Category Archives: Road to publication

A Very Special Moment…

on September 15, 2011

I’ve wanted to write this blog post for some time.  While I’m all right at making up character’s emotions, I’m not so great about sharing my own.  But, I’m ready to share.  When Lynn Rush emailed and asked me if I’d be interested in reading WASTELAND to provide a cover quote, I was stunned.  Honored, really excited, (because I hadn’t been able to read the entire book yet, and Lynn was offering to SEND IT TO ME), and…stunned.  I can’t really describe what if felt like when an author I truly admire wanted to quote me on her BOOKCOVER.  An actual quote.  With my name!

This writing journey is made up of moments.  The first time you write “the end.”  The first time you submit your story—the first rejection you get.  The first “the call” you get… your book in print…and being quoted on someone else’s book.  Yeah, there are ‘first’ moments still coming up for me, I hope.  But I wanted to say that being quoted was truly a special moment.  Lynn’s first book, and my first quote.

I agonized over that quote!  I loved the book and so wanted to get the words just right.  Finally, I just told the truth.  When all else fails, say what you feel. 
Here’s the quote:

So, Lynn, thank you so much for sharing the moment.  And for the rest of you, go read WASTELAND.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.  🙂

FATED releases this month!

on January 31, 2011

So, the time has come.  Tomorrow is February and FATED will be released on the 22nd.  I’m excited and a bit nervous.  Being compulsive, I googled my name and reviews are popping up all over…and Target is carrying the book.  Who knew?  I thought FATED would only be at book stores until (and if) it goes mass market…then it goes to Target.  Shows what I know!

This month I’m blogging and being interviewed all over the place – if you look to the schedule over to the right, you can see where I’ll be.  On several of those places we’ll be giving away a signed copy of FATED, among others.

For my blog this month, I thought I’d bring in some of the experts and talk about books.  Here’s the schedule:

** 2/2/11 ** Interview with the mult-talented Cynthia Eden about writing for two publishers and why the darkness appeals to us all.

** 2/7/11 ** Interview with the amazing Bonnie R. Paulson about her new sale to Carina Press and how she manages to get it all done.

** 2/10/11 ** Interview with my excellent critique partner Sayde Grace, who writes about sexy cowboys and dangerous werewolves…for different publishers.

** 2/12/11 **  Valentine Blog Hop – win lots of prizes and books if you take the whole hop.

** 2/16/11 ** Interview with the fabulous Megan Records from Kensington Publishing…what did she buy last year and what’s she looking for now?

** 2/22/11 **  RELEASE DATE FOR FATED

I’m Holding My Book

on January 20, 2011

So, I taught at the college today and hustled home before going to pick the kids up at school.  A big box sat on my porch.  Well, I figured it was the RWA books I’m supposed to judge for the RWA Rita contest.

It wasn’t.

The Magnificent Megan (Yes, I borrowed that term from Cynthia Eden, but Cynthia is right–our editor is awesome) grabbed some promotional copies of FATED for me.  Then, I held my first book in my hands.  Very cool.  The picture on the front is altered slightly from my coverflat – the woman has a couple of bite marks on her neck.  Oh yeah.  🙂

I may have gotten a little emotional when I lifted the first book out of the box.  Then it was pure excitement.  I held my book.  🙂  It’s been just over a year from “the call” when FATED sold.  (Remember it was called “Urban Bite”).  The year has been wonderful, and the book is about to be on the shelves.  (2/22/11).  It will be available on Kindle on 3/1/11.  Thanks to everyone who’s showed such wonderful support during this year…I really appreciate it.

Also, The Gourmet Way in Hayden is having a book launching/signing party on February 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00pm.  There will be wine, giveaways and some fun.  The public is invited and I hope to see all of you there.

I’ll have some contests and giveaways for signed copies of FATED coming up.  For now, I’m lining my copies up on my bookshelf and just admiring them.  🙂

From book deal to bookshelf – revisions

on January 7, 2010

Okay – so I’m still reeling from the book deal.  My neice Kylie thinks I’m cool, and my cousin Neil thinks my picture with the cowboy hat is lame.

I need to add about 10,000 to 15,000 words to the book.  Both my agent and editor made broad suggestions – like, this character needs more depth or this character needs to be fleshed out.  Now I’m on my own to add depth and flesh out.  I’m not sure what the deadline is yet for these changes, though I do know the final draft must be in the editor’s hands by May 1st. 

I’d also really like to know the name of the book.  I called it ‘Urban Bite,’ but the publisher is changing it because ‘Urban Bite’ sounds too much like an urban fantasy novel, and my book is a paranormal romance.  I really don’t mind the name change, but would like to call it something other than ‘Not Urban Bite’ or NUB.  ‘NUB’ isn’t quite the connotation I’m looking for.  So, I’m not sure when that happens.  Hopefully soon.

And I need to start thinking about books two and three.  Maybe come up with an outline for them.  However, I don’t outline – or plot.  I just sit and write.  Though I think I will do full character sketches for book two – maybe then my characters will have fleshed-out depth from the get-go.  🙂  Also, I think Neil should get a cowboy hat for his birthday this year.  Though he’d probably put it through the washing machine by accident.   Tune in to see what happens next…