Judith Engracia Stops In For A Chat

(Judith and her gorgeous Siberian Husky.)

I must say it has been a delight doing this contest with Judith.  I was so pleased when she picked an extra winner.  One day I'll write a big girl book and be able to submit it to her.  (wink)  But for now, this interview might give all you YA, MG, and other novel writers some insight to Judith's likes and dislikes.  :)

ME: Judith, what made you decide to become a literary agent?


JUDITH: I always knew I wanted to work with books, so I decided to try out an intership with a literary agency. I was just a sophomore in college and didn't really know what the job entailed, but after the literary agent described the job during my first interview, I fell in love immediately. I remember squealing, "I can't believe a job like this exists!"

ME: How important were reading and writing to you as a child? Did you have a favorite author growing up?

JUDITH: When I think about my childhood, the most prominent memory is reading on the living room couch with books stacked up next to me. I didn't really go out much--in fact, I think there's a permanent imprint of my body on the couch. I grew up with Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley books (Sweet Valley Kids, Twins, High, etc) and later her gritty Fearless series, so I guess you could say she was my favorite author. But I also read a lot of Lois Duncan and Gail Carson Levine. And since my mom was an English teacher who tuned me into the classics, I read and cried over The Iliad and The Phantom of the Opera (why, Christine, why?!) many times. As for writing, I scribbled in my journal a lot and wrote haikus to my Siberian Husky, but I'm not sure if that counts.

ME: Who are some of your favorite contemporary authors? What are your favorite genres?

JUDITH: Let's see...I have to read every thriller by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (who knew an albino detective could be so hot?), and I'm dying to read the next installment in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series and Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series. There's Orson Scott Card, too, for creating my loves, Ender and Bean. And somebody please tell me when the next book by Chuck Palahniuk, Jeffrey Eugenides, or Jonathan Safran Foer is coming out! As for genres, I like literary fiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, mysteries, YA, and MG.

ME: When people query you, do you like amusing queries or do you prefer more professional letters?

JUDITH: Professional, definitely, but one that captures the tone or voice of the work. In other words, just because it's professional doesn't mean it has to be boring.

ME: Now for more personal questions...What do you do for fun?

JUDITH: Keysi Fighting Method! KFM is a method of self-defense that's meant to prepare you for multiple opponents in real-life situations on the street. It's really cool because we'll practice outside at night on the cement and have special days where we'll train in winter jackets or in shorts and flipflops, to try and make things as realistic as possible. I'm one test away from reaching the orange grade, so when I'm not reading, I'm shadowboxing.

ME: One last question... What advice would you give querying writers?

JUDITH: The query itself is a writing sample, so it should be tightly written. The manuscript could have a great plot, but if the query letter doesn't convince agents that it's well written, then it probably won't receive many requests.

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Again, I'd like to thank Judith for judging my critique contest.  If you haven't checked out her blog, you should!  You can also visit Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency's website to find out about all the agents listed.  Judith will let us know when she is officially ready for queries.  :-)

Happy querying everyone!

Judith Engracia Picks....Three Winners!

Judith and I would like to thank everyone who entered our critiquing contest. A special thanks to those of you who took the time to give each other feedback. 

Judith said choosing the winners was difficult...She ended up deciding on three winners instead of two!  I'll be passing the three winners names and emails along to Judith and then she'll get in touch with you.

DRUM ROLL.....(Please)

The winners were:

Entry number 2 by Kathryn Kupanoff,

   Entry number 4 by Amy Sonnichsen and

 Entry number 19 by Carole Anne Carr.

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and got some good feedback.  I'll be posting an interview with Judith later this week and so you can learn a little more about her.  Don't forget you can check out the books that Judith is reading on her blog....

Do you have any plans for this week?  I'm hoping to see some signs of spring, of course I know I'm not in control of that.  LOL!

Critique Contest with Guest Judge Judith Engracia! Let the Critiquing begin...and Entry Number 1

I'd like to thank Judith Engracia for being so gracious and offering to judge my critique contest.  Judith has a great book blog, if you don't already know about it and she works as a literary assistant at the Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency.  Judith is currently building her client list.  

Judith's Bio....
Judith is a literary assistant at Liza Dawson Associates, handling audio rights and digital publishing. She graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and History on a full presidential scholarship. Prior to joining Liza Dawson Associates in 2010, she interned at Random House and a number of literary agencies, including FinePrint Literary and Nancy Coffey Literary Management. She is currently building her client list and looking for all types of fiction, especially middle grade, young adult, urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance. When she's not reading, she is either training for her next martial arts test or causing mischief with her Siberian Husky, Grendel.


