The Journey To A Book

by Lise Horton

It seems so simple in the beginning. You have an idea for a story. You pull out a pen and paper, or boot up your laptop. You start writing. At some point you write/type “The End”. You lean back and smile in satisfaction. Later, you begin editing. Draft and redraft flow from you as you hone your story, add complexity and humanity to your characters, polish your prose and enflame your romance plot.

When your novel is done, you research. Which publisher would serve me best? What format? You contemplate pitches, synopses and query letters. You submit.

You receive rejections.

You enter contests. You lose. You sigh and revise.

You submit again, a bit tougher and a lot more determined.

Then it happens.

You get the “call”. You cheer, you’re faint with excitement, incredulity and satisfaction in a job well done.

But.

The journey has just begun for you, the writer. As I have learned during the last seven months.

First the deal memo, then the contract. Ah, legalese! Parsing terms and conditions, royalties and representations. Signing on the dotted line and hoping for smooth sailing.

Then came the hello from my assigned editor (the reader who’d recommended Carina Press acquire my novel Words of Love). Welcoming me to the CP family and giving me the heads up that her first comments would be forthcoming.

Were they ever. “Editorial development memo”. A term new to me, but one I soon came to translate as “how we’d like you to rewrite your novel”. The editorial learning process then began. Unlike others who’d gone through the process with different publishers at a fairly leisurely rate? Uh uh. 1 month. 20,000 additional words later, plus many deletions, revisions, and a handful of super sexy love scenes later, I collapsed, exhausted but exhilarated to have completed my task. Fingers (and toes) were crossed hoping I’d pleased my editor. Her edits of the revised MS then came back. Another short turnaround deadline and I’d lobbed it back. It was improving. I was seeing the wisdom of her experienced advice and requests. I cut mercilessly. Added judiciously. Returned it. A second round of edits ensued. Could I please provide a complete list of character, product and place names for the copy editor? Done! Then came the copy edit proofing step. And her warning – this is your last chance to catch anything! It took frantic hours scouring the pages, but with a deep breath, that last step was complete. My heart swelled. There was a whooshing sound in my head.

But wait. In between these editorial deadlines? Howdy from the team assigned to come up with a new title (as mine was deemed too vague – it didn’t convey my genre, erotic romance, convincingly). Can you please fill out this title worksheet? Next up. A hello from my cover art team. Fill out the worksheet to help them craft a perfect cover. And the marketing team sent a form. Duly filled out. Invites for CP forums and greetings from the team putting out the post cards.

Things died down for a while and I was able to address book 2 of my series – which hadn’t been contracted for, but, following my editorial work, my editor expressed an interest in – and I settled in to begin the writing process anew. And with eyes wider opened to the nuance of my craft – thanks to my editor!

Then I was sent my back cover blurb copy. Please read and respond. It was now all very clear that this breakneck pace is the world of Carina Press digital publishing. Many hands, numerous teams, all working furiously to produce my, and others’ books.

Then came the composition of a promo snippet for Angela James to use in her PR about my book during her weekly new release announcement.

The last hurdle, the last momentous step in the process – my cover art. Make or break, I was all aquiver awaiting the concept from the cover art team. Two weeks ago the final “approved” back cover copy was sent to me. I could now begin promoting with this copy. Still, though the cover art was in the works, there was a stunning image on the cover art form. At the top of the page was a set of numbers that riveted me.

My ISBN Number – my book was real!

978-14268-9632-3.

I’m thinking of having it tattooed.

But back to waiting for my cover art.

Fingernail chewing time. Pacing time.

Then the email arrives. The three sample covers. Can you please let us know what you think?

And there it was.

Cover number 3.

Perfection.

Hot. Stylistic. Edgy.

My title - Words of Lust – in an imposing, two-font rendering.

Squee!

Then. At the bottom. Flush right.

My name – LISE HORTON.

Hot pink. Sleek font.

My name.

On my book.

But that was not all.

With the cover finalized, I check for me and Words of Lust on line.

And I am available for pre-sale!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Carina Press

OMG!!!!!!

Then yet another thrilling moment when, amid the posts on my Facebook page I spy the comment:

“I pre-ordered your book.”

