Contest...Awards...et all.

Why oh why do authors put their work out there for others to read for the sole purpose of comparing to others? Why? I’m not a huge contest writer. I’ve entered a couple and have found success in both. My latest was taking 2^nd place in the Silken Sands self published contest for Wife by Wednesday. There aren’t many contests available as of yet for Indie work. But I did enter and was happy that I finaled. Taking second is just fine with me.

For years, I watched the Oscars and heard one actor after another say it’s a blessing to be nominated. Which it is.  I understand that now. Enjoying a novel is entirely subjective. It’s amazing that two people can read the same book and have two completely different feelings on it.

So when we talk about contests and awards the question is why do we as authors put ourselves out there like we do? I suppose some would say it’s our egos. Which is true to some extent. Ultimately, I think it’s about finding peers that give the nod to our work. I love it when a writer that I admire takes a minute to tell me they read my work and enjoyed it. Who wouldn’t love that? The flip side is when a writer reads something and doesn’t care for it. That bites.

 

Still, the desire for acceptance by our peers has been there since Kindergarten when we first entered the classroom and searched the eyes of the other kids, determined to find someone you could stand beside. So we enter our work, pray for acceptance, and roll with the outcome no matter what it is.

That said, tomorrow is the day that RWA, Romance Writers of America, announces the RITA and Golden Heart finalists. I want to extend a friendly smile and wave to everyone who had the guts to put their work out there to see how it flies with their peers.

It is an honor to be a finalist, and it’s a huge step to even apply. Remember the first time you send a query? The first time you sent a manuscript to an agent or a publisher? This took guts. You can’t win if you don’t try.

I entered Redeeming Vows. This was my first attempt at the RITA. I have a snowballs chance, but I can’t win if I don’t try.

Good Luck Everyone.

Win a FREE Nook!

Talk about a simple contest! And since I already have a nook, and I love it, I thought I'd share this with all of you!

Check it out!

First, sign up to the Nookboard forums - which is a great place to talk to readers!

Second, LIKE Rachel's Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nookboardscom/127047354016116?v=wall

Third, link to Rachel's info on the nookboard forum about this contest and let Rachel know you've done it. http://www.nookboards.com/forum/index.php?topic=4109.msg52488#new

Simply simple. I love it!

And remember, my contest is ongoing - comments here put you in the hat to win a free download of Embracing the Wolf - sign up for my newsletter, too.

October Contest ~

Okay folks... I, being the lover of fall and October, have decided to have a month long contest. One lucky winner who posts comments on my blog will walk away with a free download of Embracing the Wolf.

You have to do two things. One, you need to sign up to receive my newsletter: Click on the yahoo link and sign up. This loop is a newsletter loop only... no chatting and yadda yadda... I click in one in a while and tell you about my releases and newsletters but that's about it.

Click to join CatherineBybee

Second... comment on my blog during the month of October. I'll pick a name at random and announce the winner of the copy of Embracing the Wolf on November second.

The more you comment, the more chances of winning.

Shameless self promotion

Yep, I'm shamelessly self promoting. My trailer for Kilt Worthy is up for an award at You Gotta Read. So please step over and take a look and cast your vote.

http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/

Thanks a million!

Stay up to date!

Okay... I think I've figured out all the bells and whistles of a yahoo loop for the sole purpose of putting out a newsletter.

Whoo and Hoo!!! It seems every little thing we do on-line requires a degree in something.

So, if you're interested in receiving notice of a new newsletter with a link to read a PDF file of the happenings of my author life. Please sign up!

My newsletters will only come once every 2 - 3 months unless the contract fairy is extremely kind to me. I've already sent out my May / June notice, so when you sign up just take a look in the file section and view the file there.

BTW... once my books start being released, there will be contests in which only people signed up on my newsletter loop can enter to win free copies of my latest releases. FREE is always a good price... don't ya think?

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