A Follower Contest!

Today is 1-11-11. Does that sound lucky or what? 

Last fall when I was plotting the release of True Believers I asked what sort of prizes people would like to see in contests. An overwhelming number of you asked for a manuscript critique from yours truly. 

Still interested?

From now until January 26, I am running a Follower Contest. Follow me on this blog or Facebook and be entered for a chance to win either a cool t-shirt or a manuscript critique (your choice of prize).

To enter: 
Add yourself to my friend or follower list, then fill out this form telling me so. You can enter multiple times if you tweet or mention this contest (with this link) on Facebook or your blog. 

The form is also on the Contest page at the top of this blog.

Already following me? You will earn double points when you enter--just because I think you're special. :o)

Winner:
Chosen by random drawing. But the more you enter, the better your chances.

Prizes:
Your choice of t-shirt or critique. 

If you choose the critique, your manuscript must be as polished as you can get it. I will not correct grammar, but I will review the story for character, plot, conflict, and world building.

Manuscript should be no more than 90k, but I'll cut you some slack if it goes over. I will read partials if you insist, but that will be in lieu of a full manuscript review.

Am I qualified to critique your manuscript? 
Yup. I've done so much reviewing there's a price on my head in seven solar systems. They'll never catch me alive. 

Caveat: I will not color my review in rainbows. I will not feed your ego with platitudes and pom poms. But I will give you an honest assessment as a reader and an editor.

This contest will run for two weeks. The winner will be announced Thursday, 1-27-11. Now, go tell your friends. I want to meet new people!

Any questions?

Comments

Jennifer Shirk saidā€¦
Great contest! I'll tweet it!
I definitely need a full manuscript critique!

I'll blog about it either tonight or tomorrow.
Angelina Rain saidā€¦
Great contest. Iā€™ll enter. I desperately need a critique. Iā€™m having trouble with my WIP, I love the story, love the characters, but Iā€™m stuck in a standstill and canā€™t seem to figure out how to move forward. Maybe a fresh set of eyes could help. *Bats lashes*
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Enter away, guys.

Angelina: I can't think of a single writer who doesn't benefit from getting a fresh pair of eyes on their work.

I know with my CPs, I refuse to let them read my work more than once so I can be assured of objectivity.
Krista D. Ball saidā€¦
I wanted a pompom critique. Sigh.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Krista: No pom poms for you. Next you'll want a pony.
Barbara Ann Wright saidā€¦
For some reason, I couldn't get the form to work. I'm following you on Facebook. Unfortunately, it also seems that I suck at computer.

Help me, Maria. You're my only hope.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Barbara: Mea culpa.

Go to the form on the contest page: http://mariazannini.blogspot.com/p/follow-maria-zannini.html

That one works.

--Obi Wan, over and out
Sarah Ahiers saidā€¦
woo hoo! Form submitted!
Also, just a heads up - i put that i'm friends with you on FB. I think i am, but if i'm not, i'll add you tonight when i'm off of work.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Sarah: I don't think I see you on FB--unless you're going by another moniker. I'll take your word that you'll be back. LOL.
Linda Leszczuk saidā€¦
Posted this on FB and I'll have it in my blog tomorrow. Great PRIZE.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
I appreciate it, Linda. Thank you!
Krista D. Ball saidā€¦
Ponies are too much work. I want a goat.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Krista: Come see me in a few months and I might have one for you. :)
Cate Masters saidā€¦
Actually, miniature ponies are the same size as goats. Just sayin'.
I'm always looking for feedback. If I promise a peanut-butter free zone, does that count as a bribe?
I show up as my alter-ego on FB, btw. I'm stuck in an identity crisis.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Cate:
Ref: If I promise a peanut-butter free zone, does that count as a bribe?

Ha! I should probably give extra points for that. But I gotta stick to the original rules.
Mason Canyon saidā€¦
Great contest and a wonderful thing to offer fellow writers.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Joanna St. James saidā€¦
the only reason I will choose a t shirt instead of a crit is if its spun from gold.
A Crit from you will be a fabu gift, Trust me to harp about this as much as I can
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Mason, Joanna, Angela: Thanks for stopping in. I hope you spread the word. I am all fired up to read someone's manuscript.
Linda Leszczuk saidā€¦
Gave this top billing in my blog this morning.
Krista D. Ball saidā€¦
When I filled out the form, I put "goat" as the option, just FYI
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Linda: Thanks!

Krista: You're going to be sorry if you win and get a goat instead. You're going to have to pay shipping, you know. :grin: Oh, and I don't even want to think about getting it past customs.
Victoria Dixon saidā€¦
Thanks for letting me know, Maria! I'm going to go update my current contest list to include this. That should also automatically tweet it, too. ;D I do, of course, follow Your Worshipfullness here and on FB. LOL Great contest!
Angelina Rain saidā€¦
Hello Maria,

You won a Stylish Blogger Award. Get your award at my blog.
Sherri saidā€¦
You are awesomesauce Maria. I already stalk -- er, follow you :grin:

I wish I had something even close to being critique-worthy :shrug: some day.

Good luck to all who enter.
Anonymous saidā€¦
Sweet! I'm a new follower...I will tweet this (it also shows up on facebook). Thanks!
Suzanne Johnson saidā€¦
Great prize--you are a glutton for punishment! (cliche alert). I follow and I tweeted!
Michelle H. saidā€¦
Hello Maria,

I heard about your contest on Facebook so decided to stalk... er... um... I mean to become a follower. So the extra pair of binoculars is just me now! :)

michellehickman.blogspot.com
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Victoria:
Ref: Worshipfullness
I wonder if I can get that tattooed on my chest.

Angelina: Thank you for the award!

Sherri: Why are you doing needlepoint when you should be writing? LOL!

lbdiamond, Suzanne, Michele: Welcome! Make yourselves at home!
Sherri saidā€¦
LOL, I'm doing Dark & Early with Joely Sue Burkhart for the writing. Been working on my heroine most of this week but moving on to her antagonist today after kiddos are off.
Ellie Garratt saidā€¦
Ooo...what if I would like a peanut butter penalty?

Awesome contest!