by Kristen C.
Member since:
March 19, 2007

Round One Voting Has Ended in the First Chapters Romance Writing Competition

September 19, 2007 02:38 PM EDT (Updated: September 21, 2007 05:23 PM EDT)
views: 973 | comments: 80
Round One voting ended on Tuesday, September 18 at 11:59pm ET for the First Chapters Romance Writing Competition. On Monday, September 24, we will announce the twenty-five semifinalists, and the second chapters of their novels will be available for reading and voting. Thank you to everyone who participated in Round One!
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 80

Rob Appell Sep 19, 2007, 2:53pm EDT
This competition is a farce and I, for one, refuse to support anything to do with it; not reading, rating or commenting on chapters. Gather is anti-gay and practices bigotry and discrimnination by not allowing entries between same sex romances...or having anything to do with a contest of this nature. Shame on Gather!
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 19, 2007, 3:02pm EDT
I read about 1/2 dozen of the first chapters...interesting.
Elaine B. Sep 19, 2007, 3:12pm EDT
Thanks Kristen, it's been fun.

I read and rated many First Chapters, and good luck to all contestents.

Rob, stop complaining.
Bridget ♥ Sep 19, 2007, 3:16pm EDT
I read several entries and thought they were wonderful! Good luck to all who entered!
Rob Appell Sep 19, 2007, 3:18pm EDT
I'll stop compaining when Gather stops discriminating and runs their competitions fairly...open to all...including homosexuals and homosexual entries. Imagine, in 2007, Gather is so closed-minded and bigotted against gays.
Jenna P. Sep 19, 2007, 3:22pm EDT
I too feel that Gather should have allowed entries featuring homosexual romance into the contest. People who don't like that sort of thing don't have to read it. I mean, what's the big deal?
Carol Lloyd Sep 19, 2007, 3:23pm EDT
i found some good works and gather is not anti gay
Verna W. Sep 19, 2007, 4:31pm EDT
great fun, I enjoyed it.
t b. Sep 19, 2007, 4:35pm EDT
I read some of the entries, I have a few favorites, especially one.
I am looking forward to reading Chapter 2 of several, but I wish I had read all of the first chapters. Best of luck to you of you!
Janet O. Sep 19, 2007, 4:37pm EDT
I enjoyed the opportunity to read some of the entries. The ones I read were good, in fact some were excellent!
J.C. Alexander Sep 19, 2007, 4:55pm EDT
Thanks Kristen! This contest was a great learning experience, all around.

Thanks again to everyone who gave me valuable feedback on my entry.
Beth H. Sep 19, 2007, 5:06pm EDT
Kristen, we appreciate you.

Contestants, good luck.
Susan B. Sep 19, 2007, 5:10pm EDT
I found a handful of really well written chapters
Jerrica K. Sep 19, 2007, 5:15pm EDT
Thank you, Kristen! This contest has been a lot of fun! And thanks to all who read my, or any other, entry :)
Lisa Frost Sep 19, 2007, 5:26pm EDT
I love many of the entries. Good luck to all!
Judi F. Sep 19, 2007, 5:46pm EDT
Many thanks to the Gather team, Simon & Schuster/Pocket and Borders for doing this again! It's been an amazing few weeks! To everyone who entered - congratulations for putting your "baby" out there! Good luck to everyone with this contest and beyond.
Debra A. Sep 19, 2007, 6:07pm EDT
Thank you, Kristen and Team Gather, for all of your hard work in putting on this contest.
Good luck to everyone.
Jennifer Oliver Sep 19, 2007, 6:10pm EDT
Kristen, thank you so much for organizing this competition! Good luck to all the contestants...can't wait to read your second chapters on Monday!
Josephine Edley Sep 19, 2007, 6:21pm EDT
I wish to thank you Kristen and the Team Gather for this awesome contest. I wish everyone the best of luck for the second round:)

Josephine
Steven LaBree Sep 19, 2007, 7:08pm EDT
Whether I make the top twenty-five or not, I found kindness, honesty, and inspiration. Thank you for all the kind words. Congratulations to everyone having the guts to put their story out there for everyone to read.

Onward and upward!
Jan P. Sep 19, 2007, 7:14pm EDT
Kristin, I just want to say that I have enjoyed reading and rating and watching this competition so much more that the one last Spring. There was a much more positive attitude among the readers/commentors, and there were alot of really positive criticisms shared. I just never got the feeling that was rampant in the previous competition, that there was alot of behind the scenes skulldugery going on.

