Tag Archives: competitions

YOUR chance to appear in Book 8!

Posted on February 22, 2016 | 16 comments

Right now, I’m editing what will be my eighth novel and I’m making some substantial changes to the first draft I submitted at the end of last year. So, I thought it was about time we had some fun with the book…

What I’ve loved in recent years is involving my lovely readers in not just the launch of my books but throughout the process, via my vlogs and #getinvolved challenges. It’s been so much fun to incorporate ideas – and in some cases, readers themselves as characters – into my stories.

So, this got me thinking. How can I have fun with this big edit of Book 8, while also getting my lovely readers involved?

Here’s my exciting plan…

As this is an edit and I don’t have a lot of room to put in suggestions and new characters, I’ve decided to offer some chances for teeny-tiny mentions I can sneak into the story without detracting from it or changing the pace.  I’m calling these MICROCAMEOS. Think of it like film extras who appear in scenes to support the action. I would like to sneak you into the heart of the action of Book 8, hanging out with my brand new cast of characters.

Fancy grabbing a MicroCameo in my new book?

To win a spot in Book 8, simply share this blog post (via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or on your blog) and leave a comment (either below this post, on my Facebook Author Page or tweet me @wurdsmyth on Twitter) telling me why you should have a MicroCameo. I’ll pick as many as I can to sneak into the story and if you appear in the book, I’ll mention you in the Acknowledgements at the beginning, too. Entries must be in BY MIDNIGHT (GMT) ON FRIDAY 11TH MARCH.

I would love to write you into my book. What are you waiting for? Best of luck! xx

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Miranda Writes 45: #getinvolved with Book 8!

Posted on October 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

All this year I’m vlogging about the writing, editing and publishing of my latest novel, A Parcel for Anna Browne. This week, I’m writing Book 8 – and I need YOUR help!

If you’ve watched my vlogs for a while, you’ll know that every year I give my lovely readers the chance to suggest something for my next book. Over four hundred people have joined in with my #getinvolved challenges during the last few year – amazing authors Joanne Harris and Jill Mansell have even joined in! If I use your suggestion, I’ll thank you in the acknowledgements in my eighth novel…

So, to find out your first #getinvolved challenge, watch this vlog! You can leave a comment in the box below this post, email me mirandawurdy@gmail.com, tweet me @wurdsmyth or leave me a comment on my facebook author page MirandaDickinsonAuthor.

What would you like to know? Contact me using the methods above and ask me a question for the next vlog.

Enjoy! xx

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A Parcel for Anna Browne – HERE’S MY BIG NEWS!

Posted on September 22, 2015 | 2 comments

For the last couple of days, intriguing images have been appearing on my Twitter and Facebook…

…a CHEEKY LITTLE OWL…

Owly

…a DAISY CHAIN NECKLACE

Daisy chain

…and a HOPE HEART

Hope heart

BUT WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

Well, I can finally reveal the full pictures… They are part of an amazing TREASURE HUNT that will be taking place in BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER and LONDON from Thursday 24th September – the day A Parcel for Anna Browne is published!

Here’s how it works: the posters (see below) will be put up across the three cities (each one represents some of the gifts Anna Browne receives). When you find them, take a photo and tweet @panmacmillan using the hashtag #AParcelforAnnaBrowne. You can also post on Facebook – just make sure you use the hashtag so we can find you!

There are NINE gifts to find. Up for grabs are signed copies of A Parcel for Anna Browne and – this is the best bit – I will be inviting people who find and share the most of Anna’s gifts to a sumptuous afternoon tea with me!

The competition runs until 1st October, so there’s plenty of time to hunt for Anna Browne’s gifts…

I’ll be posting clues to the poster locations from Thursday – and if you’re in Birmingham that day you might meet me and my agent Hannah as we’re planning to hunt the parcel gift posters ourselves!

Here are all the gift posters in their absolute glory:

PfABGiftBoards4 PfABGiftBoards3 PfABGiftBoards2 PfABGiftBoards PfABGiftBoards9 PfABGiftBoards8 PfABGiftBoards7 PfABGiftBoards6 PfABGiftBoards5

It’s going to be so much fun. Happy hunting – and best of luck! xx

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Posted in Books, Competitions, Exclusives, Free stuff

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#Wurdy5k BONUS TREAT: Merry Christmas, lovelies!

Posted on December 24, 2014 | Leave a comment

We-ell, I couldn’t finish the #WURDY5k treat bonanza so close to Christmas and not offer you a festive treat or two, could I?

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments about the past five days! I hope you’ve enjoyed the fun!

And so, as an extra bonus treat, I have a singalong EP to download for free and a very special Christmas Short Story, PLUS read on for an exclusive competition!

