This month is Evernight Publishing’s 8th birthday! To celebrate, they’re playing games and giving away prizes all month and one of the things they’re having is a caption contest–which I’m part of! Hop on over to my caption contest post here (or click on the graphic below) and give my picture a caption for a chance to win a $10 Evernight gift certificate. Best caption gets it. I’ll be giving away the prize on Wednesday, so go have fun!
This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. The awesome co-hosts for the September 5 posting of the IWSG are Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!
September has arrived! That means here in the northern hemisphere fall is just around the corner–my favorite season. It’s still pretty hot and summery here, so I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but I can’t wait to break out the fall decor.
So, any insecurities for me as the seasons change? Why, of course! Those of you who follow me might remember I recently had another book accepted for publication–my lucky 13th! I’m working on the sequel right now and it’s an interesting writing experience. I kind of dragged my feet on it for a long time and was writing it slowly, but lately I’ve been working hard on it. My day job schedule is often erratic and cuts into my writing time, so I’m snatching time here and there where I can. Which means I go a couple of days without writing anything and then binge-write 5,000 words at a time. So far, it seems to be working for me. Even though I have the story kind of plotted out I’m surprising myself with where the emotional twists and turns are happening.
But, what if my fire dies out?! What if I get into another slump like my job was putting me in this summer? I really want to keep up the momentum on this series. I want to work on my OTHER series too and get the next book in that one out. Often I paralyze myself by thinking about all the things I want to do–and then not doing any of them.
Why did I become a writer again?
I went the traditional route, though I did self-publish two books just to see what it was like. I probably didn’t do things the way most self-published people do, because I didn’t spend any money on publishing them outside of the stock photos I bought for the covers. I’m blessed that I have graphic design skills and could do my own. I’m also a pretty damn good self-editor. The books have sold well and gotten some rave reviews so…I guess I did good?
The thing is though, I don’t think I’d do it again (apart from self-pubbing the last book in the series, which I’m working on). Only because while I CAN do the work to get them out in the world, I don’t WANT to. I’d rather leave it to the publishing house. Self-publishing is a job in itself and I’d rather just write and hand it to someone else to turn into a book. Am I lazy? Probably. If I was making money hand over fist self-pubbing I’d probably feel different, but I’m not.
Happy September, everyone!
Happy Monday everyone! I’m popping onto the blog with some good news today–I had another book accepted for publication! Somehow, in the midst of my currently chaotic life, I managed to get another book published (granted, it was submitted back before things got truly chaotic). This is lucky number 13 for me. I can hardly believe it! After years and years of being utterly convinced I’d never be a “real writer” I’ve accomplished so much it boggles my mind. 2018 has been the most successful year for my writing career so far.
So, can I be rich and famous now?
I kid, I kid. I just feel very grateful and blessed that I’ve managed to do as much as I have, and I’m going to continue working at it, even if I never get to quit my stressful day job. I’d keep writing even if I never made another dime from it. I love writing, and I love doing it for the sake of doing it.
This book is the first in a new paranormal series set in…wait for it…Iceland! I’m still working on my contemporary Man Catalog series, but paranormal romance is my first love and I knew I’d come back to it eventually. I’m just trying to vary my writing a bit to keep my mind sharp and I’m having a lot of fun with it, as well. Still, I knew the spooky things would draw me back in.
The funny thing about this book is I wrote it BEFORE I went to Iceland this summer. The country and the scenery plays a huge part in the story, and I literally described it and created the settings by using the imagery in Google Maps. I finished the book and sent it off before we went on our trip, or literally, before we had even solidified we were going on the trip. So when I got to Iceland I was like “oh please, don’t let the stuff I described be utterly wrong.” I was amazed to find all the sites I used were absolutely spot on in their descriptions–it was almost eerie. I felt like I had been standing in those places before, even though it was my first time there. Google Maps is a godsend! The power of technology is amazing. I’m also a very visual writer, so just seeing a picture helps me tremendously.
Anyway, the book is tentatively set for release in November–I’ll keep you updated! Everyone have a great day!
Happy Monday, everyone! I’m trying to get back to putting more content on the blog but my day job continues to make life difficult. Last week was a somewhat busy week in my writing world as well, as I did a Facebook live for the ECAC convention, and my City Nights books were (and still are) on sale for 99 cents each! Annnnd, I have some news….
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING SAID YES TO THE NEXT BOOK IN MY MAN CATALOG SERIES! Another acceptance!
I seem to be on fire in 2018–now if only my job would get out of the way and let me keep burning! The second book, Boyfriend Material, is tentatively scheduled to be released in August. I’m super thrilled about it. Maybe one of these days, I won’t need the day job anymore? Ha!
I’ll be participating in the Author Toolbox Blog Hop on Wednesday, and I’m going to try to get back to regular blogging at some point this month. Thank you everyone for sticking around!
A happy belated Mother’s Day to all you mommies out there, by the way!
A bit of exciting news for me today. I just got the first round of edits for The Marrying Type, my upcoming novel from Evernight Publishing. In addition to some glowing comments from my editor, they’ve decided to make the book an Editor’s Pick when it comes out!
Aaaah! It’s so exciting, and I’m rather humbled. I don’t have a cover yet, but I’m hoping soon I’ll be able to show it off and give you a publication date. I guess I better do those edits if I want to get things going, huh?
It’s a good Monday. How is your Monday going?
