How Woman of Substance came about

In 2011, I participated in the Brenda Novak on-line auction for diabetes. Soul Mate Publishing www.soulmatepublishing.com donated a fifty page critique. When I read, ”Whether you enjoy traditional romance or are searching for stories that push the limits, you'll find what you're looking for. We are NOT the same old thing!” on the webpage, I hoped this would be the place for my manuscript.
My story didn’t quite meet the usual contemporary romance or the women’s fiction guidelines. I watched the bids carefully and won. Therefore diabetes and I were winners.
I submitted my first fifty pages and Ms. Gilbert replied with many helpful suggestions and encouraged me to revise the novel and resubmit because she “got” my story. I cried.
I revised, resubmitted and Ms. Gilbert offered a contract. Woman of Substance became available on 12/12/2012.
Many of the Soul Mate authors have published early in their writing careers. I have not. I worked at the craft and found support through writers groups, published short stories and soon, two novels. Woman of Substance is my second published novel.
My advice to writers is look for opportunities to submit your work, and if a charity wins as well as you. All the better.
Good night and thank you all for coming to the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion. Good night Judy and Marianne.

I can be found at: www.annettebower.com

Available on Soul Mate Publishing: http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/woman-of-substance/, Barnes & Noble, http://tinyurl.com/dyxjguk Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/cmcc5me and Kobo http://tinyurl.com/btuqcvo .