Hey Clan!
This writer is crawling from her cave into the light once more.
Do you remember me still? I know it’s been ages.
Let’s recap:
This year M. N. Stroh (AKA Melissa) received a contract for the first three books in her Tale of the Clans series, to be published through the Cave imprint of Olivia Kimbrell Press in 2020. Since then she went (mostly) dark in a mad attempt to finish book three and polish all three books for their final submission.
Crunch Time NaNo Style
So you may have guessed I’m a recovering multitasker.
Just kidding!
I’m a multitasking addict who’s apparently incapable of sticking to just one thing.
My writing efforts needed a kick in the pants. So I joined fellow Serious Writer friends in this year’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It provided that needed push to bring book 3 to completion.
Hey, it worked for book 2, so why not?
Stone of Division is now finished in rough draft and deep in the edit/revision process.
Enter the OHCWC Blue Seal Awards
Remember that multitasking addiction mentioned earlier?
Well, that same addict also struggles with saying “no” sometimes.
Well a lot of times.
Most of the time, Ok!
In October, opportunity to submit to the OHCWC Blue Seal Awards came under my radar. Many writing friends plied some gentle arm-twisting to this timid author, and swayed her to submit Rise of Betrayal.
Admittedly, I was reluctant. Responsibilities and looming deadline aside, I’d submitted it to other writing contests before with no success. I was fairly certain my novel didn’t meet Blue Seal’s qualifications.
But, those earlier drafts were pretty rough. Plus, those self-same gentle arm twisters insisted Rise of Betrayal qualified. So I swallowed my fear and submitted.
Rise of Betrayal Won in the Historical Fiction Category!
Mid-November, my good friend and fellow Historical Fiction writer, Rhonda Dragomir, shot a text my way to say we won the OHCWC Blue Seal Awards.
“Swept the Historical Fiction category” as she put it.
Her submission: No Postage Required landed first place. Rise of Betrayal took second.
I was floored.
Realization didn’t fully settle until the following week when the winners were officially announced on Facebook. Even then, denial kept prodding me.
You’re not even published yet and you’re an award winning author? Yeah, right!
Does second place even count?
Sure does! I’m still pinching myself. Metaphorically.
If literally, there’d be welts. LOTS of welts!
So, thank you, Clan!
Your unwavering support through this process means so much. You’re a true blessing, and I look forward to the day I can share these stories with you in print!
In the meantime, keep an eye on your inboxes. There’s publication updates coming your way via the Clan newsletter.
If you’re not yet a member of the Clan’s inner circle, join now for future updates, projected release dates, and the occasional freebie (Oh, you know you want that)!
Congratulations, I’m so happy for you
Thanks! Jann!