CommentsGreat post, Amy. I guess it’s a matter of only $50 (and total panic) to lose and everything to gain.  Amy Talley says: Well, yeah, Gayle, there is that $50.00. But I figure I spend that in Walmart without blinking. Or at least that’s how I rationalize it. But, I get it. In this economy, it can be hard to wave bye-bye at your money. Plus the cost of the paper… Thanks for stopping by >>Well, yeah, Gayle, there is that $50.00. >>But I figure I spend that in Walmart without blinking. Or at least that’s how I rationalize it. Or on a couple of pairs of shoes.  Addison Fox says: I wouldn’t change my Golden Heart experience for anything, but Jeannie – you do have a point on the shoes…. Addison Shoes *are* important! I didn’t mean the $50 to be so negetive. I think the pros outweigh the cost. At least, NOW I do. I was still wavering before I read this post last night. LOL. Yeah, it’s a tough life. Amy, you’re too funny. Can’t wait for that book to come out! Amy Talley says: I can’t either. She told me yesterday, it will be June 2010! Yay!  Elisa Beatty says: Wow! June 2010! Before next year’s Nationals! Amazing how it all comes together….congrats again, Amy!  Rita says: Ya hoody manudy.  Shea Berkley says: That’s fantastic! You’ll be signing at Nationals!  Gwynlyn MacKenzie says: You could be signing at Nationals, Amy! How cool! That’s fabulous, Amy! We get to stand in line and get your autograph next year!!!! I got goosebumps just thinking about you selling last week and learning it’ll already be out in June. So happy for you. June 2010! I can’t wait. I will be standing in your line at Nationals, saying, “I knew her when…” I couldn’t be happier for you. Amy Talley says: You can say you picked me up at the airport! LOL Yeah, I’m pleasantly pleased it was so fast. They had a slot to fill. Hey, I’m all about being a plug and filling up spots. Doesn’t bother me a bit! Amy, That was fast. WOW!! You really didn’t want that to happen, right? Congrats. Addison Fox says: Yeah, Amy!!!! You get to sign at National! Addison Vivi, Just wanted to say congratulations! Did you see your pic and award recognition in the GSRWA newsletter? I’m so happy for your win. Your book covers look so great on the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood blog. Way to go! Wow sounds like a blast in disguise. But i’m sure you have to be very polished and shined up all pretty manuscript wise too. Congratulations to all of you for being great artists. Maybe one day my manuscript will polish and shine enough to enter lol. Amy Talley says: Yeah, but that’s the fun part. We had so much fun on the GH loop discussing our dresses and shoes. Gwynlyn even did some makeup tips (cause she used to do something with models – she’s pretty so she could’ve been one) Pretty and polished – two good words. Gwynlyn MacKenzie says: Thank you, Amy. How sweet you are. (The check is in the mail.) The biggest downside to the Golden Heart is the cost. $50 + printing + shipping. You have to ask yourself, are you worth it? For me, It’s worth entering just to be able to dream big. Sometimes those dreams come true! Since I always FEDEX my entry in on the last day, entering the Golden Heart costed me approximately $125.00. But the doors it opened up were priceless.  Christine Ashworth says: Great post, Amy! I wouldn’t mind being treated like a celebrity. And okay. I can find the $50. And maybe I can swindle enough paper out of my day job for all the copies and etcetera (did I really just say that?!). But if I do all that, then I refuse to send it at the last minute – the first time I did that, it cost me a bundle for FedEx overnight. If I’m doing it this time, it’s to get to the top, not the middle. If you know what I mean! Amy Talley says: We won’t tell anyone at work Yeah, the cost and the hassle can be the roadblocks, but, hey, put on some rockin’ stilettos and step over ‘em, baby. It was a good $60.00 or $70.00 bucks to spend. Friday I got a contract! Christine Ashworth says: YAY, Amy! Huge congrats on the contract! I’m gonna roll around in here for awhile, see if some of y’all’s ruby glitter rubs off on me… I so wish they’d go electronic! Or at least have the option. I know there are a lot of intricacies with that as well, but maybe someday. You make it sound like so much fun! I already decided to do it this year … after having two finalists (and a winner) from my chapter in ‘09, I figured it’s now or never. I already sent in my check (put it in the mail on the 21st). Good luck, Arlene! Half the battle is deciding to submit. And it sounds like your chapter has plenty of GH luck:) Elisa Beatty says: Luck already seems to be with you Arlene…congrats on winning yesterday’s contest!! Amy Talley says: Yay! Arlene! