I just got my notice from the most recent contest I entered and both of my entries finalled. How amazing is that? I’ve belonged to RWA’s Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter for years and only entered the On The Far Side contest for unpublished writers my first year with my first manuscript. No need to say any more. I started to enter last year, but the thing about contests is you have to read the rules. And pay attention. Very close to the deadline I discovered that the font had to be courier 12 point. I typically use Times New Roman. If you have ever switched between the two, you know courier takes up more space. This lengthened my entry and it no longer ended at a good spot within the 20 allowed pages, so I gave up.
This year, since I’d already tightened that manuscript, Seaside Sorcery, for other contests, I was prepared. It finalled in the Young Adult category. I entered my most recently completed ms, Passages, in the Futuristic category. The winners will be announced in December, but in the meantime I’m really enjoying my success. Ironically, it comes on the heels of learning that Seaside Sorcery was rejected by the agents I pitched to at Nationals. So this is the encouraging boost I need to just keep putting my Sapaksa stories out there until I find someone who is a good match for representing me.
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