Yesterday at 12:50 pm, I found out I made the semifinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. The top 50. Of the original 5000. Wow.
E and I did a happy dance. I was still in shock. I’m slow to process things. It takes me a few hours to really realize what happened.
I called my parents to share the good news. They were super stoked. Me too.
I’m now the only entry left in fantasy. Wow. I had several amazing fantasy writers with me yesterday in the quarterfinals.
So now the entire manuscript gets read by Penguin editors. They pick the top 3 in late May. And then Amazon voting commences to pick the winner.
I want to say a huge thanks to my blog friends and my personal friends and my family who took the time to read my excerpt and leave a review. It meant so much to me to read your reviews and feel your support. You guys are the best! 1 million thank yous. 
79 comments
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April 25, 2012 at 7:03 am
limebirdbeth
That is SO awesome Kourtney! So proud of you and what you have achieved!! Don’t forget the Limebirds when you’re a famous author now will you!
We’ll be right behind you when the voting commences.
You can do it sista! B x
April 25, 2012 at 7:30 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks so much Beth! It’s been a happy surprise every month when I see I’ve somehow made it another round. Fingers crossed I get to the voting round.
I’ll always remember Limebirds for being so supportive and providing stellar info on writing. You’re bookmarked for life!
Limebirds rocks!
Thanks again,
Kourtney
April 25, 2012 at 7:05 am
kford2007
I am so stoked for you!. Good going, girlfriend!!!
high five. *dance around*
April 25, 2012 at 7:32 am
Kourtney Heintz
Jenny, I still don’t quite believe it. I sent multiple friends to check the website just to be certain. High five back. I never ever thought I would get this far. Thank goodness I said what the hay and entered the contest back in January,
April 25, 2012 at 7:12 am
jmmcdowell
Woo Hoo! You rock, Kourtney! No matter what happens at this point, you know you have a great book! Can’t wait to read it when it hits bookstores!
April 25, 2012 at 7:34 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks JM! Thank goodness for Amazon because agents haven’t really shown much interest in this book during the query process. I think I’d have back-burned it months ago if not for Amazon.
finger and toes and all possible appendages are crossed for me to be in bookstores. 
April 25, 2012 at 8:17 am
jmmcdowell
Do you think reaching at least the top 50 out of 5000 is worth adding to your query? I don’t know what other kinds of awards/publications you can already show to agents, but maybe this could help? Especially since you’re the last fantasy author standing?
April 25, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Kourtney Heintz
JM, awesome idea. Great minds think alike.
Just last week I added the quarterfinalist to my query. I figured it shows I’m serious about writing. Even more excited to be able to write Semifinalist now. I can’t believe I’m the last fantasy person. Weirdly, I love seeing #1 next to my title, even when there is no #2. 
April 25, 2012 at 7:15 am
arabwriterchick
Congratulations!! That is an amazing accomplishment. I really hope you win
Good luck.
April 25, 2012 at 7:35 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks so very much for stopping by and for the lovely thoughts! I really would love to win, but even reaching this point is beyond thrilling.
April 25, 2012 at 7:18 am
Sally Panayiotou
That’s amazing. Congrats, you must be so excited. When do you find out?
April 25, 2012 at 7:40 am
Kourtney Heintz
Sally, I’m so so happy and grateful. May 22nd between 12 and 1 pm EST they post the names of the three finalists. Then Amazon voting commences to select the winner. So I get a month to be a Semifinalist. My family is taking me out to dinner to celebrate.
April 25, 2012 at 7:20 am
kiperoo
Congrats!! It says great things to make it that far.
April 25, 2012 at 7:41 am
Kourtney Heintz
Aw, Thanks! I’m really really happy to be here.
April 25, 2012 at 7:36 am
stuartart
Woohoo! Go get’em.
April 25, 2012 at 7:43 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Stuart! It’s really sweet of you to comment. Your support means so much.
Thanks for stopping by!
April 25, 2012 at 7:38 am
Marc Schuster
This is really great news! Congratulations!
April 25, 2012 at 7:45 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Marc! I was counting down the days for almost 2 weeks. Nail-gnawing nervous. So so excited to make it another round!
April 25, 2012 at 7:46 am
La La
Wow that’s great. I am so happy for you. Go get ‘em!
April 25, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks La La. Every month I keep wishing just one more round! Lol. So so thrilled my luck is holding out.
April 25, 2012 at 8:23 am
Cat Forsley
ROCK IT ….!!!!!!!!!!!! GIMME A K
HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU ……….
GIMME A O
GIMME A U
GIMME A R
GIMME A T
GIMME A N
GIMME AN E
GIMME A Y
Y ? CUZ YOU ROCK
XX
CONGRATS ……………….
KNEW YOU’D GET IT ……..
XOXO
April 25, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Catherine, I swear your positive thinking swayed the judges! Thanks so much for believing in me and my book. You absolutely rock too!
