Debra inks a new contract with Wild Rose.
Tacked to one of the bulletin boards on my computer desk is a postcard from fellow Wild Rose author, Donna Michaels. I grabbed it from a goodie table once, and tacked it up as inspiration and a goal to work toward. The card featured her book covers. At the time, ten were represented on the card. She's penned far more by now. But I always looked to that card with a 'wouldn't it be great if I had ten books to put on a postcard?' thought in mind.
I am proud to say that as of late last week I can now create a postcard with ten covers representing ten of my own titles! (Go ahead and take a moment to Happy Dance with me...)
I got the official notice on Thursday...some awesome news at the end of a not-so-awesome long, long day so it was doubly exciting...and then signed and sent the contract on Saturday. Now I can add One Great Night (coming soon) to all of my e-mails, blogs, etc. And I might just make that postcard to celebrate! Why not?! Having written, and what's more SOLD, ten stories is no small accomplishment. Heck, maybe even chocolate and champagne are in order. (Let's take another moment to toast...)
I've started to imagine the postcard in my head. I'll group my stories: three from The Corral Series, three holiday novellas, two stand alone full-lengths, a short story free read (Yes, I'm counting this as part of the ten. It had an official contract and is listed on my author/buy page at TWRP so it counts!) and the latest, One Great Night, another stand alone, but in novella format. Kind of fun, don't you think?
Soon, edits will arrive and away we go!
And I found out this week TWRP just made a deal with a Japanese company to start printing our books in other languages (How fun is that?!) and that TWRP will soon have pre-ordering of their new titles available at Amazon and other on-line book sellers.
So all of this, plus the fact that I actually wrote about 350 words of something new this week, brings back the rush of excitement involved in being an author. It takes away the second-guessing of "Do I really want to do this anymore?" Yep. I do.
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
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Showing posts with label TWRP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TWRP. Show all posts
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
One Stop Shopping
Debra is thrilled with the new 'buy' buttons on her publisher's web-site.
In today's fast paced world, time savers and convenience features are huge. The Wild Rose Press is implementing what I think is a brilliant addition to their catalog.
In the past, readers could browse the TWRP catalog looking for specific authors and titles and could then buy the book through the Press either in digital format or in paperback if it was available. However, if a reader wanted a Kindle or a Nook version, they'd need to hop on over to either the Amazon or Barnes and Nobel site.
No longer. Starting with their new titles and then working backwards until the entire catalog is updated, TWRP is including the Amazon and B & N buy buttons with the proper links on all of their titles. Like I said, I think this is a brilliant maneuver. Because sometimes taking that extra step of needing to log into a completely new site to order a book might cause someone to say 'forget it'. And that could cost sales.
It's all about getting our books into the hands of readers. And anything that can help in that, is all right in my book!
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
In today's fast paced world, time savers and convenience features are huge. The Wild Rose Press is implementing what I think is a brilliant addition to their catalog.
In the past, readers could browse the TWRP catalog looking for specific authors and titles and could then buy the book through the Press either in digital format or in paperback if it was available. However, if a reader wanted a Kindle or a Nook version, they'd need to hop on over to either the Amazon or Barnes and Nobel site.
No longer. Starting with their new titles and then working backwards until the entire catalog is updated, TWRP is including the Amazon and B & N buy buttons with the proper links on all of their titles. Like I said, I think this is a brilliant maneuver. Because sometimes taking that extra step of needing to log into a completely new site to order a book might cause someone to say 'forget it'. And that could cost sales.
It's all about getting our books into the hands of readers. And anything that can help in that, is all right in my book!
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Friday, March 1, 2013
Friday Friend Brenda Margriet
I'm excited to welcome a new TWRP author to Heroines with Hearts today! Please help me give Brenda Margriet a warm welcome!
I'm not a sporty person. I recognize the value of physical activity in order to be healthy, but, let's be honest – it's way more fun to curl up on the couch with a new book and a snack.
I've come to realize I approach physical activity much like I approach my writing, in both action and attitude.
1. Over the years I've swam, jogged and worked out at gyms. Usually things are good for a few months, maybe even a year. And then I fall off the band wagon, and months and years go by as I promise myself that “next week” I'll get back at it. Same thing with writing. My first manuscript took more than ten years to complete. I would work on it for weeks, then something would happen and I wouldn't touch it again for months.
2. I much prefer to “have gone” to the gym than to get up and go. Same with my writing. I love it when I reach my daily goal. But getting those first few words on the page can be a challenge.
3. Getting into a routine is difficult. Falling out of a routine is easy. I try to write every day, and get to the gym three times a week.
4. Flexibility is important. The days I get to the gym vary each week, depending on the family's schedule. But I still go three times a week. And while I want to write every day, the reason I set that goal is so that, if life gets in the way and I can't write one or two days that week, I still have at least five productive sessions.
5. Some days, it's just not going to be easy. There are times at the gym when I think I'm going to die if I take one more step. And then there are times when my alloted minutes fly by. Same with my writing. It is vital to recognize the effort alone is worth it, even if you don't achieve everything you set out to that day.
6. Always keep the end in sight, but remember it takes a while to get there. During my jogging phase, I found a “learn to run 5K” program online. When I started, running for 1 minute would floor me. By the end of 3 months, I was able to keep moving (albeit slowly) through the whole 5K. Same thing with that first manuscript. Once I started working on it consistently, and didn't let anything sidetrack me, I had it done in a few months. My second manuscript took only 6 months to complete. Every day I write, every day I work out, contributes to the bigger picture.
