Malice Domestic is Changing my LIFE

It happens in an instant. The world changes and you have to adapt. This is true for good changes and bad. It only takes an instant.

Like becoming an author. I'm an accidental author. At least it feels that way. And, baffling though it may be, I'm a nominee for an Agatha at Malice Domestic, in the Best Short Story competition! How do you like them apples!?! How did it happen? Why did it happen to me while so many other great writers are still unpublished, or are published and not nominated for an award? I haven't got a clue. I think it has something to do with all those years of trying to get it right, but I also think magic happens, sometimes, and this was one of those times.

It happened while I wasn't looking. I submitted a short story to the anthology now known as MURDER NEW YORK STYLE. It was a juried anthology based out of the Sisters In Crime New York/Tri State Chapter, and I miraculously won a spot in the book. Lots of other writers in the anthology are great writers. Well published. Well known. I figured my story making the cut was a fluke - that, or they needed all the stories that were submitted, otherwise they'd have a very short short mystery anthology.

So, one minute I was sitting in my cozy den, laptop on lap, peering over the screen to yell out "Who is Janet Evanovich!" at Alex Trebeck, and it hit me: I was no longer a hopeful, wannabe author. My short story got accepted to a juried anthology! I was going to be a published mystery writer!!! I almost choked on my popcorn!

For years I'd slogged along in the wake of great writers. Sure, I'd been published here and there in magazines and newspapers. Did a lot of critiquing. Stockpiled manuscripts, decimating vast forests in the process. But nothing changed my perspective as much as getting published in MURDER NEW YORK STYLE. Nothing, that is, until I got nominated for an Agatha in the Best Short Story category.

BEST Short Story? WOW! Thank heavens the notice of my nomination came via email - I had to print it out and see it in black and white before I could believe the message! I carried my print-out to my hubby - I couldn't read it aloud lest my throat would close and I'd self-destruct along with the nomination. He read it aloud and I got all choked up. Malice Domestic! A conference for READERS! READERS would be determining who wrote the BEST Short Story - best of those nominated by anyone Malice bound, from anywhere in the country! I LOVE READERS! It's enough to drive a girl to her hidden cache of the darkest of dark chocolates, with not an ounce of remorse!

The reality is totally impossible: The Best Short Story category has me in league with Liz Zelvin (my clever writing pal, and soon-to-be-published novelist!), Donna Andrews and Rhys Bowen (mystery mega-stars!). Holy crap! How did I ever get nominated in that rank? Holy, holy crap!

It has to be magic. How else did I ever get to this point? I didn't do anything remarkably different. These wonderful accidents can stop here and now, before I hyperventilate. Getting my name listed on the Agatha nominee posting was more than I could comprehend for the longest time. Now that the news has settled in and I'm picking out what to wear at the conference, I'm getting giddy. I've been known to bust out laughing at my good fortune. I feel like I already won the greatest prize! Nomination is a joyous state!

My mom tried so hard for so many years to become a children's book author that I think she's somehow pushing me from beyond the grave. So much for my latest plan to quit writing except for my own personal pleasure - and to keep from driving my hubby nuts. Heck, I'm told that Malice will kick off with all "us" nominees being introduced to the conference's early birds. The next day I'll be on a panel and maybe even signing books! AND I'll be on the ballot!!! My name up there with all those high-fliers!

I'm making my own business cards just in case business cards are doled out at Malice like souvenirs.

I could use some advice - what will make me look less clearly out of my league?

Yowza. I'm light-headed already! My hubby's convinced I'll win. He gets extra points for that! Life is good.

And let this be a lesson to you: If it can happen to me, it can happen to YOU! Just keep writing!