May 8, 2007 • Print This Post
Hi Everyone!
I’m a fan of American Idol. It’s getting down to the nailbiting. I love the 4 who are left so it makes it really hard come Wednesday night when one has to leave. I still have to say my favorites are Jordon and Blake. I think no matter who wins from the 4 who are left, they’ll get recording contracts–then it’s up to them to keep the ball rolling.
I think the fascination with American Idol is that people are living their dream. Getting the chance to say, Hey,world this is who I am. Then hope like hell the judges and voters like them. I keep thinking about Kelly Clarkson–I hope I didn’t spell her name wrong. Look at her career! Wow! She was working as what? A waitress or something. But I really admire her, she saw an opportunity and grabbed it.
In 2003 I was reading the e-mails on the Cataromance loop and someone mentioned something about a Brava contest over at Lori Foster’s site. I can’t remember who posted but I will be forever grateful. It was all done by e-mail so I didn’t even have to buy a stamp. I think it was three pages. Why not? What did I have to lose but a little time deciding what to send in.
I entered a snippet of a scene. It wasn’t one of the chosen ones that week. Darn. Oh, well, at least I hadn’t wasted money on postage. But then a few weeks later, Lori Foster e-mailed me. Wow! The Lori Foster had actually e-mailed me. She had liked my entry but there were so many good ones it had been hard to choose. She wanted to know if she could forward it to Kate Duffy and would that be okay. Would that be okay? Snort–ya think?
Kate liked it, too. I now have 16 books (anthologies and novels) either in print or contracted with Kensington. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had passed this opportunity by. When I entered this contest I was so close to giving up. I was making decent money as a nurse. I didn’t think I was good enough as a writer, though. You know what, Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind (my April release) received a 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick from Romantic Times and has garnered some other fantastic reviews.
The Brava contest is back. If you’re a writer why in the world would you let this opportunity pass you by? Who knows, you could be the next Brava author–and let me tell you, I love writing a lot more than I did nursing!
Hugs,
Karen Kelley
Available Now!!! Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind/Brava
Romantic Times 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick!
09/07 Double Dating With The Dead/Brava
09/07 The Morgue The Merrier anth/Zebra
10/07 I’m Your Santa anth/Brava
www.authorkarenkelley.com
Posted by Karen Kelley @ 9:42 am • Filed under: Karen Kelley
RSS feed for comments on this post.
The URI to TrackBack this entry.
Want your own gravatar? Get one here.
This is such a great contest, for people with a talent to write, and an opportunity for readers to have new Authors to read. I wish everyone who enters all the best and good luck. It is the best opportunity.
Karen I am so glad that you entered, looking forward to your next release.
Thank you Karen for the post. I have a major case of the butterflies every time I think of submitting, but after reading this post I will submit and hope for the best and if doesn’t happen for me now, I will keep the faith and hope that it will happen in the future. Your a great writer and the next time you talk to Kate, thank her for from your readers for publishing your books.
Cryna, I started out as a reader so who knows???
Patty L—the first step is believing in yourself. It was probably my hardest one. And I still get thoses same blasted butterflies!
Hugs,
Karen
I love hearing how writers started out, and Lori is the coolest. But Karen, like you said, it’s up to you to keep the balling rolling, so your 16 books is not a fluke either. You’ve definitely proven yourself. And personally, I think Bravas are some of the best books I’ve ever read…aren’t most of yours Bravas?