2006 Contest

The  2006 Chase the Dream Contest was a great success! All of the finalists received a manuscript request from at least one editor or agent and several have gone on to make sales. Here’s what a few of the winners and finalists had to say about how the contest benefited them:

“After making it into the finals with my 1,000 word entry, the beginning of Half Moon Rising, I was contacted by two editors and an agent. Since I had only the beginning chapters completed at that point, I hustled that summer to produce the full manuscript and submit it. In August of 2006, I was offered a contract from Samhain Publishing. Half Moon Rising was digitally released in e-book form on March 27, 2007 and will be released in trade paperback on October 28, 2007.” ~Nancy Glaubius, writing as Margo Lukas, 1st place winner

“As a direct result of the contest, I had an editor contact me about my manuscript. Although I hadn’t yet finished that book, she showed interest in all my writing and offered to look at any project I wished to send to her. As an indirect result, being a Chase the Dream finalist gave me a huge confidence boost, which benefited all my novels, and one of them won the 2007 Golden Heart in Strong Romantic Elements.” ~Marilyn Weigel, writing as Marilyn Brant, 2nd place winner

“I actually haven’t sold the story that placed in the Chase the Dream contest, but the momentum of the placement helped my confidence to pursue a writing career. I’m now published with Ellora’s Cave and The Wild Rose Press under my pen name, KyAnn Waters.” ~Lisa MacDonald, writing as KyAnn Waters, 3rd place winner

“It encouraged me to believe in my work. I entered it in two national RWA contests and won second place in short contemporary category of Touched By Love, the inspirational romance contest sponsored by Faith, Hope & Love. I got a request for a partial which didn’t pan out but got a second request for a partial which is now being looked at by The Wild Rose Press.” ~Anna Taylor Sweringen, week 3 finalist

“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Chase the Dream contest, and would recommend it to anyone.” ~Michelle Diener, week 4 finalist

Click here to view the 2006 Chase the Dream contest winners and finalists.

Click here to view the 2006 Chase the Dream contest mini-critique winners.