From the author of Think Outside the Square: Writing Publishable (Short) Stories

Nearly four years ago, I began to enter writing contests. I was told it would help me immensely with both my writing career, and honing my craft.

What I didn?t count on was the huge amounts of money I would spend, or the disheartening comments dished out by merciless judges.

They say you learn from your mistakes; I certainly did. In the period May 2003 to May 2004, I entered eight writing contests. Of those eight I short listed in six and placed second in three. In the most recent contest, I scored 98 out of 100 possible points ? and won a $500 promotional package in the process. (Plus got my work in front of some pretty impressive editors at large publishing houses.)

Not only did those results catapult me from being a totally unknown writer (in early 2003) to the widely published, sought after full-time writer I am today - they also earned me the title of ?award-winning writer?.

As a result, I have received constant emails from other writers around the world, all asking the same question ? ?What is your secret? Exactly how do you do it?? This book is the result.

Some of the subjects covered include:

- Honing your craft
- Writing Tight and Self Editing
- Outstanding Ideas
- Using Action Tags to advantage
- Action Reaction
- Creating Characters
- Body Language
- Point of View
- Dialogue
- Brainstorming
- Scene Structure
- Paying Fees
- Understanding Rules

and much, much more.

I've also included loads of resources such as ezines, online critique groups, courses, books, and technical jargon used throughout the writing industry. Plus there are literally pages of places to find contests listings.

Everyone works in different ways, so I asked some of my published writing friends (read as: award-winning writers) to pass on their secrets as well. Many of them have won multiple contests, and are widely published.

The book is 100 pages long and could easily have sold for $49.95 - possibly more, but I wanted to keep it affordable for all writers at all income levels.

This just might be the best US$19.95 you will spend all year!

Even if you have no intention of entering contests, this book will help you immensely in honing your craft.

Cheryl really understands how hard it is for a new writer to break into the contest winner field. This book shows you, step-by-step, how to enter contests, and more importantly, how to win! She gives tons of practical advice and loads of contest markets. I?ve been entering contests for about a year now, and after reading I Wanna Win by Cheryl, I?ve learned so much. I wish she would have written this a year ago!

Susan E Fenton
Author of Shadow in the Night - The Red Vixens