To help your festivities go with a swing, here’s my Sparkly Christmas Medley, featuring seven of my favourite Christmas songs. Click on the cover below to download for free:

Sparkly Christmas Medley EP cover

 

And here is a lovely, sparkly, magical Christmas story, The Christmas Window, to warm the cockles of your heart! Click the cover below to download for free:

The Christmas Window by Miranda Dickinson

 

And last, but by no means least, here’s a special competition to round off my #WURDY5k celebrations nicely. I am offering one person the chance to appear in the acknowledgements of my seventh novel, A Parcel for Anna Browne, which will be published by Pan Macmillan in September 2015.

To win, all you have to do is email me: mirandawurdy@gmail.com and tell me WHY you should appear in the thank you section of my book.

I will announce the winner on Twitter after Christmas. Best of luck – and have a very happy, merry and jolly Christmas! xx

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And the winners of the New Rose Prize 2013 are…

Posted on October 18, 2013 | 3 comments

This year’s New Rose Prize saw entries across five categories: Literary, Crime, Young Adult, Romantic Comedy and First Chapter. And, after much deliberation, the judges have made their decision…

070e8-nrp2013

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who entered for sharing their work with us. It is no mean feat to put your work ‘out there’, but we appreciate the effort and bravery of all our entrants this year. Secondly, a massive thank you to our wonderful judging panel: Jamie Guiney, Mel Sherratt, Tamsyn Murray (and me!)

So, without further ado, here are the winners of the New Rose Prize 2013:

The LITERARY New Rose Prize 2013 winner is… 100 QUESTIONS by Josefine Ejebjork

The CRIME New Rose Prize 2013 winner is… THE ENCOUNTER by Holly Foster

The YA New Rose Prize 2013 winner is… COUNSELOR IN TRAINING by Lisa Bambrick

The ROMANTIC COMEDY New Rose Prize 2013 winner is… FROM BEHIND THE FRUIT MACHINE IN PURPLE HEELS by Emma Dellow

and, finally…

The FIRST CHAPTER New Rose Prize 2013 winner is… FLOORED by Katie Marsh

A massive congratulations to all our winners, who I will be contacting in the next week with details of their prizes. I will publish their winning entries on my Coffee and Roses blog next week.

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Win an invitation to my book launch!

Posted on September 27, 2013 | 2 comments

My fifth novel, Take A Look At Me Now, launches on October 24th and the butterflies are kicking in already! I’m going to announce lots of exciting things over the next couple of weeks in the run-up to P-Day – and to kick things off, I have a brilliant competition!

Take A Look At Me Now by Miranda Dickinso

How would you like to join me in London for my very cool launch? In honour of Nell’s story in Take A Look At Me Now – which sees her blow her redundancy cheque on a trip of a lifetime to San Francisco, the lovely people at Avon have arranged an exclusive, US-diner themed afternoon tea event in the heart of London on Wednesday 23rd October from 5pm.

And I have very special invitations for three lovely people to join me as we celebrate the launch of Take A Look At Me Now! 

You have to be able to get to London for 5pm on Wednesday 23rd October – but when you’re there you’ll receive a first edition copy of my book (a day before it’s available in the shops!), which I’ll happily sign for you, plus the chance to enjoy some amazing food.

To enter all you have to do is email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com and tell me why you would like to win. Simple! You have until MIDNIGHT on MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER to enter – so hurry! Good luck!

p.s You can pre-order Take A Look At Me Now at Kobo, Kindle, Waterstones, The Book Depository and Amazon in both ebook and a truly stunning paperback (glitzy gold sparkles and a soft-touch cover!)

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Posted in Books, Competitions, San Francisco

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Could YOU be one of my FUTURE STARS?

Posted on January 25, 2013 | 5 comments

Future Stars logo

Are you a writer? How would you like the chance to be personally mentored by me for a whole year?

I am thrilled to launch my search for five talented writers who will embark on a year of challenge, scary adventure, huge opportunities and lots of fun!

FUTURE STARS is a one year mentoring programme where my chosen writers will have me on hand as their personal cheerleader, mentor, challenger and (hopefully) inspiration coach. I will work with each writer on their personal writing goals, offer help and advice with their work in progress, provide help with editing, give advice on promotion and social media, and will introduce them to people within the publishing industry to experience first-hand what agents and publishers are looking for. Each writer will receive a 30min phone call from me each month and there will be an exclusive networking group for all five writers and me to chat to and support one another throughout the year. There will also be opportunities to meet up!

What I’m looking for

I’m looking for writers of any genre who are committed to investing a year in their writing. Not only will talent count but also a demonstrable desire to make this year the year when things happen. Because of this, four of the chosen writers will be asked to pay a course fee of £80 (because this is an investment in your future career) – and I will choose one writer to receive a scholarship place for free. I’m asking all entrants to submit a chapter of their work, plus complete a personal statement outlining their goals for their writing. It all sounds very serious, but this way people who are really determined to be writers will stand out. I can’t promise you a publishing deal (I wish I could!) but I can promise you will learn about yourself as a writer, hone your craft and put yourself in the best possible place to pursue your dream.

So, are you up for a year of awesome writing adventure? 

To enter, download the application form HERE and send it with
ONE chapter of your work to: mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY 16TH FEB.

GO FOR IT!

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