First up, Wiley editor Alan Rinzler interviewed me last week for his blog, so please check that out if you like your info in Q&A form. His blog is a terrific resource for writers, so while you’re there, click around and enjoy its awesomeness.
Now then.
It is on, people. It is definitely on.
I know we have plenty of literary-minded sports fans out there, so in honor of this year’s NCAA basketball tournament (aka March Madness, aka the greatest sporting event in the entire universe), I thought we’d make things interesting. I’m pleased announce our 1st Annual Blog Bracket Challenge!!
Here’s how it works: You’ll fill out your NCAA bracket online by picking the winners of all the games. The winner with the most points at the end of the NCAA tournament will win their choice of a free query critique or a book from one of my clients.
And if I win, I don’t need a prize because I’ll get plenty of satisfaction out of never letting you all hear the end of it.
But don’t worry, I never win.
Oh, and for those of you who don’t know anything about basketball: Congratulations, you have a much, much better chance of winning.
Here’s how to enter:
1. Go to the front page of the ESPN tournament challenge: https://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage
2. If you have an ESPN username and password you can login, otherwise you may need to create a new user ID and password. But don’t worry, it’s not onerous and you can decline to receive updates in case you’re spam conscious.
3. Click “create entry,” and enter the name of your bracket (such as your blog handle). Choose whether or not you want to sign up for the sweepstakes, and then click “submit entry settings.”
4. Make your picks and enter the tiebreaker score, and when you’re finished, under the name of your bracket you’ll see a link that says “create or join a group.” Click that.
5. Search for “Bransford Blog Challenge.” Enter the password, which is “rhetorical” and then click Join Group.
Then you’re all set! You can make changes to your bracket by clicking on it until it locks on Thursday.
Please limit yourself to one entry.
And keep tuning back into the comments thread of this post for updates and/or trash talk. Good luck!
Vegas Linda Lou says
Congrats on the write-up on Alan Rinzler’s blog–very nice!
NCAA… I hate boys’ sports. How about something for those of us into figure skating and gymnastics?
Elizabeth says
Yay March Madness! I’ll be there in person on Friday to see my beloved alma mater likely get spanked by Missouri.
But I’m hoping for a Cinderella moment. 🙂
(Word verification: presse. As in full court?)
Josh says
WHOOO HOOOO March Madness and my Runnin’ Utah Utes!
Nathan — this is a really fun great idea and I hope this isn’t the only time you do it.
Anonymous says
Fantastic idea, and I love me some college basketball.
And as a true fan, I have absolutely no chance of winning the pool.
Ink says
Are the Kings going to enter? They might win some games. 🙂
Nathan Bransford says
bryan-
I’m pretty sure the Kings would lose in the first round. To a 16 seed.
Ink says
That was bad of me, I admit. I beg forgiveness. My Raptors actually won a game last night, by twenty-three points, so I’m feeling all uppity. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
L.C. Gant says
I’m a regular follower Alan Rinzler’s blog so I saw the interview when it first posted. Great stuff, Nathan!
As for March Madness, um…yeah. I’m utterly clueless when it comes to sports, especially basketball. Drives my sister crazy; she wants to be a sports agent once she finishes law school (ironic, right?).
Anyway, I’ll enter the contest for fun–just don’t ask me to know what’s going on 😛
Ink says
Think of the draft picks, though! You lookin’ at Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio for a Kings jersey?
Nathan Bransford says
Now you’re just trying to jinx them!
Dara says
I know nothing about sports of any kind. Sorry 😛
It’ll be fun though to watch the others play 🙂
Josh says
I was pretty shocked when I read a rumor today about the Kings today possible moving to Anaheim.
Ink says
Me? Never. cough cough
We already have a Spanish point guard, so you can have Rubio. We’ll take Griffin. Though I’d settle for James Harden. We’re in desperate need of a scoring swingman. Hey, we’ll give you Shawn Marion for Kevin Martin…
Kiersten says
This almost makes me want to take an interest in sports. Trust me, that’s earth-shattering news right there.
But I did say almost…
Michael Pickett says
Nathan-
Way to combine my two favorite things. Literature and sports!
You are all going down. My bracket rules!
Margaret Yang says
Am I the only one who fell off my chair laughing at the password, “rhetorical?”
Sea Hayes says
My family does our own March Madness pool, and every year my now nine year old daughter wins. Last year she almost won over $250 in a big pool. Now I have two chances to lose. Or maybe I’ll let her pick for me! Thanks for making things fun!
Bane of Anubis says
As long as Duke and UNC go down, it’s all good 🙂
Bane of Anubis says
Take Rubio – it’s a PG league now… or maybe make a 2010 play for Lebron or D-Wade; I’m sure the allure of cowbells will draw them away from those way overrated East coast metropoli
Luc2 says
Not much college bb to see at this side of the ocean, but I’m in. Fun!
I don’t know about Griffin, but Rubio can play. But it’s hard coming to the NBA as a rookie PG. He may need a few years to adapt.
Anonymous says
Great article.
Fun to red.
A different perspective and more great info.
I hadn’t read down to the submission guide recently either and it was news to learn you now take 5 pages!!
And, how about that picture!
Elyssa Papa says
First time ever I did a bracket for NCAA. This is so much fun. Plus, a local college (Siena) is in the tourney. Really fun idea, Nathan.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Oh! The Musicality!
Q: Has your blog helped you get some good writers to represent?
A: Absolutely. Just about all of my new clients come through the blog.
Anonymous says
Nathan!!
I read your Q&A on Alan Rinzler's blog. You're so cute! I know guys think that's not a compliment, but it IS a compliment. You're so cute!
