Alien Contact for Idiots garners a bronze …

Awhile back, I mentioned that my science fiction fantasy manuscript, Alien Contact for Idiots, was a finalist in the On the Far Side Contest.  The contest is run annually by the Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal  branch of the Romance Writers of America, which is one of the largest writers’ groups in the world with over 10,000 members.

The winners have been announced, and Alien Contact won third place.  This was the first writing contest I ever entered, and I’m honored and delighted by this announcement!

… And is also another finalist

When I entered the FF&P contest, I discovered that other branches also ran contests and I figured what the heck: I entered another one.  I heard this week that Alien Contact for Idiots is also a finalist in the Golden Gateway writing contest, sponsored by From the Heart, an internet-wide, online RWA Chapter. I think I kinda like these contests.

Alien Contact for Idiots Sample

Interested in reading more? I have posted a draft of the opening of Alien Contact for Idiots.

On the Far Side Contest Winners

Here is a list of the contest winners.  My congratulations to you all!

Paranormal (Final Judge:  Melissa Singer, Editor, Tor)

•  1^st Place: “Dark Bringer” By Mia Celeste
• 2^nd Place: “Valhalla’s King” By Asa Maria Bradley
• 3^rd Place: “Son of a Wolf” By Laura Welling

 Romantic Elements (Final Judge: Liz Pelletier, Publisher, Entangled Publishing)

•  1^st Place: “Shadowdemon” Amanda Byrne
• 2^nd Place: “Red Tide” Paula Leonard Huffman
• 3^rd Place: “Fragile Hearts” Renee Henry

Time Travel/Steampunk/Historical (Final Judge: Deb Werksman, Editor, Sourcebooks)

•  1^st Place: “Must Love Breeches” Angela Quarles
• 2^nd Place: “The Raven’s Heart” Louisa Cornell
• 3^rd Place: “Stalking Horse” Alleyne Dickens

 Sci-Fi/Futuristic (Final Judge: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency)

•  1^st Place: “Arena Dogs: Mercury” Charlee Allden
• 2^nd Place: “Sword of Revalmor” Cáit Donnelly
  
• 3^rd Place: “Alien Contact for Idiots”  Ed Hoornaert

 Young Adult (Final Judge: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency)

•  1^st Place: “The Serum Book One: The Journey” Sharron Riddle
• 2^nd Place: “The Time Keeper’s Daughter” Jenna Grinstead
• 3^rd Place: “Laid Bare” J.D. Haymore

 Urban Fantasy (Final Judge:  Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency)

•  1^st Place: “Evition Eyes” Cassandra L. Shaw
• 2^nd Place: “Catalyst” Laura Welling
• 3^rd Place: “Violet Sees Red” Katt Lloyd