I am delighted to announce that Hearts of Darkenss has won First Place in the 2010 Great Expectations Contest! The final judge of the Specialized Category, editor Talia Platz of NAL, has requested the partial. Congratulations to my fellow finalists. This was a very well organized contest with good feedback. Thank you North Texas RWA for sponsoring it. Keep your eyes peeled for the contest winner announcement in the RWR–I intend to frame my copy.

In other news, my DABWAHA bracket is failing miserably. My friend Seattle Heather won round one and a lovely collection of historical romance novels. My mother (a doctor) has predicted that I will go into labor on the full moon, plus or minus two days, which is next monday. I think this is appropriate, as the hero of my novel is a werewolf. I expect a hairy, howling child. She will be cute.

More good news on this rainy Sunday morning: my manuscript Hearts of Darkness is a finalist in the North Texas RWA’s 2010 Great Expectations writing contest, Specialized Category (fantasy, futuristic, paranormal & time travel). I have two days to revise and resubmit my query letter and entry for the final round of judging. The Specialized Category judge is Talia Platz, an editorial assistant at New American Library (Penguin). Winners will be announced at the North Texas Two Step conference, March 19-21.

This business has cyclical ups and downs, validations and rejections, so we learn to celebrate every success. Skål!