If you will remember, I asked that each of you critique at least ten entries if you entered this contest.  Hopefully this will give everyone some constructive feedback that they can work with.  Judith will be reading all the entries and choosing two winners by Saturday.  I will announce the winners on Sunday.  She will be emailing those two winners and requesting the first ten pages of their ms and she will be critiquing them.  Now if Judith happens to fall in love with a piece, I'm sure no one will mind if she asks me for an extra email address so she can contact you.  Right?

(If you are looking for my Show Me the Voice entry click here.)

Entry Number 1
 Title: The Blinded Gardener

Genre: Y/A contemporary

Meeting Danny changed the only life I knew: a breathing punching bag.

Once again, I found myself at a new school. My third in the past two years. It sucked having a dad in the military.

The final bell rang. As I wandered in the hall, I saw only one other guy besides me.

Maybe he can tell me how to get to my classroom?

He seemed unaware of me. Long bangs fell over his eyes as he loped passed me with a kind of natural ease.

“Hey, dude. Could you tell me how to get to room 305?”

Entry Number 2

Name: The Travelers
Genre: Fantasy

I don’t remember the first time I died, but Sophie does. She says I was a scared, old man, as I always am, lying in a pile of old, threadbare blankets in a thatched-roof cottage in Central England. Third century B.C., if memory serves.

I was terrified, she said, but she held my hand and told me it’d get easier after a handful of lifetimes. One day, it’d be as simple as taking a long, slow breath, then exhaling completely.

She was right, now that I think about it. That’s usually how dying feels, if you’re lucky.
I sigh.

Entry Number 3

Title: The Mist Chasers

Genre: YA Fantasy

Walmart was the first to disappear.

That night, my best friend, Adam and I did homework in my living room as usual. I know, our names are cliché, but I couldn’t not be friends with him just because our elementary classmates sang, “Adam and Eve, sitting in an apple tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.” I sat with my knees folded on the rickety olive recliner, with him sprawled at the foot of it. We were supposed to be finishing a boring book for 11th-grade English by reading alternating chapters and sharing what we’d learned.

Entry Number 4

Title: SEAGULL RISING
Genre: YA Contemporary

Give me a well-sharpened knife. I can devein a shrimp in less than five minutes, and fly through a stalk of jiucai, piling it in a mound of green shards, as if it’s gone through a food processor. But when I drop the knife and face my life, I wish I were as good with a needle: as good at repairing as I am at cutting apart.

Ayi and I stand elbow-to-elbow at the kitchen counter making dumplings, jiaozi in Chinese. Looking at us, anyone would think this was a normal day, because every week day since I was seven years old we’ve made dinner together.

Entry Number 5

Title: Banshee's Daughter
Genre: Urban Fantasy

A hydra? Why couldn’t it ever be something normal, like a Doberman or Rottweiler? No sooner than the thoughts had crossed Iliana’s mind than the three-headed monster of myths reared back, inhaling deeply as it prepared to breath fire and acid down upon her.

Rolling her shoulders, Iliana danced back a few steps as she raised her arms, wrists crossed and palms out as she muttered the words to a spell.

The fire and ice feel of magic flowed through Iliana’s veins and burst from her palms, streaking across the short distance to the hydra. Before the monster could release an attack, it vanished, revealing a very irritated dragon.

Entry Number 6

Title: No Child Left Behind
Genre: YA/Slice of L

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

It was my father’s favorite saying- for a lot of reasons, both personal and professional. In fact, we heard a lot more of it around the house, for mundane things, after his book was published, after he had applied his trademarked axiom to wars, genocide, environmental rape and bad movies (I won’t throw the usual suspects like Glitter and Ishtar to the wolves, those poor films have suffered enough on the altar of our scorn).

You see, Patrick Dolan, my father- he’s the real writer in the family.

Entry Number 7

Title: Rock 'n' Roll Princesses Wear Black
Genre: Humorous realistic middle grade

“Yes, I’m back in black!” blasted from the family room speakers. My little brother cried like a baby in his bedroom, because, well, he’s a baby. I stepped into my room and shut the door for some peace and quiet. My dad usually listens to his AC/DC playlist on the iPod speakers while he pays bills. AC/DC is a “classic” rock band. Which means they’re old. I like music and all, but there’s a time for rocking out and there’s time to get things done. I needed to find something to wear to Brooke’s birthday party right now. If only my brother would go back to sleep.

