American Title IV--We Have a Winner!

Mucho congratulations to Helen Scott Taylor and her entry The Magic Knot, winner of the Romantic Times/Dorchester American Title IV contest!!!! Way to go, Helen!

And don't feel too bummed that Trish Milburn didn't win. She made her first sale after the contest started and will also be published in the very near future.

So double congratulations for the two finalists.

All ten of the American Title IV finalists deserve kudos. I hope we get to see your amazing talent out in the world real soon!

(Thanks for the info, Trish!)

American Title IV--No Word Yet

Hi.

You're probably looking for the name of the winner of the American Title IV contest run by Romantic Times and Dorchester. Is it Trish Milburn's Out of Sight or Helen Scott Tayor's The Magic Knot???? Unfortunately, I have no idea : ) But feel free to look around here while you wait. Pour another cup of tea or coffee, read a few of my earlier posts, browse my website. Just relax. The official word won't be released until Monday, so you have plenty of time.

Last year at this time, we ATIII finalists had known Jenny Gardner was the winner for a while before the RT ceremony. I can only imagine how hard it was for Jenny not to explode with the news until then. I'm sure Trish and Helen have been facing a bombardment of questions from folks. Keeping mum must have been rough. Attendees at the RT convention know the results, but the rest of us will have to wait. Patience, grasshopper.

I want to extend my congratulations to all the ATIV finalists. You have a lot to be proud of.

So while I wait with the rest of you, I'm going to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and check back in at RT later. Or maybe someone will leak the news early ; )

American Title III Winner "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" Hits the Shelves!

It's here! It's here! Jenny Gardiner's "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver," winner of the American Title III contest, is out! (Or rather, will be out VERY soon!) I can't tell you how happy I am to help my ATIII sister help launch her debut novel. Isn't that the cutest cover? Love it! So fun and bright, just like Jenny. And inside, you'll find some fantastic writing. I've read an excerpt and Oh. My. God. It was as hysterical as it was dead-on truthful. I won't give details, but the scene I read involved *relations* between a less than enthusiastic woman and her husband. Come on, girls, we've ALL been there.

But I'm not, and won't be, the only one who loves it:

SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER, Dorchester, 2008. The funny yet poignant story of a woman at a crossroads in life, who years earlier married a man who swept her off her feet, but now finds that her Mr. Right has evolved into Mr. Always Right, and the only sweeping going on in her life involves a broom and a dustpan. As her dreams collide with reality and the one that got away shows up trying to worm his way back into her heart, she must decide if her once charmed marriage is salvageable, and if so, how she's going to go about saving it.
A fun, sassy read! A cross between Erma Bombeck and Candace Bushnell, reading Jenny Gardiner is like sinking your teeth into a big frosted chocolate cupcake...you just want more.
-author Meg Cabot

With a story setup like that, with an endorsement like that, how can you not want to read this?!

So all this week, Jenny is doing a Blog Book Tour. (A lot cheaper and easier on the body than a real one, I'm sure.) Go on over to these sites/blogs to see what she has to say and what others are saying about her and "Ward." I can assure you it's all good.

Jenny's website: http://www.jennygardiner.net/
A blog Jenny is part of: http://www.thedebutanteball.com/
More blogs: http://joannerendell.blogspot.com//
http://kimstagliano.blogspot.com//
http://manicmommy.blogspot.com//
http://roseandthornreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Guest%20Blog%20Series
http://singletitles.com/?p=260
http://www.romancenovel.tv/forum/viewforum.php?f=121&sid=54dec3a655e227a7074c22fd19077bbc
http://www.byforandaboutwomen.com/motherdaughterclub.html

Congratulations, Jenny! I'm so happy for you!

Now, go buy "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver"! That's where I'm headed.

American Title IV--The New Beginning

It's time, once again, for the Romantic Times/Dorchester Publishing sponsored American Title contest! (insert cheery fanfare)

Can you believe it's been a year since I posted to beg for votes as American Title III started? Well, it has, and now it's time for a new crop of writers to show you their stuff.

This year's theme is paranormal, a personal favorite of mine. Just from the descriptions of their work you can see a variety of sub-genres. And that's only the tip of the sub-genre iceberg. In paranormal there's something for everybody!

