Why This Romance Writer Believes in the MBT Frasier Contest

[image error]Picture this:

Me, in an overcrowded elevator at the 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference. I'm standing nose to name tag with a petite blonde woman. Her nose. My name tag.

The conversation goes like this:

Woman: Oh, you're Beth Vogt. You finaled in the Frasier.

Me (uncomfortable & now a bit surprised she could even read my name that close up): Yes, I did.

Woman (who I later found out was Sandra Bishop, an agent with the Chip MacGregor Literary Agency & one of the judges for the Frasier): So-and-So editor wants to talk with you. She read your entry and really liked it.

Me: Stunned silence.

Here's what happened later: I sat at said-editor's table for lunch. She recognized my name. Remembered my story. Told me how eager she was to read it.

This was a writer's dream come true — all because I'd entered the Frasier contest.

Did the editor buy my manuscript?

Nope.

But guess what? My interaction with that one editor boosted my confidence so much, I walked into all my editor appointments relaxed . . . I mean, come on! I'd already been so encouraged.

And another editor did offer me a contract several months later!My novel, Wish You Were Here, debuts in May!

What's the moral of my little Frasier story? Does entering the Frasier guarantee that you'll final? No. Does it guarantee you a miraculous meeting with an agent or editor in an elevator? Sorry, no. Does it guarantee you publication. Not that either.

Here's what you will get from entering this contest — guaranteed:

Loads of encouragement from the My Book Therapy (MBT) writing community as you polish your contest entry.
Help from MBT coaches via Monday night chats, Thursday night bleacher sessions, and MBT flashblogs so that you can submit the strongest entry possible.
Some of the best judges' evaluations, zeroing in on your ability to write a story that hooks a reader.
Concrete, positive "this is what I liked" feedback.
Detailed suggestions for improving your story.

My husband has a favorite saying: Do the next thing.

Why not make your next thing as a writer be entering the 2012 MBT Frasier contest? What have you got lose? Maybe a few hours sleep while you polish your scene and synopsis. OK, I get that.

But what have you got to win?

Consider that for a minute . . .

You could be standing in an elevator at the 2012 ACFW conference when someone says, "Hey, you're . . ."

You don't want to miss that moment, do you?

 

Writing contests — love 'em or hate 'em? Are you entering the Frasier? Have you entered the Frasier — or another writing contest — in the past? I'd love to hear your experience!

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The 2012 Frasier Contest, My Book Therapy's storycrafting contest for unpublished novelists, is open now through March 31. The winner will be announced at the annual MBT Pizza Party during the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas – and will receive a free MBT retreat (a $500 value!). Final round entries will be judged by award-winning author Susan May Warren, Tyndale House acquisitions editor Stephanie Broene, and Karen Ball, literary agent with the Steve Laube Agency. All guidelines and registration details are available here