Brainstorming
Well, we were absolutely thrilled, and a tad bit overwhelmed, when no fewer than 407 of you entered your novel synopses and first 2,000 words to our first-ever "We Love New Novelists!" contest. I can't stress enough how proud each and every entrant should feel of herself for being ready, willing and able to share her work at this level; She Writes members are terrific, and the quality of the work we read was really outstanding. More on that after I get to the goods, as you would all be skimming this bit anyway:
Our five winners, who will get feedback on their synopses and excerpts, as well as guidance about next steps toward publication from agents SALLY WOFFORD-GIRAND and ELEANOR JACKSON, and editor SARA WEISS are...
Shannon Lee Alexander, from Fishers, Indiana: "Unknown Variable"
Linda L. Graham, from Cave Creek, Arizona: "Voices Beckon"
Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, from Washington, D.C.: "An Unlikely Goddess"
Allison Sample, from Brooklyn, New York: "Clean Breaks"
Julie Lawson Timmer, from Ann Arbor, Michigan: "Here When You Need Me"
I know that 402 of you are disappointed right now, and I hate that! So here are a few words of comfort: we are almost surely going to do this again, perhaps with a focus on particular genres (though don't hold me to that one yet), as I am certain that more than five you deserve to have your work read, like, tomorrow. And on Tuesday September 13th at 3PMEST (make a note, we had originally said 1PMEST), Sally, Eleanor, Sara and I will do a one-hour She Writes Radio show where we talk about how to grab your reader with your first 2,000 words, as well as the current publishing climate. Our agents and our editor will share tips, best practices, and dispense plenty of advice to all lovely She Writers looking to publish their work. Finally, don't forget that you have found a community here, and specifically with the other entrants to the contest. I hope you will take the momentum and energy you put into this and RUN WITH IT!
Finally, stay tuned -- in the next hour or so I will post the synopses and excerpts our five winners submitted, so that they can share their work with She Writes, and you can enjoy it -- even if it might be a bit bittersweet at first.
Many congrats to the winners... and well done to the other 402 for taking part..x
Congratulations to all the winners, a special shout out to Allison Sample, fellow Brooklyn writer! Hollah
Congratulations to all winners!
You made us all proud! (and motivated!)
Congrats to them!
Awesome, congrats!
I'm disappointed because I joined too late... ;-) But I want to congratulate the winners. I'm definitely going to have to check out some of these books.
C.K. Volnek
Congrats to the winners! Sally is great.
Congratulations to the winning entrants. Everyone deserves a round of applause for participating.
How AWESOME for you all. Well Done <3 @Debra Shawcross Farmer Love Hearts Found on facebook
Congrats, All!
Congratulations Shannon, Linda, Mahanalakshmi, Allison. and Julie! Also, congratulations to the other 402 entries for giving it a shot. I look forward to reading excerpts and such.
Kudos to SheWrites and its talented winners! I was excited to be a participant and will definitely continue writing.
Congrats to the winners! I can imagine your smiles as you read this message and saw your names and stories! It was fun to take part in the contest and I extend a cyber-hug to all the participants. Part of being a writer and artist is putting yourself out there and we did it! Yay! Best of everything to all!
The envy is gnawing at me, and yet I am smiling. Congratulations! I was glad to take part!
Congrats to the winners! Yay! No more shots in the dark. No more "Will my query pique this agent who might or might not be interested?" anymore. I'm envious but so proud for you all!
Congratulations to the winners! Five out of 402, awesome. Look forward to reading your work now and in future
It was great to have a chance to enter this contest. Look forward to more in future. Now, back to work.
Congrats to the winners - it was great to take part! :-)
Congratulations to the winners! I do admit to a pang of disappointment at first that I was not one of the five, but it has quickly been replaced by the desire and determination to work harder and make my work the best it can be. Looking forward to more from the 5 - and from the other 402 of us as well! :o)
Congrats to the winners!!! Thanks for making me take the next leap with my work
Congrats to the winners! And thanks, Kamy for dreaming up this great contest which spurred so many of us on to next the step with our work.
Congrats to the winners. I'm glad I wasn't one of the judges. Over 400 mss. (including mine), must've been a hard decision.
Congratulations! Can't wait to read what you've all written!
Congrats to the winners! I'd also like to say congrats to the other 400+ participants. It takes a lot of courage to submit any amount of your work to people that you don't know.... Way to go!
Proud to be amongst a talented group of 407 contestants (+ all the other women in the community). Look forward to future opportunities to showcase great writing. Thanks to all the SheWrites.com women involved in this contest.