Hey guys, come join in on the fun for my It was a Dark and Stormy Blogfest Contest. The fabulous agent Weronika Janczuk from D4EO Literary Agency will be handing out prizes!
How we’re doing it: Sign up on the linky below. On February 7 and 8, post the first line of your finished manuscript (any genre) on your blog to get critiques from your followers and then hop around to the other participants’ sites and give critiques. Polish your line and enter it into the comments of the contest post on February 9 like this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Brenda Drake
Title: Annika Britanika: Around the World in 80:45:07
Genre: MG Steampunk
Maximillian Drayson didn’t quite like girls, but he figured Annika Britanika was different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, that’s from a work in process and probably isn’t a great example, but you get the format, right? Great.
Now about the agent and prizes:
 |
| Weronika Janczuk |
Weronika (pronounced ‘Veronica’) Janczuk is a writer and an agent with D4EO Literary. She also writes YA, literary, and historical fiction, and blogs about it here. I’ll be posting an interview with Weronika here on the blog sometime before the contest so come back and check it out.
Prizes from Weronika:
1st place — a critique of the first 50 pages + query
2nd place — a critique of the first 25 pages + query
3rd place — a critique of the query
Weronika is definitely one of my favorite agents and she’s so generous! Follow her on twitter here.
I <3 my followers! Don’t forget to follow me – I’ll be doing drawings from my follower list and giving out some awesome gifts during my Birthday month of March (don’t bother asking my age). 😀
Before you leave, check out a new blog site that I contribute to on every other Monday. CA Marshall, agent intern, freelance editor, and writer extraordinaire has a great post up on revising today. A special editing prize will be drawn from the followers on the DNA WRITERS’ site on contest day so go and follow, you’d be glad you did!
| Click here to follow and enter for the edit prize: DNA WRITERS |
Okay, what are you waiting for? Sign up now!
119 Comments
gideon 86 · January 19, 2011 at 10:57 am
Hey, Brenda,
I just signed up for the blogfest. What a great idea. Quick and easy. Only one like to read.
Fantastic prizes too. I can’t wait. I’ll be using the line from my ABNA entry and it’s a good one.
Michael
Bekah · January 19, 2011 at 11:04 am
Wow! I love getting feedback, and reading what everyone has to share- these are so fun : ) Great blog title, too
Kate Haggard · January 19, 2011 at 11:13 am
Are the prizes lines or pages? Either way, great idea!
Christopher S. Ledbetter · January 19, 2011 at 11:17 am
*Sweet*
Weronika Janczuk · January 19, 2011 at 11:20 am
Critique is for the PAGES. 🙂
Looking forward, y’all!
Heather · January 19, 2011 at 11:26 am
I’m not sure I’m brave enough to post my opening sentence but the prize is awfully tempting. I do love Weronika…
Rose Pressey · January 19, 2011 at 11:31 am
Great contest. Thanks!
Brenda Drake · January 19, 2011 at 11:54 am
Thanks for catching my error, Kate, and Weronika for clarifying! Diet = Low Brain Power
Oh, and thanks to you all for joining the contest! 😀
Summer Ross · January 19, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I have this posted on my blogfests page.
Francine Howarth · January 19, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Hi,
Have snatched banner! Will post up ASAP.
best
F
Elaine AM Smith · January 19, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I’ll get chirruping and tweet the Blogfest on Twitter 😉
Melissa · January 19, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Sounds pretty cool Brenda!!
ashleymaker · January 19, 2011 at 1:09 pm
How neat! I haven’t blogged in a while, but this looks like fun. I’m really looking forward to this Blogfest contest 🙂
christicorbett · January 19, 2011 at 2:46 pm
This is my first official blogfest 🙂
Jen · January 19, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Great contest! I put up a post on my blog. Good luck everyone. 🙂
Bethany Mattingly · January 19, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Sounds great! I can’t wait to read what everyone has posted. 🙂
Sharon K. Mayhew · January 19, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Thanks for hosting this awesome blogfest, Brenda! I can’t wait!!!!