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you…and it IS fun. Especially getting to know the other finalists. At one point I totally forgot there was a winner. Everyone asked about my speech (which I didn’t do) and I was like, “Oh, yeah, there IS a winner. I forgot.” Good luck! Addison Fox says: Arlene: Wishing you the very best with your submission!!! Addison Thanks, everyone! I was floored when I checked here this morning and saw I was the winner of yesterday’s prize. I rarely win anything … hope it’s a sign of good things to come! Gwynlyn MacKenzie says: Amy, After that diatribe, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to enter the GH! If you hadn’t already sold you book, I’d be wondering if you were trying to chase folks away so those of us who know better could hog all the goodies for ourselves. It’s quite a ride, and you finally grabbed the brass ring. How cool is that? Amy Talley says: Yeah, I was going to enter again this year. Been shining that baby up, entering the Golden Pen, etc. But then it sold. Such a bummer, huh? Gwynlyn MacKenzie says: Yeah, quite the downer. I’m thrilled for you, little sis. Amy, aren’t you glad you entered the Golden Heart because you wanted to be like treated a Jonas brother? Congrats on being our latest sister to sell as a result of the GH! Amy Talley says: My hair’s kinda short like theirs The greastest thing about the whole process was meeting this group of gals – the advice, support and laughs I’ve gained from the sisters has been enormous! I love my RSS! I’m a GH Finalist from 2007 and still getting lots of bennies from it. The happy GH glow never fades. Elisa Beatty says: That’s nice to hear! Thanks, Connie! Amy Talley says: Or it could be your pretty blonde hair! So right, Connie, the glow doesn’t fade and neither do the memories. I’ll always remember your blue princess dress. Thanks for stopping by (after this I keep thinking I should say, “And stay classy, San Diego”) I can well imagine that glow hanging around for a very long time! The new friends and fabulous opportunities are well worth the cost of entering. Amy, Spectacular post! I’m never going to enter the golden heart again. (Actually, if I haven’t sold by then, I’m going to enter a ridiculous number of books… since I have a ridiculous number of books written and ready to go. Amy Talley says: Well, we’ll keep fingers crossed for a sale…but if not, multi-finaling GH finalist? Either way, I’d say you rock! So true, Amy. The GH is a magical journey. Well worth the $50 gamble. Congrats on selling as a result! Amy Talley says: Thank you, Bev! It’s been a magical year for me Amy first off congrats on your NEWS!!! Secondly, I loved your post. I think it is so funny. I am definitely going to enter next year with the WIP I am working on now~I wish it was ready for this year. Amy Talley says: Well, when you live with three messy guys, two dogs, a cat, a hamster and a bunch of fish, your sense of humor is all you have left. My husband actually keeps suggesting getting a pigmy goat. Yeah, just what I need. Good luck for next year!  Lynn says: I entered my first contest this summer and was amazed at how much the critique helped me “see” the flaws in my book. And the good parts too. I’m going to have to think about entering. The awards ceremony sounds worth the entry fee right there. Lynn, the ceremony and EVERYTHING about the GH is definitely worth the $50! Congrats on entering your first contest and good luck if you do enter the GH. You still have plenty of time to polish, just make sure you’ve got a full to go along with it! And keep in mind all the good that can come if you do final. What a ride! Elisa Beatty says: Yeah… if you think about the entry fee as a (potential) ticket to all that happens for finalists at Nationals, it’s cheap cheap cheap! Amy Talley says: Yep, I remember when I got my first contest entry back…I was bowled over. POV shifts? What? Too much backstory? What’s backstory? LOL But it is great help to see how others see your story – even if they don’t like it. A definite growing experience. Good luck in ironing out those flaws. I have been mightily helped by critiques from judges (try the Molly for a lot of comments) but remember you don’t get any feedback from the GH except a score and eventually an idea where your score fell on the distribution. Not even separate scores for different things like dialog, setting, etc. I understand the whys of why RWA does it that way, but that doesn’t make it less frustrating. Amy Talley says: True. No feedback from the GH which can be frustrating. What can you tell from a 6.4? Other than it’s better than a 5.4? So it’s not a good feedback contest. In