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How I Became a Contest Whore

By Jenna Petersen

Before an aspiring author is published, one of the things they can do to get feedback and also get their work in front of an editor is to enter contests, which are held by local Romance Writers of America chapters across the country. To enter, the writer sends some amount of money (these are also fundraisers for chapters), three to five copies of the first few chapters of their manuscript and then they wait. Other authors normally judge the preliminary rounds and then finalists are announced. These finalists have their manuscripts sent to romance editors or literary agents, who then rank the winners and occasionally ask to see more of the manuscript.

As you can imagine, these contests, especially ones with prestige, are very popular.

Before I was published, I entered three. I wrote over 10 manuscripts, for 4 years and I entered three. Why? I was never that into the contests, I always worried about too many cooks in my creative kitchen and those things can get expensive. I sold via a query letter that landed me an agent who then sold my work to a publisher. In other words, the old fashioned way.

And yet, the moment I became published, suddenly a whole new world of contests opened up to me. The Published Author contests. Most are also hosted by RWA Chapters, you still pay them some amount of money and then you send a few copies of your book. Only most of these contests are judged by readers and booksellers and librarians (oh my!).

It was like someone had injected crack directly into my brain. I entered one. Then another. Then another. Help, I can’t stop, there’s another one! What’s better is… I started to final! I was an Award-Finaling Author Jenna Petersen, not just Boring Old Author Jenna Petersen.

On days when the finalists for contests are announced, I find myself nervously watching the phone. For some unknown reason, I keep giving people my cell phone and I never have that with me. In the many times I have finaled in contests, the person calling has only reached me ONCE. Once!! So I’ve learned I was a finalist via email and voicemail.

The one time I did get the news live, I was in the grocery store! In the Snackwell cookie aisle. I put the “good for you” cookies away and bought a sundae.

But as much as I finaled, I never won. I have a wall of certificates saying that I’m a finalist for best historical, best historical romantic suspense, best… actually that’s it, just the same thing over and over.

Until now. I have finally won a contest! My November 2007 erotic historical romance, Everything Forbidden won 1st place in the Erotica/Steamy category in the From the Heart Romance Writers’ Lories contest. Ranked by readers, thank you very much. But has this tempered my addiction? No! In fact, now that I’ve had a taste of victory… I want more.

Hello, I’m Jenna Petersen, and I’m addicted to contests.

So what are your secret addictions? Ever won a contest of any kind? I’ll chose a winner from the comments who will receive a signed copy of my newest book (which will be entering contests as soon as I can), Something Reckless (Jess Michaels, Available Now!).

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 7:46 am and is filed under Guest Author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

28 Responses to “How I Became a Contest Whore”

  1. Wendy
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am
    1

    Hi, my name’s Wendy and I’m a contestaholic. I really can’t help myself, contests are fun!

  2. brownone
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 8:12 am
    2

    Hi Jenna! Was just over at the Avon blog and saw you were coming here so why wouldn’t I try for a chance at a SIGNED copy?!! I too am a contest addict and LOVE winning autographed copies, there’s just something special about them.

  3. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 8:40 am
    3

    Hi Wendy and brownone! :) You know, I hadn’t thought of the giveaway contests. I never enter those anymore (I would feel weird if I won a prize from another published author, like I cheated the system or something). But yes, let’s include those in the mix!

  4. Teresa W.
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 9:25 am
    4

    I love entering contests and I’ve had many successes in winning. I’m always willing to try out reading books by new authors. I’m an avid reader of all genres.

  5. Crystal B.
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am
    5

    I love entering contests. It is such a thrill when you get lucky and win. Getting the package in the mail is like a Christmas or birthday gift.

  6. azteclady
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 10:00 am
    6

    I’m addicted to books–but that’s not a secret.

    I’m a huge fan of authors’ contests and giveaways–but that’s not a secret either.

    Hmm… you know, I have no secret vices. All my addictions are very much of the in your face kind :grin:

  7. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
    7

    LOL, well clearly I’m giving you guys your fix today since I’m giving away a book. I’m an enabler!!

  8. Carrie Lofty
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
    8

    Congratulations, Jenna. Glad to meet you this weekend! I hope it was a good conference for you.

  9. sula
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
    9

    If we count contests as the kind where you might get free books, I am all about those. I enter many, but so far have only been lucky once. But on the flipside, it’s always fun to take a chance. heh. As for entering something I myself have produced for a potential prize? hmm. Must think about that…. Does turning in your homework count? lol.

    My secret vice is my addiction to romance novels. There, I said it! *g* Oh and lately, I have become addicted to this amazing Breyers Fat Free chocolate ice cream. Can you believe it’s fat free? Seriously, the stuff tastes…well, it tastes divine.

  10. Carolyn Jean
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
    10

    I am addicted to Sees chocolate suckers. They are so rich and yummy, it’s like you’re eating chocolate for 20 minutes straight, but of course if I was really eating chocolate for 20 minutes, well, let’s just say goodbye bikini season. And they are wrapped in golden wrappers.

    Oh, Sula, you know what is also really good on the low fat chocolate Ice cream front? Amy’s Chocolate Sorbet. It is chocolately and coconutty, and sort of healthy, and great if you can’t have tons of dairy. I used to be addicted to that.