Entry Number 8

Title:The Destinies of Mirnth
        Book One: Prophecies
Genre: YA Fantasy

Long Ago…

I can hardly bear this.

Appearing before my Queen knowing she will instantly be unnerved by my presence.

In truth, I dread visiting at all, as her fear is justified -- many times over. I have come with
news, hard news for anyone to hear. It seems that is all I carry any longer.

As I step over the threshold of the queens hall, the vast space around me illuminates in soft
golden light. A warm entrance for any audience. I avert my eyes as she enters, where I see my
niece thrill at my rare visit. The pain that stabs me is crippling.

Entry Number 9

Title: THE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY FRIENDSHIP
Genre: MG Contemporary

When they'd first started the cemetery, Annie always hoped for rain.She thought it was more dramatic. But common sense won out. Rain turned the holes into mud baths.

Fortunately, today was perfect, clear-sky burial weather. If she had to wait any longer, it would be too late.

 Annie eavesdropped from the top of the stairs. Matt and a friend droned on about healing plants for boyscouts. That'd keep him out of her hair.

She tip-toed down the hall and peeked in her mom's room. Busy with bills. And Kate was out of the house. Perfect.

Entry Number 10

Title: SEEING
Genre: YA Paranormal

I didn’t know who she was, or what the fuck she was doing in my room, but she was naked. The shirt I was holding slipped from my hand and I stopped short.

She was in front of the window with her head cocked to the side, looking right at me, like she had been waiting for me. White-blonde hair, parted in the middle, fell to her waist. Her left breast was covered, but the other one, I could see. My eyes drifted lower. She was shaved. No hair. None.

“Who”—I took a breath and began again—“who are you?”

Entry Number 11

Title: Edmund the Clumsy Knight
Genre: MG fantasy

Edmund’s first mistake was when he tripped over the dog and dropped the bowl of hot stew into the knight’s lap.

It was a busy day in his parents’ inn, and the idea of serving a knight had sent his clumsy feet in all directions.

He dreamed of becoming a great knight doing great deeds. His father had grumbled at the idea and his mother hid behind her aprons, but his mind was set on it.

But now, he had spilled steaming stew in the lap of the first royal knight he’d ever seen so close.

Entry Number 12

Title: THE FREAK EMPORIUM
Genre: YA PARANORMAL

I heard Mom’s voice in my head. I’ll always be with you, Jilly. But that was impossible. I stiffened in the mourner’s chair. Chills rippled across my skin. Pain knifed through my brain. My heart beat so fast it threatened to explode. At first, I thought grief played some trick on me. Of course, I wanted Mom to be alive. But that distinctly was her voice. This was beyond strange.

“What are you staring at?” asked my best friend, Rella, seated beside me.

Mom’s photo in the gilded frame was bigger than the mahogany box that held her ashes.

Entry Number 13

Tile: Steamed Up
Genre: YA Steampunk

Nico ducked behind the rubbish in the alley and closed his eyes for precious seconds. Lower the heart speed. Slow the breathing. He peeked at his wrist chrono. Not enough. If they had an identifier, they’d find him.

He closed his eyes again to concentrate. He barely noticed the rat scurry across his foot as he imagined melting into the bricks and empty tins. When he opened his eyes, he belonged to the alley. His temperature matched the foggy London night, his breath left no telltale mist.

Footsteps pounded on the cobblestones, nearing the alley. Two sets slowed. Nico’s amplified hearing caught the whisper.

Entry Number 15

Title: The Story of Two
Genre: Women's Fiction

I wanted nothing more than to buy Kate a dress. Of course, she was
disinterested. She stared out the tall windows of the boutique
instead. A red balloon dangled from the tree, its long string swaying
back and forth.

“It’s just a balloon,” I said, remembering a short film about a boy
who paraded around Paris with a gigantic red balloon. The way he ran
around the city to retrieve it after it blew away. His little legs,
socks pulled up to his knees, racing through the cobblestone streets
of Paris.

But Kate did not run. She did not follow.

Entry number 14

Title: Jedda Hitler, Traitor to the Party
Genre: YA-historical fiction

Grandfather would have never allowed such incompetence in his army.

Sagging belly and paunchy eyes, my jailer the Brown Shirt leans almost casually against the tiled, bathroom walls. Where discipline was once religion, conviction is replaced by indolence.

He would not be so at ease if he knew how loose his men tied my bonds.

I could kill him now if I wished.

Except I want information.

