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!
Just_Me says
Nathan!!!
This is so totally cheating! I haven’t watched a game since I left college (and my post as sport’s editor on the collegiate newspaper). I haven’t even an inkling of who might win this year.
But I’m tempted to try anyway.
other lisa says
Wow, I even like sports, but I must admit, I don’t follow basketball much (though if I did, it would be the college variety). If I enter, it will be little more than guesswork and wishful thinking.
Which comes to think about it describes many of my life choices.
Melissa McInerney says
Sigh….Boys! Hope I win so I can harass you mercilessly about my talent at picking winners.
Mira says
I’m so sorry. That was so confusing, I needed to re-write it. It’s going to be hard to get you as my agent, if you don’t understand what I’m saying!
Let’s try again:
Nathan. I don’t want to interrupt the discussion, but I want to let you know that tomorrow I’m going over to talk to that nice Janet Reid.
Since you haven’t signed me, despite my triple-dog daring you and telling you I have a half-way decent idea, obviously I need something more.
I need an agent.
To represent me to you, so that you’ll be my agent.
Cross my finger, she’ll be contacting you soon on my behalf. Please don’t be too hard on her, though. I think she’s very sweet and might have a difficult time driving a tough bargain.
Okey dokey.
Please go back to your discussion, everyone.
Jen C says
Wow, OK. I have no idea what I just did there, but I did enter. I have never watched an American basketball game in my life (next time please do baseball picks!!).
Normally I pick teams by either the colour of their uniform or who has the cutest boys, but since that information wasn’t available I just picked randomly. Good luck to me! (Erm, and to the rest of you… *guards picks with life*)
Anonymous says
Oh dear, I am so literary and so unsporty.
I thought it was something to do with the misuse of brackets like {} or [], as we use them so seldom there’s probably some rules about them????
The fancy ones{} are seen so rarely, I thought it was going to be their moment of glory at last.
Melanie Avila says
Suh-wheat! I lose every year because I always put a Michigan team winning, but one day I’ll be right!
word ver: ineast
Hmm… this could be my year.
J.T Wilbanks says
Mr. Bransford,
I have but one small question. You see over the pass few months I’ve been reading about the increase in “young” authors querying agents, young as in high school age(like myself).
Do you think that for the most part agents are willing to look past the young age if the person shows promise and would you ever be willing to take on a book(or series of books) written by a 15-19 year old author.
Thanks for your time.
-J.T.
:)Ash says
My hometown Louisville Cardinals are totally winning this year!
GO CARDS!!!
NotATeenager says
JT:
It's freaking simple, kiddo: Don't mention your age in your query.
Old people don't mention it; why should you. Hook him with your query & tell him your age when he offers representation.
Sarah says
In a world of sports enthusiasts, should an uninformed writer challenge ESPN’s bracket thingys?
Of course.
(The password was rhetorical, Nathan.)
I had no idea who to pick, so I just flipped a coin. Heads, top bracket, tails, bottom. I figure I’ll be there to make everyone else feel good about their picks.
Jen C says
Don’t worry Sarah, I’ve never even heard of any of the teams I picked! But it’s still fun to play…
MaLanie says
Nathan – I did it, I went to the ESPN web site {gagging} all to win a query critque. I must really want this bad!
I closed my eyes and clicked away, that was until I got to Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
Utimately Oklahoma will win.
BOOMER SOONER, BOOMER SOONER! (LOL, as if I even know if they are any good in Basketball I just live here)
Anonymous says
DARA:
ENTER ANYWAY! You don’t have to know anything about sports. The little numbers beside the teams tell you how they are ranked, so that helps with you choose the first couple of rounds, and then you can just randomly choose teams from there on! You have just as good a chance as anyone, really!
kimmirich says
hehee, Pitinos’ Louisville Cards all the waaaay!!
Griffin Asher says
I’ll take USFA (United States Fencing Association)over the NCAA any day. I’m just not interested in any sport that doesn’t involve killing someone with a sword 😉
Lisa Schroeder says
oooh, this will be so fun!! I came in first one year in the office pool! I picked the ones with the best uniforms.
Ha – just kidding. 🙂
Deborah Blake Dempsey says
I’ve done this once before and I blew it. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but now I have an incentive. BRING! IT! ON!
I need to brush up on my smack talk.
Deb
Chumplet - Sandra Cormier says
You’re getting cleverer and cleverer all the time. When the NHL Playoffs start, will you do another one? My novel might be finished by then!
Chumplet - Sandra Cormier says
Ink, you’re a Raptors fan? My condolences. I’m a Leaf fan.
other lisa says
All right, I have no idea what I just did, but I’m in.
Go, uh…who did I pick again?!
Lady Glamis says
Nathan, that was a fantastic interview!!! I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions. Thank you so much, once again, for investing so much time in your helpful blog and readers. 🙂
pjd says
It’s too bad Cal and UConn have to square off before the national championship game.
Nathan, I know you like the Kings of the NBA (New Billionaires Association), but what team(s) do you support at the college level? And when your bracket becomes visible, will we see you’ve chosen with your heart or with your keen analytical skills?
