It’s been a long while since I’ve posted, but I’ll save that story for another time.
Winning the Silver Stake for Watcher: Book I of The Chosen is the story I want to share now.
The annual Golden Stake Awards is sponsored by the International Vampire Film & Arts Festival. This year the Festival was held in London; in previous years, it took place in the city of Sighisoara, which is in Transylvania, Romania.
The schedule was jam-packed with films, presentations by authors and filmmakers, and walking tours through London’s historical (and creepy) districts depicted in so many movies and books. Award winning author and editor, Stephen Jones, discussed the genre with Kim Newman, author of the legendary Anno Dracula series. A screening of the iconic film Interview with the Vampire, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was followed by a Q&A with its producer, Stephen Woolley. Woolley also produced the recent (and well-done) film Byzantium about a mother-daughter vampire pair.
I had hoped to attend the Festival, but just couldn’t fit it with the chaos currently ruling my life. So I’m especially bummed that I missed it, and missed accepting my award.
I’m honored that Watcher was not only selected as a finalist, but won the Silver Stake. When I entered the awards, I had hopes to be at least a finalist, so when Watcher was listed as the recipient of the Silver, I was beyond thrilled.
The Golden Stake (1st place) went to The Promise Keeper by L. Marie Wood. I’ve read an excerpt, and not only is the concept brilliant, but Wood’s sensuous writing is gorgeous. She brings you into the characters’ lives with no holds barred, and I look forward to reading the complete novel.
Aside from constant travel for my day job, I’ve managed to squeeze in some writing time. I’m currently about halfway through Monster (the prequel to Watcher), which I’ve expanded from the short story I’d previously intended to a short novel. I’m hoping readers will enjoy this part of Sunny’s journey as she struggles with her transition from human to monster.
And I have not forgotten Seeker, nor those of you waiting impatiently for it. But Sunny demanded I work on Monster now, and without her cooperation, there is no story.
~RM~
