My manuscript won First Place in the 2009 Golden Gateway writing contest, sponsored by From The Heart Romance Writers! I am, to say the least, thrilled. The first fifty pages and synopses were judged. September 1st I found out I was a finalist, and last night I found out I won first place. The final judge editor requested to read the full manuscript!! I’ve got it finished and ready to send out, so as soon as the Emerald City Writers’ Conference this weekend is done I’ll print it and send it off. Wish me luck!

HEARTS OF DARKNESS is a completed 101,000 word, apocalyptic paranormal romance set in a grisly Seattle where betrayal will unleash the demons of hell and only love can save the world from annihilation.

Yesterday I awoke to happy news that my apocalyptic dark paranormal romance entry is a finalist in the 2009 Golden Gateway writing contest. Sponsored by the online Romance Writers of America chapter From the Heart, the Golden Gateway contest judges the first 50 pages of a manuscript plus a synopsis. Three judges, at least one published, review the entry and critique it. The top five entries in each category go on to the final round. (My category is, obviously, paranormal.) I now have 4 days to polish my entry and resubmit it for the final judge, Latoya Smith from Grand Central Publishing. She will read all five entries and rank them 1 through 5.

Friends keep asking me if the winner gets a publishing contract. Sadly, no, but I get to put on my future quiry letters and announce at pitch sessions that the manuscript I am pitching is a finalist. It gives my work a little extra weight: someone has judged it and found it awe inspiring. Validation!!

Off to polish my entry. Wish me luck!