Archive for the ‘Awards’ Category

Lovely RITA and other awards — MacGregor Literary Winners at 2012 RWA Conference

July 31st, 2012 | Author News, Deals, Awards, Conferences | 15 Comments

It’s always a big deal to win an award. We know authors can go a long way on recognition. And they aren’t the only ones.

When we agents have the honor of being present when awards are presented to our authors, it adds a huge measure of joy to the work we do on their behalf. And often, we are the lucky ones to receive awards for them.

I travelled to RWA last week, but knew I couldn’t arrive in time on Thursday last week to attend the Faith, Hope & Love chapter meeting at which our author Carla Stewart was up for an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award … but I had a feeling she’d win, and so asked Amanda to be there just in case. And YES!! Carla won for her novel BROKEN WINGS, edited by Christina Boys, (Faithwords/Hachette). Of course it’s a team effort around here — but thanks, Amanda, for accepting. We’re so proud to represent Carla and looking forward to more continued success together, to more of her lovely stories about bygone times, and more of those equally lovely Faithwords covers! Go team Carla!



As the conference progressed and the RITA AWARDS approached, I had that feeling again. Really. It’s not like I actually KNEW we’d win again this year, but we had had a winner last year, and did have three finalists in the Inspirational Romance category this year: author Jenny B. Jones for her Thomas Nelson release SAVE THE DATE (editor, Natalie Hanemann) and Irene Hannon for her Revell title, DEADLY PURSUIT (Jennifer Leep, editor) and Serena Miller for THE MEASURE OF KATIE CALLAWAY, Revell (Vicki Crumton, editor) so, the odds were good. Thankfully I heeded the little voice telling me to jot a few key notes and be ready to accept on Serena’s behalf for her debut novel. Granted, she was up against some heavy hitters and long time authors, but … I just had that feeling.
Still, I was a bit stunned when DiAnn Mills announced “and the winner of the RITA for Inspirational Romance is THE MEASURE OF KATIE CALLAWAY by Serena Miller”  It just made me want to … giggle. I think I jumped up and down, to tell you the truth. I don’t remember weaving my way through the crowd, or making my way to the stage. I was too busy trying to get my urge to bust out laughing under control. Seriously. I was totally overjoyed and so pleased for Serena I could barely compose myself.
I did, though. I took a deep breath, stepped up to the podium, thanked DiAnn for helping me not drop RITA (she’s heavy!!), expressed how grateful we are to work with such a fabulous author (Serena … now do you believe me?), thanked Vicki Crumpton for recognizing Serena’s talent, RWA for paying attention to inspirational fiction (clearly it’s not the only kind of fiction we represent, but it is an important one — and we are honored to represent so many fine authors who write in this inspired category) and marched off the stage to go call Serena feeling incredibly happy for her, and insanely victorious for us all.
And then I realized, about halfway down the stairs, that I hadn’t remembered to mention my own name or acknowledge the team at MacGregor Literary. Really? Seriously? Ugh. So much for being composed.
Oh well. Would you humor me for a moment while I take a quick moment to boast?
I said a few years ago when I started agenting that I felt I had good instincts — but that we’d just have to wait and see. I have continued to believe this, and I work hard for the projects and authors I believe in.  But it takes a team — and it feels good to be on the winning one, truly.
Would you please join me in celebrating our success alongside our winning authors and my fellow agents at MacGregor Literary.
Way to go team!!!
Sandra
Click here for a complete list of this year’s RWA RITA (and Golden Heart) winners.