The Bronze!

I spent much of 2025/26 working with three other historical novelists from the Columbus, OH area. We’d send each other a section of our novels, read, comment, and meet on Zoom to clarify and discuss. I was sharing the first volume of my Chronicle of the Palm trilogy, and they helped me so much with their questions and confusions, helping the polishing process immensely. Many thanks to Marty, David, and Matt, all of whom have written terrific historical novels.

During the process, I decided to submit the beginning of Vol. I, The World Inverted, to the Historical Novel Society’s First Chapters competition for the 11th-16th century category. I was astounded when I was shortlisted, then thrilled to receive not only the bronze award for my era, but thoughtful, lengthy comments from the judges—not at all common!

It has proved to be a real impetus, an encouragement to recontact my agent (whom I suspect may think I didn’t survive COVID [I never got it], since it’s been so long she’s heard from me). Soon!