There it is… my first-ever manuscript being recognized as a finalist!

Great news! I was chosen as a finalist in the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest, which attracted writers from around the world in three categories: Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, and Children’s/Young Adult.

“Sebastian Creates a Sock Company,” the first book in the forthcoming Little Launchers children’s book series, was chosen as one of ten finalists in the “Children’s/Young Adult category.

The book features the story of Are You Kidding?, a sock company founded by entrepreneur Sebastian Martinez when he was only five years old. Sebastian — with the help of his older brother, Brandon — turns his love for socks into a business that not only makes wacky socks, but also enables the duo to finally revamp the school dress code.

The San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest finalist distinction is the first commendation the unpublished manuscript has received. Just months from self-publishing the series, Swallow says it was an encouraging sign that industry editors deemed the work of note.

Finalists in the 2017 San Francisco Writers Conference “Children’s/Young Adult” category, in the random order they were presented by the conference staff, include:

• The Red Queen Principle by Elizabeth Arndorfer
• Sebastian Creates a Sock Company by Erica Swallow
• Too Big Boots by Gayle Wittig
• What We Left Behind by Katie Harding
• Nightmares and Daydreams by Kim O’Brien
• The Jaguar’s Deception by Melissa Muhlenkamp
• In The Depths of Darkness by Sean Fletcher
• Granny Can’t Remember Me by Susan McCormick
• The Skilten’s Curse by Toni Hawks Floyd
• The Year of the Horse by Zoe McLaughlin

Though I did not win the category overall, I was honored to be in the company of such dedicated authors, including the ultimate Children’s/Young Adult category winner Elizabeth Arndorfer and runner-up Zoe McLaughlin.

Sebastian’s story was an inspiring first start, and what a joy to be recognized as a finalist in my first writing contest as a children’s book author. I’m looking forward to continuing to improve my storytelling skills!