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That is the question.
 

I always had mixed feelings about contests.  Over the years I’ve entered a few.  I’d get good scores, then I’d get the one that always kept me from finaling and getting to an agent or editor’s desk.  I gave up on them, and decided to try my hand at submitting to agents and see where that lead me.
 

Well, it lead me to a thick folder of rejections.  Oh, I’d have a couple of nibbles asking for changes, but I never got that big bite.
 

After a couple years of this, I thought I’d try one more time going through the contest route.  Heck, what did I have to lose, other than some money?  So I tried one more time and entered five contests in over a month.  Hey, the more the merrier.  This time I did my homework.  I checked if each chapter had a score sheet online so I could gage where my entry might fair.  I weeded out the ones where the hero and heroine’s meeting was paramount, because none of my books worked that way.  Next, I checked the agent and editor looking at the final three entries.  I checked their background by word-of-mouth and on the internet.  Then I picked the ones I really, really wanted.  I didn’t want to waste my time and money on a house or agency I didn’t feel comfortable with. 
 

I plopped 5 in the mail to the contests I thought each book had a good chance with and I waited…and waited. 
 

Suddenly, the calls started coming.  Soon a find out that I’ve finaled in all five of the contests I entered.  I was absolutely floored.  The odds were just not in my favor for something like that happening.  Then I realized that many factors were on my side this time.  I did my research, I had more time to work on my craft and I persisted and didn’t give up.
 

And now I’m waiting…and waiting to see if I get another call. J
 

But I’m not going to give up if that phone doesn’t ring.  I’m too damn stubborn.
 

Carol Webb
 

2007 - Emily Finalist for Shrouded in Mystery in Paranormal
2006 - Suzannah Finalist for Shrouded in Mystery in Paranormal
2006 - BEACON Finalist for Shrouded in Darkness in Paranormal
2006 - CTRWA Connections Finalist for Shrouded in Illusion in Paranormal
2006 - 3rd place in VOS’ Hot Prospect Contest for The Long Road Home in Short Contemporary
Two Time Gold Heart Finalist
 

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