I kissed her on Tuesday, and she giggled.I kissed her on Wednesday, and she giggled.
Thursday I vowed not to take another chance. I wasn’t used to being laughed at. Other girls didn’t titter when I pulled them close, took their soft cheeks firmly between my palms, and pressed their luscious lips to mine. Other girls understood the seriousness of my intent, but other girls were not Mitsuki.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday - Gigglepuss
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wonderful PROMO from Untreed Reads
If you haven't read Giselle's brilliant short story UGLY NAKED PEOPLE, it's now only $0.99. She's also written a brilliant straight romantic short story titled LOVE AGAIN that's only $1.50. You can find both books in The Untreed Reads Store at http://bit.ly/qLZWEl or at any ebook retailer around the world.To celebrate the launch of Giselle's new release, we're offering 25% off her titles with Untreed Reads through August 15th. Just send your proof of purchase of ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR KATHRYN to general@untreedreads.com with GISELLE RENARDE in your subject line, and we'll email you a coupon code to use in our store. This discount can only be used in The Untreed Reads Store.Best,Jay Hartman
Editor-In-Chief
Untreed Reads Publishing
Friday, July 29, 2011
Xcite Week: Six of the Best Spanking Stories 2
Hired Hand by KD Grace
Pretty city boy, Tim Harris, is the last man Suzie Sheridan would have hired to help her on the farm had he not been the only one who applied for the job. But with strict discipline generously applied in all the right places, even Suzie is amazed at just how good a hired hand Tim turns out to be.
Just the Ticket by Elizabeth Coldwell
All Laura had to do was deliver a Cup Final ticket to her husband's best friend, but she seems to have lost it on the way. So she shouldn't be surprised when Jason decides to give her a suitable punishment to make sure she isn't so careless in future.
In Tooth and Claw by Giselle Renard
Dotschy's reached that point in life where she never wants to bring another man into her home. It's one thing to fuck a co-worker in an underground parking lot, quite another to have him in her own bed. Connor, the sweet and sensitive cross-dresser, understands her apprehensions and assuages her fears. Good thing! Had she not invited him home, Dotschy would never have discovered how delicious a good dose of pain can be.
Hot for Teacher by Renee
For Darren, the first time was supposed to have been the only time but Courtney has other ideas. With his fiancée sitting in the audience at one of his wrestling matches, a nineteen year old Courtney lures Darren into a deserted classroom for some hot and heavy away from the ring action. A not so innocent smack on her bare ass leads to a spanking that ends with her wet and ready to be taken right there on the teacher's desk.
Making It Happen by Fulani
Lisa has a dead end job in a petrol station. But she reads. A new self-improvement book tells her about the law of attraction. If you want something to happen, and believe it will happen, you can make it happen. Lisa doesn’t know exactly what she wants, but has faith that she’ll find something wonderful and exciting. And she gets it, in the shape of the leather-clad biker and an afternoon motorcycle ride into the country.
The Naked Truth by Dee Jay
Private eye Lucy is booked to follow a wife who is suspected of having an affair. She is led to a night club where she gets to know the suspect. They attend a party where she is trapped by the wife who tells her she knows what she's up to. Lucy is punished, after which the pair have passionate sex. Lucy now knows what to tell the client who booked her services.
Xcite Week: Six of the Best Spanking Stories
For readers who enjoy spanking erotica, Six of the Best Spanking Stories is a must-have!
Simon had worked for Dr. Kettering for six months and he still couldn’t quite figure her out. It wasn't that she was cold or withdrawn; quite the opposite, in fact. She was also gorgeous, tall with curly auburn hair and striking green eyes. Every move had grace and poise, even if she was a trifle distant. Safely at home, he had fantasies of her exposing a vulnerability to him. But he couldn’t have been more surprised on that rainy Friday afternoon when she asked, "Can I share a secret with you, Simon?" because her fantasy, was also his.
