Archive for the ‘Contests & Giveaways’ Category

Win Aussie Awesomeness from With Extra Pulp!

Monday, March 8th, 2010

One of my most recent bloggy discoveries – With Extra Pulp – is celebrating her one year blogversary!

Unlike boring real life birthday parties, blogversary parties are awesome because you can get some presents. And, awesome of awesomeness, this is an international contest. (Woot! You don’t find people *cough*likeme*cough* very often who hold international contests.)

The good stuff (what can you win):

Awesomundo Prize Pack No. 1: Superheroes and Their Tight Tight Pants.

1 x Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

1 x Deadpool comic

1 x First Issue of Kill Your Darlings

As you all know, superheroes and supervillains are so cool it’s hard to find the words to describe just how cool. Soon I will be invincible looks like it was meant to be a comic book, but it’s not. It’s an entertaining novel. About superheroes. Me likey.

Deadpool goes in here because, um, I heart Deadpool. He’s such a smartarse. And compares himself to Ryan Reynolds (which is hilarious, if anyone saw a little movie called Wolverine: X-Men Origins). And then later, he teams up with Cable and they get some great banter going. So yep, you get a copy of an issue of Deadpool. Which one? You’ll have to wait and see.

Awesomundo Prize Pack No. 2: Dirty Stinkin’ Beats

1 x Howl by Allen Ginsberg

a few x Zines from Sticky

1 x Kill Your Darlings

I get made fun of for my *cough*small*cough* obsession with the Beat Generation. You can all shut your faces now, because I’m giving away a free copy of Ginsberg’s Howl and other poems. Put it on your bookshelf or next to your bed. It should impress potential lovers and friends (well, potential lovers and friends with street cred). Or you could, I dunno, read it.

This prize also includes a selection of zines from the Sticky Institute Zine Fair. Don’t think of it as second-hand. Think of it as “personally handpicked for this special prize by the ever so tasteful Elena”. Now, doesn’t that sound much better?

Awesomundo Prize Pack No. 3: Aussie. Sort of.

1 x Romeo of the Underworld by Veny Armanno

1 x handmade zine

1 x Kill Your Darlings

This one’s a little different from the others. I’ve picked one of my favourite reads of 2009, by one of my absolute favourite writers, who happens to be Sicilian-Australian. Romeo of the Underworld by Venero Armanno. This book holds fond memories for me. I bought it on a family trip to Maleny last year from a gorgeous bookshop that could’ve been straight out of a European film, with its wooden floorboards, and its lingering smell of toast. Except it was in Queensland wine country. So it is second hand, but in excellent condition (no doggy ears or post-it rips. Yippee).

How to Win

Well, you can find that out by reading her post about it!

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The Australian Horror Writers Association: The Paul Haines Challenge

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Original post here.

‘The Nameless’ challenge is OPEN to submissions!

The AHWA and ‘Nameless’ competition director Stephen Studach are thrilled to announce that the ‘Nameless’ competition will be judged by multi-award winning master of dark fiction Ramsey Campbell.

In honour of Mr. Campbell’s involvement, the competition’s deadline has been extended to the 13th of March, 2010.

* Read the story (Part I here; Part II here), get to know the story elements, the characters, their journey and their motivations. Then, write a fitting ending for ‘The Nameless‘ and give the tale a title while you’re at it.

* Make your donation of AU$10 (ten dollars) through PayPal using our official PayPal ID: ahwa@australianhorror.com

* Send your conclusion, with title, to ahwa@australianhorror.com

* Your title and ending will then be sent to one of our Judges. If your piece makes it into the finals corral you will be notified.

* Those writers and organisers who have already participated in the assembling of ‘The Nameless’ as well as the judges in said comp, are barred from taking part in the competition itself. Outside of that specification anyone from anywhere can compete as many times as they like.

* Once submissions have closed, the six best endings will be featured on the HorrorScope site, when Ramsey Campbell will decide the winner.

And the winner will receive cold hard cash to the sum of $500! As well as the following:

  • The honour of giving the story a title.
  • A copy of The Last Days of Kali Yuga, the second collection of Paul Haines’ stories. This one is from Brimstone Pressand due to be released in December of this year. Kindly donated by Angela Challis.
  • A manuscript version of the story signed by all of the writers involved.
  • A copy of The Australian Writer’s Marketplace 2009/2010.
  • A copy of ‘The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror’ 19th annual collection (edited by Datlow, Link & Grant.)
  • Free 1-year membership, or 12-month renewal, to the Australian Horror Writers Association.
  • Books: Signed limited editions of – Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge. Wild Things by Douglas Clegg. Prodigal Blues by Gary A. Braunbeck.

