Update for the Serendipty Literary Agency, YA Discovery Contest - My Entry

Simply put ... I didn't place in this one.

Today I googled the website  www.serendipitylit.com

I read a blog entry dated Wednesday, 16, January 2019. The blog entry announced the top 10 author picks, along with their titles.
My name was not there.

Congratulations to the top 10, and I wish each author the very best of luck!

Keep Smiling, Keep Writing, and Keep Submitting!

A FREE CONTEST FOR WRITERS OF YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Hi Everyone! Like I always say... you can't win if you don't submit! Here's a New Free Contest to enter. The deadline is at the end of October 29, 2015, so you don't have much time left.
Write up your Logline and polish page 1 of your completed Young Adult Novel. Use this link for all of the details!  http://tinyurl.com/nz6n2p8  Contest judged by agent @ericsmithrocks, via @chucksambuchino




Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and most of all Keep Smiling!


Good luck to all who enter.... including me!   : )

It's June and the summer is here!

Hello Friends!

 We've survived the long cold winter and are moving into the fun of summer! Let's enjoy the warm weather fun and find inspiration in everything we do!
Tell us your stories of lazy days, summer vacations and let's not forget those summer romances!

 Why not keep a journal of all of the wonderful things we do this summer and write write write and by September you may have a whole lot of wonderful words to put into a short story or a novel!
It's now time to clean up the work and submit your stuff!  You know you've got it in you ..., so GO FOR IT!

  Over the past 8 months I've cleaned up some of my writings so I could practice what I preach and submit!
  I entered a Human Interest article in a competition at a writer's conference. My story finished in 2nd place!
  I'd also submitted a short story with the theme of "Memories" into an online contest which tied for 1st place.  YES!

  I'd completed my YA novel and submitted it for consideration to a small publishing company for consideration. I will do another post about that later.
 
  I've also submitted my completed romance manuscript into the Big Create Space contest. I made the first cuts and I was thrilled. I didn't make the second cut but I am encouraged to have made it into the top 2000 out of 10000 entries. Hopefully I will do it again next year and make it farther and hey ..., who knows ..., I may possibly WIN!      YOU CAN'T WIN IF YOU DON'T SUBMIT!

So let's all put our work out there and Keep Writing and Submitting!

And as always, KEEP SMILING!  : )

Merry Christmas to All!

By now the gifts are opened and the children are hopefully settling down. Our hearts are full of love and feelings of tenderness toward our families and we're thanking our Lord for the Blessings of family.
Extra prayers to all of those who were lonely and homeless on this wondrous day.

I believe most of us have had funny, romantic and sentimental memories that were created today. Memories that can inspire some lovely stories. Think of all that you have done or will do during this happy season. Then I challenge you to write a short story, a chapter for your work in progress, a memoir entry and even be inspired to start a new novel! If not a Christmas story then maybe you'll find inspiration from your New Years Eve Celebrations!
If you'd like to share some of your holiday with me, I'd love to read about it. Just drop it in the comments!

I wish everyone a Blessed season and a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Keep Writing and Keep Smiling!

Build Creative Writing Ideas - Thousand Prompts Contest Entry

                                                            

(Original Post removed and replaced with this cool photo I took.)

For more information on this contest hosted by Bryan Cohen click on the links
www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/writing-contest.html
www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/free-creative-writing-prompts-memory.html

Christmas 2013 is nearly here!

I can't believe Halloween and Thanksgiving have come and gone. Christmas is only a week away and I haven't posted since the summer! I apologize for that! So much has been happening. I know that's really NOT a good excuse as most of you are very loyal. That will be my New Years Resolution ...to be more loyal and not allow work, health, etc. to stop me from PUBLISHING my posts.
 Let me begin now by adding another new post directly after this one.  That post will be an actual ENTRY into a writng contest. I am going to be entering directly from my blog!
 I know .... it's an unusual way to enter a writing contest yet very creative of the host, Author Bryan Cohen. Check out the "links" to the contest to read the guidelines and join me with an entry of your own!

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and always Keep Smiling! 

Happy Labor Day! May your summers never end!

As the summer ends we must remember all of the great things we've enjoyed this beautiful season! Be inspired by the memories! As writers our summers never have to end!
Open up a fresh page and begin to write. Make your next "Work In Progress" take place during the summer!
When I write I lose myself in my story and I take myself back to summer no matter what time of year it is! So never feel melancholy as the summer ends. Simply take yourself back there and then take your readers back to the warmth of summer as they read your finished product!

KEEP WRITING, KEEP SUBMITTING AND KEEP SMILING!

Take a Breather and Clear you head

Hi Fellow Writers!
 I hope you're enjoying your weekend. Sometimes when we stay inside and write write and write...we need to stretch our weary bones and take a little breather! It's good for the mind and eyes but especially great for the soul.
 You've got to stretch and exercise your body and while exercising your body you are resting your minds. When you get back to your computer you'll feel refreshed and ready for the next writing session.

Here's where I went today. I hope you'll look at this picture and feel the peace!

                 

KEEP WRITING AND KEEP SUBMITTING!

Launching Your Published Book-Learning Social Media

Hi Everyone!
  Since revising my book MEET SANDY GULL, I've been working hard to get my promotion/marketing in order! Social Media has been an enormously helpful way to promote myself as an author. It is also a huge way to promote book sales! Be prepared to spend much time learning how to make your way through the ins and outs of using each one.
  I have been concentrating on my new Business Face Book Page for my Sandy Gull Character. If you have a moment, take a look and if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

                     www.facebook.com/pages/sandy-gull/434597989961672

I've been told that if you can't afford a website immediately, then you MUST go out there and create a FREE Business Face Book Page. I'm feeling happy with my Business FB Page and I hope you'll fly over and take a look. Please "like" it while you're there, (if you do like it).  Smiling......!