I don't have a chapter entered, so I have just really enjoyed the reading :)
Helen C.D.~2009 ~. Sep 19, 2007, 7:16pm EDT
The one's I have read were really good. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the one I enjoyed the best. Good luck to all you romance writers!
Michelle K. Sep 19, 2007, 7:35pm EDT
This contest was an amazing experience. It certainly occupied my time for the past two months: writing, editing, reading, posting, promoting.
Before reading the announcement for this contest, I am sure my life was busy, but today I looked around and wondered how I ever filled my time.
Thanks, Gather, for the wonderful ride.

Michelle Krieger
Grasping For The Wind
Jennifer H. Sep 19, 2007, 7:38pm EDT
Reading the first chapters was a fun lunch time activity! Can't wait until Monday!
Suzette Vaughn Sep 19, 2007, 7:45pm EDT
Thank you Kristin.
Can't wait to see the 25 lucky second chapters. Good luck to all with the contest and writing, which I am happy to get back to, even if only for a week. :)
Peggy R. Sep 19, 2007, 8:26pm EDT
All I have to say is how much I enjoyed this contest, rather I make it or not. But to be fair to myself, I HOPE I MAKE ROUND 2!!!! That's why I got into it. I did take some time to read a few, and I thank those few who took the time to read mine. ROB, I am not against nor for gay romance but I was raised in a christain home, so I feel that sort of relationship is best left for that type of community. I for one would not like to read that. but best of luck to you in other endeavors!
Jennifer G. Sep 19, 2007, 8:43pm EDT
So I must say, I am very glad that this contest was here. I didn't go out of my way to read chapters, but just glanced through titles to see what caught my eye. I've got three favourites that I'm really crossing my fingers for!
Natalie Neal Whitefield Sep 19, 2007, 8:49pm EDT
Thank you, Kristen and everyone at Gather who has made this contest possible This has been an exciting first round. I'm looking forward to supporting all those who are finalists.

~Natalie Neal
Best in the Whole Wide World
Bonnie L. Sep 19, 2007, 9:08pm EDT
I echo everyone's thanks to Kristen, Gather, Borders and Simon & Schuster/Pocketbooks.

I also want to thank RAND for his/her "unofficial" hard work!

This is a phenomenal opportunity for unpublished romance novelists. I have made a few friends, who I know will be friends for life.

Hope everyone gets some much needed rest!

God bless!

Bon
Gigi K. Sep 19, 2007, 11:41pm EDT
I would like to congratulate everyone who submitted an entry for this contest. I didn't get to read all of them - always wishing I had more time! This ones I did get to were very good reads. My fingers are crossed for my favorites - as we all are doing.

It really is a remarkable experience. Since I participated as a reader of entries in the First Chapters contest, I find it amazing that I could go to Borders and purchase the books of the winning entries. At this moment I have Terry Shaw's "The Way Life Should Be." I'll be going back to Borders to pick up Geoffrey Edwards' "Firebell in the Night." And soon I'll be able to go to Borders (love that store!) to buy the book that wins this contest so that I can have it for my very own.

Another nice thing is the wonderful people you come in contact with not only through this contest but through Gather as well. Again, a remarkable experience.

Looking forward to reading the selected second chapters!
Sheri D. Sep 20, 2007, 12:28am EDT
I just wanted to thank everyone who worked so hard on this contest... it is my first and i have to say i really learned a lot and i was very fortionate to make some new friends! Good luck to all and thanks again!
Bethany C. Sep 20, 2007, 12:43am EDT
Well, I would like to add my thanks as well, to everyone who made this contest possible.
And to all of you who commented and voted on my first chapter.
Also to those who meant to, but didn't get the chance.
Unfortunately, I had some I missed, too. I had intended to go read and vote on every single entry, but life kept getting in the way. (The nerve of my husband, expecting me to eat and sleep!) I had to go out of town for a couple of days. (To the boondocks, no computers!) Then I had to go to a mediation on a court case. (Crazy lawyers, their lives should revolve around me!)
Still, I tried. If I missed yours, forgive me.
Anyway, I learned a lot and I appreciate that. Thanks, everybody.
One thing I did learn was that this Gather stuff is fun. That there are really great people here. It's a place I plan on hanging around some more, win or lose.
terri molina Sep 20, 2007, 12:59am EDT
Adding my thank you for the opportunity to toss my work out there and see if it would fly. (and it did, so I'm very grateful!)

Warm hugs to all the people who took the time to read and comment and those who tried but didn't quite make it. I'm especially grateful for all the friends I've made here and I'm looking forward to attending your future book signings and bragging that "I know you!" ;-)

Best of luck to everyone, whether you move on to the next round or not.

