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Friday, June 1, 2012

Two Contests for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers

Happy Friday, indeed. My little one and I spent seven hours at a car repair place yesterday, on an errand that was supposed to take two hours tops. Turns out the bargain used car we bought from a dealership auction had a few issues that we didn't, well, bargain for. 


Anyway, I'm ecstatic that it's Friday~ two fabulous library programs await me and my girl, one of which includes a person dressed up as Mother Goose...which will either be really neat, or a little scary.

Here are two contests for those of you with a completed, polished manuscript:


OPERATION AWESOME: This month's mystery agent is looking for a variety of MG/YA plots. Get over to the website for more details, and be sure to enter right as it opens today at 10:00 AM, EST. They'll take the first 50 pitches, then close the contest. Click HERE or above for the website. UPDATE: Closed~ keep an eye out for July's contest (they always hold them close to the 1st day of the month).


YALITCHAT.ORG: This fabulous group is hosting Pitch Slam 2!  Four amazing agents will judge and comment on pitches for middle grade and young adult manuscripts. This one is open until Monday, June 4th, and I've already seen requests made on some of the pitches~ holy exciting! You need to be a member to participate, but YALITCHAT is free and easy to join (there is a sign-up area on the top right of the website). Click HERE for rules, agent profiles, and other details.



48 comments:

  1. Very interesting pitch slam. I've never seen one where the agent is giving direct feedback. Thanks for the updates, Jess.

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    1. I'm not even entering, but it's interesting/educational to read the agent feedback!

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    2. Indeed! I've been over there reading and will go back when more feedback is added.

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  2. THanks for the updates Jess!! Happy Friday:)

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  3. I'm glad we have you to stay on top of it all for us, Jess.

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    1. Thanks, Matt~ I rely on my fellow bloggers and CPs for information all the time :)

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  4. Thanks for the heads up, Jess. I need to check these out :-) Hope the Mother Goose event is lots of fun for your little one!

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    1. It was tons of fun~ not a bit scary for her :)

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    1. Oh my lovely CP, you worry too much :) I've taken a vow not to query early this time.

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  6. Have fun with Mother Goose. Sounds like a great library program! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. I've had my share of "bargain" cars! :( Have fun at the Library and enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Yeah...I will most likely not be buying at auction again :)

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  8. So sorry to hear about your car woes. That why I bought the car I did. I was so tired of being on a first name basis with the mechanic.

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    1. Oh, man! I hope I don't get on a first name basis with my new mechanic...okay, I don't remember the guy's name from yesterday, so I'm safe so far :)

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  9. You always have the best links. Car troubles are never convenient. I hope you get on the road soon and that it doesn't cost you too much.

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    1. It didn't cost me anything yesterday...it's the credit card payments for the next six months that concern me :)

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  10. Oh, no--I hope that the car is all better now! And that the repairs weren't too costly!

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    1. Thanks, Tara! At least they got everything fixed so we can meet up sometime this summer :)

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  11. Well, just be glad yours didn't burst into flame while you were driving it...

    Did your copy of Charter Shorts arrive, yet?

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    1. YES! I've already read a couple (including one that your kiddo wrote), and I'm SO impressed!!! Seriously, HOW old are those kids???

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    2. Well, my son is the youngest. 11, now, but 10 when he wrote some of that (including "Into the Trench"). The others are 7-8th grade, so 12-14.

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    3. I'm really glad I ordered it :)

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    4. Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that :)

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    5. Oh, hey, when you get all finished with it, would you mind doing a review and rating for Amazon and/or goodreads?

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  12. Glad you and the little one had each other to entertain for that long duration. And thank you for the heads up regarding the contests. Going to check out more details.

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    1. Yes, I'm glad she was with me, too, although the skipped naptime did have some repercussions later that evening :)

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  13. Sorry to hear about your car, but I hope today's activities made up for it!

    And the Pitch Slam sounds like fun. If only I had a finished manuscript....

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  14. Our library summer program starts next week, too. Yay! Although I always seem to have more fun at them than my kids...
    Bummer re: your car. We just had our 16 yr-old van towed away today. *sniff* Lots of good memories in that thing.

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    1. Oh no! At least it lived a good long life :)

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  15. Thanks for sharing about these great opportunities. Wish my manuscript was finished.

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    1. There are always tons of contests, so I'm sure you'll find plenty when you finish :)

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  16. Super-great opportunities, Jess! Thank you for sharing the links. :))

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    1. You're welcome~ best of luck if you entered one/both of them!

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  17. I can't imagine entertaining the wee one for 7 hours there! AH!
    Thanks for the super links too!

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    1. Yes~ thank goodness she amuses herself so much and loves to dance (even without music) :)

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  18. Big fan of YaLitChat. I'll have to check out the entries for sure! :)

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  19. The YaLitChat one is extremely humbling and amazing. Agents have been giving out feedback left and right.

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    1. That's awesome (maybe I should sneak a pitch in before it closes!)

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