Louisiana, we’d say “Tru dat.” – (That’s true) Lil’ cajun speak for the day. Anna, This is my take on the GH scoring. It’s based on book appeal. I’ve judged GH entries in the past that had grammar errors or maybe a tag problem but overall the story WOWED me, and that entry received a high score from me. Yes, the entry might need some professional editing (which is easy fixed) but the story was great and/or the characters were memorable. And I think that is what editors are looking for, mass market appeal. After all, they are in the business of selling books. With that said, you still need to polish. Little problems can be fixed. Major ones will shut the door on the ms. Just my 2, Hi Lynn, I’m so glad you posted, because you bring up an issue I’m increasingly concerned about. The Golden Heart is different from most chapter contests in that it provides NO feedback, commentary, or a breakdown of individual area scores. Each of five judges awards each manuscript a single score, on a scale of one through nine. When you get your scoresheets back, all you’ll see is those five data points. You’ll also get the quartiles in your category so you can get an idea of where your manuscript fell in group (top quarter, bottom half, etc.). I, of course, think it’s a fabulous contest, but please don’t enter it for feedback. Enter it because you think you’ve written one of the best unpublished manuscripts of the year, and you’re ready for the attention that Amy describes so well in this post. It’s a catapult into the next level, and very much worth the $50 fee. But I hate to think of the disappointment and anger some entrants might feel once they realize that their expectations won’t be met for this expensive contest. Elisa Beatty says: Well put, Jamie…. Use other contests if you’re still really feeling your way with a new manuscript. Use the Golden Heart if you want a bead on whether or not you’re really, truly, just-about ready to sell! Each has its value…. Wow! After reading that, I think the only thing worse would be The Call. Congrats on your final, and thanks for making me smile this morning Amy Talley says: Yes, the call is horrible. Because then you have to celebrate with those you love. And who wants to be around all those people? With cake and champagne? LOL I plan to fork over my $50 this year. Actually, I think I’ll be coughing up $100 or $150 OUCH! –sorry, my wallet jumped out before I could stop her, or that could have been my husband….. Congrats Amy! Amy Talley says: You’re so funny….you sound like me….wait, are you my critique partner? “So, please, if you just want to be left alone on your own little island to toodle around with your ideas and character arcs, don’t risk entering the Golden Heart. ” Amy Talley says: That’s a pretty good point…I like islands too. And sometimes, I really want to be left alone. So you kinda ruined that whole point for me Rita says: The very best part of being a Golden Heart nominee is the brilliant Ladies you get to hang out with. Amy Talley says: Oh, of course! Well, to start off, I’m agentless…so I’ve been submitting on my own. I met Wanda Ottewell at Nationals in ‘07 on the same day I started this book (which was a result of attending a workshop) – how fated is that? I pitched to her at a conference and got a request. Partial grew to full, full grew to revisions, revisions grew to more revisions and a resubmit. I sent finished project in June. So Friday, I got home from store to see “Harlequin Enterprises” on my caller ID – my tummy dropped to my toes. Called Wanda back, chatted about the weather, and she said she’d have to call me back because she had to do something. So I had to wait for an hour. No kidding. I was shaking. My hubby made me take half a xanax. I went to the bathroom four times and called out to my husband to make sure he answered the phone So she called and offered. At one point, she said you’re so calm. I said, “I’m medicated.” It was wonderful. Shea Berkley says: “I’m medicated.” LOL. That is too funny, Amy. I’m so thrilled for you. Umm, not that you’re medicated, but that you got the call. Amy Talley says: Yeah, I kinda wondered if I should have said that, but it made her laugh so hard. then she felt bad that she had made me wait. Oh, well, makes for a funny story.  Shoshana Brown says: LOL. Note to self: stock up on xanax, just in case. Amy Talley says: LOL, Shoshana. But I gotta say, it did help. And might I suggest Imodium too? I think that was next on my hubbie’s list of meds for me. Elisa Beatty says: LOL on the Immodium! Romance writing sure is glamorous!!  