I have made my first sale.

Thank you Megan Frampton!

This whirlwind fairy tale journey has taken me to a magical place.

But this journey is not over. A new leg is underway.

Release Date: September 9, 2013.

Now, let it begin ….

Marketing, promotion, and advertising oh my! Update website. Schedule appearances. Check for reviews and find additional review sites.

REVIEWS!?!?!

I’ll be checking back. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Lise Horton's debut novel, Words of Lust, is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Carina Press website. She's now taking advantage of her Gemini persona to juggle marketing and writing as she works on book 2 of the Stellato sibling series. You can follow her on this journey on her website at www.lisehorton.com and via her social media.

FIVE MUST-HAVES TO IMPROVE YOUR WEBSITE & BLOG

by Lena Hart


I have to admit I‘m not the tech savviest person around. I‘m always learning and re-learning when it comes to my website and blog. But I through trial and error, I think I almost have it figured out. At least what the essentials are to having an effective web-site and blog. Here are the five must-haves I‘ve learned along the way that will improve your site and better engage with your visitors.


WEBSITE

1. Contact and connect. Be sure to have a visible ―Contact‖ page with buttons and links to your social media platforms. You want to be sure before they leave your site, they have other ways to find and connect with you.

2. About/Bio page. You visitor should be able to quickly spot an ―About [NAME]‖ page to learn who you are, what you write, and a bit about you as a person outside of writing. I saw an author page that included an interview on the site for media kit purposes but I thought what a neat idea for an ―About‖ page.

3. Books on display. Have a page with a list of all your books. It should be like a showcase of all your work with a direct link to where they can buy and perhaps even a tagline to entice them. Separate pages for each book or series can be set with more detail, but you want to have a single section that has your ―product‖ front in center.

4. Email sign-up to capture visitors contact info. You can do this with a newsletter or blog sign-ups, guestbook, or a con-test or giveaway. I typically send ―thank you‖ emails to those who‘ve entered a blog hop giveaway and if I happen to have a special promotion or sale, I send them an email blast. **But do not become a spammer and bombard your subscribers with emails, alerts, etc., especially if that is not what they expected to get when they signed up. That is a quick way to irritate a subscriber—and lost them.

5. Blog or other regularly updated content. This keeps the visitor coming back to your site and having something new and fresh to read regularly. Many sites allow you to have a blog on your site but I found I like to keep these two separate so I just include a link to my blog on my website and a link back to my website on my blog.


BLOG

1. Graphics. Pictures are worth a thousand words. And it‘s true. A blog post can generate substantial interest when there is something visually appealing to look at. Other multimedia's, such as videos, will also lure readers to engage with your con-tent.

2. Catchy headlines. This is probably the most someone reads from your blog and will definitely be the reason why someone decides to read your post so make it count! Snare them in with something that catches their attention quick.

3. Short, relevant posts. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, expertise. But just remember to be brief. It‘s more effective to keep your content short, sweet, and to the point or else risk losing your visitor to other web distractions.

4. Interview someone exciting. It‘s a great way to give back and connect with others and gain traffic by those who may not have otherwise visited your blog.

5. Call-to-actions. Don‘t let your reader leave without asking them to do something specific next. Whether it‘s subscribe, follow, or comment on your blog post.#

Lena Hart is an author of sensual interracial romances with several novellas and short stories published. Her first short novel, BECAUSE THIS IS FOREVER, is slated for release this September through Secret Cravings Publishing. To learn more about Lena and her work, visit newly redesigned website at www.LenaHartSite.com or find her rambling at www.scatblogging.blogspot.com.

REVIEW: MY FIRST BEA EXPERIENCE

by Colleen Maree Quill

I was always going to attend Book Expo America (BEA) this summer, however I only snapped up my ticket the night prior hoping to win my way in (thanks New York Magazine I’ll win next year!). Upon my arrival at the badge pick-up desk I was told I was too dressed up and should be sipping mimosas somewhere (thanks to St. Martin’s Press’ new romance label Swoon I did get some champagne along the way).

