Pamela Desmond Wright's Blog, page 12

March 2022

Dear Readers,

Hello, Spring! At long last, the long cold winter is coming to a close. Soon, the time will chance and we will be seeing longer, warmer days. I can’t say how much I am looking forward to getting out and riding around on  my bike. I’m ready to see some new roads and find some new inspiration as I bring Healing The Amish Widow’s Heart (title tentative) to a close. That’s right. I’m close to finishing book 2 of my “Humble Blessings” series and will hopefully be wrapping it up and sending it to my editor by end of the month. Then, I’ll jump into getting some new ideas on paper for some new proposals.

Meanwhile, as earlier announced, I got the cover for Finding Her Amish Home. I am so excited about this book and its release later in June 2022. This book had a long and rocky journey to publication and I am so happy it will soon be in the hands of readers. I’ve sent out a few ARC’s and the response from readers has been good, so I am hoping the book does well once it hits the market. This is Maddie and Abram’s story, and has a little bit of everything: tears, suspense, a terrible secret or two and a really bad guy… you name it, I threw it in! The book is available for pre-ordering now through your favorite bookstore, so be sure and reserve your copy today.

Heading back to the cave to write some more…

Take care and be well!

Pamela

 

 

 

Cover Reveal!

 

Sneak Cover Peek At Finding Her Amish Home

Come on in and take a look…

January 2022

Hello, Readers,

Wow, I didn’t mean to let January get away, but I’ve been busy writing on Healing the Amish Widow’s Heart and time just slipped by… I’m happy to report I’ve passed the halfway mark, and I’m beginning to head toward the end. This book has been a difficult one, fighting me every step of the way. But I am determined to whip it into shape and get it delivered to my editor before my June 1, 2022 deadline. As it was, I ended up having to toss the original opening and write a new one. Thankfully, my editor liked it and gave me the greenlight to finish the manuscript. What a relief! I was so worried she wouldn’t like it. As for the wrong-way start…sometimes you have to go through several drafts before you hit the nail on the head. It’s not the first time I’ve had to throw out an opening, and it won’t be the last. The old saying that writing is rewriting is true. But nothing’s set in stone and it can always be redone!

Aside from writing, I’ve been busy behind the scenes getting ready to promote Finding Her Amish Home, which will release at the end of June 2022. To help me out, I’ve started a street team, and I’m inviting readers to join! Love getting ARC’s, beta reading, cover reveals and participating in fun member’s only giveaways? Then this is the group for you! The deets are here: Join Pam’s Street Team

Not much else to tell as most days are spent at the computer, typing away. I’ll be popping in in February with some more updates.

Take care and stay warm!

Pamela

 

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays~

Closing out the year

Dear Readers,

As we walk into December 20022, I’m looking back on the last year and feeling so thankful about all that has happened since December 2020.

This time last year, I’d soon learn that Harlequin was buying my manuscript, which would be The Cowboy’s Amish Haven. When the offer came in, I was stunned to say the least. I was also terrified. I’d been away from publishing since 2021, and now here I was, about to embark on a new career in a new genre in which I was to debut as an unproven author. I wavered for days over whether or not to accept the contract. Yes, I’d wanted one and yes, I wrote the book with the intent of selling it to a publisher. But was I ready to go back into the demanding world of rewriting, editing, more rewriting and other pressing deadlines required to get a book onto the market? I wasn’t sure. I hovered on the brink of tucking in my tail and running away. I tried to tell myself an offer would be enough, that I had proven I could see a book in Inspirational fiction. Fortunately my fabulous agent was there to hold my hand through all the doubts, and I settled on accepting the contract. Was it easy? I won’t lie. It wasn’t. There were times when I was frustrated as I wound my way through the edits. Why did I miss this detail? How did I miss adding that one? Another typo??? Grrr.

I hammered myself unmercifully, questioning my ability to write a decent sentence…

But I got through it.

Time passed and release day rolled around. It was then I got the best news of my life. Not only were great reviews starting to trickle in, but the book had made the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list! I was over the moon with joy. All the hard work, angest, doubt and fear drizzled away and I knew then I had accomplished what I’d set out to do. I’d rebooted my career! Moreover, my agent old two more books in a new series! In that time, I finished FInding Her Amish Home and am waiting on edits. I’ve also turned over the proposal for Healing the Amish Widow’s Heart (title tentative) and am waiting to hear from my editor on its status.

