Have you ever felt like you’ve been down for so long it’s hard to take that next step.
I know most of us have had those times. So it’s the little things that keep a smile on the face, and the eyes looking forward.
And sometimes, just sometimes, something comes along that puts the pep back in that step. Something BIG. I’ve been doubly blessed, I have two BIG things:
My brother is now recuperating fairly well after a tortuously long operation and three week hospital stay. Care taking has been a little difficult for the past month, but it’s worth seeing the tiny progress each day. I can’t go into detail, he’d been very cross with me, even though he doesn’t read blogs.
The other bright news is that Amazon announced their Quarterfinalists in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) 2014.
Amazon capped the entries at 10,000 for five genres. In March , they whittled the entries down to 2,000. On April 14 they pared the submissions to 500 novels.
My heart thumped like a snare drum gearing up for the big game when I found out I made it to this round.
From now until May 23, 2014, Publishers Weekly reviews each Quarter-Finalists’ full manuscript and scores it on prose, plot, hook, etc.
Amazon customers can download the 17 page excerpt to their Kindle, or download a free Kindle reading app for IPhone, IPad, Mac, or Android.
When you click on the banner above, it will take you to my novel page, (that’s so exciting to say!) and you will see an image on the right hand side that looks like this:
Any customer (sign up is free) can download, rate, and review excerpts and/or provide feedback to Amazon Publishing Editors about submission.
You can read the reviews for Strong Women Grow Here and a two page excerpt here.
Customer reviews are important to me and I’d love to read any constructive feedback you have on the excerpt.
Semi-Finalists are announced on or about May 23, 2014.
Those lucky enough to be a finalist receive a publishing contract and a cash advance.
Amazon then creates a poll asking customers to vote for their favorite of the finalist’s excerpt. The one with the most votes wins a larger advance and Grand Prize.
What an adventure! Thanks for reading and I do hope you will take a few seconds to read the excerpt on my YA novel, Strong Women Grow Here.
*The image of the woman’s hands in chains comes from an art exhibit and was untitled. The artist name is Kelley Connelly.
alvaradofrazier.com 
Glad to hear the good news about your brother and your novel. Sometimes things go our way. All the best to you!!
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We have to relish those ‘good times.’ Thanks for your comments.
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So glad for you to read such good news. First for your brother of course. Then for your manuscript. Bravo!
Did I tell you that one of mine went quite far too, years ago? I didn’t win and I am now working on its release.
I keep my fingers crossed for you and Strong Women.
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I didn’t know you submitted to ABNA, how was your experience-you must write about it. Maybe we could learn a few tips. Thank you for keeping your fingers crossed, and I hope you can download the free 17 page excerpt.
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I did it several years ago. It was a last minute decision and I receive also pretty good reviews, which encouraged me to consider the publication of the manuscript. My original goal was this spring, but many things came in my way. Nothing bad but lots of family things to deal with. But I will definitely move on with it and will share this journey on my blog. I wish you the best of luck. Yes, I will download the first pages.
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