Jan Schliesman says: Anybody with outlaws can appreciate the medication comment, especially around the holidays. And for the immodium part, we call that “happy colon” around here:) Addison Fox says: Amy: What a wonderful story! I never tire of hearing call stories. Addison Amy, I love your call story. Too funny. That hour waiting for your editor to call must have felt like an eternity. Congrats on the wonderful news and on the quick release date. Can’t wait to get my autographed copy.  Elise Hayes says: Lynn, just keep in mind that one of the things that’s different about GH (from other contests) is that you don’t get critiques on your entry. You do get the judges’ scores, but not the commentary that some other contests offer. What you do get from the GH is a shot at a *lot* of attention–from agents, editors, and pretty much everyone at Nationals! Great post, Amy! Finaling in the GH opens up a brand new (and very glamorous) world. Overwhelming as it might be, it’s worth every second. Congrats again on selling. Hope you share a little about your upcoming book (nudge, nudge). Tina Amy Talley says: My upcoming book should come out in June. The tentative title is Vegas Two-Step but that may change. It a sweet, sexy story about a librarian who after having taken care of her grandmother for years decides she needs to shake things up. Which means heading to Vegas and her bff’s salon. After a makeover and assuming a “fake” identity, she heads out to a club and meets a sexy nightclub owner. Their journey takes them from the bright lights of Vegas to the front porch lights of small town Texas. It’a fun story and every time I read it, edit it, etc. I love it even more. So I’m really excited I can share the story with others…and that I’ll get to hold that sucker in my hands in book form.  Lorie Langdon says: Great post – perfect motivation for us isolated authors banging away at the keys, praying for the moment when we can share our stories with the masses. Amy Talley says: I’m glad it inspired, Lorie. It is a gamble, but it could pay off big. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you…for the ms and saving your lunch money (hard to do in the economy) Last year I got a great score, a pretty good score and a decent score. Will that stop me from entering this year? Nope! I want that front row seat and everything else that goes with it. And Major Congrats on your book!!! I so can’t wait to read it. Since it’s coming out in June, will you be signing it at Nationals? Amy Talley says: Yeah, signing at Nationals! Can you believe that? Oh, Lordy. See, my head is spinning again. Good Luck in the GH, Vicki. I know you’re a good writer…it’s either a sale or a final…or both coming your way. I know it. Awesome post, Amy!!! And you are so right. It’s like being a celebrity. And getting to meet all of my fav authors? Forget about it. I’m so proud of you! Congrats on the book. Amy Talley says: Darn, I forgot to put that. I love getting those signed books. I was bummed this year that I didn’t get to get Julia Quinn’s book. She sold out and she’s one of my favorites. But I did get others…some new ones that I haven’t read. Booksigning is a great event. Hi Amy! Amy Talley says: Hey, Beth! Can I say how much Beth inspired me and encouraged me in this whole process? In fact, while she danced the night away at the Harlequin party, I wrote the first chapter in the book I just sold. Gotta give her props for leaving me alone so I could write. Thanks for stopping by, Beth. (BTW, I’ll dance with you this year!) Funny post, Amy! I’m one of the finalists who didn’t get to be treated like a celebrity (I have a really nice island, it’s hard to leave, and some cute little monkeys and of course the nuts, er coconuts here that is, I mean who could leave a place like this? But seriously, it’s been great getting to know the sisters and hanging online with all of you. Amy Talley says: True, we did have some who didn’t leave their islands, but they just got better tans (ie. more work done) I’ve loved growing to know these lovely ladies, both online and in person.  Jennifer Hilt says: Thanks for the article Amy, It is enticing to hear about the ‘good stuff’ besides that oh so wonderful accomplishment finalists put under their name. I’m planning to scrap the fee, paper and shipping together despite my manuscript worries. You only live once right? Jennifer Amy Talley says: Exactly. Well put. The fee and other expenses – paper and postage – can seem steep, but then I think about all the other money I waste on things I don’t need, and it becomes an investment, a business gamble, like splurging on that new suit for the interview. It may not get you a final, but at least you know you tried. Amy, I loved your post. Entering the GH last year was the best $50 investment I ever made. And…you don’t even have to win to get the royal treatment, to form the lasting friendships, or to SALE. Congratulations again for your sale to Super. Amy Talley says: Yep, and you’re a gambling woman – Texas Hold’em, right? GH is like a gamble. Either way you roll the dice and live with what happens. I didn’t final last year. I sucked it up and became determined to do better this year. It paid off.  