Writing With The Stars Competition

HELP US FIND A NEW BRAVA AUTHOR

We know you love finding new authors and once again you're going to have a say in which aspiring writer you think has the skills to be a published author. 

Yes that's right, we have a new writing competition for aspiring authors. Thanks to our friends at Kensington's Brava imprint, 10 aspiring authors will compete in a new contest called "Writing With the Stars." The 10 finalists, who you will meet below, will be vying for your votes over the next few months.  

Only one lucky author will receive the grand prize — the publication of her novel by Brava. 

For those readers who are familiar with our old writing contest, American Title, get ready for some major changes. Though you still get to vote for your favorite contestants and entries on the RT website, RTBookReviews.com, we've changed the format of this competition.

This time around, each aspiring author has been paired with a published or soon-to-be published Brava author-mentor who is helping he newbie polish and refine her entry. You'll get to hear from the author-mentors each month as they relate what they worked on with their mentees. 

Also, each round of competition will feature only one judge, instead of three, like we used in American Title. The judges this year will be blogger Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books; literary agents Kristin Nelson, Laura Bradford and Miriam Kriss; and RT's own historical reviewer, Kathe Robin.

 

MEET THE CONTESTANTS:

MAEVE GREYSON
ETERNITY'S MARK (PARANORMAL)

Gilbertsville, KY		    
BIO: I'm Maeve Greyson, paranormal romance writer. All my life I'd heard the voices but never shared them until my mother's health failed over 20 years ago. Medical terrors overwhelmed her. My stories provided an escape. She's gone now. But the joy of turning dreams into words remains. "Eternity's Mark" is the latest tale from my secluded wood where my long-suffering husband caters to my whims and my devoted dog snuggles beside me. MaeveGreyson.com and MaeveGreyson.Blogspot.com

Mentor: Rebecca Zanetti's debut novel, Fated (2011, Kensington) will be the first in the three-book Realm series featuring vampires. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.

  
DALE MAYER
TUESDAY'S CHILD (ROMANTIC SUSPENSE)


Kelowna,
B.C., Canada

    
BIO: Hi everyone! My name is Dale Mayer and I live in beautiful Kelowna, B.C., Canada. I am multipubbed in non-fiction, but my passion is the stories that weave through my mind. For the past nine years, I've written around the daily responsibilities of being a single mother of four to produce new stories each year. I write both adult and young adult fiction focusing on taut psychological suspense with romance and paranormal elements. DaleMayer.com

Mentor: Cynthia Eden writes paranormal suspense tales — sensual stories with dark twists — and has always been intrigued by the supernatural. She loves to answer "What if" questions in her books. She freely admits to being a bit of a Lois Lane wannabe. Cynthia lives in the Deep South with her husband and son.

     
LISA KESSLER
MOONLIGHT (PARANORMAL)

San Diego, CA		    
BIO: Hello, I'm Lisa Kessler and I love paranormal fiction! I write novels and short stories. My vampire story, "Immortal Beloved," was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. I'm an active member of my local RWA chapter and the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal online chapter, and when I'm not writing, I'm also a professional vocalist. I live in sunny San Diego with my husband and my two teens, and I'm very excited to be part of this contest! Myspace.com/Lisas_Lair or Blogs.Myspace.com/Lisas_Lair

Mentor: Bianca D'Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she's always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums of very demanding fish and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.

  
DIANA QUINCY
SEDUCING CHARLOTTE (HISTORICAL)

Ashburn, VA		    
BIO: I've been writing historical romance for two years. It's a welcome respite from my job as a web editor for an international news organization. After spending the day with harsh global realities, I relish losing myself in the Regency world of charming rogues and the ladies who love them. When not huddled over my laptop, I can be found trying to keep up with laundry or spending time with my family. DianaQuincy.Blogspot.com

Mentor: Mary Wine has written some 20 novels, including her most recent, Highland Hellcat and Bedding The Enemy. Wine is the winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance. When she's not writing, Wine has a passion for making historical garments and costumes, from corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I.

