"Dear Theresa,
Thanks so much for your dedication to your chapter, for the efforts you put in to coordinate such an important contest, and for your prompt replies to my inquiries! I can't tell you how much I appreciated the wonderful and encouraging feedback from all the judges! It's not about whether or not you final, it's about whether or not you are 'reaching the reader' - which makes all the difference in a future writing career.

I wish you all the best in your own writing career!"

Meg Mims
2010

"Dear Theresa,
Thank you for coordinating this contest. Though I didn't final, The Sandy was a very positive experience. The process was easy and (relatively) painless, and I appreciated that it was also paperless. The judges' comments were thoughtful and fair. I came away with some positive feedback and excellent suggestions for improving my manuscript. Posting the rankings is a fantastic idea. Having the opportunity to compare my scores to those of the other contest entrants was extremely helpful.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this contest, and I hope to someday attend the Crested Butte Writers Conference."

Best wishes,
Jennifer Sundstedt
2010

"Dear Theresa,
While I'm handing out thanks, I felt it was just plain wrong to leave you out! Thanks so much for all your hard work. This is the second year I've entered this contest. I came close to placing last year, and placed with one of my entries this year. Two of my other entries this year nearly made it, too! This is what I have discovered about The Sandy: Whether the judges gave me compliments or criticism, whether I made the finals or not, there is one consistency throughout: The judges are by far the most professional and courteous I've come across. I get the feeling that these judges really like to read, write, and help other writers. I have entered many contests, and I've placed in quite a few, too -- and this contest just beats all for helpfulness, professionalism, and an absence of personal ego on the part of the judges. Thank you!"

~Elysia Whisler
2009 1st Place Romance

"If you can only enter one contest, this is the one I recommend. The Sandy is special. My experience is that everyone: the first round judges, the coordinator and the editors and agents who regard the finalizing work, has the writer's interest at heart. They provide positive, encouraging words as well as candid feedback. The kindness entries receive will keep you, like me, coming back."

~Brenda Nelson-Davis
2007 1st Place
2009 3rd Place

"The Sandy is a great contest with a large enough writing sample to provide a good representation of the writer's work. The feedback was specific and helpful and very encouraging. Since my entry was a western-themed historical romance, I was especially grateful for the detailed feedback by judges who were familiar with the area/setting of the manuscript. Thanks to all who took such care in judging it."

~Kaki Warner
2007 2nd Place Romance
Sandy Honor Roll

"The Sandy was the first contest I entered In Over Her Head in, mainly to see reader feedback and if the story was working. When a judge wrote, "Let me know when this gets published," I realized the story was on the right track. I'm happy to report that two years after the contest, In Over Her Head hit bookstores around the country-and will be followed up with two more in my Mer series."

~Judi Fennell
2009 3rd Place
Sandy Honor Roll