Writer on the Verge
October 18, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Writer on the Verge by Kate Carlisle tagged as Homicide in Hardcover, Kate Carlisle, Writer on the Verge
I know the phrase “shock and awe” might seem like exaggeration, but that’s what I felt when, after so many years, I held my first book in my hot little hands. 
Here’s a preview of the real deal. Now that’s a beautiful thing! Kate Carlisle’s first book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, Homicide in Hardcover, arrives February 2009 from NAL.
The Write Way
October 17, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Writing tagged as Maureen Child
Yep, I can’t believe it either, but it’s contest season again!
I know, you’re wondering what this has to do with writing. Well, a couple of things, actually.
If you’re unpublished, contests give you the opportunity for lots of feedback from not only published authors, but sometimes editors as well. I’m not saying the judges you get will all be kind, or even right. But when you’re first starting out, getting some objective opinions on your writing is a good thing.
You don’t necessarily want to make every change suggested by your judges, but if two or three of them mention the same thing, then that’s a sure sign for you to sit down and do some thinking.
If you’re unpublished, but further along the ol’ career path, contests are a great way to get your work noticed by people who might be in the position to buy it!
Published writers love contests because mainly, we like the badge jewelry! Let’s face it, we all want pins and things cluttering up our name badges and finaling and winning a contest gives you some great little trinkets. But there are other reasons, too. Say you make the finals of a prestigious contest or two. Then you get to email or phone your editor and agent to spread the news. They in turn spread that news everywhere else. Marketing hears about it, publicity and maybe even other houses who just might sit up and take notice…
My point is, contest season is time consuming and expensive. But enter as many as you can. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.
Maureen Child is the author of more than one hundred romance novels and novellas. She is currently bagging up her RITA entries.
The Long and Winding Road
October 14, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesBy Laura Drake
In a way, ignorance is bliss…at least for a little while. I started my first novel not knowing what lie ahead, and I’m glad. Not that it was awful – actually, I’ve had a lot more ups than downs, and I’m not even published yet. But if I’d have known how long it would take, and how much hard work it took – I would have been severely daunted.
First, you’ve got to actually write the novel. Don’t laugh; how many people have you met who told you, “Oh, I’m going to write a novel one day, I’ve got this idea…†but they never actually write anything? Ok, you finish. Whew! I learned a lot, and I’m sure the next time it’ll go faster.
I patted myself on the back repeatedly for a week, daydreamed about book signings and autographing for my adoring fans, and then started the editing.
Really glad I didn’t know what that entailed when I began. Eight full versions and countless partial edits later, and it’s done! I learned a lot, and I’m sure the next time it’ll go faster.
Then I submit. I decided to go the agent route. I know that to a certain extent, this is a numbers game; I put it out to as many agents as would accept my genre – came to about 125. I have told this to authors who looked at me in horror…for all I know, it’s the dumbest way to submit. But. I did get a lot more interest than I expected. I’ve heard stories about dejection due to rejection, and the emotional effect on budding authors. I didn’t take it personally, and wasn’t discouraged – at least with the first 100 rejections. After that, it started to feel like Chinese water torture.
But wait! I actually got a note back from an agent who said, “Congratulations on your first draft!†(first?!) she had issues with a couple of things – nothing big – just the hero, and most of the dialog, and the title. If I’d do a rewrite, she’d read it and consider representing me. Yeah! I think – we’ll see.
Luckily, I’m relentless when I want something. I’m working on the rewrite now.
At the very least, I learned a lot, and I’m sure the next time it’ll go faster.
A Writer’s Pursuit…
October 12, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as A Writer's PursuitYesterday, I’d attended the OCC meeting for the first time since May and it was wonderful to see my friends–Live! In Person!–again. Although, I did attend the conference in San Francisco and had such a great time spending the week with them.
It’s so easy to stay isolated from friends and family when you’re going through some kind of crisis–health, financial, or family. And some times, like in my case, it would just be easier not to respond to the concerned e-mails right away. But I know everyone genuinely cares, just as I care about them, so I certainly do my best to respond. 🙂
Isn’t it wonderful to know that no matter what family health crisis your family is going through, no matter what the state of the world and the global economy… your friends will be there to support and encourage you, as well as give you a swift kick in the “writing arse” when you need it? Thank goodness.
When I joined OCC, I had NO idea I’d discover these incredible friendships.
Thank you for being there for me, you guys!
Do you belong to a writing organization? What do you enjoy most about belonging to it? The support? The friendships? The business advice?
Take Care,
Michele
Michele Cwiertny writes dark paranormal romance. To find out more about her, please visit her website, michelecwiertny.com, or her personal blog, Michele’s Writing Corner.
1 0 Read moreAustralian Romance Readers ready to party like it’s 2009
October 11, 2008 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Confessions of a Podcast Goddessby Jina Bacarr
My favorite Podcasting rule: Expect the unexpected and make the most of it.
I was hanging out in the downstairs lobby of the San Francisco Marriott during last summer’s RWA conference when I started talking to a gal sitting next to me. When I found out she was Juleigh Start, the author liaison for ARRC (Australian Romance Readers Convention), I convinced her to do a podcast promo with me for her event.
Juleigh was fabulous! We shot this in one take, but I updated it when I put together the podcast. I added a voiceover letting the viewer know Registration for the convention was open. It’s important to put enough information in your video description as well as in the credits so the viewer can find your website, event, etc.
Want to know more about ARRC? Here’s the info from their website:
“Celebrate romance fiction at the inaugural Australian Romance Readers Convention.
Meet your favourite authors, discuss your preferred romance sub-genres, buy books, get them signed and party. The inaugural Australian Romance Readers Convention will be held at the beautiful Jasper Hotel in Melbourne, Australia from February 20 – 22, 2009. Australian Romance Readers Convention is a not-for-profit event and is being organised and run by a group of hard working, dedicated, romance-reading volunteers!”
Visit http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/
Enjoy the video!
Best,
Jina
Jina Bacarr is the author of The Blonde Geisha , Naughty Paris, Tokyo Rendezvous, a Spice Brief, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs, featuring a female Indiana Jones.
Coming in April 2009: Cleopatra’s Perfume
“One whiff and every man was her slave.”
0 0 Read moreFeatured Books
THE TOWNSBRIDGE’S SERIES
If you love Regency romance, you’ll simply adore the Townsbridges…
More info →
