Monday, January 21, 2013

I Won!

Over the weekend, I found out that my second novel, Unleashed, placed first in the Single Title Contemporary category of the Silicon Valley RWA's Gotcha Contest! This is absolutely amazing news, and I am still floating around in my happy fog.

My prize is a critique from an editor at Berkley Publishing (wow!) and also, my entry will be sent on to another editor who will be picking the overall Grand Prize Winner. Critique from an editor at a major publishing house is priceless, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

This was the first contest I entered with this manuscript, and the feedback from the judges was the best I've ever had, so hopefully that means I'm on the right track. I am so excited to beging querying this one in the Spring!

Also, my amazing critique partner, Annie Rains, finished second in the Inspirational Romance category! We received identical scores, but apparently the competition was a little bit tougher in Inspirational. Here's hoping this is the beginning of a very exciting 2013 for both of us!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Farewell, 2012, and here's to you, 2013

I set a lot of goals for myself in 2012, and I completed almost all of them. I wrote my second book (and finished ahead of schedule which was amazing!) I finished revisions on the first book and began querying agents. I took a few classes, and entered several new contests. I became RWA Certified PRO. And I plotted book #3!

It was a busy year, in writing, and in my "real life," but I learned and grew so much as an author. I want to bring that momentum with me into 2013! So, here we go, my 2013 writing resolutions:
  1. Query book #2 (assuming I don't sell #1).
  2. Enter at least 2 writing contests.
  3. Take a writing class - there's always something new to learn!
  4. Write book #3.
  5. Attend a writing conference. I'd looooove to go to the RWA National Conference in Atlanta in July, but my son may start kindergarten that week, which would be tragic timing! Can't miss that for anything, so if that's the case, Nationals will have to wait.
  6. Plot book #4 - not sure yet what it will be, but there are several secondary characters from my first two books begging for their own storyline. Or something else new and unrelated!
  7. Get more involved in my local RWA chapter. Step outside my comfort zone and socialize outside my critique group.
  8. Build a better online platform for myself (better blogging, Tweeting, maybe even start my author website?)
  9. Pick a pseudonym for myself. I don't know why I can't figure this out? I just can't find one I love. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me to keep my own name? :)