or placement on the New York Times bestseller list. Anne Hawkins is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives.

Candace Havens is the Editorial Director of Covet has written multiple novels for Berkley, Entangled and Harlequin. Her books have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists, runs a free online writing workshop, and teaches comprehensive writing class.

Author, Public Speaker, and Executive Producer, Lynn Tincher was born just outside of Louisville, Kentucky in the beautiful city of La Grange. She has written four books, with the fifth one currently in the making. Her first book, Afterthoughts was optioned for movie production by Kilted Pictures and Dancing Forward Productions in Los Angeles. It is currently in pre-production with plans to shoot in Louisville, Kentucky very soon.

Ion Newcombe is the editor and publisher of AntipodeanSF, Australia's longest running online speculative fiction magazine, regularly issued since January 1998. His qualifications and employment range from horticulture through electronics into literature and communications.

Patricia (Pat) Stoltey is the author of four crime fiction novels published by Five Star/Cengage including a historical mystery called Wishing Caswell Dead (https://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Caswell-Dead-Patricia-Stoltey/dp/1432834401/) (December 2017). She lives in Northern Colorado with her husband Bill, Sassy Dog, and Katie Cat. To learn more about Patricia and her books, visit her website/blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Mason Canyon had a love of books since childhood encouraged by a mother who loved to read. A 30+year career in journalism fueled her desire to know what a story is all about. Blogging at Thoughts in Progress since 2009 and operating MC Book Tours for over a year. Loves to read and share great stories with others. MC Book Tours

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!


Don’t forget that October 4 is the Show Us Your Writer Insecurity Contest! On Wednesday, October 4 (IWSG Day), post a photo of yourself (or your alter ego) with any of the IWSG swag or with the IWSG logo. Then leave a comment that day at either the IWSG website’s post or the IWSG Facebook post directing us to your photo. (All blog, Facebook, Goodreads, and newsletter members welcome, but photo must be posted on a blog or Facebook to qualify.)
There are some cool prizes to be had!

Plus the IWSG Writing For Profit will be available by that time.

And finally, don’t forget to submit your news to the IWSG Newsletter – free advertising for your new releases, sales, and more. Contact Christine Rains or send directly to the IWSG email address.


Ready to create something for the anthology contest? See your story in an anthology such as the IWSG’s Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life or Parallels: Felix Was Here? And are you ready to show off your writer insecurity next month?

26 comments:

The Cynical Sailor said...

What a great theme for this year's anthology contest!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I love the theme of this too!

Pat Hatt said...

A fun theme for this year indeed!

Elizabeth said...

I had a feeling it was going to be mystery! Time to start plotting something :)

Laura Clipson said...

I love the theme for the contest, I've never written in any of those genres so that will be a new experience!

L.G. Keltner said...

I've never written in this genre, but it seems like it could be an interesting challenge. Good luck to all!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love the genre we picked this year.

Christine Rains said...

Fantastic theme! Good luck to everyone.

Anonymous said...

Interesting idea for the anthology. I used to read a lot of mystery stories as a kid. More into science fiction now.

Sandee said...

Can't wait to read the entries. Great prizes too.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

kaykuala said...

Great theme. Anything to do with clocks will invite a finality. This will create elements of urgency to a conclusion!

Hank

Arlee Bird said...

Maybe. Maybe not.

My life in a nutshell.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Juneta key said...

Love the idea of a clock connection. Great post.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

cleemckenzie said...

Very exciting theme, so I'm looking forward to reading the stories. Impatiently, I might add.

Dihiwi said...

Good news about the anthology! To answer this month's question, yes, I have been surprised by my own writing. Happy 1st Wednesday of the month. Where did August go? http://www.dianeweidenbenner.com/iwsg-have-i-ever-surprised-myself-with-my-writing/

Anonymous said...

Love the premise of this contest. Must try to put something together. Sharing!

dolorah said...

Wow, two publications at the same time. You guys are really stepping up production.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Lee! I always enjoy your informative posts! Making the IWSG rounds late tonight, I'm afraid! I'm groaning at the thought of attempting to write a Mystery/Crime/Thriller. I've never written anything like that. We shall see! Thanks for the reminder about IWSG Day next month. Something else to write! LOL Well ~ photograph. Not too good at selfies! How neat to see Pat Stoltey as a judge for the next anthology. I know of her through a Rocky Mountain writing newsletter I get via email. Thanks for all you do for the IWSG! Take care!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I can see lots of IWSGers getting their thinking caps on - and I'm sure you'll have a ton of entries ... for those excellent judges to read through and pass judgement. Congratulations on getting all that organised - cheers Hilary

Carrie-Anne said...

I might submit to this contest, if I can figure out if the kind of story I have in mind would legitimately be considered a thriller.

Yvette Carol said...

Yes! Perfect timing, IWSG (like the pun, there?) I have been scrubbing up on short story writing and was wondering what project to sink my teeth into. Can't wait!

Anonymous said...

I think I'm going to do it this year! Such a great theme. :)


Elsie

Michelle Wallace said...

Great theme for the anthology!
Looking forward to all the wonderful entries...

Lux G. said...

Exciting! I look forward to reading the articles with this year's theme.

H.R. Bennett said...

Hmmm. I'm not a Mystery writer too often...but I think I might take a swing at this. :)

Lisa said...

Trying to figure out if I have time for entering the contest! Love the theme... Thanks for co-hosting!