Yes, you read that right!
In addition to placing third in the Clarkesworld Magazine Readers Poll, I’ve been nominated for a freaking NEBULA AWARD for my novella, Bishop’s Opening, in Clarkesworld Magazine!
This is as much of a shock as my nomination for the Sturgeon last year. I have only dreamed of this kind of peer recognition. I love what I do, but and when you’ve spent your entire life in a place where there were no clear outlets for your work; when you couldn’t afford to go to university and had to prioritise getting a job to help take care of yourself and your family; when you have never been able to set foot in the country you’ve been published in, this kind of achievement felt like a pipe dream. It means more than I can say that the voters of the SFWA have honoured me with this nomination. I thank them for seeing me and for placing me on this stage. You do not know the joy you have brought me and my family.
Congratulations to all my fellow amazing nominees, who include, I’m proud to say, dear friends like my fellow Trini author, Suzan Palumbo, who is nominated for Best Short Story for her work, Douen. As we have both been nominated for stories that reflect our culture, it feels even more meaningful to be on the ballot this year with her.
If you’d like to read Bishop’s Opening, you can go here.
If you’d like to read Douen, please go here.
Click here to see the full list of nominees.
And kindly keep us in mind if you’re voting for the winner in the months to come.
I also have some long overdue news. I have an agent! I’m now represented by the wonderful Cameron McClure of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. In a year of many blessings, I’ve found my dream agent at my dream agency.
You, my readers, have been the ones to help push me to these heights, and I am so very grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you!
There is more good news to come, so stay tuned!
R.S.A. Garcia 
OMG, Rhonda! You have accomplished so much. I am so happy because this means we may have more and more works from you for years to come. I am also happy for you – especially so!