I haven't plugged this manuscript mentor contest as heavily as in years past, as I'm not entering this year. I'm still wrestling with a rewrite for Dragon Scales, ironing out the emotional plot, and don't have a completed manuscript to enter.

This is a free manuscript mentoring contest, a chance to work with an editor for eight weeks on your manuscript, if it's selected. If you have a finished, polished, beta-reader tested MS, you've got nothing to lose by entering. Go ahead! Give it a shot.

Only one submission per entrant. And the manuscript must not have been published before.

Make sure you've researched at least three editors, each one you think is a good fit to work with on your manuscript.

Individual editors specify which type of manuscript they're looking for by genre and audience, YA, MG, adult.

Then check out How to Submit your MS to the contest.

Get your application materials in tip-top shape: the query and the first five pages, double-spaced, of your MS (about 1,200-1,500 words). Unlike other mentor contests, this contest does not require a synopsis, but editors may ask for one when they request more (a synopsis, more pages or a full MS), so have one ready.

And March 17-20 be prepared to submit your application.

Contest Schedule:

March 17- March 20th: Submission window opens. The submission window opens at 12pm EDT on March 17th and will remain open until 7pm EDT on March 20th.

March 17- March 31st: First Reader Round

March 21- March 31st: #AskEditor sessions

If you enter, and your manuscript is chosen, let me know! I"ll happily cheer your work on!

Good luck!