Several of the finalists are, not surprisingly, members of the Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal Special Interest chapter of the RWA. There are also a couple of finalists from across the Pond.

The First Line voting has begun over at Romantic Times and runs through October 28th. Go. Read. Vote. I'm going to do the same, then reminisce about the complete bundle of nerves I was a year ago over a nice cup of coffee. (Cathy channels Barbara Streisand) "Memories....light the corners of my mind.....Misty water colored memories...of the way we were......"

Go vote now or I'll be forced to actually sing at you. And nobody wants that, believe me.

American Title--Take Two. Or is it Three?

I was tweaking this post and realized I'd lost it off the blog for a bit. I'm not technologically savvy, so no big surprise. (And thanks for the comment, Lee Anne! Sorry I lost it.)

Anyhoo, last Friday, at the Romantic Times Book Lovers convention in Houston, the winner of the American Title III contest was revealed. Literally, as the cover of the Dorchester publication was shown to all who attended. Not me, sniff sniff, but several of the AT IIIers were there.

Oh, you want to know who won? Drumroll please.......Big congrats to.......

Jenny Gardiner and her entry Sleeping with Ward Cleaver! Yay!!!! Way to go, Jenny!!!

I can't wait to see the cover and read the book. I also look forward to reading the works of the other finalists soon. I haven't met Jenny or any of the AT IIIers in person, but from email exchanges I knew this was a group of fabulous people and fabulous writers. I wish the best for everyone.

The Time Has Come! Sort of...

At the Romantic Times convention in Houston this week, the ultimate winner of the American Title III competition will be announced. Who will win? Well, since it hasn't OFFICIALLY been announced on the RT website, I can't tell you. So stay tuned.

American Title III: The Final Round

Well, folks, this is the last week to vote for who will win the coveted American Title III...um...title!

The last two writers standing are Jenny Gardiner with her romantic comedy "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver", and Kim Howe with her romantic suspense "One Shot, Two Kills". Both these ladies are fine, fine writers. Maybe it'll be a tie and BOTH will get published! Oh, if only.

So go to Romantic Times and click on the American Title III link (I'd have send you there directly but forgot the complete URL. You're smart, you can figure it out.) and vote for your favorite.

Go on! Don't make me chase you down.

Coming to the Finish Line

The latest round of the American Title III ended last week. The dialogue portion of the voting was a tough one, to say the least. All of these writers are good. Better than good. But two were voted to continue while two were exiled to the Island where the rest of us sip frozen concoctions adorned with tiny umbrellas as cabana boys fan us with palm fronds. Sometimes losing is a good thing ; )

At any rate, there are two contestants left. I can't tell you who, of course. You'll have to wait until the final round of voting begins.

It's hard to believe that this odessey that began last October is coming to an end in a couple of months. It's been a wild ride, filled with highs and lows, support from a fabulous group of writers, and a chance at a dream. Who could ask for more? Well, okay, an actual sale would be nice.

So stick around, folks. The game isn't over and I'm definitely not packing it in any time soon.

What Could Have Been

The latest round of American Title III voting is underway. Go to Romantic Times and vote for your favorite dialogue. I've read through the remaining four entries and have to say it'll be a tough choice. Dang, I want all these folks to win, including those of us who have been voted off, of course : )

A couple of folks have asked what I entered for the dialogue portion. Well, here, take a look.

First, a little set-up. HAUNTED is a paranormal chick lit/womens fiction. Whatever you want to call it. It's about two friends, Georgie (aka Peach) and Min, trying to learn the details of Min's supposed accidental death. Had I not been exiled, had I made it to this round, this is what you would have seen for my entry:

“That’s why I’m still here, Peach. I thought it was the shock of the accident that held me back. You know, the spirit wasn’t ready to leave its earthly body, blah blah blah. But it wasn’t just the accident. I need to find out how it happened. Why it happened.”

I didn’t like where this was going. It was my turn to get up and pace. “And what happens then? What happens when you find out?”

“Then I can go on,” she said so softly, so hopefully I could have wept for both of us.

I stopped beside her chair. I could see individual hairs on her head, even the few gray ones only her stylist would’ve noticed. Threatening tears scraped my throat as I swallowed them down. “Go where, Min?”

