I've actively pursued a writing career since 2001 when I self-published my first two novels (The Lover's Knot and The Circle of the Swan). When Lover's Knot won an award, I knew I was on to something. The second in the fantasy series (The Summoning Stone) won a Daphne du Maurier Award (Honorable Mention - Kiss of Death Chapter RWA) and finaled for the Colorado Award of Excellence. Four years after I started (and one year earlier than I thought possible) I made the leap from self-published to traditionally published with Dragon Moon Press. Signing my first and second contract, all in one year, was a thrilling experience.