Daniel Craig

Yum.

The Avon FanLit Fan's Choice Awards

Santa Cleopatra!

I won an award. Don't remember the last time I won something, and I'm not entirely sure I've won anything for writing since I was in high school...

In any case, "Good Godwin!", my AFL submission from round 3, has been awarded "The Comeuppance: Best portrayal of someone getting what they deserved" in the Avon FanLit Fan's Choice Awards.

I must say I'm rather pleased, particularly as it was agony to write. When I submitted it I disliked it intensely, finding flaws in every passage.

Now, with the passage of time, I've come to be slightly less critical of it. Still, might have to get back in there and tweak it a bit...

Please have a look at the other winners -- the stories are fantastic. There were several I missed the first go-round so I have some catching up to do!

Once you've had a gander, by all means head over to Fanlit Forever where many of the winning authors -- and a slew of other equally talented ones -- are continuing to post their work as part of the ongoing challenges set there.

Congratulations to all my fellow winners -- all the more reason to persevere, wouldn't you say?

Business Cards

You're a writer.

Even if no one you know knows it.

And if you're attending conferences held by organizations such as the RWA, odds are you have ambition.

Which is why you need business cards.

They needn't be anything grand -- they could even have been spat out by one of those machines you find at the supermarket -- but they should at the very least contain the following information:

Your name
Nom(s) de plume (if applicable)
Email address
Blog or website address
Phone number (pick one with voice mail)
Mailing address

Other information you might include:

Your preferred sub-genre(s) (i.e. Regency historical, paranormal, etc.)

Anyone who's been to any kind of conference will tell you that the real action occurs in the hallways between -- and even during -- sessions and at the bar at the end of the day. This is when people really get the chance to connect.

So next time you're at a conference and find yourself chatting with a fellow author (published or otherwise) or editor, offer them your card.

It'll save you the bother of scrounging a bit of paper that's easily crumpled and lost and increase the likelihood of your contact information being saved and used. It'll also demonstrate professionalism, the seriousness with which you take your craft.

You never know. Perhaps one day you'll be "discovered" thanks to a paltry $2 investment at the local Piggly Wiggly!

Your thoughts, as always, are welcome!