La Petite Mort by Shashauna P Thomas
Despite the possible repercussions to her career, Camille agrees to meet her best friend at Onyx, a well known BDSM club in New Orlean’s French Quarter. While searching for her friend she catches the attention of a sexy, mysterious stranger with intense eyes who makes sure her evening spent at the Onyx is one she’ll never forget.
The Credit Crunch By Congressio
‘If ever the estate makes a loss, I will punish you severely, darling!’ That’s what his wife had threatened and he had no doubt she would carry out her threat. The question is not, can he withstand the punishment she deems fitting, but does she have another motive for spanking him?
Who’s The Boss? By Simon Asquith
Despite being a smart career girl with a good head on her shoulders, Rachel has always found job interviews to be something of an ordeal. This time however, she may get more than she bargained for. Behind closed doors, authority is everything, and a degree of role-playing can be a fun and revealing experience. But executive power games can go too far between a man who’s used to being obeyed, and a woman who knows exactly what she wants. In the end, strict disciplinary procedures are brought into play. But will the tables be turned before everyone is fully satisfied?
Bum Steer by Landon Dixon
It was the kind of set-up a butt-loving PI just couldn’t resist: a big-bootied babe lounging poolside, bottoms-up. So, he took the bait, sinking everything he had into the plush richness of the woman’s rear end. But temporary ecstasy soon turned into a royal pain in the derriere, when he received a blackmail note the following morning. Then, it was his ass on the line; spank or be spanked.
Black Lace and Wood by Giselle Renarde
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Xcite Week: Partner Swap
Have you ever looked at another couple and wondered, what if... From polygamy virgins to seasoned swingers, these stories turn the spotlight on to partner swapping. Whether it's a straight husband/wife exchange, a same-sex switch or a full-on foursome, this book has something for you, your lover, and perhaps a couple of your closest friends. Open your mind to a world where one partner is never enough.
Xcite Week: The Bad Girl's Sweet Kiss
The Bad Girl's Sweet Kiss: A blow-by-blow anthology of first-time fellatio and other oral delights
A blow-by-blow anthology of first-time fellatio and other oral delights. Chrissie Bentley is a woman on a mission - to raise the profile of oral sex. In 'The Bad Girl's Sweet Kiss' she has brought together her own experiences as well as those of many other erotic writers from all over the world. From some of the most well-known voices in erotica to more recent newcomers to the field, everybody's first time is different. In this diverse collection of blow-by-blow accounts exploring an oft-overlooked act of intimacy, you'll find something to shock, titillate, amuse as well as trigger memories of your own oral initiation.
Xcite Week: Alfresco Loving
Welcome Spring by Roxanne Rhoads
Tom is scouting a forest area for his land-developer boss when he encounters a beautiful woman naked in the forest performing some kind of ritual. He is intrigued and highly aroused so he hides in the shadows watching her with complete fascination. Ardwinna, the Earth witch and protector of the land, knows Tom is watching and takes extra delight in his arousal as she performs her spring fertility ritual that includes bringing herself to climax, while he watches. When she invites him to join her, he gladly accepts her offer.
Surfs up for Suzie by J. Troy Seate
When Suzie’s best friend invites her to the coast she is ready for fun and frolics, but is amazed at the brave new world awaiting. The beach is a place where guys and girls abandon their inhibitions along with their clothes. Plenty of guys want to teach her ‘beach games’ and over the course of a week Suzie develops a taste for sun, sea and sexy adventures.
Burano Lace by Giselle Renarde
Newlyweds Lainey and Polo never knew how Burano's beautiful lace was discovered until they stopped to chat with elders of the colourful Venetian island. Like all legends, the tale defies belief. A mermaid taught a local maiden how to weave? A likely story! But the villagers are adamant la sirena is still out there in the waters around the island. Challenged to see for themselves, the newlyweds row to a tiny isola in hopes of spotting a mermaid. There, they discover just how real a mythical creature can become when loneliness and lust take over.