As well as – Development Hell by Mick Garris. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Infected by Scott Sigler. The Nature of Balance by Tim Lebbon. The Dark Descent edited by David G. Hartwell. A used copy of The Books of Blood (vols 1-3).

All proceeds from this competition will go to Paul Haines to use in whatever manner that he and his family see fit.

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A Writer Goes on a Journey Short Story Competition!

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

On a Journey Banner

Three years on, countless battles, this Empire has seen more than it’s share of refugees searching valiantly for a website to call home…

Celebrating both our three year anniversary and new look site, we’re having a competition! Two books for two competitions both running for three whole months!

New! Additional prizes for those who blog about the competition! See details here (must have Australian address, prizes only valid for one blog post per person)

Submission dates 22nd September – 22nd October

Review Prize Pack:

Astropolis by Sean Williams
The Workers Paradise, edited by Russell B Farr and Nick Evans

Flash Prize Pack:

Dreaming Again Anthology, edited by Jack Dann
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

***

Reviews:

* You can review any speculative fiction (YA or adult) novel/novella, anthology, movie, TV series or a non-fiction book (could be something related to writing or history that could inspire writers)
* Reviews of books or movies must be between 300-500 words, in plain form (no headings or questions and answers). TV series reviews can be longer if necessary.
* For fiction: characterisation, plot, description, comparison to other’s in the genre, who would it appeal to?
* For non-fiction: is it easy for the layperson to understand or do you need some basic understanding of something? What is it about? Would it be useful to writers or is it just interesting?
* Each accepted submission will go in the draw to win that specific book pack for the week

How to enter: Can be member of the site or guest. Go to this page to submit.

***

Flash Fiction/News Flash:

* Theme: 500 words or less written in the style of a newspaper article complete with headline. Story must be Australian oriented with a speculative fiction element. Stories should intrigue more than illuminate.
* Stories will be posted online for the entire competition (and longer if you give us the rights)
* Stories will be peer-judged by a 5 star rating on top of each submission. Any member or guest can rate. The winner will be decided by the highest number based on (number of votes) x (average rating).
* Our resident editor, Phillip Berrie has written an example news flash that fits the brief.

How to enter: Must be member of the site. Go to this page and under Section, select Competition, under Category, select Flash Fiction.

Rules:

* Must be Australian postal address
* Must use a valid email address (or we won’t be able to contact you to tell you that you’ve won!)
* Must be original work (if review, must not be posted anywhere else)
* Staff not eligible
* Prizes will be announced one week *before* submission starts for the next section, and writers/reviewers will have one month to submit their finished piece before the next prize section starts and any submissions then will be for the new prize.
* If you win a prize, you will not be eligible for any more prizes.
* Multiple entries during one prize period will be counted as one entry only, however if you did not win you can enter in another prize period if you submit another piece.

Total Prizes:

(There will be a chance to win each of these for both a review and a flash fiction prize. You just need to keep up to date with which prizes are picked for each month!)

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Workers Paradise edited by Russell B Farr

Dreaming Again edited by Jack Dann

The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay

Astropolis by Sean Williams

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Posted in Contests & Giveaways |

A Writer Goes on a Journey Short Story Competition!

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

On a Journey Banner

Three years on, countless battles, this Empire has seen more than it’s share of refugees searching valiantly for a website to call home…

Celebrating both our three year anniversary and new look site, we’re having a competition! Two books for two competitions both running for three whole months!

New! Additional prizes for those who blog about the competition! See details here (must have Australian address, prizes only valid for one blog post per person)

Submission dates 22nd September – 22nd October

Review Prize Pack:

Astropolis by Sean Williams
The Workers Paradise, edited by Russell B Farr and Nick Evans

Flash Prize Pack:

Dreaming Again Anthology, edited by Jack Dann
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

***

Reviews:

* You can review any speculative fiction (YA or adult) novel/novella, anthology, movie, TV series or a non-fiction book (could be something related to writing or history that could inspire writers)
* Reviews of books or movies must be between 300-500 words, in plain form (no headings or questions and answers). TV series reviews can be longer if necessary.
* For fiction: characterisation, plot, description, comparison to other’s in the genre, who would it appeal to?
* For non-fiction: is it easy for the layperson to understand or do you need some basic understanding of something? What is it about? Would it be useful to writers or is it just interesting?
* Each accepted submission will go in the draw to win that specific book pack for the week

How to enter: Can be member of the site or guest. Go to this page to submit.

***

Flash Fiction/News Flash:

* Theme: 500 words or less written in the style of a newspaper article complete with headline. Story must be Australian oriented with a speculative fiction element. Stories should intrigue more than illuminate.
* Stories will be posted online for the entire competition (and longer if you give us the rights)
* Stories will be peer-judged by a 5 star rating on top of each submission. Any member or guest can rate. The winner will be decided by the highest number based on (number of votes) x (average rating).
* Our resident editor, Phillip Berrie has written an example news flash that fits the brief.

