Local author, Kathryn Eriksen, is competing in an unusual contest on the Internet! Read more about how you can help her move on to the next Round of the competition!

The internet is hosting a unique contest, that has united people from all over the world to discover the next spiritual author. Sponsored by Hampton Roads Publishing Company,  Robert Evans and James Twyman, the Next Top Spiritual Author Contest is designed to cull through the thousands of contestants to identify the one person who will be awarded a book publishing contract with Hampton Roads Publishing Company. Think of how American Idol would run a contest on the Internet for authors, and you will come close to how this contest works.

Round 1 began on March 29, 2010, with voting open for approximately one month. More than 2,800 people entered the contest, but only 271 authors moved on to Round 2 (less than 10%). The contest organizers tabulated the number of votes each author received and the top 250 contestants advanced to Round 2. Twenty-one more people were added because they had the exact same number of votes.

Local author, Kathryn Eriksen, is one of the 271 authors who made the cut for Round 2. Her book, “Faces of God,” is an exploration of your spiritual connection to God, how to discover your “Face” and live your life from that perspective. Intertwined with the lessons is a fictional story about Savannah Hartt, a teenager who must unravel a mysterious secret kept from her by her parents, before her family is torn apart. Savannah’s spiritual quest mirrors the lessons of the book, and demonstrates the process of discovering your “Face” (Feel A Connection Eternal).

Round 2 voting is now open at the website. You can vote for Kathryn until midnight on Monday, June 28, 2010 by visiting www.NextTopAuthor.com and search for her name (Eriksen) or Author ID (# 545). After the scores are tabulated from the voting, only 25 authors will remain to compete in Round 3.

“I am thrilled to have made the cut for Round 2,” explained Eriksen. “I have never tried anything like this before. It’s scary to throw your ideas and thoughts out there for the entire world to see.”

In order to advance to Round 3, Eriksen needs your help. Please go to Kathryn's Profile Page, read the “Faces of God” book proposal, chapter outline and sample chapter, then register and vote for her. Voting for Round 2 remains open until June 28, 2010. Support your local author and help her move into the elite round of this contest!

As a thank you gift, Eriksen has written a short e-book that is available from her website, KathrynEriksen.com. After you vote, be sure to visit her website and claim your free gift!

Eriksen earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, and her J.D. degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She practiced law for 23 years before the writing bug bit her. Eriksen has completed three books (Walk With the Master, Images in America – Waxahachie, and RePaint Your Life – all available on Amazon.com). A Texas native, she resides in Waxahachie, where she serves as Board Member and Secretary for Historic Waxahachie, Inc., and she is the Managing Editor of this fine publication. Eriksen is also the founding member of the Sim’s Library Writer’s Network, a local group of writers who meet at the library to share resources, contacts and ideas about writing. She frequently gives talks about writing and publishing to various local groups.

For more information, please contact Kathryn Eriksen, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .