This past year has been a year of contests for me personally. I’ve entered every contemporary romance competition I’ve come across over the last 12 months. Why? To get noticed. To get feedback. To get my name—and my books—out into the universe. I once watched a writer who was struggling just as I was, and she made herself a promise: she would enter every contest she could. Not because contests guarantee success, but because they create chances for connection and visibility. I decided to follow that same strategy.

Contests & the Hard Truth

In the past 12 months, I’ve entered 6 contests. I did not final in 2, but so far have been a finalist in 3 – one competition is still pending. Last week, as I shared, I won the Maggie Contemporary Romance Award and could not be more thrilled. Then I woke up yesterday to a text saying I was a finalist in the Big Apple Award, and my excitement doubled. But here’s what people don’t always say out loud: awards don’t automatically equal book deals. I’m still waiting, still querying, still trying to get my stories into readers’ hands. The good news is—I’m on my way.

A well-designed contest gives me a reason to pause, engage, and respond. It nudges me to see my novel from a reader’s perspective. Each contest has provided me with valuable critiques to allow me to make my manuscripts more compelling.

What I got out of my first finalist: The Golden Heart, sponsored by Romance Writers of America

I had never participated in a live conference before I was a finalist in the Golden Heart. When the contest chair encouraged me to fly to Albuquerque, NM to possibly accept this prestigious award, I said, “What the heck! What’s the worst that could happen?”

And here is what I gained from that experience — Not a medal in my hand, but so much more:

• Community – I met dozens of authors, published and unpublished who became my instant friends, giving me advice and steering me in the right direction.
• Discovery – I sat with other authors in workshops learning all of the latest tips and tricks from writing compelling characters to navigating publishing through Amazon.
• Momentum – Florence Bliss told an entire room of us – “You can’t do everything. Just do something!” Those words stuck with me and set me out in the direction to create this blog and attempt to engage with future readers.

What’s Next?

I am currently a Round 1 judge in the next contest that is out there in the “pending” file. I love reading other writers’ work. Love giving them advice. Love seeing all the beautiful pros people just like me are putting out there in the universe. I wish them all good luck! We will read each other soon.

In the meantime, I’ll keep using this Tuesday space to think out loud with you: to explain my choices, adjust as I learn, and keep finding thoughtful ways for you to be involved. Thank you for following along, and for all the ways you already help this work feel alive.