Thursday, June 2, 2011

A Random and Totally Impromptu Contest

I finished Bob last week, but I’m still a little too antsy to settle back into Steve, so I have some time in the afternoons while my kids take naps. As I was bumming around the Internet earlier today, I thought, “Gee, it’d be nice if I had some manuscript to critique so I don’t have to keep wasting time. But where am I going to find one…?”

The answer hit me right away: From a contest!

I realize I’m not an agent or an editor or even an agented writer, but if you need another set of eyes to go over the beginning of your manuscript, I’d love to help. To enter, simply comment on this post and let me know you’d like to win. You’re more than welcome to tell me what your manuscript’s about, but I'll select the winners randomly, so it won’t make any difference when it comes down to picking.

The Rules

1. Anyone may enter.

2. Everyone who enters may only enter once. (So even if you have multiple manuscripts for review, please only enter once. If you do win, you’ll have to decide which manuscript to send.)

3. Please only enter if your manuscript contains no worse than light PG-13 material. I can handle a little language, a little blood, and a little kissing, but not much more than that.

Well, I think that pretty much covers it. You don’t have to promote the contest in any way, and your manuscript doesn’t have to be finished or in any particular genre. I’m willing to read whatever you’ve got.

The Prizes I’ll select three random winners to receive a 30-page critique from yours truly. No agents involved this time (although I’ll be hosting an agent-judged contest at the end of this month), but I like to think that I’m pretty thorough when it comes to critiquing. My critique will include in-text comments as well as chapter and general notes that address the overall plot and characters and anything else I feel like mentioning:)

The contest closes at 3:00 p.m. EDT (noon PDT) on Saturday, June 4, and then I’ll announce the winners on Monday, June 6. I look forward to learning more about your projects, and thank you, thank you, thank you for giving me something to do!

46 comments:

Mim said...

Congrats on finishing Bob. I'd love a chance to win a critique!

Write Life said...

Bob's been a bit of a monkey. Congratulations on finishing.
As for another set of eyes...always! Thank you!

Jess said...

Ditto on the congrats for finishing Bob!

Great critique opportunity! I'd love a chance to have you look at some pages :)

Marybk said...

Bob's doing the happy dance, eh? Good for you!

I'm in for a chance to win Krista crit. :)

Esther Vanderlaan said...

I am SO entering!!! Thanks so much for doing this!

Perri said...

What a sweet contest idea! I'd love to enter.

My manuscript is literary fiction-ish, the story of two sisters trying to reconnect after the mysterious death of their father, a death one claims responsibility for. um....This is not my actual pitch-- I clearly need to work on one of those :)

Thanks for the opportunity!

Matthew MacNish said...

Sure! I'd love some more help. You can always use another pair of eyes.

Jodi R. said...

What a lovely idea Krista!

Unfortunately, my MS is absolutely filthy - I'd have to send it along with smelling salts for you!

But thanks anyway...
Jodi

Liesl Shurtliff said...

I've already benefited from the critique skills of Krista so I'll just put in a plug and say this is a GREAT prize.

Unknown said...

I love how you've named your manuscripts! Congrats on finishing Bob, and good luck on the contest!

Bracken said...

What a great prize! A fresh pair of eyes is always needed!

Suzie F. said...

Thank you, Krista! What a wonderful offer. Although I'm not finished with my upper MG manuscript, I'd love to get some feedback.

Way to go with Bob!

Anna said...

Yes, I'd love to be entered into your contest. Thank you!

Charity Bradford said...

Lovely idea Krista! I have a new wip that needs advice, so sign me up!

Melanie Stanford said...

I'd love any notes- put me in the contest!

Ambiguous_A said...

I'd love to be in the contest!

Nicole Settle said...

Thanks for the contest! I would love more feedback. It's always great to have another pair of eyes look at your manuscript.

Suzanne Warr said...

I'm game--it sounds fun! My novel is complete, and it's a MG urban fantasy. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and congrats on finishing Bob!

