This week, my local RWA chapter's contest announced its finalists.
The MARA Fiction From the Heartland contest recognizes the top Ten scores, regardless of category. This year, we had some incredible entries and it was tough, tough competition. It took more than 93% of total points to final in the top ten, so our agent/editor judges should look forward to some stellar submissions!
Six other entries, received at least 90% of total points possible and we thought that deserved some recognition, so we added Honorable Mention finalists as well.
Finalist' entries will go on to an agent and editor, while Honorable Mention Finalists' entries will go only to their respective category editor judge.
Finalists:
Erin Rieber
More Than a Stranger - Historical
Crista McHugh
Tangled Web - Paranormal
Isis Rushdan
Kindred of the Fallen - Paranormal
Diane Burton
The Pilot - Paranormal
Sarah Baker
Saving Captain Brookes - Inspirational
Deborah Gross
Stealing Justice - Romantic Suspense
Sharon Wray
Midnight Guardian - Romantic Suspense
Robin Weaver
Burned Illusions - Romantic Suspense
Rebecca Sampson
Alli’s Playground - Young Adult
Robin Weaver
Deep Speak - Young Adult
Honorable Mention:
Margaret Golla
The Demon Connection - Paranormal
Meredith Conner
Tall, Dark and Furry - Paranormal
Regina Tittel
Abandoned Hearts - Inspirational
Robin Weaver
The Bookstore Connection - Category Romance
Sarah Tormey
Rough Riding Ranger - Category Romance
Shoshana Brown
Squeaky Clean - Young Adult
WELL DONE!!!
But also, I want to offer a BIG Congratulations to all who entered. Having entered my share of contests before selling, I know what it's like to put my heart into an entry and wait. I know what it feels like to get dismal scores, to not final, to miss big or to miss finaling by 1 point. I know what it feels like to read judge's comments and wince, or to smack myself for missing this thing or that thing or to smile big because the judge "got me". It takes courage to write and submit something, be it to a contest or to an agent or editor, and each of you should be proud that you put yourselves out there.
Best of Luck to all of our Finalists and Honorable Mention finalists in the Final Round. May the requests abound!
I'd love to hear some of your contest experiences...
Congrats to all the finalists! I'm thrilled to be among their ranks, but this contest was worth it even if I hadn't have finaled - what great feedback!
ReplyDeleteContests are tough, and I have been fully on both ends of the spectrum - sometimes in the same week! Regardless of whether the judge loved or hated me (*didn't* get me, lol!), I still find the process to be valuable. As a matter of fact, today I will be polishing both my mss for the GH.
Fingers crossed!!
Cheers,
Erin :)