April 25, 2012 at 8:56 am
kathils
That gets both a *squee* and a major, no holes barred, *happy dance* in the grandest Snoopy manner! Heck, I’ll even get the champagne flowing but it’s early yet so we better make it mamosas!
April 25, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Aw…Thanks so much! I still can’t quite believe it. Its like the little engine that could.
BTW, I love a dash of champagne in my OJ. 
cheers!
April 25, 2012 at 8:57 am
Samir
How amazing is that… the only fantasy entry left! Wow! Many congrats and I hope you’re in the top 3
April 25, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Kourtney Heintz
It’s so crazy to be the last entry left in fantasy. Gotta say I love that #1 next to my title.
*dream*
Thanks so much Samir. fingers, toes, and all limbs are crossed. I’ll be a pretzel for the next month!
April 25, 2012 at 9:23 am
tracidouglass
Congrats Kourtney! I’m so excited for you!
April 25, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Traci! I never have ever placed in any writing contest. It’s pretty awesome. To think several judges thought my writing was good enough to get me to the semifinals. I’m just shocked. And really really thankful.
April 25, 2012 at 9:26 am
Lisa Ann Hayes
April 25, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Lisa,I’m hoping to make it another round, but really really happy to be here and get my work in front of Penguin editors.
April 25, 2012 at 10:30 am
August McLaughlin
Congrats, Kourtney! I knew you could do it! So well deserved. LOVED, loved your excerpt—in case I haven’t mentioned that yet.
April 25, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks August! I’m so glad you were at my side cheering me on. There were times self-doubt crept in and you helped me combat it.Your Amazon review and your Twitter and your FB support have been so generous and wonderful. You made it impossible not to believe in me!
April 25, 2012 at 10:37 am
Cat Forsley
AND SOME SUNSHINE POUR TOI !!!!!!!!!! XO
http://catforsley.me/2012/04/25/tons-of-sunshine-7-x-7-links-thank-you-cat-forsley/
April 25, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Catherine, your sunshine is always appreciated!
thanks for shining down on me!
April 25, 2012 at 11:10 am
crubin
Big, huge, congratulations!! This is exciting for me, and I’m only a peripheral observer! But it’s always fun to root for others, especially those so deserving. It is obvious how much work you put into your baby, and just getting this far is an amazing accolade. But I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for that final win for you.
April 25, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Carrie! My family is getting wicked excited. They love winning stuff, even by proxy.
Aw thanks! This book has been the hardest to get agent interest in. I thank goodness daily that I tried this contest back in January. Otherwise, I might have given up on it. I love that I get to keep the title. Regardless of what happens next I am a Semifinalist. Though getting to the top 3 would be beyond my dreams. And it includes a trip to Seattle. OMG, if I won, I think I would pass out. 
but it would totally be worth passing out for. 
April 25, 2012 at 9:42 pm
crubin
Hopefully Grandma H will be there to catch you if you pass out.
April 25, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Lol. She’d throw a bucket of water on me and tell me she was born in the Depression and she never passed out.
April 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
crubin
April 25, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Debra Kristi
Woohoo! Super fantastic! That is amazing Kourtney. Way to go!
April 25, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Debra, thanks! It’s so exciting. What’s also amazing is all the blog love from awesome people like you.
April 25, 2012 at 1:05 pm
CC MacKenzie
Woo Hoo! Great news! Keeping my fingers crossed you go all the way!
April 25, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks CC! From your lips to the universe’s ears.
Or at least Amazon’s. 
April 25, 2012 at 3:03 pm
jbw0123
Rooting for you!!
April 25, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Aw, thanks so very much!!!
April 25, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Jonathan M. Wright
Congratulations on the achievement. This is an amazing bit of news! Good luck and I hope you make it to the top 3 so I can vote a billion times for you.
April 25, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Jonathan! I’m so excited. You are the best! That is so sweet. Hope hope hope for top 3. But loving being in the semifinals too.
April 25, 2012 at 5:11 pm
It's the little things that make life great.berry
Great job. Wow wow. That’s awesome.
April 25, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Berry. Wow.um.wow. That was pretty much my response. Poor E was jumping up and down and I was all shell shocked.
It feels so awesome today! Sinking in finally. 
April 25, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Carol Wuenschell
That’s so wonderful, Kourtney! As someone else said, no matter what else happens, you’re a winner.
April 25, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Carol.
I do like the rounds being staggered out over 6 months. It really let’s me experience a win. I love being a Semifinalist. That is so beyond my wildest expectations. My works in front of Penguin Editors. This is my dream. If I get to go on from here, that’s awesome. If I stay here, this is a great great place to be. 
April 25, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Pete Denton
This is fantastic news. I will be keeping my fingers crossed, Kourtney.
April 25, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks so much Pete! If possible please cross your toes too, I need all the good luck can get.
April 29, 2012 at 11:47 am
Pete Denton
I will do and my cat has crossed his paws whilst he sleeps too!