How to enter: Must be member of the site. Go to this page and under Section, select Competition, under Category, select Flash Fiction.

Rules:

* Must be Australian postal address
* Must use a valid email address (or we won’t be able to contact you to tell you that you’ve won!)
* Must be original work (if review, must not be posted anywhere else)
* Staff not eligible
* Prizes will be announced one week *before* submission starts for the next section, and writers/reviewers will have one month to submit their finished piece before the next prize section starts and any submissions then will be for the new prize.
* If you win a prize, you will not be eligible for any more prizes.
* Multiple entries during one prize period will be counted as one entry only, however if you did not win you can enter in another prize period if you submit another piece.

Total Prizes:

(There will be a chance to win each of these for both a review and a flash fiction prize. You just need to keep up to date with which prizes are picked for each month!)

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Workers Paradise edited by Russell B Farr

Dreaming Again edited by Jack Dann

The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay

Astropolis by Sean Williams

0
Posted in Contests & Giveaways |

A Writer Goes on a Journey Short Story Competition!

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

On a Journey Banner

Three years on, countless battles, this Empire has seen more than it’s share of refugees searching valiantly for a website to call home…

Celebrating both our three year anniversary and new look site, we’re having a competition! Two books for two competitions both running for three whole months!

New! Additional prizes for those who blog about the competition! See details here (must have Australian address, prizes only valid for one blog post per person)

Submission dates 22nd September – 22nd October

Review Prize Pack:

Astropolis by Sean Williams
The Workers Paradise, edited by Russell B Farr and Nick Evans

Flash Prize Pack:

Dreaming Again Anthology, edited by Jack Dann
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

***

Reviews:

* You can review any speculative fiction (YA or adult) novel/novella, anthology, movie, TV series or a non-fiction book (could be something related to writing or history that could inspire writers)
* Reviews of books or movies must be between 300-500 words, in plain form (no headings or questions and answers). TV series reviews can be longer if necessary.
* For fiction: characterisation, plot, description, comparison to other’s in the genre, who would it appeal to?
* For non-fiction: is it easy for the layperson to understand or do you need some basic understanding of something? What is it about? Would it be useful to writers or is it just interesting?
* Each accepted submission will go in the draw to win that specific book pack for the week

How to enter: Can be member of the site or guest. Go to this page to submit.

***

Flash Fiction/News Flash:

* Theme: 500 words or less written in the style of a newspaper article complete with headline. Story must be Australian oriented with a speculative fiction element. Stories should intrigue more than illuminate.
* Stories will be posted online for the entire competition (and longer if you give us the rights)
* Stories will be peer-judged by a 5 star rating on top of each submission. Any member or guest can rate. The winner will be decided by the highest number based on (number of votes) x (average rating).
* Our resident editor, Phillip Berrie has written an example news flash that fits the brief.

How to enter: Must be member of the site. Go to this page and under Section, select Competition, under Category, select Flash Fiction.

Rules:

* Must be Australian postal address
* Must use a valid email address (or we won’t be able to contact you to tell you that you’ve won!)
* Must be original work (if review, must not be posted anywhere else)
* Staff not eligible
* Prizes will be announced one week *before* submission starts for the next section, and writers/reviewers will have one month to submit their finished piece before the next prize section starts and any submissions then will be for the new prize.
* If you win a prize, you will not be eligible for any more prizes.
* Multiple entries during one prize period will be counted as one entry only, however if you did not win you can enter in another prize period if you submit another piece.

Total Prizes:

(There will be a chance to win each of these for both a review and a flash fiction prize. You just need to keep up to date with which prizes are picked for each month!)

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Workers Paradise edited by Russell B Farr

Dreaming Again edited by Jack Dann

The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay

Astropolis by Sean Williams

0
Posted in Contests & Giveaways |

A Writer Goes on a Journey Short Story Competition!

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

On a Journey Banner

Three years on, countless battles, this Empire has seen more than it’s share of refugees searching valiantly for a website to call home…

Celebrating both our three year anniversary and new look site, we’re having a competition! Two books for two competitions both running for three whole months!

