A Life, Redefined won the RONE award for Best Young Adult Novel of 2013

Last night I returned from my very first trip to Las Vegas. My traveling partner? My mom. This trip turned out to be one of the most memorable of my life. Why? Well, I’m glad you asked.

First of all, A Life, Redefined was awarded the RONE award! Not only was this the first contest I’d ever finaled in, but it was certainly my first win. My very first win! In one evening, I went from an author to an award-winning author. I’m not sure how that happened. Actually, I am-hard work.

After the awards ceremony, my mom (my traveling companion) and I hit the sushi bar. I had been too nervous to eat before the ceremony. By the end of it, I was ravenous. We found a sushi bar in the middle of a casino. It was Vegas, right? Here is the picture and the celebratory glass of wine.

The day after the ceremony, I attended my first author signing as an award-winner. The hot male models roaming the room only added to the magic (and hotness) of the day. Lucky, lucky me!

So this trip was a raging success, needless-to-say. But what put it over the top, what made it even more memorable, were the little things:

• Spending time with my mom on the plane, in the hotel, over long walks around the Vegas strip. We talked, laughed, ate and enjoyed each other’s company like we had when, through life’s events, it turned out to be just the two of us when I was in high school.
• The amazing scenery.
• Giggling over how much money we lost at the 25 cent poker games.
• My mom squealing with delight when they called my name at the awards ceremony.
• My mom’s tears on our way to check out of the hotel. She was worried that this trip would be the only one we’d be able to take together. With kids, work, and busy lives, she thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But then her face lit brightly. “But I’m coming on your book tour when you go on one, so we’ll do it again then.” My heart smiled when she said that.

So, yes, Vegas was a success. I am deeply grateful to the readers of Rowan’s stories and to InD’Tale magazine for all they do for indie writers. And I am most grateful to my mom who is, simply, not only my rock, but a rock star.

Cheers! Tracy