Contest for Self-Published Authors [CLOSED]

[Samantha]

Hey writers,

I'm a reviewer and freelance editor looking to help promote self-published authors with fantastic novels. My goal is to hold regular contests in order to find and celebrate the best work out there. This is the first event to see how plausible my goal is.

Feel free to post questions below, bump the post, or suggest ideas. I can't wait to get reading!

Click here for more details.

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Hidden Gem Awards: Contest for the Self-Published

Here’s the deal. For every 10 self published books I read, there tends to be one real gem. With that in mind, I’m opening my review doors to ten individuals who aren’t afraid of a bit of friendly competition. I'm hoping to find a fantastic self-pub author and help spread the word about their novel.

Theme: Supernatural Fiction

I'm going to be fairly flexible about what counts as supernatural fiction. All it needs to contain is some sort of supernatural or magical aspect as one of the key features of the novel. If you're not sure, then enter anyway. I should be able to tell from your blurb.

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Please read this article for full details and enter via my blog but feel free to post your thoughts or questions below. I'll check back regularly and will let you know when the contest is full.

Good luck everyone,

Samantha

[R.F.G.]

If only you read Sci-Fi blends.

If only I could afford an editor at this point.

[Samantha]

Usually, I read anything that can be classified as: young adult, new adult, middle grade, fantasy (particularly urban), paranormal/supernatural, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic. Anything sci-fi or Egyptian would also be considered depending on the blurb.


At the moment, I'm only accepting self-pub novels for this contest. I'm hoping to hold contests for different genres too. This is just the first. =]

[Jason]

I'm trying to enter, but my internet connection is spazzing out, so if you get multiple submissions from me...that's why :)

[Jennifer]

Don't have anything for this one, but who knows, you might do this again.

[Samantha]

Jennifer wrote: "Don't have anything for this one, but who knows, you might do this again."

Yes, I hope to run a few a year. What genre do you write? I might pick it next time.

Jason wrote: "I'm trying to enter, but my internet connection is spazzing out, so if you get multiple submissions from me...that's why :)"

I've only had 1. I'm just replying to you. =]

[K.P.]

the form isnt appearing on mobile. i made a comment...

[Jason]

Yay!

[R.F.G.]

Samantha wrote: "Usually, I read anything that can be classified as: young adult, new adult, middle grade, fantasy (particularly urban), paranormal/supernatural, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic. Anything sci-fi or E..."

Well, when you do more of a Sci-Fi my blurb is below the line. Also, I'm an SP who tends to write for the 18+ crowd, though I've seen mature 12 year-olds who would consider my work tame while some immature 40 year-olds would be so 'shocked'.

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Pleasure Machines, Soulless Killers, or People?

The ‘simple’ line between what we consider either machine or life form can be blurred when our eyes can’t tell the difference. When the machine is more human than its original creators the line between machine and life form can vanish. In a world where corporations are considered ‘artificial entities’ with more rights than human beings, who decides where to draw the line between pleasure machine, soulless killer, and person?

Regeneration: Gina’s Journey

In A World Where Security Had Become Paramount Over Freedom...She was designed to be a soulless killer, but an eccentric man with vision started her on a very different path which would lead either to her becoming human or to her death. Would placing herself in harm's way to protect a willful child be her salvation or destruction?

[Samantha]

R.F.G. wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Usually, I read anything that can be classified as: young adult, new adult, middle grade, fantasy (particularly urban), paranormal/supernatural, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic. Any..."

Sounds fantastic. I'll keep the sci-fi genre in mind for future contests.


K.P. wrote: "the form isnt appearing on mobile. i made a comment..."

I've heard that before. Don't worry, that's why I mentioned it's okay to post below too. =]

[Virginia]

I submitted via the contact form. I always get a little paranoid that those simply disappear into the ether without a trace. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Thanks so much for providing this opportunity! Seems fun!

[R.F.G.]

Samantha wrote: "Sounds fantastic. I'll keep the sci-fi genre in mind for future contests."

If you think that one sounds good, you'll love "Mono-Earth: The War of The Egg" once the Wife will watch Her Grace long enough for me to finish the edits.

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Animals, Monsters, or People?

The ‘simple’ line between our reality when awake and our nightmares when asleep can be very thin. In our fiction we are the innocent victims of monsters intent upon taking everything from us, including our lives. In a world where corporations and governments work together to find ‘new frontiers’ to strip for a profit, who decides if a creature from another world is an animal, a monster, or a person? What happens when ‘we’ are the monsters another species has very good reason to fear?

[Samantha]

I think Regeneration: Gina’s Journey sounds the most intriguing to me, probably because you've mentioned a main character to lead the story with.

[Samantha]

Virginia wrote: "I submitted via the contact form. I always get a little paranoid that those simply disappear into the ether without a trace. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Thanks so much for providing this opp..."

Cheers. I've got your entry.

