Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Chapter One Submissions: December

 
***THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO SUBMITTED THEIR FIRST CHAPTER IN DECEMBER. SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED, BUT CHECK BACK IN JANUARY FOR THE NEXT CONTEST***
 
 


What is it?


A contest for authors.


Each month I will be looking for the BEST first chapter of a novel.
The winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card AND will be interviewed on both my reader and writer blogs which have had over 35,000 page views in the past year.
In addition, I will tweet about your book to my 25,000 followers and do a write up about why I chose your novel as my "chapter one" pick of the month.
Read about the Chapter One winner for November HERE.


For this month, I will be accepting 50 entries.
Once I receive 50, I will announce at the top of this post that submissions are closed for the month, so if you don't see that above, there's still an opening. 


TO ENTER...


Comment on this blog post below. If you are one of the first fifty to comment, send the first chapter of your novel to my EMAIL ADDRESS.


In the subject line of your email put: CHAPTER ONE
And then please paste your chapter in the body of the email, and NOT as an attachment.


The winner will be emailed by the last week of the month, and look for their interview (and hopefully YOUR interview) the first week of the following month. If you were not chosen, you may submit the first chapter of a different novel the next month. Short stories are also eligible. BUT! Your book must be published to qualify.


Why am I doing this? Because once upon a time someone held my hand and showed me the way, and now I want to pay it forward. One of my favorite things to do is promote up-and-coming authors.


Best of luck to everyone!
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41 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 5, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    Greetings! This blog is quite exciting. I especially like the author interview. When I read this first chapter I thought, wow, my husband never walks through the door and does that! Nice little twist at the end. I love when stories do that. Not tricks in the writing, but real revelations that I didn't expect. I was immediately intrigued and not just by the story but the writing was so clear and really drew me in. I felt like I knew this character in some way and for the writer to establish that at a first chapter is quite a skill. Most first chapters often feel strange and take time to get into it.

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  2. Laurie BorisDecember 5, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    Thank you, Cheryl! This is very exciting. And lovely blog design, as well.

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  3. Chicki BrownDecember 5, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    I love this contest idea! So glad I found your blog today.

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  4. D.E. HancoxDecember 5, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Awesome. This is such a cool thing to for writers working to make a name and find recognition.

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  5. r.brosDecember 5, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    I hope that I am one of the first fifty, because this is a wonderful idea.

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  6. Gloria Jean GawronDecember 5, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    damn my books not published or finished I've been having doubts with it and had hoped someone not family would tell me what they think of it

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  7. AnonymousDecember 5, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    This is a wonderful contest you're holding!

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  8. UnknownDecember 5, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Thank you, Cheryl! What an awesome idea!

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  9. MoniquaDecember 5, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Thanks for this, I'll be sending it soon.

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  10. The CaptainDecember 5, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    What a great idea! Thank you, Cheryl, for putting this together. I love it when writers help other writers.
    Cheers,
    Kris Becker
    www.krisbecker.net

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  11. Glenda ReynoldsDecember 5, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    I'm not a seasoned writer, but what the heck :) I would've liked to send my first chapter of my second book that I'm working on since I think it will be better than the first. Thanks for the opportunity.
    ~ Glenda Reynolds
    http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527829.Glenda_Reynolds

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  12. marilyn jenkinsDecember 6, 2012 at 3:17 AM

    Hi Cheryl - glad to contribute

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  13. Jessica McHughDecember 6, 2012 at 5:55 AM

    I'd love to enter the contest again! I will send my chapter forthwith!

    Thanks for hosting this awesome contest, Cheryl!

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  14. LisaDecember 6, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Wow, thanks for "giving back" or "paying it forward", whichever. I'm a member of Florida Writer's Association and their motto is "Writers Helping Writers." You would fit right in! I'm now following you on Twitter and I retweeted this post. Thanks again for all you are doing.

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  15. Lauren GilleyDecember 6, 2012 at 8:07 AM

    Wow! This is a really cool - and generous - idea! I'm very glad I found you on Twitter.

    I'll be sending the first chapter of my romantic thriller.

    http://hoofprintpress.blogspot.com/

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  16. AnonymousDecember 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Hello,

    Glad I stumbled across you on twitter! I'll send my first chapter right away!

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  17. S.K. RenaitDecember 6, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Neat idea and clever. Congratulations on your ingenuity. Think I will follow - in admiration.

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  18. Delaney BerggrenDecember 6, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    What a great idea! I found you on twitter and look forward to sharing my first chapter with you.