Full Moon by Viva Jones
Emily, the wealthy owner of a Cote d’Azur villa, is upset when her husband doesn’t tear himself away from business to go on holiday with her. As she watches the full moon, she discovers that a young couple of backpackers have sneaked on to her property and are skinny-dipping in the pool. Inspired, Emily instigates a threesome, and remembers what it was like to feel spontaneous and free.
The Key by Landon Dixon
He was a man used to living in the shadows. Until she came running into his life, begging for help. She gave him a kiss and a key, and those two precious things opened up a whole new, bright world for the man in the shadows.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Xcite Week: Cocktales - Temptation
Cocktales is a fabulous new series from Xcite Books that offers a quality selection of erotic stories with mixed themes. If you are looking for variety and the very best erotic writing then you will love these especially selected titles.My story in this one is called Bless Me, Father:A middle-aged woman admits to her infatuation with her parish priest. She knows they'll never be together, but that doesn't stop her from confessing every last drop of her erotic fantasy about him.
Xcite Week: Indecent Proposals
A kinky collection of erotic stories exploring sexy propositions
Twenty brand new stories about inappropriate behaviour in edgy situations.
An obsession with the girl on the drug store counter turns into a threesome with a surprise for Perdy and Tom.
Pinkie gets more than she bargained for when she visits her sculptor friend, Blare’s, latest creation.
And Larry discovers the wild cat in his wife Felicity when they attend a sexy feline costume party.Featuring the best new voices and established authors around today including Landon Dixon, Giselle Renarde, Ray Cluley, Eva Hore, Sommer Marsden and many others, these stories are indecent beyond your wildest dreams.
Perdy has a crush on Beatrix, the counterculture checkout girl at the drugstore. Perdy and Tom have been married for ages, and she's never been with another woman before, but she's convinced the time is nigh. To her surprise, Tom agrees. In fact, he offers to be there with her every step of the way. But how will Beatrix react to Perdy's proposal? And how does Beatrix always manage to stay one step ahead of the couple?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Xcite Week: Cocktales - Screaming Orgasm
Cocktales is a fabulous new series from Xcite Books that offers a quality selection of erotic stories with mixed themes. If you are looking for variety and the very best erotic writing then you will love these especially selected titles.
Xcite Week: Lesbian Love
The Black Lily by Elizabeth Coldwell
Notorious jewel thief, The Black Lily, is planning one last heist before she retires, and she has her sights on the jewelled chastity belt created by hot young artist Jasper Spence. She plans to lift the belt on the opening night of Spence's latest exhibition, but when she comes face to face with the submissive beauty chosen to model it, she finds the object of her desire changing rapidly...
Suspicion by Beverly Langland
Dutiful wife Helen is suspicious of young Jodie, the latest in a plethora of assistants her sophisticated husband has employed. This time Helen is jealous. Of course, she blames Elvis. Without his constant badgering, she may have turned a blind eye – as usual. Unable to compete with the beauty, she uses the only weapon in her armoury. She entices Jodie to her bedroom with the intention of humiliating and spanking the girl. Things go to plan. Too well! Helen can't believe how accepting the girl is. Then, too late to back out, Helen gradually discovers the truth...
Snow Nymph by Sommer Marsden
Becca's been sent on a work trip to the stunning mountains of Colorado. Sadly she's saddled with the b-word. Budget. When she stumbles upon Robin, a captivating snow nymph who sets her heart beating fast and her mind thinking dirty, she's intrigued. Robin offers her a free go at the class she teaches, the lesson's on her. So, Becca finds herself at Robin's very revealing – as in naked – gathering that ends with a decided bang...
Best of Three by Dee Jaye
Vicky is a thirty year old with two lovers - one a female, one a male. She is going to dump one of them because too much sex is affecting her work. She cannot decide which one. A girlfriend suggests she subjects them to a ‘best of three’ sex competition to help her decide. Vicky likes the idea. During one of the challenges she comes across an attractive girl worker in an art gallery and a strange picture which seems to have sexual powers. At one win each she suggests a threesome as the final test. Both lovers walk out on her. It is a combination of the art gallery worker and the picture that provides Vicky with a winning experience...
