The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#45
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.
Our co-hosts for September are:
Heather M. Gardner, Christine Rains, Dolorah at Book Lover, Julie Flanders and Murees Dupé.
Don’t forget to visit them and thank them for co-hosting!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
This is what you’ve been waiting for: The Official Short Story Contest Announcement
The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015
After the success of last year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book. This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting published in the anthology.
Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.
Word count: 5000-6000
Theme: Alternate History/Parallel Universe. That’s right, we’ve decided to go the speculative route. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines, except erotica or graphic violence.
Story deadline: November 1st 2015
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to TheIWSG at gmail dot com before the deadline passes. Make sure to include your contact details.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:
• Laura Maisano – Senior editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian fiction
• Russell Connor – Author and owner of Dark Filament Publishing Startup
• Candace Havens – Author and Editorial Director for the Covet, Edge and Select lines at Entangled Publishing
• Dawn Frederick – Literary agent and the founder of Red Sofa Literary
• Alice Speilburg – Founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency
• Michelle Johnson – Founder of Inklings Literary Agency and Writers’ Center and Bookstore owner
• Kendare Blake – Author
• Lydia Moëd – Associate agent at The Rights Factory
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press in the IWSG anthology next year. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. The winners will also receive an exclusive badge to display on their blog.
We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!
For more details click on this link: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2015/09/iwsg-post-day-and-special-anniversary.html
Hi, sounds like a wonderful project. I hope you had a great Blitz Day. I had to go to the doctor yesterday and did not get back online til this morning.
Hi Michelle – you’re in line for being blitzed by DL Hammons too … so this doubles up … The anthology is a great idea and I feel some very creative stories coming on. Though I hope you’ll continue with your pier discussion and develop that …
Warmer weather is coming for you … take care and enjoy the change .. cheers Hilary
This contest is going to be epic!
It’s going to be a lot of fun.
This is such a neat contest. Kudos! 🙂
IWSG #119 until Alex culls the list again
It’s an exciting opportunity!
Putting my thinking cap on!
This contest is awesome! I’m prodding my muse to come up with a good idea. 🙂
Definitely exciting times. It sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you are entering. Thank you for always supporting me.
The announcement is so exciting! I’ve already seen some people are thinking about their entries.
Susan Says
It is very exciting. Now that the news is out, I have no excuse. I have to come up with something! Happy IWSG Day, Michelle!
Exciting news! Love the idea. I have a few short stories I may brush off for this contest.
Congrats on being an integral force of the IWSG for four years, Michelle! The contest sounds like a fantastic idea, and you’ve lined up an impressive list of judges! Thanks for everything, Michelle!
That contest sound fantastic! It’s going to be a total hit! Thanks for sharing!
How exciting!!! I’ll have to put my thinking cap on.
I’m super excited about the contest! It gives me an excuse to pull out one or two of my old shiny ideas and make something of it. =)
The IWSG just keeps getting better and better. Thanks to all those who put in all the time to set this up.
Sounds like a fun contest.
I’m very excited about this opportunity. So glad it’s open to all members.
This was such a nice surprise. I’m glad IWSG is hosting this.
This is exciting!
The contest will be awesome. I’m looking forward to reading all the entries!
Woohoo! Love that there is a story contest!
It sounds like an awesome contest. I shared it with my local writers’ group.
Hi Michelle! Great idea to have a contest. I wish all the spec fic writers out there good luck!
I think this is an amazing project and opportunity for the IWSG members! This group ROCKS so hard!!!! 😀
I think it’s going to be a great project….I hope I can come up with an entry. (nervously taps fingers)
Hooray hooray – I’m an uberfan of the short story!
Sounds like fun for sure!
For sure this anthology is out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to give it a try.
I love that there’s going to be an anthology – very cool 🙂
I look forward to seeing the product. I’m sure it’s going to be great!
Great project! Can’t wait to read the stories.
I’m excited for the contest! I’m not sure I’ll have something I love enough to enter, but I’m working on it. 🙂
I have a feeling it’s going to be very hard for the judges to pick just ten stories. (Thank you so much for reading and posting reviews of my horror collection!)
Looking forward to reading it!