Hi Everyone,

I know that every good blog has an “About Us” page, so I figured I’d better have one, too.

The Shades Writer is my brainchild.  I got the idea to start the blog after winning several grants and writing contests.  Once word got around that I had won, dozens of people came to me on a daily basis, asking where to find grants and contests, how to enter, etcetera, etcetera.

I told the same stories and talked about the same grants and contests so many times, my throat went dry and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth.  So I thought, What about a writer’s blog, where I post what I find, and the writer takes it from there???

So here it is.

Do I think every contest is worth entering?  Absolutely not.  Most of the entries I’ve posted here are “free” entries.  Personally, I think it’s ridiculous to ask a $15-$25 entry fee for a contest that only awards a prize of $100.  Also, I’m pretty skeptical of contests sponsored by obscure or floundering magazines that ask for a $15 entry fee equivalent to a year’s subscription to their magazine.  True, someone wins, but the rest of the entrants just end up with a year’s subscription to a magazine they’ve never heard of.  I see that for what it probably is…a variation of a magazine subscription drive!  Nevertheless, writing contests can be a good thing, and quite simply, some of them cost to enter.   

Not so long ago, several published writers I’m acquainted with told me that entering writing contests could help hone a writer’s skills.   I listened to them, admitting to myself that receiving 452,000 rejection letters probably means my writing skills could use some honing.

Well…I didn’t really get rejected 452,000 times, but it sure felt that way!   Thus, the evolution of this writer’s blog and announcement board!

Have I ever won a contest?  Yep, I have.  Several, in fact, but I’ll tell you about the most recent one.

Back in January 2007, I discovered a contest called Innerlit Moon Best First Chapter contest, which was being sponsored by author Brian Agincourt Massey. 

The rules were simple:  Submit the first chapter (or the best chapter) of a book you’re writing–any genre, and limit the word count to 2,000 words.

I entered the first chapter of my book, Shout When Jubilee Comes, and promptly forgot all about it.  

Then, in May I got an anonymous email congratulating me on my “fine writing,”  and telling me that my chapter had placed third out of hundreds of entries from all over the country.  The sponsor then asked permission to post my picture, bio and a brief excerpt of my book on his website.

To say the least, this was a true thrill for me.  I actually wrote that story back in 1992, and like so many other things in my life, I pushed it into a neat, dark little corner in my closet to make room for all of the other pressing needs in my life I was having to deal with.

But winning a top slot in this contest just confirms the old addage that you must have faith, do your best and stay the course…and sooner or later, your hard work will pay off.

I hope this story encourages all the other writers out there that your win is “just around the corner.”

MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!

Here it is everybody…my baby that I ”carried” for over four years!  The title is,  African Americans of Chattanooga:  A History of Unsung Heroes, and it has just been listed on my publisher’s website.  The list price without tax is $19.99.  Currently, it can only be ordered from my publisher, The History Press, or online at Barnes and Noble Bookstores. 

This is an important, one-of-a-kind historical, and I do hope you’ll purchase a copy for your historical/research library. 

Here I am in a February 2008 newspaper article.  This is possibly the most unflattering photograph I’ve ever taken in my life (and believe me, I’ve been on the Earth a long time!), but I’m including it on this blog because…well, one can only work with what one has.  Right?

Here I’m lecturing on early African American presence in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  My audience includes other writers, historians, and area business persons.   The occasion was hosted by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library.  Date:  February, 2008.

Thank you for your support!

THIRD PLACE IN WRITING CONTEST!

Earlier this year, I won third place in a writing contest.  To see the winner’s page, please click on this link:

http://www.brianagincourtmassey.com/winnerspage07.html

Best wishes and happy writing.

Rita