Friday, April 1, 2011

2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Three years ago I did not have a blog. Three years ago, I did not even know what a blog was, but I had written a novel. I thought, Wouldn’t it be neat to publish my novel, and, to that end, I started reading all sorts of information on the internet. I came across something called the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award around the time they were posting the 2008 finalists. I made a mental note and I wrote another novel—STORY FOR A SHIPWRIGHT. With nary a beta reader nor any sort of feedback other than my husband’s endorsement, I entered the ABNA in 2009. Although I didn’t make the first cut, I received my first real feedback from other writers, through CreateSpace Previews.

Shortly after that—nearly two years ago now, I set up this blog so I could meet other writers and receive the feedback I craved. I read blogs, revised, beta-read, revised some more, read some more and entered the ABNA again, with the same, but revised manuscript, in 2010. I made the first cut. Progress. I also received more helpful feedback from two of Amazon’s Vine Reviewers.

Since then, I have queried STORY FOR A SHIPWRIGHT, received some positive feedback from agents, but no takers. Then, the ABNA rolled around again. So, what the heck. I entered the same, further revised manuscript for the third time. This year, I’ve made it to the quarterfinalists—that is, one of the 500 narrowed down from 10,000 entrants. The cool thing about making it this far is that an excerpt of my manuscript—the first 5000 words—is available on Amazon for public download and review.* The best and most precarious part of this is that I will receive a Publishers Weekly Review of my entire manuscript—which you writer folks out there know is normally provided only for published books.

Getting a PW review could be great, if my review is good, and REALLY crummy if I get a scathing review. I suppose that’s why I haven’t posted this news until now. I’m a big chicken. I would rather let the competition play out and then wallow in my disappointment, unbeknownst to any of you. But here’s the thing: I’m so distracted that I can’t seem to come up with anything else to post, and I have an overwhelming urge to gather my commiserators around me so that no matter what happens, I won’t go off the deep end.

*You don't have to own a Kindle to do this! You just need a computer and then download the free Kindle app for your pc. 

37 comments:

  1. JB This is FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing the happy dance for you!! I'll pop over as soon as I can and see what support I can give you! That PW review will be worth a million bucks, and I'm sure it'll be very positive!! Keep us up to date so we knwo when to give 3 cheers with you!! :)
    Judy (South Africa)

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  2. Have just downloaded your 5000 word excerpt onto my kindle - will get to it asap and put up a review. Is there a time deadline I should be aware of??
    Judy (South Africa)

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  3. Just think, I knew you when, Bridget :) I'm very, very happy for you. I think your determination and willingness to learn and hone your craft speaks volumes about your professionalism. I learned a lot by being one of your betas and, my dear JB, you are an inspiration.

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  4. Judy, Thanks for the support! The possibility of receiving a PW review was the primary reason I entered this year--in case I do self-publish, it'd be a great thing to have, and even when I submit directly to smaller publishers, it would be a perk (IF the review is good, of course).

    The opportunity to review runs through the end of this year's ABNA, June 13 (I don't receive the PW review till April 26). At this point, the public reviews don't weigh in on the outcome of the competition, but many contestants in former years have been picked up by Amazon Encore (Amazon's publishing imprint) based, in part, on good reviews.


    PJ, thanks so much! I have been very fortunate to have such supportive beta readers, including yourself. You've really helped me to become a better writer! :)

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  5. You've been holding out on me all this time!!!
    Holy Moley!!! I am flabbergasted, I just don't know what to say.

    Well, really, I can say, only the best of luck to you my friend. That is something I could only wish to aspire -- a finalist in the ABNA.
    Fingers crossed.

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  6. Remember, it's still only one opinion. Get that review back, analyze it, find what what you can use, apply it... and move on.

    Of course, it sounds a lot easier that way than it really is. :)

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  7. Congratulations, Bridget! No matter what happens, I'm glad you are celebrating this moment, and I hope you realize how strong your work is. You think you've improved, and that is the most important thing. Yay!

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  8. Aw, sweetie, don't worry about the review! Just bask in the fact that you persevered with SfaS - and that, by making the quarterfinals, you've seen enormous progress in just a few years. That's indeed success - at least in my book! ;-)

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  9. Congratulations, Bridget! And yeah, the review is of secondary importance now. You've already improved your work multiple times in the last couple years, and it's already better than 95% of the other hopefuls. So stop fretting about what you can't control, and celebrate!

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  10. Anne, I guess I have been holding out, lol—I still have difficulty with shameless self-promotion…gotta get over that! Thanks for your kind wishes. I don’t aspire to making it to the semi-finalists—I just want a PW review that doesn’t say my novel is utter dreck!


    Bryan, I guess that’s part of why I posted this—I need the reminders that the review is still only one opinion. Fortunately, I have learned how to analyze feedback and use what I can, it’s the moving on that may prove tricky…but I know I can do that too. Thanks for your encouraging words. :)



    Domey, Thanks! At least I have a few weeks to bask in not knowing—and I have received a couple very nice excerpt reviews from readers I don’t know, so I’ll just focus on them. And thanks for your vote of confidence regarding my work—that mean much to me :)



    Laura, you know what’s crazy? I actually felt silly for entering the SAME ms 3 years in a row! But, then, there are so many writers who I respect that work at least that long on one manuscript, so I’m in good company. We writers need to learn perseverance, that’s for sure! And thank you for your consistent encouragement these past two years—you’ve been with me from the start :)


    Nate, The review really is of secondary importance. I’m just so glad that my progress has been at least tangible over the years that I’ve worked on it, and all this support makes it so much easier to focus on the positive and let go of what I can’t control. Thanks for the reminder…:)

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  11. You're absolutely right, Bridget - perseverance is the key. But you know what I'm really proud of? The fact that I inspired you to use emoticons!