I made to an extremely long line at Starbucks cursing myself for not taking advantage of the empty Dunkin’ Donuts I had passed walking to the convention center. Then I hurried with a full bag of MacMillan books that had been handed to me as part of the power reader admission fee into the author’s breakfast hosted by politico Chris Matthews. He introduced Helen Fielding as the woman who begat the important question “Hugh Grant or Colin Firth?” I was so glad Chris recognized that debate is important, but we all know it was a slam-dunk victory for Colin Firth. The librarians next to me applauded when Ms. Fielding stepped up the podium claiming her as “our muse” immediately which put a big smile on my face.

Ms. Fielding was charming and honest. She also said she never thought she would write another novel about Bridget Jones after the last one. It’s been fourteen years since BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON hit shelves. Fielding explained she felt she lost her voice, but then last year, suddenly certain things started to be funny to her again and she sat down and secretly started writing the third novel BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT A BOY, and not telling anyone what she was doing allowed her the creativity anonymity she needed to succeed.

The other interesting take away was answering the question of why Bridget is so universally appealing “even to women in Japan, where they all look fabulous and eat very small amounts of fish” being that Bridget represents the gap between how you feel you should be and how you are inside. Fielding ended her speech by mentioning she would now proceed to go on a massive diet (she has quiet a small frame) and get loads of plastic surgery ready for her book promotion.

Following several other speakers, I made my way onto the main concourse. I had circled which booths I wanted to make it to and en route found myself in a death match worthy of THE HUNGER GAMES at The Scholastic area. I came away with an arc of teen novel MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER by Katie Alender (out October 2013) who also wrote BAD GIRLS DON’T DIE. Books seemed to appear out of nowhere.

I saw a line for Jim Carrey yet I kept moving towards a place I knew I would find comforting- Harlequin. I was ushered onto a line and met some graduate students, one of whom went off and came back with a copy of an arc for me of GORGEOUS by Paul Rudnick, which I just finished reading and highly recommend. It’s the story of girl from a trailer park faced with an offer of putting her full trust in the magic of a famous designer, Tom Kelly, to make her three magical dresses which transform her into the most beautiful woman in the world. She has one year to fall in love or she will be transformed back to normal.

Harlequin stationed fourteen authors signing bookmarks and brand new releases. I wound up with fourteen books ranging of bodice rippers, regency romance, contemporary romance (DARE TO), paranormal romance (ETERNITY CURSE), mystery and even a vegetarian cookbook.

After that I came across random author signings at many different booths. Soon I was loaded down with three more tote bags all of which wound up filled. I lined up for a National Geographic book HOW TO SPEAK DOG, and nabbed a lovely little pug balloon I dragged behind me for the next several hours, and later out to Long Island for my nephew who had just turned one. He played with the pug excitedly for five minutes before he sank his teeth into it and popped it, but it was definitely worth the photos.

Finally, I was ready to leave in order to make it for my first RWA/NYC chapter meeting. That’s when I spotted Penguin’s book truck and book hot dog stand. I had to go and admire them fully. Tired, exhausted from being loaded down with books, I marveled at what a good idea the book truck is when I spotted the Penguin Classics area across the hall. There was a moving line so I knew by now a signing was happening. It turned out to be the illustrator for Penguin Classic’s limited edition Drop Cap Series of classic literature. Although I initially had Faust’s MADAME BOVARY in my hands, I managed to get the last copy of Jane Austen’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. You never know what can happen if you ask. I declined engaging in a debate over the merit of Austen’s romance with a young children’s book illustrator who clearly didn’t know what a Janite is and when to not argue with someone who has just expressed how thrilled they are at nabbing such a treasure.

It was time to make my exit. When I reached the heat outside, I tried to flag down a cab to no avail. After a few minutes a wonderful man named Seth from Simon & Schuster, who was about twenty feet from me hailed a cab and offered me a ride. Thank you sir you really ended my first BEA experience with the warmth and generosity I had experienced inside.