Terri
Dark Obsession
Sandra (secretary of Lalaland) C. Sep 20, 2007, 5:29am EDT
I love reading the first chapters I wish I got to read all of them. The next contest I think I am going to enter. It was fun.
Margay R. Sep 20, 2007, 5:30am EDT
Just wanted to add my thanks to Gather et al for running this contest and opening up a wide avenue of possibilities for all aspiring-to-be-published writers. It's been an incredible ride and I've met some of the nicest people. It has been my pleasure to be a part of it. Win, lose or draw, I feel like I've already become a better writer for it.

Congratulations and good luck to everyone. I can't wait to vote in the next round.
Dena Straughn Sep 20, 2007, 5:51am EDT
This has been a truly great experience for me. I have learned a tremendous amout of valuable information form the comments. I have enjoyed Gather so much. I am now so addicted, I may never have time to write another novel. I have made so many great connections.

Thank you for all of your hard work.
Catherine Parker Sep 20, 2007, 7:27am EDT
Congratulations to all the entrants!

We spent hours and hours. . .and hours, writing, editing, rewriting, editing some more, and then beginning the process all over again. . .until our eyes crossed! But what a grand experience.

Thank you Team Gather, Simon and Schuster and Borders for this spendid opportunity.

And, thank you fellow writers for all of the encouragement.

God Bless!
Catherine
LeJoy R. Sep 20, 2007, 9:43am EDT
Yes, it's true! Here's another thanks to all parties involved. I was very happy to be a part of this process and would do it again in a heartbeat!

I too wish there were a more equal distribution of chapters, but how else if not alphebetically? LOL! Chaos might ensue.

I can't wait until Monday so I can read the second chapters! I'm so excited to vote!

Love & Belief,
LeJoy R.
- Sonya Recovered
Lynda J. Sep 20, 2007, 10:10am EDT
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the people who sent me comments about my entry. Their honesty was invaluable.



Lynda J (A Seed In The Wind)
Douglas H. Sep 20, 2007, 11:40am EDT
Kristen, I join the majority who enjoyed reading the first chapters and I am looking forward to seeing if some of my personal picks/favorites have made their way into the top twenty-five. I would like to comment ALL of the entrants for having the courage to put their work/themseves before public scrutiny. Most of the comments, on the submissions, from many of the other readers were construtive, insightful and fair. It is sad that a few comments, about this competition, were diliberately rude and outright vociferous - for no apparent reason.
Leon Linfield Sep 20, 2007, 1:27pm EDT
Thanks to Kristen, Gather, the Gather staff who helped with formatting, Borders, and Simon & Schuster/Pocketbooks for helping new authors get read and known. This has been a great experience. It has helped me see my work more clearly and do extensive rewrites!
Jamie C. Sep 20, 2007, 1:56pm EDT
Adding my thanks and appreciation to Gather, Borders and Simon & Schuster/Pocketbooks for the contest, to all the writers who entered and allowed me to read their wonderful work, and to all the readers who read my entry. I received some truly valuable feedback! I can't wait to start reading the second chapters in round 2!! Monday seems like a long time to wait.
Deborah M. Sep 20, 2007, 2:09pm EDT
Well, it gives us a reason to look forward to Monday, lol. We not only get to find out who advances to round 2 but we get to read the second chapters of the 25 best. *rubs hands together gleefully* I'm looking forward to reading more...
Laron G. Sep 20, 2007, 2:54pm EDT
Double-ditto on the thanks & appreciation to the contest sponsors, organizers, entrants & readers!! Running ANY kind of contest is a lot of work--so a huge thank you for providing writers the opportunity to get feedback & showcase their work. Kristen, a triple thank you--I know a lion's share of the work fell on your shoulders.

--And kudos to all of the writers for sharing their stories. It was fun to read them; I wish I could have read them all. Best wishes to everyone! - Laron
wiaka's just ... curious Sep 20, 2007, 2:56pm EDT
Thank you for another adventure in writing talent. I have read many of the entries and just wished I would have had more time however there were some many of them I just didn't have the time to invest in reading them all. I have chosen a few that I realy like and hope to be able to read their next chapters.

