Sunday was quite a day, let me tell you.
First, I had a blast at the book signing I did with fellow Chicago author Beth Kery at Best Sellers book store in Palos Heights, IL. The ladies there were all so fun and welcoming–I can’t believe how fast those two hours flew by! I took a few pictures:
Thanks, ladies–for hosting Beth and I at such a great signing, and thanks to everyone who came by! And I should mention: the store has several signed copies of both Practice Makes Perfect and Beth’s Sweet Restraint— so contact the store if you’re looking for one.
And then my day went from good to better…
I’ve mentioned before that I began my writing career with screenwriting. For the past two years, I’ve focused on writing novels, but at the beginning of the year I heard about the Midwest Screenwriting Contest. On a whim, I dusted off an old script of mine and submitted it to the contest. The script, titled In the Dark, is a dark and twisty psychological thriller–very different from my contemporary romances. And you’re not going to believe what happened. (Okay, you probably guessed it from the title of this post.)
I won!!
First I found out I’d won in my genre–thriller/sci-fi/horror–and then they announced little ol’ me as the Grand Prize winner. Wow! I can’t tell you how shocked, and thrilled, I was. Apparently, people kind of like the dark and twisty side of me. Now let’s see if Hollywood agrees. 😉 Here are some pictures:
Accepting the award for Best Thriller (can you tell how excited I am from that grin?)
Accepting the Grand Prize
The four genre winners (comedy, thriller, drama & action)
The winners with the board members of the Chicago Screenwriters Network
Thank you, Chicago Screenwriters Network, for hosting the contest and for the awards. Honestly, I’m blown away and honored.
All in all, a pretty darn good day, I’d say.
Congrats Julie, I blown away with you!
Wow! Such a honor for you!
*throwing confetti*
(maybe there’s a movie in your future!)
Dottie 🙂
Woohoo, Julie! Congrats! This calls for a huge celebration. (And that award is full of awesome.) I’m not at all surprised you won because you have so much talent and your writing, no matter what genre or medium you write in, is simply fantastic.
I hope the script sells!
And, um, I want to read it. And book 3. Hint, hint, hint. 😉
Also, you look fabulous as a brunette. Welcome to the cool club. 🙂
Congratulations Julie – great news! But, I’m not surprised 😀
And yes, I too like the new look and hair!
That is so very, very awesome Julie!! You have a dark and girtty side to you? I am not surprised because I saw you growling without your Starbucks fix. You are one scary woman without your coffee. 😉
Congrats!
Congrats! That is fabulous for you! Put another mark in the WIN column. I am so happy for you. Working hard and making moves. I can’t wait until Book 3 (Which I think I know the title to, since I work for a bookstore and I keep tabs on my authors!) HUGS!
Well of course you won! Congratulations! Wonderful news!
Why am I not surprised? OMG That is seriously so amazingly exciting. Any day now you’ll be hearing “Mommy -screenwriter”. I am so happy for you. You deserve every success. Did you have an acceptance speech? OK I’ll stop now before I cry (like I do at awards shows).
Glad you had a good signing with Beth.
Hey, we TOLD you LOL. Major congrats to you. That is outstanding, but not one bit surprising.
Wow!!!! What a great day!! Big hugs and congrats!!
Julie!!
Congratulations!! How exciting and what an honor, to win!!
I’m delighted for you. I’m so happy you and Beth had a good time at the book signing.
All the very best.
L
Congrats, Julie! What a great feeling to see all of your hard work pay off. Keep writing!
Rebecca
JULIE!!!
I’m so excited for you. I actually woke up this morning and I thought–I’ll be Julie won for her screenplay. I’m not kidding.
Oh, wow, that’s so awesome. Look out Hollywood. Good thing you dusted that baby off.
Beth Kery
Congratulations Julie !!
Congrats on your win! I’m so very happy for you, Julie.
Love the new brunette look!
~PJ
And you doubted! Congrats, Julie.
CONGRATS!!!
Hope the movie doesn’t have zombies because I’ll have to pass. Otherwise, save me a seat! *g* (because of course they want to make a movie) ^_^
Thanks, everyone! No zombies in the screenplay, but still very dark & twisty. It’s about a female psychologist who helps a man with no memory uncover his past and the secrets he is running from…
Of course I said nothing clever nor witty in my acceptance speeches, b/c I never thought I’d win. Right now I have the two crystal statues sitting on my dining table, which I call my “major awards” ala Christmas Story. 😉
And thanks for the compliments on the new brunette ‘do!
Congratulations, Julie. You said that screenwriting is what got you started writing books, so now perhaps, published author Julie James will become a major screenwriter.
Congrats Julie! Does that mean your screenplay has a better chance of being seen by someone in Hollywood? Good luck!
Congratulations on your award!! That is awesome.
Congrats, Julie!
Hey – did Snoopy steal that line from you? “It was a dark & dreary night”.
Congratulations!
CONGRATULATIONS! THIS IS AWESOME!
…I’ve also nominated you for best Author Blog at the Book Blogger Appreciation Awards!
Wow!! Wonderful. I had no idea you had that dark and twisty side. Congrats!!!
I totally missed this post but CONGRATS on the win sweetie and whoa, I didnt know you had a dark side to you! =) I’ve got my fingers crossed that Hollywood will notice what a gem you are and swoop this screenplay right up!