I'm pleased to announce the 2011 Strongest Start Novel Finalists. They are:

Main Competition

- Brainrush by Richard Bard
- Katherine Kane: A Star is Porn by David Gee
- Life minus 3 1/2 by Dennis Hart
- QUANTRILL'S RAIDERS by crazeesharon
- The Missionary's Wife by The Coffee Lady
- The Principles of Mining by s_thatcher

Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

- A Road of Blood and Slaughter by Venator
- Naught Point Naught by matt
- Sacrilege by Q.X.T.Rhazmeulen
- The Machenwood Chronicles by Rebecca Hart
- The Wind Shepherd by Folio
- Wrath of Angels by Kydd Dustyn

Young Adult

- Inquest: Book 1 in the Destroyer Series by NMwritermom
- Orchard School for Dead Boys and Girls by Q.X.T.Rhazmeulen
- Songbird by penang
- The Barely Boy by Jeanne M. Bannon
- The Monarch Effect by pen dreamer
- Timesurfers by TessB


Humor

- Gulf Boulevard by Dennis Hart
- Moby's Dick: The Short, Absurd Life (and death) of Moby Gunderson by Jeni Decker
- Shaved by JElizabeth
- The Adventure Tournament (Strongest Start Edition) by Nicholas Andrews
- The Aurora Principle by s_thatcher
- YOU'RE BUSTING MY NUPTIALS by Ann Everett

This is what I said last year and it's still just as relevant: If you are not on one of the finalist lists, don't despair. Many writers have not made it to the finals in this competition but have gone on to have their books published and achieve success. As we like to say, the main goal of the competition is to inspire writers to perfect their opening chapters. If your book is better now than it was at the beginning of the competition, then we have succeeded in our goal.

The winners will be announced on July 30, 2011. Good luck to all!