Getting the Rita Call!

I thought I’d "go wide" (as my agent would say) with my “Rita Call” story here at YA Fresh because it’s a little bit funny and probably a very true glimpse into my ridiculous mind...

So first, a little backstory: I was a 2009 Rita Finalist with my book, How to Hook a Hottie . I had heard that “The Calls” commenced at 8:00 a.m. pacific time, and so when mine came it at about 7:20, I was knocked off my feet in more ways than one. I hadn’t even had time to get neurotic!

Well, this year, just in case lightning struck twice, I knew I’d be ready early. But I didn’t mean that to start at 4 a.m., which is when my subconscious kicked in. I fell into this nightmare where I saw my name on the RWA website as a Young Adult finalist, but didn’t get a call. I tossed and turned for what seemed an eternity, frantically trying to find out where the mistake was...

At about 6 a.m., stressed, achy and bleary-eyed, I got up simply to put an end to that awful extended dream.

Time passed. People started posting their “good news” on the websites. More and more time passed. I did laundry, made the beds, scrubbed the kitchen floor (uh-huh, desperation time).

Until--OMG--the phone rang. I could barely breathe as I dove at it. Only to hear the voice of my dentist’s receptionist, confirming an appointment. Now, she’s actually a friend of mine and a wonderful person, but at that moment, hers was not the voice I wanted to hear.

I finished that conversation and headed back to the computer to check websites and see who else finaled. Clearly, not me.

When suddenly, the phone rang again. This was getting ridiculous. No one ever calls us at that hour. Crossing the room, I hear myself mutter, “Who is it now, the Sparkletts man?”

But lo and behold, it was the lovely Stephanie Feagan, telling me The ABC’s of Kissing Boys.was a 2010 Rita Finalist. I was so shocked that I had to write her name down on a piece of paper to prove to myself later (if I doubted my sanity) that yes, the call *really did happen.*

Wow.

In hindsight, I have to say that wish I’d just chilled out and enjoyed the morning. But instead I’m looking at it as if I’m done with Rita stress now. Relaxation and merriment is my plan for the evening July 31st in Nashville, Tennessee, when the Rita/Golden Heart ceremony is held.

Kelly and I will be sure to talk more about it in the upcoming months and report back on it here.