Tag Archives | Auctions

CLOSED: Critique of 2500 Words with Leigh Bardugo, Vanessa Di Gregorio, and Biljana Likic

Crazy awesome opportunity with three Pub Crawl ladies: Leigh Bardugo, Vanessa Di Gregorio, and Biljana Likic. They’re offering one lucky winner a critique of 2500 words from young adult fantasy or scifi, adult literary fiction, romance, or horror. This is a great chance to get three fabulous sets of eyes on your opening, so get to changing lives and bid, guys.

This auction will be open for bids only until June 29th at 6:00pm, Eastern Daylight Time. Please be aware that, as the campaign is ending soon after the close of the auction, you need to make your donation before 11:59pm, eastern time, on the 29th. Sorry for any inconvenience.

  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 6:00pm, Eastern Daylight Time, June 29th, 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 Vanessa:

Vanessa Di Gregorio works in publishing as an account manager/sales rep at Ampersand, a book and gift sales agency. A former literary agency intern with a penchant for picture books and YA fantasy, Vanessa knew she would end up working in the book biz. When she isn’t driving around visiting bookstores (or working on her company’s website), she can be found reading, playing video games, watching T.V., or writing. She also may or may not be working on a YA fantasy. A social media addict, Tumblr enthusiast, carbivore, Instagram junkie, and supporter of the serial comma, Vanessa leads a wonderfully nerdy life in Toronto with her husband. You can find Vanessa geeking out at Something Geeky, Goodreads, or on Twitter.

About Leigh:

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. She indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as a makeup artist in Hollywood. Her debut novel, SHADOW AND BONE, a YA fantasy set in a world inspired by Tsarist Russia, was published in June of 2012 by Holt Children’s/Macmillan and is now a New York Times Bestseller. She is repped by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of New Leaf. To learn more about Leigh and the Grisha Trilogy, please visit her website or follow her antics on twitter.

About Biljana:

Biljana Likic (Bil-yana Lik-itch) was born in Belgrade, Ex-Yugoslavia, but has lived in Toronto, Canada since she was only a year old. Her dream as a kid was to be an actor, but as time passed this dream morphed into being a writer, since in writing she wasn’t confined to simply one character. It was during high school that she decided to dabble in writing a novel, and it has since turned into the finished manuscript she is revising today.

She’s also passionate about history and the personalities that occupy it. She’s constantly drawing inspiration from the past and setting these ideas in today’s world, discovering that really, people don’t intrinsically change as drastically as the snooty tomes of history would have us believe. Right now, she’s in her second year at the University of Toronto with a double major of English and Medieval Studies.

Posted on June 28, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 11 }

CLOSED: Critique of 7000 Words by Author Rachele Alpine

Lucky 13s author Rachele Alpine‘s critique is the penultimate auction on the chopping block, and she’s offering a doozy: a critique of the first 7000 words of a young adult or middle grade manuscript (any genre). Her debut, the YA contemporary Canary told in both prose and verse, will come out next August with Medallion Press. (Cannot wait!)

This auction will be open for bids until June 28th 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 28th, 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 Rachele:

Rachele is a high school English teacher by day, MFA student by night and YA writer during any time in between. She likes to write with a big cup of coffee, good music and her puppy by her side. She’s repped by John Rudolph at Dystel and Goderich. Her debut novel CANARY will be published in August 2013 by Medallion Press.

Posted on June 27, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 5 }

CLOSED: Critique of Three Chapters by Author Marie Lu

Got some mega awesome coming your way: Marie Lu, author of Legend and the upcoming Prodigy, is offering to critique the first three chapters of a young adult science fiction or fantasy novel. Marie is pretty much legend (heh, I bet she gets that all the time) for her classiness and awesome, so get a-bidding, folks!

This auction will be open for bids until June 27th 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 27th, 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 Marie:

Marie Lu was born in China in 1984 (perhaps a sign of dystopian stories to come), and moved from Beijing to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the same year the Tiananmen Square massacre happened. Eventually she and her parents settled down in Sugar Land, Texas—which she still considers her hometown.