I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I enjoy reading your blog and your posts keep inspiring me to pursue my writing. http://petedenton.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/50th-post-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
April 29, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Aw thanks so much Pete and a special thanks to your cat for sending me good luck in his sleep! Thank you very much for the award nomination.
Great to hear that my posts are helpful to you as we journey along the road to from pre-pubbed to pubbed authors. 
April 25, 2012 at 7:44 pm
4amWriter
So awesome. I’ve got my fingers crossed and wishing the best for you!
April 25, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Kathryn! It’s still sinking in. I still don’t believe I was a quarterfinalist. Now Semifinalist. It is just beyond me how I got here.
April 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Laura
Congrats congrats congrats! Virtual high fives !
April 25, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Laura! *virtual high five* back at you!
April 25, 2012 at 10:16 pm
klynwurth
Kourtney! This is amazing! I am so excited for you… You’re such an inspiring and generous person, here online, it’s easy to believe in good things for you. I’m really rooting for you to go the distance. This is so great! I can’t stop using explanation points!
April 25, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Kelly, thanks so much! I think this is one of those times where exclamation points are a necessity!
Aw, I try to share what’s been given to me by fellow bloggers. Just reciprocating. 
I really appreciate your support. Hoping to make it further, but delighting in how far I’ve come in this contest. 
April 26, 2012 at 9:39 am
klynwurth
Delighting is just right, as well as realizing that your writing must be VERY good to compete this well. I hope it encourages you. And speaking of encouragement, I’ve submitted one of my stories to eight literary magazines this week–in part because you “listened” and cheered me on. Thanks for that. More exclamation points !!!!!!! for you!
April 26, 2012 at 6:32 am
Victoria-writes
Congrats Kourtney! So exciting! Good luck good luck!
April 26, 2012 at 9:52 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Victoria! I’m still absorbing this. Lol. I can’t believe my novel made it this far. I never thought when I entered I would go 1 round let alone 3.
Hopeful to make it further. But really happy I made it this far.
April 26, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Emmie Mears
That is so awesome, Kourtney! I am super happy for you! What an awesome feeling! I wish you all the luck in the world.
April 26, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks so much Emmie! And thanks for the awesome review! I’ve been thinking about you all week being back in NY. I went to the Thai place we ate at in January. They have a 7$ lunch special that rocks. I still can’t believe it. This book felt like my best work, but agents haven’t been super responsive to it. Amazon is my hero.
April 27, 2012 at 3:50 am
zelmare
Awesome! And I’m sure a dream come true. Congratulations!!!
April 27, 2012 at 11:54 am
Kourtney Heintz
Never, ever thought I’d make it this far. Each round I’m shocked, delighted, happy and excited.
Thanks so much!
April 28, 2012 at 2:09 am
Zen and Genki
Woohoo! That’s wonderful, Kourtney, congratulations, and big happy dances for you from over here in Toronto, Canada
You go girl!
April 28, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Aw thanks so very much! It’s pretty unreal. I’m so happy to have made it to this round of the contest.
I happy danced when I found out too. 
April 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm
philosophermouseofthehedge
OK due to assorted nonsense, I’m slowly catching up on email/reading. Still- whoo whoo! Congrats!!! Will happy dance with German now for you…see…oh, see large dog toe nail imprint on top of my bare foot – am hobbling happy dance.
Any way – great achievement – all fingers crossed!
April 28, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Kourtney Heintz
No worries. I was in NY all week and got behind on my blog reading this week.
Very much appreciate your congrats and the lengths you went to to celebrate. Ouchy! Doggy claws on top of bare feet. Please stop the dance for your own safety! 
Just twirl in a circle a few times. 
And thanks so much for the positive thoughts. I find out May 22 if I am a finalist. Dare I dream? 
April 29, 2012 at 3:12 pm
J.C.V.
Congratulations Kourtney! Your work has paid off. Congrats on making it to the top 50, that is amazing! Keep up the good writing!
April 29, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks! Hoping and dreaming about next round.
Been writing for a few years now. Nice to have things happening! 
May 21, 2012 at 8:17 am
subtlekate
Can’t wait to find out how this went for you
OK not as much as you can’t wait, but I’m excited for you.
May 21, 2012 at 10:08 am
Kourtney Heintz
Aw thanks so much Kate.
I found out last week I didn’t make the final 3. But I am really happy I made the semifinals (Top 50). Hoping this contest is the beginning of more good stuff for this book. 
May 21, 2012 at 10:59 am
stuartart
Fantastic news! I wish you every success! I know what hard work getting yourself out there is.
May 21, 2012 at 11:49 am
Kourtney Heintz
Thanks Stuart!
It gets easier with each time. This is the first contest I actually advanced a few rounds so that was a really thrilling experience. 
I didn’t make the finals but the top 50 is still great to me. 
June 14, 2012 at 8:09 am
The Beauty of Something New « August McLaughlin's Blog
[...] that my friend Kourtney Heinz was named a semifinalist in the Amazon.com BreakThrough Novel Award contest shortly after reading [...]