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CLOSED: Critique of 2500 Words by Author AC Gaughen

Get your lucky rabbit foot ready, because AC Gaughen, author of the fantabulous historical YA Scarlet, is offering to critique the first 2500 words of a young adult manuscript for one winner. AC is also part of the genius behind IGNITE Change, an initiative where young adult authors encourage Boston-area teens to pursue college and use writing as a way to express themselves. In other words, AC is awesome. So pledge and win!

You can bid for this critique until June 22d at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 22nd, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

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About AC:

AC Gaughen has been a lot of things in her life. Freelance writer, wrapper (WITH a “w”, sadly), hotel concierge, retail flunkie, telemarketer, non-profit board member and personal shopper are just the beginning of the list, but young adult novelist is without a doubt her favorite hat to wear.

Posted on June 20, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 6 }

CLOSED: Critique of 7000 Words by Author Kat Zhang

The Crits for Water Auction block is being whetted today by the illustrious Kat Zhang, author of the upcoming mind-blowing speculative young adult, What’s Left of Me. Kat is offering to critique the first 7000 words of a young adult manuscript (any sub-genre). And, if bidding gets above $100, she’ll increase that amount to 10,000 words. One of the largest crits in the campaign offered by an amazing author–so get your non-Kat Kat-Crit now and bid!

This auction is open for bids until 11:59pm, Eastern time, June 20th.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 20th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Kat:

Kat Zhang is an avid traveler, and after a childhood spent living in one book after another, she now builds stories for other people to visit. An English major at Vanderbilt University, she spends her free time performing Spoken Word poetry, raiding local bookstores, and plotting where to travel next. What’s Left of Me–about a girl with two souls–is her first novel and will be released by HarperCollins on 9/18/2012. She is represented by Emmanuelle Morgen of Stonesong. You can read about her travels, literary and otherwise, on her website or check her out on Twitter.

Posted on June 19, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 8 }

CLOSED: Critique Package with KA Barson and Elle Cosimano

Another wonderful opportunity to work on your opening pages with the authors of the Lucky 13s, this time with Kelly Barson and Elle Cosimano. Elle and Kelly are both offering to both critique the first 2500 words of a young adult or middle grade manuscript (any genre, although Kelly specializes in contemporary or historical, and Elle in thriller/suspense) PLUS both will also critique your query. So get to pledging, guys, because this is a fabulous opportunity to get two sets of great authorly eyes on your work.

You can pledge for this critique until June 20th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on this blog post saying how much you pledge.
  2. By pledging, you promise to donate the pledged amount only if you win
  3. Pledges must be at least $10.
  4. If you would like to pledge more, go for it! Every additional five dollars will give you another entry. (Ex: pledging $20, enough to give two people in a developing nation clean, safe water, gets you three entries.)
  5. You do NOT need to pledge more than previous commenters.
  6. Once pledging time ends, I’ll choose a winner using random.org.
  7. Again: please do NOT donate unless I email you saying you’re the winner.

This is a little complicated, so if you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me.

—

About Kelly:

Kelly Barson graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She can usually be found in her messy office sporting no make-up, bed head, and sweats. Her YA debut, 45 POUNDS, is about Ann, a sixteen-year-old girl who doesn’t fit—not in her blended family and certainly not in Snapz! clothes—is convinced that if she could only lose 45 pounds, her life would be perfectly normal. She soon learns that is nothing perfect about normal. 45 POUNDS will be available from Viking Children’s Books, Summer 2013.

About Elle:

Elle Cosimano grew up in the Washington DC suburbs. The daughter of a prison warden and an elementary school teacher who rides a Harley, she majored in Psychology at St Mary’s College of Maryland, and set aside a successful real-estate career to pursue writing. Her debut DEAD BLUE is a thrill-ride of a novel, in which a math-whiz from a trailer park discovers she’s the only student capable of unraveling complex clues left by a serial killer who’s systematically getting rid of her classmates. DEAD BLUE will be coming from Dial/Penguin Fall, 2013.

Posted on June 18, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 10 }

CLOSED: Lucky 13s Critique Pack with Caroline Carlson, Peggy Eddleman, and Stephanie Kuehn

Awesome chance to get your submissions package polished to a shiny, shiny gem with three ladies of the Lucky 13s: Caroline Carlson and Peggy Eddleman are offering to critique the first 2500 words of your young adult or middle grade manuscript (any genre, though they specialize in speculative fiction). Then Stephanie Kuehn will critique your synopsis and query, rounding out your submissions package if you’re getting ready to query. This is a fantastic opportunity to get three separate, genius sets of eyes on your writing, so get to bidding, guys!

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 18th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Caroline:

Caroline Carlson grew up in New England and now lives with her husband in western Pennsylvania. She earned an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Caroline writes humorous fantasy for middle-grade readers, and her pirate adventure series is forthcoming from HarperCollins Children’s Books.

