Today, the announcement came out for the Romance Writers of America (RWA) national awards–the Rita (for published authors) and the Golden Heart (for unpublished writers).  Many, many, many members of my chapter are finalists in both, and the excitement is contagious!

I love watching everyone come together on Announcement Day.  It doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re multi-published or unpublished, we all pull together for “our” entrants.  The chapter loops and Facebook feeds went nuts as the different categories were posted.  Congratulations warred with “OMG! I can’t believe it! ME!??!” postings for the next few hours.  It was fabulous to see.

This year, I watch with slightly different eyes.  My first finished manuscript is out there with an editor and agent…for a different sort of judging. With a different sort of anticipation building.  The road is branching again, and I can’t wait to see where the path forward leads.

In the meantime, congratulations! to all the Rita and GH finalists for 2012!