HEAVEN is a quarterfinalist in the 2014 ABNAs

HEAVEN made the quarterfinals of Amazon’s ABNA contest for 2014.

The linked screenshot below shows the place holder for  the excerpt’s  first 5,000 words (which are identical to the already released novel).

I wasn’t going to enter this year, but I decided at the last minute to go ahead and submit it. Last year JUKEBOX was cut before this round, but prior to that (in 2012) it made the semi-finals.

For those interested in entering next year, Amazon usually puts up an announcement in either December or January. As in prior years I plan on posting it on this blog in order to encourage more authors to enter, especially authors of color who write interracial romance or have a diverse set of characters in their novels. Writing can be a very solitary endeavor, but there’s a great group of authors on the ABNA boards both new and experienced who offer assistance and are supportive, should you choose to enter.

You can get help writing your pitch (300 word maximum) and even your first few pages on there.

The next cut is for the top five in the YA genre, however I’m not thinking that far ahead. I’m hoping to use the VINE Reviewer comments and most of all, the Publisher’s Weekly review in order to promote the book, like I’ve done with JUKEBOX.

Why do I enter? In order to promote diversity, and because its another way to get my novels and this blog seen before more people. 

The next cut isn’t until May 23rd. I’ve got a number of books to release prior to that, so I’m taking all this in stride. However it’s great to see new authors so excited and to read all the pitches and Quarter final excerpts in several different genres. I plan on reading and reviewing excerpts when time permits (I also work a regular 9 to 5).