Upper St. Clair Mom a Finalist in Author Challenge

An Upper St. Clair is a finalist in the MeeGenius! Author Challenge.

Anna Abel Takes a Tumble, by Kelly Ehasz, is one of the top 14 children's books out of hundreds of entries in the competition. Ehasz and nine other authors were staff favorites. The other four finalists won the popular vote.

"I'm pretty excited. I'm happy to see the staff liked the story enough to carry it forward. It's a pretty big honor," Ehasz said.

The final round of voting is under way and will end on Feb. 21. The winners will be announced on March 7.

The grand prize winner will receive a publishing contract, a $1,500 cash prize and an entire library of MeeGenius! published books donated to the school of the grand prize winner’s choice. For Ehasz, that would be , where her son Zachary attends.

Three runner-ups will win a publishing contract and $500 cash prize.

Ehasz has always hoped to be a published author, but she just recently started chasing her dream.

"I've had a lot of my family die in recent years and it brought me to a place where I have to accept I'm not going to be here forever," she said. "I'm finally kicking myself in the butt to do something I've always wanted to do.

"You just have to do it or you'll never get your stories out there."

Ehasz's critique partner, Beth Arnstein of Brentwood, is also a finalist.

Share your congratulations with Kelly. Tell her in the comments.