PS…Thanks for letting me know about it Bethany!
Shannon O'Donnell · January 19, 2011 at 3:24 pm
This sounds like a fun one. Thanks for hosting, Brenda!
Thanks from me, too, Bethany for the heads up!!!
Ariel Swan · January 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I’m in, I’ve linked, and I’m following. Great contest idea. Now – I just have to remember to post it.
Nathalie · January 19, 2011 at 4:51 pm
As a previous follower, you never fail to intrigue and impress with your posts! Can’t wait to read everyone’s work!
lbdiamond · January 19, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Awesome! Thanks Brenda and Weronika! Good luck everyone–can’t wait to read the first lines!!!
Q: Does it have to be a completed MS or can it be a WIP?
Myne Whitman · January 19, 2011 at 6:12 pm
This is an awesome blogfest, and the prizes too..Thanks!
Richard Levangie · January 19, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Why not; it sounds like fun. And I’m always looking to expand my circle of writing friends
Kathryn · January 19, 2011 at 7:24 pm
How fun! I look forward to this! As long as I can remember to do this on Feb 7th/8th… 😉
Shallee · January 19, 2011 at 8:03 pm
What an awesome fest! Thanks!
Brenda Drake · January 19, 2011 at 9:00 pm
The entry has to be a finished manuscript. Sorry for not making it clearer. 😀
Donna Hole · January 19, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Sounds interesting.
………dhole
SariBelle · January 19, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Great idea for a blogfest. I was just about to sign up until I saw the comment about the MS needing to be finished. Never mind. Next time 🙂
Erica M. Chapman · January 19, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Awesome! Thanks for the opportunity Brenda!! This is a great idea for a blogfest ;o)
Kerri C at CK Farm · January 20, 2011 at 6:38 am
Thanks Brenda and Weronika! Fantastical!
Love Weronika’s blog 🙂
Katie Anderson · January 20, 2011 at 8:32 am
Sounds like a fab idea for a blogfest/competition. I’m in!
Morgan Lee · January 20, 2011 at 8:47 am
I tried posting a comment before when I initially joined, but I guess it didn’t work. Trying again. 😀 Thanks, Brenda for hosting this awesome contest and to Weronika to agreeing to such delicious prizes. Best of luck to everyone!
Eleni Alexandraki · January 20, 2011 at 10:31 am
This looks like a really different and cool contest! What a cool idea! I’m polishing away… hope I do well in this one! Good luck everybody! See you February 7th & 8th!
C Scott Morris · January 20, 2011 at 11:09 am
I had a lot of fun during your last blogfest, count me in!
Kirk K · January 20, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Great contest. Thanks for hosting, Brenda.
Thanks for your time, Weronika.
Su · January 21, 2011 at 11:28 pm
I don’t have a finished manuscript to jump into this blogfest with, but I look forward to reading everyone else’s!
MarcyKate · January 23, 2011 at 1:20 pm
This sounds fun! I <3 blog contests - count me in. Thanks Brenda and Weronika for hosting such an awesome contest!
nike2422 · January 23, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Thank you for doing this.
Brenda Drake · January 24, 2011 at 8:21 am
Wow, I’m so glad you all are signing up – this is going to be a fun contest. I can’t wait to see the entries! 😀
Margo Kelly · January 24, 2011 at 9:59 pm
This sounds FANTASTIC! Yay – prizes!
Leah Miller · January 24, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Super excited about this 🙂 thanks for putting this on!
Nora Coon · January 24, 2011 at 10:32 pm
How exciting! Weronika, thank you for offering the great prizes, and Brenda, thank you for hosting. Can’t wait to read all the first lines…
hopejunkie · January 25, 2011 at 8:18 am
This is great! First lines can be so awesome 🙂
Shayda Bakhshi · January 25, 2011 at 9:16 am
Yay! This is an awesome contesting; thanks for hosting!
SM Johnston · January 25, 2011 at 11:11 am
Fantastic – exciting stuff.
