VIC-RWA

Here’s a recap and some photo highlights from a day filled with accolades and shared successes, not to mention a stunning view, fanastic food and outstanding company.  We also had a special bonus with Naomi Bellis/Sharon Ashwood giving a great talk on life after publication.

VIVA Award

In recognition of her outstanding service to the chapter in the past year, Shereen Vedam was awarded the VIVA.Other nominees were Mimi Barbour, Sharron Gunn, Marjorie Lindsey, and Lee McKenzie.

 First Step Awards

Marjorie Lindsey received her First Step for submitting Passion Under Sail to Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin Super Romance and Sally Harding, Cooke Agency.

 Jacqui Nelson received her First Step for submitting Between Heaven and Hell to editor Linda Fildew at Harlequin Historical and Sally Harding, Cooke Agency.

 Stepping Stone Awards

Reggi Allder received Stepping Stones for submitting to several agents, receiving six requests for partials, and receiving a request for revisions from Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency (who loved the story and also expressed interest in seeing future projects).

 Jodie Esch received her Stepping Stones for a second place result for her YA manuscript, Liar, in The Sandy Writing Contest in the Children's YA category as well as a second place result for her YA manuscript, Almost Perfect, in The Emerald City Writing Contest in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Category.

 Milestone (Feather) Awards

Susan Lyons received her feather for making six sales, taking her total to sixteen:  eleven books and five novellas.

 Lee McKenzie received her feather not for making any bestseller lists, or winning a contest or receiving any stellar reviews. In fact, she didn't even have a book published.  However, since the last Valentine's Day luncheon, she did finish a gruelling, year-long course of chemotherapy, and she completed and submitted her next two Harlequin American Romances.  She considers it a personal best, and she is grateful for all the support and encouragement she’s received from fellow writers.

 VIC-RWA’s Annual Writing Contest:

Best First Time Entrant:  Jacqui Nelson for Between Heaven and Hell

First Place:  Jacqui Nelson for Between Heaven and Hell

Second Place:  Jodie Esch for King of Wands

Third Place:  Rosalind Villers for Nothing to Fear  

The contest was judged by six preliminary judges (four multi-published authors and two experienced writers) and two final round ranking judges (both multi-published authors).  Each entrant was given a craft analysis (average percentages received for each craft element with a corresponding graph) of their individual contest results.  These statistics will hopefully   help each entrant visualize where their weakest craft elements were (where there is room for improvement) and where their strongest craft elements were (skills they are mastering).  Each judge was given a scoringanalysis (average percentages scored by each judge and corresponding graphs) of all the entrants' total scores.  These statistics will hopefully help each judge visualize where they varied in their scoring compared to other judges. What a super benefit of membership for new writers!