“Give me your name.” His voice echoes. We are underground, in a tunnel. He believes he is the one interrogating, with me slumped on the bathroom floor before him.

Entry Number 16

Title: BEAUTIFUL THINGS NEVER LAST
Genre: Contemporary YA

My mother is totally nuts. I say this with complete certainty, and with the backing of fourteen medical professionals’ opinions. They have filled her head- and our medicine cabinet, with enough bottles to make a CVS jealous. Lithium, Darvocet, Prozac, Xanax- they are all present and accounted for- happy little tablets to curb her unruly moods. So, what did come first, the meds, or her major personality defect? If you ask me, I don't think she started off certifiably emo. I think she was just unhappy and my dad knew it’d be easier to partially sedate her and keep her quiet than attempt to make her life better.

Entry Number 17

Title: Cursed
Genre: MG Fantasy

Samuel was already running when the miller’s shed exploded. The wind whistled behind him and he closed his eyes as it overtook him, lifting him off his feet. For a brief moment, he soared. Then he tucked his elbows in and landed with a thud, rolling several times before he came to a stop, lying on his back. Samuel’s experience with explosions had honed his technique for landing. If you are ever in a similar situation, you will find that keeping your elbows tucked in is vital upon making contact with the ground.

He opened his eyes and watched the white cloud drift down towards him.

Entry Number 18

Title: Cat’s Eye
Genre: Upper YA/Cross

It was a Tuesday when it happened, many years after many cat’s eyes. The sun was shining. The sky a crisp blue. A day my mother would have danced herself out into taking me along so I could see the world through her eyes, as if my own weren’t quite enough. I needed a guide, an interpreter, or so she had me believe.

She saw brilliance. I saw reality. The touch of greys tugging at the edges of her brighter than bright day, and that one Tuesday was no different to the many other days, except for the briefest of moments, I was seeing things through her eyes alone.

Entry Number 19

Title: Thin Time
Genre: Middle Grade

Weird Things Begin To Happen

I’m looking for Fymm now that the early frosts are nipping through my gloves, like a bite from his painfully sharp teeth. It’s nearly a year since I last saw him and I’m scared and excited too. It won’t be long before Thin Time is here again.

I think I’d better say who I am before I tell you what happened the last time I met him. I’m Alice Griffin, I’m nearly eleven, and I’m telling you my name first because that’s what got me into trouble, and it’s the worst trouble that ever happened to me, well the worst so far and I’m lucky to be alive.

Entry Number 21

Title: Pink Tiger
Genre: Commercial Fiction

Megan reached for the cold metal handle; her hand shook like an addict on withdrawal. Get a grip woman. She’d faced larger giants than the pint-sized ones beyond the gymnasium door. One. She took a breath. Two. The muffled roar of the crowd as it echoed throughout the empty corridors of the school surged towards her, resonating in her ears like the echo of a freight train in an empty station. An explosion of panic threatened to overwhelm her as tiny dots clouded her vision.

Not now. Please God, not now.

Entry Number 20

Title: Valley of Swords
Genre: Fantasy

Tristan felt too excited to sleep, but too cold to keep pacing around his room. He crawled into bed, determined to think about something else. He looked at his closed bedroom door, wishing he could let in the warmth from the fire in the next room. Unfortunately, he learned long ago, it was best to have at least one barrier between him and his father. Hopefully his father wouldn’t return from the scouting expedition he led earlier that day. With any luck a werewolf would tear his head off; Tristan smiled with the thought.

Entry Number 22

Title:OPEN MINDS
Genre: YA

A zero like me shouldn't take public transportation.

The hunched driver wrinkled a frown before I even got on the bus. Her attempt to read my mind would get her nothing but the quiet of the street corner where I stood. I kept my face neutral. Nobody trusted a zero to begin with, but scowling back would only make the driver more suspicious. I gripped my backpack and gym bag tighter and climbed the grime-coated steps. The driver's mental command whooshed the door closed behind me.

Yeah, junior year was off to a fantastic start already.

Entry Number 23

Title: Sycamore Meadows
Genre: YA Urban fantasy/mystery

Christmas Eve

6:37 pm.

“Finally. Our lives will be changed forever,” Cole said wistfully.

“Finally. Something to make you shut up,” Emma answered dryly.

The siblings had waited all day with anticipation for night to fall. Their grandparents gave them a telescope the night before and the time had finally arrived to use their new gift. They decided to take the telescope to the lake where the stars would be easier to see without the glare of the neighborhood lights.