I'm still trying to decide whether it would be a better fit for a fantasy themed contest, which will probably be the second one I'll host (if all goes well). I know the line is somewhat vague, but I would prefer anything that can be classed as fantasy, epic fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi, or that is set in a mythical realm to be entered in a different contest.

That said, is your novel more based on supernatural aspects and magical powers, or is it to do with a different world?

[R.F.G.]

Samantha wrote: "I think Regeneration: Gina’s Journey sounds the most intriguing to me, probably because you've mentioned a main character to lead the story with."

Yeah, Gina's story tends to drag people into her world and take them prisoner, then sends them into her sister's stories in Capturing Shadows, which prompted my to do the zeroth or prequel (because an inquiring reader wanted to know) before I could finish the final installment.

I just gone done doing the Plain Brown Wrapper Edition of Capturing Shadows due to the prudists at Kobo and the Eyesore Store thinking the cover was too risque.

At any rate, have fun with the contest, maybe I can finish the fantasy I have in projects sometime in the near future.

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In A World Where Security Had Become Paramount Over Freedom...Twin sisters woke up without the knowledge of who they were and it wasn't long before they had to wonder not only who they were but what they were, pleasure machines turned deadly or people. Would those who hunted them ultimately prove to be their salvation or damnation?

[Virginia]

Oh, sorry, I saw "supernatural fiction," but when you followed up with the inclusion of magic or supernatural elements as being the key component, I thought you were including fantasy type books as well.

Blade's Edge takes place in a different world, and has magical powers as a key element. It is definitely fantasy, and if you're planning on running a fantasy themed contest in the future then better to save it for that. Sorry for misunderstanding you! I'll keep an eye out for your next contest.

:-)

[Lucinda]

I'll happily enter if you have one for adventure / travel or even for memoirs.

[Samantha]

I think it would be a lot easier to judge if I keep to a theme. Otherwise I might end up with a a few great novels with the winner being in a genre I prefer.

But please keep checking back. I'm hoping this contest (and all it's stages) will take 2 months, so I should be hosting another around May/June if all goes well. =]

[Sylvie]

Samantha wrote: "I think it would be a lot easier to judge if I keep to a theme. Otherwise I might end up with a a few great novels with the winner being in a genre I prefer.

But please keep checking back. I'm ho..."

Samantha wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Don't have anything for this one, but who knows, you might do this again."

Yes, I hope to run a few a year. What genre do you write? I might pick it next time.

Jason wrote: "I'm..."

The supernatural and fantasy seem to dominate these days. Do hope you widen your scope: a modern historical novel, or addiction, or cause and effect would be good. Best of luck on an interesting project.

[Samantha]

Sylvie wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I think it would be a lot easier to judge if I keep to a theme. Otherwise I might end up with a a few great novels with the winner being in a genre I prefer.

But please keep chec..."


I've started a poll on my blog to see what the next category should be. I've listed my main interests as those are the genres which I'm better suited to judging and will enjoy reading.

Unfortunately, I'm not too keen on modern history as the main premise. It always has to have something more for me, like a bit of magic, something spooky, or a different version of reality.

I would quite like an Egyptian or Roman novel, or something tribal. Then again, those would be pretty niche categories!

[Sylvie]

Samantha wrote: "Sylvie wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I think it would be a lot easier to judge if I keep to a theme. Otherwise I might end up with a a few great novels with the winner being in a genre I prefer.

But p..."

Thanks Samantha. Yes, I guess that fantasy/magic top the favourite genres at the moment. Never mind.

[Samantha]

3 spots left, guys.

[J.D.]

How'm I doing? :) I hadn't seen a response on your site, yet.

[Samantha]

J.D. Kaplan? I sent you a message yesterday to the address you provided and added you to the list (which is now up on my blog).

I can send you another message if you can't find it.

[J.D.]

hm. I'm not seeing it but I'll go look at the list on your blog :) thanks!

[J.D.]

Found it! gmail decided it was spam for some reason. It's not anymore and watch for the incoming book!

[Samantha]

Ah, I thought that might be the case. I know my Yahoo is spam happy.

[J.A.]

I'm in!! Will write you & enter later this eve (Sun). What a lovely idea - thank you!! :_

[Samantha]

J.A. wrote: "

I'm in!! Will write you & enter later this eve (Sun). What a lovely idea - thank you!! :_"


The spots have filled, but if you send me a copy ASAP then I'll enter you anyway. One or two extra shouldn't be an issue.

I'll still only pick a top 5 and 1 winner though.

[Samantha]

J.A. wrote: "

I'm in!! Will write you & enter later this eve (Sun). What a lovely idea - thank you!! :_"

I'm almost done picking my top 5. I've already got 6 maybes so if you don't send it by today, I can't add you in.

Don't worry, I'll probably host another few of these. =]

[R.F.G.]

Samantha wrote: "Don't worry, I'll probably host another few of these. =]"

I'm looking forward to the Sci-Fi contest.