Daphne, Calling Published and Unpublished Authors

Ramona here, and I had planned to devote my blog space this month to House of Secrets, my April release. Instead, I’d like to invite people to enter the Daphne. It’s open to published and unpublished authors. This is the last weekend for entries (the contest closes 3/15 at midnight), and I have a slightly personal reason for asking.

In one of my “Why can’t I say no?” moments, I volunteered to be the judging coordinator for the unpublished inspirational and historical categories. Right now, entries for the inspirational category is about 10 percent of the mainstream, which is great for anyone entering this category.

So please thinking about entering, whether you’re published or unpublished.

And if you’d like to judge, please contact me privately at ramonarichards@aol.com. I’m gathering names and will be in touch soon with details.

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~~ Permission to forward gratefully requested and appreciated ~~

Ting, ting, ting….. Pardon my interruption and the urgency of this spoon tapping against my glass. But it's come to my attention that a very important deadline is approaching and, sorry, it's not your tax return. No. This is more important. The 2011 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence closes for entries on March 15, 2011. Do you have any idea what that means?

If you don't enter by midnight, you'll miss the opportunity to add the Kiss of Death Chapter's Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense to your resume. What's more, the unpublished sub-genres are capped. What are you waiting for?

Published Authors, do you have a mystery or romantic suspense with a 2010 copyright? Are you ready to gain a larger readership and enjoy more recognition from your publisher and your peers? Check out www.rwamysterysuspense.org

Unpublished Authors, are you prepared to find out how your unpublished entry stacks up against the future bestsellers in the industry? If so, check out the editors and agents who stand ready to judge the final round and advance YOUR career.

Final Round Judges for 2011

CATEGORY (SERIES) ROMANTIC MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
Editor: Allison Lyons - Harlequin Intrigue
Agent: Jennifer Schober - Spencerhill Associates
HISTORICAL ROMANTIC MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
Editor: Tessa Woodward - Avon
Agent: Alexandra Machinist - Linda Chester
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANTIC MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
Editor: Karen Schurrer - Bethany House
Agent: Wendy Lawton - Books and Such
PARANORMAL (PTTF) ROMANTIC MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
Editor: Alicia Condon - Kensington
Agent: Christine Whitthohn - Bookcents
SINGLE TITLE ROMANTIC MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
Editor: Lauren Plude - Grand Central
Agent: Stephanie Kip Rostan - Levine Greenberg Associates
MAINSTREAM MYSTERY/SUSPENSE (Romance Optional)
Editor: Michelle Vega - Berkley
Agent: Janet Reid - Fine Print

Don't be left on the sidelines to wonder "What if?" Enter the Published or Unpublished Contest today. Then…you might want to think about those taxes…

To enter: www.rwamysterysuspense.org