So 2021 was quite a year. I’ve been so blessed to find a new path as a writer, one I intend to continue walking for many years. I am thankful for the many new friends and reads I have been in contact with, along with the people who support and advise me in my career. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. And glory to God, who has watched over me, allowing me to survive my near fatal accident in August 2020. I am truly humbled.

To close, I will wish you all a joyous holiday season.  As I head off to work on the copy edit for Finding Her Amish Home I can’t wait to see what the new year brings. I hope you’ll all be here to share the journey.

Sending love and light,

Pamela

Closing out the year~

Dear Readers,

As we walk into December 20022, I’m looking back on the last year and feeling so thankful about all that has happened since December 2020.

This time last year, I’d soon learn that Harlequin was buying my manuscript, which would be The Cowboy’s Amish Haven. When the offer came in, I was stunned to say the least. I was also terrified. I’d been away from publishing since 2021, and now here I was, about to embark on a new career in a new genre in which I was to debut as an unproven author. I wavered for days over whether or not to accept the contract. Yes, I’d wanted one and yes, I wrote the book with the intent of selling it to a publisher. But was I ready to go back into the demanding world of rewriting, editing, more rewriting and other pressing deadlines required to get a book onto the market? I wasn’t sure. I hovered on the brink of tucking in my tail and running away. I tried to tell myself an offer would be enough, that I had proven I could see a book in Inspirational fiction. Fortunately my fabulous agent was there to hold my hand through all the doubts, and I settled on accepting the contract. Was it easy? I won’t lie. It wasn’t. There were times when I was frustrated as I wound my way through the edits. Why did I miss this detail? How did I miss adding that one? Another typo??? Grrr.

I hammered myself unmercifully, questioning my ability to write a decent sentence…

But I got through it.

Time passed and release day rolled around. It was then I got the best news of my life. Not only were great reviews starting to trickle in, but the book had made the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list! I was over the moon with joy. All the hard work, angest, doubt and fear drizzled away and I knew then I had accomplished what I’d set out to do. I’d rebooted my career! Moreover, my agent old two more books in a new series! In that time, I finished FInding Her Amish Home and am waiting on edits. I’ve also turned over the proposal for Healing the Amish Widow’s Heart (title tentative) and am waiting to hear from my editor on its status.

So 2021 was quite a year. I’ve been so blessed to find a new path as a writer, one I intend to continue walking for many years. I am thankful for the many new friends and reads I have been in contact with, along with the people who support and advise me in my career. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. And glory to God, who has watched over me, allowing me to survive my near fatal accident in August 2020. I am truly humbled.

To close, I will wish you all a joyous holiday season.  As I head off to work on the copy edit for Finding Her Amish Home I can’t wait to see what the new year brings. I hope you’ll all be here to share the journey.

Sending love and light,

Pamela

Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Dear Readers,

Join me on my first blog tour and giveaway for The Cowboy’s Amish Haven, which will run December 7th through December 11th. It’s the first time I’ve had a chance to get out and promote the book, and I’m inviting you all to join in for a chance to win some great prizes and learn a bit about the book (and the author, LOL)

There are prizes, including a new Kindle! So come on over and join in on the fun!

Click on the images, or go here to join the tour!

 

 

 

Earning out your advance…

Did You Know writers have to “earn out” their advance before they are paid any additional royalties?

Yes. True.

For example, if you are offered an advance of, say, $1000.00 dollars, you will be paid that amount (minus your agent’s commission, if you have one). And unless your book earns back that amount, you won’t see another dime from the work. Again, that is correct. If your book doesn’t have a good “sell through”, chances are you won’t see another contract, either.

Don’t believe me? Well, here’s the scoop. All 4 books I wrote for Penguin/NAL never came close to earning out the advance. I never collected a cent past the advance for the 7 years they held the rights on each book. As I was paid a decent amount of pocket change, I accepted it for what it was and went on down the road. Once I received my rights, I re-edited and republished the books myself. Now, everything they earn is mine, minus Amazon’s cut, that is.

But wait. How do pubs make their money if books don’t earn back their advance? Believe it or not, they usually do. 

For a better breakdown of how that happens, read The Myth of the Unearned Advance