Busy Lizzies and Chives by Antonia Adams
As childhood friends, Sue and Angela were very different, but powerfully drawn to each other. The girls are now grown up and when Angela comes back to visit, Sue finds nothing much has changed. When Angela offers her a sexy makeover, Sue agrees readily, but she has no idea that it will change her life for ever...
Painted Nails and Puppy Dog Tails by Giselle Renarde
Claire is more snips and snails than painted nails, but she's willing to make an exception for the gorgeous girl who works in the salon down the street. Hell, she hasn't stopped thinking about her since that day their eyes first met! The only problem is that Claire gets too nervous even to say "Hi" when they pass on the sidewalk. It's going to take a bit of a ruse to make a connection. Will the salon girl freak out, or will Claire get the pedicure of a lifetime?...
Monday, July 25, 2011
Xcite Week: Summer Sizzlers
Tourist Trap by Elizabeth Coldwell
Kate and Mark have arranged to be taken to visit an out-of-the-way Romanian castle by Dimi, who Mark met in a bar. But as the handsome, dominant stranger leads them deeper into the woods, is Kate right to fear that he might not actually be of this world, and what is his real reason for luring them to this remote location?
New World by Giselle Renarde
Priya takes the window seat, her husband at her side. Next to him sits Fawaz, the lover she's struggling not to acknowledge. But clever Fawaz knows how to get a girl's attention: just strap her into a remote-controlled butterfly vibe before take-off. This is a story about Western freedoms, immigration delays and the budding of a polyamorous union.
Beach Peach by Alcamia Payne
Jemima has a sexy love affair with the ocean. To her, nothing’s more of a turn-on, than all that loving attention from the rippling ocean waves and currents. However, deep down, Jemima is unfulfilled. She has a secret fantasy and she dreams of watery sex with a man who’s as passionate about oceanic frolics as she is. Anthony’s been observing Jemima’s sexy antics on the beach for a long time and he knows she conceals a secret and she’s not going to turn out to be your average beach babe. Is Anthony going to be able to give her what she craves?
Festivating by Leigh Clarke
Carrie knows that the way to get Joe to notice her is to use her brains as well as her body – a sizzling summer festival gives her the chance to turn her scientific genius colleague into a lusty sex partner: all she needs is a stone circle and a research proposal ...
The Battle of the Clans by Carmel Lockyer
Summer in Scotland is usually all mist and midges, but for Christy, it’s even worse – mist, midges and misery. She wants a Master to take control of her life, but nobody’s replying to her personal ads. Can a Highland battle give her what she needs and is she willing to do what a complete stranger tells her, to prove that she’s a true submissive?
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday - In The Eye
"Okay, I'll bite," Dale finally said. "Why are lesbians the chosen people?"
"Because the lowest incidence of HIV/AIDS is in the lesbian population. If AIDS is God's punishment, God must love dykes!"
"Lucky you," Xu said.
Susitna's hand rested on top of her puppy's head as her eyebrows furrowed. "What makes you think I'm a lesbian?"
hehehe...conversations that start like this always end well, right? Every time there's a lull or a joke and you think maybe just maybe they can all get along...*BOOM*
You can read the blurb/excerpt and buy this baby at All Romance or Amazon or Torquere Press.
Hugs,
Giselle
Saturday, July 23, 2011
LGBTQ Authors, Get Your PROMO On: Today Only @ LRC
**PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED**
Join us Saturday July 23rd as we open the LRC Loop for GBLTQ Promo Day.
This is for GBLTQ Authors/Publishers ONLY. If you do not write GBLTQ stories then please hold off until Mondays for your promos.
This will start at 12:01 am est (USA) and run till 11:59 pm est (USA) time
Readers-join in the fun and you could win some cool prizes.
