Hailey Edwards's Blog, page 84

Evermine Excerpt

I posted this excerpt on the PNRromantics blog Wednesday, but I had serious formatting issues. (I'm not the most tech-savvy person, you know.) So I'm giving it another go on my blog. This is an excerpt from Evermine. I'm editing now, so it will be cleaned and tweaked before submission, which I'm hoping will be in the neighborhood of March first.

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Earthen Realm, Dempsey Colony

Home smelled odd, welcoming in a way the place lacked since my sister moved out with her mate. Instead of old wood and winter, it smelt of warm oven and sugar cookies. My favorite. Wrinkling my nose, I sniffed the air, followed the sultry current from the front door to the rear of the house and the galley-style kitchen. I touched the stovetop. Heat ebbed through the cracked ceramic and thawed my fingers.

Winking flame teased the corner of my eye where candles danced in crystal holders.

"Maddie?" My voice bounced off the walls, absorbed by the pitch-black living room.

Shame churned my gut, but hope was my antacid. Maybe she and Clayton had fought. Maybe she had come home. Maybe she was waiting in her old room, upstairs, across from mine.

I strained my ears, but heard wind and the promise of thunder. "Come on," I said, yanking off my coat and toeing off my shoes. "I know you're in here." Hopping on one foot, I peeled off damp socks while guilt wriggled through me. I didn't want her mating to fail. I wanted her happy. Clayton fulfilled her, but their union drained me dry of purpose, left me empty inside.

"Sorry to disappoint." A rumbled male voice swayed me off balance. "No Maddies here."

I jolted upright, leaving one sock hanging while I scanned the darkness. "Harper?"

Silly of me to ask when he'd been home for months. Yet his presence still startled me.

He blew out the candles with a sigh. Mood, or whatever he'd meant them for, ruined.

"I should have called," he said. "When Marci told me you'd left work, I couldn't resist."

Dual clicks filled my ears and light flooded both rooms. Blinded, I blinked white spots.

I heard his footsteps rush seconds before his hard hands trapped my hips.

"Steady there," he said. I guess I'd listed. "Let me get that."

He hooked his arm around my waist so his cheek brushed my navel. His skin warmed me through my soaked shirt as he slid the sock from my foot so I could stand without slipping. "Thanks."

"No problem." He knew where the dirty clothes went, and took them there. So domestic.

"Did you need something?" I called to his broad back. "It's a hell of a night for a visit."

"I found your candles and matches." He came out wearing a lopsided grin…and no glamour. I licked my lips, swore I already tasted him there. "I thought we could watch a movie." He shrugged dark muscles, adjusted his wings. "I'm sure we can find something to do after."

I'm sure he thought so. He chuckled as I stared, captivated by the flush of scarlet through his carmine wings. Glamour made him human, handsome with his black hair and blue gray eyes. Without it, words failed me. His burnished ebony skin fed into thick, leather wings. Fathomless eyes returned my gaze, rimming silver around his irises. His midnight hair was darkly tousled.

I wanted to run my hands through the shaggy length, twine my fingers, tug his scalp and bend him to my lips. Would he taste of dates and cardamom? He had once, when we lived in another realm, in another time. Before the private war raging against his race's enslavement by mine held him prisoner. Before he ripped my sister and me from our homeland, saved us, brought us here to Earth to live among his people. Act human, look human, and all will be well.

Only, it wasn't well. Not even a little. I swallowed a hard lump. They told me he died. Five years, I dealt with his death every morning while my mind teetered on the brink of waking or never waking. Every night when I cried until breath left my lungs and my soul wept for him.

God, I never would have… So many things I wouldn't have done, had I known.

Shame glazed my skin with a thin sheen of sweat. I'd failed this beautiful creature.

Paranormal Romantics

This week, I'm blogging at PNRomantics about my current works in progress and plans for the future. There's also an excerpt from Evermine, if you're so inclined to give it a read. I'm working through edits on that project now. I'm hoping I'll have it ready to submit by the first of March. In the meantime, you can check it out here.

Facebook Profile Beautification

I spend a good bit of time on Facebook goofing off with my friends, playing on my Farmville farm, and doing the occasional bit of promo. Since I'm one of those who enjoys playing with graphics and tweaking everything to suit me–I've been let down by how little personalization FB allows.