Blessings
Jane Y. Sep 20, 2007, 6:07pm EDT
If you want to write GAY romance - find the right publisher. If you knew the market at all, you wouldn't be whining about not being publshed by GATHER - do your homework and your research and SUBMIT YOUR GAY WRITING to the RIGHT PUBLISHER - don't blame GATHER or the industry - there are agents/publishers that accept gay romance -

STOP BLAMING SOCIETY FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE
Ian M. Sep 20, 2007, 6:16pm EDT
I would've entered something that had a minor bisexual theme alongside a straight romance, but it had a number of other themes in it - enough that I just couldn't categorize it as romance. Really, it's a fiction memoir, and I don't think we've seen anything like it. It's almost ready to put on the shelves, but anyone would agree that getting an agent to go for anything is really no different than shooting the moon. You know, everyone handing in their first, or second, "edited," draft doesn't help the situation, either. I know because I did that, got a critique and changed a lot, then I continued editing and reading books on writing. It's just a long road for a beginner, and people need to get less excited about it. Do it because it means something, not because it will earn money.
Maggie W. Sep 20, 2007, 6:59pm EDT
To everyone involved in putting this contest together:
I want to add my voice to all the others saying "Thank You!"

To everyone who read, voted on, and/or commented on my chapter - a big thank you for taking the time to do so. Your comments have all been considered and I am already busy with re-writes!

(To anyone who wanted to and didn't make it before the end of the contest - I am still interested in honest critiques.)

This was a lot of fun and I learned so much from everyone. Best of all, I made some new friends and connections.
sarah a. Sep 20, 2007, 7:49pm EDT
Adding my thanks to Kristen and her Gather staff, S&S, Borders, and poor (& probably tired) Rand! A hearty congrats to my fellow contestants- who had the courage to post their chapter and read the feedback.
Allison N. Sep 20, 2007, 8:50pm EDT
I will chime in with another thank you to everyone who entered the contest, to those who read/commented/voted on an entry, and to the great people at Gather, Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books and Borders for sponsoring such a fantastic contest. It has been a wonderful experience so far, and I am looking forward to Monday!
Jackie F. Sep 20, 2007, 9:59pm EDT
It can be terrifying to take your beloved words and post them for friends, strangers, and, gulp, other writers to read, critique, and rate. Gather.com, Pocket Books and Borders have provided us with a relatively painless process to do just that, and I'm grateful to all. Thanks to all who voted, and thank you so much for the opportunity to read some wonderful chapters and to 'meet' so many authors in this creative community. It's been a fabulous experience.
Layla Morgan Wilde Sep 20, 2007, 10:26pm EDT
Thanks again to Kristen and the Gather team, Simon & Shuster/Pocketbooks and Borders.
I'm grateful to everyone who read, commented and/or voted for my entry, Peace, Love and Chocolate.
Susan L. Sep 20, 2007, 11:13pm EDT
Thank you Team Gather, Simon and Schuster and Borders for this spendid opportunity. I am grateful for the opportunity to put my work out there for others to read. I wish all the other contestants the best in their writing endeavers, and can't wait to read and support the 25 authors who move to the next round on monday.

Thank you again, it has been great making new friends, and being apart of this contest.
Elena S. Sep 20, 2007, 11:54pm EDT
Thank you Team gather, Simon and Schuster/Pocketbooks and Borders for providing me with such an amazing opportunity to share my first chapter with so many talented writers and readers. This experience has made several weeks of my life a crazy "roller coaster ride" with highs and lows but mostly fun.
Good luck to all the contestants!

Elena S., Why Birches Are White
Midnite Writer -- Kim Sep 21, 2007, 9:38am EDT
Thank you! Give us a heads up when the next one is, love to join!
Machiavelli Dayupay Sep 21, 2007, 10:00am EDT
Gulp!!!...
Wendy C. Sep 21, 2007, 11:21am EDT
Thank you Gather and Simon Schuster for lending us this opportunity.
Given the quality of entries, round two promises to be exciting.
Gina Robinson Sep 21, 2007, 11:51am EDT
Adding my thanks to Team Gather, Borders, and Simon and Schuster! It's been a great experience. I'd also like to thank all the readers who stopped by to read and comment on my entry.
Tawny T. Sep 21, 2007, 12:33pm EDT
Good luck to everyone! I'm looking forward to round two!
Geoffrey E. Sep 21, 2007, 2:34pm EDT
Congrats to all. Just getting through it deserves some sort of reward!
Lauren C. Sep 21, 2007, 3:28pm EDT
Yet another chorus of "Thank You!" -- to Gather, Kristen, Borders, Simon & Schuster, the wonderful people who spent their precious time reading, commenting, and voting, and the generous people who helped me through being a "gather newbie" at the same time.