The best part aside from the high of hearing Helen Fielding speak and coming away with so many books was meeting the wonderful authors such as self-published Jasinda Wilder who’s DELILAH’S DIARY is a hilarious romp that starts with the mc finding her husband “balls deep” inside the church secretary to J. Courtney Smith who asked me about the pug dog balloon while signing THE ENGAGEMENT, her follow-up to her best seller MAINE, and Harlequin’s paranormal author Julie Kagawa. I can’t wait until BEA14 next May, by which time I hope to have read all the books I gathered and have been sharing with friends in an effort to make my home look less like I robbed a library!♥


Colleen Quill is a writer and digital marketing expert. Prior to that, Ms. Quill was the Head of Digital Marketing for Universal Republic Records and Head of Music Video Programming for Yahoo!. Her career has encompassed developing online brands and engaging online audiences including Disney Channel, A&E, The Food Channel, American Express and Sony Music. Colleen has bylines on SheKnows.com, Rollingstone.com, BrooklynHeightsBlog.com and CaliforniaPsychics.com. To read about Colleen’s passions please read her blog: http://ramblingsofagrrlgenius.wordpress.com/.   Colleen is currently reworking a chick lit manuscript and exploring Kindle single ideas. She is a member of RWA (National, NYC and WF).

ROMANCE OF SUMMER

by April Emerson

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ― Charles Bowden


The seemingly endless days and steamy nights of summer are arguably the most romantic time of year, and nowhere else in the world is the zest of this season more intense than in The Big Apple. While a great many can’t stand the heat and sneak off to a nearby oasis, I adore each sensation this fleeting period of time brings with it. No place on earth is more inspiring to me as a writer than New York City at its scorching peak.

Though the impulse to get out and experience the buzz of summer is hard to resist, as authors, we’re also driven by the desire to sit down and unleash ideas that have been swimming through our heads out onto the blank page. With summer as our muse, we open a document and are inevitably transported to thoughts of years past. If you grew up in New York, you remember how this time of year once felt endless — magical — and brimming with innocent pastimes. Mr. Softee’s infectious jingle lulled us with its incessant loop as we stood in a line that was unbearable, impatiently anticipating the cool relief of ice cream we could almost taste. We experienced the magic of seeing our busy street completely devoid of traffic during a neighborhood block party. We relished the abandon of running through sprinklers at the playground and reveled in the flow from an open hydrant on impossibly hot days. These wonders cannot possibly be forgotten.

As we aged, innocence transformed into our first dreams of romance. We spent hours during adolescent summers summoning the courage to talk to a hot lifeguard at the beach. We shivered in the too cold air conditioning while at the movies, unable to concentrate on the film because our elbow was pressed against our date’s on the armrest. When the haze of the city was too much to bear, we rode the train to Coney Island and enjoyed the simple thrill of holding hands with a summer love on the Wonder Wheel. During random afternoon thunderstorms, the cool rain surprised us and landed with a hiss on the sizzling concrete as we ran with a shriek and sought temporary shelter.

Perhaps the summer’s temperatures were so oppressive that respite was sought in the suburbs of upstate New York. The country held its own opportunities for romance. We toasted s’mores over a campfire, our gaze glued to a crush who sat beside us. We exhaled a peaceful sigh while lying in a hammock at dusk and drove around in the evening with the windows down, playing the radio as loud as it would go. We giggled and skinny-dipped under the moon in a lake surrounded by a chorus of serenading cicadas and flashing fireflies.

Those days have passed us by and we quietly grieve the summer magic that’s been lost, but our sentimental memories can fuel our writing. When the calendar turns to July, I try to slow down and embrace these vibrant romantic visions of summers gone by. Allowing my memories to inspire me not only brings me joy, but fills me with the impulse to create new ones. It’s never too late to have a summer “romance,” even if you’re married and the kids are home from school and time to yourself is scarce. Or if work has you too distracted to notice that the best of days are upon you.

Summer passes too quickly now, but let’s resolve to have a love affair with this season once more. Sit on a rooftop with friends and soak up our skyline while sipping a refreshing mojito. Get back on that Mr. Softee line and enjoy a vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles. Ride a bike to the park and walk barefoot in the grass. Or better yet, head to the most hallowed of summer destinations: the beach. Relax with a romance novel, feet buried in the cool sand amidst the glorious ocean breeze. Stare out into the waves and mentally outline your next novel. The wonders of summer are waiting to inspire us. Let’s savor every amazing moment.♥

April Emerson loves the perpetual crowds and energy of New York City. Her fondness for people watching inspires her work. She strives to tell sexy and romantic stories with exquisitely complex characters. When she isn’t writing, she loves listening to music or reading a good book with a glass of wine. Her debut novel THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED will be released in May 2014 from The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House.

