Wednesday 29 January 2014

An Honorable Mention…

I’m still in shock. First to be named an nominee by the Love Romances Café’s Best of 2013 Book awards for the Young Adult/New Adult category, and… wait for it…winning Honorable Mention. So what does this award mean for me? I had to think about it, as technically I won ‘third’ place. Then it hit me: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.  I finally received acknowledgement from my peers and readers for a job well done. This warmed me to my core, and believe me with the cold weather we’ve been having it was quite a bonus! I feel very grateful for this honor, and I could not have received this accomplishment without the support, kindness, and skills of the following people:

First, to Dawn Roberts of Love Romances Cafe who put together these awards, I thank you for all your hard work and effort you are truly a supporter of the Arts!

Second, thank you to the staff at Musa Publishing, especially to my rock-star editor Tricia Schwaab who pushed my creative buttons so far I thought I was going through the change of life all over again. Seriously, Tricia, you made me a better writer. Hugs to my head editor, Jeanne DeVita who pushed me extra hard to get this manuscript presentable. Also, high fives go to my line editors, Helen Hardt and Ralph Gallagher, both of you made my book clearer and cleaner. Cheers to my book designer Cera Smith—I don’t have a clue how you do what you do, but you do an awesome job! And finally, huge hugs to my book cover artist Kelly Shorten, who knew exactly what I wanted on her very first attempt at designing my beautiful cover—you are truly gifted.

Third, a special shout out goes to my Wenches of Words family, especially to my cohort, Sloane Taylor—a first place winner for her Contemporary Romance, Photo-Op. You Wenches have made this past year a special one with your show of kindness, support, caring, solidarity, and teamwork. Love you gals! May your lives be blessed with many bestsellers!

And last, but never least, to all my wonderful and supportive readers. Thank you for investing in me and my books.

20 comments:

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I really appreciate your support! Cheers!

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    1. High fives, fellow time traveler! Thanks, Alan!

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  3. You brought tears to my eyes, mi Reina, with your beautiful heartfelt post. You deserve all the good things in life. Thank you for including me.

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    1. Crap, now my eyes are welling up! Sloane, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have this honor. I feel very humbled and privileged to have you as a friend, confidant, and mentor. Salute and may all your dreams come true!

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  4. That is so awesome, Sharon! Good onya!

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  5. Congrats, Sharon! I'm waving my pom pom in the air for you.

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  6. Congratulations Sharon! Enjoy the warmth of the moment. I'm sure this is just the first of many more to come.

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    1. Would love to enjoy more warmth this time of year, Darlene! LOL! And thank you for your kind words. I'm hoping!

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  7. Great job, Sharon. congratulations.

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    1. Thank you, Steve, it means a lot coming from you!

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    1. Hugs, Joanna! My agent uses the word 'brillsome'. LOL!

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  9. Congratulations! One of my YA novels (not my one from Musa, though) was nominated for Best All-Around in those awards, and one of my adult romances was up for Best Paranormal. Neither got top three honors, but just being nominated was exciting!

    And Ralph is an awesome editor; I've been working with him off and on for almost three years now among a few publishers.

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    1. Oh wow, congrats on your nomination nods, and yes it was exciting just to be acknowledged by my peers and readers! Yes, Ralph did a great job and he is part of this book too! Cheers and thanks!

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