The Growing Works of Barbara Mountjoy

Hydra Publications introductory splash sale!

2012-02-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

THRILLERS! ON SALE!!

2012-02-02T11:34:00.000-05:00

Although my books with Zumaya Publications aren't yet available, I'm excited to report that Zumaya has scheduled a Kindle Sale on titles with Thriller elements.

The sale starts this SUNDAY 2/5/12 and runs through March 3. The first week they're featuring the science fiction thrillers, second week general thrillers, third week fantasy thrillers, and the last week a mixed batch! So many books, so little time! Catch all the details at Zumaya Tales - http://zumayatales.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/february-thriller-special/

Come see which book will suit your last-six-weeks-of-winter reading list!

Snippet for SFFS! Come get you a taste....

2012-01-07T06:23:00.001-05:00

At Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday you have the chance to read snippets from works in progress, contracted works, as well as published novella and novels from a variety of authors... Check it out each Saturday!

This week I've included a snippet from the soon-to-be-released novel TRIAD, which tells the story of three women commanders who are in a battle over a certain sector of space just before all of them are attacked by an outside force of space pirates. The attack makes them take a new look at their relationships--some may become closer, and others might be pushed to the edge of assassination...

Here's my piece for this week:

Stefan, dressed in gaudy teal jacket and slacks, piloted the vessel while Julian took the second seat, wearing a simple gray suit as befitted a male servant. Catava waited in the cabin behind them, dressed in the filmy peach-toned slave’s garb Stefan had chosen. A short fitted piece trimmed in gold barely covered her breasts, trailing a gold chain to a short skirt she kept tugging under her. She also wore thin-corded gold sandals and gold ribbons in her hair, wrapped into a psyche knot.

Hardly abashed, he coached her briefly on the comportment of female slaves, how they didn’t speak until they were asked to, and how they were no better than animals with natural urges. “You’re expected to be hot,” he said. “A slave covets the touch of men. So in situations where you don’t know what to do, a seductive look is as good as anything.”

She studied him a long moment. “Do you often sell women into slavery?"

He twitched as her words hit him like an open hand.

For more information on this and other books by Lyndi Alexander, see her website http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com , or the Dragonfly Publishing site: http://www.dragonflypubs.com/excerpts/triad.html

New Cover!!

2012-01-05T10:11:00.001-05:00

I'm sharing the new cover of my first science fiction book, TRIAD, coming out this spring from Dragonfly Publishing:

What do you think??? For an excerpt, check out the DFP page--

All a matter of perspective

2011-12-31T15:41:00.000-05:00

It's always a toss-up at the end of the year: look back on the year that's passed, or set that aside and concentrate on the year ahead. Or both. I think that's the kind of year it's been for me.

Personally, the year has been a hard one, as we've struggled with the issues of our special-needs kids, some of them improving, others not so much. The stress has taken a toll on the marriage, as so often happens. I suppose it says something that we're still hanging together. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. We'll find out, I guess.

We're getting older and falling apart a little more--but that's the way of things. Resolutions for next year include to find a therapeutic pool exercise class handy, since the Lyrica didn't work out. Fibromyalgia is such a frustrating condition. You need to get good sleep to bolster pain management, but the pain prevents good sleep. They recommend exercise, even when you feel like you couldn't stand to move an inch through your aching muscles. Best practice for me so far is to take something for pain and just soldier through. Hopefully it'll be better next year.

Professionally, though, what a raft full of blessings! I scored a part-time job with the county as an attorney for families working through Children's Services, that came with benefits and a regular paycheck. This opened up my time formerly spent chasing new clients to spend writing.

I haven't wasted that time, either. In 2011, I signed contracts for five new novels to come out in 2012 and 2013. This is what my new email signature looks like now:

Also writing as Lyndi Alexander:
The Elf Queen, 2010 The Elf Child, 2011 and The Elf Mage, 2012, all from Dragonfly Publishing
http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com
Triad, coming from Dragonfly Publishing in 2012

Also writing as Alana Lorens:
Secrets in the Sand, a novel of romantic suspense---The Wild Rose Press, April 20,2011

http://alanalorens.com

Conviction of the Heart, coming from The Wild Rose Press in 2012

Second Chances, due out from Zumaya Publications in 2012

Post-apocalyptic YA Series The Color of Fear: Plague, The Color of Fear: Journeys and The Color of Fear: Survivors debuts in 2013 from Zumaya Publications

It took nearly forty years, but I've finally achieved my life's dream: to become a novelist. Best of all, that last YA series is the book(s) of my heart, the one I've sunk my soul into. To find a home for it has been the pinnacle of the year for me. I can't wait to work with editor Liz Burton and Zumaya and get that into print.

But not today. Today I'm tending to my neglected blogs, which have taken second seat to all my novels and galley proofing the last two months. I'm grateful to have had a plethora of guests on particularly the Clan Elves blog and my romance blog to help keep my readers entertained. I want to set a schedule for the new year to tend to each of them at least weekly. With four books coming out in 2012, I need to make sure people can find them!

Next week I'm spending reviewing Margie Lawson class notes and several other writing books I've purchased over the last six months and stalled off reading. I've got a lot of writing to do in the next year, and I want to make sure it's the best it can be. I'm sure you all will let me know if it's not!

In the meantime, I wish you all a satisfying 2012, in whatever flavor and definition that means to you. Our family will be celebrating a new arrival in the spring--one that's not between two book covers!-- so we have much to look forward to, as well as travel, family and hopefully some sun here and there. May you have many blessings come to you.

Here a guest post, there a guest post...

2011-11-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

This has been a busy week for me--in addition to real life intrusions, I've been working steadily on NaNo, with 22,000 words in 11 days, and I've had a blog on Savvy Authors and Lyndi's books are featured on Jerri Hine's Facebook Novel Works today!

Then I have competing blog posts today: On the irony of being a divorce lawyer writing love stories, at IcySnowBlackstone (click through to the blog page) and on how being a fantasy writer has helped me deal with our youngest, who's diagnosed with autism, sensory integration disorder and other language delays at A Splash of Scarlet. That's her proud face with her fair ribbon above!

If any or all of these interest you, I invite you to stop by!

Getting a real workout!

2011-11-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

Come see Lyndi go through her paces--and pages--at the blog of Kellie Kamryn. today. (Don't worry, my post is white bread; you can safely click through the content warning!!) Kellie has a great romance series based on gymnastics coming out in the spring, which just goes to show what happens when you write what you know. Thanks, Kellie! And come see Kellie's post at the Clan Elves homepage, too! I admire the way she's used her painful breakup to inspire positive writing experiences.

My new cover! Round two!

2011-10-25T16:45:00.002-04:00

This is my latest book, due out from The Wild Rose Press early next year. It's the story of a single mother who's a family law attorney working in the domestic relations field, and a case that not only gets her on the wrong side of a powerfully-connected city councilman, but also brings her close to a handsome Pittsburgh police lieutenant, who falls pretty hard for her, too.

The cover artist really captured the look of menace I was going for--can't wait to get the edits done on this one and send it in!

It's coming!

2011-10-18T15:01:00.000-04:00

Flash fiction: By Me!

2011-10-11T09:49:00.000-04:00

Come by Every Day Fiction and read a short story in honor of National Coming Out Day. Didn't intend for it to appear today, but how appropriate it is.

http://www.everydayfiction.com/personally-by-barbara-mountjoy/

(And it's published under my own name! That hardly happens any more... :) )

Our newest creation

2011-10-09T16:28:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes, I know I haven’t posted here as often as I’d like–hopefully you’ve missed me! The good news is I’ve been doing substantial amoounts of writing-related work, which is a good thing! The latest venture is this little bit of video, a book trailer for my first published novel, The Elf Queen. A book trailer is supposed to be like a movie trailer, giving enough of the story to entice folk to come see/read my book. (and hopefully the rest of the series!)