Amie Kaufman · January 25, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Ack, I’ve just realised I’m flying to the US those days, so I won’t be able to provide any feedback. Sorry, I’m out 🙁 Such a great contest! I’ll be in the wings next time!
Vicki Tremper · January 26, 2011 at 7:11 am
Wow, great contest, great prize and great #s of people entering! Thanks so much!
Steena Holmes · January 26, 2011 at 8:53 am
What a great way to start February 😉
Yamile · January 26, 2011 at 11:42 am
This is a great contest! Thanks for the opportunity!
WritersBlockNZ · January 26, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Oooh I’m actually really nervous about entering this one, but I’ve signed up now so can’t back out! Thanks for hosting this it’s a great idea 🙂
Dominic de Mattos · January 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Hi Brenda
I won’t be entering because I don’t have a completed manuscript – just a first chapter!
But my first line is (currently)
Mikel stood on Judgement Rock, in the shadow of the Hanging Tree, and watched the cartway.
But my favourite first line is from an (unwritten) short story (which could yet turn into a novel) which I shared with bloggers recently:
When he awoke, he was unquestionably a woman.
I have a blogfest this weekend if you are interested. 🙂
I am very impressed that there are already 52 people signed up who evidently do have completed manuscripts! I’ll add you button to my sidebar.
Brenda Drake · January 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Thanks all you wonderful writers, for joining in on the contest! Yay!
Awww, Amie, I’m so sorry to hear you won’t be around. 🙁
Dominic great first line and I’m sad you won’t be joining us. I love that first line for the short story – very intriguing, I must say.
Nicole Wolverton · January 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm
My first blogfest! Woohoo! I’m excited to get some feedback.
emilycsims.com · January 26, 2011 at 10:25 pm
What a great idea for a contest! I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s first lines!
Christine Arnold · January 28, 2011 at 10:48 am
What a great idea! I can’t wait to read everyone’s posts!!
pensees · January 28, 2011 at 10:53 am
Fun, fun! How did you get Weronika to join in for prizes? You have some impressive clout. 🙂
Cyndi
writergal24 · January 28, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Cool! Sounds like a lot of fun!
Suzi McGowen · January 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm
I’m here via Weronika’s website and I agree that this is an awesome contest. Thank you 🙂
Kelly Bryson · January 29, 2011 at 1:33 pm
What a cool contest- I’m in! Thanks! How nice of Weronika:)
A.L. Sonnichsen · January 29, 2011 at 4:41 pm
I’m in! Thanks for the fun blogfest and thank you, Weronika, for offering your services for such cool prizes.
Amy
Catherine A. Winn · January 30, 2011 at 9:42 am
I’m in, too, thanks to Amy above for posting this on her site. I’m going to do the same!
Kimberly · January 30, 2011 at 11:53 am
What an awesome contest. I’m so bummed though, mine is not quite finished yet. Good luck to everyone else.
MaDonna Maurer · January 30, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Great idea and great prizes. Thanks!
Critique Sisters · January 31, 2011 at 6:13 pm
This is great Brenda! You’re wonderful for hosting it and Weronika is wonderful for participating!
Sarah Billington · January 31, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Hi Weronika, Thanks for this contest, it’s a great opportunity. I want to enter the BlogFest Contest in hopes of a critique, but I have an agent…am I ok to enter?
Jolene Perry · January 31, 2011 at 10:44 pm
This is SUCH a fun idea! Thanks for hosting!
Leah Miller · February 2, 2011 at 10:35 am
This is such an awesome contest that I didn’t realize before I entered that it needed to be a finished manuscript. That’s what I get for not reading thoroughly. Sorry, please disregard my entry 🙁
Lisa M. Basso · February 2, 2011 at 10:51 am
This is a fantastic contest that all participating can take something back from. Thanks so much for hosting and I can’t wait to read all the first lines!
Bess Weatherby · February 2, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Great contest. I’m excited to participate!
Margay · February 2, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Took the plunge and signed up!
Weronika Janczuk · February 2, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@Sarah B, yes, please do so!