Enter this latest upgrade… Now you have a couple of options. I'll show you two I use to let people who stumble across my page know who I am and what I do.

Now FB allows you to have an elongated profile picture, (long picture on the left) which could be new or it could have taken this long for me to notice it. And even then, I didn't notice it–Vic did. Anyway, if you have a bookmark template for one of your books, this would be the perfect place to display it. I didn't, so I threw together a generic banner. I used the cover model from Everlong's cover since people are so used to seeing her in my thumbnail. lol

The other cool thing you might have noticed is how I have a quote from Evermine running across the top of the page. The new FB displays any five pictures you've been tagged in. So I made a banner with the quote and chopped it up, then downloaded it backwards (from right to left) and tagged myself so it would display in that gap. Pretty cool, huh? I got the idea from this application, but since it only works half the time, I used the same trick and made it permanent on my page.

If anyone is interested, I can post templates and "how-to" instructions for each.

Macmillan "Heroes and Heartbreakers" Submission Call

Fiction submission guideliness are available for the new Macmillan "Heroes and Heartbreakers" site: they pay well!

HeroesandHeartbreakers.com welcomes submissions of original short romance stories in all subgenres (contemporary, paranormal/urban fantasy, women's fiction/chick lit, historical, romantic suspense, etc).

We are not interested in "true confessions" or other non-fiction material.



We are particularly interested in stories between 6,000 and 15,000 words, although exceptions may be made.

Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Original short stories acquired for this program are edited by both in-house editors and freelance editors who are experts in the romance genre.

We pay $1,000 against a 25% royalty. (The royalty enters the picture with respect to downloadable versions of the work.) Although we will consider edge cases, "original" means original—not previously published.

In your cover letter, please include the following:

The subgenre of your story

Confirmation that the story has not been previously published

If you are a published author, and if so, for whom you write

If your story is connected to a larger universe in which you already write

This is not required, but please feel free to include your Twitter and Facebook URLs in the cover letter.

Stories should use standard manuscript format (Our preference is 12 point, Times New Roman, double-spaced.) and be emailed as Word or RTF. Please send it with a cover letter including the elements described above.

Submissions and questions about the acquisitions process should be emailed to submissions[at]heroesandheartbreakers.com.

Managing Editor Position

Passing this job posting along.

This isn't your average job posting.

This is an open call for people who have interest doing business for, with, and around AudioLark to get in touch. While I need to fill the position outlined below, this is a good time for me to consider other types of partnerships and working relationships, so if you have an idea – please get in touch at: jennifer@audiolark.com.

I am looking for a Managing Editor for our Erotic Romance division.



AudioLark is an audio book publishing company that specializes (for now) in romance audio books. We are expanding into epublishing, as well. AudioMinx is our erotic romance division. Last year the combined divisions published 65 audio books. Lately, the job of administering the whole company has gotten too large for one person. I'm looking for the perfect person to become Managing Editor of AudioMinx.

This is a rather unique opportunity for someone who wants to break into the publishing industry. The work is hard and the pay is low, but the heavy lifting has already been done and the business is ready to expand. We have a system in place for acquiring books, I can teach the right person everything they need to know about audio book production, I have contracts with all the big sales venues and lots of ideas for promotion. I really believe that with the right person at the helm, our erotic division will take off.

What does the job entail? Everything from reading submissions to setting up contracts, editing manuscripts to formatting them for epublishing, hiring voice talent and audio editors, blogging, finding advertising opportunities, running contests and going to conferences. It will be up to you how many books you produce a month; probably in the range of one to four titles. In short, the job is exactly what you make it. After a period of working under supervision, you'll be in charge of the AudioMinx division. You'll pick the books, you'll nurse them along to publication. Income is based on a percentage of net sales that will increase as you "take charge" of the division. The final percentage will be very generously in your favour.

I am patient, kind, have a great sense of humor, bend over backwards to make situations work out for people, and work harder than most people find humanly possible. You won't find an easier partner to work with, or someone more dedicated to make this work for you. I will walk you through every step of learning how to run your part of the company.

What qualifications do you need? I can teach you many things, but there are a few basics you need to come with. The most important are:

You must love erotic romance. You should read it regularly, be on top of trends, have a sense who the leaders in the genre are, etc.

You must be a good editor. If I have to edit what you've edited, I haven't saved myself any time. Being a good 'regular' editor means you have a better chance of being a good 'audio' editor, too. Prior editing experience is a real plus. If you're the kind of person everyone wants for a critique buddy but don't have formal editing experience, I will consider you.