Whether it is working out or writing, it is always fantastic when you can achieve your goals. That manuscript that took me more than 10 years to complete? It became MOUNTAIN FIRE, which was released January 9 by the Wild Rose Press. Maybe I should start training for a marathon...
Synopsis:
A mountaintop mystery leads two conservationists to dangerous obsessions and violent passions.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation--and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire--as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex's colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
For an excerpt and to find out where to purchase MOUNTAIN FIRE in digital or print formats, visit www.brendamargriet.com. You'll also be able to subscribe to my blog, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Brenda! I wish you many sales and much success with Mountain Fire.
I'm not a sporty person. I recognize the value of physical activity in order to be healthy, but, let's be honest – it's way more fun to curl up on the couch with a new book and a snack.
I've come to realize I approach physical activity much like I approach my writing, in both action and attitude.
1. Over the years I've swam, jogged and worked out at gyms. Usually things are good for a few months, maybe even a year. And then I fall off the band wagon, and months and years go by as I promise myself that “next week” I'll get back at it. Same thing with writing. My first manuscript took more than ten years to complete. I would work on it for weeks, then something would happen and I wouldn't touch it again for months.
2. I much prefer to “have gone” to the gym than to get up and go. Same with my writing. I love it when I reach my daily goal. But getting those first few words on the page can be a challenge.
3. Getting into a routine is difficult. Falling out of a routine is easy. I try to write every day, and get to the gym three times a week.
4. Flexibility is important. The days I get to the gym vary each week, depending on the family's schedule. But I still go three times a week. And while I want to write every day, the reason I set that goal is so that, if life gets in the way and I can't write one or two days that week, I still have at least five productive sessions.
5. Some days, it's just not going to be easy. There are times at the gym when I think I'm going to die if I take one more step. And then there are times when my alloted minutes fly by. Same with my writing. It is vital to recognize the effort alone is worth it, even if you don't achieve everything you set out to that day.
6. Always keep the end in sight, but remember it takes a while to get there. During my jogging phase, I found a “learn to run 5K” program online. When I started, running for 1 minute would floor me. By the end of 3 months, I was able to keep moving (albeit slowly) through the whole 5K. Same thing with that first manuscript. Once I started working on it consistently, and didn't let anything sidetrack me, I had it done in a few months. My second manuscript took only 6 months to complete. Every day I write, every day I work out, contributes to the bigger picture.
Whether it is working out or writing, it is always fantastic when you can achieve your goals. That manuscript that took me more than 10 years to complete? It became MOUNTAIN FIRE, which was released January 9 by the Wild Rose Press. Maybe I should start training for a marathon...
Synopsis:
A mountaintop mystery leads two conservationists to dangerous obsessions and violent passions.
Natural resources student June Brandt climbs Longworth Mountain for some alone time. But when Conservation Officer Alex Weaver arrives to look into the death of a grizzly bear, June is caught up in the investigation--and fascinated by Alex.
Alex is attracted by June's competence and coolness under fire--as well as her lithe body and honey-blonde hair. Although their mutual interest in protecting the natural wonders of the area brings them together, they soon realize they view love from very different angles. He offers passion and pleasure, but June wants more.
When one of Alex's colleagues is murdered, June and Alex must work together to find the poacher before other lives are lost. And Alex must look deep inside to discover if he can give June what she deserves.
For an excerpt and to find out where to purchase MOUNTAIN FIRE in digital or print formats, visit www.brendamargriet.com. You'll also be able to subscribe to my blog, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Brenda! I wish you many sales and much success with Mountain Fire.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Does Your Writing Need a Diet?
A fellow member of my local RWA chapter posted this link today and said she had some fun with it. So, I went ahead and gave it a try and had some fun, too! It reminds me a bit of the link Paula shared a while ago for Wordle. This one is called The Writer's Diet and it shows you where your work might need a little dieting! As with anything like this, it's not a perfect diagnostic or analysis, and you can take from it whatever you choose, but it was fun to play around with!
I started with the opening of the mss going to Harlequin. It's called "Family Secrets". Here's what came up:
All in all, pretty good. Every category in this portion of the mss fell into the lean category. According to this, the mss is in good shape.
Then I tried it with the opening of An Unexpected Blessing, the book currently in the copy edit stage at TWRP. Here's what came up:
Hmn? This one, which is at far more advanced stage in the publishing process, came up with some areas that may need a little exercise. Unfortunately, at this point in the process, it's beyond making these types of editorial changes. Overall, it's still quite 'healthy', but may have a few too many 'be' verbs. Interesting.
At any rate, this was an interesting exercise. I highly recommend giving it a try. The link above should work, or here's the full address: Let us know how your writing shapes up!
http://www.writersdiet.com/WT.php
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
I started with the opening of the mss going to Harlequin. It's called "Family Secrets". Here's what came up:
All in all, pretty good. Every category in this portion of the mss fell into the lean category. According to this, the mss is in good shape.
Then I tried it with the opening of An Unexpected Blessing, the book currently in the copy edit stage at TWRP. Here's what came up:
Hmn? This one, which is at far more advanced stage in the publishing process, came up with some areas that may need a little exercise. Unfortunately, at this point in the process, it's beyond making these types of editorial changes. Overall, it's still quite 'healthy', but may have a few too many 'be' verbs. Interesting.
At any rate, this was an interesting exercise. I highly recommend giving it a try. The link above should work, or here's the full address: Let us know how your writing shapes up!
http://www.writersdiet.com/WT.php
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
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