    *claps hands*

    Yep, my work here is done. ;-)

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  12. I have never, ever been called A Commiserator before. Now you are up for a Publishers Weekly review....wow! I am dumbfounded by your talent. Now off I go to peek at your first 5,000 words.

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  13. What? I have to have a Kindle to read your prose? That is discrimination!

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  14. Oh Jerry! No, you don't have to have a Kindle! You just need a computer and then download the free Kindle app for your pc (it's pretty easy, really). But don't feel obligated--it's not written into the Commiserator contract!

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  15. Bridget, even though anywhere near 100 yards to a boat (of any kind) makes me sea sick, your story drew me right in! Great work. I've put my review up :)
    Judy (South Africa)

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  16. Oh Judy, what a lovely review; I think your opening words sum up tempo of the story so well. Indeed, The Girl will be a catalyst for profound changes. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and write such a positive review! You made my day! :)

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  17. Congrats! And hopefully, third time's a charm :-)

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  18. Kathryn, If Story for a Shipwright doesn't make it this time around, I won't be submitting it again next year, that's for sure! I will publish, one way of the other.

    ...and thanks for stopping in an following! Welcome! :)

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  19. Holy cow- making it that far in ABNA is huge! Congratulations!

    And I am absolutely smacking myself in the forehead that I didn't connect your two blogs until this moment. Gifted artist- gifted writer...talent that knows no bounds.

    Good luck with the review!

    ~bru

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  20. Bru, it's not so much gifted as persistent--though that's awfully kind of you to say. :)

    I am excited about the ABNA--now I have to keep my expectations in check and just be glad for making it this far. (Just for the record, I really dislike competitions!)

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  21. what can i say? don't listen to me just re-read the above comments,,then let the word "congratulations" sink in.

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  22. Glenn, you are such a kind and grounding soul...thank you,,,:)

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  23. Bridget, this is AWESOME!!! Oh my goodness! Of course, this doesn't surprise me. I absolutely loved this book, as you very well know. It deserves to go far!

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  24. Michelle, Thank you so much for your vote of confidence! I still just so tickled that you like it! The version ABNA has is the same one you read--with all its annoying contractions--ugh...

    I'm just hoping that the good in the story out-weighs the weaknesses when the PW reviewer is reading it! I'm hoping to use the review on my resume when submitting to a certain small publisher...:)

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  25. Bridget, those contractions probably wouldn't annoy many readers, honestly. I just had some past issues with it is all, and that's why I noticed them.

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  26. Well, then let's just hope that's the least of it...time will tell, lol...

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  27. What very exciting news for you! Best wishes in moving forward in the competition ... Raising my coffee cup (decaf) in a toast to your success ... Cheers :)

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  28. Thanks Joanne! And I appreciate the decaf--better for my nerves! :)

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  29. Hi JB, you certain have a lot of commenters. That's great. How are you doing as we await the next stage of ABNA? It's been fun reading excerpts. I really need to finish final editing the ms. for Prospect of My Arrival. I'm self pubbing it and would like it to be available for purchase end of May. That way the contest is still going on. I just need to expand it a bit.

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  30. Dwight, of course I have many more commenters now than when I started out. I have chosen to build my readership slowly by following and commenting on other blogs that interest me. I've always been more concerned with quality than quantity, and so I'm always a bit surprised at how many bloggers who I respect actually read and care to comment here! So...Welcome!

    At this point in the ABNA, I just wish it were over. I don't have a temperament that fares well with competition--too easy to obsess! I have read quite a few excerpts, but find it difficult to write reviews. I think I feel undue pressure to offer a critique, (according to the comments I read over on the ABNA forum) for which I feel under qualified. I prefer to simply to a review, and only those I really like (I'll be getting to yours today :)). I also have a pretty low burn-out tolerance--my brains fry easily with any intensive activity.

    I'm really excited about the publication of THE PROSPECT OF MY ARRIVAL! I remember reading that excerpt back in '08 at my introduction to the ABNA! It is such a fascinating premise, and I'm glad you've held out and have kept your own vision of how you wanted it written. I look forward to reading it! Meanwhile, best wishes for your new blog! :)

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  31. OMG! Congrats on making it this far, that is awesome! (*massive applause*)

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  32. Awe, shucks, Lydia! *me bowing* Thanks! :)

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  33. A little late to this congratulatory feast, but...Whoop! Sounds like a substantial accomplishment. I'll bet the review will be positive, if not, then let it roll.

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  34. Not late Ricky--I'm just a steady if not slow blogger...I suppose it's time to come up with a new post.

    Thanks for visiting and for your positive outlook! I'm getting better and better at the letting it roll part! :)

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  35. Congrats on the huge accomplishment. I know lots of bloggers I follow didn't make it this far.

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  36. Stina, that's actually one of the things I hate about competitions--there are a lot of worthy entries that don't make the cut, and too many times it's simply the luck of the draw (or reviewer). I'm glad about making it this far but I know how it feels to be left behind, and it does diminish my joy some...
    ...just the same, thank you for your congrats!

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