To Compete or Not to Compete by Erna Mueller
Winning writing contests can be very
advantageous to writers. It’s a great way to get your novel and name in print
and out there for potential readers. It can definitely add to your writing
portfolio as a professional credit and the prize money is icing on the cake.
Entering a writing contest will also
give you an objective perspective of your book. Is it good enough to compete
with other books? If not, what is missing?
The odds of winning a writing contest is not very high so be realistic.
If you never win it doesn’t have to mean
your book isn’t up to par. There are a
lot of bestsellers out there that have never won a contest.
If you have never entered a contest
before, start with a small lesser known contest. Make sure it’s legit since
some contests are just scams to get your money. Check out these websites for
some good advice:
My book K-9 Cop was adapted from my screenplay “A New Leash on Life”;
it received many screenwriting awards for instance 1st place at the
Huston International Film Festival and the Hollywood Screen Writing Institute
among others. It was a great help in getting recognition and opening the doors
to many agents and production companies.
But as a first time writer it’s difficult to find a production company
that will back your screenplay. An agent suggested I adapt my screenplay into a
book to gain recognition. I am very happy I took the advice since I found the
novel writing process more enjoyable and rewarding.
After adapting my screenplay into a novel titled “K-9 Cop” it also won
1st place in The Good Read Competition at awomenswrite.com. I have experienced that winning or placing in
a contest is great marketing for your book. Not only is it posted on the
Contest’s website you can also post the win on your website, put it on your
dust cover, your retail outlet, even on your business cards. It lets your
public know your book competed against a number of books and stood out. That’s
great publicity.
About the Author
I was born in Austria and
my family immigrated to the U.S. I
loved living here as a child and considered the U.S. my
home. My family returned to Austria and
of course I had to
tag along. I missed the friendly faces and the cultivation
of the free spirit which America
symbolizes. In Austria I completed
my education but always wanted to return, so here I am.
I traveled the world and lived in many
exciting cities such as Paris, Munich and London. I
currently work as an accountant for a large pizza company in Seattle by
day and passionately pursue a career as a writer in my spare time.
My new book, "K-9 Cop", is
adapted from my multi-national award winning screenplay. The book has won
several awards including first place in the 2009 National Good Read Competition
sponsored by awomenswrite.com.
Please visit my web site at http://www.k9cop-woofwoof.com for more reviews and other info.
For More Information
About the Book
No
one thought as highly of Lieutenant
Spencer Watley as he did himself. This selfish cop met 14 year-old Justin
Andrews during an important stakeout. Determined to nab a group of cyber
killers, he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way, especially a smart
mouthed
teenager like Justin.
After
Spencer bids him good riddance, he is killed by the hackers and stands before
the gates of heaven. But - what’s this? After a life of putting dangerous
criminals behind bars, he’s locked out?
He
yells at the angel blocking his entrance, only to find out he needs to go
through the J.R.P. program before he can enter. That’s the Jerk Redemption
program, otherwise known as sensitivity training boot camp, which to his
horror consists of non-stop Oprah and Dr. Phil reruns. Or he can go back to
earth and help Justin’s dysfunctional family. Spencer opts for the lesser of
two evils, to help Justin.
But the Angel pulls a fast one on Spencer.
He can only go back to earth in the body of his K9-Partner. Spencer refuses,
but like it or not, Spencer becomes a dog.
He falls back to earth and is slowly morphed into a dog that closely resembles
a mop.
And if being a dog wasn’t bad enough,
Spencer also swallowed an important microchip his killers need to hack into
PC’s and steal millions. Now the criminals are hot on his trail for the only
existing microchip that’s logged in his belly.
Justin and Spencer butt heads constantly;
both are stubborn and willful, neither one wanting to give an inch. Spencer
needs to find out what the killers are up to, so he swallows his pride and
forms a bond with the boy. Spencer relays to Justin his past and together with
the help of Justin’s girlfriend, Shahla; they discover the hacker’s plans.
Spencer has broken down Justin’s reserve and he finally learns the meaning of
unselfish love.
But it’s too late, the hackers have captured
them.
Can Spencer maul the shins (and other choice
areas) of his kidnappers and stop them from their evil plan?
Can a selfish man find a heart?
You bet.
He just has to become a dog first.
For More Information
- K-9 Cop is available at Amazon.
- Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
- Watch the book trailer at Youtube!
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
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