ENTERING AND WINNING A CONTEST HELPED ME TO FIND A NICHE FOR MY LATEST PUBLISHED BOOK

I had an idea that I thought was unique. As a result of the many questions I’ve received about my Annie Tillery Mystery Series, I decided to take the first book, The Madonna Ghost, and publish an edition that has notes at the end of each chapter, telling the story behind the story. It includes personal stories, notes on research, character development, the intricacies of the plot, and some writing exercises readers, young and old, can try. My problem was that I didn’t know what genre to categorize this book. I entered two contests, one I entered the book simply as mystery, the other I left up to the contest organized.

 I won first prize in the mystery category in the Royal Dragonfly Book Award. https://www.dragonflybookawards.com/royal-dragonfly-contest-winners/ 

I don’t know the results of the other contest. I will keep you posted. But the lesson it to take the plunge, ever if you are not sure about where your audience lies. I found out what the main genre of this book is, and it gives this brand new book a boost as I try to market it. Some contests will even give you a free critique, which can be quite valuable. Good luck.