Any questions, just email me at dawn_roberto@yahoo.com
Link to LRC Loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe
Dawn
Owner-LRC
Friday, July 22, 2011
Weekend Sale at Torquere Press~Get the Coupon Code!
Hot Summer Reading Sale!
It's a hot hot hot summer and what goes better with a hot day than a hot
book? Get 15% off your purchases from now through the end of day Monday.
Just put 'hot2011' in the coupon code box any time you check out at Torquere
Books (www.torquerebooks. com) before Monday at midnight to get 15% off your
order.
Sale good now through Monday July 25 at Midnight (est).
Get hot with a hot read from Torquere Press today!
Torquere Press, Inc.
http://www.torquere press.com/
http://www.torquere books.com/
Discount codes are provided as a courtesy to our customers. Torquere Press
Inc. cannot be responsible for discounting purchases made before
coupons/sales are announced, and cannot issue discounts to customers who
fail to use the coupon or discount code during the purchase process.
Whoring Around Publishing Town: Should You Give a Start-Up a Chance?
Lately, I've been looking at new publishers. In fact, I've gone beyond looking and I've actually submitted to a few. Why do it? I already work with quite a few different publishers, and I'm pretty damn fulfilled by what they have to offer. So why stray? Well, I'm pretty prolific, especially with short stories, and I wouldn't want to overload any one publisher, but that's just a surface reason.
I guess, ultimately, I like to see what a new publisher has to offer. I like to get in on the ground level and see how things go. With this plan (if it can be called a plan) I've had good luck and bad luck. Getting on board with Selena Kitt and eXcessica Publishing was most fortuitous, and I've been very happy there. That's where I've placed books like Ondine, Audrey & Lawrence, The Birthday Gift, Future Histories, and other works your run-of-the-mill erotic romance publisher probably wouldn't have looked at.
I can think of another publishing house, whose name I will politely decline to mention here, I wish I'd never signed with--terrible marketing, the worst distribution I've ever encountered, and without a word of a lie, I haven't earned back the postage it cost me to mail in my contracts on two of the stories I placed there...which was around $2.50 apiece. Not just that, but customers have complained to me about the rude and belligerent "customer service" they've received when attempting to purchase from the publisher's website, and there's not much I can say because I as an author am treated just as badly. Live and learn.
Most recently, I've placed my ebook Goose Girl with New Dawning Bookfair. I was drawn there because I know Dee from eXcessica and I had a manuscript that suited their Twisted Tales line of erotic fairy tale adaptations. All I know so far is that Dee is a brilliant marketing strategist and the editing is superb.
Around the same time, I answered a call for submissions at Secret Cravings Publishing. They were seeking Cougar stories, so I wrote Callie and the Hipsters (upcoming release), a MMF menage novella about a woman whose husband leaves her for the young woman he empregnated (I love family drama) and so she hooks up with two of her son's pansexual polyamorous hipster buddies. I figure I'm enough of a Hipster Doofus (though I probably should have aged out of the club by now) to poke fun at myself.
On my to do list, I've got notes to submit to other new or new-to-me publishers, but it becomes a dance of submit-what-where? You're taking a chance, submitting your work into hands you don't yet know, but the pay-off can be great. On the flip side, you could end up with feeble sales and asshole associates. Beyond consulting Piers Anthony's site, and preditors & editors, and others, it's really hard to know what you're getting yourself into, particularly when the company is a start-up and nobody has much experience with them yet.
So, authors, how do you feel about submitting to start-ups? Are you afraid they're going to crash and burn? Or do you figure an older publisher could screw you over just as badly (as we've seen a few I won't mention do to their authors lately)?
Give me feedback. Tell me what you think!
Hugs,
Giselle
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Loving the Legs (or For the Love of All Things Hairy)
The other day, she said to me, "It's okay for your brother's legs to be that hairy, but not yours!" Why? Because he's a BOY and I'm a GIRL. It irked me to no end that my mother would not only say that to me, but think that way. Whether I shave my legs, whether I wear skirts, whether I wear make-up (yeah, I don't do any of those things) is MY CHOICE. My girlfriend doesn't mind, and she had a hell of a lot more up-close interaction with my legs than you do, maman.