Emma was carrying a book of constellations and Cole held tight to the bag as they skipped down the hill toward the familiar shore. Cole didn’t waste any time setting up the telescope and a moment later he was looking through the lens.

Entry Number 24

Title: Soul Without a Boy
Genre: YA urban fantasy

On his thirteenth lap around the block, London Howell ripped off the advertisement stapled to his neighbor's fence. There were only so many times he could read about City of London tourism before he got irrationally paranoid.

Dad used to say that naming him after the city they lived in had been a spur of the moment thing. To London, that meant Dad had looked around the hospital room, spotted a similar sign and thought, Sure,why not? He tried not to criticize. It could have been worse. He could be named Liverpool.

Entry Number 25

Title: Phantom Fires
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Violent orange and blue flames leaped up to swallow him. Seconds ago, Laurent stood in front of me dressed like a proper Southern gentleman, gray slacks, boots, long sleeve white buttoned down shirt complete with a gray vest over it. Inches from him, I wore a lavender dress and his jacket. Then out of nowhere, flames ripped across the moist grass.

There was no smoke. Just flames. He screamed in pain though I couldn’t actually see him burning, or smell the burning flesh. His eyes begged for help. Help I had no idea how to offer.

Entry Number 26

Title: A Handful of Scars
Genre: YA historical fantasy

It all started when my mother asked me what I wanted for my birthday.

“Our old place back at court,” I said, glancing around our one-room hut and at my frayed sleeves. I don’t miss all the finery so much as I miss the respect we used to have. People bowed to us when we passed by. Now they throw clods of manure.

My mother didn’t say anything but her shoulders slumped. Hornets. I’ve never learned to think before I speak. I hadn’t meant to upset her. It’s not her fault that… no, stop right there. Not going back to those old memories.

Entry Number 27

Title: NIGHT SKY
Genre: YA conteporary

Taking a breath about kills me right now. I thought tonight would be different. Tonight would be the night we’d dance together, we’d move together, and she’d finally start to feel some of the things I do when we touch. But she doesn’t. The way she’s dancing with Eric, every part of her pressed against him, makes me want to throw my fist through something. Maybe his face.

The thing is, I knew it could happen – that she could end up with another guy. But I didn’t know it would hurt this much.

My body’s fading into numbness, probably from shock.

Entry Number 28

Title: Shadow Embraced
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Her blows come quick – and hard – knocking me back into the fleshy wall of the crowd. I'm pushed back to the centre ring and the circle tightens. Their chants sound like an eerie tribal drumbeat warming up for the big sacrifice.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Music blares in the background. Deep bass reverberates through the warped wooden floorboards. The lead singer sounds like he’s chewing on tin foil. I’m surprised I can hear all the taunts my opponent screams at me.

This is my first time at The Basement. Innovative name for a club someone set up in a two-storey fire hazard lacking a basement.

Entry Number 29

Title: Splashback
Genre: YA Thriller

The Sour Patch Kids in the bottom of Heidi Maverick’s sparkly clutch probably bothered him the most.

The Sour Patch Kids, or the ticket stub from that new boy band’s concert.

The Sour Patch Kids, or the ticket stub, or the cotton candy flavored lip gloss.

As he dug deeper into the purse, those random bits of garbage tickled his hands with worry. He thought he’d picked the right girl this time. From afar, this Heidi had looked like a high school upperclassman, slutty and desperate—just the kind he usually took.

Entry Number 30

Title: WINDOWS
Genre: Paranormal/Romance

Some secrets were meant for sharing.

But not all secrets should be spoken aloud—some need to stay in the dark.

From her earliest years, Lucy had been schooled in the fine art of deception by her dad. Not out of a fundamental dishonesty or a disregard for civility, but out of self-protection. To always be discreet takes daily concerted effort, an effort that can eventually drain a woman’s soul. And to keep secrets, lying is necessary. Lucy knew this better than most people. Her whole life had been a series of deliberate misinformation.

Entry Number 31

Title:Co-Ed in Charge
Genre:Urban Fantasy

I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to be a monster either. I wasn’t getting a choice. As the fangs and claws tore into my body, I knew I was doomed. I would survive...probably. I knew what to expect...partially. But I didn’t see this coming. After all no one expects their life to end at 22.

Theo

“Representatives, ambassadors, council members; something has to change and soon, or we will all fall to the humans and their science. We cannot remain in hiding for much longer.”

It was a scary announcement coming from Princess Ceraphina. The tall, eerily beautiful, fairy sat on the far end of the room next to a large mirror with the rest of her kind.

