A Nice Kudo

You know, as writers, we spend a lot of time working away on our own and often wonder how we're doing.  Are we reaching anyone?  Pulling any heartstrings?  Is anyone really listening?  In the midst of rejection slips, friends who ask for our manuscript and then never get around to actually reading it, and those long silences between submissions and ... anything, please... we sometimes receive something to keep us going.  Is it no wonder writers crow about the smallest recognitions, and that other writers congratulate them profusely?  We all know the feeling.  If one of us is recognized, indirectly we all are.

This was in my inbox this afternoon.  Thanks, Don, for the words of encouragement.  You made my day.  I had honorable mentions in fiction and non-fiction in this contest:

Congratulations on Your Award

in New Millennium Writings...   

       July 18, 2011

Dear James Pounds,

    Congratulations on your Honorable Mention Award for your fine piece, "Two Shoes," in the New Millennium Writings competition that closed January 31, 2011. Your name will appear on a special Awards page in our next issue of New Millennium Writings, 2012, due out next winter, along with other finalists in our 31st Consecutive Awards. The winners and runners-up, including your entry, were selected from about 1,200 total submissions in four categories. The quality was high, and you should be proud of your accomplishment. We certainly are. Feel free to forward or copy this letter to anyone, to post to blogs, Facebook, or save to other applications in order to print and or keep in a suitable format.

   

    By August 31, we'll contact any Honorable Mention winners we'd like to publish. You'll receive your free copy of next year's issue before the end of February, hopefully much sooner. 

   

   In answer to other frequently asked questions, no, your good showing does not disqualify you from entering this or any other contest as often as you like, with this or any other work of your choosing. We accept non-contest general submissions in the months of January through March only. If you’re interested in our next contest, which has a deadline of July 31, 2011, please visit our website at www.writingawards.com, or follow guidelines below.

   

    Mostly we just want to say we appreciate your interest in New Millennium Writings and the part you play in our success. Please tell others about us. Again, congratulations on your achievement.

Sincerely yours,

Don S. Williams

Don Williams, Editor and Publisher,

donwilliams7@charter.net

P.S. Go to Facebook, then search for New Millennium Writings to become one of our fans. We're using the NMW wall there as a chatroom of sorts to talk about any and all issues pertaining to the writing life. Feel free to start a new conversation, post your story to our wall or to start a conversation.