So, thinking about all this, I decided it was time to show my hairy legs some love. They deserve it! Hence, this little photo shoot showcasing my wonderfully hairy legs. (Look how white they seem! Must be the lighting.) If you ask me, there's nothing more genderqueer than hairy legs and heels...and satin! Except maybe a beard and a ballgown, but mine hasn't grown in yet. ;-)
What does this have to do with my hairy legs? Well, Sweet is a good girl. She doesn't have hairy legs. She wears make-up and skirts and jewellery. She fulfils social expectations imposed upon and desired of women. There's really nothing jarring about her appearance. She looks the way a woman should. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that if it's a woman's choice (and, having been raised a boy, it's obviously been a more challenging choice to put into action for Sweet than it might be for biological females) I'm only saying that I'm exerting my own choice: I choose cargo pants and running shoes (well, except in this photo shoot where I wanted to establish a certain genderqueer dissonance), I choose no make-up, and I choose hairy legs. Here's to choice, here's to legs, and here's to all things hairy!
Big Hugs,
Giselle
"Loving the Legs bonus pics:"
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Check Out My Hot New Lesbian Anal Fetish Cover!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Don't Break Anything While I'm Away!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
New Release: IN THE EYE, A BBA Menage Story
About In The Eye, a BBA Menage story
by Giselle Renarde
32 pages / 8900 words
Ebook zipped file contains - html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub
Sample
As Dale surged forward, the air seemed to get very heavy. He spotted Xu and Susi in the distance before he noticed the darkened cloud system over a bright afternoon sky. "Did you find Charlie?" he called to them, out of breath already. And then he heard the dog barking like crazy up ahead, and a familiar sense of trepidation overtook him.
Xu pointed way out into the distance. "What do you think?"
Jogging up to them, Dale stared up at the charcoal grey sky. The winds were picking up and, without any more warning than that, they were caught in a downpour.
"What the fuck, man?" Susi shouted, picking up Charlie and holding the puppy tight against her chest. Charlie stopped barking, and now sat quivered against her owner's ample cleavage. "Where did this come from?"
Dale couldn't offer any response. He'd planned on tracking storms, or at least seeing what the real storm trackers had to say this evening when they arrived at some cheap and cozy motel in Omaha or thereabouts. When he looked to his partner in crime, Xu said the same thing. "I haven't had a chance to listen in yet. I wanted to get my course-planning out of the way first." He held up his cell phone, shielding it from the onslaught. "I don't get reception out here."
"Wherever here is," Susi said through chattering teeth. Her dark, wet hair slapped her face, and she had to shout over the high winds. They should have been running, trying to escape this massive rainfall, but there was nothing quite so mesmerizing as a possibility.
You can buy a copy of IN THE EYE from Torquere Press!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Call for Submissions: Good Housekeeping Contest (USA Only)
Good Housekeeping Short Story ContestDeadline: 1 September 2011
Submit a short story, no longer than 3,500 words, to fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com. Your story should reflect an aspect of women's lives today. Please include the title of your story in the subject line. Submissions must be an original work of fiction, not previously published or a finalist for any other prize or award. Please include your full name, address, daytime phone number, and email address.
Eligibility:
Contest is open to anyone, age 21 or older, who is a legal resident of the United States or the District of Columbia.
Deadlines:
Manuscripts will be accepted beginning July 1, 2011. All entries must be received by September 1, 2011. Only one entry per person allowed. Submitted material cannot be returned or acknowledged. Winners will be notified by February 15, 2012. Decisions of the judging panel are final.
Prizes:
One grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 and possible publication of the winning story in the May 2012 issue. Two runners-up will each receive $750 and may have their stories published on goodhousekeeping.com.
Guest Judge: Elizabeth Berg, best-selling author of Once Upon a Time, There Was You and many other novels.
