WNY rallies to support aspiring Buffalo writer

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – A Buffalo writer is still in the running to win a publishing deal through an online writing contest. WBFO's Joyce Kryszak has this update on a story we first brought to you last month.

Madeline Smyth is one of ten writers chosen as finalists for the five-round, online elimination contest. Fans vote for their favorite author and if the author gets enough votes, she moves on.

After round one, Smyth is one of eight still standing. Smyth said she pounded the pavement for a month during round one - then had to do a final push when the voting was extended an extra day.

Smyth said she was exhausted. But she was rallied by one supporter at the library who told her people all over Buffalo were pulling for her.

Smyth does not know how many votes she got. But it was enough. Now, she is in the middle of round two - votes for the best description of a heroine and hero.

Her's falls in love with the heroine, Aliya Arabesque. That's also the title of the book. Smyth said her story is set in the middle east and is provocative - perhaps even controversial. She found that out when attacked online by a cyber stalker who threatened her to withdraw from the contest.

Smyth, who is also a lawyer, refused to back down. She said the antagonist went away. But Smyth hopes others following her and rooting for her in the contest won't. She said to make it through round two every vote will count.

People can vote in round two until November 28 online at RT Book Reviews. A link is also available at Smyth's blog.