Guest Post with Shannon Vannatter - and a Contest!

Erica here: I am thrilled to have Shannon Vannatter as my guest today. She's got exciting news for aspiring authors! Take it away, Shannon!

In August, Missy let me share about my latest venture into editing/publishing with my business partner, Linda Fulkerson. (You can read more about that HERE.)  Since then, we’ve released five books, two speculative, one romantic suspense, one contemporary romance, and one historical romance. All four books were contracted by the previous owners, but Linda and I actually did the editing on these. And readers are snapping them up. We’re excited and recently got to attend our debut author’s launch party.

Our publishing schedule is currently full through 2021 with only a handful of slots left available in 2022. How did that happen so fast? Today, Erica invited me to share about two contests we’re hosting. One winner will receive a publishing contract and we’ve held a June 2021 slot for our winner. And even if you don’t win, all entries get thorough constructive critiques by Linda or me to improve your manuscript.

 If you’ve hung around Seekerville for long, I’m sure you know, the original members started out on Unpubbed Island. They shared what they learned from entering contests and within three years, they’d all made it off the island. After discovering Seekerville, back in the day, I started entering contests. Within a few years, I had a contract.

 So, let me say it again, we’re giving away a publishing contract with a guaranteed publishing date of June 2021. Will the winner by you? Here are the details:

GET PUBBED CONTEST

 

Get Pubbed Grand Prize — The Grand Prize winner of the Get Pubbed contest will receive a publishing contract with Scrivenings Press; paid registration for our annual author retreat, with Keynote speaker Deb Raney, to be held April 2021 in Hannibal, Missouri (boyhood home of Mark Twain) PLUS a thorough critique of up to 25 pages* of your manuscript by our senior editor – Shannon Taylor Vannatter, a multi-published, award-winning novelist; AND a $50 Amazon gift card.

 GET PUBBED CONTEST PRIZES

Genre Winners — The entry with the highest score in each genre will receive a critique of up to 25 pages* of your manuscript by our senior editor – Shannon Taylor Vannatter, a multi-published, award-winning novelist, plus a $25 Amazon gift card. The Grand Prize winner’s genre will not have a separate genre winner, as that entrant will be awarded the grand prize package.

 ALL ENTRIES will receive feedback from contest judges with tips to strengthen your writing. Guidelines: https://scriveningspress.com/get-pubbed/

 

What if your book isn’t finished? What if you have no idea if you’re doing this writing thing right? We’ve got a contest for you too with feedback for all and a free in-depth video course for the winner.

NOVEL STARTS CONTEST

NOVEL STARTS CONTEST PRIZES

Novel Starts Grand Prize — Access to the soon-to-be-released (coming December 2020) Scrivenings Press video-based novel writing course; an invitation to submit your novel for consideration by Scrivenings Press once it is finished; a thorough critique of up to 25 pages* of your manuscript by our line editor/marketing director – Linda Fulkerson, a multi-published author in both fiction and nonfiction; and a $50 Amazon gift card.

 

Video course lessons will include:

 

Creating Compelling Characters – their goals/motivations/conflicts and stakes

From Premise to Plot – the must-haves in every great story

Understanding Scenes – how to develop and write a scene

Mastering the Craft – taking your writing from good to great

Settings – creating a story world your readers can see, feel, hear, touch, and smell

Themes – how to weave life lessons into your novel without being preachy

And more …

 

Genre Winners — The entry with the highest score in each genre will receive a critique of up to 25 pages* of your manuscript by our line editor/marketing director – Linda Fulkerson, a multi-published author in both fiction and nonfiction, plus a $25 Amazon gift card. The Grand Prize winner’s genre will not have a separate genre winner, as that entrant will be awarded the grand prize package.

ALL ENTRIES will receive feedback from contest judges with tips to strengthen your writing. Guidelines: https://scriveningspress.com/novel-starts/

The deadline for both contests is November 30^th. The entry fee is only $25.00, a mere drop in the bucket for guaranteed critiques from published authors/editors. And possibly more. So, what are you waiting for?

 

 

Linda Fulkerson is the owner of DLF Digital Services LLC (founded in 2013) and has nearly 20 years of experience in digital marketing. She comes from a newspaper background and has been a copyeditor, sportswriter, and online editor. Linda has been an indie publisher for several years and is the author of two novels and several nonfiction books. Her role in the new company will be business management, graphic designer, and line editor. You can learn more about Linda by visiting her page: Linda Fulkerson

 Shannon Taylor Vannatter is an award-winning, traditionally multi-published author. She is highly sought after for giving thorough manuscript critiques at conferences. Throughout Shannon’s writing career, she has worked with multiple editors, publishing companies, and agents. Her role in the new company is acquisitions/content editor and author career development. She recently completed the process of becoming a credentialed editor through the Christian PEN Institute.

Both Linda and Shannon will work with authors on marketing their books. You can learn more about them at: https://scriveningspress.com/

 

Sweetheart Reunion blurb:

 

Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter: A charming cowboy moving in next door shouldn't be bad news. But veterinarian Ally Curtis knows Cody Warren—she'd never forget the boy who left her when she needed him most. Cody is doing everything he can to show his beautiful neighbor he's not the wild bull rider he once was, from helping her find homes for her beloved strays, to protecting her when her business is threatened. But Cody has a secret that keeps him from fully reaching out. Yet as they continue to work together to promote her shelter, he can't keep himself from hoping that Ally might have a home for him…in her heart.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe: The last person cowboy Joe Gallagher thought he’d see on his ranch was high school sweetheart Rebecca Anshaw Simpson. Twelve years after she married another man, she’s back as his physical therapist. But healing his body is nothing compared to guarding his heart from the woman he never forgot. There’s much the single mom would rather forget, but Becca won’t let regret and a surly rancher get in the way of her job and the chance to start over with her little girl. She has only a few weeks to make peace with her past. But Becca never expected she’d fall all over again for her first love.

 

I’m giving away 1 print copy of my two in one with Tina Radcliffe, Sweetheart Reunion. Answer these questions to enter: Have you ever entered a writing contest? If so, what did you learn from the experience? If not, why not?

Many thanks to Shannon for visiting today, and wow, what a great opportunity for an aspiring writer! Be sure to comment today and get your conversation with these editors going, and polish up that manuscript and get it sent in by the deadline!!