Official Contest Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING
How to Enter:
Beginning July 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM (ET) through September 1, 2011 at 11:59 PM (ET) go to goodhousekeeping.com/fictioncontest and submit your entry pursuant to the onscreen instructions. Applicants must submit an original short story, 3,500 words or less, on a theme that reflects an aspect of women’s lives today. Winner Selection: One (1) grand-prize winner and two (2) runners-up will be chosen at the sole discretion of Good Housekeeping’s judges panel. All entries will be judged on artistic merit and originality. In the event of a tie, whichever story the judges deem most suitable for publication in Good Housekeeping will be the winner. By participating in the contest, entrant certifies that his/her entry is original, has not been previously published or won any award, and does not contain any material that would violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyrights, trademarks or rights or privacy or publicity. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and unfettered discretion to disqualify any entry that it believes contains obscene, offensive or inappropriate content, that does not comply with these official rules or that is not consistent with the spirit or theme of the contest. The decision of the Sponsor and judges is final and binding on all matters relating to the Contest. All entries become the property of Good Housekeeping and can be used to promote Sponsor in all media. The Winner also agrees to participate in all PR efforts surrounding the contest, including but not limited to an editorial photo shoot for Good Housekeeping, local and national television tapings and interviews, print and online interviews, and Good Housekeeping-approved photo distribution to all press outlets. Prizes and Approximate Retail Values: One (1) Grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 and possible publication in the May 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping. Two (2) runners-up will each receive $750 and possible publication on goodhousekeeping.com. Winners will be notified via phone, e-mail or postal mail, at Sponsor’s discretion on or about February 15, 2012 Winner’s List: For winners’ names, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to Short Story Contest, 300 w. 57th Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10019 by April 15, 2012. Winners’ names will also be posted online on goodhousekeeping.com. Incomplete entry forms or entry forms that have been tampered with will be disqualified.
ENTRIES:
Limit (1) one entry per person and per e-mail address for THE 2011 Good Housekeeping Short Story CONTEST (referred to as the “Promotion”). Entries using macro, robotic, script or other forms of automatic entry will be disqualified. Entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Proof of submission does not constitute proof of receipt. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, or inaccurate entries. If there is a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, the prize will be awarded to the authorized account holder of the email address. The “authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person to whom the email address is assigned by an internet service provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address.
ELIGIBILITY:
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who have reached the age of 21 years or older at time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Employees of Sponsor, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, the independent judging organization and prize suppliers (and members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same of household of each such employee) are not eligible.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:
Online entrants must have valid e-mail address and it is entrant’s responsibility to update Sponsor of any change in e-mail address. Expenses not specifically included in prize description and all taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Each prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied outside of manufacturer's limited warranty. No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize permitted, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize for an item of equal or greater value in the event an advertised prize is unavailable. All federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations apply. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Promotion. Winners may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and where legally permissible a Publicity Release within 7 days following the date of first attempted notification. Failure to comply with this deadline may result in forfeiture of the prize and selection of an alternate winner. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Winner hereby further agrees that it will sign any documents necessary to transfer copyright of the entry to Sponsor within 7 days following the date of first attempted notification. Acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its agencies to use winner’s name and/or likeness, biographical material and/or entry (including an altered form of the entry) for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By accepting prize, winner agrees to hold Sponsor, its advertising and promotion agencies and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representative agents, successors, assigns, officers, directors, and employees harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Promotion or acceptance or use of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Promotion or in the announcement of the prize.
Contact Information:
For inquiries: fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com
For submissions: fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Writing Contest Young Nova Scotians: Deadline Fast Approaching!
What’s this contest all about?
The United Nations has chosen 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. To celebrate, the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs is holding a writing contest for young writers aged 13-22.
The contest is open to Nova Scotians of all backgrounds, but entries must express a connection to the culture, heritage, and/or experiences of people of African descent. For example, stories and poems could be set in historical or contemporary African Nova Scotian communities, they could focus on a prominent person of African descent, or they could connect in another way. It’s up to you — be creative!
