Katie Parker is a Contender.
It’s been a crazy week or so in the publishing world. Things have been tense. Things are changing on the business end. I’ve put back a lot of illegal Diet Dr. Pepper over it. But now that it’s pretty much settled down, I got a happy ending, and a big surprise.
So I’m pretty much ignorant on all things publishing. I know I write a book. And I turn this book in. And at some point, if I’m lucky, it shows up on the shelves. That’s about the extent of it. I like to lay low and avoid all the rest. But “the rest” came and found me yesterday.
The Christy Award is kind of like the Emmy’s of Christian fiction. Minus the cool swag. It happens once a year. In Between is a finalist in the YA category, along with two other titles. So I guess in July I’ll go to Orlando and go to the ceremony and see if the dessert is any good.
Apparently this event is like semi-formal to formal. SIGHHHHHHHHH. This is soooo not me. If I ever get to be more of “the thing” in Christian fiction, I’m going to throw my weight around and tell them to make the dress code sweats. And flip flops. And head bands. And no make-up. Anyway, I’m not totally sure I’m going, as this will surely rank off the charts in terms of personal comfort level violation, but if I do. . . I need a dress.
But, you know, why BUY a dress? I still have my old prom dress. And if we let it out about ten inches, it might still fit. That got me to thinking about some other old dresses that I might be able to dig up and use.
I LOVED this outfit. This was my Halloween outfit when I was in fourth grade or something. I think I was supposed to be a punk rocker, but I looked more like a midget hooker. But I LOVED those yellow jelly shoes. And that is not a Diana Ross wig. That’s all mine.
“Can we hurry this thing up? I have to get home and watch some Dynasty.” This was my sixth grade graduation. My BFF Denise and I had matching dresses. Next to me was my good friend Leyla, who had a very grown up dress on and looked glamorous as always. This is a girl who knew how to put her panty hose on without cutting off her circulation or getting a world class wedgie.
This is in junior high on a school trip to San Antonio, I think. Notice how my collar DOMINATES the picture. The kid in the red is about to fall off the couch. And the kid in the white is like, “WOW! You could land a 747 on that collar!” My two BFFs are on my other side. I don’t know where their gigantic collars are, but at the time I pitied them.
Late Eighties. Band days. I was like 44th chair in trumpet. I thought I could go dig this up and go for the manly, military look. If I remember correctly, there’s a huge bucket that goes on the head with accompanying plumes. And plumes is a nice word for giant, monstrous feathers taken from really angry ostriches.
Homecoming my junior year. Two things to know–this was a chubby stage and I borrowed this dress. See all those awards behind me? All mine. I won awards like Best Boufy dress. Most sparkles. Worst case of red-nervous-splotches-that-looks-like-a-contagious-rash.
Here’s another shot of that day with my escorts–studly boys who couldn’t even hold their eyes open.
“AH! The sparkles–it’s too much! We can’t see! We’re blind! Make all the shiny things go away!”
I could pull out this dress. I wore this to Homecoming too. The sky was so sad at my shellacked hair and puffy sleeves that it cried all night.
Here’s one of my many bridesmaid dresses. LOVE those, right?
I was nineteen there, I think. I remember that moment. I was JUST showing my friends how I had so much room in my dress that I could stuff the entire bouquet down my top when someone snapped a picture. Maturity, thy name is Jennifer. The hair has changed, but the attitude has not.
So I guess I have a few outfits to consider. But since I’m all out of Aqua Net and blue eye shadow, maybe I should go another route.
Have a good week. I’m off to watch American Idol and wonder why Neil Diamond is on there. It’s been a bad season for guest musicians. Poor idols.
Jen
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Congratulations, Jenny! I saw you on the list and wanted to congratulate you. Just AWESOME! Hugs!
Congratulations on the Christy-contender! But you had to have known Katie was a winner. That’s an awesome blessing!
Congratulations on the nomination, Jenny! That’s amazing!
Congrats!!!! I’m so happy for you
LOL @ the pictures. I actually do like the light blue sparkley one. Makes me think of Cinderella.
Good job and Congrats on the nomination! But it’s those pictures that make me grin from ear to ear….
There are soooo many things I could say about them (cough, cough) But instead I think I will just enjoy seeing pictures from, um, ten years ago. And that blue dress really DID look great on you. The band outfits I could have done without. Mem’ries….light the corners of my mind
I have a LOVELY strapless, champagned and ivory bridesmaid dress that about 3 of you could fit in. It would totally wash you out, as it does anyone who is not from a tropical island or the Middle East or just olive skinned in general. But seriously, CONGRATS!!! I’m SOOOOO happy for you. And if you need a chaperone, I believe I do have the summer off:)
SO not surprised. It is a GREAT series. I’m so proud for you. CONGRATS!!!
Congrats on the Christy award! I hope you get it. You *so* deserve it!
Deb
how excited!! that’s so cool!! and i am SO opposite of you.. i dress up any chance i can!!!
so i bought book 3 on tuesday.. read it today during the seven hour drive back home…LOVED IT!! you did an awesomeful job!! quite a twist.. but a great one. so sad it’s all over 
glad you’re still writing though! i have a friend who borrowed in between..she loved it, so now i’m letting her read the others… 
Congrats!!! You get to go to a sweet award thingy, which I know nothing about! Totally agree with the dressing up thing, though. I’d rather run around in giant suspenders.
P.S. You HAVE to go. You are definitely gunnna win. I read every Christian fiction book I can get my hands on (which turns out to be, like, 7) and yours are the best. And, why not take the excuse to go to Orlando? ORlANDo ROCKS! Not that I’ve actually been there…
Congrats to you! Totally understand the dread of having to go to a formal event - maybe you could borrow someone’s wedding dress. That would be kinda funny. You probably wouldn’t have to worry about getting invited back the next time.
I LOVED The Big Picture!!
Bethany, you should go in my place!
Thanks for all the congrats. I appreciate it. The other two YA finalists are great books, so I’m okay if In Between doesn’t take home the prize. I think we all know the important thing here is not that I write the best, but that I LOOK the best.
; )
Congratulations!!! AND expect it again next year for “The Big Picture”!!!! LOVED IT!!! Can I be an editor for you? Free…totally free… (I really don’t know what that means but it sounds SOOOO cool AND I just want to read your books as as soon as I can.)
Also, like Heather, I have the summer off and would love to see Orlando! I could push you onto the stage when you win or something.
Once again I am proud to call you my friend. You are AWESOME!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!
OMG Jen!! I am so excited for you! You totally deserve to win this award! Congratulations!
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