I did my part with ABNA!

I've submitted my entry of Anticipation of the Penitent into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest! There's still time for your submission. The contest opened tonight at 12:00 am EST, and closes on January 27 at 11:59 am EST.  All that's needed for this free contest is to have a CreateSpace account. You don't even need to self-publish with them. It's okay if you did self-published your book, and it doesn't matter what publishing service you used, as long as you are under no contract with another publisher.

I think this is a great opportunity for new writers. It's an enjoyable though trying process. Trying only because of the number of entries - they take up to 10,000 submissions - then they filter through the pitches first, which are to be no longer than 300 words. After that, they filter through the excepts, which have to be between 3000 to 5000 words. If you get past that stage, they read your manuscript. They chose a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize, with each being offered a publishing contract with advances. Even if you don't make the top three, you may still be offered a contract.

There's nothing to lose. So I urge you writers to submit and do your part! If you win, you are under no obligation to accept the contract, and it would be a great boost to your resume. Check out the site: https://www.createspace.com/abna?ref=416792&utm_id=6053.

Here was my pitch entry for my Christian speculative fiction novel. Thanks to all of you who gave me tips. I'm still open to any suggestions. I can make changes to my entry until the contest closes. I'm also open to ardent prayers for success :)

After Alezea is trapped by the Devil, she bears him a son and knows her life will never be her own. She is the mother of Thomas, a man reared by Satan to be a killer of life’s most innocent – little girls. Alezea lives detached from the horrors committed by her son and from her domination by the entity who uses her as he pleases. Until she meets Martha who shows her a way out. Now Alezea will risk her very soul to free Thomas from his father. The fight to save her son will either redeem Alezea or destroy her forever.

Rachel knows Thomas’ history, yet she believes her presence can transform him. Her belief in Thomas might send her fully into the Devil’s realm or provide an opening for God’s miracles in both of their lives. In a scheme to continue his father’s line, Thomas may ruin his alliance with Rachel or rend himself from the dominion he was born to hold. The impulse to contrive his future takes Thomas to new heights in his lifework as a killer, pushes him toward maturity, and forces him to encounter the astonishing truth of his heritage.

Anticipation of the Penitent depicts the battle between good and evil in one family until it is rendered to its destined completion. Only then will it be known whether Alezea succeeds in her struggle for a life free from Satan’s control.