What people are saying . . .

"One of my favourite contests during my unpublished years was the Great Expectations (first in Mainstream with Romantic Elements, 2006; third in Short Contemporary, 2006). There was an extra personal touch and the coordinators were so helpful regarding my entry coming from overseas. Feedback was excellent and the range of final judges was fabulous. It’s still one I recommend to friends!"

Rachel Bailey

CLAIMING HIS BOUGHT BRIDE

Silhouette Desire, Jan 2010

THE BLACKMAILED BRIDE'S SECRET CHILD

Silhouette Desire, Feb 2010

~~~

Rachel Bailey is a lover of books, chocolate, dogs, and ice cream. Luckily, she has three dogs, an ice cream maker, a steady supply of chocolate, and bookshelves overflowing with books, so she's covered on all fronts.

Despite spending her life trying to scam more time to read, she's managed to graduate with degrees in psychology and social work, and now has her dream job - making up stories for a living.

Her books have hit the USA Today bestseller list, are published in over twenty-six countries and have been translated into sixteen languages.

She lives on a piece of paradise (ten acres of native trees on the side of a hill, within driving distance to the beach) on Australia's east coast with her own personal hero. She loves to sit with a dog or two, overlooking the trees and read books from her ever-growing to-be-read pile.

http://www.rachelbailey.com/

What people are saying . . .

"I don't know if you'll remember me, but I won 2nd Place in the Paranormal category of the Great Expectations contest in 2006 with a manuscript entitled DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY. I'm thrilled to report that I've since sold the manuscript to Avon Books (along with the sequel, WHERE THE GHOULS ARE)! Woohoo! Thanks so much."

 

Terri Garey

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY, Avon Books 2007

WHERE THE GHOULS ARE, Avon Books 2008

~~~

A Southern girl with an overactive imagination, Terri Garey writes award-winning and critically-acclaimed urban fantasy. Her novels have been described as "smoldering" by Publishers Weekly, and "sultry and upbeat" by Library Journal. Even though she's a big scaredy-cat who can't watch horror movies or visit haunted houses, she loves moonlit graveyards, moss-covered headstones and the idea that life goes on even after it's over. You can visit her on the web, friend her on Facebook and occasionally find her on Twitter. 

http://www.tgarey.com/

What people are saying . . .

"I needed some feedback on a new young adult novel I was writing. I decided to enter the North Texas RWA Great Expectations Contest. I was absolutely stunned when I won first place. Within three weeks of winning the contest I signed with my dream agent. She sold my novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, and a sequel within five days! The contest was so well run and they kept us very well informed throughout the entire process! I've also met new writing friends that I may never have found otherwise! Thanks, NTRWA!"

Stephanie Hale

REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, Berkley Jam 2007

TWISTED SISTERS, Berkley Jam 2008

SPRING BREAKUP, Berkley Jam 2009

THE ALPHA BET, Berkley Jam 2010

~ ~ ~

Stephanie Hale is the author of High School Hangover, Revenge of the Homecoming Queen, Twisted Sisters, Spring Breakup, and The Alpha Bet. When she isn't writing funny stories, she is usually daydreaming about where to go on her next vacation. You can find out more about here at www.stephaniehale.com, www.facebook.com/booksbystephaniehale, and www.twitter.com/stephaniemhale

What people are saying . . .

"Editor feedback is so hard to get and so very helpful when you can get it. The score sheet in The Great Expectations Contest (HEIRESS UNPLUGGED, Third, Single Title, 2006) gave me fantastic detailed editor feedback and helped me hone a book that was a totally new direction for me. I've since sold two different books to Silhouette Desire and it's hard to find a downside to selling, but I will miss being able to get unbiased feedback from contests!"

Jennifer Lewis

THE BOSS'S DEMAND, Silhouette Desire 2008

LEGACY OF PASSION, Silhouette Desire 2008

~ ~ ~

I’ve been making up stories since the day I was born. I always loved to draw as well as write and as a child I drew graphic novellas featuring penniless but plucky Cinderella heroines. My love of daydreaming earned me the nickname “Dozy Duck” in Kindergarten, and I still consider staring into space to be a constructive activity.

I've now published  more than twenty books, which have been translated into twenty-two languages. Since moving to South Florida, I have become addicted to kayaking and paddle boarding on the deliciously warm waters. The lush natural environment and its endless variety of flora and fauna provide the perfect backdrop for dreaming up stories of passion and romance.

http://www.jenlewis.com/

What people are saying . . .

"Great Expectations seems to run like a well-oiled machine (at least it seems that way from my end). Although I didn't final, I can't think of a contest in which I've received better feedback and suggestions (2006 entry). Most of them will help me to stretch and grow. Since judging is such a subjective thing, I think your judges are very professional in the way they present their comments. Thank you again. I hope you'll allow me to enter next year! I wish I lived a bit closer, I'd love to be part of your chapter!"

Tina Joyce

2009 GOLDEN HEART FINALIST

Tina Beckett published in 2012

Harlequin, Mills & Boon author and a three-time Golden Heart® finalist, Tina Beckett is the product of a Navy upbringing. Always on the move, her travels often took her outside of the United States, where English reading material was scarce. Her supply of books eventually ran out, and she started writing her own stories, fashioned after the romance novels she'd loved through the years. She finished that first book and moved on to the next. After the fourth manuscript, she realized there was no going back...she was officially a writer.

When not in the middle of her latest book, Tina enjoys crafting stained glass panels, riding horses and hiking with her family. Fluent in Portuguese, she divides her time between Brazil and the United States and loves to use exotic locales as the backdrop for many of her stories. You can learn more about Tina at her website: http://www.tinabeckett.com or find her hanging out on Facebook or twitter.

What people are saying . . .

"As an unpublished writer (strike one) with a Western historical to sell (strike two), I've had a very hard time getting agents to request more of my work. When I saw that the Great Expectations final judge was one of my target editors, I took matters into my own hands. I ended up with first place, and a request for a full manuscript."

Pamela Hathaway

DESPERATE MEASURES, 

1st Place Historical Category 2006