BottomFeeder · February 3, 2011 at 11:56 am
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maria Cope · February 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm
(Sorry for the double-post!)I am fairly new to the blogging world, but this is such an awesome contest I didn’t want to pass it up.
kathrynjankowski · February 3, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Great contest! I’ve entered and now I’m off to plug it on my blog. Thanks to you and Weronika for putting this together.
Beth · February 3, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Awesome interview and blogfest
beth-project52.blogspot.com
Kate Higgins · February 3, 2011 at 5:33 pm
I’m signed up! Contests are as much about a challenge as a prize. I always ‘get’ something out of each one…sometimes even a prize!!!
Sarah Billington · February 3, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Fabulous, thanks Weronika!
Aaron Cusimano, MD · February 4, 2011 at 12:59 pm
A wonderful opportunity to share ideas and gain new perspectives.
Kristina Fugate · February 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm
This sounds like tons of fun 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a fabulous contest!
Justin W. Parente · February 5, 2011 at 8:44 am
Signed up! Can’t wait!
Brenda Drake · February 5, 2011 at 9:07 am
Wow, I’m so excited and can’t wait to read all the first lines! I hope many successes come from this contest! I <3 the writing community. You all are stars in my eyes!
I’ll be posting the contest post on Monday so make sure to have your entry posted in that post by Wednesday morning at 8AM EST.
Thanks for joining and good luck!
David · February 5, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Great contest. We’ve all had enough form rejections we really appreciate feedback.
Hope Welsh · February 5, 2011 at 10:32 pm
What an awesome contest. Entering the first line from my new title! Nice thing to do!
Kerrianne Coombes · February 7, 2011 at 8:06 am
Im in! FUN!
Mara Nash · February 7, 2011 at 8:49 am
Hi! I’m a late signer-upper, but I’m totally excited about the fest! There’s nothing better than a great blogfest…unless it’s a great blogfest with prizes. *grin*
Teenage Bride · February 7, 2011 at 9:15 am
wow this is a really cool contest!! I can’t wait to read the entries!!
Linda Gray · February 7, 2011 at 10:36 am
Thanks Brenda, this is so fun! and btw, I think Annika Britanika sounds terrific.
phyllis sweetwater · February 7, 2011 at 1:38 pm
The number of entries is making me nervous!
L'Aussie · February 7, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Just signed up but HOW MANY PEEPS are there!
Kelley · February 7, 2011 at 7:45 pm
WOO! Count me in.
Roland D. Yeomans · February 7, 2011 at 10:04 pm
This was a fun blogfest, Brenda. Thanks for giving it. I enjoyed myself so much that I’m a winner already just from that! Roland
Trisha · February 7, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I’ve just signed up, technically it’s not Feb 8th in some parts of the world I know, so I’m still in time 😀
Rane · February 7, 2011 at 11:59 pm
WOW!! I just made it! It’s only 11pm where I am!!
SM Johnston · February 8, 2011 at 2:58 am
I’ve returned comments on mine and am now starting from the bottom with random comments =D
Her highness, Samantha Vérant · February 8, 2011 at 4:56 am
Awesome blogfest! Good luck to all! Dare to Follow Your Heart
K. Harrington · February 8, 2011 at 10:20 am
So glad I found your blog via Book Dreaming! Thanks for hosting this contest.
Tanya Reimer · February 8, 2011 at 10:22 am
I’m entering late, but I’ll do my best to catch up! This sounds like fun.
Dustin · February 8, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Super late, but willing to give it a shot. Sounds fun.
Beth · February 8, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Name: Beth Fred
Title: Phantom Fires
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
First line: “Violent blue and orange flames leaped from the ground swallowing Laurent.”
Erin · February 8, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Great contest! Thanks for the fun opportunity!
Susan Oloier · February 8, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Even later than the late, but willing to give it a try. Thanks for the opportunity, Brenda.
Kerrianne Coombes · February 9, 2011 at 2:10 am
NAME Kerrianne Coombes
TITLE Darkling
GENRE Urban Fantasy Romance
Complete at approx 99.000 words.