New! Additional prizes for those who blog about the competition! See details here (must have Australian address, prizes only valid for one blog post per person)

Submission dates 22nd September – 22nd October

Review Prize Pack:

Astropolis by Sean Williams
The Workers Paradise, edited by Russell B Farr and Nick Evans

Flash Prize Pack:

Dreaming Again Anthology, edited by Jack Dann
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

***

Reviews:

* You can review any speculative fiction (YA or adult) novel/novella, anthology, movie, TV series or a non-fiction book (could be something related to writing or history that could inspire writers)
* Reviews of books or movies must be between 300-500 words, in plain form (no headings or questions and answers). TV series reviews can be longer if necessary.
* For fiction: characterisation, plot, description, comparison to other’s in the genre, who would it appeal to?
* For non-fiction: is it easy for the layperson to understand or do you need some basic understanding of something? What is it about? Would it be useful to writers or is it just interesting?
* Each accepted submission will go in the draw to win that specific book pack for the week

How to enter: Can be member of the site or guest. Go to this page to submit.

***

Flash Fiction/News Flash:

* Theme: 500 words or less written in the style of a newspaper article complete with headline. Story must be Australian oriented with a speculative fiction element. Stories should intrigue more than illuminate.
* Stories will be posted online for the entire competition (and longer if you give us the rights)
* Stories will be peer-judged by a 5 star rating on top of each submission. Any member or guest can rate. The winner will be decided by the highest number based on (number of votes) x (average rating).
* Our resident editor, Phillip Berrie has written an example news flash that fits the brief.

How to enter: Must be member of the site. Go to this page and under Section, select Competition, under Category, select Flash Fiction.

Rules:

* Must be Australian postal address
* Must use a valid email address (or we won’t be able to contact you to tell you that you’ve won!)
* Must be original work (if review, must not be posted anywhere else)
* Staff not eligible
* Prizes will be announced one week *before* submission starts for the next section, and writers/reviewers will have one month to submit their finished piece before the next prize section starts and any submissions then will be for the new prize.
* If you win a prize, you will not be eligible for any more prizes.
* Multiple entries during one prize period will be counted as one entry only, however if you did not win you can enter in another prize period if you submit another piece.

Total Prizes:

(There will be a chance to win each of these for both a review and a flash fiction prize. You just need to keep up to date with which prizes are picked for each month!)

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Workers Paradise edited by Russell B Farr

Dreaming Again edited by Jack Dann

The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay

Astropolis by Sean Williams

0
Posted in Contests & Giveaways |

Your Worst First Lines Contest

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Redlines and Deadlines Worst First Lines Contest

In an attempt to ward off the end-of-summer blahs, we here at Redlines and Deadlines are hosting our first-ever worst first line contest!

We’ve had a best and worst last line contest, and we’ve had a best first line contest, but we figured that sometimes coming up with horrible lines is more entertaining than coming up with great ones.

There are three categories: Mystery, Romance, and SciFi/Fantasy.

To participate, leave a comment with the absolute worst first line that you can create. Be sure to indicate which category. Original sentences only, please, nothing from someone’s published book.

Contest will close on September 11. The winner in each category will receive a free Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press e-book of their choice.

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Posted in Contests & Giveaways |

InkyBlots First Official Interview Winner!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

confettiThe time has come, and I am so happy to announce the winner of the First Official Interview Contest.

The winner was chosen at random by me making a list of all the entries, numbering them and then having my husband pick a number.

Congratulations to…

ShootingStarMag!

ShootingStarMag has a choice of either a $25 Amazon egift certificate or a free virtual book tour coordinated by yours truly.

Thank you to everyone who participated on this contest as well as my contest on Down Under Views. I cannot think of a better way to start a new site. Please come back often, as I will have more interesting things to come…

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Win a Free Virtual Book Tour From Pump Up Your Book Promotion and InkyBlots!

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

InkyBlots Grand Opening Contest!

To celebrate the grand opening of this site I am offering you the chance to win a free virtual book tour! (If you don’t have a book, a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate is up for grabs.)

Official Bits

1. The contest starts… now. It goes until 11.59pm on August 31st. US time, not Australian, so don’t worry about converting the times.

2. You can get a total of three entries into the contest. You must complete the first step or the other entries are null.

3. This contest is open internationally, whether you go for the tour or the gift certificate, because I like doing things international style.

How to Win

1. Leave a comment on my interview with Dorothy, owner/creator of Pump Up. This is the step you must do to get other entries into the contest. Comments here don’t count (but feel free to say hello!).

Other entries? Why, yes…

2. Post about this contest on your blog. Easy stuff. Just make sure to leave a link in with your comment so I know who to give points to.

3. Twitter about this contest and RT@JMScribe. You do not have to follow me on Twitter. Just make sure to have my name in there so I have proof. Also make sure to let me know what your Twitter name is so I can give points to the right people.

As always, if you don’t use a valid email address, there’s not much I can do…

Best of luck to everyone and thank you for participating in my first ever contest!

***
Be sure to head over to Down Under Views to see what you can win for the grand opening there!