Who can enter?
Any Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who has lived in Nova Scotia since Oct. 1, 2010, and who is between the ages of 13 and 22 as of the contest closting date – July 15, 2011. The contest is split into two age categories: 13-17 and 18-22.
What do I have to do?
Send us your short story, poem(s) or spoken word lyrics by July 15. Stories can be up to 2,500 words long. You can submit up to five poems or spoken word pieces, to a total maximum length of 1,500 words.
What can I win?
In each age group, we’ll be giving out three prizes:
First place - $500
Second place - $250
Third place - $150
Winners also get to have lunch with Lawrence Hill, author of the acclaimed best seller The Book of Negroes. And they’ll be recognized at an awards ceremony during the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, being held September 22-24 in Halifax.
How do I enter?
To enter, download an entry form here and fill it out. You can send your entries by email to ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca, and please use the phrase “IYPAD Creative Writing Contest” in the subject line.
You can also send entries by mail or drop them off at our office:
Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
5670 Spring Garden Road, Suite 604
PO Box 2691 Halifax, NS B3J 1H6
Important formatting rules: Electronic entries must submitted as a Microsoft Word or RTF document, while hard-copy entries must be typed in black ink on plain white paper (8 ½” x 11”). Use a decent-sized, easy-to-read font, such as Times New Roman 12-pt. Fiction entries must be double-spaced, while poetry can be single-spaced.
All entries must have a one-inch margin on all sides, with pages numbered in order in the upper right-hand corner. As well, the title of your manuscript must appear on each page, but DO NOT include your name on the actual manuscript – only on your entry form. That way your entry will be anonymous to the judges.
Also, remember that all entries must be signed, including those submitted by email. If you’re under 18 years old, a parent or guardian needs to sign the form too. You can scan and email, send by fax to 902.424.7189 … just make sure you send a signed form.
When is the deadline?
Emailed and hand-delivered entries must arrive by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 15. Mailed entries must be postmarked by July 15. Hard-copy entries will not be returned.
How much does it cost to enter?
We’re glad you asked. The answer is nothing – it’s free!
How does the judging work?
A panel of accomplished Nova Scotian writers, poets and performers will read the entries and select a set of finalists in each age group. These finalists will be sent to our honourary judge, Lawrence Hill, and he’ll choose the winners in each age group. So you could have your work read by one of Canada’s most well-known authors. And you could get to have lunch with him too. (If that sounds kind of intimidating, don’t worry… he’s a really nice guy.)
What important legal details do you need to tell me?
-By entering the contest, you accept that the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) may contact you to request a photo and/or biographical information for use in promotional materials and announcements relating to the contest.
-You also release and forever discharge the Province of Nova Scotia, the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, and their officers, employees and representatives, from all liability for any damages, losses or claims arising from participation in the competition or resulting from the conferral, acceptance or use of the award obtained and for the aforementioned disclosures or uses.
Can you summarize in a convenient list of bullet points?
* The contest is open to all Nova Scotians aged 13-22, as of July 15, 2011.
* Entries must express a connection to the culture, heritage and/or experiences of people of African descent.
* Entries may be short stories (up to 2,500 words) or poems or spoken word lyrics (up to 5 pieces, and a maximum of 1,500 words).
* A signed entry form must accompany all entries.
* An entrant’s name must not appear on the manuscript.
* Entries may be emailed to ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca or mailed or hand-delivered to: Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs, 5670 Spring Garden Road Suite 604, PO Box 2691, Halifax NS B3J 1H6.
* Contest deadline is 4:30 p.m. on July 15, 2011. Awards will be presented during the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, Sept. 22-24, 2011.
* You could win cash. And hang out with Lawrence Hill! What more do you need? Get writing!
Download contest entry form >>
Contact Information:
For inquiries: ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca
For submissions: ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca
Website: http://www.gov.ns.ca/ansa