So what did you think? Is it exciting? Suspenseful? Must you go buy the book at Amazon right now? Okay, if you must. Pssst: pass it on… :)

Meet the booksellers! Frank and Kim, That Book Place

2011-09-08T13:57:00.000-04:00

Today’s guests are Frank Hall and Kim Hall, the owners of That Book Place in Madison, Indiana. We met recently at Context 24 at sci-fi/fantasy con in Columbus Ohio, where we made new friends and learned a lot. Welcome, guys!

Thank you, glad to be here!

Tell us about your bookstore: what do you carry, when did you start, what makes your store different?

Our doors opened to the public on the Ides of March 2006. We are primarily a used book store. We do carry some new books in stock of local authors within a few hours drive of us and from some local publishing houses. I like to think that we are different because I don’t try to push the newest bestseller on you. I try to get to know our customers and make recommendations based on what they have read and what other people have read that have also read what they like.

Do you have new books? Used books? Not a library, right? How do you decide what new books to carry? What are your criteria for used books?

We are definitely not a library and we carry both used and new, mostly used. With the new books we do focus on local authors and local publishing houses but I will also have something in that I know people are wanting. Right now we have a few copies of Game of Thrones in stock new. Once the TV show came out, probably we have a person each week who learns it’s a book series and comes looking for it. We carry pretty much everything so our only criteria with used is that it needs to be in good shape at least and still current for non-fiction.

What’s the most important thing that distinguishes the kind of experience a reader will have at a small, indie bookstore from the big box store?

For us it’s just more personal. I am here pretty much everyday Monday through Saturday. Over the years I have gotten to know our customers so I can help them better. Also, since I am here all the time I see what comes in for trade and what goes out so I have good idea if we have a certain book or not and where it is. I also know what is going on in most of their lives, so I make it a point to ask how things are. Of course that also goes because we are in a small town.

At Context 24, you said, “Independent bookstores are the future.” What are the implications of that? What purpose will indies have in the future?

It’s going to have a profound impact on the industry. We are down to only one national chain. Two, if you count Amazon. When you start getting big stores that are more worried about the bottom line instead of helping customers then you start having issues. I don’t see a time when B&N will move into a small town like mine. They don’t see enough customer base to turn a profit. So we smaller stores are beginning to flourish. I think you will see more and more stores like mine pop up in smaller and midsize towns. The big Houses are going to have to take notice and start working with us smaller venues to help increase sales.

What do you see as the ways independent bookstores can most help authors?

Work with them. They are the reason we have a business, so work with them. It doesn’t matter if they went through a small press, vanity press, self published or is from a big house. They make the product we sell. So encourage them. If they are local, set up a spot for them in your store. Host readings for them or if there is a local writing group, invite them to your store. Make them know that what they are working towards is not in vain.

What are the ways authors can help independent bookstores?

That’s simple. Keep writing.

What would you like to have authors do when they want to schedule an event at your store?

Call us or email me at least 2 or 3 months in advance. I like to advertise in the store that we have someone coming so that the customers can decide whether they want the book or not. If the customer can’t make it in that day they can go ahead and buy it and I will get it signed to them and they can pick it up after the event.

What’s your favorite event of the year?

My new favorite event is our Authors fair. This past year for our 5 year anniversary we did an authors fair and had around 30 authors here along with one of our big outside tent sales. We have decided to make it an annual event, so this coming March 17th we are having another one. We are shooting for 50 authors and I am really excited about it. I guess a very close second will be October. The entire month. We decorate for Halloween and have a blast in the store.

What’s the nicest thing a reader has done for your store? An author? Does it involve chocolate?

Actually it does involve chocolate. We have a few customers that will bring us gifts during our anniversary celebration. Sometimes it’s candies and such. We even have a few that will occasionally bring us cookies if they pass by the bakery before coming to the store. The nicest thing that any author has ever given me is after the signing they shake my hand or give me a hug and say thanks. I love being able to have a spot where the authors feel welcomed.
What do you think of the book printing kiosk?

I think they are an intriguing idea. And being able to load them up with classics and such would be a wonderful way to make sure you always had a particular book in stock. There are lots of things that I can see that could come from them that could revolutionize the industry.

What would you like people to know about your store?
I think, all in all, the best thing to know about our store is our motto. It sums everything up in a nutshell. “No such thing as too many books.”

I've got to agree with you there! Thanks for being here and best wishes for the next year. Find out more about THAT BOOK PLACE at their Facebook page, and if you're passing through, stop in and say hello.

Common Ground

2011-08-18T11:39:00.000-04:00

Today’s guest is author Sherry Isaac. Sherry and I met on top of a mountain in Colorado at one of Margie Lawson’s Immersion Master Classes in writing. Since then, she’s gone on to do marvvelous things, and her collection of short stories, STORYTELLER, is out this summer. Please welcome her.

COMMON GROUND

by Sherry Isaac

Someday. What a magical word.

For years, I dreamed of being a writer. Someday.

I’ve spent decades, dollars and devotion honing my craft in the pursuit of Someday.

Someday is here.

Uh-oh.

It’s time to promote.

There are plenty of resources on self-promotion. Books and websites and downloadable pdfs. Even online classes.

It’s a whole new industry, full of great ideas. One of my favorites, the one I’ve been engaged in for the last three weeks, is the virtual blog tour.

Networking with other writers is reciprocal. If Author A gives Author B a slot on their blog, Author B will bring their fans. Some fans will stick around and become fans of Author A. Author A’s audience will be introduced to Author B and start following Author B’s blog and buying Author B’s books.

Tit for Tat, a total Win-Win.

Bonus: Author B doesn’t have to come up with a post that week. Ahhh. Time to focus on the reason behind the blog: The Novel.

But first, you need authors to network with.

I signed up for my first Margie Lawson class a year and a half ago. Up until the online class on Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors, all my contacts were local. So local, in fact, that I had trouble unloading copies of the anthology I was a part of, because, fine as the anthology was, everyone in my circle was either in the publication, so already had a copy of the book, or knew someone who was in the publication, so had already bought a copy of the book.

Growing a national audience, let alone an international one, seemed impossible without a powerhouse publisher behind me.

Until Margie.

That first one-month class expanded into a year spent with Margie Lawson. It was, like the A&E channel advertises, time well spent. I learned so much last year. My writing techniques multiplied faster than a den of unchaperoned rabbits.

And so did my network.

What a fun side-effect, and certainly one I hadn’t bargained on when I signed up for DSDB, Enhancing Character’s Emotions, Deep Editing (The EDITS System) or any one of Margie’s other classes.

And then I went to Denver. Four intensive days of writing and revising and rhetorical devices.

And four new friends.

All right, all right, all right. Gloria Richard was already a friend.

Friendships are not based on geography, but rather, they are based on common ground. In Joan and Jessica, Barbara and Gloria, I found peers. As writers, we shared similar trials and aspirations, fears and passion, goals and dreams. Each understood the sting of rejection, how high the stakes are and how stiff the competition. A sisterhood, if you will.

A family.

And then I participated in IMC II.

Laura and Susannah. Lisa and Carole.

All right, all right, all right. Carole was already a friend.

Over the past few months, as my launch has crept closer, the support, enthusiasm and generosity of these eight women has blown me away. Not only have they opened their blogs to me, but they began to spread the word, long before my book went to print. They found blog space for me among their contacts, and Joan, a fine Twitterer in her own right, hooked me up with a Master Twitterer. Barbara invited me to share book signing space at a Pennsylvania bookstore. At a Colorado reading, Jessica gave up an opportunity to promote her own work and chose instead to read an excerpt of mine.

What ever had I done to deserve such favor?

