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Lots of people have blogs these days. I have one called A NEWBIE'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING at http://jakonrath.blogspot.com. If you have a blog, use it to write a review of WHISKEY SOUR or BLOODY MARY, send me the link, and I'll send you a free signed copy of RUSTY NAIL. How easy is that? You can also write a review of RUSTY NAIL, and I'll send you a signed copy of something else. I'm easy that way. This contest ends July 4th, so hurry! Can you write a crime story in 500 words or less? If so, send it my way. The best story wins a cash prize of $100, plus their name as a character in my next book. They'll also win a signed copy of RUSTY NAIL ("Violent thrills peppered with hilarious one-liners!" - Publishers Weekly). Rules: Stories must be less than 500 words (not including title and author name) and involve a murder. It must be sent in the body of an email, with the header "500 Word Story Contest". One entry per person, the last day to submit is Oct 31, 2006, contest open to everyone except me, because that just wouldn't be very fair, would it? Get writing! This one is simple. In the acknowledgements of RUSTY NAIL I thank close to a hundred booksellers by name, because they each sold twenty or more copies of my books. If you sell twenty or more copies of my books, I'll happily thank you in the acknowledgements of DIRTY MARTINI, which is coming out June of 2007. Just send me an email and let me know how many you've sold. The bookseller who sells the most will have the villain in FUZZY NAVEL named after them. Several characters in my books, including Steve Jensen, Holly Frakes, James Munchel, and Steve Jurczyk, are named after booksellers, and I want you to be next. Thanks for all of your hard work and effort! I love you folks! Booksellers rule! I've had over a hundred entries so far, but I want more. Email me and let me know you want to enter my library contest. That's all you have to do. In November, I'll put all the names in a hat and will pick a
random library. This lucky library will win a free visit from me, where I'll
do a talk, give you lots of free books, and also give everyone who shows up to
see me a free book. If you want me to drop by and shower your library and your
patrons with gifts, visit
www.JAKonrath.com. 
Several times a year, I hold a short fiction writing contest. My very first contest ended on June 30, 2003. I received several dozen entries, all in the horror/mystery genre. Quite a few of them were very good. The first prize winner, for his story "Sleepless", is Derrick Rushlo of Meriden, CT. Great story, Derrick, and congratulations! Second place went to Sean Hicks of Westfield, IN, and third place went to Chris Lynch of Cardiff, United Kingdom. Contest #2 has ended! Second place went to Dan Rogers, and third went to Patrick Lambe. Thanks again, all who entered. Contest #3 has ended! There were SO MANY good stories for this contest (over 100 entries) that judging was very tough. Some notable stories that didn't make the final three (but landed in the top 20) included entries from Steve Glossin, Patricia Picciarelli, James O'Keefe, David Smith, Mark Broucek, Kathy Kulig, Cody Goodfellow, Joey LaBelle, Russ Morgan, Carolyn Johnson, Renee Holland Davidson, Laura Hartman, Wally Cwik, Brain D. Moore, Samuel E. Douglas, Rodney McWilliams, Clarence Oliver, Jeff Smallwood, Maryann Mercer, and Jennifer Yaros. If I didn't mention your name it doesn't mean your story was awful, it only means the competition was extremely tough. Over half the stories I received were of publishable quality, and many of the writers who submitted were better than I am! I encourage everyone who sent me a story to keep writing. Don't give up. Never say die. Over 500 people sent me stories. There were so many good entries it came down to me trying to choose apples over oranges. I wound up picking four winners rather than three as I did for previous contests. I can't stress how hard this was to judge. What made these four stand out above the others was their last lines. A lot of stories ended well, but these were the four best.
If you'd like to read the entries, click HERE to download a Word doc with all four winning entries. I'm not posting them on my website so they authors can sell first rights. I suggest trying Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, and The Strand. Thanks to all who entered---it has been quite an experience judging these contests. New contests coming in 2006. Keep an eye on JAKonrath.com for details.Have any writer friends? Tell Them About this Contest |
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