Lily Grace's Blog, page 2
October 13, 2012
Free reads and cover art input
Greetings! Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
So, both of my short stories published with Torquere Press back in 2010 have been out of print for a while now, and I've just sort of been sitting on them, not sure what to do. All the rights are transferred back to me, so really, I can do anything I want with them. I thought fleetingly of either subbing to another publisher or even self-publishing on ARe, or Amazon. But in the end, I decided I'd much rather just offer them up as free reads on my blog.
So, my first ever published work, Forces of Nature, can be found here. It's about best friends, Evan and Drew, getting a little help from Mother Nature admitting their true feelings for each other.
In Just a Summer Fling, a beautiful surfer named Chris helps Ryan, who's just been dumped by his boyfriend, get some of his self-confidence back while he's on vacation. Fling can be found here.
Just a Summer Fling was also just reviewed over at Joyfully Jay as part of their Young Love Week. Not Familiar with the Joyfully Jay blog? Take a gander:
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Last week I supplied the Dreamspinner art department with input on what I would like to see for the cover of Analyzing Emory. When I started to fill out the information--What do the MCs look like? Do you want a drawn cover or one using stock photography? What's the tone of the story? Etc.--everything just started to feel so real. It's really happening! It wasn't some sort of April Fools joke in September. They're really publishing my book and they're even going to make a pretty cover for it! The editing process hasn't begun yet, and I'm sure I'll moan and groan through it, but that part excites me as well, because it means the book is just getting that much closer to being finished and ready to be shared with everyone. Early 2013 can't come fast enough!
xo,
Lily
So, both of my short stories published with Torquere Press back in 2010 have been out of print for a while now, and I've just sort of been sitting on them, not sure what to do. All the rights are transferred back to me, so really, I can do anything I want with them. I thought fleetingly of either subbing to another publisher or even self-publishing on ARe, or Amazon. But in the end, I decided I'd much rather just offer them up as free reads on my blog.
So, my first ever published work, Forces of Nature, can be found here. It's about best friends, Evan and Drew, getting a little help from Mother Nature admitting their true feelings for each other.
In Just a Summer Fling, a beautiful surfer named Chris helps Ryan, who's just been dumped by his boyfriend, get some of his self-confidence back while he's on vacation. Fling can be found here.
Just a Summer Fling was also just reviewed over at Joyfully Jay as part of their Young Love Week. Not Familiar with the Joyfully Jay blog? Take a gander:
[image error]
Last week I supplied the Dreamspinner art department with input on what I would like to see for the cover of Analyzing Emory. When I started to fill out the information--What do the MCs look like? Do you want a drawn cover or one using stock photography? What's the tone of the story? Etc.--everything just started to feel so real. It's really happening! It wasn't some sort of April Fools joke in September. They're really publishing my book and they're even going to make a pretty cover for it! The editing process hasn't begun yet, and I'm sure I'll moan and groan through it, but that part excites me as well, because it means the book is just getting that much closer to being finished and ready to be shared with everyone. Early 2013 can't come fast enough!
xo,
Lily
September 14, 2012
Fell into a black hole for a while... but I'm back, and have BIG news!!
Hello one and all!
So, I've done what no writer with a blog should do. I haven't posted in a year. *Hides head in shame.* The last year has been an insanely crazy busy one. After deciding to make a relatively substantial career change, I got a new job, packed up everything I owned, left Boston where I had been living for over six years, and moved to the DC metro area.
Life is ducky, but with all that job searching, and packing, and moving, and unpacking, and getting settled in a new state in a new job, I found I didn't have much time for writing. But little by little, I managed to chip away at the novel I had been working on, and I am pleased as punch to report I just signed a contract with Dreamspinner Press! Analyzing Emory will be published sometime in early 2013. *Does a super happy dance.*
Here's what it's about:
Kyle is a psychologist who moves back to Chicago to take a job working at the GLBT Center run by a family friend. Recently out of a long-term relationship, Kyle needed to leave New York to get his life back on track. It's great being back in the town where he grew up and went to college. Everything is familiar. What Kyle didn't expect was Emory. Emory is difficult, and challenging, and doesn't want anything to do with the word "relationship." But Kyle doesn't want to give up on the enigmatic man who from their first meeting at a club took his breath away.
Emory has a lot of demons and a past he won't talk about. He goes out, has sex, and never gets attached. Period. But after spending the night with Kyle, he wasn't at all prepared to deal with how Kyle made him feel... like maybe he wanted more than a one-night-stand. When Kyle and Emory run into each other again at the GLBT Center and their lives begin to intertwine, they'll both find they each have a lot to learn, and maybe what they both need is each other.
I'm thrilled to be back and look for more updates in the near future!
xo,Lily
September 1, 2011
8th Anniversary Celebration!
It's the 8th birthday of
Torquere Press
!
In honor of this momentous occasion the fine folks at Torquere are holding a Lucky 8 Ball contest. By taking part in a scavenger hunt of authors' webpages and blogs (in which yours truly is participating ;)) you will have the chance to win fabulous prizes, including a Kindle! So, pop on over to the contest site and start scavenging!
In honor of this momentous occasion the fine folks at Torquere are holding a Lucky 8 Ball contest. By taking part in a scavenger hunt of authors' webpages and blogs (in which yours truly is participating ;)) you will have the chance to win fabulous prizes, including a Kindle! So, pop on over to the contest site and start scavenging!
August 25, 2011
Vacation, relocating, and anniversaries... oh my!
Holy, crazy, last few weeks.
