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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: sights unseen on August 30, 2007, 02:14:07 PM
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The author Kelley Armstrong is recommending this contest to all writers. Thought I'd pass it along.
http://shomifiction.com/contests.html
Several writers on Kelley's site are going to participate.
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Looks interesting, and I might be able to get a novel out by then that fits, but:
A) All their clients are women. I wonder if being a guy would affect my chances, even if my protagonist is female.
B) This isn't a contest so much as an open submission, disguised as a contest, with a deadline. That's either good marketing, to get people riled up and working, or something to raise an eyebrow at. However, I like Kelly Armstrong. so her reference means something to me.
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That question about female authors was brought up at the site. A guy there wondered if he should use a female pen name instead of his own (can't spell psydeunim ::) ).
It was suggested by others on the forum to use a pen name or initals for first name. It seems those there think using a male name to write a female herione wouldn't sell. But that's just the opinion of a few people on the board.
What do others here think about it?
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OT, but by the way, Leigh Greenwood is a member of my local chapter of the RWA.
Just saying, craft is craft. ;)
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The books on there all have a bit of romance. That's something to keep in mind.
I'm often a little reluctant to read romance... but... those covers! Holy heck those covers look cool. I like anime, can you guess? :P
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"It seems those there think using a male name to write a female herione wouldn't sell."
Oh, now I have a challenge.
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Conversely, does anyone see an issue with using a female name to write a male protagonist?
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I don't, but it is the reason Pat Elrod used her initials when she started.
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Because the name Pat is so gender-specific?
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Well, she probably would have used Patricia. ;)
Don't know, really. It just came up in a panel.
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For anyone considering sending a manuscript to this, Kelley has suggested reading the three books currently out by this publisher. Since they are, to quote Kelley, "a form of category fiction" she urges writers to get a feel for how these books are written; i.e. if they follow a certain guidelines closely or if they lean towards romance or paranormal.
Just some fyi.
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If anyone cares :p I've decided to give this a try and see if my manuscript isn't crap after all.
Anyone else going to try the contest? You've got until April 30, 2008.
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Eh... I would like to submit a manuscript to something that it can potentially make it through a bit more than trying elsewhere, but I dunno how much romance the story I'm writing would have to contain since I'm try for a real human aspect to it which does contain a little romance (assuming I actually write that much if I can get past researching different things and doing outlines and such. Other than the 3 or so pages I have written so far).
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Right now I'm reading Driven, one of the books published by Shomi. It has some element of romance, but it's in the background so far. I haven't gotten to the others yet, but I think one of the requirements is romance.
Come to think of it, my bookmark says, Shomi the future of Romance. I think most category fiction, that I know of, is romance driven and the plot (murder, suspense, etc) is secondary.
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I think this review describes what the books are about. The italics are mine.
"“If Maverick’s fast-paced, genre-bounding novel is any indication, Dorchester’s new imprint, Shomi—which aims to hook a younger generation of readers—should catch an audience quickly. Maverick grabs readers from page one, throwing together romance, science fiction and cyberpunk. …It’s easy to get drawn into her world of twisting realities and shifting identities."
Alternate reality, a bit of sci-fi and cyberpunk. I can see it in the book Driven. No vampires or werewolves though. Futuristic stuff.
Now, if only I could write that kind of book.
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Another review that kinda describes these books:
http://redwyne.com/2007/08/29/review-driven-by-eve-kenin/
ok, done talking about it now. ::)
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Curses
I'm UK and this stuff never happens around where i live, now if only i could finish The Purge book 1 and have it done by December. And if my parents would be willing to pay for Overseas payment.
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PS: anyone notice that the book covers look like Manga covers? thats what i first thought when i clicked the link
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I noticed that, Stuart, and I think they look badass. :D
Wired's cover got me to glance at in the store before I even heard about this line, but the romantic leanings made me feel cautious.
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Well, I'm reading Driven and so far it's the two lead characters having thoughts about how hot his/her body is. ::) But I was flipping through the book and I did come across one mild sex scene. Well, mild for me. I think these books are geared towards young women. And any description about these books starts with the word romance.
So I think since the bookline is new, it's probably still trying to find it's place. I think the covers would appeal to guys, even though the books have female leads. I think it would be better if the bookline offered male leads as well.
And last night I got to thinking how Driven reads like a Louis L'mour western. Only set in the future. Instead of going on a cattle drive through barren, dangerous outland and outwitting rustlers, the characters are going on a 18-wheeler drive through barren, dangerous outland and outwitting rustlers.