Are you up for the challenge? If you want to jump-start that great novel idea that's been jelling in your mind forever, there's an organization that can help! November is National Novel Writing month and NaNoWriMo can help! You can join authors from all over the world to complete an entire novel in 30 days! The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November and the website offers tools to track your progress, get support, and meet other writers online. There's also prizes and a cool map that shows how far your fellow writers have come. Check out the National Novel Writing Month FAQ's for more info and get writing!

As writers, we've all felt the sting of a form letter, or worse, a personalized rejection from publishing companies or agents. You've put so much work into the best query letter that ever existed on this planet or in the entire universe. And yet, you are met with the cold, hard stare of a rejection like:

I'm not connecting enough with this project. 
I’m afraid I’ve decided to pass.  
This is not for me.
We do not feel strongly enough about your project to pursue it further. 
I can only take on projects that spark my passion.

If you have been the recipient of anything like this, you are not alone! And in fact, there's a contest designed just for you - the Twitter feed and website www.litrejections.com is holding their first short story contest for fiction with themes about rejection. Oh, irony, how we love thee...find more info here: http://www.litrejections.com/short-story-prize/

And if you don't already follow them on Twitter @LitRejections, you will be glad you did. There is always an inspirational quote or thought for those who persevere!

Visit here to learn more. What we love about the Independent Publishers Book Awards is their commitment to unique categories. Here's a few interesting ones...multicultural fiction, urban fiction, and visionary fiction. All the traditional categories are included, of course, as well as specialized regional and e-book categories. It's a great opportunity to submit something personal to you and be recognized.