A FOOT IN THE DOOR - Boroughs Publishing Group results

Aside from the myriad of activities, parties, workshops and fabulous speakers (so I've heard about through #RWA13 on twitter), there was one open house I would like to have attended... the Boroughs Publishing Group event. On Friday night, they revealed the winners of the "What's in a Name?" competition. There were actually two winners - one by popular vote from the finalists and one by Editorial Staff pick. Both of these wins provided the opportunity to work with them to publish a FULL LENGTH manuscript. I only have one of those. Ozark Angel is finished, has been through an editing service, been submitted twice. One of those submissions resulted in The Call... only to have the editor drop the ball. Odd thing is, I've submitted first chapters in competitions since then with less than stellar (not bad) scores. So I really need to go back through that story again before moving forward.

What does all this mean for me? How do I have a 'foot in the door'?
Well, for starters, the people at Boroughs Publishing Group have had my name in front of them multiple times over the past eight weeks. I have signed with them to be a ARC reviewer (putting my name in their sights repeatedly), I'm on their newsletter mailing list and I comment on their monthly blog. (though I really wish they would take that off 'moderated'. Really?)

But one thing I failed to publicize before is that ALL FINALISTS will be offered a contract for their contest novella, with editorial assistance to make the book shine!  So in the coming months you may see five great stories available in digital format - Somewhere Down the Line included!

I also want to take a moment to congratulate Marilyn Puett. She was also one of the finalists and the story I mentioned in an earlier post that I really liked. Marilyn googled my song title + Boroughs publishing and found me. I was the only one out of four other contestants she was able to find. She emailed me, wishing me luck. We now keep each other company on FB, twitter and you'll see her link on my sidebar. So if you have a minute, please pop over to her site and congratulate her. She's pretty cool and very talented.

On to the next phase and the next project. I have twelve days to finish up my submission for the WETA Nichols competition. The chapter is with my crit partner and I should have his input tomorrow. If nothing else, I'm learning to work with deadlines LOL

Happy Writing & Reading!
Angela

I'M IN THE FINALS!

I had the most joyous call from a writer friend last night... about a quarter to midnight. She simply said, "I voted for you."  Several seconds later my heart stopped with the realization of what she meant. My novella, Somewhere Down the Line made the finals in the Boroughs Publishing Group, "What's In A Name?" competition! I could hear the happy in her voice. You have to love that kind of support that only another writer would truly understand.

So where do we go from here? I'm back to asking for votes. Yep, your votes stand between the Final Round and possible CONTRACT

For the next week I'm asking friends and family to step up one more time... okay 7 more times... and VOTE! Please! and SHARE on your FB, Twitter and other social media accounts.

http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/content/whats-name-voting

You may vote 1x per day every day through Sunday July 14th. The winner will be announced via their website, social media sites and at their Open House at RWA Nationals - which I will not be attending. :-(

While you are all voting and sharing, I'll keep reminding you and working on a second book to offer them.
Blessings!
Angela

BACK ON TRACK

After having my granddaughters for five weeks, which cut into my internet time more than I could have ever imagined, and then my modem crashing I am finally back on line. There is a hope and a prayer I will remain connected to all of you for a very long time. I've increased my internet package to the largest HughesNet offers and installed a shiny new G4 modem.

As I write this I am waiting for Boroughs Publishing to post the results of Round 2 of 'What's In A Name?' competition. There are three of us in the contemporary category and dare I say, one entry I am impressed with - and it isn't mine. Don't get me wrong... I have all the faith in Trey and Ali's story in Somewhere Down the Line. The fact I had an email this morning from the man who inspired Trey is a definitive boost to my confidence. But if another entry receives more votes than mine, I have my fingers crossed for the author and look forward to reading her story win or lose. I KNOW her story will see publication.

For several weeks I've been mulling over my next novella. Something else that might fit Boroughs Publishing. If I do land the contract with this competition, I want something else in the works to follow up with. In the event I don't, I would still like to work with Chris Keesler and his team so will need something else to submit.

In the wee hours of this morning while dreaming I hit upon a line I HAVE to work with.

"I've been doing promotion a lot longer than I've been chasing bad guys."

I hadn't planned on my next book being intrigue but maybe I need to think about the possibilities.
What do you do when you are presented with something that forces you to think outside the box?

Creative Blessings
~Angela