It pleases me, too, that these connections billow over with downy goodness, just like an plump, over-stuffed pillow. My fans and friends are now their fans and friends. There are far too many to name here, and what would be the point? There will be more tomorrow.

The circle grows.

And so this, the final stop on my virtual tour, is a dedication to all the writers I’ve had the pleasure to befriend on my journey. May your ideas never stop flowing, and may your ink never run dry.

~

Winner of The Alice Munro Short Story Award, Sherry Isaac’s tales of life, love and forgiveness that transcend all things, including the grave, appear online and in print. Her first collection of shorts, Storyteller, debuts July 2011. For more information, or to order an autographed copy, click HERE

Learn more about Sherry at her website: http://www.sherryisaac.com/

On the road!

2011-07-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

This week I'll be posting in several places--today I'm with author Alison Chambers, talking about the genesis of the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot stories. Tomorrow I'll be at Vintage Vonnie, talking about the real-life love story that inspired my novel SECRETS IN THE SAND.

Next week I'll start teaching my first class for Pennwriters, on basic promotion for small press authors.

I've just had a science fiction novel, TRIAD, accepted for publication, and I'm polishing book three of the Clan Elves series. Looks like I might be a novelist when I grow up!

Alyssa Fox heats up the medical arena with her new book, Road to Recovery

2011-07-07T23:38:00.000-04:00

Welcome today author Alyssa Fox, whose first novel ROAD TO RECOVERY has just been released.

First off, I want to thank Barbara for having me on her blog today. This is how I came up with the plot, my characters for my debut book Road to Recovery. Well, I was writing another medical book at the time, and it just came to me while cleaning my house. I know, glamorous life right? I was trying hard to get a contract with Harlequin’s Medical line at the time, but have since learned my sex scenes are too steamy for them.

Anyways so, I thought what would happen if two doctors were competing for the same mentorship at the hospital. Then I thought what if they were both attracted to each other, but they didn’t want to admit it to one another. And that’s how the book was started. It was a fast write for me both characters came to me really stronger.

Kyle came to me first, and he was very demanding in my head. I mean, what else would you expect from an alpha man, but that? At first he didn’t want to tell me his dark secrets, but finally, I was able to squeeze it out of him. Since I started writing I’ve never had a character surprise me with their back story, but he sure did. As I wrote more he still at times would reveal things I never saw coming throughout the book. He even made me cry while writing in a few places with the things he had been through with losing his wife and daughter.

Erin pretty much laid it all out there on the line for me as I started writing their story. She was one pissed off woman that a man had used her in the past. And she wasn’t looking to fall in love at all. She had a neatly outlined five year plan, and no one was going to mess with it. Then the mentorship came along, and she could move that plan up to a two year plan. She never even saw Kyle coming to knock her on her butt and turn her plan upside down. She didn’t take to kindly to it either.

I’ll admit the title took me some time to come up with. It gave me so much trouble! And then one day it hit me really hard out of all the words I had thrown together. My family more than likely thought I had lost my mind, as I was asking them does this work? So that’s how I came up with my plot, characters and the title of the book.

I can be found at my website. Twitter and Facebook.

Here's a blurb for the book:

Dr. Erin Miller’s life was going great; for the most part, anyway. She was single, had a career she loved, and a cherished circle of friends, but something was missing. When a mentorship with the Chief Pediatric Surgeon becomes available, she couldn’t be more thrilled. Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered! That is, until the handsome and charismatic Dr. Kyle Reynolds decides he wants the mentorship as well.

Kyle Reynolds has lost everything including his wife and daughter. With nothing left in his life except for his job, he sets his sights on the new mentorship position with single-minded determination. The only obstacle he faces is the sexy Dr. Erin Miller.

Excerpt

Erin leaned back in her chair. She sat surrounded by the tomes she’d pulled from the shelves. It made no sense to her. The tests she’d been waiting for had all come back fine. Those two hours she’d hoped it would take had turned to six. She was still waiting for an ultrasound report, which should be coming any moment. She placed the latest report on the table and reached her hand to her head, slowly rubbing her temples. It wasn't like her not to be able to figure out what was going on with a patient. She dreaded the look on the parents' faces when she had to tell them. Sometimes it seemed like days before reports came back, and that was the only part of her job she hated. Her stomach knotted as she glanced at the clock. Only twenty minutes before she had to give them an update.

Her mind wandered back to the meeting six hours ago, and the way her body had warmed under Kyle's gaze. It had only been for a brief moment. Girl, you seriously need to get laid, that's all it is. There's nothing to the way he looked at you. You're imagining things.

“Good afternoon, Erin,” She jumped at the deep voice coming from her left. A glance over her shoulder confirmed what she already knew.

Kyle.

“Afternoon.” She fumbled to grab the chart in front of her, hoping he'd leave. He sat down next to her. His gaze singed her cheeks, but she couldn't look up; instead, she concentrated on the chart in front of her.

The memory of their first week working together came to her mind again. When she walked into the office, she'd been drawn to Kyle, who had sat in a chair across the small room, so arrogant and sure of himself. Kyle wasn't her type at all; she normally stuck with the safe, boring guys. Everything about him had screamed he was more. Just once, she wanted to take a chance and not do what everyone else expected. It had been time to let go and have some fun. Well, that's what she had wanted to do, and based on his flirting he’d seemed to be into her too.

For a moment, her mind drifted back to the dance they’d shared at the Christmas party three years ago. Against her best judgment, she’d said yes to Kyle's offer to dance. Really, what could one little dance do? Boy was that ever wrong, from the moment he’d taken her in his arms. She could feel the chemistry between them. The smoldering heat took over, and she couldn't think of anything but him, as fire raced down her spine, consuming her. Her mind told her to break the dance, that it had been a mistake, and yet she couldn't. The pull between them was greater than her need to move away.

Her gaze had traveled upward. His eyes had darkened, her knees had weakened, and it had taken everything in her to fight the strong attraction she felt toward him. She saw the unspoken question in his eyes. The song ended. "I'm sorry...I just can't," she had whispered and left him on the dance floor.

Instead of taking a chance on Kyle, she’d gone the safe route and starting dating Dr. Lopez. Someone she had thought was ready to settle down and start a family like she had been. Too bad the safe route had turned into the biggest mistake of her life. It had caused her to re-examine her plans. To wait until she was more established in her career before she seriously started dating again.

She continued pointedly ignoring Kyle, and relief washed over her when Jenny, one of her interns, walked up and said, "Here's the CAT scan report."

“Thanks,” she said, taking the report. She studied it. Erin closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. This keeps getting crazier. She opened her eyes slowly to skim over the report again. Nothing had changed. “This makes no sense,” she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

“What's doesn't make sense?” Kyle asked.

Setting down the piece of paper, she turned to look at him. “I've got a three year old patient, and it shows he has no appendix, yet he has all the classic symptoms of having appendicitis. I don't get it; I've run every test I can think of.”

“Here, let me take a look at his chart.”

Erin handed him the chart and watched him as he read it. His eyebrows drew together as he concentrated. Her fingers itched to trace the scar above his right eye, and she wondered how he'd gotten the injury. He cleared his throat, jarring her back to reality.

“This doesn't make sense. Come on, I want to check him out myself.” Kyle stood.

Although she wasn’t crazy about his taking over like that, she was so relieved to have another brain working on the problem that she let it slide. Her bruised ego was nothing compared to the well-being of her young patient.

Kyle’s hand brushed against the small of her back as he let her precede him into the room. Shivers of pleasure raced down her spine so quickly they were gone in an instant.

