I am gratified to announce that I took first place in the Best Unpublished Short Story category at the San Diego Book Awards ceremony on June 10. I won with By the Light of the Moon, a story about a moonshiner suspected of murder.
Also, Pennie James, one of the authors in my writing group, won in the Best Published Memoir category with Getting Rid of Ian: A Memoir of Poison, Pills, and Mortal Sins, and Indy Quillen, an author I work with, was a finalist in the Best Published Mystery category with her mystery/suspense novel Tracker.
This is the third time I have taken top honors in the annual competition, having won for Best Unpublished Memoir in 2012 and Best Published Memoir in 2014 with Dare I Call It Murder?—A Memoir of Violent Loss. In addition, a number of authors I have worked with as an editor and publishing consultant have taken top honors in the SDBA and other awards competitions.
Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists in the 2017 San Diego Book Awards. I fully appreciate the thrill that comes with being praised for the gut-churning, soul-searching hours, days, weeks, months, and years that go into completing a finished work, whether it be a short story, poem, or full-length book manuscript.
And a heartfelt “Thank You!” to SDBA president Jean Forsythe and her fellow board members—and their panel of judges—for the selfless hours they have dedicated to keeping this program going.
Lastly, for those of you who have asked where you can read By the Light of the Moon, I have submitted it for publication and am keeping my fingers crossed. If, and when, it is accepted for publication, I will let you know.
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Polishing Your Prose 
Well, Larry, guess congratulations are in order. Luck in publishing.
Thank you.
Congratulations Larry. Sure hope your book gets published. Be sure to let us know when it happens. It was great to meet you at Ina and RT’s party on Sunday.
Thank you, Barbara. Nice meeting you, and thank you for your kind words. Much appreciated.