Tomorrow announcements for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart and RITA finalists go out! How many of you who entered will get any sleep tonight?
Ah, I remember the days of entering the GH. I found it very difficult to sleep the night before. Would I get the call? (No, no, no, no, no, no). Would the phone even ring to allow me the thrill of the possibility of the call? (Some years, no, no, no, no; other years, once or twice).
I don’t know about you, but even if I’m not finaling, I WANT the phone to ring a few times just to give me that thrill right before I pick it up. Two years ago, I was down in the basement doing laundry, bemoaning that if I didn’t get a call SOON (taking into account that I knew from the listservs that calls were going out), I wouldn’t get a call at all. Then the phone rang. Upstairs. Don’t ask me why I didn’t take a portable down to the laundry with me. So up the stairs I ran and picked up. As soon as my caller ID’ed herself as being with RWA, I knew. Finally, I’d finaled in the Golden Heart!
This is my second year entering the RITA as Penny and I totally do not expect to final. I don’t know what the stats say, but I personally felt I had a higher chance of finaling in the GH than the RITA, and I entered the GH several times before I did final. I mean, when people with many more books out than I are also entering the RITA, what chance do I stand? And then there’s the fact that Penny writes erotic romance, which doesn’t set well with a portion of the judging population. I’m not whining about that, but it is a fact. However, all contests are subjective and you just never know, right?
Anyway, this is my convoluted way of saying that I’m holding a blog party all day tomorrow to honor and congratulate and cheer on all the Golden Heart and RITA finalists. So if you final, send me an email at cindy AT cindyprocter HYPHEN king DOT com and let me know, and I’ll get your info up lickety-spit. (Visit my Contacts page for a proper email addy). Or drop a note in the Comments trail, and, again, I’ll revise the post to reflect your finalist slot.
Feel free to spread the news.
Okay, now go drink some warm milk and TRY to get some rest, heh, heh.
I didn’t enter, but I’ll stop off tomorrow and see if I recognize any of the finalists’ names.
I didn’t know they were announcing tomorrow, but I’m excited! Thanks for the update.
Edie, you didn’t enter? Here I was hoping to see your name tomorrow.
Melissa, good luck! I didn’t get any YAs in my RITA judging packet next year. I think that’s one of the categories I’ll select to judge next year, because I remember judging YA for GH one year and being super impressed with the entries.
You’re evil, Cindy. 🙂 I didn’t enter the RITA in 2008, but I know what the waiting is like. You had to remind everybody. 😉
~Deb
LOL, Deb, yes I AM evil and I did have to remind everybody. Last year I didn’t remember until the day before when someone reminded me – turnabout is fair play! 🙂
Fun- I didn’t have anything to enter this year-but will check in tomorrow to see what happens! Cheers!
Thanks, Nancy. See you then.
I hope I recognize a LOT of names.