From today's Pennwriters Area 1 bulletin :)

2011-06-07T10:10:00.000-04:00

PROMOTIONAL BASICS: GETTING THE WORD OUT, WHEN YOUR WORDS COME OUT: Online Course by Barbara_Mountjoy

INSTRUCTOR: Babs Mountjoy DATE: August 1 – September 2, 2011

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Congratulations! Your book or project has just been published. Now comes the real work: making sure your audience can find your book, purchase it, enjoy it and share it with others, bringing you fame and fortune! Most publishers want to hear about your platform, which includes a website, blog, or other publicity method to sell and promote your product or book across the world.

The internet and social media are great methods to share your news and can go a long way toward reaching your potential audience. This online course will teach you the basics of publicity and marketing, some old tricks and some new tricks, to make your new release a real success.

* 4 most important things to include when developing a website

* Discover a variety of ways to get your work noticed online and offline

* Blog tours: how to get one started and why they’re a great way to spread your name

* Freebies and giveaways to attract readers and followers

* Setting up personal appearances and book signings (Have a program in mind, not just a chair behind a table)

FREE BONUS: A list of 50 sites where writers can submit their books for review.

TESTIMONIALS:

"Definitely a 5 out of 5. So much information, and the handouts were great!" - Emma T.

"Loved this! Worth the price of the whole day." - Kathleen B.

"Very informative. A wide breadth of material covered."

"This is the reason I came to the conference--I learned so much that I can use." - Linda A.

Get better website and book sales results from proven promotion methods! LIMITED CLASS SIZE. Enroll now.

$79 ($89 non-Pennwriters members) $89 ($99 non-Pennwriters members) EARLY-BIRD PRICES END SOON!

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Barbara “Babs” Mountjoy has been writing ever since she was a little girl, unable to control the urge of stories that wanted to percolate through her fingers into the keyboard. Or back then, onto the old Royal typewriter (before the TRS-80 even! Wow!). She's been a published writer for over 35 years, spent seven years as a news reporter and editor in South Florida, and has contributed stories to two CUP OF COMFORT volumes. Her non-fiction book 101 LITTLE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVIVING YOUR DIVORCE was published by Impact Publishers in 1999, and her first novel, THE ELF QUEEN (under the pen name Lyndi Alexander) came out in 2010. THE ELF QUEEN is the first of the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series, with THE ELF CHILD coming out in 2011 and THE ELF MAGE to be released in 2012.

Her romantic suspense novel SECRETS IN THE SAND was released by the Wild Rose Press in 2011 (under the pen name Alana Lorens) , and her women's fiction book SECOND CHANCES comes out from Zumaya Publications in 2012. She blogs about autism, writing and life at http://awalkabout.wordpress.com, and continues to write tech articles and TV reviews at Firefox News online.
For more information on Babs Mountjoy or this course, email her at bmountjoy at zoominternet dot .net or visit the Pennwriters site today.

Find time to write--from Randy Ingermanson

2011-05-06T09:54:00.000-04:00

Organizing: One Less Thing

When I started writing fiction years ago, I read an estimate that a novelist needs to spend 2000 hours learning the craft of fiction writing in order to get published.

I thought that was excessive. I figured a smart guy could learn to write a novel in a few hundred hours.

Maybe I'm just not all that smart, but it wound up taking me quite a bit more than 2000 hours of writing to get my first novel accepted by a publisher and on the shelves of bookstores.

Even though I wildly underestimated the amount of time it would take, I always knew it wasn't something you do in a weekend, so I made a point early in my writing life to find ways to spend more time writing.

I believe that if you're a serious writer, you need to be writing at least 10 to 20 hours per week.

Why?

Because when you finally sell your manuscript to a publisher, they're going to expect you to polish your novel within a few months. And then they'll expect you to do a second novel soon after that. And then a third, and a fourth . . .

That level of effort is easily going to cost you 20 hours every week for the rest of your writing life. Easily.

If you're not already writing at least 10 hours per week by that time, you just plain won't be able to gear up quickly enough to meet those demands from your publisher.

You don't have to start out writing 10 hours per week when you first begin writing fiction, of course. Hardly anybody can do that.

I recommend that you work up to the level of writing about 5 hours per week by the end of your first year of serious writing. And yes, it may take you a full year just to get up to that level.

Once you're writing 5 hours per week, you can then ramp up over the next year or two to writing at that magic level of 10 hours per week.

How do you do that? How do you find that kind of time when you're probably already overwhelmed by all the other things you're doing in life?

It's not easy. It's going to call for you to make some hard decisions on what's most important to you.

We're all juggling a lot of different things in our lives. I am. You are. That's just how things are.

Think about all the things on your plate. You probably have 10 or 15 that are important. Maybe more. You've got 168 hours in every week, and you're awake for at least 110 of those. That's a lot of hours. How do you fill up those hours?

Is it possible that you could live your life with one less thing on your plate?

(I know that the grammar purists will probably say it should be "one fewer thing," but that just doesn't ring well in my ear.)

If you've never tracked your time, this might be an enlightening exercise. Keep a daily log of where your time goes over the course of a full week. Keep a record of anything that takes longer than about 5 minutes. Lump together things that take less time than that. You may be amazed at what you spend your time on.

Now it's time to get serious. Every three months, ask yourself if there's one less thing you could do. One thing you could shove off your plate that would gain you at least an hour per week in writing time.

Maybe it's an "essential" TV show that really isn't all that important.

Maybe it's time spent browsing the web, fooling around on Facebook, texting, Skyping, tweeting, or whatever your favorite way is to chitchat electronically. Can you carve out an hour from that?

Every three months, can you find one less thing that "must" be done? Something that's really not essential? Something you can offload to somebody else?

Can you take that time and use it for your writing?

One less thing, every three months. If that one less thing buys you an extra hour per week of writing time, then in a year, you'll be writing at least four hours per week.

In two years, you'll have an extra eight hours per week to devote to your writing.

In three years, you'll have twelve hours a week.

This is not easy. At first, that "one less thing" won't cost you much. But as the months go by, each "one less thing" is going to sting more and more.

Life is full of sacrifices. If you want to write a novel, you have to give up something else that you like doing. You have to give up lots of somethings.

You can get there. One less thing at a time.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION-- Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, "the
Snowflake Guy," publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 25,000 readers, every month. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.

Download your free Special Report on Tiger Marketing and get a free 5-Day Course in How To Publish a Novel.

Why didn't anyone warn me about the seat belt?

2011-04-26T11:01:00.000-04:00

Where's Bette Davis when you need her?
The last thirty days have been quite a rollercoaster for me. I finally got the job with the county I've been angling for since about 2008, with full benefits for me and the whole family. Fantastic. My book THE ELF CHILD, second in the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot series, came out. My first romance, SECRETS IN THE SAND, was released in ebook by The Wild Rose Press. My first teaching gig in the writing field got WOW reviews from attendees at the St. David's mini-conference.

At the same time, my father's painful bone cancer finally rendered him incapable of caring for himself, and we took him into our home, with the help of Hospice, for his final days.

So much got put aside as we really took things day by day, not planning farther ahead than the next morning. Work took a back seat, and I am grateful for the court's understanding and patience. Writing was set aside, too, except for the moments when I just needed to escape to some other place to get through an hour, anywhere except real life that was all too real.

Here's hoping the "bumpy night" is over, and spring might actually arrive sometime here in the frozen Northlands, setting my fibromyalgia pain to 'low' for the season. My hyacinths are out, sharing their delightful aromas, so that's a good sign. Writing on book three, THE ELF MAGE, is proceeding again at last. Working up to the Pennwriters conference in three weeks, where I'll meet with an agent about an autism project very close to my heart. Forward, world, forward.

I'm hosting a number of my sister authors on their blog tours at the Clan Elves' site, Other Writers, Other Worlds, including Brianna Soloski, Mayra Calvani and Jessica Zellman, and making the rounds myself to celebrate my new books as well. See me at Brianna's blog, asking the question, Are You an Old Dog?

Do you have that one special book you've written?

