732

That is the number of submissions I received.

I personally read them all. It took reading daily from September 29 – December 1. Then I had to go through the top ten. Somehow, I managed to narrow the list to a top five. On December 22, I read through my top five at least ten times each. I made a pros and cons list of all five finalists.

After much thought, I decided on two. One is my winner, and one is my runner-up in case the winner can’t fulfill the agreed upon work.

To say I was blown away by all the submissions would be an understatement. There are so many of you out there that could put some work behind it and really make a go of it as a novelist.

I would have loved to respond to each person, but I was overwhelmed with the number of submissions and the work I had to get done before Christmas day. On top of all that, I had three novellas releasing over the fall, my baby girl’s first birthday, travel out of the country, and the holidays.

I was asked several questions by many of you. Here are the answers to the most popular questions:

• I can’t respond to every submission and assure you that I received it. However, I checked my spam folder daily. The submissions that went in there were found. If you emailed it to me- I did get it.
• As much as I wish I could give advice to each of you and give suggestions to better your writing, I can’t. Being a mom, writing, emails, laundry, and meetings take up all my time. I was asked this by over two hundred of you. I couldn’t do it for a few and not all. Doing it for over two hundred would take hundreds of hours I do not have. Again, I wish I could!!
• Just because you weren’t chosen does not mean you aren’t talented. There was SO MUCH TALENT in all I read. Picking one was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t just measure it by how good the writer was. I also took: writing style, idea, the personality of the characters, and thought about how well they would blend with my writing. That’s not easy.
• Thank you. Every one of you who took the time to sit down and write 5,000 words to send to me. I loved this experience.

After all that reading, much thought, some list making and working through things-

the co-writer of Dean’s Novella will be… 

Jade Bishop

Jade, congratulations. I look forward to working with you and creating Dean’s story together.

If Jade can’t go forward with the project, the runner-up is Rosie Spicer.

Thank you again – to ALL of you. I hope your holidays are merry and your moments full of joy.

Abbi