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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Verdict: 2010 Saturnalia Book Prize


A few weeks ago I posted about being a finalist in "two national contests." Yesterday I learned that Campbell McGrath chose my book, The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception, as the winner of the 2010 Saturnalia Book Prize.

How I found out: I received an email with the subject line "please call" from someone I'd never heard of. I almost hit "delete," but then curiosity got the best of me and I opened it. " The email read "Please call me at ___-___-___. Editor Name, Saturnalia Books."

Okay, so not exactly SPAM. I ran down to find my cell phone, peeking outside to say to my husband on the ladder (he is painting the exterior of our house) Saturnalia told me to call! Saturnalia said call me!

The editor was very friendly and almost as excited as I was, though he did not, as I did, scream, cry, laugh, jump up and down, fall to my knees, and bray like someone on Let's Make a Deal.

After I stopped screaming and was able to pick myself up off the floor, Editor asked me about my cover art. Ha! Had not given that a thought, actually, so now I am on a wild search for something colorful and with religious overtones.

Then I went out with hubby to our favorite local Vietnamese place for a big, giant bowl of hot, spicy shrimp soup with vermicelli noodles (hubby had the egg roll dry noodle vermicelli). While we slurped, a 2-year old boy entertained us with many high-fives and silly dances while his exuberant mother looked on in admiration--a most fitting way to celebrate a book I began five years ago, when my kids were wee like this little tot, drooling and spinning with glee.

The publication date is Feb 1, 2011--just in time for AWP in Washington, DC. Book your plane ticket now!

18 comments:

Oliver de la Paz said...

Congratulations, Martha! So well deserved!

Jeannine said...

Wow, congrats Martha! You definitely deserve it. I bet that was a wonderful message to come home to!

Diane Lockward said...

This is the best kind of news. I was almost afraid for you when you posted about being a finalist, that is, afraid that you might be jinxing yourself. But your powers must be great--as are your poetic skills. And how very nice that you don't have to wait years for the book to come out!

seana graham said...

Excellent. Well done.

Karen J. Weyant said...

Big congrats! How exciting!

Susan Rich said...

Fantastic news, Martha! What a year you've had! Enjoy the high -

Martha Silano said...

Thanks so much, y'all. I am overwhelmed with all the kind words and endorsements I've received the last couple of days. It is truly unprecedented. It has been my biggest dream to be part of a community of amazing poets, and here you all are! It's sometimes more than I can believe.

Kristin Berkey-Abbott said...

Wow! How thrilling. I look forward to reading the book.

January said...

Woo hoo! Congrats. We'll have to celebrate at AWP DC!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's so terrific, Martha! Congratulations! (But Saturnalia should think on writing less generic subject fields!)

All best,
Marie
(customary lurker)

Justin Evans said...

Congratulations!

Jan Priddy, Oregon said...

Congratulations... on the cabbage too!

Seriously, desired, earned, and deserved.

Martha Silano said...

Thanks, dear cheerleaders. I now realize that half the fun of winning a prize is the congrats and pat on the back part!!!

cornshake said...

wooooooooooooo! am not the LEAST bit surprised! cannot wait till this comes out!! :)

Joannie Stangeland said...

Congratulations, Martha! I look forward to reading the book.

Robert Hill Long said...

Dear Martha,

just got my "Aw shuck I lost" email from Saturnalia, but very glad to know you won. Congrats! (Anyway, I'd gotten my share of good-phone-call news earlier this year: http://bit.ly/9fI271)

Martha Silano said...

Thx for the congrats, Robert. Congrats right back atcha!

Wendy Wisner said...

Martha, I read Blue Positive this summer and loved it. How fabulous to see you have another book on the way! Looking forward to reading it.