3 Writing Events

Today, I've got 3 events that will interest writers--beginning to published.

1. Judge a Book By Its Cover Contest 2011, sponsored by Houston Bay Area RWA, is now open for entries. This contest is open to self-published authors, and you will be able to give credit where credit's due --to the cover artist or yourself.

Eligibility: Published in 2011 (The cover of your book or novella published by a traditional house, ePublisher, POD or self-published during 2011.)

Entry Fee: $15.00 / Deadline: Entries must be received by January 15, 2012.

Entry Format: Electronic files (JPG or GIF) only.

Categories: Contemporary Series, Single Title/Mainstream, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal, Sexiest Cover, and, new this year, Young Adult and Inspirational.

Judges: Booksellers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

Top Prize: Winners will be featured in a full-page color ad on the inside front cover of the April 2012 Romance Writers Report.

For information, entry form, rules, visit Houston Bay Area RWA Contest Website or contact Contest Coordinator Leslie Marshman at:
judgeabook at hbarwa.com (deleting spaces.)

2. The Lone Star Writer’s Conference on October 15, 2011, at Houston Marriot North at Greenspoint, 255 N Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas 77060. For reservations, call Kendall Watts, Sales Manager, 281-875-4555; F-281-875-4596 or email: kendall.watts at ihrco.com.

Rooms are $69.00, and the Conference Fee is $125.00. Registration is in progress. Make check payable to: NWHRWA and mail to: Northwest Houston RWA, Conference Registration,
P.O. Box 11801, Spring, TX 77379. No refund after Sept. 30, 2011.

For more information about speakers etc., please visit Houston NW RWA Conference Page.

3. Writer's Digest Horror Contest

To enter, visit the website and click to use the online entry form. To enter by regular mail, visit the website and print the Horror competition entry form, and send it with your manuscript(s) and entry fee to: WD Horror Competition, 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236.

Entry Fee: All entries are $20.00 by check, money order, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Deadline: October 31, 2011.

First Prize: The First Place-Winner receives $1,000 cash, promotion in Writer’s Digest, $100 worth of Writer’s Digest Books and the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market.

Takeaway Truth

Contests offer you a chance to test the waters, and conferences are a good place to meet other writers, agents, and editors.