18203-wdan-aw-118203-wdan-aw18203-wdan-awDespite evidence to the contrary, I really do have trouble with self-promotion. However, since I have a blog post coming up on the subject of personal and writer’s credibility, I have to let my readers know of these latest two developments in my writing career.

First, my personal essay entry won first place in the Memoir/Personal Essay division of the 85th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.  The recognition alone makes this a very special award with a substantial cash prize a nice bonus feature.

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Second, the finalists in the 2016 New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards were announced yesterday in Albuquerque. My latest novel, Cracks in the Wall,  was named a finalist in two fiction categories. The winners will be announced at the annual banquet in late November. This is the fourth consecutive year that my novels have been name as finalists. Novels have to achieve a score of 90+ to be considered a finalist in this competition.

I urge my readers to watch for the upcoming post on the subject of credibility. It will discuss my right to be involved with writing the Stacey Burns story as well as other related topics.

My thanks to everyone who supports this blog.

Duke