Tamara Hogan says: And if you don’t enter, you can’t win!!  Tina Canon says: Hi Amy– Loved your post! My concern about entering GH is the cost, as many have already mentioned, but after reading some comments, I’m beginning to realize the cost is more of an investment in myself and my writing! Oh, and loved your “call” story! Congrats! thanks, Tina, You are so right. It is an investment. A tax-deductable one too. Dream, write, polish and have faith in yourself. Shea Berkley says: Tina, that’s a great way to look at the Golden Heart. It’s an investment in ourselves. I love that. Amy Talley says: Thanks, Tina - And you’re right. Look at it as an investment that might pay out big. That’s the right attitude.  Jane Rogers says: Amy is my wonderful, talented daughter. Can you tell how proud I am of her? I hope to meet some of you talented writers at Nationals this year. I know from listening to her that she had a wonderful experience there. I know $50.00 is alot of money but just look at the rewards Amy has recieved from that one little fee. It can happen to you too. Keep the faith and write, write write. Elisa Beatty says: Oh–Amy’s mom! How sweet! You raised ‘er right! Amy Talley says: She’s uber proud and I have a great momma who brought me up right. And a daddy who always had a book in his hand. thanks for the great post, Amy! I think I’m going to enter the GHs in 2 caterogies, even though that’s a hunk of change right there. My stuff it a little odd tho (Steampunk) and I’m having a little trouble in contests with people not “getting” it –especially my YA because I mix steampunk and paranormal, so I worry because it’s different and that can be risky. But maybe I just need my beta readers (aka my dancers) to go over it with a fine toothed comb and see if anything can be tweaked. My teen dancers won’t let me not enter contests, not query (they make me lists of agents and publisher to send it to based on their favorite books and authors and offered to open the letters so I didn’t have to read rejections). No islands here (they bring me chocolate and cupcakes). They want to seee “their” books in print (I’ve gotten threats when whining that my first YA wasn’t publishable that if I didn’t send it out, they’d do it for me. I almost took them up on their offer, lol). When I went to conference I brought back a suitcase full of books for *them* and they were texting me constantly for the “conference report.” I hope that one day I can stand up there on a stage and thank them for pushing me, lending me their insights, vocabulary, measurements, experiances, and boyfriend personalties, sending me text message pep talks, brining me books to read, helping me disect feedback and worldbuild, and being my number one fans. (They know more about my writing then my hubby does, lol). Yeah, I keep going for them if though sometimes I just want to give up. If they even knew I was waffling on entering the GH’s I’d been in big trouble, lol. So, maybe I need to run off a few copies and bring them to class…give them some lead time so they don’t skip out on homework because they were too busy reading my stuff, lol. (BTDT, lol). Thanks again for the inspiring post! Elisa Beatty says: How fabulous that you have that support group! Don’t give up–as ‘09 Finalist Jeannie Lin’s experience shows, a slightly off-the-beaten-track setting or approach may throw up some extra obstacles, but persistence can blast on through…. Keep polishing the writing, believe in yourself! Good luck!  Tamara Hogan says: I hear ya about worrying that judges possibly won’t ‘get it,’ suzanne. I was right there on the same bench with my 2009 GH finalist, a paranormal/romantic suspense mash-up in which the likeable villain commits a heinous crime in the Prologue – written in his POV. It’s dark, edgy and violent, definitely not everyone’s cuppa tea. I winced as I dropped the submission in the mailbox. Would the judges think it was over the top? Too much? Reality is that we ultimately have no control over how readers – or judges – react to our stories. What we DO have control over is craft – how well the story is written and told. If we do the best job we know how to do, there is nothing to regret. Amy talley says: That’s really cool that you got your own troupe of supporters I love YA one of my fav genres to read. Good luck. I hear steam punk is really getting lots of attention. I think you’ll be fine.  