You must be technically savvy, and not afraid to learn. I don't expect candidates to have audio editing experience, but it would help to know how to do basic html, play with websites, download mp3 files to your Ipod, etc. More importantly, you must be confident in your ability to learn new technology, because there's always something new to learn in this business.

You must have a sense of what's 'good' and what isn't. Probably the most difficult part of this job is saying no to authors, projects, narrators and editors who aren't passing muster.

You must have good communications skills. You will need to talk to me, authors, narrators, editors, artists, the public, and so on. If you don't like people, this probably isn't a good job for you.

You must have a sense of humor and a strong work ethic. Learning a new business is tough. You will screw up and things will go wrong in ways you never dreamed possible. You have to be able to keep going even when you don't want to. It is a big deal for people to entrust their hard work to you; no matter what happens, you can't leave them in the lurch.

How to Apply

Applicants interested in the Managing Editor position should send a cover letter expressing what interests them about the position, what experience they could bring to the job, their own publishing history if they are an author, and any questions they might have about the position. I will respond to all applicants, and will send more information regarding the position to those who seem qualified. The selection process will include a short editing sample, an interview and a request for references.

If you are hesitant about your qualifications, please apply – even if you don't fit this position, there may be other ways we can work together and I always enjoy getting to know people in the industry.

I would appreciate it if people passed the word on about this opportunity!

Six Sentence Sunday

This week's excerpt is from the free read I'm working on. It will be posted on the site by Valentine's Day.

ETA: I got a phone call a couple of days ago, telling me my dad's cancer is likely back. I'd meant to polish and have this short posted for several V'day blog hop/free read events, but I'm numb at the moment. I've shelved Blackberry Summer until I can get my head in the right place to write. Thanks for understanding.

Slowly, I pushed to my feet. My head spun and my leg hurt where he'd pricked me. He canted his head, then rolled his massive shoulders as if saying I could leave any time I wanted to. I turned my back on him and the effect was instant. Gooseflesh broke along my skin as he snorted encouragement. I glanced over my shoulder and he reared up to his full height.

For more Six Sunday goodness, check out the official blog here.

Cover Art Goodness!

I am so blessed to have such talented friends…especially those that don't bat an eye when I say, "So, I have this free read going up for V'day and need cover art" like the week before my deadline.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Victoria Miller. She is so awesome always, but made me this beautiful cover for Blackberry Summer.

It's kind of perfect for the story, which I'll be sharing with you all soon.

Love you, Vicious!

Six Sentence Sunday

This book has wrapped. The end. Now to get proofing.

I'd won independence from my past. Severed the only tie I'd ever wanted, to the only male I'd ever loved. I curled tight, rocked against the frigid planks. I couldn't move. Minutes passed. I counted them by the frantic thump in my ears. Strange how steady my heart beat long after it was broken.

For more SSS goodness, check out the official blog here.

Passionate Ink's Sixth Annual Stroke of Midnight Contest

EXTENDED to Feb 7th – Short in ALL Categories especially HISTORICAL,

SCI FI/FANTASY and NOVELLA!

Link to Enter -

http://www.passionat…m-registration/

Make the first 35 pages of your novel so compelling that an editor has

to have more!



Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:

Contemporary – novels with erotic elements that focus on the

developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes

series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of

romantic suspense/intrigue.

Historical – novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing

romantic relationship in a historical setting.

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi – novels with erotic elements that focus on

the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an

alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as

elves/faerie, sword & sorcery, aliens, etc.

Paranormal/Time Travel – novels with erotic elements that focus on the

developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements

of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal

themes.

Novellas – novellas of 10,000 to 25,000 words with erotic elements

that focus on developing romantic relationship in any setting.

**All categories are open to alternative lifestyle entries and any

entry that reflects an erotic romance between two or more people,

straight, gay, bi, or any romantic combination.**

All entries must be in RTF format.

All entries must be at least 10,000 words in their completed form.

Link to Enter -

http://www.passionat…m-registration/

Judging and Prizes:

First Round: Preliminary-round judging will be completed by three

qualified judges – Passionate Ink and other RWA members experienced in

critiquing and/or published authors familiar with our genre. All

scores will be added and averaged to determine the entrant's ranking.

