The Happy Dahnce

I had entered the Windy City's RWA contest, The Four Seasons back in March. It was my second contest for Brimstone and I really wanted to final as the final judge was both an editor and agent, most particularly an editor from Avon who I think would be a perfect fit for this series that Brimstone is part of.

The finalists were to be announced May 8th. Thankfully I had the retreat on the weekend to keep me occupied and away from home so I wasn't jumping every time the phone rang. Except the phone didn't ring. No messages when I came home, and nothing again on Monday. May 8th rolled around. I didn't see anything posted on their website so I decided not to give up hope. I had a good feeling in my gut that I wasn't ready to let go.

Yesterday I came home from work. There were messages on my machine. The library telling me I had four holds in, a couple of hang ups, then...then the voice I had been waiting for. Desire & Brimstone was a finalist in the historical category! Woo hoo!! Happy dancing ensued.

I called my parents and gave them the news, then forced myself to go for my walk before rushing down to the computer to let my chapter-mates and best friend know. I no sooner had the message posted to our loop when the phone rang again. It was the coordinator from the Four Seasons contest. I told her I had gotten the phone message and was thrilled. She told me that she was about to thrill me again with more good news - I was a double finalist!

The contest had a new category this year that all the submissions had a shot at - Hero Guaranteed to Blow You Away. Devlin made the cut. Double woo hoo!!! This category is being judged by an agent as well, so with one contest I get my work in front of an editor and two agents.

I am thrilled beyond belief and doing my happy dahnce!