It was about 7:30 p.m. on the night of August 14 when I received a phone call from a board member of Pacific NW Writers Association. The caller gave me the joyous news (woohoo!) that I was one of three finalists in the Nancy Pearl Best Book of the Year contest for my novel, "When There Was No Moon." Any Seattleite knows Nancy Pearl. A Seattle institution, she's a librarian, a best-selling author, literary critic, and the one who started "When All of Seattle Read the Same Book," something other cities copied. So, of course, I'm overjoyed to be a finalist in this contest that's judged by librarians from all over the country!
Now, to the serendipitous part. August 14, the day I found out that I'm a finalist in this prestigious contest, is also the birthday of Samina, my protagonist of this novel.
"When There Was No Moon" previously won First Place in the PNWA Mainstream Unpublished Novel Contest. Now, I need you all to keep your fingers crossed for a First Place Book of the Year win on 9/21/24! But even if I don't win, being a Nancy Pearl Finalist is a great honor.
Thanks to all of you who have read and reviewed my book! I'm so grateful for your support!

When There Was No Moon