Congratulations to all of the entrants; finishing a novel is a BIG deal, presenting it to the world for critique is difficult for most of us, and *you* did it. ...okay, *we* did it. :) Woo-hoo!
Mary F. Sep 21, 2007, 6:19pm EDT
A huge thank you to Gather, Borders, Simon & Schuster and all the writers, readers and voters for providing this opportunity to authors. It's been great fun and can't wait for the second chapter!
Kawanee H. Sep 21, 2007, 9:49pm EDT
OK, I'd like to say I don't think there should have been a restriction in the contest against Gay couples... Romance is Romance after all, and no one is twisting anyone's arm to read the "gay stuff". Much like Tv... you have the option of "changing the channel" or not reading it.

Meanwhile, I had a story I was going to post in the contest that had a straight couple AND a openly gay couple it was given the go ahead for being in the contest but my real life job search kept me from completing my story in time for the cut off.

It's being published still on gather under my namespace thingy... Where I write straight romance, fantasy and Sci-fi, mystery drama and all kinds of other stories.

Good luck to all the contestants and I have to agree that this is a much better way of voting. I hope there is another First Chapters contest this January and that they do the contest the same way as this one was run.
James R. Sep 21, 2007, 10:30pm EDT
Thanks to Kristen, Gather, Borders and Simon and Schuster for an improved contest this time around. It has been a great opportunity for those of us who are authors and we have also been able to read some excellent first chapters. Thanks also to the many readers, both of my entry Summer Days of Desire and the other entries. I look forward to the second round.
Jill Lynn A. Sep 22, 2007, 1:04am EDT
Thank you, Kristen and Gather staff members, for all you did, and continue to do, in support of our publishing dreams.

And thanks to all entrants for penning such high quality work. The creativity and professionalism you put into your first chapters made this a contest I was proud to participate in.

Jill (Sweet Interference)
Janna O'Donnell Sep 22, 2007, 7:00am EDT
I think it's great how Gather is finding ways to encourage new writers.
Charlotte McClain Sep 22, 2007, 7:44am EDT
I wanted to add my thank yous to the rest. This opportunity has offered me a learning curve I couldn't have had otherwise. It was a fantastic experience. I hope Gather continues to offer genre writing contests. I'd love to experience a contest from a reader standpoint.
Jen G. Sep 22, 2007, 1:10pm EDT
Good luck to everyone! :)
S B. Sep 22, 2007, 7:37pm EDT
Good luck to the finalists. One question. Will gather be posting the 2nd chapters for the finalists?

Thank you for this fun contest!
Kimberly A. Sep 22, 2007, 8:12pm EDT
This contest was fun. I can't wait to see the next round entries. Some of the highly rated entries were not as good as lower rated ones. Hope the judges see those. I thought alot were pretty good. It was just hard to read alot. Each one took so much time to read.
Nana Gill Sep 23, 2007, 12:47am EDT
Kristin, This was a wonderful experience for me as a contestant and a reader/commentator. I have never entered a writing contest before and I found this very exciting. I wish all contestants the very best and especially the lucky 25 writers who will go on to round two. I look forward to reading their chapter 2's. Best of wishes one and all. Kristin, Hats off to you for all of your hard work.
Amy D. Sep 23, 2007, 1:09am EDT
Thanks for all the hard work and time that was put into the contest. It was great fun. This was the first contest I have ever entered and it was a great experience. I am looking forward to reading the 2nd chapters of the ones who get to continue on.
Trudy Schuett Sep 23, 2007, 8:50am EDT
I won't know how the finalists list goes; I'll be in Wash DC for work taking classes, and offline for a week. So however it works out, I must say it was a lot of fun, and I got to meet some great Gather writers!
Tricia S. Sep 23, 2007, 9:31pm EDT
It's "Second Round" Eve, and twenty-five people are going to be so elated when those 2nd Chapters go live tomorrow. Good luck to all. And again, thanks to Gather for conceiving and implementing this great venture.
Reese G. Sep 23, 2007, 9:33pm EDT
At the risk of sounding like a rerun ... thanks to Kristen, S&S, and company for making this competition possible. Thanks to all who entered and took the time to read so many of these submissions. It was an incredible experience.

Thanks to all and congratulations and good luck to all who advanced to the second round!
Nothing Fancy Sep 23, 2007, 11:06pm EDT
That's tomorrow - I cant wait!
mona d. Sep 24, 2007, 10:22am EDT
i second rob's comment. this contest is exclusive and in bad taste. who will be excluded next?
Lori F. Sep 24, 2007, 10:27am EDT
Have they announced the winners?
C A. Sep 24, 2007, 11:09am EDT
Where's the list? I can shred 25 in no time. ;-)
Sherrie H. Sep 24, 2007, 11:18am EDT
Look under recent articles -- second chapters have been appearing all morning. I've not seen a list anywhere, yet.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.