  11. katiebabs
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
    11

    I admit it, I am such a contest ho. Gimme your ARCS!

  12. lisabea
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
    12

    I am addicted to Dunkin Donuts Hazelnut coffee with extra skim milk and no sugar. OMG. If I could have it 4 times a day, well, that’d be cutting back and maybe not such a good thing.

  13. sula
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
    13

    Wow, lb, what a coincidence. I just read this cool book in which the lead character also had an addiction to hazelnut DD coffee. 4 cups of it too! *g*

    CJ, I will keep an eye out for the Amy’s sorbet. That’s a good line…I’ve had some of their other healthy nature food. mm. But expensive. :(

  14. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
    14

    Oh sheesh, I don’t even want to get into the food I am addicted to. LOL I’ll just stick to contests. It’s got to be healthier…

    And Carrie, it was nice to see you, too!

    I’ll pick a winner of the book in an hour or so (9pm CT), so keep on commenting and checking back!

  15. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
    15

    I’ve chosen a winner and it was…. Carrie Lofty! Carrie, if you want to email me at jenna@jennapetersen.com with your address, I’ll send you a copy of SOMETHING RECKLESS once I have author copies! :)

    Thanks for having me again Bam! And thanks to everyone who played along with me today! It was great fun, as usual. ;)

  16. katiebabs
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 4:39 am
    16

    Dunkin Donuts!! OMG If I could have a caramel latte from them everyday I would be in heaven. I could survive on coffee drinks alone. :D

  17. lisabea
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 4:39 am
    17

    Yay for Carrie Lofty!!!

    And Sula, I may need to tweak that.

  18. azteclady
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 5:37 am
    18

    *applause* Cool, Carrie!

    Me, I won’t mention the food addictions–even thinking about them makes the hips and butt bigger. :wink:

  19. Jackie
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 7:46 am
    19

    Huzzah, Carrie!

    Me, I’m addicted to email. Sad, really.

  20. Wendy
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 10:12 am
    20

    Yay, Carrie!

    I’m with Jackie - I can’t tell you how many times I check my email daily. It’s definitely a bit sad.

    And I’m a total ARCs Ho.

  21. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
    21

    My editor once told me that if she sends me an email and I don’t respond within five minutes, she assumes I might be dead. So that tells you about my email thing. Sick.

  22. Lorelie
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
    22

    Secret addiction? Probably Girls Next Door. I don’t think anyone but my family and my BFF know I watch it. The rest of my addictions are right there in the open and hard to miss.

    Contest wise, I used to be addicted to Bam’s monthly writing contests, once I got the courage up to enter. . . and then she cut me off cold turkey. But I can’t take the withdrawls any longer — I’m running it for her on my blog next month. :D

  23. Stefanie D
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
    23

    I’m addicted to contests too. I love winning ARC’s!! You can’t buy them, so that makes them very special. And the idea of being able to read a book before anyone else… That’s just great!!:P

  24. Shannon
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
    24

    I am new to the book blog world, so those contests are something I have seen and heard about, but am only just starting to enter. Not a true addiction… yet.

    Aside from books, my big addiction is perfume. Not just any perfume, but perfume oils from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. You think, “Oh, I’ll just try a pack of imps (6 samples vials that you get to choose.)” The next thing you know you are purchasing a box that is dedicated to storing your multitude of sample vials and bottles. You have a wishlist. You start swapping with other BPAL addicts. You have specific scent for events or moods. You are a scent whore! ehem…. So yes. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfume oils. Go check out their website and join the rest of us crazies… I mean fans.

  25. bam
    Posted: Apr 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
    25

    Damn you, Shannon… now I have a new addiction too!

  26. katiebabs
    Posted: Apr 30th, 2008 at 4:42 am
    26

    OMG Lorelie!! Are you talking about the Oxygen show with the crazy and nasty girls who are worse than any Real World characters? My friend introduced me to that show and I was quickly hooked.
    But my guilty pleasure is America’s Top Model. The show is sick, but I can’t stop watching!

  27. limecello
    Posted: Apr 30th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
    27

    Hi Jenna,
    I’m a book contest whore. I love books. I got my first signed book this year, and I loved it. I entered book contests for 5 or so years, and only recently began winning. [Joy!] As a student, book contests are especially nice, since I can’t even afford food :-P .
    I also do a lot of surveys- but those aren’t so much contests. [Although supposedly some lucky survey taker wins some prize every so often.] I was much luckier as a kid - I’d win coloring contests, writing/speaking contests… I often feel like I used up all my luck before the age of 12. :-P

  28. SweetNSourGirl
    Posted: Apr 30th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
    28

    Hello Jenna, congrats on doing so well. Sounds like something I may have to check into :)

    I have an addiction, and it’s one I’m not really at all proud of. Recently, I’ve become addicted to America’s Next Top Model, they have these long ass marathons on during the weekends and I sit down and watch these crazy, skinny girls pose and act ditzy and Tyra Banks…don’t even get me started.

    The show is everything I should hate, repetitive, reality TV, inaccurate in historical and geographical things (Sparta is in Greece, bitches, not Rome!) glitzy and glamy, no real substance…and yet I can’t take my eyes away from it. It’s the crack cocaine of reality shows. You might be able to say that it’s my favorite train wreck.

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