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And the Winner is…

I love the Oscars ceremony, and I adore the Tony Awards, making a fabulous night out of watching all the stars, their elegant gowns, and stellar performances.

In this crazy world of writing and publishing, it’s not often we get recognized, or for me, it’s pretty much never. But this month, within two days, actually, I won two very special writing awards.

Waking in Time, which is kind of a Veronica Mars meets Time Travelers Wife story, won a Midwest Book Award! A true honor. I even attended the awards ceremony where there was lots of yummy food and complimentary wine!

While waiting nervously for the ceremony to begin, I was checking my emails and received a notification that Waking in Time is also a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards! I didn’t see that one coming!

During the ceremony when they called my name, well, it was my Tony moment! I wasn’t wearing a fancy gown. Gee, maybe I should have glammed up. But I did walk proudly to the dais while in a state of disbelief that I won! It was a wonderful validation for a person who spends most of her time in solitary working quietly at home.

You see, the thing that makes all this so spectacular is because most writers will admit that self doubt is an enormous part of our industry. Other than reviews, which are few and far between, and the rare fan email, we don’t receive much positive feedback. So yeah, I’m going to celebrate this news until reality busts back in and I’m cleaning up dog vomit. (Oh, that already happened.)

Two days after I returned from the Midwest Book Awards, I received another lovely email that my book, If Ever, won FIRST PLACE in the Write Touch Readers’ Award contest!

I’ve followed this award for years and thought it impossible to win. Who knew! Aaaand, within an hour. Yes, one hour, I learned it is also a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards. Crazy, right? And then there’s the Holt Medallion Award that If Ever is also a finalist. I knew it was a great book!

Only time will tell if these other finals result in wins, but I am a very happy girl, because you know what all this means? My writing doesn’t suck!

Summer Camp Spent Frog Catching & Tie Dying

I love summer camp. I only went once as a kid, but my husband grew up going to a family camp. Once we had kids we started going and it’s a carefree week of sun and fun.

Each family gets their own cabin on the lake. There is a main lodge where all our meals are served, a waterfront with beach chairs and boats, a craft room for camp projects and a naturalist. Each night features a different activity from night swims, a camp prom, or talent show.

This is the place I used as the inspiration for the camp Marti and Adam attend in my book Snapshot. Every time I come to camp, I find myself thinking of Marti and Adam stuck in the bog with their overturned canoe.

As I write this, I’m sitting on the dock with loons calling out to each other. Little kids are catching frogs and the teenagers are playing volleyball. This year at camp I decided to make a tie dye shirt. It’s been many years, so I was really excited. I think I kind of drove the craft girl, Carly, crazy with all my questions. And in case you’re wondering how it works, here’s the process step by step.

1. Swirl your shirt from the center and wrap it tightly with rubber bands.

2. Soak the shirt overnight in a bucket of soda ash water. (I have no idea what that is!)

3. Squirt different colors of dye on the shirt until it’s drenched with color. Be sure to get dye in all the creases.

4. Put the dyed shirt in a bag and let sit for a day or two.

5. Unrubber band your masterpiece and rinse in cold water until it runs clean. Then do the same in warm soapy water, then back to cold, and hang to dry.

Viola!

Be creative and win and ARC of Royally Lost!

The release of Royally Lost is just around the corner and I’m so excited for you all to read it. But if you’d like a sneak peek and your own autographed Advanced Reader Copy, here’s your chance to win one. You know all those snazzy book promos out there with fun quotes and awesome pics? That’s what I’m looking for. Design a photo quote for the book, tag me, and post it on my FB page, or my twitter feed.

Here is what should be included in your picture or collage. Royally Lost by Angie Stanton May 6, 2014

Then include one of the quotes below:

#1) “I must say, I rather like kissing a prince.” ~ Becca

#2) “I thought I was running away, but it turns out I was running to you. You’ve made my life worth living again, and now I have to leave you.” ~ Prince Nikolai

#3) “Becca, you’ve mesmerized me into following you across four countries.” ~ Prince Nikolai

#4) “If you worry about the future and dwell upon the past, you can’t enjoy the present.” ~ Royally Lost

#5) “She’s lost, he’s on the run, their lives change forever

#6) A vacation in Europe, a runaway prince, a trip you’ll never forget

#7) Once upon a time, in a land far away… Royally Lost

#8) An American girl, meets a young prince, and gets Royally Lost

There you go! Get creative and post away. I’d love to see what you come up with. I’ll select the top winners on Friday, March 28th. The more entries, the more winners I’ll select.