2011-04-03T09:30:00.001-04:00

I'm guest blogging today on The Book of Your Heart at Mayra Calvani's blog, The Dark Phantom Review. Come by and say hello!

And for a look at Mayra's column at the Clan Elves' page, see A Typical Writing Day!

Another item off the list...

2011-03-26T15:54:00.000-04:00

One of the things an author needs to have in his or her arsenal is a good photo to send with press releases, interviews and post with notices of book releases, etc. I've been putting this off for some time, partly because of cost and partly because I HATE HATE HATE having my picture taken. :) (That's why I'm always the one with the camera--then I'm sure I'm out of the viewer range!!)

But as more and more opportunities come along, (and more and more books, too!) it seems like an inevitable task that we need to accomplish. Yesterday, I gathered the courage to go to the studio. My lovely "Theatah" friend Pam with the fabulous shoe store AND a Mary Kay business (how does she find the time!!) did my 'glam' makeup, and sent me off to the photo session, where a lovely young woman named Jennifer cajoled me through the process. I can't wait till she gets her own studio up and running--Capturing Moments Photography seems like the perfect name to me! Thanks so much to both of you for your help and encouragement!

It wasn't too painful, and I in fact survived. I've already sent out some of the shots as accompaniments to interviews and the like. What do you think?

Use your writing to stay sane...

2011-03-24T10:20:00.000-04:00

Today I'm the blog guest of Emma Lai at Emma Lai Writes-- She is a delightful hostess with fascinating books of her own. :) Come by and say hello!

My new cover!!

2011-02-28T18:50:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen: My new book cover for Secrets in the Sand, my first published romance novel, available soon from The Wild Rose Press.

Here's hint of what it's about:

After a run of bad relationships, Lily Pearl Evans has finally become an independent woman. In the New Mexico desert town of Chaparral, she works for herself in her own house, she sets her own rules, and she's determined no man will hold her back again.

Gene Nicholas worked for more than a decade to achieve his dream to be a doctor. Wanting to share his gifts with those less fortunate, he leaves South Florida to volunteer for a tour with Doctors without Borders in Mexico.

When Gene provokes a showdown with the local Mexican drug cartel, he becomes a man with a price on his head. On the run, he ends up on Lily’s doorstep, a mystery man forced to conceal his past to protect them both. With the cartel’s dangerous web drawing tight around them, can Lily and Gene survive a druglord’s revenge?

Script Frenzy!

2011-02-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been watching a tv show or a movie, and said to the person next to you, "I could write that..."

Next week the NaNoWriMo people launch their 2011 website for the spring extravaganpalooza, SCRIPT FRENZY!

Even if you don't want to write a novel in the thirty days of November (tho I'd highly recommend it, at least once), you can still join up with the leagues of writers who push themselves into a first draft during the month of April with this opportunity to prove you really could write that.

What does it take? Here's the low-down:

The Challenge Write 100 pages of original scripted material in the 30 days of April. (Screenplays, stage plays, TV shows, short films, and graphic novels are all welcome.)

When: April 1-30

Cost: Free. We run on donations.

Who: Everyone (worldwide) is welcome. No experience required.

Prizes: Happiness. Creative juices. Pride. Laughter. Bragging rights. A brand-new script.

Does it say anything about judging there? Headaches? Expensive classes and editors? No. Just the satisfaction of knowing you've taken some of those crazy ideas rocketing around in your head and let them out onto paper. Murder, greed, any of the deadly sins are great. Love? Love is good, too. Got some hostility and other issues to work out? Gentlemen, pick your characters and let em rip. It will save wear and tear on your loved ones.

The Script Frenzy people even give you tips!

How-To Guides

SCREENPLAYS

• Introduction to Screenwriting

• Screenplay Formatting Overview STAGE PLAYS

• Introduction to Stage plays

• Stage Play Formatting Overview

TV SCRIPTS

• Introduction to TV Scripts

• TV Script Formatting Overview

COMIC BOOKS

• Introduction to Comic Books

• Comic Book Formatting Overview

What have you got to lose? Come on, now. What?
Nothing.
Yeah, that's what I thought. Start planning now and get ready to write April 1!!!

Critique with your coffee, anyone?

2011-01-21T10:27:00.001-05:00

Today I'm visiting Warm Days, Cool Nights and Hot Guys-- the blog of historical romance writer Jennifer Jakes, talking about critique groups and how to choose the one that fits you. You can just click by the adult content warning--my post is pretty vanilla!! Come by and say hello!

Check out my fancy new email signature--I think my head may swell a bit!

Babs Mountjoy

Also writing as Lyndi Alexander:

The Elf Queen, 2010

The Elf Child, 2011 and The Elf Mage, 2012, all from Dragonfly Publishing

http://clanelvesofthebitterroot.com/

Also writing as Alana Lorens:

Deliverance, a romance from The Wild Rose Press, coming in 2011

Second Chances, due out from Zumaya Publications in 2012

Come meet the Zumaya authors!

2011-01-19T09:07:00.002-05:00

This Thursday, the authors of Zumaya Publishing will be featured at Coffeetime Romance! Please come by and support all of us--Zumaya will be printing my women's fiction novel SECOND CHANCES after the first of the year, so I'll be there too!

For verification purposes...

2011-01-10T17:22:00.003-05:00

Come find me, Technorati!! :) JN2TR572GQUR

Now here's a neat idea for authors!

2010-12-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

My writing friend, fellow Pennwriter and who-i-wanna-be someday, medical thriller writer CJ Lyons has a new gadget for her writer's page. Can't wait till I'm big enough to get one too!!

Check it out! A widget of my own!

If you haven't read CJ's books, I highly recommend them. She has really mastered the art of creating characters you can care about and cheer for, flaws and all, and blending that with a great ticking-bomb kind of plotline. She's also a featured author at the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot page, CJ's post .

A fabulous guest post at the home of a fabulous author, Joan Swan

2010-11-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

I've got a guest post up at the web home of romantic suspense writer Joan Swan. She's written a wonderful paranormal romance series coming out from Kensington Brava that I can't wait to read :) Come by and see if I'm working for love or money!

Save the world, get a book!

2010-11-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

Do you love books? How about an autographed copy of Neil Gaiman or Carol Berg or Harlan Ellison? Or even an autographed copy of The Elf Queen? Pat Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind, is giving these and hundreds more away as part of his Worldbuilders fundraiser for Heifers International. For every $10 you donate, you could win one of these or many others, making your own world and the world at large a better place. Christmas is coming--give the gift of a very special autographed book to someone you love!

Another day, another novel contract!

2010-10-23T10:43:00.003-04:00

All right, I am trying to be calm, but I have to admit I'm pretty thrilled. The Wild Rose Press has had one of my manuscripts for several months, a romantic suspense sort of tale about a woman who runs a brothel in southern New Mexico and the Doctor without Borders who escapes from a vengeful Mexican drug cartel by hiding in her place. How could they not fall in love??

Last night, I received from them an offer to contract the story!

As you might imagine, I accepted. :)

Stay tuned for more details as I have them, but I'm guessing this will be a 2011 e-release. Ladies and gentlemen, start your Kindles!

Special Guest Appearance!

2010-10-21T17:46:00.003-04:00

Today I'm guest blogging over at the web home of paranormal romance author Joan Swan. She and I were part of the fantastic Immersion Master Class in Colorado last month-- she has the first book of the Phoenix Rising series coming out in 2012 from Kensington Brava, and I've got to tell you, after she shared the pieces of writing she brought to the class, I'm going to be one of the first in line for these. With Heroes-type abilities treated as a threat by the government, these protagonists will surely find themselves in grave danger, but survive to live and love again. Stop by and check her out!

