I’ve entered a lot of romance/writing contests in the past 4 years. The main objective has never been to win an award ( although that’s nice!) but to get my work in front of industry people and romance readers who may like it enough to either review it, recommend it, or – hopefully – want to read more of what I’ve written. Like I’ve said, the goal hasn’t been winning.
But….
Imagine my absolute joy when I found out the other day – just through happenstance – that I’d WON ( yes, won!) The 2019 Book Buyers Best Award for published authors!
That’s MY name listed there, first. Gobsmacked is a word that has never felt more appropriate than when I heard about this.
The reason I say I heard through happenstance was because I had no idea I’d won and the winners were announced last week. I knew I was a finalist in 2 categories but since I didn’t receive any notification of a win, I never bothered checking the website to see what the results of the contest were, assuming that I’d be notified of something major.
And what’s that old saw about assuming anything, hmmm?
I was just checking my email on Tuesday evening and saw a note from one of my Wild Rose Press sistahs Maria Imbalzano.
She put up a notice that said “congratulations to Peggy Jaeger for winning the BBB Award.”
WHAT??!!
I immediately went to the website and sure enough, the above graphic was listed.
Yup, gobsmacked describes it nicely!
A while back I did a 2-post series about Imposter Syndrome. Those feelings most – if not all – authors feel about their work are valid in the times we live in. But….winning such a prestigious award as the BOOK BUYERS BEST (BBB) is something that definitely helps in removing those feelings of inadequacy and fear.
Thank you so much to the readers and judges of the Orange Country Chapter of RWA and congratulations to all the writers who entered, finaled, and put themselves “out there” to be judged. It’s not an easy thing to do, that’s for sure.
And now, because it’s true that you’re only as good as your last book…off I go to finish my current WIP!
Until next time ~ Peg
Peggy Jaeger, Author 