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  19. Bianca SloaneDecember 6, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Just published this week! This is a great idea, Cheryl. Thanks for paying it forward!

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  20. AnonymousDecember 6, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    I'm interested in this contest, but have a question: does the chapter have to be from a completed novel? You can email me at larrywtimm@hotmail.com to answer if you wish. Thanks.

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  21. AnonymousDecember 6, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Hi Cheryl, I would love to take part in the contest, it sounds like a brilliant idea and I really hope you enjoy my first chapter! My book is called CORRUPTED, and I am self-publishing it in early January. Will be sending it to you soon, Many Thanks, Emmy

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  22. UnknownDecember 6, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Hey Cheryl!
    Thanks for the follow on Twitter tonight! Now I am repaying the compliment.
    I love your 1st chapter competition idea and the sentiment behind it.
    If I am one of the lucky 50 then I'll send you the opening chapter of my thriller He Who Pays The Piper which came out on Kindle over the summer.
    Cheers
    Alex Breck

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  23. AnonymousDecember 6, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Is this open to novels in progress? I'm heading back to an abandoned novel, re-read the first chapter and thought "Wow, why did I ditch this project?" So, if it's open to in-progress novels, I'd love to enter.
    Thanks
    Tammie Painter

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  24. JeromeDecember 6, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    Hi Cheryl,
    My wife told me about this, so I will give it a try.
    Thanks

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  25. Kathy SloanDecember 7, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    Hi! this sounds like fun! I would love to send you my first chapter!

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  26. Jessica McCannDecember 7, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    What a fun idea and a great way to support fellow authors. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  27. JessDecember 7, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    What a great idea! I'd love to send you my first chapter. :)

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  28. DAJBDecember 7, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Hi Cheryl,

    So refreshing to see someone trying to help all the up-and-comers out here in WebLand!

    First chapter of my opus is winging its way to you now!

    David.

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  29. Gina RossiDecember 7, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Thank you, Cheryl. This is such a great opportunity for writers, and much appreciated.
    My entry is on its way!
    Gina

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  30. UnknownDecember 7, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Hello. I am a new author and I'm new to this sort of things.
    May the best author win.

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  31. Ylette PearsonDecember 7, 2012 at 11:04 AM

    Thank you for the opportunity you offer to new writers. My entry is on its way.

    Ylette

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  32. UnknownDecember 7, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    Hi Cheryl,

    I think this is very clever. Thank you for this chance.

    Lori

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  33. UnknownDecember 7, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    I'm already a huge fan of your work and very thankful for an opportunity to share my work. Even if I'm not selected this time around, just the idea of having this contest is a blessing for newbies like myself. Be blessed and may your pen always be full of stories.

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  34. www.johnnardizzi.comDecember 7, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    hi Cheryl,
    Excellent idea, chapter 1 of crime novel Telegraph Hill is on its way.

    It is published here Telegraph Hill

    J Nardizzi

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  35. UnknownDecember 7, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    Even if I'm not selected, I think this is a wonderful way to pay it forward. There may only be one author's name on a book but it takes a whole page of people to make it happen. Thanks.

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  36. AnonymousDecember 8, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    What an amazing idea, Cheryl. Thanks so much for running this contest. I'll be sending you the opening chapter of my historical novella.

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  37. UnknownDecember 8, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Delighted to participate. Please review Chapter One of Sonoma Knight. Thabks for your kindness and insights. Your attitude of wanting to pay t forward is beyond noble, Huzzah! and Happy Holidays to you. - Peter Prasad

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  38. AnonymousDecember 8, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Thank you for the opportunity Cheryl. Your idea of helping others is refreshing. Continued success and also look forward to reading your work.

    Lewis Kelley

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  39. FINIAN BLACKDecember 10, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    Hi Cheryl, a fantastic idea.
    First chapter of ANGELS OF WAR will be coming your way.
    Finian

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  40. Jennifer WalshDecember 10, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Cheryl, I don't see "closed" at the top, so I hope it's still safe to enter. I'll be sending over my first chapter shortly :)

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  41. AnonymousDecember 11, 2012 at 11:46 PM

    Hi Cheryl ! you are my absolute guru, teach me everything you knoww. Im pretty excited because ive been shortlisted in 'the novelist' competition and the race is still on for pole position, ive been following your blog religiously since forever and thank you for being out there :)
    Can i send you my 1st chapter ever though its going strong in the competition? i think i will :)

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