New England Readers' Choice Contest Now Open

A month ago, I invited readers to be judges in the New England Readers’ Choice Awards.

The contest is now open, and I’m inviting authors to enter their works.

Following is the invitation from the New England Romance Writers, of which organization I am a proud member and have been for many years.

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Welcome to the 2024 New England Readers’ Choice Awards contest for published authors, recognizing excellence in published romance fiction. Sponsored by New England Romance Writers, the NERCA contest is one of the few judged exclusively by fans: librarians, booksellers, and devoted romance readers.

This year, the grand prize winner of the New England Readers’ Choice contest will receive admission to Write Better Faster 101, offered by Becca Syme and Better-Faster Academy! The first, second, and third place winners in each category will receive a web badge, as well as a printed award certificate. Winners will be announced on the NERW website and on NERW’s social media accounts. Questions? Please contact contest@nerw.org.

CONTEST CATEGORIES

• Contemporary Romance: Long (above 80K words)

• Contemporary Romance: Short (40K-80K words)

• Erotic Romance

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Time Travel Romance

• Romance Novella (20-40K words)

• Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

• Romantic Suspense

To Enter: Please visit the the contest entry page.

For more information, please follow this link. Or, you can email the contest coordinator at contest@nerw.org.

Please feel free to share this information.

A New Year begins

The Ornamental of Japan (edited). Image courtesy Sachsen.digital

Whether you see it in, maybe with fireworks or parties, or whether you wake up to find it arrived, I hope this new one turns out a good one. We’ll hope for peace, love, and understanding in the world. Yes, it’s a tall order, but is it too much to ask for a few steps in that direction?

May you find these things in your own life. May you have more reasons to smile than not.

In any case, you have an advantage in that regard, being readers.

So, yes, may you have books, wonderful books, and plenty of them!

Happy 2024!

Happy Holidays!

Holly, Biodiversity Heritage Library

May your holiday time be a good time, however you spend it—quietly, noisily, in a crowd or with a few precious companions or peacefully solo. The year is ending, the days once again grow longer (yes, sun!), and we all hope for a brighter time in the coming months.

Thank you for the gifts of your kind messages and your patience and good humor. Thank you for making me laugh and making me cry a little sometimes and making me think. Yes, some of you have asked tricky questions.

As to the prevailing question: The Interminable Book is nearing its conclusion. It’s going to happen. Please watch this space for specifics.

In the meantime, I wish you the happiest of holidays!