My little self-published, debut novel, A FAST WOMAN is a dual finalist in Romance Writers of America’s inaugural The Vivian Awards. Not just one–but two–categories! Contemporary Romance–Long AND Best First Book!
Are you kidding me? My pandemic “I’m stuck-in-the-house-so-let’s-try-self-publishing” project made it to the finals for, arguably, the highest award in romance publishing.
In the Romance Contemporary-Long category, it’s the only self-published debut book and in the company of amazing books like one named to Kirkus’s Top 100 Books of 2021, and another one named One of Oprah Magazines Most Anticipated Books of 2020.
At no time did I think this would happen. I was the ultimate underdog–A book about a woman stock car driver falling for a disgraced Indy driver who was trying to steal her dream? It was a story I wanted to write, but it was a risk.
The day the calls went out–just like when you get Oscar or Emmy nominations–my phone rings. The display says “California”. Now, I never answer my house phone–ever. But something inside remembered it was the day of the announcement and the tiniest bit of hope had me answering it.
Speechless. Not even sure what the woman said. I think I may have made a few squeaking noises, I think she laughed at me a bit, and I hung up on her. Sorry, nice lady!
Through this journey, my main character, CJ, has grown to mean so much to me. I discovered her motto–Focus, Grit, Unapologetic Determination is a mantra I hadn’t realized I lived by until I wrote this book. Thank you for being part of the ride. Hang on, because I’m not taking my foot off the gas!