Sign Up Time for the Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest/Pitch Contest

Wow! That title is a mouthful! But it is true. Today's the day sign ups begin for GUTGAA!

UPDATE: For the GUTGAA SCHEDULE go HERE:
For the AGENTS participating in the Pitch Contest go HERE:
For the 1ST ROUND JUDGES for the AGENT Pitch Contest go HERE:

And if you're here for the Hookers and Hangers Blogfest go HERE ...but you should sign up for GUTGAA too:)

What is GUTGAA?
GUTGAA stands for Gearing Up to Get an Agent. It is a blogfest I started last year in the hopes that those of us striving to reach "agented" status could come together, polish those pitches and have fun at the same time. It ended with agent Kathleen Rushall judging a pitch contest. Quite a few of us who joined in the fun did get an agent (including me) and as I've said over the last few weeks I want to take my victory and pay it forward.

GUTGAA will be bigger this year!
I have put together a team of volunteers who I've been bouncing ideas off of in hopes of making this year's blogfest even better and I think everyone entering will be excited about what we have in store. Of course I am still working out the kinks, but so far this is what I've got for you. (Yes, I am about to break out the bullet points again.)

-The blogfest/pitch contest will take place in the month of September. Just like last year you will sign up below for admission to any part of the fun, but every week during the blogfest will also have separate sign ups. Meaning if you are too busy to make a full month commitment in Sept, that's okay. 

- There will be a meet and greet. Last year tons of friendships were kindled and connections made and I hope to do the same this year.

- There will be random drawings for prizes throughout the month.

-Our agent pitch contest will be so much fun. We are up to 8 agents who will accept ADULT, YA and MG. I'm shooting for 10 agents to join in!  And I can't wait to reveal the them to you when the time comes. 

-But wait! The agent pitch contest isn't where it ends. I realize that getting an agent isn't the only avenue for authors these days. Being traditionally published may not be the route you want to take and I sure don't want to exclude you. So this year I am also throwing in a small publishing house pitch contest! I have been back and forth over this decision. After all, the blogfest is called Gearing Up to Get an Agent, but in the end, I've got some small press editors on board so I had to go with my gut and welcome them into the fun too. So far we have four ready to get their pitch reading on!

-This years pitch contests will be open to YA, Adult and MG (possibly chapter book and picture books from one agent) so get those entries polished! And yes they need to be finished manuscripts please. 

-Blog Buttons. I will have them out to you by the end of the week. We had some great designers put them together and they were all so good I thought I would let you pick the one you wanted for your blog!
UPDATE: Blog Badges are ready!! Go HERE to pick out your favorite and display it on your blog:)

-Twitter Hashtag. Yes, we will be using Twitter and the hashtag will be #GUTGAA

Sound like fun? Do you want to jump on board? If so just sign up in the linky below, spread the word and we'll see you at GUTGAA!

ATTENTION: If the linky list is giving you problems just leave your NAME, BLOG ADDRESS and EMAIL in the comments section below and I will get you added:) Thanks!