*Contest is closed. Thanks for all the entries! The winner will be announced on Monday, June 21*
I wasn’t surprised when the buzz around STAY began (it is officially released on June 10th). It’s the kind of book you always hope for–the one you can’t put down. The one you stay up until 5AM reading. STAY took me on an unforgettable journey through one woman’s exploration of family, love, and companionship. Every time our heroine Van falters, she brushes herself off and carries on with her head held high, making you root for her even more. As I rationed out the pages of STAY, trying to make the first read last as long as possible, Van and her dog Joe came to life and filled my heart. Returning to its pages was like visiting a dear friend. Even if you’re not a dog lover, you’ll connect with this entertaining and touching adventure, especially if you’ve found joy and love through your darkest moments and come out on the other side as a stronger and wiser person. Check out the book trailer!
Want a chance to receive a query critique from Allie’s literary agent, Rebecca Strauss? Comment on this post, at Allie’s blog, and/or at Wendy’s blog. We are all blessed to have Rebecca as our literary agent! Each comment will count as an entry in the contest. If you’re working on a novel and want to receive invaluable insight into your query and first two pages, Rebecca is your gal. Read on to learn more…
An Agent at McIntosh & Otis, Inc., Rebecca is eager to work with both debut and established authors. She is looking to add to her list of diverse and compelling projects and is particularly seeking non-fiction, literary and commercial fiction, women’s fiction, mysteries, memoirs, humor and pop culture. As the Director of Subsidiary Rights, she continues to build on her prior experience with Trident Media Group, as well as her time at Sony Pictures where she was a book scout and development assistant. Rebecca earned her degree in English Literature from Duke University.
I found my center, my purpose, and my heart through writing and I’m here to help you do the same. I work with entrepreneurs, authors, academics, and other driven individuals to help them find their voice on the page. 
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
Can I comment to win a query for my fiance’s brilliant novel? What an awesome contest!
I can’t wait to download Stay on my Kindle when it comes out, especially given all your praise, Corinne.
You sure can!
I’d like to comment and enter the contest too! Thanks for the opportunity! This book is on my wish list now!
You won’t be sorry, April! Good luck in the contest:)
Thank you so much for this contest opp. Please enter me. And congrats on having Rebecca for an agent!
Thanks, Evonne! Rebecca is amazing and I am very grateful to be working with her:) Best wishes to you.
Hi! SO glad you had a great trip! It really sounds like you had such a blast. You deserve it! You work so hard.
Love you xoxo
Hey Maria! You are always so kind:) My trip was fun and exciting! I hope you had a great weekend. xo
Two of my favorite things, German Shepherds and books.
Okay, Corinne. You’ve urged me to do something that scares me. For that, I thank you. Please enter me in the contest.
I’m so proud of you, Em! Good luck!
I agree with the “can’t put it down” portion of your post. I am so excited to review STAY.
I’m also excited about this contest. Please enter me in the contest.
I would love to enter for a chance for a querry read. A friend mentioned your book to me as well. I shall have to read it soon.
Perfect timing; thanks, Corinne. Please enter me!
You’re welcome, Karen! Good luck:)
STAY sounds like quite the adventure. I can’t imagine buying anything from the Internet that has a pulse.
Please enter me in the query contest, Corinne.
Writers amaze me with the hard work they put in behind the scenes. My hope of being a writer is still only a seed in the apple, but I figure entering the contest will be at least one bite towards my goal.
Rebecca sounds great and this is an awesome contest. I’m looking forward to receiving Allie’s book and I can’t wait to buy yours, too!
Thanks, Stoogepie! I’ll keep you posted on my book:) I’m working on revisions with Rebecca at this stage of the game!
Congrats to Allie for her first book in print. Yippee!
This book sounds like a fun read. I’m looking forward to it. And congratulations to Allie!
Please enter me in the contest as well.
Thanks,
Laura
This is great news! And who doesn’t like a good dog story? Please put my name in the hat for the contest.
STAY sounds great. I don’t read a lot of women’s literature, but this one definitely sounds like a twist on the traditional story. Gotta love German Shepherds, anyway! Ha.
This contest is fantastic as well. I would love to have Rebecca Strauss give me her critiques of my query letter. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks so much for having the contest!
Okay, am I jumpin’ through all the right hoops? Count me in!
See ya–
R Bush
Hi – The more I read about this book, the more I realize I need to go to Borders. Thanks for the contest. Count me in
Thanks for the contest–and for the links to other writers just as interesting
Stay sounds really interesting.
Congrats to Allie, and plus one for the contest, puleese!
I write exclusively non-fiction, Rebecca is “particularly seeking” non-fiction. Sounds like a winner to me!
