Novel Rocket's Launch Pad Contest: Boosting You Out of the Slush Pile -- We Have a Winner!

Okay everybody -- time to let out all those pent-up breaths. We have a winner to announce!

The category winners submitted proposals and complete manuscripts to our final round judges. The judges read and pondered. Then they pondered some more. They discussed. And finally, a decision was made.

Because the judges are all Christians, they view the world through the lens of scripture. But fair is fair: this year's winner is not a Christian story, and the language makes us a bit uncomfortable. But it's a great story, and the writing is top-notch. We're all confident that the best entry won.

Let's all give a hearty congratulations, therefore, to Kerry Ann Morgan of Altamonte Springs, Florida, for her contemporary novel, The Last Resort.

Kerry Ann will receive a handmade engraved crystal rocket much like the one shown here. (This picture is of the trophy we gave to last year's winner, Rachelle Harp -- if you look closely, you can see it's engraved with "2012 Novel Rocket Launch Pad Contest" as well as the winner's name. Pretty cool, huh?) Kerry Ann will also be working with our own Gina Holmes to get her in touch with a suitable literary agent.

Best wishes to you, Kerry Ann, for publishing success!

If you think this sounds like fun, check back January 13, when we plan to announce the 2014 edition of our contest. You won't want to miss it!

When she's not overseeing our Launch Pad Contest, Yvonne Anderson writes fiction that takes you out of this world. If you're looking for a worthwhile get-away, fly through the Gateway to Gannah for some serious sci-fi adventure!

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Launching a New Grand Prizewinner Out of the Slush Pile

Four... Three... Two... and, ONE of our entrants is cleared for take-off!

With record numbers of entries, choosing the single best of numerous good entries was a challenge. We had to call in reinforcements to make the final call, with a total of four Novel Rocket staffers putting their heads together to solve the dilemma.

As for me, I stood on the sidelines throughout the last round, only able to anxiously await the result.

But now the decision is made, and I'm pleased to announce it to the world!

The 2013 Grand Prizewinner of Novel Rocket's LAUNCH PAD Contest: Boosting You Out of the Slush Pile is......

Rachelle Harp

with her story,

The Breakout

If you've been following our contest, you'll recognize Rachelle as last month's Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror category winner. Now, as the winner of the Grand Prize, Rachelle will receive a hand-blown glass rocket much like the one pictured above, except personalized.

Better yet, she will also work with the Novel Rocket staff to match her up with an agent.

Does this sound like an opportunity you might like to get in on? We'll announce the 2013 edition of our contest next month. It will work pretty much as it did in the past, but with a few small changes and one major one: we plan to introduce a Nonfiction category next year. Stay tuned for the full details.

Meanwhile, join us in wishing Rachelle a hearty congratulations!

(Be sure to sign up to receive our daily posts--link to your left--so you don't miss any contest deadlines!)

Yvonne Anderson has never won a contest, but nevertheless writes fiction that takes you out of this world.

Check out what readers are saying about her space fantasy series, Gateway to Gannah:

Book 1: The Story in the Stars “…captivates readers from exciting start to satisfying finish…”

Book 2: Words in theWind is “…a thoughtful and nuanced piece… remarkably solid…”

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