Seriously, that's a good photo of you. Good work on the Q&A, too. 🙂
Best,
J.F.
Vancouver Dame says
Enjoyed your interview by Alan Rinzler – and it’s always good to find another writer’s site to peruse. Good for you to get more web notice as well.
I’ll pass on the sports challenge – my hubby is the sports jock junkie, and American baseball has always been my favorite (to watch, not to play)- just waiting for April.
I’ll be looking for more writing posts – hope this week isn’t sports week on this blog. . . just not my thing.
Renee Collins says
Those brackets frighten and confuse me.
J. M. Strother says
I read the Q&A on Alan's blog. Nice job. He's one of my favorite stops on the blogway.
As to the other thing – well, MIZZOU of course.
~jon
kate says
Fun idea. . .Good luck to everyone! Last year I won the brackets with my friends and didn’t know anything about the teams. . .and this year I know even less. . .but I am hoping to see my Aggies go a few rounds before signing out.
Jaime Theler says
My husband will be so ecstatic at my sudden new interest in the tournament this year. (I’ll have to make sure he tells me who he really thinks will win, not who he just wants to win.)
I’m down with the March Madness!
Tyler says
Oh, it’s on. What a great idea for a contest, Nathan.
Calling it right now: All four number 1 seeds are going down first round.
You heard it here first.
Scott says
My MSU Spartans are going to come into town a wompin and a stompin everything in sight all the way to the Final Four which, ahem, my town(De-troit) just happens to be hosting this year.
Torg says
See B.H. Fairchild’s “Old Men Playing Basketball” or Updike’s “Ex Basketball Player” for thoughtful (or frightening)poems looking into some of this week’s athletes’ futures. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone does.
Marilyn Peake says
Fantastic interview, Nathan! Great information, and love how much you value this fantastic blog.
sex scenes at starbucks says
KANSAS. Duh.
RC says
I’m hoping to channel some Diane Chambers kind of luck here, because I know nothing about college basketball. But I love contests!
Is Stanford in?
Marilyn Peake says
Ordered The Stars above Veracruz. Looks quirky and fabulous.
Word Verification: ningible – sounds poetic. 🙂
Rachel says
Nathan,
What a wonderful interview and a fantastic challenge to your sporty (and not-so-sporty) fans. Looking forward to it.
sex scenes at starbucks says
Ok, I tried. I really did. But ESPN has an ad right in the middle of the screen. I thought it was Firefox but it won’t work on IE either. 🙁
Kansas is still gonna womp everybody.
Anna Claire says
Gah. My Auburn Tigers (who in fact were not sucking this year) were cheated out of a spot in NCAA tournament. Cheated, I tell you! Er…so basically the brackets aren’t as shiny exciting for me. But I’ll try anyway.
BTW, I picked winners in SEC football one year based on best team color, hottest tight end, etc…and did at least as well as half the other participants. Might try it again this time.
Dan says
Nathan,
I sense this is more material for our upcoming book, EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING, I LEARNED FROM SPORTS. There are 64 ‘good’ entries to start with, and even the so-called ‘best’ entry (say, the overall #1 seed) might not make it all the way to ‘best’ seller status? (Because UNC is taking the title baby!!!)
BAM. Sports metaphors all up in your eye-holes.
-Dan
Mira says
oooh, a contest how fun. I’m not into sports at all. In fact, it’s like a bunch of you are speaking a foreign language. So, that means I’ll probably win.
Good, interesting interview, Nathan. I posted a very supportive and polite comment after it, since it was a moderated discussion. But over here, I can say what I really think.
Max’s??? Max’s on the Square?? Are you nuts? They charge 16 bucks for a sandwich. I don’t care if the pickles are good. Try East Coast West Deli on Polk. Great deli, and they don’t steal your wallet on the way out.
Okay, that’s my contribution.
Doug Hibbard says
All right, long-time lurker here. and yes, I skipped de-lurk day.
I tell you what, Vegas Linda Lou, in the off chance that I win, you can have the prize. I read here to see what’s going on, and to think about what I would do if ever tried to write a book. Which needs to come much later.
Of course, you’re more likely to win the lottery while being struck by lightning than have me win….
Dana says
Yay March Madness! I love me some colege sports. 🙂 Go Big 12 and dare I say it? Rock Chalk Jayhawk! Since my beloved alma mater sucks at b-ball (Go Buffs!), I'll be wavin' the wheat with the rest of the Big 12. 🙂 What fun Nathan! And I loved the Q&A. Your picture is cute! 😉
Mira says
Oh. My comment above was ‘trash talk.’ I was ‘trash talking’ Max’s on the Square.
See? I can participate in the sports stuff. I’m down with it.
Lupina says
I’m a sports ignoramus, so I figured I could win handily and went to the page to sign up. I DID find the form onerous, but then I’m a formophobe. It was enough to stop me, however, so I’ll just play vicariously through everyone else’s blog posts. Go everyone!
Anonymous says
I am a big fan of both blogs…Nice Job, Nathan.
Morgan
Vegas Linda Lou says
@ Doug Hibbard: You’re on! I don’t know anything about sports, but I’m all about winning!
XOXO
Aspiring Girl says
Nathan, I just read your interview on Alan’s blog. One of your most endearing traits is your sincerity and dedication to the writers. Good job on the interview. Just like your blog, it was inspiring and insightful.
Allegory19 says
Nice interview… 7,000 readers a day – aren’t you popular.
Well, now off to ESPN to figure this whole bracket thing out.
Litgirl01 says
^ Knows nothing about sports.
Brilliant interview though! 😀