C ontact:

Andy Scheer, managing editor

Christian Writers Guild

voice: 1-866-495-5177

FAX: 719-495-5181

E-mail: ContactUs@ChristianWritersGuild.com

www.ChristianWritersGuild.com

Deadlines Approach for First Novel, First Book Contests

Colorado Springs, CO - Unpublished authors have less than two months to submit entries to the Christian Writers Guild's 2007 "Operation First Novel" and "Operation First Book" (nonfiction) contests. The entry deadline is September 19 for Operation First Book; the deadline is October 3 for Operation First Novel.

The fiction contest, co-sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers, offers unpublished authors the opportunity to have a first novel published by Tyndale, plus receive a $20,000 advance. Entries must be original works of fiction between 75,000 and 100,000 words.

New for 2007 is Operation First Book (nonfiction), co-sponsored by Harvest House Publishers. Rather than a complete manuscript, this contest calls for a detailed nonfiction book proposal. The winner will receive $10,000, and Harvest House will consider the book for publication.

The contest is open to Christian Writers Guild students or annual members who have not yet had a book (fiction or nonfiction) published by a royalty publishing house. Those who have used a subsidy publisher or print-on-demand company are not considered "published."

Winners of the 2007 contests will be announced January 31, 2008 during the opening session of the Guild's annual Writing for the Soul conference in Colorado Springs at the luxurious Broadmoor hotel. The prizes will be awarded by Christian Writers Guild owner Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the best-selling Left Behind series.

Previous Operation First Novel winners are (2004) Jan Watson of Lexington, KY, for Troublesome Creek; (2005) Terry Barnes of Tonganoxie, KS, for In Everything Give Thanks; and (2006) Tom Pawlik of Paddock Lake, WI, for Vanish.

Rules and contest details - including how to join the Guild as an annual member - are available at www.christianwritersguild.com/contest.asp.

For more than 40 years, the Christian Writers Guild has helped aspiring writers develop and sharpen their skills. Now under the leadership of best-selling writer Jerry B. Jenkins, the Guild offers students 21st century correspondence courses - for adults and youth - with practical instruction under the mentoring of a distinguished, seasoned professional.

Information is available at www.ChristianWritersGuild.com or toll-free at 1-866-495-5177.