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joanne
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HJW
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Joanne, don't be downhearted. Celebrate!  It's a confirmation that your work is good, that industry professionals think your work is worthy of attention. Use that to sell your work to agents (if you haven't one already). I know how you feel, though. I reached the final five of the Times/Chickenhouse competition and didn't win. But getting shortlisted seems to be helping open doors and it's given me a lot more confidence. Keep going!!!
Are you hooked? Oh blogger
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Ais
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Surely 'too old' would have made your story even more diverse than the rest... My commiserations Joanne - still, you've done it once so I hope that next time will be better.
Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation - Alasdair Gray
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joanne
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HJW Thanks for that but what about you - Final five - I really would be gutted. I'm glad you're finding it's opening doors for you though. I'm not getting the confidence thing yet. Did this help you to get an agent? I only saw it as a hindrance as it's already been rejected. I thought it might be better to not mention it.
Jo
p.s. Thanks Ais but apparently the starting age was 8-12 and I think it wasn't suitable for the younger. I'm not sure exactly till I get the written feedback that's just what they said on the phone.
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Dollywagon
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Well I think both of you have done really well and send my congratulations.
Getting into the top ten or top five may feel like a bit of a let down at the minute, but with both those houses it's a big achievement and you've also shown me the positive side of entering such competitions.
I looked at them, but particularly with Chicken House, didn't want to tie my ms up for a year or so, also the age range of 9-16 is one heck of a target to make, but like you say, getting into the top ten has opened doors for you and I'm certain the same will happen for Joanne.
I really don't feel either of you have anything to feel down about because there are too many positives going on.
(Says her who is waiting for an ms back from an agent and is going to need physically holding up when I get, if any, comments ...!)
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Dollywagon
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Just out of interest, do either of you know how many initial entries were made?
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HJW
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Joanne - it's funny, I wasn't gutted that much. The whole thing was such a boost, and having someone like Barry Cunningham like my work - well winning would have just been a bonus. Plus, it was my first novel, so I didn't expect it to get as far as it did. I think you should mention the shortlist, it's a positive thing. I haven't signed with an agent yet, but...well I'm a bit superstitious about saying too much...silly I know. Dolly Wagon - Chicken House had almost 2000 entries. If you don't get an agent this time around, think about entering for this year.You don't need to tie up your work (and the whole thing took only about 5 months or so), you can still look for an agent. Good luck with the full!
Are you hooked? Oh blogger
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HJW
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Quote: Dollywagon, Sunday, 19 Apr 2009 06:04Well I think both of you have done really well and send my congratulations. 9-16 is one heck of a target to make, They don't mean your MS has to be suitable for that whole range, just that it should fall within it. My MS (Charlie Squires Goes Elsewhere) was aimed at 8-10 year olds.
Are you hooked? Oh blogger
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Dollywagon
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To get into the finals out of an initial 2,000 is one heck of an achievement - you should be well chufffed!!!! The competition rules don't read very well really. Usually you get the 9-12, or 11-16 age range etc, but on there it reads as if you need a storyline to engage with the whole group, which I did think was a bit strange - and quite difficult! I do hope something comes of it for you though, and I'm sure it will!
This post was last edited by Dollywagon, 19 Apr 2009, 10:10
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joanne
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Hiya Not sure how many yet, still waiting for my written feedback (that's a plus in itself) I'm feeling much better this morning. My husband has also reminded me that as this is the second time shortlisted now (but with a different book) I should be proud of the achievement. I was a regional shortlister for the Faber & Faber/Waterstones WoW competition a couple of years back. Today's a new day. I think you just set your hopes on something and then when it comes to nothing you feel really deflated. Maybe it's time to start trying to push the book out there which I haven't really done yet. I sent it to three agents in the earlier stages. But that was without all of my ywo feedback which has obviously helped. Or maybe I'll just leave this one for now and concentrate on Amelia Bunce. Jo p.s. Good luck with that agent Dollywagon.
This post was last edited by joanne, 19 Apr 2009, 10:44
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