My writing holiday

2010-10-20T13:56:00.009-04:00

The only excuse I have for not writing in this blog regularly is that I have been writing regularly elsewhere.

And it's true. Most importantly I have been working on The Elf Child, the sequel to this summer's The Elf Queen. Just a few days till the deadline for turning it in, and I believe in keeping my word to my publisher. But that's not all.

I received not only the contract for The Elf Child while I was away (that's the next part of the explanation--stay tuned) but also one for the third book, The Elf Mage. And THEN, I received a contract for the manuscript called Second Chances, a romantic women's fiction novel set in Pittsburgh, from Zumaya Publications. And THEN, I received an offer for my psychic vampire novel, Love Me, Touch Me, Kill Me, a NaNovel from last year, which I've now accepted.

So that's been a pretty heady run, to go from not being a novelist to having five novels in or on their way to print in five months.

In September, though, I did some different writing, at the Immersion Master Class with Margie Lawson in Colorado. I took the book of my heart, the one I've submitted all round without much success, and we started working on its next revision with Margie's expert assistance. Five days of intense workshop teaching with Margie and six other sister writers gave me a wonderful start and direction on how to polish this story into a diamond. While I was in Colorado, the picture above shows my workspace. The view? Mountains everywhere. We ate at the Dushanbe Teahouse, where I picked up some lovely chakra-stimulating zen tea, and we worked. And worked. While Captain Tom did most of the cooking and heavy lifting. (Thanks, Captain Tom!!) I highly recommend this program for anyone who's ready to take their work from "good" to "New York Times" level.

Then of course, there's the adventure of book promotion. Oh yes, my children, we all thought writing the book was the hard part! Not so, yet far otherwise. I've done two book signings, garnered half a dozen professional reviews, as well as a handful on Amazon (remember, if you read the book, you should stop by Amazon and leave a few paragraphs about it!!), done a TV interview, developed a blog exchange at the Clan Elves site to cross-promote with other writers, and now I'm settling in for the winter, wanting a few more in-person appearances to sell for Christmas gifts, but also looking for fantasy blogs and lists to join in the discussion and share the creative process.

All in all, I think this year is the tipping point; I've definitely become a writer. (E assures me I've been one for years, but somehow holding the book in your hands is much more solid.) To all of you out there looking to join me, don't give up your dream. Just keep working at it, and soon you'll find your niche too.

On A Writer's Road

2010-09-14T10:33:00.002-04:00

Pieces are falling into place.

This week I'm spending with a bunch of talented women at Margie Lawson's Master Immersion Program, learning to empower and expand our writing. After a few days adjusting to the different in altitude (up here, it's about 9000 feet!), I've been able to settle in and learn.

Still doing some networking with other authors and posting their work too on the Clan Elves site, sharing their good advice with all our readers.

Finally today, I found out I've had a travel article on traveling with kids in Pittsburgh published at AOL.com. Come check it out!

The whirlwind of success

2010-09-05T13:16:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted! So much to do for the book that's just come out, and the sequel I've signed a contract for, due to the editor by October. I'm setting up blog tours, offering to trade blog posts with other authors, mailing out requests for book events, and networking like crazy.

On top of that, I've now signed a contract for book #3, AND I have gotten/accepted an offer on Second Chances, my novel about a 40-something lawyer who loses her job because of the economy and has to learn to start over again, which she does with the help of a 30-year-old Iraq War veteran with cancer. The story's set in Pittsburgh, and is very close to my heart, so I'm so glad it will have a home soon.

I've scored an intern from the local business school to help develop a marketing plan and keep the promotion running. Now that there are more books coming, we need to roll!

Today I'm guest blogging at the Savvy Authors site, which I really like for what it has to offer writers. Come by and say hello!

They're he-e-e-e-r-r-r-e!

2010-08-03T09:22:00.004-04:00

The Clan Elves of the Bitterroot, that is. Available for the enjoyment of the reading public.

Come by their new home on the Web at http://www.clanelvesofthebitterroot.com/ and find out where all the latest book signings, etc. are going to take place. Suggest a place for a book signing, if you'd like to meet Lyndi Alexander in person. :)

Book two is well into existence, and the political intrigue and schemes just don't stop. Clearly elves have associated with humans for much too long, if they've picked up all our bad habits. Or is it the other way around?

Roses are red...

2010-07-20T14:03:00.004-04:00

Thanks to my newspaper-days writer friend Hank Henley for this guest post. He's hot in process on his own novels, and I can't wait to read the college-based murder mysteries! For more of his wit and wisdom during his Best Year Ever and future tales of Constantinople, visit him at www.hankhenley.com

***********************************************************

You learn something new every day.

I don't think the old platitude is true--in fact I'm convinced it's just crap. There have been plenty of days in my half century on this earth where where I'm certain I was just taking up space and didn't accomplish or learn a single damned thing. And I personally know a bunch a people who haven't learned or done one useful thing in decades.

Learn something new every day? Give me a break.

Last weekend I made up for a bunch of the wasted days and wasted nights of my life when I attended the Alabama Writers' Conclave. Over three days I filled up a fresh composition book with all the new things I was learning. A lot of the things I learned were kind of writery, so you probably wouldn't be interested in hearing about them, Discerning Reader.

But four of the lessons learned over the weekend were so powerful I had to add them to my personal Rulebook of Life. These four discovered precepts belong in the "general societal hazards" chapter of the rulebook, and I've decided to share them with you today as a public service to all mankind. Now pay attention and commit these four rules to memory.

Are you ready?

1. Never hand a poet a microphone.

2. If you are in a room containing a poet and a microphone, the two will inevitably find each other over the course of the evening.

3. If you are trapped in a room containing both an aggregation (or barista, see post above) of poets and a microphone, you will soon experience both disorientation and discomfort. This is also inevitable.

4. The only thing worse than a poet with a microphone is a drunk poet with a microphone.

A significant minority of the people attending the writers' conference over the weekend were poets.

I've always been fascinated by poets. I'm challenged by their intellect and mastery of the English language. I'm in awe of their talent--at their ability to weave words in a way that stirs and illuminates the soul. I admire the civility and sincerity I've observed in every poet I've ever met.

Mostly I'm amazed these people are so dedicated to creating things so beautiful yet so undesired.

Most people today don't seem to care about poetry, and, other than in Hallmark greeting cards, you don't find a lot of it out there in everyday life. A reality show about trampy housewives can get boffo ratings, but of the hundreds of cable channels on my television, I can't think of a single place where poets and poetry are celebrated, featured and discussed.

Poets know the world ignores them, but they pursue their craft anyway, laboring in determined obscurity to create masterful works of art that have no hope of ever being seen by more than a handful of people.

To be a poet you've got to have a day job. Even if your self-identity is "poet," you need to find some other way to pay the bills. Poet is not a viable career path. A lot of poets are (or were) English teachers, which is about the closest one can come to being a poet full time.

Can you name the Poet Laureate of the United States? Me either. But I can now name the Poet Laureate of Alabama--a charming, energetic, whip-smart and frighteningly talented woman named Sue Brannan Walker. I met her over the weekend. In a room. With a microphone. They found each other. It was inevitable.

Even Dr. Walker has a day job to support her compulsion to write and disseminate poetry; she's a professor at the University of South Alabama.

I think you must be born with some sort of practicality gene missing in order to become a poet, and Dr. Walker embodies that spirit. When the microphone found her on Friday, of course she shared a few of her own poems. Poets are powerless to stop themselves from reading their own work. Between poems she spoke about an initiative she's leading to teach the homeless people of Mobile to write poetry. Everyone in the room, including me, heartily applauded the sentiment, positive energy and pure motivations behind this cause, but was I the only one to wonder if it is wise to expend resources and energy teaching unemployed people the single least financially useful skill on earth?