Every attempt will be made to provide entrants with detailed score

sheets and judges' comments from this preliminary round. Top five

entries in each category will move to final round.

Final Round: The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by

the following industry professionals:

Contemporary: Angela James, Carina Press

Historical: Treva Harte, Loose ID

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Kelli Collins, Ellora's Cave

Paranormal/Time Travel: Melissa Jeglinski, The Knight Agency

Novellas: Lindsey Faber, Samhain Publishing

First place winners in each category will receive a free one year

membership in Passionate Ink ($25 value), a certificate, and an award

graphic for their website. (Writing teams will split the membership.)

All other finalists will receive certificates and a finalist graphic

for their website. All entries will be returned after finalists are

determined and statistical information is complete. Winners will be

announced at the Passionate Ink gathering at the Romance Writers' of

America National Conference in New York. Results will be listed on the

Passionate Ink website, in the chapter's newsletter, as well as have

their names published in the Romance Writer's Report.

The decisions of judges are final.

Rules for Entry

Eligibility:

All contest entrants must be 18 years of age by the contest entry deadline date.

Contest is open to all authors with unpublished, uncontracted

full-length erotic romance manuscripts of at least 25,000 words

(except novellas which must be at least 10,000) in the category they

wish to enter.

Entry Deadline & Submission:

Entry Form and details -

http://www.passionateink.org/contests/

All entries must be electronic in RTF format. All entries must be in one file.

All entries and payment must be received completed by MIDNIGHT EST Feb

7, 2011. All materials, including entries and entry fees, must be

received by that date.

Submit questions via email to som6@passionateink.org. It is the

author's responsibility to enter the manuscript in the correct

category. All clarifications as to category should be made prior to

submission.

Entrants may enter as many categories as they wish with DIFFERENT

submissions, but cannot enter the same manuscript in two categories.

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee either via

a mailed check or online PayPal payment.

There is a minimum requirement of 10 entries per category. If a

category does not receive a sufficient number of submissions to make

the category viable, the category will be canceled. The entrant will

be asked to provide a second choice of categories. If the entrant does

not wish to place the entry in another category, the entry and

associated fees will be returned.

Entry Form and details -

http://www.passionateink.org/contests/

Entry Fees:

Passionate Ink members: $15

Others: $25

Email payments via PayPal to: Treasurer@passionateink.org

or mail payments to:

Stroke of Midnight Contest

c/o Robin L. Rotham

PO Box 2412

Norfold, NE 68701

Make checks payable to: Passionate Ink

Entry fees must be received prior to the entry deadline.

Include your name in the subject line and the titles of your

entry(ies) in the comments box, if paying via PayPal. Include the

title of your entry in the Memo field if paying via check.

Entry Format:

All entries must be electronic in RTF format. The synopsis and entry

must be in the same file.

Send a maximum of the first 35 pages of your manuscript (20 pages for

novella entries).

Entries must be in proper manuscript format: One sided, double-spaced

with one inch margins all around, size 12 font (like Times New

Roman or Courier) is recommended.

On the first page only, title and category on top left; page number on

top right. Subsequent pages should include only title and page number.

Name of author should not appear anywhere on manuscript; the entry

will be disqualified if name is on submission.

A synopsis of up to 5 single-spaced pages (which will not be judged)

must also be included. No cover page is necessary.

Link to Enter -

http://www.passionat…m-registration/

Email questions to Sharon at som6@passionateink.org

Romance Junkies 2011 Writing Contest

Romance Junkies 2011 Writing Contest

Taking the plunge into the new year contest!

About Carina Press

Carina Press, Harlequin's digital-first imprint, is open to submissions.

Our mission is to connect readers with authors who write the stories they want to read.

Carina Press features books from talented authors in all genres of romance, erotica, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, women's fiction, and more. If the book of your heart fits into a niche that has very little shelf space in a traditional bookstore, Carina Press is eager to read and potentially publish your story.

The Prizes for the Readers!

The voting process allows readers to provide feedback to the writers through our online form. Each week an email address will be selected at random from these posts and will receive a digital Carina title of the winner's choice.

The Grand Prize will be 25 digital Carina titles of the winner's choice and will be selected at random from all of those who voted.

The Prizes for the Writers!

The Editorial Staff of Carina Press will select winners from among the Finalists.

For more information, visit the Romance Junkies website here.