RESPECT AND RESPECTABILITY IN THE ROMANCE INDUSTRY

by Nancy S. Goodman

I suppose I inherited my love of reading from my father. He would come home and immediately sit in "his chair," and pull out his detective or crime novel. I learned to read Alfred Hitchcock, Mary Stewart and the Nero Wolfe mysteries at his feet. Nothing could move him from his books and his dictionary, except his dinner.

I took the subway to high school in the late 1970's and when I was able to get a seat, I used to sneak peeks at the books people sitting next to me were reading. In so many instances, if the woman wasn't reading Sidney Sheldon or Cynthia Freeman, she was reading a romance novel. I remember seeing Rosemary Rogers, and Kathleen Woodiwiss. The one thing I noticed was that the book had a plain cover over it; it was if the person didn't want the world to know what she was reading. Embarrassed perhaps? Probably. I read my first romance novel SHANNA, and enjoyed it, but continued to read mysteries and novels.

One day at work, a woman gave me a book. It was a Bertrice Small. I had never read her stories and figured what the heck, I'm always up to try something new. The book was ALL THE SWEET TOMORROWS. I loved it and proceeded to read through what I could find of her books. I would indiscriminately pick up mediaeval romance and loved the history. (The sex wasn't bad either.) But I didn't read it on the subway to and from work; I was embarassed for anyone to see me reading these books with the flamboyant covers of overflowing breasts and grasping lords.

For reasons I can't remember, I stopped reading romances for a long time and read chick lit instead. I can't remember why, but one day I picked up a Bertrice Small again, and started reading it. I loved the descriptions of the gowns, the food and all that British histroy!

However, I know I was too embarrassed to tell anyone what I was reading. It wasn't literature, it wan't dignified. This was strictly bedtime reading. I wouldn't even bring it to the beach, when everyone was reading their Judith Krantz. But still....

Then one day I discovered Regency romances and with my love of English history, I was hooked.

Luckily for me, e-readers became popular and I quickly filled mine up with my favorites, Nicola Cornick, Nicole Jordan, Cara Elliot, Miranda Neville, Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens. So many more than I could name! Jillian Hunter, Danelle Harmon, Loretta Chase, on and on and on...

Well you get the picture. But still, I never would tell people what I was reading. Until one day, last year I mentioned to some of my close friends that I started reading romances. "Not Harlequin! Oh My God. How tacky!" I just smiled and shrugged. I no longer cared. My choice is my own. I have a very demanding job, dealing with stressful issues. This is how I escape.

It's why I decided to try my hand at writing a romance. A break from the busy hasseled world of kids, a job, a boss... and it just came out of me in waves. I wrote and wrote and fell in love with my characters. To me, they have stories to tell, and I enjoy telling them.

I personally think that the romance industry has done itself a disservice by putting out those covers of half naked men and women; people didn't take them seriously and it lowered people's expectations for the writing quality of the books.

To all those people I say they have not given these books a look. Some of the writing is lyrical, poetic and incredibly well-written. So much of romance writing is psychological and emotional; I have read stories that have brought tears to my eyes.

I hope that people look at romance novels like they look at choosing a friend. Take the time, look behind the surface and see what is truly going on with the story. The people who write these books are intelligent, funny and I consider myself lucky to be able to converse with them, even if it's just in cyberspace. I guarantee you will find something you love.♥



Nancy S. Goodman loves reading romances, British History and listening to Britney Spears, but she draws the line at Justin Beiber. She is writing her own Regency romance and she started with a Duke. Visit her website, Rakes Rogues and Romance, at http://www.rakesroguesandromance.com.  Follow and Friend her at @NancySGoodman and http://www.facebook.com/nancy.goodman.127. If you are into Pinterest, find her at http://pinterest.com/nancysgoodman/boards/ .

