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… :)
Author: Babs Mountjoy on
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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.
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