The Phoenix Rattler contest is now open!

Grand Prize: Free Registration for the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas ($512)! 

We are delighted to announce the 2nd annual Phoenix Rattler Does Your Story Have Bite? Contest is accepting entries now through October 29. The contest is hosted by the Arizona ACFW chapter, Christian Writers of the West. Unpublished authors may submit entries of up to ten pages in six categories.

Every entry will be judged by three authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins, Brandilyn Collins, Jenny B. Jones, and Brock Thoene in the preliminary round. A complete list of the judges appears on the contest website. The top three finalists in each category will be read by the editors and agents listed below:


Contemporary Fiction


Historical Fiction


Suspense/Thriller/Mystery


Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory


Young Adult


Women’s Fiction


Don Pape, Publisher, David C Cook
Bill Jensen, William K Jensen Literary Agency


Karen Schurrer, Acquisitions Editor, Adult Fiction, Bethany House
Joyce Hart, Agent, Hartline Literary Agency


Sue Brower, Executive Editor for Fiction, Zondervan
Elizabeth Mazer, Assistant Editor, Love Inspired Suspense


Jeff Gerke, Owner, Marcher Lord Press, Author, Jefferson Scott
Amanda Luedeke, Agent, MacGregor Literary


Becky Monds, Associate Editor, Fiction, Thomas Nelson
Rachel Kent, Agent, Books & Such LiteraryAgency
Joanna MacKenzie, Browne & Miller Literary Associates


Ami McConnell, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Thomas Nelson
Sandra Bishop, Agent, MacGregor Literary
Judy Mikalonis, Senior Agent, Andrea Hurst & Associates



In addition to the Grand Prize winner, each category winner will receive $25.
Entry fee is $25. The winners will be announced Feb 11th 2012, giving finalists time to polish submissions for the ACFW 2012 Genesis contest.


We are praying that God will use our contest to encourage Christian writers and to connect authors with members of the publishing industry who may ultimately publish their novels.


For complete contest info and entry form, go to www.christianwritersofthewest.weebly.com. Click on Phoenix Rattler Contest. We heartily give permission to forward this e-mail to any friends who may be interested.