Entry Number 32

Title: Remembered
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

The only thing Jonas was completely sure of was that Mackenzie Shae was going to die. As he studied her walking along – practically bouncing – in step to the loud music still playing in the field behind her, he couldn’t help but stare. Not that Mackenzie intrigued him. No human had that affect on Jonas. They were way too predictable. Sure, she probably attracted a majority of the male population, but she was the whole reason this mess consumed him in the first place. That annoyance completely trumped how she looked.

Of course the bond between them continued to aggravate him as well.

Entry Number 33

TITLE: Ideal High
GENRE: YA Contemporary

Whose idea was it to broadcast the screen-sized faces of the dead to the farthest shadowy corners of the school’s auditorium? Everybody knew they were gone. Why emphasize the obvious, even for the sake of a memorial? And why no rain on this joyless day? Never a good Texas thunderstorm when you needed one. Instead, sunlight poured through the ribbon of windows high along the back wall of the school’s auditorium.

It fell across the podium where Taryn stood, making it too bright to read the first name on the list. When she finally focused through the glare to speak into the microphone, the name echoed across the vast auditorium.

Entry Number 34

Title: If I Fall
Genre: YA

I still had one week to back out. One week to come up with a way to tell Brian that he’d bought all of that climbing equipment for nothing. One week to dread the disappointed look I knew he’d give me.

I could do it. Just tell him I wasn’t ready to go climbing outside, and then somehow ignore his contagious excitement.

Brian whistled an off-key rock song and I heard him clanking around his room like he’d been doing for the past fifteen minutes. I fell back on my bed and looked at the ceiling. My stomach twisted, its tightness climbing up my throat.

Entry Number 35

Title: Still

Genre: YA contemporary

My stomach clenches as Dad cranks up the volume on the TV, and my fork pauses mid air. The news reporter’s talking about the seventeen year old who went missing a few days ago. Still no leads.

I squeeze my eyes shut as a memory from last summer assaults me. Fingers tightly gripping my shoulders. My heels dragging along the damp forest ground. Fallen branches digging their spikes into my bare legs. The darkness suffocating me.

“I’m so glad that isn’t you, Calleigh. Calleigh?” Dad pulls me back to the present, my heart still crashing against my chest.

CRITIQUE CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT...With Awesome Prizes! (And Show Me the Voice Contest Entry)

It's been a long time since I've hosted a critique session here at Random Thoughts, so I thought it was time to do one again.  This time we have a special prize.  Judith Engracia, Literary Assistant at Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency is going to judge your entries and choose at least two winners.  The two winners will receive a ten page critique from Judith!  How awesome is that!!! 

I adore Judith and am sure you will too...

Judith is a literary assistant at Liza Dawson Associates, handling audio rights and digital publishing. She graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and History on a full presidential scholarship. Prior to joining Liza Dawson Associates in 2010, she interned at Random House and a number of literary agencies, including FinePrint Literary and Nancy Coffey Literary Management. She is currently building her client list and looking for all types of fiction, especially middle grade, young adult, urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance. When she's not reading, she is either training for her next martial arts test or causing mischief with her Siberian Husky, Grendel.

Here are the rules...

Your manuscript must be a complete mg, ya or fiction novel.  You must email me the first 100 words...more or less, don't end in the middle of a sentence.  I will take the first 50 entries and then close the contest.  You may submit one piece to be critiqued.  If you enter, I hope that you will take the time to critique at least 10 other people's submissions.  I'll post the entries on Monday. 

Email your submission to me at skmayh at q dot com in this format:

Title:
Genre:
First 100 words

Good luck everyone!
CONTEST SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED...

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In case you hadn't heard Hilary Wagner's wicked cool book, Nightshade City made it to the final round of the SCWBI Crystal Kite Awards.  If you are a member...Please hop over and give her your vote!  Nightshade City is an awesome book!

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YIKES!  I forgot that I had entered Brenda Drake's Show Me the Voice Contest!  Here's my entry...Any input will be appreciated.  :)

TITLE: BEG, BORROW, AND EARN

GENRE: CHAPTER BOOK

David jumped in front of the shopping cart.

Mom stopped abruptly.

“Can I get new sneakers?”

“You can wear the ones you have until the end of the summer. We’ll get you a new pair, right before school starts.”

David tossed a box of chocolate Pop Tarts in the cart. “But Mom, school doesn’t END until tomorrow! I hafta wait all summer to get them?” David squeaked.

Mom didn’t answer, which meant she DID expect him to wait all summer.