Lilly glared up at the black sky, irritated by the relentless wind whipping and slapping her wet hair about her face
L'Aussie · February 9, 2011 at 3:36 am
Thanks Brenda for hosting.
NAME: Denise Covey
TITLE: Ruby
GENRE: Sweet Romance
Complete at 50,000 words
The moment Ruby laid eyes on his chiselled body in his captain’s whites, she could no longer breathe.
Corinne O'Flynn · February 9, 2011 at 6:12 am
Thanks for the contest! This was enlightening.
Name: Corinne O’Flynn
Title: Wise Jim and The Expatriates
Genre: YA Fantasy (adventure)
After working with the tigers then getting a busted lip from my brother, I wasn’t in the mood for the waitress who wrinkled her nose as I wafted into the diner.
Susan Oloier · February 9, 2011 at 6:23 am
Thanks again, Brenda.
NAME: Susan Oloier
TITLE: Outcast
GENRE: Young Adult
Emergency lights throbbed atop the ambulance, yet there was no sound.
Erin · February 9, 2011 at 7:51 am
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda Gray · February 9, 2011 at 8:19 am
Name: Linda Gray
Title: And When I Die
Genre: Suspense
A shadow breezed past my left elbow in the form of a dark suit.
Erin · February 9, 2011 at 8:41 am
Thanks again!
NAME: Erin LaVallee
TITLE: The Eyes Beneath
*Complete at 81,000 words
GENRE: A conglomeration of a YA romance & paranormal fiction
Some refer to me as the fallen.
Donna Hole · February 9, 2011 at 8:42 am
Name: Donna Hole
Title: Not Her Mother’s Fate
Genre: women’s fiction
Amy pressed back against the wall as another group of revelers stumbled towards the keg.
Karlene Petitt · February 9, 2011 at 8:51 am
Good morning Brenda! Thank you for running a great contest. We had so much fun. And this really helped all of us tighten up our writing.
Name: Karlene Petitt
Title: Flight For Control
Genre: Thriller
The storm raging outside the cockpit window reflected the nightmare Sandra called her career.
Kristina Fugate · February 9, 2011 at 10:01 am
Thanks so much for this amazing contest and blogfest. I had sooo much fun!
Name: Kristina Fugate
Title: Broken
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Snow makes little kids go crazy–it’s a fact–and my brother is certainly no exception.
phyllis sweetwater · February 9, 2011 at 10:30 am
This was really fun! Please do it again sometime!
Name: Halli Lilburn
Title: Simbiote
Genre: YA urban scifi
“Kal, stay with me,son.” The surgeon urged, his silhouette looming over me,blocking the intense lights of the makeshift operating room.
Tanya Reimer · February 9, 2011 at 11:16 am
Wow. I made new friends, I met incredibly talented writers, and I loved all those first lines I did read– wish I could have read them all! So, thanks Brenda for a great contest, that got us actively out there, mingling.
Name: Tanya Reimer
Title: Surviving the Storm
Genre: Urban fantasy
First line:
Unlike my son, I liked the idea of not knowing who I was in past lives.
Nicole Wolverton · February 9, 2011 at 11:25 am
Name: Nicole Wolverton
Title: Between Seasons
Genre: Commercial Fiction
Anyone who thought dying comes easy had shit for brains.
David · February 9, 2011 at 4:03 pm
This comment has been removed by the author.
David · February 9, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Name: David F. Weisman
Title: Absorption
Genre: Science Fiction
At first the young girl’s eyes looked identical, but when she glanced around the room the left didn’t keep up with the right.
Emily Moore · January 22, 2014 at 5:28 pm
This sounds super fun! I will be entering shortly! Thanks for another chance to get our work out there Brenda!
Brenda Drake · January 22, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Emily,
Host Gater sent out some old posts of mine to my subscribers. This contest was from 2011. So it’s not a new one. So Sorry. Pitch Madness will be in March, though.
Emily Moore · January 22, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Oh, wow. I feel silly. 🙂 I guess I better check out pitchmadness! 🙂 Thanks!
Comments are closed.