I MADE IT! October 11, 2007
I am one of five finalists in the First Romance Competition.
Read all about it HERE.
You all did this, you know that, right? I thank each one of you who took the time to read and vote -- I thank you with all my heart. My little book is going to be read by Simon & Schuster, and who CARES if I win or not, that's so FREAKIN' COOL! Also, it's literally a first draft, sent out into the cold world, so if it comes hightailing back and tries to hide under my apron, I will fix it up and send it out again, and I will be able to put in the query letter that I was a finalist in this national competition. (Winner will be announced on October 30th.)
That's the best. Damn.
Thank you. (And more thanks to you darlings who got the notification and sped over here to leave your congratulations. SO nice of you. YAY!)
Rachel!!! I just got the email from Gather.com announcing you as one of the five finalists!!!! I am so freakin' happy for you!
Posted by: Melissa | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:35
Can I squee now?
SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO, YOU!
Posted by: violet | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:39
I am so excited for you!
Posted by: Marlowe | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:41
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. When can we read the rest?
Posted by: Joan in Reno | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:46
That is so exciting. Congratulations. I think your attitude is great - it's a success to get this far.
Posted by: Alison | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:50
Sweet!!!
But now we have to wait to read the rest....Let us know when we can preorder on amazon.com!
Posted by: Annie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:51
You owe us! Where's the next chapter?
Congratulations! Woo hoo!
Posted by: Donna P | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:52
yay! congrats - i'm so excited for you!
Posted by: heather | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:55
Congratulations! I'm really happy another great book with knitting is going out into the world!
Posted by: Sophie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:57
WOWOWOWOWOOWOWOOWWWW and a big WOOOO HOOOOO! Congratulations!
Posted by: kitkatknit | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:59
Way too exciting! Congratulations! We're all so proud of you. On to the next round!
Posted by: Larry | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:04
Yay for you! I was so happy to get the email from Gather. Fingers, toes, etc. crossed for the final decision!
Posted by: Carole | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:04
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mazel Tov, Rachael!
Posted by: Christina | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:12
Congratulations, lady! Glad to have helped in my little way, but it was all you.
Romance novel with Alpacas? How could you go wrong?!
Posted by: nipper jenn | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:16
I just got my newsletter from Gather -- congratulations Rachael! Can't wait for the next round!
Meg
Posted by: Meg | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:17
Congratulations!
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:21
Congratulations Rachel,
being read by S&S is plenty of reward in and of itself that's for sure. Who knows what doors will open next....
Posted by: njcullen | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:26
Yay! I got the notice! Congrats!
Posted by: Minty | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:48
Boo-ya! Onward!
Posted by: jeanne | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:57
Congratulations. I'm most very pleased for you!
Posted by: Lauren | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:59
Congrats! I'm terribly pleased for ya! :)
Posted by: Jazmin | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:16
Congratulations!! I can't wait to hear what happens next! I hope we get to read the rest of the book someday!
Posted by: Kirsten | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:16
Just got the email notification--congratulations!
Posted by: Rose | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:18
Congratulations! I am very happy for you.
Posted by: Judith in NYC | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:19
I knew you'd be a finalist. You're kind of awesome, ya know? Congrats, cutie!
Posted by: Carrie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:19
Woot!
Posted by: cari | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:21
YAY!!!! Now, I really wanna read the rest. How long until it's in print? ;)
Posted by: Tasha | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:29
WOOT!
Absolutely awesome and well, well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cindy | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:37
Yippeee!!! I'm so happy for you!!
Posted by: beverly | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:55
Congratulations! I got the email this morning and went to the site! That is soooo great! And kudos for your attitude about winning or no: You have already won since it was noticed and so many people liked it! Selfishly: I hope it gets published because I want to read the rest of it! Yay!
Posted by: Kel | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:01
I just saw it, and WOW! I'm so happy for you. Good luck in the finals! Whee!
Posted by: Kristen | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:03
Congratulations!! This is soooo great for you!! I can't even remember how I wandered in but I love the story and I don't even usually do romance - I'm more of a Stephen King kinda girl. Can't wait to be able to order it!!
