Well, it’s that time of year again — time to enter the Golden Heart. There’s still some hope that I’ll sell before the deadline, but I’m going to go ahead and make plans to enter a couple of manuscripts, one in young adult and one in romantic suspense. The ones that have finaled in the past have been retired. Dangerous Kisses won in 2004, and Firefly Run has had three chances, finaling twice, so it’s time to put that manuscript to bed. So, it’s a little scary to go be going into the GH with two manuscripts that have never been entered. All of my finals have been from two manuscripts. And with the RWA conference being so much closer to where I live next year, it’d be cool to final again. I hope that doesn’t sound greedy, but I’ve been in the business so long that I’m hopeful that consistent GH finals will help say to editors that I’m consistent and the quality of my work is consistent. Plus, it’s just plain fun to final. You get to meet and bond with fellow finalists, you get to play dress-up like you were going to the Oscars on GH/RITA awards night, and it’s a great confidence booster. And in a business so filled with rejection and “not quite rights”, we all know how important confidence boosters can be.
So, anyone else out there entering the Golden Heart or RITA? If so, in what category or categories? And GOOD LUCK!
September 30th, 2005 at 5:59 am
I’m also hoping that I’ll sell before then, Trish, but just in case, I’m entering the GH. Next year will be close to me, too, so it would be really nice to final again - my husband could come and maybe a few friends. I’m entering Single Title, Paranormal and Novel with romantic elements. Two of the books I’ve never entered before. The other book is the one I finaled with last year - with some major changes in content/genre, so it won’t be in the same category as last year…
Kelly
September 30th, 2005 at 3:45 pm
I, ah, don’t think I will this year. Unless I do. I wish there was a hick lit category. I’d be a shoe-in for winnah!
September 30th, 2005 at 5:54 pm
Keeping the fingers crossed on the selling before then, but that’s not looking probable. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to re-enter last years finalist book, but I’m really leaning toward totally reworking it - and maybe entering it in a different category. I’m also planning on entering a new book, one that I’ve not finished yet in Long Contemporary, so that will be fun. Nothing like a Golden Heart deadline to push me to get something finished.
October 1st, 2005 at 1:54 pm
Good luck Trish, but I’m hoping you’ll hear good news before the deadline.
Hugs,
Colleen
October 1st, 2005 at 6:00 pm
We stopped by Conrad’s on the way home from Allison’s and your dad was there and he met Natasha for the first time. He says,” Hello”. Natasha is spending three days with us.
October 1st, 2005 at 8:58 pm
Sending you good vibes, Trish
October 2nd, 2005 at 9:08 am
I think I will enter my young adult…. Just as a why not even though several agents have asked for it and it is sitting at an editors desk right now. But I might as well. This business takes so long!!
Teri
October 2nd, 2005 at 3:15 pm
Trsih, I’m vibing that you won’t need good luck in the GH because you won’t qualify to enter (Can you say SALE?), but in the chance that some editor doesn’t realize what a great find you are, best of luck. You are always a winner in my book.
October 2nd, 2005 at 3:18 pm
I’ve really been on the fence about this question. I’m almost done with my new paranormal YA, so I think I may enter that. And, I’ve really improved my finalist MS from last year — so I think I’ll have to enter that one again. It’s too good when you final not to try again. Good luck Trish!
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:24 am
I had planned to enter one of my newer manuscripts in the Golden Heart until August, when I sold. Is it weird that I feel kind of let down that I won’t get to see how it would have done in the Golden Heart?
I loved finaling in the GH in 2004–I met so many great people as a result. Good luck to everyone, and may you all be ineligible before the deadline because you sold!
October 3rd, 2005 at 2:59 pm
I’m not entering, but want to wish you luck!!!!
October 3rd, 2005 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for all the great comments! I’ve been away for a few days and just now saw them. Good luck to everyone who is entering!