From Sighing, to Flying!! by DL Larson

I've been wanting to get back to Printer's Row for a few years now, but my publisher has had time conflicts and so I haven't attended the last two years. I also couldn't be a part of the Authorfest in Schaumburg this weekend because of other scheduling on my part - mainly our trip to Florida. So boo-hoo, or so I've been moping about, wondering how to promote my books if I don't attend author functions.

Then two things happened.
- The Joliet Public Library invited me to their Authorfest in October! Well, I emailed right back, YES! YES! YES! I'd love to come.
I was feeling much better. Schaumburg is wonderful - I know people there, but Joliet is a new place for me and ... closer to my home!

Then another wonderful thing happened.
- Donna Wright, author and member of the Smokey Mountain RWA Chapter, called me. Promises To Keep is a finalist in their Laurie Contest for published authors. Well, let me tell you, I was doing the happy dance, double time over that news! And if I was a few years younger and yes, a few pounds lighter, I'd be adding a flip or two to that happy dance. In the last two weeks two states have recognized my book as worthy of recognition! (Florida and now Tennessee)

So that makes three wonderful things that have happened. I never was good at math.

Lesson learned: quit moping and feeling sorry for myself! I can't attend every function, no one can.

2nd lesson learned: walk in my own parade. I can wave and shout and encourage others as they progress through this writing tangle called publication, but I need to stay on my own path.

On my desk sets this small book-type collection of sayings. The one I have showing is by John Barrymore. It reads, "Happiness sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." That is so true. When I went to mark down on my "materials sent" list that I was a finalist in the SMRWA Laurie Contest, I discovered I had already written it off as a no-win. The contest was supposed to have been announced in April, and for weeks I checked their site, but didn't find anything about who won. I figured I'd missed the announcement. Contest holders don't always notify you to say you didn't win. Very kind of them actually. No one wants to get that call. So I marked my sheet and looked forward to next time. . .

I had written the contest off too soon. I was never so glad to be wrong! Winners will be announced in 4-6 weeks. Promises To Keep is now one out of three finalists to be judged by book sellers. I'm nervous, I'm scared, but more importantly I'm just so happy others acknowledged my book out of twenty other entries. That tells me I'm on the right track with my stories. Promises To Keep is not a story for everyone, I realize that too. But if you are intrigued by human conflict and family dynamics, then you might be interested in Promises To Keep.

Til next time ~

DL Larson