A bit of blowing my own trumpet today – I have been shortlisted in the SilverWood-Kobo-Berforts Open Day Writing Competition!
There are eight of us on the shortlist and there will now be a nail-biting time until the end of April when the winner is announced.
First prize is an ebook publishing package provided by SilverWood Books, with an additional print edition sponsored by Berforts Information Press. The publishing package will include a full copy-edit, proofreading, ebook and paperback cover design, formatting and conversion to epub, with a corresponding print edition. Plus, very importantly, publicity.
The shortlisting was done on the basis of a synopsis of the novel plus the first 5,000 words. I’ve now submitted the completed manuscript for final judging. I know there’s ‘many a slip twixt cup and lip’ so the chances of me actually winning are tiny but I’m going to enjoy just a little bit of the limelight while I can! And it’s good to know that the first 5,000 words of my novel aren’t absolute twaddle whatever the outcome of the competition.
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by Nicola on March 24, 2015 - 10:09 am
Many Congratulations, Sally!! What wonderful news. I do believe you have as much of a chance at winning, as any of the other lucky chosen few. I will look forward to hearing that you have won!! Best of luck and relish in the fantastic news.
#2 by Sally Jenkins on March 24, 2015 - 10:19 am
Thank you, Nicola!
#3 by juliathorley on March 24, 2015 - 11:16 am
Congratulations, Sally. This is splendid news.
#4 by jakill on March 24, 2015 - 11:48 am
Very well done, Sally. Finger crossed for you.
#5 by Dorinda Cass on March 24, 2015 - 11:51 am
That’s so thrilling, Sally. Very well done. I so hope you win!!
#6 by Diana Jackson on March 24, 2015 - 12:05 pm
Congratulations. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
#7 by carlpeters on March 24, 2015 - 1:10 pm
Well done Sally! You really are becoming the epitome of a novelist now!!! I seem to recall some of the lecturer’s at uni telling us that usually novelists come into their own and really get to grips with the craft after they’ve written 4 novels! Excellent news though and I think you will!
#8 by Sally Jenkins on March 24, 2015 - 2:01 pm
Oh dear, I haven’t written 4 novels yet so I better get a move on!
#9 by carlpeters on March 26, 2015 - 3:19 pm
you and me both!
#10 by susanjanejones on March 24, 2015 - 1:18 pm
Aaargggh, I’m screaming in anticipation for you Sally, fingers and everything else crossed…..
#11 by Janice Preston on March 24, 2015 - 3:49 pm
many congratulations on making the shortlist, Sally! And as for saying you’ve only got a tiny chance of winning – you have a 1 in 8 chance, and those are pretty good odds in my book! I’ll be rooting for you x
#12 by angeliqueminiatures on March 24, 2015 - 3:55 pm
Well done! Good luck, fingers crossed for you.
#13 by Anne Harvey on March 24, 2015 - 4:48 pm
This is wonderful news, Sally! Many congratulations. Fingers (and toes) crossed that you are successful.
#14 by Linda Daunter on March 24, 2015 - 6:56 pm
Brilliant!
#15 by Wendy Clarke on March 24, 2015 - 10:02 pm
Clever you – well done.
#16 by Debbie Young on March 25, 2015 - 9:35 am
Sally, I’m so pleased for you! Fingers crossed that you make it further! (I have a feeling it was me that told you about the competition on Facebook or somewhere? I know the SilverWood team well, so can vouch for it being an excellent and worthwhile contest – and I know their standards will be very high! x
#17 by Sally Jenkins on March 25, 2015 - 7:35 pm
Debbie – I think I saw this on your blog, so many thanks for that. You may share my limelight for the shortlisting!
#18 by hilarycustancegreen on March 25, 2015 - 4:36 pm
Congrats, that sounds like a super package if you do pass the winning post first. Good luck.
#19 by blogaboutwriting on March 25, 2015 - 5:43 pm
Well done, Sally. It’s a great confidence-booster too, to be shortlisted like this! Good luck and let’s hope you are the winner!
#20 by Patsy on March 25, 2015 - 9:15 pm
Wow! Congratulations.
#21 by Debbie W on March 26, 2015 - 3:40 pm
Well done on reaching the final eight. I suspect there was many entrants so being in that eight is well worth blowing your own trumpet for.
#22 by Keith Havers on March 27, 2015 - 12:16 pm
Congratulations, Sally, and good luck!
#23 by Stuart Lennon on March 30, 2015 - 9:52 am
Congratulations Sally! Richly deserved, I am sure.
#24 by charliebritten on March 30, 2015 - 2:28 pm
Many congratulations, Sally. Best of all possible luck.
#25 by Sutton Coldfield Speakers Club on March 31, 2015 - 10:13 am
Reblogged this on Sutton Coldfield Speakers.
#26 by funnylass on April 3, 2015 - 5:34 pm
Terrific news! Hope that you are going to give yourself a well deserved slap on the back. Good vibes coming your way… x