She stared out the window as if all she’d ever wanted was in the breeze dancing through the willows. “I don’t know what to call it. Heaven. Nirvana. But I know I’m supposed to be there with Zayde Joe and Aunt Li and the others.”

My knees wobbled and I sank into a chair. “You want to go to them.”

She gave a small laugh. “Not that I have a choice.” Her eyes met mine. “But yeah, I do. It’s like there’s a knot of rope in my stomach, Peach, and on the other end are all these people from my past tugging and telling me it’s time to come home. But I can’t go. Not yet. I have to find out what really happened that night.”

“And when you find out--” My voice caught and I took a shaky breath. Tears pricked at my eyes. “When you find out I’ll lose you again.”

American Title III Round Three Begins

Round Three, Story Summaries, begins today and runs through Dec. 31.

There are six contestants left. Meretta and Lindsey joined me and Sally on Exile Isle after Round Two. So we'll watch from afar, drinking frozen concoctions with little umbrellas in them while cabana boys wave palm fronds over us. Hey, there has to be some kind of compensation, right?

So go to Romantic Times and vote. I'll be there in a minute.

American Title III--End of Round Two

The second round of the American Title III contest ended this past Sunday. Only six of the eight writers who made it through round one will go on. Yes, it was announced. No, I can't tell you.

Those of us voted out share a mixed bag of emotions. Happy for those who made it, sorry for ourselves and our fellow eliminees, relief that a certain amount of stress has been removed, disappointment that we won't get the prize. At least not in this instance ; ) I have great confidence about the publishability of my fellow finalists, and myself for that matter. It's just going to take a different route than winning the contest, that's all.

Round three starts in a couple of weeks with the Story Summary portion of the contest. I'll be sure to remind you to vote.

American Title III Round Two Voting Begins!

But, unfortunately, I won’t be among the contestants. I’m afraid I was eliminated in Round One. And while I’m disappointed, I’m still happy. Why? Because I will forever be an American Title III finalist. One of ten manuscripts deemed publishable selected out of 250 entries! Who wouldn’t be happy?

I’d like to thank all the folks who voted for me. Your support means so much. Thanks also to Liz, the judges and everyone at Romantic Times, and Dorchester. You run a great contest. I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me and the doors my finaling has nudged open.

So today, I will be reading the remaining entries and casting my vote. I know it will be very difficult; I wish they could all win. I want you all to go to Romantic Times and vote as well. These are some talented writers. I’m honored to know them.

And just because I’m no longer in the running doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit me here and at my website. I still have things to say, when I’m not busy working on my next story of course. Or dealing with kids. Or shoveling snow. Or grocery shopping… .

The Wait is Over...Let the Waiting Begin

Yesterday was the end of voting for the first round of the American Title III contest. Eight of the ten of us will go on to the next round. Voting starts Nov. 13. I'll let you know then whether I'm on the ballot or not. I'd tell you sooner, but then I'd have to kill you ; )

So stick around. You never know what I might come up with...

A Week to Go

Just one week left in the first round of the American Title III voting. While it seemed like a long week, I’m sure the coming week will seem even longer. Though it’s hard to know whether that’s from nerves about the contest or the fact my kids had this past Friday off (in-service day for teachers) and will have Thursday and Friday of the coming week off (parent-teacher conferences). Needless to say (but alas, something is ALWAYS said after ‘needless to say’) I haven’t gotten as much done as I’d hoped. I did crit a couple of chapters for my pal Sharron. That’s writing related, so it counts. Right?

My fellow finalists and I exchanged a flurry of emails at the start of the week, supporting each other during server miscues and other unexpected glitches. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m honored to be part of this group.

I received notes from friends and family who overcame my ineptitude at imbedding links in emails and managed to vote. Thanks, all!!!

So I’ll get back to writing. Or start the laundry. Actually, I’ll be doing both today. And you thought all we writers did was sit around, drinking and commenting on the ironies of life or what have you. I’ll do that during the spin cycle.

American Title 3—And So It Begins

As of 11a.m. EST today, the polls for voting on the first line of the American Title 3 finalists’ novels has begun.

Am I nervous? Yes. And no.

