This is contest season for those whose books came out in 2015. Books, entry forms, and money (to support all manner of contests prizes) are sent in during the bleak months of December through February when I’m usually in a sort of winter funk. Should I enter this one or that one? What if I don’t final? Do book awards …
Looking Back at 2013
Tomorrow we’ll put 2013 to rest. It’s hard to believe that in a few short hours, it will be 2014. How has this year been for you? It’s been a mix of triumphs and challenges here which I suppose is a sign that I’m still in the game! I do like to reflect on the past, if just for a …
Five Truths About Writing Competitions
I was recently honored to be a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. I didn’t win, but it got me to thinking about contests and writing competitions and what they all mean. By nature, I’m somewhat competitive at least in academic matters. I think that at some point early in my childhood it was obvious that I was not going …
Ramblings on the Writing Life
Once upon a time, I dreamed of writing a book. I’d read thousands of them, surely I could write one. My first attempt was rather feeble. The most that can be said for it was that I finished, and an editor said I had an engaging voice. It wasn’t published, but the bug had bitten and writing became an all-consuming …
How do you celebrate good news?
The finalists of the Oklahoma Book Award were announced last week, and I’m honored that Broken Wings made the cut in the fiction category. Overall, 35 finalists were named in 5 categories: Children/Young Adult, Design/Illustration, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. The Fiction Finalists: Cold Glory—B. Kent Anderson—Forge Crying Blood—Donis Casey—Poisoned Pen Press The American Café—Sara Sue Hoklotubbe—The University of Arizona Press …
>OKLAHOMA BOOK AWARDS
>Saturday night was the annual Oklahoma Book Awards Celebration presented by the Oklahoma Center for the Book. I was honored that Chasing Lilacs was a finalist for the Fiction category. So many great authors and illustrators come from my state, it’s hard not to feel a teensy bit proud. And while my book didn’t win, I was glad when the …
>In Good Company
>One of the scariest aspects of writing (and there are many) is allowing your work to stand against other writers and books. It would be easy to simply say, “Okay, I have a book published; it’s lovely to hold and look at; people are saying nice things,” and just let it go at that. And yet, there is this tiny …