Loni Glover says: Amy, And yes, I entered my “Vampires Suck” into GH last year–it was my first time and my goal for the year. Though I didn’t final my scores were pretty good for the first time through. I am trying again this year with possibly my sequel–one never knows. I guess no one knows until they try. Tamara Hogan says: That title absolutely rocks. Amy Talley says: Yeah, that’s a good one. So what’s the title of the follow up? Loni Glover says: Amy, Loni Glover says: Tamara, Cute, Amy! And there’s nothing worse than being part of a talented group like ours. Elisa Beatty says: Yup, Laurie…we are just the most revolting, unsympathetic group of human beings imaginable! Thanks for the hilarious post today. Wow. I needed the laugh. I’d peeked up from editing H#(( polishing my WIP for the contest. Keep up the good work Ruby Slippered Sisters As one of those GHers that wasn’t able to attend the conference, I just want to say to everyone, it is STILL worth entering even if you don’t get to be treated a Queen at Nationals! Had I not entered, I’d have never become a part of this wonderful group of Sisters, and I’d never have had the confidence to keep pushing myself to reach my dream. Ah, Cynthia. I was just wondering if one of the sisters would comment or blog about the perks even if they can’t attend Nationlas. We must be related too. LOL. Amy–enjoyed the post and The Call story! I kept wondering . . . why did she have to hang up and call back? But boy was it worth the wait! Meds and all! Hugs! Enjoy the journey. If I don’t get the Call before, I’ll be entering. Your post just nudged me. Amy Talley says: You know, I don’t know. She told me that she had been in the middle of something and shouldn’t have answered the phone. I forgave her…now if she’d given me bad news…  Stephanie Jones says: I just found this site as I was searching for Golden Heart entry tips online. Love it! Great insprations and I am almost ready to take the plunge… Elisa Beatty says: Welcome, Stephanie! Plunge on in…the water’s fine! Amy Talley says: Yeah, and come back when you need inspiration or a boost or to complain…. There will be someone here that can help ya out.  Jenn! says: LOL! Jenn! Amy talley says: Having some afternoon stuff get in the way of responding to everyone. Will be back to commenting after carpool and haircuts for kids. Loving all the positive talk. Thanks for all the great comments. Amy t.  Katrina says: OK, now you’ve really scared me. New friends, recognition in the industry, being treated like someone other than a maid, chauffeur, short order cook and laundress? Who would be interested in that? Oh, but the champagne is really tempting…Great blog, I’m excited about entering! Amy Talley says: Well, Katrina, it’s just a Cinderella thing. The clock does strike twelve and you have to go home to dirty socks and dust bunnies. But, hey, it’s fun while you’re there! And I did feel a little like Cinderella except I didn’t have stepsisters….I had ruby-slippered sister. Good luck!  Kate Parker says: Loved your post, Amy. After a year’s worth of work, a few days as Cinderella sounds mighty good. Amy Talley says: Exxaaccctttlly! Every girl needs some time to feel like she’s the bomb. Of course, you don’t have to be a finalist to feel like your the belle of the ball. You could final in any contest…or heck just send your baby off to a contest, agent or editor. Instant power because you are venturing where others fear to tread. I kissed my entry and then said a prayer. But it felt good to send it off. Like I was doing everything I could to help myself on my career path.  Lexie O'Neill says: Wow–your blog is really up and running…and getting lots of traffic. Good for you all. And how wonderful being a finalist sounds. Amy Talley says: Thanks, Lexie! And, yep, it has really taken off. Hope we continue to have lots of visitors drop in. More people means more opinions, more info and more fun! Amy!!! Just noticed you have a June release date. That’s when my 2010 book releases too! We need to schedule some signings together. [...] me, you might even get a cross in the “This is not a romance” box. Amy Talley has given us an entertaining account of why you’d be nuts not to enter, despite those down [...] Okay! Hi, Liz!
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The moniker, the accolades, the sitting amidst the big names in our business … I can see why people don’t want to enter the Golden Heart … okay, no I can’t. Seriously, it’s a blast. Thanks for the inspiration, Amy. Great post.
Okay, if you have panic attacks at being in the spotlight…that might be a problem.
Fortunately, I’m an attention hog!