Thursday, March 25, 2010

GH Nominations

I got a call this morning that my manuscript, SWITCHING SIDES, made the finals in RWA® 's Golden Heart® competition.

YAY.

My big lesson for this past year is to always give things a shot. It's relevant in this case because I almost pulled out of this contest. It's a contest for unpublished authors and I got my first book contract offer right around the time of the deadline to enter this competition. To be frank, I was hoping I'd be disqualified and get my money back. :)

But after talking to RWA® and telling them about my contract offer, they said I was still eligible to enter as long as the contract wasn't signed by November 1, 2009. (And in the end, it wasn't signed until Jan 2010.) Therefore, if I chose not to enter, I'd be forfeiting my already paid entry fee.

So, I decided to roll the dice and pay the shipping costs to get that puppy down to Houston. AND IT PAID OFF!!!

This marks the last time I can enter the Golden Heat®, and I'm a finalist again! (Last time was in 2007) Yippee!!! And with a book that I really love and believe in AND that's never been shopped!!!
(The last time I finalled in this contest, my book had already made the rounds in NYC, so while the contest final gave it a bit of a second chance, that ship had basically already sailed.... Although I am still hoping that particular ship can find some wind again in the future...)

And in even more exciting news, my critique partner and very good friend Molly O'Keefe is nominated for a RITA®!!!

A good day.

15 comments:

Marilyn Brant said...

Fabulous news for both you and Molly!!!! Congrats, Maureen ;).

Heather Wardell said...

Congrats, Maureen, that's awesome! I remember Switching Sides, if I've got the right book in mind, and I'm so glad it's getting a chance.

Good for you for entering! "Give things a shot" indeed. Nice job!

Anonymous said...

Awesome news!!!!!!!! Huge congrats, I wish I could be there cheering you on!
Sara Hantz

Marcy said...

Congratulations, Maureen! I'm so excited for you!

Maria Geraci said...

Congratulations, Maureen! And congrats to Molly too :)

Barrie said...

I am so excited for you!! And Molly!!

Chevy Stevens said...

BIG congrats, Maureen! That's awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Kelly Boyce said...

Congrats Maureen - yours was one of the first names I saw up there!

L.A. Mitchell said...

I couldn't be happier for you, Maureen!! What a great year you've had. Enjoy every moment!!

Gina Black said...

This is wonderful! Congratulations to the both of you. :)

Nelsa said...

YAY!!! Switching Sides will be the little book that could! Congrats!!!

Keli Gwyn said...

Congratulations on your GH final! I look forward to meeting you in Nashville.

Kwana said...

Chiming in late on your blog to say Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!

LeeAnn Lessard said...

Congratulations Maureen! I'll be cheering for both you and Molly at RWA Nationals.

Nishant said...

I wish I could be there cheering you on!
Banner Advertising Network India

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...