@Griffin Asher: That is the best “I’m not into this sport” comment I’ve ever read.
Jen P says
I’m with Jen C – have no idea who’s who, but it was fun! Nice article, and fun game.
But was I only the only one who expected a post on grammar? I guess parenthesis is your word for our British ‘brackets’.
This was much more fun.
Jen C says
Wow, so many Jens! We should start our own gang or something…
LOL re: the post on grammar. I normally read the posts when I get up in the morning, so in my sleepiness it took me ages to work out that there wasn’t going to be any parentheses. I couldn’t even wrap my head around a sporting competition until after my morning soy chai!
Ink says
Sandra,
‘Tis tough to be a good and loyal Canuckian sports fan these days. Toronto FC better win a title this year. (Hey, they have Dwayne DeRosario, though, and he’s great. I used to have to mark him)
My best,
Bryan Russell
T. Anne says
Thank you for the interview Nathan!
Go Trojans!
Teri says
Interesting interview. More and more agents are turning to blogs to communicate with writers.
The world needs more agents like you!
MommyJ says
It’s so gonna be the tarheels this year.. Hansbrough deserves one more championship…
I entered. I’m in. 🙂
shanasilver says
Yay for March Madness! I always feel very close to it because my college, Syracuse, won the entire tournament when I was a senior. That was one of the best days ever!
Also, I designed all the March Madness graphics on CBS. The bracket graphics are my particular claim to fame. As well as the score board that’s always up on the bottom of the screen during the game.
So when you watch the game, think of me!
PurpleClover says
Nooootttt baskettttballlll…
Car says
Nathan,
Alan has edited work with so many of my most favorite authors!
Obviously, he really knows his stuff and has helped shape greatness!
How important and at what point, would you send or advise an author to go through an independent editor like Alan?
Thanks.
-Car
Nathan Bransford says
pjd-
I root for Stanford, so hopefully I’m avoiding sentimentality with my picks this year.
car-
Basically I think authors should go to paid editors when they need it. Some people are able to get feedback from their reading group, others might benefit from an editor. It’s really up to the author.
7-iron says
I love March for college bball, for college hockey, for pro hockey, for the start of golf season, for Spring Training… I’m freaking out.
EAGLES EAGLES EAGLES woooo
Nona says
“Publishers will live and die by their big bets if they aren’t cultivating any small bets that have the potential of panning out in a big way.”
It sounds like the publishing world and the investment world have a lot in common. Bottom line: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Evenstarr1 says
I loath basketball…that’s why it’ll be even more ironic when Nathan is giving me a critique on my query! See you all at the ending line! 🙂
adrcremer says
Woot, bracket time. Great contest, Nathan!
Heather Wardell says
I entered, although I know exactly zero about basketball. I used my well-honed fantasy sport strategy of “teams I’ve heard of and teams with funny names”, which has won me several hockey pools and REALLY upset people who actually know sports. 🙂
car says
Thanks for your answer, Nathan.
Cat Moleski says
Wonderful interview. Go, Nathan! I may not have the time to get to the whole bracket thing.
JaxPop says
Great interview – saved it as a favorite. Nice to see you mention Jenn in the interview. She's s terrific person – can't wait to read her book. I also recommend her blog to anyone that wants to learn, laugh or reflect when it comes to writing – takes pointers from her agent I suppose.
Gotta go with Pitt this year – Hard to pick against my guys from Villanova but they're too small & can't match up down low.
I'll go back to lurking now…..
Anonymous says
Jax:
Have a little faith. I think Villanova has a chance against Pitt. I’ve changed my bracket three times now, and that’s the only came I can’t decide on. Villanova v. Pitt. I keep going back and forth. Right now, I have Villanova in the final four.
pjd says
I root for Stanford, so hopefully I’m avoiding sentimentality with my picks this year.
Oh, yeah, I forgot your Stanford affiliation and the fact that we can never be friends. Oh well, no one’s perfect. Go Bears.
Casey says
I know little-to-nothing about sports but I entered.
I didn’t even know what kind of number range to consider for the tie breaker! Ha!
Bonnie says
I’m in. Somebody has to come in last, after all, and it may as well be me.
Eden says
I bet I’m the only one who’s picking FSU to win it all (I have to; I’m contractually obligated via the diploma).
Anonymous says
Did it. Just blindly picked. I have no idea who plats well. I wasn’t even sure how many points are usually scored in a game.
This will be totally dumb luck if I do well.
coll
Luc2 says
Davidson and Stephen Curry torched Soutch Carolina in the NIT. Too bad they’re not in the NCAA tournament.
I love underdogs. As an aspiring writer, I have to admire people who defy the odds and succeed. I hope another relatively unknown team can make a run like Davidson did last year.
Deirdre Mundy says
I am so going to lose, and get mocked.
I always pick brackets based on “Schools I like” instead of any relevant statistics.
But I’ll risk humiliation for a critique!
Gretchen says
I’m going to rock this bracket like a hurricane! Or a Sooner, whatever the hell that is. I picked Oklahoma over Louisville in the final.