2018 was a year of writing firsts for me. In January, I took the plunge and entered my sci-fi novel, THE BRASS QUEEN, into the RWA® 2018 Golden Heart® contest. In March, as I prepared for an impending snowstorm, I received a jaw-dropping phone call from the RWA board announcing my novel was a finalist in the Mainstream Fiction category!

That phone call began a whirlwind of events that included joining my fellow finalists (AKA “The Persisters”) in Denver for the grand presentation ceremony. What a talented, charming group of writers they are! I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to spend quality time with both my Persister sisters and my Pitch Wars friends at the event.

My novel went on to win or final in ten contests in 2018!

If you’re a writer wondering whether you should enter your novel or short stories into a contest, I heartily recommend the experience. Other than the impetus to finish/polish your work, you may gain valuable feedback and make fantastic new friends.

In the fall, I was invited to become a mentor for the new crop of 2019 Golden Heart hopefuls, and I also presented my first writing workshop, “Practical Pitchcraft,” at the Westport Library. I wrote my first novelette which was published in When To Now: A Time Travel Anthology. The anthology became an overnight Amazon bestseller!

Best of all, 2018 was the year I signed with my fabulous agent, Natalie Grazian, of Martin Literary Management.

Stay tuned for exciting news about THE BRASS QUEEN in 2019.

Happy New Year!
Elizabeth