The Call

I've been sitting on this news for weeks, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to share it.

A couple of months ago, Kensington Brava had a call for entries for a contest called Writing With The Stars. The prize was a chance to become one of ten finalists to vie for a book contract for the Kensington Brava line.

At first, I didn't think I had anything to offer, but as I read the rules, I realized I had the perfect book for this line.

Evidently, they thought so too because I ended up as one of the finalists!

But here's where it gets interesting. This wasn't just a chance to become a finalist for a book contract. It was a chance to be mentored by one of ten amazing Kensington authors, and exposure on the RT and Brava blogs.

This was huge!

Ah, if only I could have answered The Call with a little more grace.

:Cue music below:




Do you remember a while back when I told you I just got my new phone and I was hanging up on people?

Yeah, well...I hung up on the editor at Kensington. TWICE! When I realized who she was, I was mortified. Why, Lord? Why did I have to hang up on her, not once, but twice?

Patient (and forgiving) woman that she was, she called me back a third time so she could give me the news.

Yeah, leave it to me to make an impression. D'oh!

So here I am on the raggedy edge and the race is on. Will you vote for me in the coming months so I can stay in the running? You'll be able to read excerpts and comments on the RT web site, then vote for your favorite author.

Think of it as an 'American Idol' contest for writers. Thank goodness nobody is going to ask me to sing! It wouldn't be pretty.

The winner will be announced in time for the RT conference in April.

Meanwhile, if you have any good Karma, lucky pennies, 4-leaf clovers, or horseshoes you can spare, send them over. Ten manuscripts were chosen out of 500 so you know I have got to be in some awesome company.

Whew! I've got so much more to tell you, but I don't want to hog all your time. Stick with me guys. This is going to be one wild ride. The first round is on October 11.

Celebrate with me! And pass the word.

Comments

Suzanne McLeod saidā€¦
Woot!!! Brilliant news!! Mega congrats, Maria! You've got my vote!!

S. xx
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Suzanne: Oh, good! That'll make two of us. :o)
Linda Leszczuk saidā€¦
AWESOME!!! BEYOND AWESOME! Can I vote multiple times?
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Linda: Ha! That sounds like something my hubby would ask. Thanks, Linda!
Renee Miller saidā€¦
Wow! I hope you did the happy dance and got a different phone. Congratulations. You definitely have my vote. I don't know how much good my luck will do you, but you've got that too anyway.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Renee: That's the beauty of Karma. What you wish for others comes back to you three-fold.

Thanks, hon!
Sherri saidā€¦
Woot! *happy dancing*

Congrats Maria!

Will be watching and voting...Good luck.
Congratulations and good luck!
Sarah Ahiers saidā€¦
Woo Hoo! Congratulations!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
@Sandra
@Sarah

If nothing else, it's going to be one grand ride. Thanks, guys!
Dru saidā€¦
CONGRATULATIONS!!

You have my vote.
Tia Nevitt saidā€¦
Wow! That sounds excellent, but rather nerve-wracking! I'm headed over there right now--you can count on my support!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Tia: That's okay. I'll probably be on Xanax for the next five months--or should be. LOL!
Jackie saidā€¦
Needless to say am very excited for you Maria and proud to be a follower...

My vote is of course yours and any other help between now and you winning the contest consider me at your disposal once you know more for me to share!


jackie ^_^
Tyffani Clark saidā€¦
Congratulations! That's huge! Good luck!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Jackie: I'm going to adopt you! Thanks, sweetie! :-)
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Babydoll: Thank you! I'm really psyched about it.
Jenny Schwartz saidā€¦
That's so cool (well, except for the phone mishap, which I have to admit I could visualise and laugh at--wish I had the "problem" of editors phoning me!). You have my vote!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Thanks, Jenny!

Ref: I could visualise and laugh at...

Oh, sure. Laugh at my ineptness!

What happened is that I was checking my voicemail, and I tried to pick up on an incoming call at the same time.

A comedy of errors ensues. Maria ends up red-faced.
Unknown saidā€¦
Congratulations Maria! Woohoo!!!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Catie!! Thanks, girlfriend!
Marguerite Butler saidā€¦
So very excited for you! Are you going to be at RT next April? I'm planning on going and would love to SQUEE when they announce your name.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Marguerite:

Ref: Are you going to be at RT next April?

LOL! I don't know. I might have to send in a stunt double. There's no telling what would happen if I shipped myself cross country.
Ted Cross saidā€¦
This sounds pretty great. Good for you!
Mike Keyton saidā€¦
Great news, Maria - though your telephone manner leaves a lot to be desired :)
Fingers crossed.

How do aliens vote?
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
@Ted: Thanks, Ted!

@Mike: Hey, I'm not the only one who's tech disadvantaged here, or shall I remind you of a certain dishwasher. :snicker:
Anonymous saidā€¦
*clinks champagne glass*
Wonderful news!!!!

Look forward to learning more, voting, and sending good wishes and thoughts your way! :-)
Kim saidā€¦
Congratulations and good luck!!! :snoopy dancing: :D
Stacy saidā€¦
Woohoo Maria!!! Did you hear me cheering from over here in California? Yep, that was me! You've certainly got my vote and I'm sure a bazillion others.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
@Liz Where is all this champagne people keep swigging? LOL! Thanks!

@Kim I was dancing like a broke-leg dog.

@Stacy From your lips to God's ear. I hope so! Thanks!
Wow!!! That's awesome. Congratulations Maria. I'll be voting for you.
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Susan: Just goes to show, it pays to take chances.
Anonymous saidā€¦
That's brilliant! Good for you, it sounds soooo exciting.A dream come true. You sound like me hanging up on the editor LOL!
Andrea Coulter saidā€¦
Hooray! This is very awesome, and I'll have my fingers crossed for you :)
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
@Madeleine: OMG, you made me feel better.

@Lynn: Thanks, Lynn. I am crossing digits that don't even belong to me. :)
Kait Nolan saidā€¦
Fantastic! Congratulations!!!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Kait: Now the work begins... Thanks, hon.
Anonymous saidā€¦
Yay, yay, yay! I'll be rooting for you!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Charlie: Thanks, Charlie! I need all the pom poms I can get. :grin:
Jennifer Shirk saidā€¦
Oh my gosh!!! FANTASTIC news!!!

And a funny story too! LOL

Good luck!
Maria Zannini saidā€¦
Jennifer: If it weren't for my mishaps, life would be dull indeed. --and you'd have nothing to snicker at.

Barbara: Thanks, Barbara!
Marian Perera saidā€¦
Congratulations, Maria! I'll look forward to this. :)