Novel Writing Contest Fail

Sadly, I didn't make it to the quarter-finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition with my young adult mystery, "Red is For Ick". (Maybe because I still haven't come up with a better title?) Time to start gearing up for next year! ... I know I should sugar coat it and look on the bright side and all that, but I have to admit -- kinda bummed.

On the other hand, five years ago my writing career seemed to be one step forward and two steps back, but these days it's more two steps forward and one step back, which is the kind of progress I prefer.

There was a lot of great competition, and the list of who made it in the YA and general fiction categories can be found here:

http://www.amazon.com/b?node=332264011

column: Novel Interview or: TV Terror

SLIGHTLY OFF THE MARK

 

                The important thing for a writer’s first novel isn’t the amount of money made: It’s the number of copies sold. The more sales, the more likely a publisher is to pick up that all-important second novel. It’s the circle of publishing life.

                So although media attention came a couple of months earlier than anticipated, I was happy to talk for as long as my voice held out … right up until the moment Eric Olson of Indiana’s News Center told me he wanted a TV interview. At my house. In less than twenty-four hours.

                Which brings us back to that panic cleaning I mentioned last time.              

( Ever hear of Fibber Magee’s closet? He was famous for having one so full of junk that whenever someone opened the door it caused an avalanche. We haven’t actually opened any closets yet, but when the time comes I might have to cordon off the room, the wall across the room, and the other side of the wall. )