She finished her first novel when she was 15 years old, but it took her second manuscript to acquire a literary agent. When that one didn’t sell either, she went off to college in Los Angeles and wrote two more manuscripts. Although those still didn’t sell, one of them did get her the amazing literary agent Kristin Nelson, who sold her fifth manuscript, the dystopian young adult novel LEGEND, to Putnam Children’s/Penguin USA.

Marie graduated in 2006 from USC and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she spends her time stuck in traffic.

Posted on June 26, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 11 }

CLOSED: In-Depth Query Critique with Agent Kate Testerman

Excellent critique opportunity today with super agent Kate Testerman of KT Literary. She’s offering to critique a query of a young adult or middle grade manuscript (any genre). This will be in-depth, like a very special About My Query post, PLUS Kate’s offering the winner a follow up phone call (or some tea, if you live in the area) to discuss the query, as well as some sweet KT Literary swag: a tote bag and a flashdrive/bracelet. So get a-bidding folks, and help Crits for Water finish with a bang.

This auction is open for bids until 11:59pm, Eastern time, June 26th.

  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 26th, 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 Kate:

After nearly ten years with industry powerhouse agency Janklow & Nesbit Associates, Kate Schafer Testerman formed kt literary in early 2008, where she concentrates on middle grade and YA fiction as well as handling some select adult commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. Bringing to bear the experience of working with a large agency, she enjoys concentrating on all aspects of working with her authors, offering hands-on experience, personal service, and a surfeit of optimism.

Her clients include Maureen Johnson, Ellen Booraem, Stephanie Perkins, S. Terrell French, Thomas E. Sniegoski, Josie Bloss, and Matthew Cody, among other exciting newcomers. Kate is a graduate of the University of Delaware’s Honors Program, a former cast member of the New York Renaissance Faire, and an avid collector of shoes. Her interests cover a broad range including teen chick lit, urban fantasy and magical realism, adventure stories, and romantic comedies. She is an active member of the SCBWI and AAR.

Posted on June 25, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 15 }

CLOSED: Critique of Three Chapters + Synopsis by Author Claire Legrand

Crazy fab opportunity today with unicornly Claire Legrand, author of the deliciously creepy upcoming middle grade, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls. Claire is offering to critique the first three chapters of and synopsis for a young adult or middle grade fantasy or science fiction. Claire is pretty much the most amazing thing since sparkles, so get to bidding, folks.

This auction is open for bids until 11:59pm, Eastern time, June 24th.

  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 24th, 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 Claire:

Claire is a Texan living in New York City! She writes fantastical stories, and her daemon is an ocelot but sometimes a unicorn.

Her first novel, THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, due out August 28, 2012 from Simon & Schuster BFYR, will probably give you nightmares. Or at the very least make you buy a nightlight.

Her second novel, THE YEAR OF SHADOWS, due out in Fall 2013 from Simon & Schuster BFYR, involves several ghosts, a girl who lives in a haunted music hall, and a rather insouciant cat.

Her third novel, WINTERSPELL, due out in Fall 2014 from Simon & Schuster BFYR, is a young adult retelling of The Nutcracker, full of faeries, bloody swordfights, and forbidden romance.

Posted on June 23, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 9 }

CLOSED: Critique of 2500 Words by Author Sarah J Maas

Another fantabulous opportunity to perfect your opening pages, this time with the author of the super-buzzy Throne of Glass. (If you haven’t been reading her novellas set in the same universe, OMG, read them now. FANFRIGGINTASTIC. Ahem.) Sarah J Maas is offering to read the first 2500 words of a young adult paranormal or fantasy novel. She has amazing taste and an equally amazing ability to help improve an MS, so get to bidding, folks.

This auction is open for bids until 11:59pm, Eastern time, June 22nd.

  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!

—

About Sarah:

Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she’s not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.

Her debut YA epic fantasy novel, THRONE OF GLASS, will be published by Bloomsbury on August 7th, 2012.

Posted on June 21, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 8 }

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!

—

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: 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!

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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 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 }