Writing Contests

Have you ever entered one?

Technically I have; it was the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. I say technically because my novel really wasn't ready to submit, but I went ahead and sent it anyway. It was good practice. A learning experience as they say.

Well this week I'm at it again. But this time I'm submitting BEAUTY SECRETS to the 2010 St. Martin’s Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. I'm really excited about this competition because it seems like an excellent opportunity to get my novel "out there." I just received my contest application in the mail this week, along with the editor I'm supposed to send my manuscript to -- a fact that seems cool all on its own (I know, it doesn't take much to excite me).

So in case you were wondering, that's what I'll be working on this week. You know, reading my novel aloud, taking another pass through with the red pen, and revising yet once again. I think I'm becoming a bit obsessive with the whole editing process, but I can't help it. Each time I revise, the novel gets a little bit better; it feels one more breath closer to being alive.

Off I go - wish me luck!