The Reporter

October 22, 2006

By Dianne Herron

For The Sunday Edition

     The American Title competition means as much to an aspiring romance novelist as American Idol means to a starving artist trying to make it big.

      Only instead of a record deal, the winner of American Title III will earn a coveted publishing contract.

     Judi Fennell of Worcester said she is "thrilled, shocked and somewhat disbelieving" of being named a finalist in the competition sponsored by Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine and Dorchester Publishing.

     Writing for publication since late 2003, Fennell submitted a manuscript for her novel, "Beauty and The Best," in this year's American Title III competition. Out of 250 submissions from the United States and Canada, Fennell has been named one of 10 finalists selected by Dorchester Publishing.

     "I am thrilled to be one step closer to achieving my dream," Fennell said of possibly winning a publishing contract. "It's validation of lots of hard work." Fennell wrote her first romance story in ninth grade and is a self-described romantic at heart.

      "There's a lot of talent out there," said Liz French, managing editor of Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine. "To be selected out of 250 submissions is quite an accomplishment.

      French said American Title III is taking an American Idol approach to voting, as the public decides who wins.

      According to French, three industry judges - modeled after Idol's Simon, Paula and Randy - will comment on finalists' submissions over a series of rounds including best opening line, best hero/heroine, best story summary, best dialogue scene, and best romantic and/or love scene.

     Writers' submissions and judges' comments were made available to the public Oct. 16 at www.romantictimes.com.

      They will also be published in an upcoming issue of Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine. Through Oct. 29, the public can vote online for their favorite first-round entry.

      For each round, the two manuscripts with the fewest online votes will be eliminated until just two finalists remain in the last round.

      The winner will be announced in April at the Romantic Times national convention in Houston, TX.

     "Many writers are crossing genres to give their stories more breadth and appeal," French said of the contestants, which include a male writer. She said contest manuscripts must fit the contemporary romance category, which includes romantic suspense, chick lit, comedy and paranormal elements.

     Published romance writer Stephanie Mowery is confident in Fennell's potential to win big.

     "She has such strong storytelling and writing abilities," Mowery said of Fennell, who she met through Valley Forge Romance Writers, a local chapter of Romance Writers of America.

     Mowery believes "Beauty and the Best" is one of Fennell's strongest works to date.

     "It's a fantasy-based, sweet, romantic love story, which is something I always look for when I buy a book," Mowery said.

     Fennell said "Beauty and the Best" tells the story of aspiring novelist Jolie Gardener, who is searching for "happily ever after" but fears there's no such thing. When she  meets Todd Best, she realizes her dream of happiness just might be possible, if only she can hide the fact that she is using the publicity-shy artist's life story as the inspiration for her book.

     "Each scene holds a special place in my heart for the growth and realization that Jolie experiences," said Fennell, who enjoys throwing twists and undercurrents into her stories.

     Fennell credits the support of her husband and family with getting her this far.

      "My husband is the one who encouraged me to write for publication," said Fennell. "I couldn't have done this without his support."