Posted by: robin | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:10
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I came over as soon as I got the email. You rock, girl!
Posted by: KT | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:28
WWWWOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOSEEEEEES!!!! WOOO!!! WOOO!!! WOOO!! WOOO!!
I'm bustin'. We share genetic materials!!!! Bustin'!!!!
Posted by: kryyyystyyyyy | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:38
Congratulations! I was so excited to see that you made it to the finals! Squee!
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 14:38
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!
Posted by: Melanie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:17
Congratulations! Awesome!
Posted by: Wanda | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:21
That is so cool! Congratulations - you have worked really hard and put so much effort into a project that has been ablast to read so far - now I need to know what happens next
Posted by: juliet | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:28
I knew it! Congratulations! So when and how do we get to read the rest?
Posted by: Kirsten | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:34
Yay! Congratulations! I was so happy to read the news that I wasn't even annoyed that Gather sent me the email (gotta go check my email settings over there now).
Posted by: teresa | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:47
Oh YEAH!
Congratulations!
Posted by: Gwen | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:53
woo hoo! i just got the email from gather and was so thrilled to see you'd made it to the final 5! way to go!
Posted by: michelleh | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 15:57
Come on, Rachel, you earned this. We're just here to support you.
Congratulation and good work!
Posted by: Elizabeth | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 16:09
Very nice! I can't wait to read the whole thing in print!
Posted by: Carrie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 16:25
Congratulations!!!
That's awesome, and you rock. :)
Posted by: lizriz | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 16:28
YIPPEEEEE!! That is great news and congrats!!
Posted by: Inky | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:04
Coolest thing ever! =)
Posted by: RC | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:07
Congratulations! Loved your book so far - can't wait to read the rest!
Posted by: Victoria | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:11
congratulations lovely lady. you deserve it!!
xo
Posted by: amisha | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:14
Yippee! Congrats!
Posted by: Brandy | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:17
YAY!!!!
Posted by: Pea | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:22
Following up an email with a comment...WOOO!!! HOOO!!!! Way to go, and congratulations!
Posted by: Faith | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:28
YEEEEEEEHAWWWWWWWW! (It seemed more appropriate. [g]) Champagne all around! Congratulations!
Posted by: MonicaPDX | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 17:56
I knew you would.
Posted by: Celia | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:01
I got my notification at work, but it was a crazy busy day.
Well done, Girlfriend.
Posted by: Marji | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:18
Just got an email from Gather. Ok, so I got it a while ago...I just now checked my mail. Congratulations. I hope we'll get the chance to read the rest of the novel when it is published!
Posted by: Doris | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:29
Aw, that's just the best! Congrats!!!!
Posted by: Julie | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:49
Congrats! That is so awesome!
Posted by: Jenn | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:56
Congratulations!! You should be so, so proud!
Posted by: --Deb | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 18:59
Yay!
Posted by: Emily | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 19:34
Oh YAY!!! Congratulations. I'm so proud of you!!!
***Big hugs***
Posted by: no-blog-rachel | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 21:15
Whoo HOOO -- I haven't read the email because I am about 200 emails behind - so I was thrilled to see your post --
another Whooo Hootey Hoo - and a Yippee thrown in for good measure!!!
Posted by: rho | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 21:29
Jumping up and down and shouting, "Hurray!" So, so, so proud of you!
Posted by: Nathania | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 22:48
Just checked my e-mail and saw that you made it! Congrats!
I loved the first two chapters, can't wait to read the rest.
Posted by: Nicole | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 23:18
Just got an email from gather.com announcing the 5 finalists...sped over to their site, keeping my fingers crossed... and read you'd made it!!!! Congrats rachael! That's so exciting, I honestly can't wait to read the rest of the novel :) xxx
Posted by: Annarella | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 01:27
Congratulations I am SO pleased for you because it is completely deserved- when do we get to read the rest?
