Laura J. Davis

If you like to win free books, this should interest you. If you are a writer and want to promote your work, this should interest you as well.

I was recently asked to become a member of the Clash of the Titles (COTT) website. COTT is a Christian literary website hosting bi-weekly contests in the form of "sparring matches", in which readers vote between written excerpts from two different authors to determine a winner on - well - whose writing is the best!  At first I thought - wow - writers are already insecure and we are constantly comparing our work to others. But now there is a website that will allow readers to determine who is the better writer? Ack! What writer would want to subject themselves to that? If you win, you feel great, but if you lose - all the doubt and worry about how good  you are comes crashing down around you. Or does it?

Here is what you can expect: Week 1 of a Clash places two anonymous excerpts from novels up for voting on a Monday.  The excerpts fall into various categories. For example, this week's category is "Most Gut Wrenching Scene". Readers choose the excerpt they like the most. Voting remains open till Friday when it is revealed who the authors are. Week 2 features author interviews on Monday and Wednesday, with results announced on Friday.  In addition to choosing a winner, two readers are randomly selected to win free books by the two sparring authors.

So, it is not quite as bad as it sounds. Both authors are featured over several blogs, their books are promoted and it is good natured fun for the authors, plus the readers  (those who voted) get a chance to win both books. Not at all as scary as I implied. So, if you want the chance to participate, as reader or author, visit my blog at  Interviews & Reviews

and let the battle begin!