June 09, 2006

OKRWA June 2006 Newsletter

From the Prez, Deborah Behrens:

Lately our loop has been abuzz with a number of contest finalists. I’m so proud of all you ladies and I hold my shoulders high knowing I’m a part of this group of talented writers.

To be honest, I’ve been pretty lazy lately when it comes to contests. When I first joined OK-RWA, I hit the contest circuit hard. There were only a few contests I didn’t enter with my first manuscript. (You know the one I cringe at now whenever I read it.) Needless to say, I got crushed a few times. With my next manuscript I was a little more selective and I’d toughened up a bit. I didn’t always like the feedback, but some of it was very productive. Since then, I haven’t entered a contest besides our own Soon To Be Published in about a year. Well, I want you all to know I’ve taken the plunge again and sent one out this week. Manuscript number three is ready to be shredded or praised. Whichever the case may be, I’ll take it as it comes.

Let me share with you what’s important to me about a contest.

A contest needs to give feedback. What good is a score, good or bad, if you have no idea how or why they arrived at it.

Who the final judges are. Look for an editor at a publishing house you might want to target.

Have any winners or finalists gone on to sign contracts with editors who’ve judged in the past? Most reputable contest will list previous winners.

Do editors take notice of a final or win from this particular contest? You don’t want to waist you time or money on a contest that doesn’t carry any weight with the editor you’re targeting.

I’m sure everyone has their own personal criteria for contests. But if even one of the reasons I’ve listed above isn’t on you list, you might consider it the next time you decide to enter.


Deb

June 2006 Program:



Blogging: What is it?
And can penicillin make it go away?
Blog Panel Discussions
Crossroads Mall Meeting Room

What is a blog? How does it work? Can I build one on my own?

Our panel of experienced bloggers will discuss the ins and out of blogging for the writer.

June 17th, 2006
1 p.m.

Member News:

Dana Pollard has news:

Harelquin Spice requested a full on her time travel, BECAUSE OF YOU
Dorchester requested a partial on her time travel, BECAUSE OF YOU
Kensington Brava requested a full on her contemporary, HER COVER MODEL

Editor's Note:
I would love to see all member news. Contest finals, wins, contracts, new releases, etc... If you have an article to share, it is more than welcome.
Please email me by the 1st of the month to get it into the newsletter. RElliott4@aol.com



Posted by Rinda Elliott :: 1:56 PM :: ---------------oOo---------------