Yes, because now it’s up to you to vote and tell the Romantic Times and Dorchester whose line grabs you the most. Because there will be comments from the three judges, and while voting is anonymous and somewhat distant, direct comment can be nerve-wracking. I want you to like my line best and there are 9 others saying the same thing and only 8 of us will go on to the next phase!! ACK!!!!

No, because I’m happy just to be here. I’m not being humble when I say I was surprised to get this far, or that it’s an honor to be a finalist. No matter how much I like my work, or if my critique partners, friends and family tell me how good it is, when a complete stranger who has no cause to spare your feelings tells you you’re good enough to be one of ten in a national contest, it’s a rush. Being in the company of writers whose works have won or finaled in numerous contests, including some biggies like the Golden Heart, is an incredible stroke to my writerly ego.

Do I want to win? You betcha! But it’s icing from here, folks. I got the cake when I got the “You’re a finalist” email. (And as thrilled as I am about this contest, I’m still hungry to be multipublished no matter what the outcome.)

So go to www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php or send a blank email to webmaster@romantictimes.dom with HAUNTED in the subject line and there’ll be a little something special in it for you ; ) Okay, not really, but I’ll be VERY happy, so that has to be worth something. Go. Vote. And thank you!

Building Exposure Muscle

The first round of voting for the American Title III contest begins in a few days (October 16, in case I hadn’t mentioned it before) (which happens to be my husband’s birthday, so maybe that’s a good sign!). My fellow finalists and I are understandably nervous. I’ve finaled in contests before, and while I almost always get antsy when I send in entries, I recover quickly and get on with my life. This one is much bigger and has me feeling more naked than usual.

When I enter contests or submit to agents and editors, there’s a comfortable barrier of anonymity. Many contests require no identification on submissions. Works for me. Agents or editors reading my query may struggle with pronouncing my name--if I’m lucky enough to have garnered that much attention : )—but they don’t know who I am.

The American Title contest is my first experience where so much exposure is expected and encouraged. Self-promotion does not come naturally to me, but I’m working on it. I know that when I get published more will be necessary if I want to sell well. Which I do.

I’m not afraid of going out there and getting people to read my work, I’m just not used to it. I’ll equate it with something else I recently started: working out. The first few days of hitting the gym had me achy and wondering what the hell I was trying to do to myself, but after a month now, I feel pretty good and look forward to it. It’s good for me. In time it’ll get easier. And if it seems too easy, then maybe I need to push harder. I have to look at publicity that way too.

So, pass the Ben-Gay. I’ve got work to do.

AT 2 Finalists Offer a Hand

First, I want to extend a huge thank you to the AT 2ers for giving us advice and support. And to Janice Lynn and Gerri Russell, the AT 1 and AT 2 winners, respectively, for coming aboard the group Lindsey Brookes started to help answer our myriad of questions. You’ve been very good to us, and we all appreciate it!

Starting today and running through Oct. 15, the finalists of last year’s American Title contest will be posting interviews with each of this year’s current finalists on their blog here . We were asked the same questions, so it will be interesting to see how they were answered. Here’s the schedule:

Jenny Gardiner: Sleeping with Ward Cleaver (interview date 10/6)
Judi Fennell: Beauty and The Best (interview date 10/7)
Linda Thomas-Sundstrom: Barbie and the Beast (interview date 10/8)
Sally Stotter: Dare You (interview date 10/9)
Cathy Pegau: Haunted (interview date 10/10)
Meretta Pater: Rising Sin (interview date 10/11)
Lindsey Brookes: Operation: Date Escape (interview date 10/12)
Kim Howe: One Shot, Two Kills (interview date 10/13)
Raz Steel: Pass the Kryptonite (interview date 10/14)
Kate Carlisle: The Kama Sutra Chronicles (interview date 10/15)

You’ll note I’m slated for the 10th, but be sure to read all the interviews. These folks are talented, fun, funny and sweet. I’m honored to be in their company.

The writing community is an amazing place. From offering advice on formatting to sharing research ideas, from celebrating sales and contest finals to commiserating about rejections and bad reviews, and much, much more, the writers I associate with are always willing to lend a hand or an ear despite the fact we are all vying for a limited number of coveted publication spots. Is it like that in other businesses? I don’t know, but I doubt it. And it makes me glad I chose this one.