They may be accustomed to a world that ignores them, but poets crave affirmation and recognition too; so when the "open mic" times came after the day's formal activities were completed, the poets were irresistibly drawn, like flies to honey, to fill the available slots and share their work with an actual willing audience.

The open mic times were a sort of karaoke for writers. Anyone who wished to read from their works had five minutes and the microphone. A handful of prose authors and essayists read, but the vast majority of the presenters on both nights were poets.

Most of the poetry I heard was very good and crafted from words strung together like bright beads around a pretty woman's neck. Hearing those poems reminded me how much I like poetry when I accidentally bump into it. Some of the poetry I heard over the weekend was incomprehensible and quickly forgotten but I clapped for every single reader anyway.

Two of the poets were tipsy. Liquored up poets don't become aggressive or mean like drunks at a biker bar, but their condition does compel them to deliver rambling introductions to each poem they read and leads to the unfortunate decision to read poetry composed moments before on the back of cocktail napkins. When a poet introduces her work with the words "this is going to be a little rough," you can be sure a few incoherent moments are just ahead.

In case any poets stumble across these words, I'm not mocking you. Okay, I am mocking you--a little--but only because I love you and admire you for possessing a talent and a way of seeing and sharing your world that is absent in me.

The world may not respect them, but the world needs poets more than it could ever know. I am comforted they are out there hiding in plain sight among us and carefully tending and protecting words like gibbously on behalf of the rest of us. You never know when we'll need those words back.

Here's to poets. I love you all. Now will someone please switch off the microphone?

Color me tickled!

2010-06-21T10:09:00.003-04:00

Check out my post, published yesterday, on a writers' site voted one of the top 101 for writers in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Thanks, Therese and Kathleen! I'm sorry I didn't make your cast of wonderful characters, but I've got other writing to do these days. :)

Getting it Down: Crappy First Drafts at Writer Unboxed

Be careful what you ask for

2010-05-21T20:24:00.003-04:00

All my life, I've wanted to be a novelist. From the time I sat in the window seat of an Indiana farmhouse and wrote a blow by blow description of my cat chasing down and eating a mouse, other people have commented on my work and how they liked it.

In a few short months, I'll be a novelist. Not a newspaper reporter; that I did in the 1980s in south Florida. I interviewed governors, senators, drug dealers and won awards for my series a Day in the Life. In 1998, I had a book on divorce published called 101 Little Instructions for Surviving Your Divorce, a book with thought-provoking statements about mental health and wellness during the process. I didn't know very much about what an author was expected to do to promote a book in those days, though I sent out copies and did some radio interviews.

Since then, I've had many other pieces published, online and off, newspapers, magazines, even two stories in the Cup of Comfort Volumes for Divorced Women and Adoptive Families. Most of those stories promoted themselves for as far as they went. I didn't have to do much.

But I've come to the conclusion that after twenty years of really pushing at it, trying to score that agent and hit that big sale just isn't going to happen for me at this time. I want people to read my writing. I could just post it all here. But realistically, I'd like to make some money off it too.

In looking at small press, I've met several editors who deal right with the authors, no go-between needed, and even discouraged! Marketing support, suggestions for promotion are shared, and we get the chance to one-on-one with people who share our enthusiasm. It's wonderful. It's creative. It's....time consuming....

At the same time, consider, that at this moment I have five manuscripts IN THE HANDS of an editor.

Not lying around some agent's slush pile. Not waiting for some spring intern to find that I have no references to fashionable shoes in chapter three, so the entire book should be tossed. Not waiting for the interminable back and forth of mail exchanges. I am blessed and fortunate, and by using this, my best shot at contact with a live person, I have in fact been offered and signed a contract for my first novel. I have two unique promotion ideas that we'll be fleshing out as we're closer to the book release in September, in addition to all the items the publisher has already created.

It's happening. Along with her request for the rest of the series to be known as The Clan Elves of the Bitterroot. But I'm still trying to connect with other editors, find homes for my other "children." It's happening. I have no time to sleep any more. *L* But maybe I'll catch up on that later, between stops in the book tour, hmm?

Getting past "try" to "do"

2010-05-09T18:45:00.001-04:00

“Do or do not... there is no try.”

Yoda's words don't only apply to the use of the Force.

Perennially, one of my writing groups, Pennwriters, debates between those who have been published traditionally and those who aren’t about which writers “should” do.

The old guard insists that if you want to write novels you must get them to one of the five big houses, get the publicity machine and promotion. Of course this means you have to get an agent.

If you’re a writer who has tried to do either, chances are 99 times out of a hundred, it’s just not happening.

The old guard then cites the urban legends of authors who just kept sending out until sure as heck, that 101st letter did it. And maybe they did. More power to them.

Over the last year, I’ve read a lot about the state of publishing, and indeed about the world of communication in general. Time Magazine did a whole series of articles about publication in the digital age, and their conclusion is that the traditional routes are no longer exclusive.
Lev Grossman’s article said “Publishers Weekly (PW) predicts that 2009 would be ‘the worst year for publishing in decades.’ A lot of headlines and blogs to the contrary, publishing isn’t dying. But it is evolving, and so radically that we may hardly recognize it when it’s done.”

At the same time, newspapers are closing their doors, magazine and book publishers alike laying off staff, and paying markets, in the way we have always thought about them, are drying up.

Also at the same time, the whole concept of access to the masses has changed. Once upon a time, you needed to be cherished by Harlequin or Doubleday to even have your book see the light of day, unless you wanted to type out versions on your old Royal typewriter, one at a time, to circulate them. The Internet has changed that game.

Now authors have options. They can self-publish through Lulu.com or iUniverse, or epublishers which pay a royalty for books available digitally, or in print books. As I pointed out recently on my writer’s blog:

If I were Stephen King, my books would be available online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the publisher's website, and all the other ordering sites.I'm not Stephen King. But when The Elf Queen comes out this fall, you, the reader, will be able to order it online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the publisher's website, and all the other ordering sites.You will be able to order it in hardback, paperback or for your favorite e-reader like the Kindle, Sony, Ipad and more. So what's the difference to the average reader?

Writers don’t need the fancy publicity tour, either. Authors like CJ Lyons and Christina Katz, aka Writer Mama, tour online, guest blogging in as many places as they can. Cost? Your time. The Internet has millions of outlets to reach the people who want your work.

Many professional artists are choosing non-traditional routes to promote work they want to do, and it’s starting to make headlines. Musician Jill Sobule found the traditional music business wasn’t working for her–and didn’t get money in her hands– so her latest album was funded entirely by donations from fans and giveaways. Screenwriters like Joss Whedon are thinking outside the box with projects like Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog, which first appeared on the Internet for free, but afterward started collecting revenues.

Communication venues like Twitter bring the celebrity even closer to fans, and news you want to share with many more people. Email and forums bring artists directly to their public, for the kind of one-on-one connection that sells readers, just as it sold Barack Obama to the American people at election time.

So we can all dream about that blockbuster sale, movie rights and New York Times listing right out of the gate. We can even work at it around busy lives of work, parenting and other distractions for forty years. Maybe some of us will get it.

But in the meantime, don’t you have something to say? Don’t we write so others can read? What’s the sense of having fifteen polished manuscripts in a drawer collecting dust? Maybe instead we should be out there exploring the new digital publishing world, meeting our readers, and sharing what we have to offer.

Welcome to my fellow CoyoteCon attendees! It's my privilege to share this with you, and I hope you come back again soon. :)

Are you part of the village?

2010-05-03T18:38:00.000-04:00

One thing that impresses me about any celebrity is when they use their fame for good causes. Paul Newman sold salad dressing, George Clooney and Bono speak out against poor conditions in third world countries, and Bill and Melinda Gates pledge their money to help kids in Africa. This month, best-selling author Brenda Novak sponsors an online auction to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes.

