Monday, February 2, 2009

I've Gone And Done It Now

I'm now officially entered in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. I could not have done this without Phillip. Just the technical part of the entry form, all the small details of getting every part of the submission process right would have flummoxed me. For Phillip it was easy, despite the disorganization of my "files"--that may be too generous to me to call what I'm storing files. Phillip is one hell of an editor. Too bad he doesn't want to do it, but then I'm amazed anyone wants to do it, since I'm so bad at it.

My little nervous breakdown is coming. There is the period of extreme stress buildup when a deadline is looming. This chance to publish means a lot to me. It's a long shot I know, but I have one goal, one resolution for this year and it's to get published. It may just be a short story. Maybe a poem. But something. So something is now out there. Odd that it's the pitch I have least interest or skill in writing which is the part that will end up determining whether or not the first three chapters are even read. See how awkward and convoluted that sentence is? Is it even a sentence? Oh god. Now I'm filled with fear. Everything depends on the pitch.

I will now collapse on my fainting couch and weep and carry on. Then I'll vacuum. Then I'll come and visit you.

Kathleen, thank you for telling me about his contest and urging me to enter it. Thank you for helping me with my pitch. So many of you have been helping me, I can't name you all, but in the beginning it was Stella who made me think I just might be a writer. It was Vig who took me seriously enough to correct my grammar and spelling. It was Lisa and Lib, Linda and Diva, Naj and Freida. Then it was my friend Susu who read and left me email comments, and the notes of a good copy editor. Then it was LeeAnn who left me emailed notes of an editorial nature, and Larry for a million reasons. God bless the editor in every one of you. I was amazed how many of you read the book and left helpful and encouraging comments. There are so many men who read and left touching and thoughtful comments. I'm talking about you Unconventional Conventionist and you Randal, and you Beach, and you Steve, and you MRMacrum. I'm sure I'm leaving some of you out. I know I am. But I so exhausted I'm shaking. My fingers are jumpy. I've got the jitters.

And you Cal. You, who finished reading just as I took it off the blog. It has been ruthlessly edited--four chapters cut, chunks here and there, the occasional word like "that." Thanks again Phillip for pointing "that" out to me.

Don't feel bad if I haven't mentioned your help.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Here's hoping the judges at Amazon (and Peguin?) can see what's brilliant.

jmsjoin said...

Hey Utah!
Just relax you know you have a unique writing style. Many of us love it and they will too!

Utah Savage said...

Kathleen, I can't thank you enough for the help.

James, so good to see you here. Thanks for the encouragement. If I make it in the the finalist position it is all of you guys who will get to vote on the winner. I'm praying you have a lot of influence over your friends and family.

Life As I Know It Now said...

I am cheering you on. Good luck!

MRMacrum said...

From the sizable charge I have read to this point, your novel deserves more than many to be found on shelves in bookstores from coast to coast. But the fickle nature of the business works against the best and pushes the easiest to read. Your novel is not a comfort novel. It is ballsy, open and raw. I wish you the best with it. And even if you don't win this contest, do not give up.

Ghost Dansing said...

good luck Utah..... paperback writer

La Belette Rouge said...

Congratulations!! This is a huge accomplishment. You have so much to be proud of!!!

themom said...

Congratulations to you! Only good thoughts coming your way...and if a vote is involved - count me in. My, what a wonderful network of friends and supporters you have - you are so fortunate.

Utah Savage said...

I am a fortunate woman. I never thought so until a year ago. Now I see a happy future with good friends.

jmsjoin said...

You will do great! You know you are a talented writer. I just hope you kept it clean unless your writing porno or something!

Utah Savage said...

Oh James, did you ever read the book? I'm so hoping this comment is ironic. This may be the thing that keeps me from ever being published in this country. Clean??? Dirtier I'm afraid, like life. Messy like life, painful, like life. Really strange like life. Well, my life at least.

LeAnn said...

hi,
I just wanted to let you know I've been reading you (as I always will) and I've loved your entries. I am so proud of you for entering this contest and for working to get your book published. Another place that you may not have checked out and may want to is Gather.com which is a forum for writers. You might find a weath of information there.
I feel like I dropped the ball on you. I went to send a few more edits on the next chapter but you've taken the novel off (which is probably wise if you are aiming to get it published.)
In any case I wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and wishing you the very best. It's a fine book and you are a fine writer with a unique voice.
We are just hanging on to edges by our fingertips at the moment.
~LeAnn

Utah Savage said...

Hi LeeAnn, I've been to busy to visit. But I did notice you've made changes. I'll be back to reading soon. I'm so tired now I can barely type.

Commander Zaius said...

...one resolution for this year and it's to get published. It may just be a short story. Maybe a poem.

Thinking of you with the knowledge that your work far exceeds most of the stuff I see published. All I can say is good luck and when your novel is published I will be sending you the copy I bought for your autograph.

Mauigirl said...

Best of luck! I hope you win!

Anonymous said...

You have done your best... Now....await the result in peace...! I'm rootin' for ya too!

Linda-Sama said...

I am so rooting for you, sistah...your writing is raw and honest, which is the way more people should be, IMO.

good luck to you! but detach from the outcome....;)

susan said...

If they judge by quality and well written essential truth you will win.

susan said...

There's been a late breaking announcement at my place that may interest you.

L'Adelaide said...

dear utah, I so hope they choose to publish your book! what an incredible accomplishment you have achieved in putting it out there this way...amazing!
I hope you feel proud of yourself...

now if any of them have a brain in their heads, they will see the jewel it is.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

I got news for you, this blog thingy you write, that makes you a published writer every day.

Billie Greenwood said...

Totally rooting for your! You rock!

Utah Savage said...

Mauigirl, Linda, thanks.

Susan, We keep passing in flight.

Linda, what a kind thing to say. So glad to hear from you. I see you all the time on other sites and love your comments. I will blog roll you if I haven't already. But for all my favorite bloggers I've been a poor friend lately. Selfish of my time and attention but begging for theirs.

Dr. Monkey, Cool isn't it? But I'm an old romantic about the book in the my hands while I'm propped up in bed and turning pages. Call me old fashioned.

Boarder Explorer, Thank you. If I's so lucky to make it to the finals, I'll be begging for your vote--turns out to be a bit like American Idol for readers of books. You get to vote.
Monkey von

Randal Graves said...

It is pretty fucked up that the writing cannot stand on its own, that you have to jump through decidedly nonliterary hoops. Bonne chance and all that swanky stuff.

Utah Savage said...

Randal, this is exactly why we need an agent. It's the agent's job to sell your book. But for an unpublished writer like me the selling job is mine. If this doesn't get me read I will really have to work on writing a hell of a pitch.

Naj said...

Utah,

You are a GREAT writer and I will do my bit of promotional contribution once the book gets to the sales stage.

Keeping fingers crossed that you will win and hoping some redneck prude won't be judging it.

Naj said...

Utah, is there anything your readers can do to influence Amazon's contest?

jmsjoin said...

Ironic indeed! No I did not read it but I love all your stuff as it is in the trenches. I love it and they will too!

Freida Bee said...

I am very proud of you for finishing. That is so much. Now, it's just about who's smart enough to snatch you up first. I have until the end of March to enter the contest I need to enter. Of course, I want to win, but if I enter, I feel as though I did what I could on my end..., which is all any of us can do.

Much love, lust and luck to you, beautiful Utah.

I have begun to read it, and am really looking forward to reading it in full, I hope with book in hand!