When I entered FANGED & FABULOUS in the RITA Awards (category: Novel w/ Strong Romantic Elements) I decided to check the box that asked for my scores when the time came to reveal them. I wanted to see if it was worth my time and money to continue entering this contest if I didn't final (and I didn't*). I already know that on the average, readers either love or... um, don't love my books. So I wanted to see how the scores skewed and just how many voodoo dolls I needed to buy.

Keep in mind that RITA scores are out of 9 and judged by PAN members (ie: fellow published members of RWA).

The scores arrived yesterday.

I got: 9; 8; 7.2; 6.5; 5.5 which equalled 36.2 placing me in the second quarter of the judged books. Kind of like being in high school. I'm not honor roll, but I'm not doing too badly.

Obviously whoever gave me a 9 deserves a cookie and a hug because they totally rock. :-) The 8 gets a firm handshake and an offer of friendship. The 5.5 gets the voodoo doll, but I won't hold it against her since I probably didn't like her book much either. Ha. Still, no failing grades so I'm actually pleasantly surprised.

Which means I'll probably enter again this year. With both books. Come what may.


*My cover flats for COUNTDOWN claim that I'm a past RITA finalist, but I think they have me confused with Stephanie Rowe. Still, it was nice to see. :-)