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  • Read our interview with ANA2012 winner Kate Baggott, and learn about the real-life experience that helped her write "Finnegan and Grandfather Cheng."
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  • Read our interview with Jen Barton, wildcard nominee and ANA2012 runner up.
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  • Read our interview with J.R. Verwey, the Round #8 nominee.
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  • Chauncey Mabe, who we can only describe as a straight-shooter, answers our questions about writing, social media, and more.
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  • Read our interview with Round #7 nominee Kellene Killmer and find out how she grew her Twitter following from 17 to 1,300 during ANA!
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  • Read the second part of our interview with jury member Autumn Stephens, in which she claims to be 5,000 years old and to enjoy reading books printed on papyrus.
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  • Read our interview with Luke Swanson, the youngest ANA nominee, and find out which book he'd be embarrassed to be seen reading.
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  • Jill Amber Menard, the Round #5 nominee, did an awesome job of getting votes for her story while also going to school and running a non-profit dance company, so the rest of us have no excuse.
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  • Read our interview with Lance Burson, who was chosen as the first wildcard nominee. He's funny.
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  • Read our first interview with jury member Autumn Stephens and find out what she will be looking for when reading the America's Next Author stories.
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  • Read our interview with Round #4 nominee Dom Goodall and find out how she managed to stay at the top of the Author Ranking each week. Plus: why is she so fascinated with wolves?
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  • Read part two of our interview with jury member Sandy Diaz and learn how to avoid the most common mistakes made by aspiring authors.
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  • Read our interview with Round #3 nominee Bellakentuky and learn what writing advice changed his writing style, plus what the name "Bellakentuky" means.
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  • Read part two of our interview with jury member Peter McCarthy and learn his advice for authors trying to get published.
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  • Read our interview with Round #2 nominee Lin Clements and find out how to prepare for the inevitable zombie takeover (plus a few things about writing).
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  • Read part one of our interview with jury member Sandy Diaz and find out what she will be looking for when reading the America's Next Author stories.
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  • Read our interview with Round #1 nominee Elizabeth A Reeves and find out how she managed to get to the top spot for week one.
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  • Read our first interview with jury member Peter McCarthy and find out what he will be looking for when reading the America's Next Author stories.
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  • Writing is an inside job with no heavy lifting. Who said that, Terry Pratchett? It has it’s challenges, like anything that feels worthwhile, but I certainly don’t regret choosing it as a career.
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America's Next Author
THE FIRST SOCIAL WRITING CONTEST!
America's Next Author is the first real social writing contest. Winners will be chosen based on a unique combination of votes from readers and publishing industry experts.
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And the winner is ...

Kate Baggott! Congrats, Kate. You are America's Next Author! (And you win $5000!)

Jen Barton and Jill Amber Menard are the runners up, and win $500 each. All three of these ladies are excellent writers and did an amazing job during #ANA2012.

Congratulations to Kate, all of the finalists, and everyone who was brave enough to enter a new kind of writing contest. You had the guts to put your story in front of the world, and you made this contest fun and exciting.

The 14 Finalists

Elizabeth A Reeves
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WEEK 1

Lin Clements
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WEEK 2

Bellakentuky
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WEEK 3

Dom Goodall
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WEEK 4

Jill Amber Menard
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WEEK 5

Luke Swanson
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WEEK 6

Kellene Killmer
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WEEK 7

J.R. Verwey
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WEEK 8

Lance Burson
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WILDCARD 1

Harlen Bayha
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WILDCARD 2

John Feldman
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WILDCARD 3

Kate Baggott
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WILDCARD 4

Jen Barton
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WILDCARD 5

Lori Paris
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WILDCARD 6
Winner Announcement
DECEMBER 18th 2012
The winner of America's Next Author 2012 has been announced! [...]
Battle Round Updates
DECEMBER 7th 2012
Questions and answers about the Battle Round. [...]
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Goodbye For Now!
MYSTERY WRITER (7)
I won't be America's Next Author this year, but maybe next year ... [...]
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America's Next Author

#ANA2012 | What Fans Have To Say

About

America's Next Author is the first social writing contest. Friends, family, fans and publishing industry experts will read authors' submissions and nominate their favorite to be America's next major author. Everyone can participate!