American Writers Fiction Contest and Reading

3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com) is looking for that next great manuscript to publish under our traditional publishing model. All authors whether professionally published or not are invited to participate. 

Here is how to enter and participate:

1. Send your book summary and sample chapter to 3L Publishing to info@3LPublishing.com.

2. We will review submissions and narrow down to 16 finalists based on: 1. quality of writing 2. quality of story and 3. market potential

Finalists will then be invited to participate in an American Idol type judging that will involve three judges (see bios below). We will hold 3 writer's groups meeting where we will have each author get in front of the group to describe their book and read their sample chapters. Readings will be limited to 15 minutes each. Critique sheets will be distributed to audience participants to evaluate and vote on their favorite manuscripts. The three judges will offer critique and insight at the end of the reading. We will encourage the authors to invite friends and family to the readings to ensure we have a large audience of participants to vote. Then the top 3 chapters will be posted for final vote on the 3L Publishing blog one at a time. We will encourage the next level of voting to take place to the general public via social media and the blog. Each author will be alerted when his/her chapter is posted to encourage friends and family to vote.

We will contact the finalists individually to let them know they are invited to read to the group. Please be advised: you must be available to read to the group or you will be disqualified. 

The winner will be determined in February 2014 and notified. Winners will receive a complete published book and eBook conversion to Nook, Kindle and iBook. An optional print run will be offered (but author will be responsible for print costs). Winners who decide to print will be distributed to Amazon and into major bookstores. 

The date and location of the first reading is to be determine and will be published on the Meet-Up Group Writers Who Mean Business. Submission can begin immediate as of this post. 

Judges Bios

Michelle Gamble-Risley, CEO, 3L Publishing

Michelle Gamble is an award-winning author with over 20 years in the publishing, public relations and marketing business. She has been in the publishing business since 1988, and has worked as a publisher of a major regional magazine and written for regional and national magazines. She's written five books including the award-winning Second Bloom, Smash, Vanity Circus, California Girl Chronicles, books one and two. She has also had a screenplay titled Virtual Seduction produced as a film, and two others optioned. She opened 3L Publishing in 2009, and the company has published dozens of books including award-winning fiction and non-fiction. The company has also enjoyed publishing three Amazon best-sellers, including A Feast at the Beach, Fortune is in the Follow-Up, Fertile Kitchen Cookbook.

Scott D. Roberts, Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director

Scott D. Roberts is the writer, producer, and co-director of the award-winning documentary, “Gas Hole,” narrated by Peter Gallagher. He is also the executive producer, writer, and co-host of the monthly segment, “Gas Hole of the Month” which airs on FSTV. He wrote, produced, and/or directed two reality pilots in the last three years, "Giving, Celebrity Style," starring Melinda Clarke ("Nikita," "The O.C.") and "Ted & Jason: Building an Empire," featuring the hair stylist to the stars, Ted Gibson. He’s written over 50 screenplays and TV shows during a career that spans over 20 years and has had his projects optioned and/or developed by New Line, Warner Brothers, Paramount, MGM, EUE/Screen Gems and Columbia. He is excited about his first novel, Vengeance is Now, and sharing his writing style with an entirely new audience. He recently got named a finalist in the 50 Great Writers contest put on by the Author's Show.

Bo Bradley, Author, Operatons Manager and Voracious Reader

Bo Bradley, operations manager for 3L Publishing, makes it her personal mission to ensure the safety of the mind, body and spirit for each person. In her pursuit of this personal goal, she has incorporated her love of reading and literature and her talent as a writer to help the company create a helpful self-help section of books dedicated to these ideals. Bradley is also working on her next book titled Hot Mess: How I Went from a Hot Mess to a Happy Success, which is due out in 2014. She is also writing a paranormal romance. But as a panel member, Bo is a voracious reader who reads at least a book a week.