Hailing On All Frequencies!

I'm posting a little earlier this week as a couple of our members are in a reader's poll that closes midnight, October 10th (see Contest News section for details) and I'd like to give you time to check out the entries.


NEW RELEASES
FROM THE ASHES is an erotic sci-fi romance from new Brigader, Maree Anderson. The book will be coming out with Red Sage Pubishling in December 2010. 









REDEEMING CHARACTERS by Jennifer L. Hart was released in ebook format on October 9 by Passion In Print.  A release in paperback format will follow the first week in December.









D. L. Jackson has a two-story SFR/erotica anthology called BLOWN AWAY featuring Detonate and Happy Trails also to be released by Passion in Print  (release date TBA).

BLOGGING
Jody Wallace has been interviewed by Meankitty over at Scribbling Ninjas. They're talking about Jody's fantasy romance novel, SURVIVAL OF THE FAIREST.

Erica Hayes was a guest blogger over at the SciFiGuy.ca this week. She tackled the topic of Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal Romance - What's Your Fancy?.

MEMBERS NEWS
Laurie Green placed 2nd in the Toronto Gold/Original Golden Opportunity contest sponsored by Toronto Romance Writers RWA chapter with her SFR THE OUTER PLANETS. Congratulations, Laurie!!!

Lisa Lane has entered her trailer video for PANDORA'S HOPE in the You Gotta Read Videos contest. It's Entry #6 this month. She'd appreciate any members dropping by between October 26th-30th to leave their vote of support.

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to our newest members:

• Maree Anderson
• Mel Teshco
• Jess Anastasi

CONTEST NEWS
Frances Pauli's SFR short, COMPLICATED CARGO, has made it to round two in the Just One Bite contest. Reading and voting continues until the 14th. Congratulations, go Frances!

Blackraven's Reviews is running a weekly readers' poll from Oct.1st-Oct.8th you can vote for your favourite read. Barbara Elsborg's book TREUBLOOD 5: FIGHT TO REMEMBER is one of Blackraven's Reviews Top Picks for the Week and new Brigader Mel Teshco's book ICE COLD LOVER is also in the list. So go along, take a look and cast your vote by midnight Oct.10th! 

The 2011 Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Contest
The Pikes Peak Writers and Pikes Peak Writers Conference are pleased to sponsor the PPWC's 19th annual contest for unpublished writers.
The contest officially begins September 15, 2010. E-entries only.
Entries must be received by 11:59 PM (MST) November 15, 2010. Winners will be notified in early April 2011.

Contest Categories:
• Short Stories (fiction only; all genres included in same category) Book Length:
• Children’s(for ages 8-12)
• Historical Fiction
• Mainstream
• Mystery/Suspense/Intrigue
• Romance
• Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
• Young Adult(for ages 12-18)

FINAL ROUND JUDGES

• Children's VIP Judge: Danielle Chiotti (Upstart Crow Literary)   
• Historical Fiction VIP Judge:  Rachelle Gardner (Word Serve Literary Agent)
• Mainstream VIP Judge:  Kathleen Gilligan (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins)
• Mystery/Suspense/Intrige VIP Judge: Denise Little (Ethan Ellenberg Agency) 
• Romance VIP Judge: Allison Lyons (Harlequin Intrigue)
• Young Adult VIP Judge: Amy Boggs (Donald Maass Agency)
• Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror VIP Judge: Deb Dixon (President of Belle Books)  
• Short Story VIP Judge: Angela James (Executive Editor, Carina Press) 

For more details download the brochure from this link. 

BOOK REVIEWS, SIGNINGS & GIVE-AWAYS. 
An October Blog Anniversary Party! Kylie Griffin celebrates a year of blogging this month and she's doing it in style with a Give-away-fest. A smorgas-library of free books with every post.
Look what's going on this week...
9th October - Have you read a good sci-fi romance lately? This is a blatant plug to get people to visit the SFRB website and blog! To give-away to a lucky visitor - three of Elizabeth Amber's Lords of Satyr series. To be in the draw complete the sci-fi challenge, it closes October 13th (midnight Aussie EST).
12th October - What are you reading and enjoying? Don't forget to recharge the creative well with a good book. If you leave a comment about a book you've read lately you may win an autographed copy of COLTER'S WOMAN by Maya Banks. Contest closes midnight (Aussie EST) 16th October.
So, put on your party hats, you're all invited to share in the fun! Get on over to her blog!

INDUSTRY NEWS
Editor Debra Dixon (author of Goal, Motivation, Conflict) and BelleBooks are actively looking for submissions in the following genres:

• sci-fi
• fantasy
• urban fantasy
• YA
• romance
• strong general fiction
• women's fiction
• literary fiction

They produce print and e-book releases and are interested in published and unpublished authors.

Hachette Australia (2nd largest publisher in Australia & largest in fiction) and editor Bernadette Foley are also actively looking for manuscripts (agented only). They are looking for submissions in these genres:

• fantasy (Orbit imprint)
• sci-fi (Orbit imprint)
• commercial fiction
• non-fiction

Check their website for details.
INFORMATION OF INTEREST
Steampunk Prosthetics made for an intriguing read over at The Galaxy Express earlier this week. SFRBrigader Sheryl Nantus and her book, WILD CARDS AND IRON HORSES featured in the post.

The Blood-Red Pencil has a great post on Tips for Writing Effective Dialogue. Listed are some practical ways to improve your dialogue.