   I have also joined Twitter. I have much more to learn with Twitter. I found a book at my local library that was downstairs in the "Used books for sale" area. The book is called Twitter Power. I'm finding it very helpful. I've also purchased a book called Social Media Marketing  all-in-one for Dummies. This book gives helpful instructions to navigating your way around Blogs, Podcasts, Vlogs, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and more! The book I purchased has a copyright of 2010 and I purchased it at Ollie's for $9.99. Although it is already 3+ years old, the basics are all there and it is helpful.
 
   I've taken a workshop at my local Small Business Association Branch Office. (Check your local SBA for free workshops.) There are many business people who are willing to host these workshops and help beginners learn and be successful. Attending workshops is a great way to Network as well. I've attended 3 workshops in the past month. One was to learn Pinterest. (Another social media site). I've not gotten mine up and running yet, due to time constraints, but am looking forward to blocking out the time to do that.

  I am working with a friend of mine named Rob on a basic Website. I've purchased my Domain Name- www.sandygull.com  (Not up and running yet, but I'll let you know when it is.) Don't hesitate to go out there and purchase your Domain name. You want to make sure it will be available when you ARE ready. I used the website www.GoDaddy.com to purchase mine. That website was recommended to me by a trusted source.....my computer savvy son.

  Lot's to learn folks! More than I'd imagined! It's a lot of work, a lot to read ....but will be so worth the time invested. My thoughts are, once I get this all under my belt, I'll become proficient and participating regularly on each social media site will become quick, pleasurable and if done correctly ..., profitable!

In the meantime ... KEEP WRITING AND KEEP SUBMITTING!
 

Best Advice! Attend Writer's Conferences

Hello My Writing Friends!

    Whenever it's possible, I would like to suggest you plan to attend as many Writer's Conferences as you can. They are the absolute BEST WAY to do some fun networking as well as learn so much about our craft!

    In early June I attended the Eleventh Annual North Wildwood Beach Writer's Conference.  Held at the Convention Center right on the Wildwood boardwalk, the weather was beautiful! You couldn't ask for better atmosphere than the view of the beach and ocean mixed with the excitement of the boardwalk. I had the added pleasure of joining two of the Presenters/Authors for dinner after day one of the two day event.
Also, I'm excited to tell you that my Essay placed second in the Essay Contest!
  I will be receiving information regarding another conference which will be held at a Winery in the fall. I'll share the information with you when I receive it!

KEEP WRITING, KEEP SUBMITTING AND KEEP SMILING!

MEET SANDY GULL BACK AND READY FOR PURCHASE

I'm happy to announce the release of my children's book MEET SANDY GULL !!!


                                                       

Download my E book for $3.99 or Order your little one a Print Version for $10.00

Writing Contests

Today I entered an interesting writing contest. They are HINT stories. 25 words or less. You tell a story in 25 words that is a complete story and yet HINTS at a much bigger story. Very Cool and NOT near as easy as you would think!

Apologies......

I'd like to send out my apologies for not posting on a regular basis. I've been ill.
 I'm feeling better now and almost finished my "Doctoring" so I hope to get back on track!
 Take Care and Keep Writing!   : )

Going Through the Old Files ....

  Hi ! I hope you all are doing great and feeling inspired and doing lots and lots of writing!
My Uncle is also doing some writing. He's been entering some short story writing contests. He's been sending me links so I can enter as well. I've been so wrapped up working on the edits for my novels that I couldn't wrap my mind around a story idea for the Short Story contest. So I thought I'd pull out the old files with writing ideas and see what I have started. This task has turned into a "walk down memory lane!" I have so many pieces of paper and want to read them all! Now instead of entering the short story contests, I've been cleaning house on my old files. It is also helping to refresh my memory on some of the old short stories I'd written for a Creative Writing Class. So far I've only come across one that I think has some potential. There are two in particular that I'm looking for but haven't found ..., yet!
     It's tough for me ..., one task seems to lead to another ..., and another ..., I started out editing my novel, got side-tracked by Uncle to short story contests, began to sort through old writing ...., decided to clean out the files to make room for new writing ..., came across clips from newspaper articles I'd written and began to organize them in a binder ....,  Do you see where I'm going with this?  And that is why I did NOT get anything submitted in 2010! After I write this post I plan to refocus my energy and GET SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED!  Soooooooo....How's everyone else coming along on your quest to submit in 2011?
Keep smiling and Keep writing!        : )

 

Old Stuff!

Today I was cleaning out a closet in my parents home. I came across an old black tote bag with yellow handles. I remember a time when I'd used that tote bag to carry old copies of Writer's Digest Magazine that I hadn't had a chance to read. I pulled it out of the closet and unzipped the bag. To my surprise, instead of finding the old magazine issues, I found a copy of my Children's Book and a folder. In that folder were old story ideas, beginnings of stories and some assignments from a Creative Writing Class I'd taken quite a few years back.
I am excited to find this folder. I plan to get comfy in my favorite chair and go through the folder of goodies. There may be something in there that will spark my imagination and get me writing a new story! 
  I'm hoping I'll still come across those old copies of Writer's Digest Magazine because I always learn something new from them. Good Magazine to subscribe to as well as a great website! Take a look at writersdigest.com  when you have the chance!    Keep Smiling and Keep Writing!  : )