What's Up with the WIP??
9/10/08 - I realized recently that I haven't been updating this page very much. This is mainly because I haven't been entering all that many contests in the past year. I really think they may have outlived their usefulness for my writing at this time. Don't get me wrong — contests are wonderful, and can be an excellent source of encouragement, learning, improvement, etc., for new and seasoned writers alike. But I'm at a point now where 42 cents for a stamp, or zero cents for an email, seems like a better investment of my time and energy when trying to get my work in front of specific editors.
However, for what it's worth, here's how some of my manuscripts have fared in contests in the past:
Contest News – THE PRINCESS SHOPPE:
- 8/21/07 - I won First Place in the 2007 Golden Claddagh, sponsored by the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers chapter of RWA! And see below, under POP's awards — yep, I'm a double-placer! :?)
- 8/21/07 - It's a busy week — just learned I didn't final in the 2007 Put Your Heart in a Book, sponsored by the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of RWA. Oh well! The blow is somewhat cushioned by the news that.... (see above ;?))
UPDATE - 9/15/07 - Got my scoresheets for this back! The judge published in romance gave me a perfect score, and said she would have scored me higher if she could. Wow.... << blush >> Now if only the second judge had been this enthralled. :?) - 8/20/07 - I finalled in the 2007 Golden Gateway, sponsored by the From the Heart Romance Writers chapter of RWA! I'm very excited to final, the first time out of the gate, so to speak! :?)
Contest News – PUBLISH OR PERISH:
- 8/21/07 - Just found out that POP won Third Place in the 2007 Golden Claddagh, sponsored by the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers chapter of RWA!
- 3/25/07 - Didn't final in the Golden Heart, but oh well! I actually feel fine about it — it was my first time trying, so it would have been a nice feather in my cap, but not a huge deal to miss out. For more of my thoughts on this, check out my blog.
- 3/18/07 - First Coast Romance Writers' Unpublished Beacon announced results today (my mother's birthday :?)), two weeks early. I took Third Place, so YAY again! :?)
- 2/21/07 - I just found out this a.m. that I won First Place in the Single Title category of Coeur de Louisiane's Romancing the Tome! Plus, the final round judge, an agent I'm very interested in, requested a partial. YAY! :?)
Other Contest Placements:
Summer 2006 - PUBLISH OR PERISH (a.k.a. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR) received two Honorable Mentions, one from NJRW's Put Your Heart in a Book, and one from RCRW's The Golden Rose (my home chapter! :?)).
Spring 2006 - THE MAIDEN AND THE STONE received Second Place in the Time Travel category of the Hearts Through History Romance Through The Ages contest. My hero, Peter, received Second Place in their contest-wide Legend Award for Best Hero.
