I had a surprise this morning.
My mentor — the wonderful Judie Aitken — found out yesterday she is a finalist in the Utah RWA chapter’s Heart of the West contest. I wasn’t remotely surprised by that because her work is phenomenal, and I absolutely loved the story she sent them. No, my surprise came later.
I had entered Heart of the West with The Impetuous Amazon – the second book in the Amazon series. But with yesterday being the notification date, and the day passed without a call or an email, I figured… no final for Sandy. I decided I would wait for the judges’ scoresheets and check out their suggestions for improving it. My fantastic critique partner, my (impartial) mother, and my wonderful beta reader (love you, Kylie!) liked The Impetuous Amazon, so I wasn’t sure what would need adjusting. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough in explaining the “world” of the Amazons since it was a sequel.
Then I opened my email this morning. The story DID final in Heart of the West. So I’m going to walk around in a happy fog today. 
And I’ll start writing the fourth book — The Brazen Amazon.
Sandy,
Congratulations on your recent contest finals! I’m thrilled for you. I cannot wait to read your published work. Best of luck in the final placements!
Thanks so much Lisa!! I’m really looking forward to reading Fire at Midnight!