Okay, so the gesture isn't entirely unselfish, because Brenda's youngest son has diabetes. But who better to be aware of what families go through when their children are ill with this disease? Brenda has enlisted other writers, artists, jewelry makers and web designers to present a virtual cornucopia of offerings, some sincerely one-of-a-kind, to entice writers, readers and anyone you know.

You don't have to be a famous author to bid on these items, which include gift baskets, book collections by many of your favorite authors, some autographed, vintage jewelry and collectible dolls. Writers can choose from a whole list of reviews of their material by editors and agents from across the country as well as promotional packets for their works. (You can bet I'm bidding on a video for the new Elf Queen site!)

You can win a prize--just for entering a bid! Here's Brenda's award scheme for this year:

Week 1: An iPad, an autographed advanced reading copy of my new novel, WHITE HEAT, which won’t be available at stores until July 27th, and a VIP invitation to me and MaryJanice Davidson’s cyber launch party on Thursday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Week 2: A Nook and $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
Week 3: $100 Gift Certificate to Borders, $200 Gift Certificate to Macy's and $100 Gift Certificate to Olive Garden
Week 4: A FAN 2011 Convention Package. This includes the price of the convention, $200 in travel money and a two-night stay aboard the Delta King. What is FAN 2011? It's the annual reader celebration convention I throw with #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Christine Feehan. For more details about the one we just held, visit www.fanconvnetion.net.

There will also be DAILY DRAWING PRIZES. I’ll draw a name each day from those who have placed bids that particular day and send that person something wonderful. :)

How can you pass that up? The auction is simple. Go to BrendaNovak.com and click on the auction link. Be prepared to register and to register a credit/debit card, and then start browsing!

We all need to look out for one another as we pass through this world. All people are our sisters and our brothers, and we should pitch in to help those who need help. Join the world village and help children in need of a cure.

Coyote Con--Come out and Howl!

2010-04-25T15:51:00.000-04:00

I'm hoping to help out at Coyote Con, the First Annual 31 Day Digital Author Conference May 1-31, 2010.

This is how the creators of this unique Con describe themselves:

Those of us who read and write speculative fiction have a passion for seeing beyond the every day or around the corner. We dream of alien worlds, peoples, sciences, magic, and miracles. We imagine ghosts, monsters, and consummate lovers. We’re geeks, outsiders—strangers in a strange land. We have fun playing with possibilities. We are the home of mythic fiction in all its forms.

Our guests are authors, editors, publishers and other industry professionals who love to talk about, and be involved in, the making of books: cross-genre, historical, romance, horror, fantasy, and science fiction, and all the related media they generate.
If there is a place where discussions of humanity, inclusion, exclusion, diversity, ability, disability, othering, religion, irreligion, feminism, patriarchy, sexuality, colonialism and post-colonial ideas also belong, it is with us. We should always be able to see what’s possible.

The conference is free for writers and readers both (but registration is required!!) and provides workshops and other great content! Here are a few of the session titles:

Artificial Intelligence and Sexuality

The Book Deal and Publishing Process

Comics and Graphic Novels for Readers and Writers

Digital Lit

Fairy Tales in Fiction

Getting Your Book Reviewed

The Passive Verb Workshop

and much more! Both panel discussions on topics near and dear to spec fiction writers' hearts as well as practical down to earth how-to chats for writers of all genres. Come meet and greet your fellow writers of wonder!

The new world of publishing

2010-04-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

I've gotten quite a bit of curious questionry about my new publisher. Who is it? What do they pay? How do you get books? people ask. Good questions, but as Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest points out on a recent blog, perhaps irrelevant.

Jane says:

When I started working in publishing (1998), the epic dream of writers was to get their book published, have it win awards or hit the bestseller list, then allow that success (to) sustain a lifetime of writing more great books.

That is still the Big Dream.

Yet this feels more and more like an archaic dream—not because people will stop reading, or because the book form will disappear, but that this path:

(1) may close off entirely for new writers, depending on the future of traditional publishing

(2) may not present sufficient earnings (if it ever did!)

(3) envisions the book as the end result and ultimate achievement of a writer's effort.

What does this mean for me?

If I were Stephen King, my books would be available online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the publisher's website, and all the other ordering sites.

I'm not Stephen King. But when The Elf Queen comes out this fall, you, the reader, will be able to order it online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the publisher's website, and all the other ordering sites.

You will be able to order it in hardback, paperback or for your favorite e-reader like the Kindle, Sony, Ipad and more.

So what's the difference to the average reader?

Sure, I won't get the end cap at the local big book store, and no one will take out an ad in the New York Times. But the book will be featured on my blog and probably a dozen others, hit the fantasy blog tours, be Tweeted around the 'Net, get a Facebook page and might reach the same number of people looking to read a fantasy book this weekend. At royalties between 10 and 25%, depending on the sale format.

After people read The Elf Queen, we've already got The Elf King in the planning stages to follow, the publisher and I. The third book in the series is more nebulous but on the table for discussion.

My book will be as available to anyone who wants to read it as any other author. I'll be as responsible for the success and sales as most authors today, as it takes someone of the cachet of Stephen King to have the publishers do the publicity for him. Most authors arrange their own tours, signings and promotional events, even when they're traditionally published.

I'm prepared for the work. And you bet I'm ready for the success.

Taking a chance

2010-04-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Recently I expanded my writing goals in response to a couple of opportunities that cropped up, just to see what would happen.

Normally, I write novels. Period. I'm not great at poetry, even though it's a lot shorter, because I think it's so difficult. See here. I've written short stories from time to time, but I always feel like I have more to say than that. My main blog continues to say what I need to say, now more than two years in, and my articles and reviews at Firefox News are geared to Web reading.

But when our Pennwriters rep sent out a prompt from National Public Radio's Three-Minute Fiction, for Round Three, that lonesome newspaper lying on the table did suggest a story to me, and I put together the piece of flash fiction and sent it in.

About the same time, I ran across an invitation at Writer Unboxed for a writer who had not yet published a novel to become part of the group that creates the wonderful material on the blog.

I wasn't sure I was up to it, as the site was voted one of Writer’s Digest’s best 101 websites for writers in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The interviews were fabulous, the commentary from the other writers interesting and helpful. But...I gave it a shot.

I'm pleased to say that I was one of the top 14 semi-finalists out of 187 entrants, and as such, I will be entitled to publish a column with them each year, and perhaps more, if all goes well. Talk about Snoopy dances all around!

Add that excitement to the ongoing dialogues I'm having with editors and agents about my novel manuscripts, and I'm feeling an awful lot like a writer these days. How about you?

Feeling more at home

2010-04-11T21:19:00.000-04:00

I think we're finally ready to go live here with this blog, now that the "business" is all caught up, so to speak. Blogger has some different features than Wordpress, and we've been able to pull together the widgets we need.

So sit back with a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy! Nice that you came by to visit.

Star author!

2010-04-08T11:48:00.000-04:00

In February, I found out I’d been given an award, over at the Polka Dot Banner –I’m a star author!! I'm also the featured author for the month of February, with a wonderful interview by Jane Nixon White.

This is very exciting, as it’s awarded for the books that I have posted there, including the Cup of Comfort books for Divorced Women and Adoptive Families, which each have a story of mine in them, and the divorce book I’ve written as well.

It also includes a special consideration for the fact that I support the PDB in its mission to promote writers, and acknowledgment that we all need to work together to make our careers successful. Whenever someone clicks on the PDB site, they have access to more than a hundred writers, where they can read blog posts full of great advice, search books, both fiction and non-fiction, and talk with authors on a very personal level.

It’s especially timely for me, as I have two manuscripts out for consideration with editors, one of whom has been very courteous and interested in my work, and I’m to the holding breath, biting nails stage. So please send some good wishes my way, and celebrate with me!