About Peggy:

Peggy Eddleman is the author of the middle grade post-apocalyptic adventure THROUGH THE BOMB’S BREATH, to be published by Random House in Fall 2013. On school days, she works with fourth graders who are struggling with math and language arts, and the rest of the time she hangs out at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah with her three hilarious and fun kids (two sons and a daughter), and her incredibly supportive husband. Besides writing, Peggy enjoys playing games with her family, making dinner, reading to her kids, toilet papering friends’ houses, doing cartwheels in long hallways, trying new restaurants, and occasionally painting murals on walls.

About Stephanie:

Stephanie grew up in Berkeley, California, which is a quirky sort of a place with a ton of wonderful bookstores. Her very first job was working in one of those bookstores, and she’s been a freakishly avid reader for as long as she can remember. Now, as an adult, she’s found her own passion in writing books for teens. Other passions of hers include mental health advocacy, social justice, and sports of all kinds. She currently lives in Northern California with her husband and three kids. Her debut young adult novel, CHARM & STRANGE, will be published in 2013 by St. Martin’s Press.

Posted on June 17, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 8 }

CLOSED: Critique of 2500 Words + Query by Author Ashley Elston

Next up is Ashley Elston, author of the 2013 Disney-Hyperion debut The Rules for Disappearing. Ashley is offering a submissions package–your first 2500 words plus a query of any young adult manuscript. Ashley writes fantastic queries and beautiful words, so do not miss her expertise. Plus she’s a super nice, classy lady, and an amazing photographer.

You can pledge for this critique until June 18th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on this blog post saying how much you pledge.
  2. By pledging, you promise to donate the pledged amount only if you win
  3. Pledges must be at least $10.
  4. If you would like to pledge more, go for it! Every additional five dollars will give you another entry. (Ex: pledging $20, enough to give two people in a developing nation clean, safe water, gets you three entries.)
  5. You do NOT need to pledge more than previous commenters.
  6. Once pledging time ends, I’ll choose a winner using random.org.
  7. Again: please do NOT donate unless I email you saying you’re the winner.

This is a little complicated, so if you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me.

—

About Ashley:

Ashley Elston is a writer and occasional portrait photographer. She lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with her husband, Dean and their three young sons. Ashley also helps run her husband’s landscaping business but only because it’s a good excuse to dig in the dirt.

Ashley also can be found on twitter or her blog.

Posted on June 16, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 3 }

CLOSED: Critique of a Query by Author Janice Hardy

Congrats to the winner, Mandy!

One of three chances to get Janice Hardy‘s excellent comments for any fiction, though she specializes in science fiction/fantasy! For this raffle, Janice is offering to critique the query for your manuscript. Plus, she’s offered to help over several drafts so it can attain a fantastic polish. Janice is the genius behind the Healing Wars series, but she also runs an incredible blog, The Other Side of the Story, that also has wonderful articles on how to write a home run of a query.

You can enter for this critique until June 17th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Go to http://mycharitywater.org/critsforwater2012
  2. Click on the “Donate” button and donate $1.
  3. Then in the comments section, please write in a way to contact you. You can use your email, twitter, or website. Anything’s cool, as long as you check it often :D For example:
  4. When you donate, mycharitywater will ask you to become a member (if you’re not already). That does NOT mean the donation didn’t go through! If in doubt, check your email/bank account before re-donating.
  5. I will use random.org to pick the raffle winner on June 18th
  6. Anyone who does not win the raffle will receive a consolation Kat-Crit of a query or synopsis.

This is a little complicated, so please, if you have any questions, use the comment section below! And thank you so much!

—

About Janice:

A long-time fantasy reader, Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, BLUE FIRE, and the final book in the trilogy, DARKFALL. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com or chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story.

Posted on June 15, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 0 }

CLOSED: Critique of 3 Chapters by Author Janice Hardy

One of three chances to get the super amazing eyeballs that are Janice Hardy‘s on your fiction (any genre or age group) MS, though she specializes in science fiction/fantasy! For this auction, Janice is offering to critique the first three chapters of your manuscript. Not only is Janice the genius behind the Healing Wars series, but she also runs an incredible blog, The Other Side of the Story, full of amazing advice (and examples!) for aspiring writers. Janice has incredible insight, so get to bidding, folks!

You can bid for this critique until June 16th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 16th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Janice:

A long-time fantasy reader, Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, BLUE FIRE, and the final book in the trilogy, DARKFALL. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com or chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story.

Posted on June 15, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 16 }

CLOSED: Critique of a Synopsis by Author Janice Hardy

Congratulations to the winner, Mia!

