As part of their First 20 Years Celebrations, the Muskoka Novel Marathon is featuring the 1st chapters of some of their previous BEST NOVEL AWARD winning novels, along with Honorary Mentions and Runners Up. In those 20 years I’ve been extremely fortunate to have won the BEST NOVEL AWARD five times! And I also had a few HMs and RsU.
2 of my CHAPTER ONEs have been featured to date. I’ll share the links here, if you want to drop by the MNM website for a read or two.
Both of these books are on AMAZON only. They were both originally published by MUSA PUBLISHING. When they closed their doors, I made the novels available on Amazon.
SEBASTIAN’S POET was my very first Muskoka Marathon novel. I wrote it during a 48hr marathon in 2007. At that time, entrants were able to choose between 48hrs and 72hrs. I wasn’t comfortable giving 72 whole hours over to writing at the time. It felt to selfish of me to do so. So I only did the 48hr marathon that first year. In that time, I wrote the entire novel (I later bulked it up a bit, but I wrote it right to the ending at the marathon).
CLICK THIS LINK TO READ CHAPTER ONE!
CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT THE BOOK ON AMAZON!
THE REASONS was my second year at the Muskoka Novel Marathon! I gave myself a break and wrote for the entire 72hrs for this one. The first year was a dizzying thrill-ride, but this second year really cemented my love for this form of novel writing. All in one sitting. It’s a spectacular to connect to a story in this magical way. No distractions…just done in one!
CLICK THIS LINK TO READ CHAPTER ONE!
CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT THE BOOK ON AMAZON!
I’d like to take a moment to say a few words about the marathon. I’ve been doing it on and off now for 12 years. 40 writers meet in one room for 72hrs and write 40 novels. I mean, it doesn’t get better than that, CREATIVELY. It’s a yearly oasis for writers. The event happens every JULY in Huntsville, Ontario. The Marathon organizers feed us, allow us to sleep on the premises (where there are showers), and provide an endless stream of coffee. We become a family for 3 days every year. The family changes year to year, but the sentiments remain the same. It is literally the best thing that has ever happened for my creative life. I write books because of this amazing opportunity. If you’re a writer, you really should check it out. Registration usually costs $100.00 Canadian and it is SO worth it. Where else can you stay for three days, get fed 3 meals a day and sleep and shower and play and create all for $100.00? I’m not certain, but I believe the answer is nowhere. I am so grateful for what this organization and its lovely people have done for my writing life!
The marathon is also a fundraiser for local literacy programs provided by the YMCA. To date, the marathon has raised well over $200,000.00 for literacy. No small change! Every year, the writers are encouraged to collect sponsorship donations (donors get tax receipts).
Go directly to the MNM BLOG to read all of their posted CHAPTER ONEs.
Everyone wins with the Muskoka Novel Marathon. They are a blessing in so many ways.
The 20th Anniversary of the Muskoka Novel Marathon is coming soon!
Save the Date: July 16 – 19, 2021
Want to be kept in the loop so you can join us next year? Join their mailing list.
KEVIN CRAIG 