I had just called a major publishing house to make sure their OCW summer conference invitation had made it into their inbox. When my phone rang, I was pretty sure it would be an editor calling me back.
At least I answered professionally. The screams and jumping around might not have been quite as professional, however.
My friends, I’m tickled pink to announce … that I finaled in the ACFW Genesis contest!!
These are the five finalists in the Contemporary Fiction category:
Christina Berry
Dan Case
Lynne Gentry
Jennifer L. Griffith
Jim Rubart
No, I did not put my name first. 🙂 That’s the way ACFW announced it. I happened to have “married down” in the alphabetical world. The really great thing is that I’m friends with Jennifer. I believe I met both Dan and Jim at the last conference. And I’m sure I should know who Lynne is, but I can’t quite place her.
Congrats to the other four finalists, though Jennifer–who won first place year–was supposed to stay out of this and give the rest of us a chance!
Jennifer posted this picture on facebook or myspace once and someone asked if she was standing by actress Laura Dern. 🙂
If you’re not in ACFW, you’re probably wondering how this Genesis contest thing works. All of the finalists scored the top five marks in their category. We each received emails with three judges comments. We have two days to revise our first fifteen pages and return our submissions. We then pass into the second round judging, which is done by professional editors or agents. They will score the five entries and the top three places will be announced in Minneapolis on September 20th.
A whole lot of numbers which really just translate into a BIG wait. So now I need to get to work and make changes that will strengthen the first part of the book even more.
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Did I mention one of the rules in the contest? If a publisher offers me a contract and I sign it, I will have to withdraw from the contest. I never, ever, ever thought I would think of a reason for not wanting a contract offer! Then I smack myself and say, “The point of this writing gig is not to see how you’d place in a contest, but to get the book into the hands of readers and see what God does.”
Smack. Another one, just for good measure.
Laura…Oh, I mean, Christina! You are too funny. It’s me who is in GOOD company.
Now we have more than writing, “knee rehab” and “pain” going on together right now!! Let’s hear it for the Great Northwest!! (even though I’m a Southerner by roots and heart!)
Blessings for great revisions to all involved. May God be glorified through this all.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!! What terrific news!
Jen, Rachel, and Flchen1:
Thank you for taking the time to congratulate me. 🙂 I was surprised at how many people emailed me yesterday. Pleasantly surprised, I mean.
Whoo hoo! I am proud of you! Great work; perhaps one more step toward getting that story published. I still wanna know what happens next.
Congrats Christina! Good to see all your hard work and dedication is paying off 🙂
Congratulations, Christina! Wasn’t it fun to get THE CALL (no matter how we reacted)? LOL. I revised my entry more than I intended but I hope that made it stronger. We’ll see! Hope to see your name on top in September! 🙂