Good News! [New Voice Contest]

www.sleepytownpress.com

My heart is fluttering and I’m feeling giddy!  I am the winner of the New voice Contest hosted by Sleepytown Press.  My picture book titled, “A Case of the Funny Face,” was selected out of 30 finalists.

Not too long ago, I entered this story in the MeeGenius Contest.  Needless to say, I didn’t win.  I lost to 1500+ votes.  But I didn’t let that discourage me from entering another contest.  But this time, I wanted to enter a contest that judged my story on merit and not popularity.   

MY REACTION

I received a message from Sleepytown press in my Gmail account.   My eyes focused immediately on the word, winner, highlighted in RED, I stopped there.  I knew then that this was the e-mail announcing the results of the New Voice Contest.  So, I redirected my focus to the beginning.  I wanted to open the “envelope” slowly to create suspense.  Yes, I’m a sucker for punishment.

The first word was CONGRATULATIONS.  My heart pounded, but I didn’t want to get too excited.  I convinced myself that the e-mail was to congratulate everyone for their submissions.  Then I read, “Out of 30 finalists, yours topped the rest…one of the top 3.”

“Yours?”  Was he referring to me?  If so, third is good.  I accepted my fate.  I returned to the red highlighted sentence:

Winner:  “A Case of the Funny Face,” by Romelle Guittap.

I re-read the line 3 times.  That’s me!  At this point, I was doing my happy dance, which involved a lot of jumping, twirling, shimmying, and squealing.  Somebody, pinch me!

Art Credit:  Charles Schulz

This is my first picture book.  Now everything I learned about marketing and school visits will be put into practice.  This is the part I am excited and nervous about.  I have to switch hats and go from quiet, solitude writer to congenial socialite.  But I’m ready to step into my role as author (the sound of that makes my heart flutter).

Well, like any recipient of an award, I feel it necessary to take the time to thank everyone who has made this possible for me.  Here are some people who have made contributions to my life as a writer and who have helped me make “A Case of the Funny Face” what it is today: 

The Institute of Children’s Literature

The Yellow Brick Road (Lisa J. Michaels)

Picture Book Critique Group

The following have had their hands on my manuscript and provided me with great feedback.  I'm forever grateful to all of you.

               Troon Harrison Adams

               Laura Brown

               Lynne Pisano

               Rob Cohen

               Leslie Gorin

               Carole Lindstrom

               Rick Borger

               Amy Britton

               Teresa Narey

               Sherry Taylor

               Susan Martin

               Kendra Hawthorne

               Stephen Berry

               Lisa Riddiough

               John McGranaghan

               Josh Beatty

And a special thank you to my boys- my loving husband, Mark, and my two wonderful sons Markus and Mateo.  Thank you for being my sounding board, reader, and idea-generator!

Upcoming Release:
A CASE OF THE FUNNY FACE
by Romelle Broas
Sleepytown Press, 2012