Honorable Mention at the Hollywood Book Festival!

Originally posted HERE

I had a fever for nearly a week (got up to 104 degrees), and it just ended today (I hope). Yeah, I probably should have gone to the doctor, but I had other things I had to do instead (like take my family to Sedona for a vacation). I've never been sick for so long before, so I'm glad it's over.

I just discovered that my fantasy book, Paraworld Zero, got another honorable mention this week (that's four now!). This latest one came from the Hollywood Book Festival in the "Teenage" category. Have you heard the phrase "Always a bridesmaid, but never a bride?" I feel like my book is "Always an honorable mention, but never a winner..." It's nice to be honored, but it would be nicer to... well, you know... win!

I'm going to enter my audiobook into a couple of contests next month. I really think it has a chance at winning. I won't find out until next year, of course. That's the problem with writing contests: they take forever! I entered these book contests over 6 months ago. Out of the 6 contests I entered, I received honorable mentions in 4 of them, didn't place at all in 1 of them, and am still waiting on the results on the last one. Not bad, really. I shouldn't be complaining.

http://www.hollywoodbookfestival.com/winners.htm

Paraworld Zero gets another Honorable Mention, Sony eBook Reader, Audiobook

I feel like the "Honorable Mention King!" Paraworld Zero just got its third honorable mention in the past 30 days. This time from the New York Book Festival. I'll actually be at the festival on Saturday. I'll be signing books and I might be speaking. If anyone is going to be there, stop by my booth and say hi!

Also, Sony sent me a contract last week for my book to go on their Sony eBook Reader and website. I assume that will be available soon.

And.... The audiobook will be finished this week!!! Pre-order the audiobook right now to get it half off. http://www.paraworlds.com/sample/

Paraworld Zero gets an honorable mention at the Beach Book Festival

Originally posted HERE

My new novel, Paraworld Zero, received an honorable mention at the Beach Book Festival in Atlantic City! I didn't win a prize, but it's still nice to be listed.

Look at the Science Fiction category.
http://www.beachbookfestival.com/

Writers Digest Honorable Mention -- Twice!

Originally posted HERE

Two of my stories were awarded Honorable Mentions in the WritersDigest.com 76th Annual Short Story competition. "Letting Go" was awarded an honorable mention for the Inspiration category and "Playing with Rings" was awarded an honorable mention in the Genre category. They're going to publish my name and story title on their site and in a book.

I actually sent in a few more stories in other categories, but I haven't received a response on those yet. It feels weird to get two honorable mentions in the same contest. There were over 19,000 entries, but it seems too good to be true -- like it's a marketing scheme to get me to buy the book or something.

I'm just a little pessimistic about this because it reminds me of a contest I entered in high school for a poem I wrote. I "won" and they wanted me to buy a $45 book so I could see my "winning" entry published. I realized it was a scheme. Everyone probably "won," and that's how they sold their books. WritersDigest.com has more credibility, but they did include an order form for me to buy the $8 book . . . which popped up warning bells in my head. Regardless, I'm happy my stories did so well.