 

     
KC KLEIN
DARK FUTURE (PARANORMAL)

Phoenix, AZ		    
BIO: I'm the author of "Dark Future" a sexy futuristic time travel. I got serious about writing three years ago and was as surprised as anyone when my stories took a turn toward the dark and snarky. Nowadays, I divide my time between taking care of my family and driving in circles around Arizona, too busy creating stories in my head to pay attention to mere road signs. KCKleinbooks.com

Mentor: By day Diane Whiteside builds and designs computer systems for the federal government. By night she escapes into a world of alpha males and the unique women who turn their lives upside down.

  
MEREDITH SIMMONS
INDENTURED HEARTS (HISTORICAL)

Wilson, NC		    
BIO: Hi! I'm Meredith Simmons from Wilson, N.C., and I'm thrilled to be included in the Writing With the Stars contest. I've been a storyteller since I was a child. Responsibility overwhelmed this impulse, however, while I was busy being a wife, a mother, a teacher and a real estate agent. Now my duties have lessened and I'm writing historical romance. What an adventure! I'm a late bloomer, but those blossoms are the hardiest. MeredithSimmons.com

Mentor: Bronwen Evans is the former CEO of a company in New Zealand. Invitation to Ruin (2011, Brava) will be her first published work of fiction. She is a member of RWA and RWANZ.

     
ALANNAH LYNNE
LAST CALL (CONTEMPORARY)

Greenville, NC		    
BIO: My family believes I spend all day mindlessly staring out the window. In reality, scenes of fiery passion and chaotic turmoil are dancing through my mind. I've been writing for five years and am published with Samhain Publishing and The Wild Rose Press. Along with my contemporary and erotic romances, I'm working on a romantic suspense series. I'm married and have two sons. AlannahLynne.com or AlannahLynne.Blogspot.com

Mentor: HelenKay Dimon is now a full-time writer, after 12 years as a divorce attorney and one job relocation. She couldn't be happier about the change. She and her husband now call California home. Once they grow accustomed to the perfect weather, never-ending sunshine, short drive to the beach and high prices of ... everything, they'll be fine. 

  
MADELINE SMYTH
ALIYA ARABESQUE (CONTEMPORARY)

Buffalo, NY		    
BIO: Dear readers, I pen sensual stories about masterful men, strong but vulnerable women, conflicting hearts and unforgettable sacrifices. For several years I have written and revised, experienced disappointment and joy, and through the highs and lows of a writer's journey, persevered and developed. Now, Kensington Brava and RT Book Reviews have given me the chance of a lifetime. Come with me on this adventure into my world of Aliya Arabesque. MadelineSmyth.Blogspot.com 

Mentor: Emma Lang, aka Beth Williamson, lives just outside of Raleigh, N.C., with her husband and two sons. She holds a BFA in writing from New York University. She writes Western historicals for Brava.

     
MARI MANNING
DADDY'S GIRL (CONTEMPORARY)

Inverness, IL		    

BIO: I am the proud author of two-and-a-half romance novels. My second novel, "Daddy's Girl", was chosen for Writing With the Stars. Although a fan of both historical and contemporary romance, my books take place in contemporary settings. I especially love writing (and reading) stories about how love transforms characters' lives. My husband and I live in Illinois. I am a marketing director by day, have two grown daughters and belong to RWA. MariManning.com

Mentor: Joan Swan - A triple Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, Swan writes sexy romantic suspense novels with a paranormal twist. Her first Brava novel debuts in April 2012. She lives on the central coast of California with her husband and daughters.

 
MARIA ZANNINI
MISTRESS OF STONE (HISTORICAL)

Terrell, TX		    
BIO: I grew up in Chicago where I learned to walk fast and live vertically. But the city's no place for a frontier woman longing for the woods, so I traded my high heels for hiking boots and moved to Texas. Seven years ago, I began writing sensual stories of legend and mythos, drawing on my love of history, mysticism and secrets. These are the tales of powerful men and passionate women, legends with sizzle. MariaZannini.Blogspot.com

Mentor: Terri Brisbin spends her time being a married mom of three boys and one daughter-in-law. Active in RWA local chapters, she serves on the Board of Directors of RWA. A two-time RITA finalist, Brisbin is the author of 16 romance novels.

     

The competition officially launches in the December issue of RT and online voting begins on Oct. 11, so mark your calendars now!

See The Entries For Round One >>