To Compete or Not to Compete by Erna Mueller



Winning writing contests can be very advantageous to writers. It’s a great way to get your novel and name in print and out there for potential readers. It can definitely add to your writing portfolio as a professional credit and the prize money is icing on the cake.
Entering a writing contest will also give you an objective perspective of your book. Is it good enough to compete with other books? If not, what is missing?  The odds of winning a writing contest is not very high so be realistic. If you never win it doesn’t have to mean
your book isn’t up to par. There are a lot of bestsellers out there that have never won a contest.
If you have never entered a contest before, start with a small lesser known contest. Make sure it’s legit since some contests are just scams to get your money. Check out these websites for some good advice:
My book K-9 Cop was adapted from my screenplay “A New Leash on Life”; it received many screenwriting awards for instance 1st place at the Huston International Film Festival and the Hollywood Screen Writing Institute among others. It was a great help in getting recognition and opening the doors to many agents and production companies.  But as a first time writer it’s difficult to find a production company that will back your screenplay. An agent suggested I adapt my screenplay into a book to gain recognition. I am very happy I took the advice since I found the novel writing process more enjoyable and rewarding.

After adapting my screenplay into a novel titled “K-9 Cop” it also won 1st place in The Good Read Competition at awomenswrite.com.  I have experienced that winning or placing in a contest is great marketing for your book. Not only is it posted on the Contest’s website you can also post the win on your website, put it on your dust cover, your retail outlet, even on your business cards. It lets your public know your book competed against a number of books and stood out. That’s great publicity.

 About the Author
I was born in Austria and my family immigrated to the U.S. I loved living here as a child and considered the U.S. my home. My family returned to Austria and of course I had to
tag along. I missed the friendly faces and the cultivation of the free spirit which America symbolizes. In Austria I completed my education but always wanted to return, so here I am.
I traveled the world and lived in many exciting cities such as Paris, Munich and London. I currently work as an accountant for a large pizza company in Seattle by day and passionately pursue a career as a writer in my spare time.
My new book, "K-9 Cop", is adapted from my multi-national award winning screenplay.  The book has won several awards including first place in the 2009 National Good Read Competition sponsored by awomenswrite.com.
Please visit my web site at http://www.k9cop-woofwoof.com  for more reviews and other info.
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About the Book

No one thought as highly of Lieutenant Spencer Watley as he did himself. This selfish cop met 14 year-old Justin Andrews during an important stakeout. Determined to nab a group of cyber killers, he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way, especially a smart mouthed
teenager like Justin.

After Spencer bids him good riddance, he is killed by the hackers and stands before the gates of heaven. But - what’s this? After a life of putting dangerous criminals behind bars, he’s locked out?

He yells at the angel blocking his entrance, only to find out he needs to go through the J.R.P. program before he can enter. That’s the Jerk Redemption program, otherwise known as sensitivity training boot camp, which to his horror consists of non-stop Oprah and Dr. Phil reruns. Or he can go back to earth and help Justin’s dysfunctional family. Spencer opts for the lesser of two evils, to help Justin.

But the Angel pulls a fast one on Spencer. He can only go back to earth in the body of his K9-Partner. Spencer refuses, but like it or not, Spencer becomes a dog.  He falls back to earth and is slowly morphed into a dog that closely resembles a mop.

And if being a dog wasn’t bad enough, Spencer also swallowed an important microchip his killers need to hack into PC’s and steal millions. Now the criminals are hot on his trail for the only existing microchip that’s logged in his belly.

Justin and Spencer butt heads constantly; both are stubborn and willful, neither one wanting to give an inch. Spencer needs to find out what the killers are up to, so he swallows his pride and forms a bond with the boy. Spencer relays to Justin his past and together with the help of Justin’s girlfriend, Shahla; they discover the hacker’s plans. Spencer has broken down Justin’s reserve and he finally learns the meaning of unselfish love.

But it’s too late, the hackers have captured them.

Can Spencer maul the shins (and other choice areas) of his kidnappers and stop them from their evil plan?

Can a selfish man find a heart?

You bet.  He just has to become a dog first.

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