Bethany Crandell said...

Count me in, please!!

Amanda Hosch said...

I'd love a fresh pair of eyes, especially since my critique group has read way too many revisions.

Thanks!

A.J. Cattapan said...

How kind of you to offer! I'd love to have you take a look at my WIP!

Heather said...

Me! Me! Me! Pick Me!

Myrna Foster said...

Krista gives excellent critiques!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Just popping in to say thank you, Liesl and Myrna, for your endorsements:) I appreciate that. And thank you to everyone who's entered or will enter. I was afraid the prize might seem a little lame, but your enthusiasm has encouraged me.

Jenn said...

I'd love to win your critique! You've already helped so many writers with your blog, it's mind boggling that you would offer to do more. :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

Congrats on Bob's completion! You've earned the right to relax, but I would totally take you up on a critique!

Jenilyn Collings said...

I agree with Liesl and Myrna--Krista's critiques are wonderful. Good luck to everyone!

Lori M. Lee said...

This is super generous of you, Krista. I'd love to win a critique by you <3

Ella Schwartz said...

Wow! Thanks for the offer. Would love a critique of my upper MG fantasy book. Thanks!

Ben Spendlove said...

Here's another endorsement of Krista's critiques. Worth every penny! Uh, even if they cost a lot of money! And I'm excited for the end of the month, now. (Please tell me the contest won't be the week of the 27th. I'll be camping.)

Liz Reinhardt said...

Oh, this sounds awesome! I'm not sure if I'm 'entering' correctly, but I have a manuscript called *Forgiving Trinity*, a YA about high school junior Trinity McCabe, who's messes her life up badly, pays her dues, and needs to learn how to accept what she did and move on with her new, straight life. But waking up and facing reality winds up being harder and more amazing than she imagined. I'd love to have your feedback on it!

Joy said...

OMG you're fantastic! :) Pick me, pick me, pick me!!!

Unknown said...

Congrats on Bob!!!

Would love to get in on this contest. :) I've just started in on a new fantasy WIP, so early feedback wouldn't kill me. At least get some idea if the basic plot is enough to garner interest (rather than putting someone to sleep).

Good luck with future Bobs. :)

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Keep the entries coming! It's exciting so many faces, new and familiar:)

Ben, I'm sorry! The contest does run the week of June 27! I'll be taking entries first thing that morning, though, so maybe you could enter right before you leave. More on that contest later this month...

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Oh, and I should add another thank-you to Jeni and Ben for the kind words:)

Anonymous said...

Curse you, forcing me to un-lurk for a chance at the shiny. :p I'm in!

Anna L.

Michelle Merrill said...

What a generous giveaway! I'm in :) It never hurts to have another pair of eyes for my WIP. Sounds like you know your stuff. Thanks for the giveaway.

ErinR said...

What a great contest! I'd love a chance for a critique. (Love your blog and thank you for all your great content!)

Alex said...

Woo Bob's done! Do you ever call him Robert in more series times or when he's misbehaving?

I'd love to enter!

Esther Vanderlaan said...

LAME??? NO WAY!!! This is one of the best contests ever!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Don't enter me because I have nothing for you to read! I just wanted to say GREAT CONTEST, Krista. ;)

Amy

Melodie Wright said...

Pick me, pick me! I have two WIPs but I'll probably have you do the based-on-true-story murder/coming-of-age YA mystery.
Oooh, I hope I win!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

I wouldn't have let you enter, anyway, Amy. If your blog is in my sidebar, I'm always willing to critique for you:)

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes, I'd love a critique. Plus, I've given you an Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award:

http://betterwritethanwrong.blogspot.com/

http://calliekingston.blogspot.com

Laurel Wanrow said...

Hi Krista, Thanks for the offer. Loving the PG-13 reference. I'm definitely there. Think my YA has been rejected for it also. LOL

Krista Van Dolzer said...

And that's it! Thanks for all the entries, everyone! I'll announce the winners Monday morning.