There are many publishers out there, but we're the first—if not the only—to have a dragon on payroll.

Meet Apara Moreiya, associate editor, and all-around pretty cool guy.

Thrill seeker. Unbridled optimist. Sushi aficionado. Lover of terrible jokes. Free spirit. Friend to all. Sporting an outlook on life as unique as he, Apara writes equally distinctive poetry and fiction, and from time to time delves into the genres of fantasy and horror. Apart from being Darkwater Syndicate's unofficial mascot (and unintentionally running up the company's fire insurance premiums), he is an associate editor working closely with Antonio Simon, Jr.

- A publishing option through Darkwater Syndicate, whereby we will consider a novel or short story by the winner for publication,
- We'll even prioritize the winning story so it gets bumped up to the top of our editors' reading list,
- If we sign the winner author on, we'll give the work our full treatment of: editing, cover art production, publication, audiobook narration, in addition to royalties better than prevailing rates.

How awesome is that?

For more information and how to enter the contest, visit Dan Alatorre's page by clicking the big blue button at the bottom of this post.

About Dan Alatorre
Dan Alatorre is author of numerous best sellers, host of the YouTube video show Writers Off Task With Friends, blogger and father to a hilarious and precocious daughter, "Savvy" of the bestselling book series Savvy Stories. His novels, short stories, illustrated children’s books and cookbooks have been translated into 12 different languages and are enjoyed around the world. Dan and his family live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

Things only start to heat up after his arrival in Miami. His parents having decided that he should lay low in Miami while Castro's uprising blows over, he leaves Cuba for the United States. Alone, with only a few dollars in his pocket and a decent grasp on English, he struggles to make ends meet. Eventually, Ramiro is recruited into a counterrevolutionary movement formed in Miami to oppose Castro's regime. In a blink, young Ramiro goes from penniless immigrant to soldier of fortune with a bottomless expense account backed clandestinely by the CIA. There's just one problem: he's a staunch pacifist, but he doesn't let this fact keep him from spending the agency's money on living the good life in the Magic City.

Mr. Perez's memoirs will be chock full of anecdotes, some heartbreaking, others laugh-out-loud funny. At the moment, he is about 20,000 words into this project, which will be published through Darkwater Syndicate. No release date has been announced as of yet. Be sure to check back regularly for more information.