Last Minute Agent Pitch Contest Details...and a Couple Surprises!

UPDATE: All windows for the agent pitch contest have been filled. No worries though, you still have a shot in the small press contest if you didn't make it, which will begin in a couple of weeks. More info to come!

Update #2: Because I had to jump in a car and travel to a farm with little to no internet connection on this weekend, I was unable to post this weeks prize winner, so I will double up on next Friday's prizes because of that. Also, I'm so sorry I wasn't as accessible this weekend. I will be back to business Monday!


As I write this post I can feel the nervous excitement bubbling through the internet from those getting ready for the Agent Pitch Contest...or it could just be my own anticipation! TWO DAYS PEOPLE!!!! Are you ready? 
I've noticed some great feedback on the Pitch Polish entries! I even saw a few 1st round judges lending some critter advice. Thanks for that:)

Now it's time to talk shop. I've got few things I need to go over for those of you entering the agent pitch contest, as well as a couple extra tidbits of goodness.

Here they are in no particular order...

Twitter Q&A - Thursday 9PM EST 
The idea of getting an agent can seem rather daunting. But when you know what you're doing it's not nearly as bad. I was told at a writer's conference last year that when you take the time to do your homework, you're putting yourself way ahead of other querying writers. I want to help put you in that position. Join me and some of my writer friends, who've been down this road and gotten agents, on Twitter where we will be at your disposal. Ask your writing questions and we'll do our best to answer them. There may also be a few agent interns and even a couple agents stopping in as well!

Critique Giveaways
Today I got the sweetest email from a fellow gutgaan, RuthAnne who wanted to thank me for this blogfest by treating everyone to a chance to win a 50 page critique from her. I don't think I need to tell you how valuable (and sweet) this is! Go HERE for more info. She will announce the winners Friday, 12PM MST so you'd better hurry on over! 

Now for the rules...
PLEASE READ BELOW IF YOU PLAN ON ENTERING THE CONTEST. YES, IT IS A LOT, BUT YOU MAY BE DISQUALIFIED IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES.

First and foremost, you must sign up on the GUTGAA Master List HERE if you want to join in the contest.

New Email Address 
If you were around for the Pitch Polish, you know how mayhem-inducing it was for me when I opened the entry window. I missed entries and miscounted. So, rather than have 200 entries fly into an inbox that is already crazy-full, I made a new one. You will be sending your query and first 150 words for the agent pitch contest to gutgaa(at)gmail(dot)com. Easy enough, right?

How to Submit Your Agent Pitch Contest Entry
There will be two entry windows: 11:00 AM EST and 4 PM EST. You will send your query and first 150 words of a COMPLETED manuscript to the email address: gutgaa(at)gmail(dot)com. Each window will close after I have 100 entries, making it a total of 200 entries. I will email you with the words "you're in" if you made it. I know you will be excited, but, so I can stay organized, please don't respond to the email. You are only allowed ONE entry and the entry can only have ONE query and ONE first 150 words. If your 150 words ends in the middle of a sentence, you may go to the end of that sentence. 

Format for the Agent Pitch Contest Entry 
I noticed this was a hard thing for a lot of people during the pitch polish. I also know that if you don't follow an agents submissions rules, most won't even open your email, so I am going to be a stickler on the format. I hate to do it, but if you do not follow the guidelines, I will have to pass on your entry. Also, once your entry is in, I cannot change anything on it so make sure it is exactly the way you want. 

Please send me your entry in Times(font), 12pt(size)-or normal font in email, single spaced, email style (meaning do not indent, please single space, and only one space between paragraphs. This makes the process so much easier for me and the blog hosts. 

Email Subject Line must read:
GUTGAA Agent Pitch Contest: YOUR NAME

Body of the email:
TITLE
GENRE - ex: YA sci-fi  (I need it this specific for grouping purposes please)
WORD COUNT

QUERY:

I need the meat of your query here. Again, no "Dear Agent" or "I choose you because". Also, no word count or credentials (please see example below).  

First 150 Words:

I need the first 150 words of your completed manuscript here (please see example below).

Example entry submission:

EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: GUTGAA Agent Pitch Contest: DEANA BARNHART

Ripple
YA sci-fi
99,000

Query:

Kali Addison turns seventeen the day nukes annihilate her dad's time machines. Her birthday presents? A dead family and the truth--time travel has nothing to do with science and everything to do with her.

Since her dad's work has turned to ash, it seems Kali is now a freaking time machine, and those responsible for ridding the world of them know she's even more. Too bad Kali doesn't. Maybe the oh-so-hot guy, who shows up every time she's catapulted into the past can help her figure things out. But knowing the truth would mean facing a life she forgot for a reason. 

Now she must decide what's more important: Continuing to live in the dark, or embracing the danger of who she's always been. If she chooses wrong. Time is up. For everyone. 

First 150 Words:

I hate time travel.

It's the one absolute thought I have in my head when I crane my neck to take in the massive Clandestine, in all its bland glory. The Commoners appear just as dull as the timeport with their solemn expressions and outfits the color of dirty snow.

Today, I match them.

Preparation for a journey through time doesn't allow for distractions like color or commotion. There are no windows here either. So no way to enjoy the cool spring breeze or hear the birds chirp me a happy birthday song.

Nope.

I get to be serenaded by the whispers of curious onlookers wondering why I'm travelling with the rest of the public, being jostled about from line to line, until we make it to the time dock I choose.   

I guess I have that on my side. My loser friends, Sage, Greer and Flip, are letting me pick the "when" we travel to as my birthday present.

Covert 1st Round Judge Names:
The first round of the contest will be making it past the judges that I introduced to you HERE. They will be prowling the entries under secret identities. So if you see the names below on any of the entries, pay close attention.

Husher
Missus Braidyhead
Princess Fluffypants
Baby
Wallflower
Sugar Magnolia
Yappy
Molly Loo
The Rooster
The Revisionist
Lumpy Space Princess
Lady Luna
Hopeful
Apple
MacGuffin
Hopey
Lady Blingley
Beezer
Miss Mary Mac
Violet

Aren't they great?! Now, when the 200 entries are divided into the five groups and sent to their assigned host blog I will let you know at that time which of the above judges will be assigned to your group.

I think that about does it for this post. Sorry for the length, but these things needed to be said. 

Questions? Comments? TWO DAYS!!!!!