I won the writing contest #RevPit 2023 with my Norse-inspired dark fantasy book!
Announcement time!
I won #RevPit 2023! For those who don’t know (hi, Mom), #RevPit or Revise and Resubmit is a writing contest where you submit your completed manuscript for a chance to win a free developmental edit from a professional editor. You have a two month window to work on your revisions with your editor, ending with a showcase in June for literary agents to express interest in your book. Not only is this a contest, but its more of a community of support and education that comes around annually. I look forward to this event every year!
This year, I decided I wanted to submit my first adult book, a dark fantasy with elements of horror and heavy on the romance. When submitting, you must select three editors who you would like to work with. Each editor posts their MSWL (manuscript wish list) so you know what genres, tropes, and story elements they enjoy working on. For me, my choices were quite narrow this year since this is a darker book and I wanted to make sure the editors I submitted to took fantasy but also were looking for darker themes and horror elements.
Maria Tureaud was first on my list because I submitted to her in last year’s contest so I knew we liked similar story themes (including Vikings!). Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected last year, but I did still hire Maria to do a query and first pages critique for my Freaky Friday w/ Vikings book. She was a huge help in identifying what wasn’t working with the voice of the characters, and craft elements needed in those opening pages. I highly recommend hiring any of the editors if you looking for an editing eye on your manuscript.
There were many late nights spent finishing this book and polishing it so it was ready to be entered into #RevPit at deadline in the middle of March. I was so relieved when I finally hit submit and I gave myself some time off to recharge.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and some of the editors started posting teasers and #10Queries feedback. I think I was as glued as the rest of the community to the Twitter spaces searching for any resemblance that an editor was interested in my book.
And then Maria posted some things that made my heart race. I couldn’t be certain that she was talking about my book, but there were SIGNS!
When announcement day came, I anxiously stared at my computer all day hitting the refresh button so I wouldn’t miss anything. Then, around noon MST, I saw in my notifications that I’d been tagged in a post. Could this be real?!
And YES! It was real! It was announced that Maria had chosen my book for this year’s winner. I couldn’t believe it. The messages started flying in from mutuals and friends congratulating me and I spent probably the next 12 hours responding to all of them. The outpouring of support and enthusiasm in the writing community is truly unmatched and I am so grateful to everyone who made me feel incredibly special that day. It really did feel like I’d won the lottery.
Here is the blurb they included with the contest announcements:
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BLÓT: HEART EATER – Kimberly Lynn Hanson – @klynnhanson
Adult Dark Fantasy
Editor: Maria Tureaud
Bordering a village in the darkest part of the woods, The Skratti, an ancient, heart-eating evil born from shadow is forced to confront her lost humanity in the name of Revenge.
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To view the other winners, check out the announcements page here. I’m excited for all these books, they sound so good!
I want to thank all the editors for graciously dedicating their time to the writing community during this contest. Your efforts truly make a difference!
I’ll be posting more about this journey soon. Thank you for reading!
Learn more about #RevPit here.
