I am a UB '84 graduate out of the English Department who is a finalist (actually, the only finalist from New York, Buffalo, and UB!) in Kensington Publishing's writing competition called Writing with the Stars (formerly known as American Title).
This contest is the American Idol of the writing world with five rounds of competition, two finalists eliminated during each of the first four rounds, the last two finalists battling it out for the win in the fifth round, and the winner receiving a publishing contract from Kensington Publishing. Round One (Best Opening Paragraph and Last Line) ran from October 11 through October 26.
On October 10, just before Round One began, The Spectrum had an article about me titled "UB alumna finalist in worldwide novel contest...Student voting could be difference-maker." Some UB students may remember the article.
The following day, for the first time in a long time, I returned to academic complex at UB (not just Alumni Arena). From October 11 through the October 26, I walked the halls of the Spine from the UGL to Clemens Hall (my old stomping ground, which thankfully still looks the same), asking students to vote for my novel, Aliya Arabesque. Some UB students may remember me. I was the one who suggested they turn off their high-tech devices and have a conversation with their fellow students.
Today I am back to tell UB students that they were a difference-maker. The competition among the ten finalists in Round One was fierce. But UB students (and Western New Yorkers) went to the poll for me, and UB alumni, who learned about the contest in the eleventh hour, gave me a last minute surge at the poll.
I have something to share with all of UB, something beyond the news of my success in Round One. On October 11, I stepped onto a campus that I found unrecognizable in a most disconcerting way, but on October 27, knowing that I had received the support of UB students and alumni, I walked through the Spine of my memory and heard the voices of my fellow students from long ago.
Now, due to the support of so many, I've advanced to Round Two (Best Hero and Heroine), which will run until November 28. Round Two promises to be an even fiercer battle than Round One. The universities and cities of the other seven remaining finalists will try to outvote UB and Western New York, and those finalists who are e-published authors will call upon their established fan bases as well.
So, this week, I have returned to UB once again. To my surprise, staff members have welcomed me back, students have told me they've heard of me, and faculty have extended their hands to me. Today, I thank UB students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their support in Round One and ask them for their votes in Round Two.
Madeline Smyth
UB Class of 1984
Writing With the Stars Finalist
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