Woo-Frickin-Hoo!

Today’s regularly scheduled post has been interrupted by the phenomenal news that the one, the only M. G. Tarquini of the Footsore Fame placed as Runner-Up with her unpublished novel Hindsight in the 21st Annual (Philadelphia) City Paper Writing Competition.

I feel confident there will be some form of celebratory dance at Angie’s. Meanwhile, we’re all bowing at Mindy’s feet at her blog – stop by and congratulate her! I have read pieces of Hindsight and it’s phenomenal. Mindy of the Ginsu Tongue kicks ass!

I had more serious things in mind for today. The weekend contained news of two deaths connected to our family, and my youngest nephew Dashiell was in the hospital.



He has to have surgery later this month, although a full recovery is expected.

However, there is a saying. “Without the sorrows of life, the joys would not exist.” We grieve. We celebrate. Life does not stop, for anything, good or bad. Some of the other bad news we got this weekend involved my niece’s teacher from last year – her partner was taken off life support. That has affected my schedule a bit, because she was one of the teachers I would have been working with at Wordapalooza, an event I’m doing in a few weeks. I’m not complaining in the slightest, but since I know the principal and librarian at the school I’ve been asked to incorporate writing short stories into my sessions when I’m there, to help cover what will be missed in this teacher’s absence. I need to get my lesson plan (yikes! A lesson plan! It’s been ages!) done for Thursday.

I have decided to title my session How To Catch A Killer. Now, to come up with the rest of it…

I can’t concentrate at the moment, though. I am completely thrilled for Mindy. I remember her asking me if she should enter this contest, but I don’t remember her telling me if she did. Getting the news that she placed was a wonderful way to start the day.

Since I’m on positives today, I may as well stay in that vein. There is a new review of my book up at Crime Scene Scotland.

And, although rankings mean little, in the end, because there are so many variables to consider, no one can dispute that they like to see a good ranking. My husband dragged me out of bed to show me my day 1 Amazon ranking.



You’d think they’d discount the book or something.

Unbelievably, it still isn’t up on Amazon.ca or on Chapters. And the version on Amazon.co.uk is apparently the unauthorized version. People googling my name on Amazon have told me they couldn’t find the book, because Amazon.com has me listed as Sandra, Ruttan and Amazon.co.uk doesn’t have my name attached to the book at all.

More than anything, that’s what makes me feel like a real author. Amazon screw-ups. It’s a right of passage.*

But that’s more than enough naval-gazing for today. I’m going to go to the city a bit later, although I’m not sure if I’ll get to see my nephew. (Opening presents with Aunt Sandra.)



Please stop by and congratulate Mindy. The aspiring authors out there know how much work writers put in, and how hard it can be to get published. This is a huge stepping-stone for a worthy writer. May an agent and deal follow.

Oh, and there’s a new post up at In For Questioning today with some other award-winners and news about a writing contest… and there was a post last week I forgot to link to about the Ippy Awards.

* Ooops. Guess that should be rite of passage? Ach, whatever.