“Oh well at least I know what kind I want. I want a pair of black and white Ninja Heelys.”

Mom continued reading the label on a box of Cap’n Crunch. Then she looked over the top of her glasses. “I can’t see the point in spending sixty dollars on a pair of sneakers that turn into roller skates when you already have roller blades.”

“But, Mom, they’re wicked cool! I have to have them or everyone’ll think I’m a loser.”

“If you save your allowance and earn the rest of the money you can buy them yourself.”

“Awe, Mom, how can I earn sixty dollars plus tax this summer? I only get two bucks a week. Summer vacation is only ten weeks, so if I save everything I’ll…” David paused, “only have twenty bucks.”

“You’re right,” Mom said. “Ten weeks times two dollars is twenty dollars, but your birthday’s in July. Grandma Pat and Uncle Ken always send you money.”

“Oh yeah, they send me however old I am in dollars.

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Have a great weekend! Don't foget to vote for the Crystal Kite Award and to send my your first 100 words of your completed manuscript by Monday...

I'm throwing my hat in the ring...Are you?

Have you seen the A-Z Blogging Challenge banner everywhere?  I have.  It's being hosted by some of my favorite bloggy friends.  (*waves to the gang*) After a little lot of coaxing I joined.  I'm number 583!  Can you believe it?  Last year there were about 100 participants.

Here's the scoop...

The goal of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge is to post something every day in April except for Sundays. You will have 26 blog posts--one for each letter of the alphabet. Each day your post will be related to the letter of the day.

Use your imagination if you join the challenge. You can post essays, short pieces of fiction,  a poem, a recipe, a drawing, or anything else that represents the letter of the day. You don't have to be a writer to do this. You can post photos or samples of your own art or craft work. Everyone who blogs can post from A to Z.

So...Are you in??? (You can sign up here.)

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I have a little confession...

I've been saving awards.

Bluestocking presented me with this delicious award.  She's such a sweetie and we've "blog" known each other for at least a year!  With this award I'm supposed to tell you about four guilty pleasures I indulge myself in....So here it goes...no judgment please...

1. I take 4 pieces of hard candy to bed with me every night, so I can eat them while I'm reading.
2. I have a signature scent. I only get one bottle a year, so I"m careful with it,but I LOVE Channel No.5!
3. I love a nice strong cup of coffee!  I love it so much that I am giving it up for Lent.  (Wish me luck
4. Sleep is one of my favorite things.  I can comfortably sleep 8-12 hours a day. 

I'd like to pass this award along to Beth who has a wonderful blog and sometimes posts delicious recipes.  I'd also like to pass it along to my Canadian friend Catherine.  Catherine befriended me when Stripes died and we've been buds ever since.  She has a way with words, photos and paper!  Finally I'd like to pass this award to Jennifer, you might know her as Old Kitty.  She has to be one of the sweetest bloggers around.  She leaves wonderful positive comments all over the blogging community.

My bloggy friend turned critique partner, Melissa Sarno, presented me with the honest scrapper award.  HMMM, I wonder if that was before or after I critiqued a piece for her???  I'm supposed to share ten things about myself.  Since I've already shared four things already, I'm going to share six more...

     5. I was born in England and moved to American when I was eight.

     6. I wear my heart on my sleeve.  

     7.  Boston Bibb lettuce is my favorite type of lettuce.  I adore the texture of the leaves.

     8. Basil is my favorite herb.  I think everything tastes better with basil on it.  (Well, not cake.)

     9. My Grandad reads my blog.  I have to tell you, when he told me I burst out in tears.  He and my

         Nanny are so special to me.

   10. I'm going to see Nanny and Grandad this fall and I'm super excited.  I didn't get to go see them in

         2010. 

I'd like to pass this award along to a few bloggers that have been around for a while and have made a lasting impression on me.

~Shannon O'Donnell who has a way of making me feel special as I'm sure she does to so many others.

~Jackee and I met through my long time friend Susan Fields and last summer Jackee and I teamed up to do a months worth or random questions and prizes.  It was a blast! 

~Kelly Polark is a rock and roll princess at heart.  We met last spring through Mark McVeigh, she's one talented writer.

I was presented with this award by Lindsey  and Reenie.  They are two of my new bloggy friends.  I thought I would present it to some of my new bloggy friends.  :)

I'd like to pass this award along to Claudia Del Balso, who shares a wealth of knowledge on her blog;  Brenda Drake who has some wicked cool critique contests on her blog; Angela Felsted who has a beautiful poetry blog and to Judith Engracia who just started blogging again...you might remember her from last fall when she was around the blogging community...Hopefully you'll welcome her back.  :)

I hope that you'll hop over and meet some of my old friends and some of my new friends...and perhaps even join me in the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

HAVE YOU VOTED? TUESDAY IS THE DEADLINE!!!

