Best Action Sequence Ever

Do you have a great action scene in your work in progress? Have you always wanted to write a chase scene but never knew how to work it into your novel about struggling Cape Cod strawberry farmers from the 1700s? Well, listen up. Agent Nathan Bransford has a contest going. He's looking for "the most compelling chase and/or action and/or suspenseful sequence. It may be something you have written for the purpose of the contest or from a work in progress."

It needs to be 500 words or less. You pop it into a comment over at his blog, and on June 3rd (that's tomorrow) he'll read and choose the winner. Best Action Sequence Ever. What's the prize?

"The winner will receive:
- Their choice of a query critique, partial critique, or 10 minute phone conversation/consultation/dish session
- The pride of knowing you suspensed the heck out of me and your fellow readers.
Runners up will receive a query critique or other agreed-up on prize."

Sweet. I'm combing my back pages to find a short gem that moves. How about you? He's got some guidelines and rules to follow, so check those out before you post your action comment. Good luck!

How To Pitch

It's writing conference weather people. Time to hone that pitch for your latest opus. Not sure how to pitch, or even where to start? Agent Nathan Bransford posted a short video yesterday about how to pitch your story idea and knowing the essence of your book. It's worth a minute and twenty seconds of your time. Trust me.

Reading Males

Agent Nathan Bransford has a totally fascinating forum question going regarding Men and Fiction. Where are all the male writers? There are many, but not as many as there are female writers (or so it seems). Is that because fewer men read than women? I have to say, I read more male authors than female. Not sure why, I guess I just relate more to what male protagonists go through. Or maybe it's the male sentiment filtered through the writer. Plus I get more out of reading authors of my generation.

When you're done with that forum topic, check out the rest of Nathan's site: lots of great publishing advice for writers, such as how the publishing process works, how to find a literary agent, and how to write a synopsis.