Go ahead and enter me, please!
And I cannot wait to read Allie’s book. I’ve been following her journey for a while now. So excited for her!
Sounds like a great book. Humor is hard to do. Ditto for dogs. Looking forward to reading it!
What a great contest! Please enter me!
Van sounds like a strong protagonist. We need more of those!!
Sounds like a great book! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks for the opportunity.
Would love to enter the contest. Thanks for the opportunity!
I love the enthusiasm you share on your pages! I’ve a trillion stories…and would love to be added to the list! Cheers from Australia!!
I laughed at the orange bridesmaid dress and the vodka and kool-aid — great touches.
Add me to the list!
Please enter me in the query contest! Thanks so much for doing this.
Carolyn
Sounds like Van is a great role model for writers: “Every time our heroine Van falters, she brushes herself off and carries on with her head held high.”
Love the contest. Thanks for hosting!
Van is a super role model! I could totally relate to her and that is the key in my opinion:)
I read Allie’s query letter and, wow, suddenly everything became clear. I feel confident in writing my own now, for my 270,000 fantasy novel. A really clear example of what the agent needs. Great stuff. Thanks. And Stay has elements of my own Breaking Faith, so I guess I’ll have to buy it now.
It is so nice to see authors supporing their friends in the writing community. What comes around, goes around. Great job.
Thanks, Christy! I feel blessed to know these writers:)
Sit. STAY. Pick me. That’s query contest speak in German (Shepard). Adopt a stray author today – we’re less high-maintenance than one with a pedigree. Sharing in your excitement & continued success, both Corrine and Allie, thank you!
Thank you for your enthusiasm, Lisa! It’s always so refreshing to come here and find such positive energy:) xo
Corinne-I’m thinking Rebecca may be the answer to my Husband’s prayers. He’s not the aspiring writer, I am, but in his morning glance toward the heavens I’ve overheard his plea that I might quickly find an agent or a cure for menopause…thanks and have a swell Saturday.
Ha! Your comment made me laugh out loud. I’m sure my husband looked to the heavens and asked for an agent for me, too! I feel very lucky to have found Rebecca and if you stick with it, you’ll find the agent of your dreams:)
Loving finding all you new writers just because your rockstar agent was willing to show Allie’s wicked query letter!!
Ms. Strauss sounds like an awesome addition to a writer’s team and I would certainly love to send her my query letter for a critique!!
Happy Writing,
Randayle Greyson
Unleashing Stories.
What a great contest and a wonderful sounding book! Congratulations Allie!
Awesome contest!
I love the writing communtiy – everyone seems to want to help everyone else. Congrats and I wish you continued success!!
~Shiela
WOOF … WOOF
Enter me in your contest please, pretty please. Grrrrrrr
Will
I can’t wait to read this book! I was directed here from the contest on writersguide.com and am very pleased I was! Great query – great contest!
Would love a query critique, so making the rounds from the GLA blog! Can’t wait to find Allie’s book.
I’m a cat lover, but STAY is now on my to-be-read list. Pls enter me in the query + 2 page contest.
Thanks,
Barbara
Allie’s book looks wonderful and the contest is a wonderful opportunity!
Thanks.
Vodka kool-aid? Make mine a double– but if the vodka’s gotta a sharp “BITE”, then I’ll only have a”NIP”. Followed the link here from GLA blog. My thanks to Corine for promoting “Stay” for Allie, to Allie for allowing Rebecca and Chuck to use your query letter(Great book trailer by the way), and to Rebecca for offering the query contest. I suppose the road to publication was a little “RUFF”, but I’m sure everyone will “WOOF” the book, and “HOWL” because of Allie’s humor. “BEAST” of luck to “YOWL”. (Sorry for my odd sense of humor tonight…really tired. Best of luck to you all!)
Query Contest
Congratulations on your much deserved success! I loved that your query actually described what the story was about – instead of vague words like “fate,” “destiny,” and such. I only hope that I could craft such a great elevator pitch someday. Can’t wait to read your book!
Taryn Hook
Tarynhook@yahoo.com
I would love a query critique, and Stay sounds wonderful. Thanks for the contest.
jlansky(at)comcast(dot)net
To be honest the dog cover threw me off — I’m a bit bored with the ‘learning about life by raising a dog’ stories, but I liked how there seems to be good deal more involved. Sounds like an interesting read.
Also, I read about this link on GLA.
I would love a query critique! Put me in for the contest.
‘Stay’ sounds like it will be a very interesting read and the main character sounds like someone I would really connect with as a reader. I’m looking forward to it!
Please enter me in the query contest.
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