Friday, June 24, 2016

June 2016 #YayYA Rules and Entries

Hello everyone!

It's that time again! Who's ready for #YayYA?

Just some reminders: 

1. For the second time, we are including upper MG! If you have an upper MG story you'd like to enter, feel free to do so.

2. I have a co-host!



Some of you probably remember Bethany from our last #YayYAs (under the pseudonym Grace). One of my CPs, she writes fantasy and weird science fiction for MG and YA. She's a huge fan of Shannon Messenger, James Dashner, William Joyce, and Eoin Colfer, and hails from Oklahoma. She's also representing the non-Twitter participants of #YayYA. 

Bethany will be helping me even more than the last rounds, as I have a day job now. Thanks for your patience if I don't reply to you right away on Twitter! 

Yay!! All right, enough announcements. Here's the schedule:


Here's what you need to enter:

1. 500 words from your upper MG or YA manuscript. Your MS can be finished. It can be unfinished.

2. Follow me on Twitter (@whatshewrote). This is where all conversation about the party will take place, with the hashtag #YayYA. You can still enter if you don't have Twitter, but I won't be able to contact you on updates.

3. Follow my blog. If the follow button doesn't work, then don't worry too much about this rule. You will still make it in if the follow button decides to reject you. It doesn't like me either and I'm working on fixing it :D 

Here's how to enter:

1. On SATURDAY,  June 25th, the submission window will be open from 9AM to 6PM EST (or until the slots fill up)! Send entries to yayYAcontest@gmail.com

2. In the subject line, put YayYA: Genre/TITLE

3. In the body of the email, list your name (you can use a pen name for this), Twitter handle (if applicable),  genre, and title. Below, paste your 35-word pitch to give your fellow critters background, and your first 500 words (keep it at 500 words. If your last sentence makes it 505 or 529, cut that sentence and keep it under 500.) If you do not follow the guidelines, I'm afraid I'll have to delete your entry. You're welcome to re-sub as soon as you notify me, but if you miss the slot or the window, I won't be able to give it back, sorry.



ENTRY EXAMPLE:

Subject line: YayYA: Historical Fantasy/THE RED AND THE SCARLET


Body of email:

Name: Rachel Stevenson (@whatshewrote)

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Title: My Awesome Title!

35-word pitch: My awesome 35-word pitch that is 35 words or less, not 36 or 37 etc.

First 500 words: The awesome first 500 words from my manuscript, in which all swear words are canned and the last sentence is complete!


IMPORTANT NOTE:

I have a large blog audience of great young readers in the MG age group. Because of this, I ask most respectfully that if there is any language in your first 500 words, please can it. Keep your entry PG, or I will have to either can your language for you or delete your entry without explanation. 


GUIDELINES AND SCHEDULE FOR CRITIQUES:



All entrants will be notified if they made it in. Those who make it in will be given their entry's number.

After the sub window closes, entries will be posted on my blog, and links to the entries will be posted at the bottom of this post on Monday morning, June 27th.

1. The first critique round will be open from Monday until 1pm, Saturday, July 1st. There will be a revision round afterward from Monday, July 4th to Wednesday,  July 6th.


2. Entrants must critique the first five entries before and below their number. So, if you are entry #6, you will critique entries #1-5 and then #7-11. If you are entry #1, then critique #16-20 and #2-6, etc. Feel free to critique more! And if you are simply a spectator dropping by, feel free to leave your two cents! I already have some awesome tweeps who have offered to add their comments.

3. When you critique, always say something positive about the writer's work. No bashing, rude remarks, or "getting back" for hard criticism you might receive. Note: the comments will be unmoderated. Therefore, please do not use profanity, as I have a large MG-age blog audience. Foul comments will be deleted without exception.


If you have any questions about the rules, feel free to ask!


Can't wait to see your entries! :D



Entries:

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5

Entry #6

Entry #7

Entry #8

Entry #9

Entry #10

Entry #11

Entry #12

Entry #13

Entry #14

Entry #15

Entry #16

Entry #17

Entry #18

Entry #19




REVISED ENTRIES:

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5

Entry #6

Entry #9

Entry #10

Entry #12

Entry #13

Entry #15

Entry #17

Entry #18 




3 comments:

  1. Quick question: If we're trying to decide between 2 openings, can we post 250 words of each? So it would still be 500 words total, just split between 2 different openings. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A dumb question from the newbie who jumped in last minute! Do we post critiques as comments on the posts or are they sent privately or--?

    ReplyDelete