Susan Kaye Quinn and E.M. Tippetts both make the Semifinals of the Kindle Book Review's Best Indie Books of 2012 Contest!

The Cove's got two indie writers who made it to the Semifinals of the Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books of 2012 Contest. I (E.M. Tippetts) am in the romance category with Someone Else's Fairytale and Susan Kaye Quinn is in the YA category with Open Minds.


We even got a nifty badge:

Giveaway!

Hi Scribblers!

Just wanted to post a quick note about a giveaway of a signed hardcover copy of Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgis. Details of how to enter are in the top post on the book's Facebook fan page. Head on over there now to sign up!

An Exercise On First Impressions

First Impressions are powerful things. I know, because I've blown my fair share of them. For instance, I will never be able to go back and redo my first day of high school with that extra tight permanent (shudder), or even re-meet my hubby for the first time. Firsts only come once.

That's why we're lucky as writers, because we get to practice and revise our firsts--well the pages at least. We can envision and re-envision them until they feel perfect. Then we can do it again. And again. And yet again. Lucky us.

But should we? Is it really that important?

I used to think that all the emphasis on first pages was bunk. How could an agent or editor really get a feel for the whole book in just 150 words? How could a reader? Doesn't the rest of the book need to be just a good? Yes, but after I had the opportunity to help judge several first page contests I changed my mind about beginnings.

First pages tell volumes.

They set tone, showcase ability, and promise story. They evoke emotion. At least they should. And they should reach out, grab you by the imagination, and refuse to let go.

They should captivate on some level.

Easy peasy, right?

Ha!

It's like trying to nail jello to a tree--only more painful.

But it's worth it.

If you don't believe me, try it for yourself. Right now at Throwing Up Words they are having a first page contest, and you get to be a judge. There are a lot of first pages and a lot of revelations on how important first pages are. There are even pages that just might be written by some of the crew here at Scribblers Cove. I won't tell you who because all the entries were submitted under pen names, but you are free to guess. You can vote on your favorite six until Thursday, January 26, 2012. Vote by clicking on the Project Writeway Results link at the top right of the blog.

And have fun!

Leisha Maw

Kat, Incorrigible Jewelry Giveaway!

Hi everyone! Today is the day that Stephanie Burgis is giving away one of the pendants I designed. It's the Magick Book from Kat, Incorrigible. Head on over to her blog, http://stephanieburgis.livejournal.com/233924.html, to enter. And then, late next week, it will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contest

Hi all,

Figured I'd post the link here, since many of us are in the LDS community (though you don't have to be to vote in this contest.) Every year, LDS Publisher, an anonymous member of the LDS publishing community, runs a Christmas story contest. Details on how to vote are here: http://ldspublisher.blogspot.com/

I have not entered this, but one talented writer friend of mine has. Have any of you entered? Even if you haven't, it's worth going to peruse the stories and cast a vote. Just another way to support other aspiring writers!

I apologize for posting this on the last day of voting. I've been in the hospital for a week, but I got a healthy baby boy out of the deal so I'm happy :-).