The announcement of the winners of the Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009 is starting a new saga. Like HQ didn’t have enough bad press already.
Just scroll down to read the comments.
Just scroll down to read the comments.
Please, someone tell me they didn't break their own rule. Ay yi yi....
because it seems like an unlevel playing field. according to the comments the feeling is previously published authors have the benefit of having had their previous work picked through by an editor, even if it wasn't this particular manuscript, so they supposedly know a little bit more than newbies.
if I slaved over my ms that I submitted and lost to maggie mar who did it on a whim I think I would be pretty upset too. Its one of those things that just doesn't seem fair. As so many things in life don't. I don't think it would be as big of a deal if she weren't previously published.
eta: trish just came and talked about her 11 hard years of not being published. I feel for her, really I do but if they don't stop kissing trish's ass over there I'm going to barf.
This contest is open to entrants who are 18 years of age or older and is void wherever prohibited by law; all applicable laws and regulations apply. Employees and immediate family members of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, including contracted authors, their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter. By acceptance of a prize, the winner consents to use of his/her name, photograph or other likeness for purposes of advertising, trade and promotion on behalf of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Harlequin Mills & Boon, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
Bolding mine.
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No, but if I'm reading this right, they are specifically designated as not being eligible, aren't they?
Anyway, the part that added insult to injury is Maggie Marr writing about how easy she won. The woman is a very talented writer, obviously. Just imagine how it felt for those that writing a simple synopsis is a spine-chilling task, to read this:
http://www.maggiemarr.com/2009/12/classic-romance-something-new.html
Wow. That's really lame. Why the heck would a multi-published author enter a contest like that anyway? .