Posted by: Carie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 01:51
I am so excited! And I went back and read the other entries, just out of curiosity (I'd vote for you even if you sucked...) but yours is by far and away the best! I actually felt like your story was real, that your characters were real, that they weren't just cliches made to walk and talk. And also your style was most pleasing to my mind.
(And there was no undue strangeness...I like sci-fi/fantasy, but I'm questioning on that whole underwater thing...power to her, seriously...but...I'm a bit bemused...)
Posted by: Arianne | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 01:54
I have come out from lurking to congratulate you! I arrived with Digits reappearance and have been reading you ever since. I actually emailed friends with your request to vote (and they did!) Love having helped. Never had a blog friend before. This is getting fun.
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 03:56
Hot damn! That's AWESOME!!!!!
I think you should dance around the room and take author photos. :-)
Posted by: Lee Ann | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 04:13
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
Omigod, that's SO awesome, Rachel!!! I'm so happy for you - at the very LEAST you'll get constructive criticism from people who know what they're looking for in a romance novel. What a huge opportunity for you - way better than sending it out into the cold world and having it end up in a slush pile! WAY TO GO!
Posted by: Amanda | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 04:55
The power of the knitters strikes again. Mazel tov!
Posted by: Kathy | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 05:06
Congrats Rachel!!!!
Posted by: Krystal | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 05:12
Can I just add my congratulations to the list :-)
Posted by: Janine | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 05:24
Congrats! Can't wait to see what happens to these guys next.
Posted by: RandomRanter | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 05:27
Woo! Congratulations!!! This is so super cool!
Posted by: Vaire | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 05:50
Woo hoo!!!!! I actually just got an email from gather and checked there first to see if you had made it--I am SOOOOO happy for you, there just aren't words. And you truly deserve it!!
Posted by: Sneaksleep | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 06:07
Congrats! Is it October 30th yet?!?!
Posted by: maya | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 06:37
Well isn't that the best happiness to start out the day!! Congratulations darling!! I am very happy for you!
Posted by: anj | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 06:42
A woo and a great big fat hoo! Congrats!
Posted by: Kendra | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 07:08
I'm still SO happy for you! And, also - and this is completely objective - Reading all 5 book descriptions? I'd rather read yours. Hands down.
Posted by: melissa | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 08:29
Congratulations!! That's so great. I hope I get to read the book in all it's published glory someday!
Posted by: Alexis | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 08:45
YOU did it! just remember that. we encouraged and petted and laughed right along with you, but holy cow, you did it! this is so fantastic. you should be very very proud. heck, I'M proud of you and i don't even know you!!!
Posted by: jen c | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 08:45
Yeah for you darling. I got my notification last night but I was at work so I couldn't run over just yet. Congrats to you crossing fingers toes and eyes if that helps.
Posted by: Toya | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 09:06
Too freakin' cool!
Posted by: Maia | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 09:24
OMG so so so so awesome!!!!!!! Bask in the glory, you've earned it! (Rach(a)els forevah!)
Posted by: Rachel T | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 11:31
Oh, congratulations! But I sort of wish the contest wasn't over and we had more chapters to read and vote on.
Posted by: jodi | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 11:45
WOOT.
Posted by: grace | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 12:44
HOORAY!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Phae | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 13:10
YAY! YAY! YAAAAY! I'm so excited for you!
Posted by: alison | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 14:14
YAY!
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 16:00
YAY!
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 16:00
YAY!
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 16:00
YAY!
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 16:00
Congratulations to you!!!
Posted by: hopalong682003 | Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 01:27
Yay! Hope they like your book.
Posted by: Krista | Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 03:20
sweet!
Posted by: maryse | Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 05:05
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I hope they LOVE your book.
Posted by: Meghann | Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 10:26
You totally deserve it. Congratulations!
Posted by: Dr. Steph | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 07:06
Congratulations on making the final 5- Rho sent me to check out your chapters - and I thought they were great. Hope you win!
Posted by: Cindy | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 10:03
Congratulations!
Posted by: bigalice | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 12:35