One of three chances to get a critique by the super fantabulous Janice Hardy, author of the Healing Wars series. For this pledge, Janice is offering to critique the synopsis (up to three pages) for any fiction MS, though she specializes in science fiction/fantasy. Plus, she’s offered to help over two drafts to get it epically polished. Janice also runs an incredible blog, The Other Side of the Story, that helps aspiring writers tackle the craft and submissions, including the dreaded synopsis.

You can pledge for this critique until June 17th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on this blog post saying how much you pledge.
  2. By pledging, you promise to donate the pledged amount only if you win
  3. Pledges must be at least $5.
  4. If you would like to pledge more, go for it! Every additional five dollars will give you another entry. (Ex: pledging $20, enough to give two people in a developing nation clean, safe water, gets you four entries.)
  5. You do NOT need to pledge more than previous commenters.
  6. Once pledging time ends, I’ll choose a winner using random.org.
  7. Again: please do NOT donate unless I email you saying you’re the winner.

This is a little complicated, so if you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me.

—

About Janice:

A long-time fantasy reader, Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, BLUE FIRE, and the final book in the trilogy, DARKFALL. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com or chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story.

Posted on June 15, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 11 }

CLOSED: Critique of 25 Pages + Synopsis by Lorin Oberweger

The second of two opportunities to get an amazing critique by independent book editor and author Lorin Oberweger, founder of Free Expressions. Lorin is offering to critique the first 25 pages (double-spaced, of course) and a synopsis of any young adult or middle grade manuscript. Lorin is incredibly well known and has helped many an awesome author.

You can bid for this critique until June 15th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 15th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Lorin:

LORIN OBERWEGER is a highly sought-after independent book editor and ghostwriter with almost twenty-five years experience in publishing. Her company, Free Expressions, offers nationwide writing seminars, including the upcoming YA/MG Your Best Book Workshop in Charlotte, North Carolina with literary agents Josh and Tracey Adams and publishing professional Emma D. Dryden. In addition, she serves as Editor-in-Residence/Class Instructor for the renowned Writers Retreat Workshop, a workshop in which she has participated for twenty years.

Lorin’s students and clients have millions of books in print and have been published by imprints of HarperCollins, Random House, Penguin, Scholastic, and other mainstream and independent presses. They have also gained representation with some of the industry’s leading literary agents.

An award-winning author, Lorin’s poetry, short fiction, and articles have appeared in well over one-hundred periodicals, including THE MONTSERRAT REVIEW, STORYQUARTERLY, and the bestselling regional anthology FRENCH QUARTER FICTION. Recently, an excerpt of her novel-in-progress, ITCH, was awarded “Best of Workshop” at Writers in Paradise, co-founded by author Dennis Lehane. She is represented by Tracey Adams at Adams Literary.

Posted on June 14, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 12 }

CLOSED: Critique of 5000 Words by Author Erin Bowman or Author Chelsey Flood

Congrats to our winners, Mia, Linda, and Jay!

A great chance for three separate winners today–Erin Bowman, super author of the upcoming Taken is offering one critique of 5000 words and Chelsey Flood, Lucky 13er author of Infinite Sky, will critique 5000 words for two winners. These are for young adult manuscripts (any genre) only. Both ladies are incredibly talented and kind, so pledge and if you win, you’ll get amazing eyes on your first pages.

Pledging will be open for this critique until June 15th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on this blog post saying how much you pledge.
  2. Please just pledge once. It will enter you for both Erin Bowman and Chelsey Flood’s critiques.
  3. But you can only win one of the three critiques.
  4. By pledging, you promise to donate the pledged amount only if you win
  5. Pledges must be at least $15.
  6. If you would like to pledge more, go for it! Every additional five dollars will give you another entry. (Ex: pledging $40, enough to give two people in a developing nation clean, safe water, gets you six entries.)
  7. You do NOT need to pledge more than previous commenters.
  8. Once pledging time ends, I’ll choose a winner using random.org.
  9. Again: please do NOT donate unless I email you saying you’re the winner.

This is a little complicated, so if you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me.

—

About Erin:

Erin writes YA fiction and is represented by the marvelous Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger. Her debut novel, TAKEN, will be published by HarperTeen (Winter 2013).

When she’s not writing, she usually spends time far, far away from a computer. She likes to hike. And camp. She also likes coffee, and hoodies, and the feeling one gets when the perfect song comes on the radio at exactly the right moment.

About Chelsey:

Chelsey graduated from an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia in 2010. While studying there, an extract from her novel won the Curtis Brown Award, and she also met her wonderful agent, Catherine Clarke. Her second novel, will come out with Simon and Schuster in 2014.

She currently lives in Bristol, where she writes full time. When she’s not at her desk she likes to play table tennis, swim in the river, drink beer and read.

Posted on June 13, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 17 }