Earlier this year I learned about an organization called Latter-Day Saints in Publishing Media and the Arts, or LDSPMA. I was introduced to them at the LTUE writing conference. Their mission is to empower members of the faith community working in creative fields, connecting people "at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill." They offer an annual conference, blog, podcast, mentoring services, and writing competitions.
They run two award programs: the Praiseworthy Award for published professionals and the Praiseworthy Award for Emerging Authors, which is open to unpublished writers. The Emerging Author competition accepts the first chapter of a novel, up to 2,500 words.
After multiple rewrites and extensive feedback from my writing groups, I submitted the first chapter of Shadows of Light in June and then moved on. I had other things to work on and honestly, I kind of forgot about it.
Then, on September 19th, an email arrived.
I had won. Science Fiction/Fantasy category, Emerging Author.
The notification included an invitation to the Praiseworthy Award Gala on October 21st and a request for a professional photograph. I stared at the email for a moment, then read it again. Then I may have done something embarrassing that I won't describe here.
What made the moment so significant wasn't the winning itself — it was what the winning meant. It was external validation from someone who had no prior connection to me or my work. An objective reader had looked at my writing and decided it was good. That it was approaching professional standards. That it was worth recognizing.
For someone who had started and abandoned writing projects for years before finally committing, that meant everything.
My wife Brittany and I attended the Gala on October 21st, and it was a wonderful evening.
If you're a newsletter subscriber, I'm offering access to the full award-winning chapter — which runs about 900 words longer than the 2,500-word competition limit. Sign up if you'd like to read it.