Tuesday Two-Minute Writing Tip – Fabulous Ebook Contest – International Digital Awards

Got two minutes? Then check out this week’s quick tip ~ Enter your book in OKRWA’s IDA Contest for more exposure and a chance to win awesome prizes!

Hello and welcome…I am a freelance editor and an editor for The Wild Rose Press, as well as an author. I often struggle with my own writing, and I have found that sometimes, a little reminder of ways to improve the process can be helpful, so, I like to share these moments of brilliance with others :). But, in this busy world of ours, who has time for pages and pages of writing tips? That’s why I’ve condensed mine down to quick flashes you can read in (approximately) two minutes. Enjoy…

Disclaimer: All of my tips are suggestions, and are only my opinion. And, for the most part, there are exceptions when going against my advice will make your story read better. Take what works, leave the rest.

I am not feeling well today, plus, I am involved in the Candace Havens Fast Draft process with three of my writer friends, so my brain power is somewhat used up. 🙂 Instead of an actual tip, I thought I would tell you about a contest you should seriously consider entering. This is the fifth year OKRWA has hosted the International Digital Awards. I was one of the co-founders of the contest, and it has been quite successful for our chapter and for entrants.

Why should you enter? Let me tell you…

The IDA accepts Ebook entries in 7 different categories, both novel (40,000 words and above) and novella/short (10,000 to 39,999 words) lengths. Each entry is seen by three different readers, so even if you don’t place, you have the opportunity of reaching new readers.

The entry fee is low…$20 for novel length, $15 for novella/short length.

If you DO place, you receive a nice paper certificate and button for your website. Plus, your information goes up on our website.

If you WIN, you receive the following…

• This awesome engraved paperweight (updated with YOUR info of course :)) **colors my vary

• You will be featured on a minimum of 3 blog posts

• Your book will be featured in a “winner” video trailer that will be shared on FB, tweeted, and featured on at least 3 blogs and websites

• Multiple Tweets and Facebook posts 

• Featured on a special IDA Winners Pinterest Page

Why wouldn’t you want to enter??? 

Get those entries in soon…the deadline is June 30, 2016.

Detailed information on entering can be found here:

FMI: https://okrwa.com/contests/international-digital-awards/contest-categories/

 

Eligibility: Any ebook with an original copyright date of 2015 or 2016 that was eligible for sale in 2015 or 2016 and is NOT available for purchase in mass print by April 15, 2016 (Ebooks that are available as POD’s are eligible)

Entry: Non DRM PDF as email attachment

Categories: (All of the following offer BOTH a short/novella and a Novel category in each genre – Entries may contain romance, but romance is not required)

• Contemporary

• Erotica

• Historical

• Inspirational

• Paranormal

• Suspense

• Young Adult

We need judges too! If you wish to judge, check out the information here: (You are free to judge, even if you enter, as long as you judge a category other than the one you enter)

https://okrwa.com/contests/international-digital-awards/judging-information/

Judges: Readers, including other unpublished and published authors.

Comments from past entrants:

• This is an awesome contest! Not only did I receive recognition by winning the historical category, but I also received support in the form of tweets, Facebook posts and reviews from the judges. It was such an honor to have won such a prestigious contest. Thank you IDA! ~ Laurel O’Donnell, Award Winning Author of Angel’s Assassin

• “Oh. My. Goodness! If there’s one contest you do not want to miss entering, it’s OKRWA’s International Digital Awards. As a winner in the 2013 IDA, I can honestly say that I have never gotten more bang for my contest buck than I have with the IDA: a website winner’s icon, a paperweight award, Facebook and Twitter promotion, reviews posted on Amazon and Goodreads by judges and IDA personnel along with Twitter and FB postings, plus a list of review links. Are you kidding me? No other contest does this and the icing on the cake? The IDA coordinators are AWESOME!! ~– Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series

• “High praise for the International Digital Awards contest. Right on the mark with tons of terrific, highly-visible, effective promotions for winners.” ~Timothy Davis, author of SEA CUTTER

• “What a wonderful contest! I’ve long admired the NRCA and read many of the winners. So glad OKRWA has created a digital award. The prize is mighty sweet as well. I appreciate the exposure to new digital readers that the IDA has given STONE KISSED.” ~Keri Stevens, author

• “I am so glad that your hard-working chapter will continue with the International Digital Awards next year. I know it’s a lot of work — but so appreciated. Winning the IDA has been a thrill for me.” ~Cheryl Bolen, author of MY LORD WICKED

So…hurry up and get those entries in…best of luck!

Until next time…happy writing!

Oh yes, I wanted to share this boxed set, on sale for ONLY 99¢ – Six past IDA winners got together and released their winning stories in this boxed set. Genres include Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Suspense, Historical,  and Young Adult. Check out it:

Amazon Buy Link: https://amzn.com/B01F9RHLE6

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NEW RELEASE – Now Available 

(Click on the cover to be taken to the Amazon Buy Page)

 

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*** If you would like to send me a few sample pages (around 7500 words or so, even though I will not edit that many on the blog. It just gives me more to choose from) for me to edit and share on an upcoming blog post, please do so in the body of an email to AliciaMDean@aol.com. Please use the subject line: “Blog Submission” This is for published or unpublished authors. In the email, please include whether you would like me to use your name or keep it anonymous, and whether or not you would like me to include any contact info or buy info for your books. Also, you can let me know if you would like for me to run my edits by you before posting on the blog. Please keep in mind, this is for samples to use for blog posts. I will not edit or use samples from all the submissions I receive, but I will use as many as possible. 

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How to write a novel? That is the question. There are probably as many answers to that question as there are people who ask it.

Wanting to write and actually doing it are two very different things. I am well acquainted with the sometimes grueling process of churning out a story. Over the years, I have tried many methods for creating and completing manuscripts, and have tweaked and honed it down to a workable (for me) process.

Using specific examples from one of my own novels, Without Mercy, I share my method in this mini how to book. The first eight steps actually deal with plotting while the last two are designed to help expand your outline into a well-developed draft. There is no one, perfect way to create a story, but there will be a method, or methods that work for you. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it works for me. Only you can decide if it also works for you. Fingers crossed that it does!

*** Warning – Please do not purchase without reading a sample. (This is solid advice for any book, fiction or non. If you are not intrigued in the sample, you will likely not enjoy the book)

Amazon: Click Here