FEMME FATALE: MY ULTIMATE EVILDOER

by Michael J. Molloy

Whether it’s a romance novel or a thriller, there’s always one particular character that you’d like to see boiled in oil. After all, these characters leave an indelible impression on the reader just as much as the hero. And when you create such an evildoer that the reader would like to personally reach into the book and strangle, then you have accomplished what you had set out to do as a writer. In this piece, I’d like to discuss the villainess of my soon-to-be released romance novel THE DIAMOND MAN. Don’t worry, ladies. I have plans for a male rogue in my next romance book! Both genders deserve equal time.

Her name is Maureen Bell. She’s 46 and is three years removed from divorcing the hero, Jim Monahan. Four years earlier Maureen ran into an old flame, Harley Bell, from college, who made it big as an investment banker with a prominent Philadelphia financial firm. They had an affair that night and Maureen became pregnant as a result, thus forcing Jim to cut his ties with her. She since married Harley after their son was born.

Since her association with Harley and the wealth he possessed, Maureen became a snooty and arrogant person, who often chastised Jim and looked down on him. Her treatment of Jim, a generally easy-going sort, was uncalled for. She would always make things difficult for Jim to see the one child they had together, their 15-year-old daughter Madison. And if that wasn’t all, Maureen puts down the heroine Anne Finley, Jim’s new love in his life. Maureen treats Anne with equal venom, referring to her by a number of colorful terms, none of which are true, for Anne is the kind and loving person any respectable man would love as his wife or girlfriend, and any decent woman would appreciate as a true friend.

In creating Maureen, I wanted to depict a person so cold and irreverent that it’s difficult not to hate her. The animosity towards Jim is one thing, given their divorce. But then she attacks a sweet person like Anne, someone she hardly knows. And everyone connected with Jim despises Maureen with equal passion. Even her own daughter Madison wants to run away from her. And the only conclusion for the readers is that they, too, will love to condemn Maureen. As a writer, you can’t ask for anything more.♥

Michael J. Molloy recently sold his mainstream romance novel, THE DIAMOND MAN, to Gypsy Shadow Publishing, which will debut in Fall 2013. To learn more about him, visit him at www.authormichaeljmolloy.com.

A WRITERS SUMMER READING LIST

by Maria C. Ferrer

Happy July! It’s time to pack the sunscreen, beach chair, umbrella, cooler and how-to writing books.

Yes, I said how-to writing books. Even as my TBR pile grows exponentially, I still want to make time this summer to read some how-to books. A writer should never stop perfecting her writing skills. Here are five books that I have singled out for summer study:


THE ARTIST’S WAY: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. This is an oldie but goodie that has never gone out of style in more than a decade. It’s a 12-week “course” on the creative process, and a great excuse to buy a new writing journal.

THE FIRE IN FICTION: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great by Donald Maass. Maass is a well-known literary agent, who knows the difference between a so-so manuscript and a novel readers can’t forget. This book is meant to help you discover the “passion” within to make all your novels unforgettable.

THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR NOVEL WRITING: A 16-Step Program Guaranteed to Take You From Idea to Complete Manuscript, by Evan Marshall. Marshall is another literary agent. This book contains sections on plotting, writing fiction like a pro, polishing your manuscript, and marketing your novel. This information never goes out of style.

THE MARSHALL PLAN WORKBOOK: Writing Your Novel From Start to Finish, by Evan Marshall. The companion to the book above; this one is full of blueprints on how to write your characters, your plotting, fleshing out your story, etc. Great for writing exercises.

NO MORE REJECTIONS: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript That Sells by Alice Orr. Alice is an author, editor and agent with over 20 years experience. This book is filled with “practical knowledge and advice” from writing the story to writing the sales pitch to improving your story to getting it sold. Alice’s mantra: Just Do It. So I am!


There are other books on writing that are equally informative and beneficial, but I will start with these.

What books are you reading this summer? And, are you including any how-to-write books in their number? If so, which books would make your summer reading list?

Happy Summer. Happy Reading.♥



Maria C. Ferrer is President of RWA/NYC and an RWA PRO member. She enjoys reading, writing and sun worshipping. She hopes to do all three soon and often this summer.