My Book? Really?

So this morning I woke up and when I walked downstairs in search of my best friend (my morning cup of coffee) I looked out the window and saw snow. Big fat wet flakes of snow.  And yes. It is Spring. In case someone forgot to inform Mother Nature of that fact.

So I grumbled a little about the weather, while my hubby grumbled on his way out the door to work. Just a grumpy Monday morning for Mr and Mrs. So I made my coffee and then made my son's lunch, popped some Eggo's in the toaster for him and sat down with my laptop for the morning check in. And then the phone rang. 8:15. I picked it up expecting it to be my husband who had just left for work, and often calls with something he forgot to tell me early in the morning.

"Hello, this is Vicki calling from RWA and I'm pleased to tell you I'M NOT HER is a double finalist in the Rita contest." And there were other words, but they were all kind of fuzzy as my head processed what was happening and being said to me. RITA?? Me????

I was aware that I wasn't crying or screaming. I wondered if I should be. I seemed too ultra cool and in control in my own head. I did start to babble a little and then caught myself and stopped.  I chatted with the wonderful Vicki for a little while and then hung up. My son was grinning at me, not knowing what was going on, but he overheard enough to know it was about a book. And cool. And then we shuffled off to school.  Me still kind of in a shocked state. Him full of excitement about his own great news he got yesterday. (accepted to a great Fine Arts School)

I came home and wrote an email to my editor. Double Finalist. She called and was thrilled for me.  She told me I was chill. I giggled. We talked about the book I'm currently working on that is giving me some struggles. She game me some feedback and direction and then congratulated me some more.

I went on Twitter and saw congrats tweets.  I posted the news on Facebook. And yet still it's all kind of a surreal feeling. In my head I'm kind of imagining no one else entered the category this year.  And that's why I was nominated. Except I looked at the other nominees. And there are some freaking amazing books nominated. For me and my book to be mentioned in the same breath. Well. It's pretty fantastico! Humbling. Amazing.

I'm self depreciating my nature. It is my way. I don't much like to brag. So this is really weird. That my book was read by members of RWA and deemed worthy of an award nomination. It is seriously cool.  Seriously. Cool. So. Cool.

I was a member of RWA for many years when I first started writing. I love RWA a lot. I let my membership lapse for a few years when I started in the YA writing direction but rejoined a few months ago. I still go to local RWA workshops. I am planning on joining the local chapter again, just haven't gotten around to it. Swim committments. Writing.  Life.

So. When this all kicks in, I think I will be even more cooled out. I am extremely cooled out already, I just don't really know it yet.  I'm happy and humbled and giggly inside.

2012 RITA Finalists for Young Adult Romance
Enclave by Ann Aguirre (Macmillan Feiwel & Freinds; Liz Szabla, editor)
Flawless by Lara Chapman (Bloomsbury Publishing; Caroline Abbey, editor)
Hourglass by Myra McEntire (Egmont USA; Regina Griffin, editor)
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire; Leah Hultenschmidt, editor)
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Kensington Teen; Alicia Condon, editor)
Warped by Maurissa Guibord (Delacorte Press; Michelle Poploff, editor)