Sometimes, a small accomplishment can be just the thing a writer needs to keep writing even when sales are down, the words aren’t working, or a less-than-glowing review gets posted out there. I don’t often enter my books in contests. When I did, I found that what one judge loved another hated, making even the feedback unhelpful. Plus, the costs for entering can add up to a pretty significant amount.

But I really love the beginning of one of my works in progress, so I went ahead and entered the New York City RWA chapter’s Big Apple Award. And . . . Taa-Daaaa! I’m a finalist! I’m not done with the book, so it’ll still be a while before it’s published, but this was a nice surprise worth celebrating. Sometimes, the little things matter! Cheers and Happy Reading!

Darlene