If you think you know the principal reason that agents and publishers reject submissions, send us your answer via e-mail and if you have guessed correctly, the book is yours. You could get lucky. It might start a trend! You have this chance at owning an authoritative resource as you face this phase of your writing career. Good luck.

For the correct entries, we will forward a copy of the paperback, Do The Write Thing: Making the Transition to Professional. It was written for the clients of our literary agency to help them avoid the slush pile and make it to the bookstore. If you are seeking publication, this book has all the information you will need. The 177 page trade publication is chock filled with hints and tips, sample contracts and cover letters. It's just like having an agent at your elbow.

These are the official rules of the contest. Create an original letter, (in English please), one hundred words or less stating what you believe is the most frequent reason that submissions to our agency get rejection slips instead of acceptance letters. Serious or funny, fantastic, libelous or even outrageous, -- whatever strikes your fancy. If your entry appeals to our literary sense, the book will be yours. Runners up will also receive prizes.

Send your entry to cywrite@juno.com. Put the word "contest" in the subject line and sign with your address - just in case you win!