Got word on the weekend the docu-crew are coming to my neck of the woods April 8 - 10th. Which also coincides with my chapter meeting. Yes, that's right, the chapter meeting where I have to give my educational session. Right. Yup. No stress there. Guess I should get off my glutius maximus some time in the very near future and put that presentation together. They wanted to spend the last day at my workplace, but unfortunately that won't fly. The people I work with aren't big on any kind of intrusion that pulls the cogs away from their desk for any length of time. Actually my bosses are pretty good, but there are others in there that get bent out of shape if their people aren't at their desks at 9 am sharp and diligently working until well after 5 pm. So that, coupled with the fact there is a fair bit of sensitive info floating about in there what with it being a publicly traded company and all, didn't make the scenario of a film crew popping in for any length of time a good oneEither way, between the new wardrobe I want and now an actual date of when the nearest wide angle lens will be on me, the workouts are definitely getting amped up. This double whammy was just the incentive I needed.
In other news, Desire & Brimstone is still chugging along at a fast clip and not causing any major problems. All my characters are behaving quite well and going about their business in an orderly fashion.
I'm considering entering a couple of contests and currently have it narrowed down to The Molly, The Sheila, The Orange Rose, the TARA and the Toronto Original Golden Opportunity. I'm pretty sure I'll definitely do the Toronto one. I'm mainly looking for two things - contests that provide good feedback, and judges who are editors or agents I'm looking to target. Unfortunately not all the contests have the judges listed, so it’s a bit of a hit or miss on that one. But Toronto has Cindy Hwang of Berkley Jove who is on my list. Plus I had a great experience as far as feedback and placing with The Outlaw Bride in that contest. Then I just have to pick one or two of the others. I promised myself early on I wouldn't enter one manuscript in more than three contests. I don't want to spend all my time entering contests instead of finishing the book and marketing it that way. But I find contests a good way to get a gauge on how others are receiving it and what problems they see you may have missed. Hence the whole feedback being key thing.
So if anyone has any input on the contests I listed that they want to fire my way, feel free.
4 comments:
I am entering Toronto. I just have to pick another one as well. I'm debating which. One of them lets you enter the first 55 pgs, I forget which one though...
I can't enter contests chiefly because I can't afford to. That being said, I tend to have positives and negatives to say about them. If the judges are good and give you constructive comments,it's worth it. But if the judging is bad, well, you blow your money for nothing. It's a very subjective thing, but then, so is the publishing world. :-)
I've heard good things about the Molly. I might enter the Toronto contest, like Nikki said, because you don't have to mess with the US$ and postage.
I like the sound of entering 55 pages - I'd like it even better if I could send it electronically.
Happy Valentines Day Kelly (just cause I know it's your favourite day)
I too have heard good things about the Toronto contest (a friend of mine won it one year). And there was an announcement today that the Romance through the Ages contest needs entries. They do email ones, though you have to send your entry form by mail along with proof of payment.
Don't know about the others. I'm not entering anything right now. I don't think. Hmmmm.
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