It started with reading something on Twitter, which led to a blog post, which resulted in writing my first ever piece of fan fiction. And then just a few weeks later, it led to something that has felt so impossible for so long suddenly becoming very real.
So let me back up. On December 4th, YA author Lisa Burstein tweeted that she was sponsoring a contest in honor of her upcoming novel, Dear Cassie. I went over to her website, read more about it, and spent the month toying around with a few ideas and the prompt. Then finally on the very last day submissions could be sent in, the last day of the year, I threw a Hail Mary and emailed in my submission because, hey, what's the worst that could happen? Rejection? I've been a resident of Queryland for a while now, so I'm so used to that.
On January 7th, I found out my entry, a diary entry from the perspective of Doctor Who's Amy Pond, was a finalist. Voting would take place for a few days, and the finalist that got the most votes would get their story printed in the final copy of Dear Cassie.
And yesterday as I was about to shut down my computer at work and head home for a relaxing weekend, I decided to check my email one more time. And then it began. "Monica, Congratulations you won!"
To say I'm excited puts it mildly. This is what it feels like when something you dreamed of happening finally starts to unfold a little bit. I understand that it's one 750-word piece of fan fiction, but in just 52 days, I'll be able to walk into a bookstore, pick up a copy of Lisa's novel, flip to the back and see the words "By Monica Fumarolo" staring back at me. And that's nothing short of a miracle to me.
So I must of course thank my family and friends who have always stood by me. And there are the many people who took the time to vote for me, too - this wouldn't have happened if not for you. March 5th is the currently posted release date for Dear Cassie and I cannot wait!
And since I'm also such a music nerd, you should know this is the song playing in my head since I got the news =)
And since I'm also such a music nerd, you should know this is the song playing in my head since I got the news =)
That is so exciting, Monica!! I voted for you and I can't wait to read Dear Cassie and to read your entry in the back. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Erin! =)
DeleteCongrats, Monica! :D All 4 entries were really good. I had a really hard time choosing. This is the first step in a longer journey and I wish you the best of luck. I too submitted at the last minute, but alas, mine didn't make it to the finals.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more out of you in the future. You really captured the character's voice in your piece. It'll happen again for you, I'm sure. :D
Keep writing!
Monica, this is wonderful. Congrats. I look forward to reading it. :D
ReplyDelete