Welcome SYTYCW Finalist Heather Gardner

Heather joins me today, and she has the distinction of being among 28 authors to final in the So You Think You Can Write Contest contest. Kind of a big deal, you know?

Overall, how would you rate your experience with So You think You Can Write Global 2012?

I had a very positive experience. Everyone was encouraging and helpful.

We were required to upload the first chapter as our entry in SYTYCW. Is that chapter still in its original form or has it gone through more revisions?

The first chapter hasn’t changed since the contest.

How about the rest of the book? Is it finished? Going through more revisions?

My book, Maguire’s Corner, was complete when I entered the contest. I’m not doing any revisions on it at this time.

Any thoughts on submitting your entry to another publisher or agent?

Yes, it is out right now and I will be sending more queries out soon.

How long have you been writing?

For many years but only for the last few have I ever tried to get something published.

Have you ever entered a contest like this one before?

Yes, I once tried a contest affiliated with Amazon.

What are your thoughts about the promotional aspect of the contest?

The social networking aspect was fantastic. I met quite a few new friends during the contest on Twitter and found lots of new blogs to follow.

If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently, if anything?

It should have occurred to me that Maguire’s Corner was not really Harlequin material. I did make the top 28 but once the HQN editors read it they said it really wasn’t for them. My story doesn’t just focus on the two main characters and that’s really what HQN is looking for.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on book two in the Maguire’s Corner series, a fictional town with a very large and interesting founding family.

Where can we find you on the Web?

Twitter: @hmgardner Blog: http://hmgardner.blogspot.com

Thank you for joining us, Heather!