Writing for the Love

 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Semi-Finalist The Running Girls Published Novella Category I received exciting news that The Running Girls has reached the RPLA semi-finals. In a few months, I'll find out if the novelette will continue on to the finals. Even if not, it's a privilege to have made it this far. Every year, the competition grows in number of entries. The most beneficial aspect has to be the two judges providing detailed feedback. If The Running Girls makes it to the finals, there will be a third judge providing comments as well. About the Story With some inspiration from her cross country coach, Clara decides to take on a summer running challenge: complete 500 miles in three months. The problem? Her parents don't want her jogging all those miles alone, but Clara doesn't want to run with the girl they suggest. Joan is weird, and something seems to be mentally wrong with her. Except none of Clara's other friends ...

A Broke 30-Something Guy A Sister With Special Needs A Teacher Who Will Do What it Takes to Help Them At the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards, Little Angel Helper won Third Place in the Published Novella category. Awards Don't Get Old It was an exciting evening where friends walked across the stage to receive their awards and the chocolate dessert begged to be finished while politely asking to be kept pristine at the same time. Do I eat you or just admire you? My category fell near the end of the ceremony, but I had a great group at my table. They encouraged me and almost convinced me not to be nervous. Love these ladies! Almost. Every year, I talk myself into not being disappointed when my name isn't called. After two First Place RPLAs, it might sound silly, but I convince myself that I haven't won anything every time. Which is why I'm so shocked when the presenter reads the logline of my book. "Thirty-something Bradl...

At this year's RPLA Banquet, I listened as each category winner was announced, and the joy of writer after writer swept over the room. As a contributor to The Prometheus Saga , I was equally thrilled for my fellow Alvarium Experiment authors who won awards, including some of the Saga stories: Jade Kerrion, Antonio Simon, Jr., Parker Francis, Ken Pelham, Daco, and Elle Andrews Patt (not pictured). When the novella category came up, I waited as 3rd, 2nd, and 1st places were announced. Finalist Little Angel Helper was not among them, and I admit I had a brief moment of disappointment. I'm really proud of that little novella, but as in all contests, we cannot all be winners. And I quickly realized that being a 2015 RPLA Finalist is still a thrill, too. The very last genre was Women's Fiction. As 3rd and 2nd Place were announced in the Unpublished category, my shoulders slumped and I found myself giving up hope. If anything, I thought I would get 3rd Place, may...