One of our bloggy friend's names showed up on the list of nominees for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award!  If you are a SCBWI member please log in and check who is up for the award in your region.  You never know when one of your bloggy friends might show up on the list.  I was so excited when I saw our buddy Hilary Wagner was on the list!

So here's the scoop...
Tuesday, March 15th is the final day to cast your vote in Round 1 of the 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards! Round 2 voting starts on Thursday, March 17th.


How to vote!
1. Log in at SCBWI.org.
2. Click on the "See what's going on in your region!" link on your Member Home Page.
3. Click on the tab that says "Crystal Kite."
4. Browse through the nominated books and authors from your Regional Division and vote for the book of your choice.

If you haven't voted and you are a SCBWI member, please hop over and vote!

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Did you meet your goals for this week?  I didn't, I got a bit distracted by Katherine's birthday.  Then my car got sick...very sick...it went into limp mode.  Thankfully it was easily quickly fixed.
What are your goals for next week? Next week is a new week and I have new goals, plus my revision goals from last week.




Have a safe and happy weekend and don't forget to vote!

Sharing Goals For This Week

Last week I submitted two pieces...one to Highlights and one to Children's Writer's Kindergarten Story Contest.  I haven't submitted anything for a while.  I loved both pieces and am feeling pretty good about them.  (Cross your fingers and toes for me, please.)

My goals for this week are to do revisions on a beginning chapter book called BEG, BORROW, AND EARN. 

What did you do last week? 

What are your goals for next week?

Have a wonderful week! (Happy writing, reading, walking, singing, purring, taking photographs, dancing, going to work, mothering, fathering, running, talking, playing, blogging or shopping.)

A Cultural Experience in The Dominican Republic...Part 4 of 4

 This will be my last post on the Dominican Republic (unless I think of something else to share).  We saw a couple interesting forms of transportation there.  Notice the taxi in the picture above...with three people on it!  I also saw a man riding a horse down the street with three big bags of what appeared to be coconuts in them.  It was a beautiful sight, like something out of the movies.  Sadly, I was on the wrong side of the bus and couldn't get a picture. 

 Isn't this a cool fence? 

 I loved how festive all the buildings were.

 There were loads of "taxis" everywhere.  I was shocked by the number of motorcycles on the roads and virtually no one wore helmets.

 Another thing I found interesting was that you would see big open spaces like this and then you would see someone walking across the middle of it talking on their cell phone.

 I went on a shopping excursion with a group of people who went on the trip with us.  We had three different shopping experiences.  The first stop was kind of like a strip mall, but the owners sat outside their shops and asked you to come in and you had to negotiate the prices.  The above photo was our second stop and my favorite.  It was on the beach.  Almost all of these shops were run by handsome young men.  They were more like stalls than shops and everything was negotiable....very negotiable.  The third shopping experience was a lot like a mall here, without the food court.  It was fun experience!

 Faceless pottery dolls are made in the Dominican there were all kinds of them.  I bought this one because I liked the red hair and that you could tell it was handmade.

 This is probably my favorite purchase.  I was told by one of those handsome young men in the beach shopping market that when you have a baby in the Dominican you hang a painting with these symbols over its bed to bring it good luck throughout its life.  A cool thing about the painting is if you look at the back, the artist used reclaimed wood to make the frame and used regular cotton as the canvas.  I absolutely love this and every submission I make from now on will be rubbed on my good luck painting!

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 Then we tried something new.  We went on a snorkeling cruise. And OMGoodness it was fun fun fun!

 Then we swam to this penned in area and swam with nurse sharks and sting rays!  They were too quick for pictures though.  My hubby even dove down to the bottom to photograph a shark, but when I developed it, he had taken a photo of the sea floor and no shark.

Then we were allowed to hold a sting ray if we wanted to...Guess who's hand went up?  His face was lovely and he felt soft like thick wet craft foam.  This experience was way out of my comfort zone, but I was so excited by the snorkeling that I felt like I could do anything...The lesson here is once you try something new and exciting it leads to you wanting to do more new and exciting things.

I hope you have enjoyed my posts about our trip to The Dominican Republic.  It was an amazing experience! 

When have you pushed your limits and done something that made all the cells in your body come to life?

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful weekend...