I’ve returned from my adventure to Crested Butte, Colorado – home to The Sandy Writing Contest, hosted by Readers in the Rockies. Crested Butte is located high in the Rocky Mountains, (elevation over 9,000 feet) about four and a half hours from Denver.
It’s hard to explain, but I had a positive feeling about this contest right from the beginning. There were a number of months between entering the contest and learning whether I had passed through ‘the eye of the needle’. But I was positive while waiting to hear the results. When I discovered I was a finalist, I decided to attend the award ceremony and take part in the conference.
As I explained to my writing group (The Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA) I needed a fresh burst of energy and wanted to create new ripples in my writing. Traveling and meeting new people along the way and at the conference helped achieve this goal.
In attendance at the conference were:
Agents – Donald Maass - Donald Maass Agency & Colleen Lindsay- Fine Print Agency
Editors: Adam Wilson, MIRA Books & Katherine Nintzel, William Morrow/Harper Collins & Lisa Rector, Independent Editor, Third Draft NYC
Authors: William Bernhardt, Tina Ann Forkner, Aryn Kyle & Ruby Wright
The workshops were exceptional. I especially enjoyed the agent-editor panel. They read anonymous ‘first pages’ and discussed why they were impressed with certain selections or at what point in their reading they would set aside the manuscript. This discussion was very helpful.
My YA submission, LIAR -was Second Place in the Children/YA category. As this was the first time I’ve entered a YA contest, I was thrilled. I was invited to read my work Saturday evening, June 20th to a group of interested readers and writers. That was an exciting evening for me.
The conference was warm and supportive because of the talented conference personnel. Thanks to Barbara McCutcheon Crawford, Conference Coordinator and Theresa Rizzo, Contest Coordinator. Congratulations ladies for all of your hard work.
Mega contrats. Jodie! You must be thrilled with your placement. Sounds like you had a fabulous time too!
How exciting, Jodie. Well done. Seems like you educated yourself AND built name recognition in the publishing world all at the same time.
Alice
Jodie,
Yay, congratulations on placing 2nd!
And the conference sounds wonderful. These retreats can be very invigorating, especially when they’re matched with learning.
Shereen
I’m thrilled for you, Jodie! And so pleased the conference was such a success. Now I’m anxiously waiting to hear what’s next for LIAR. More contests? Submissions to agents or editors?
Congratulations Jodie! A wonderful result for a deserving author. You got the boost you wanted!
Your voice will continue to be heard I’m sure. Cheers to your success!
Jodie, what an exciting adventure. Meeting new people, reading to the group, rubbing elbows with agents and editors. Wonderful.
With this great second place finish, when do we, your chapter friends, get to read LIAR. I liked your positive attitude as you waited to hear if you made it through the “eye of the needle” You must be chuffed.
I met Jodie at the Crested Butte conference to applaud her accomplishment. The Sandy is a huge contest–over 175 entries as I recall. Jodie was second out of 38 entries. Well done, Jodie!!! Yay!!!
The editors and agents shared excellent information. And we both bought Donald Maass’ new book ‘Fire in Your Fiction’ after attending his workshop. Great conference and contest–worth your time. Consider medication before you go–I didn’t and was ill the second day. I was present for the presentation of Jodie’s certificate, but missed her reading.
One of Jodie’s Critique Buddies,
Sharron
Congratulations, Jodie.