Some really big things are coming up for me! First, it's finally time for my long-awaited summer vacation! I'm heading to Germany for two weeks to visit a friend. I'm so excited. I'm certain to come back with many plot bunnies wearing lederhosen. ;)
After I get back from my trip my life is in for a major overhaul. I've been offered an amazing new job that will be fantastic for my career (y'know, the career that pays the bills), but it requires me to relocate. So, in about a month I'll be boxing up my life, leaving Boston, and moving back down to Washington, DC. I lived there for about a year when I was in grad. school a while back, so it's a familiar place and I still have great friends in the area. It's still a huge change.... but a completely exciting one. It just means that for the next few months my life will be slightly crazed and stressful. It'll totally be worth it though. Let's just hope I can find some time for writing in there somewhere so my characters don't think I've completely abandoned them. ;)
Speaking of characters and writing, I have added a new works in progress page, so check it out to see what I have in the pipeline. Also, Torquere Press has an 8th anniversary celebration coming up! Starting in September Torquere will have some fun things going on including an author webpage scavenger hunt in which I'm taking part! So, keep your eyes peeled on the Torquere Press website come September for details.
Now, I have to get back to haphazardly throwing things in the direction of my suitcase. *grins*
Some really big things are coming up for me! First, it's finally time for my long-awaited summer vacation! I'm heading to Germany for two weeks to visit a friend. I'm so excited. I'm certain to come back with many plot bunnies wearing lederhosen. ;)
After I get back from my trip my life is in for a major overhaul. I've been offered an amazing new job that will be fantastic for my career (y'know, the career that pays the bills), but it requires me to relocate. So, in about a month I'll be boxing up my life, leaving Boston, and moving back down to Washington, DC. I lived there for about a year when I was in grad. school a while back, so it's a familiar place and I still have great friends in the area. It's still a huge change.... but a completely exciting one. It just means that for the next few months my life will be slightly crazed and stressful. It'll totally be worth it though. Let's just hope I can find some time for writing in there somewhere so my characters don't think I've completely abandoned them. ;)
Speaking of characters and writing, I have added a new works in progress page, so check it out to see what I have in the pipeline. Also, Torquere Press has an 8th anniversary celebration coming up! Starting in September Torquere will have some fun things going on including an author webpage scavenger hunt in which I'm taking part! So, keep your eyes peeled on the Torquere Press website come September for details.
Now, I have to get back to haphazardly throwing things in the direction of my suitcase. *grins*
July 21, 2011
My last post was when?!
*looks at last blog post date*
*looks at calendar*
*looks back at last blog post date*
Seriously?! Have I really not updated my blog since February?!
Wow. I'm pretty sure I deserve a spanking. LOL
So, the job that actually pays my bills has been running me into the ground. And, I had some writer's block issues. And, I'm trying to find a new job (hopefully) that won't make me want to bang my head repeatedly against a wall. So, things have been busy... just not hugely productive on the writing front.
BUT.... that doesn't mean that things haven't been looking up of late. I'm currently working on three things. First, there's a novel (my first!!! *does a dance*), where I'm this close to typing 'The End.' Then of course there's the multitude of edits, revisions, re-writes.... but let's take things one step at a time, shall we? I'm also working on a novella (which if it goes the way I'm envisioning it will actually be a paranormal series of sorts... but perhaps it's too early to say much more). And, finally, there is a short story about a sandwich (okay, so it's about two men... but there is a sandwich, and it does play a crucial role in the plot).
There are, of course, a few other things rolling around in my head like dust bunnies or that have very cursory outlines/beginnings, but the three things I mentioned above are getting first priority. (Unless a new plot bunny and new characters start screaming in my head to be written immediately, and NO, they will not wait! And yes, this has been known to happen... ;p)
Maybe I'll make it a project this weekend to add a WIP page to my blog. That would be good. So, even if I don't have anything new coming out people can see what the hell I'm up to. ;)
More info on WIPs soon. (Really, I promise!!)
Love,
Lily
*looks at calendar*
*looks back at last blog post date*
Seriously?! Have I really not updated my blog since February?!
Wow. I'm pretty sure I deserve a spanking. LOL
So, the job that actually pays my bills has been running me into the ground. And, I had some writer's block issues. And, I'm trying to find a new job (hopefully) that won't make me want to bang my head repeatedly against a wall. So, things have been busy... just not hugely productive on the writing front.
BUT.... that doesn't mean that things haven't been looking up of late. I'm currently working on three things. First, there's a novel (my first!!! *does a dance*), where I'm this close to typing 'The End.' Then of course there's the multitude of edits, revisions, re-writes.... but let's take things one step at a time, shall we? I'm also working on a novella (which if it goes the way I'm envisioning it will actually be a paranormal series of sorts... but perhaps it's too early to say much more). And, finally, there is a short story about a sandwich (okay, so it's about two men... but there is a sandwich, and it does play a crucial role in the plot).
There are, of course, a few other things rolling around in my head like dust bunnies or that have very cursory outlines/beginnings, but the three things I mentioned above are getting first priority. (Unless a new plot bunny and new characters start screaming in my head to be written immediately, and NO, they will not wait! And yes, this has been known to happen... ;p)
Maybe I'll make it a project this weekend to add a WIP page to my blog. That would be good. So, even if I don't have anything new coming out people can see what the hell I'm up to. ;)
More info on WIPs soon. (Really, I promise!!)
Love,
Lily
February 23, 2011
Forces of Nature reviewed over at Brief Encounters
It's always so nice when an older story gets some review attention.
Since Forces of Nature was my first published story it will always hold a special place in my heart and the characters, Drew and Evan, are quite precious to me. I love the idea that friends can become lovers and adore when opposites attract.
Jenre had some lovely things to say about it over at Brief Encounters Reviews.
February 16, 2011
In to the awkward phase...
So, my last release was in December. Now it's the middle of February. I don't have any manuscripts pending publication or even subbed. I sort of think of this as the awkward phase of writing. I'm currently writing two things, one novel and one novella, but neither one is anywhere near completion. I feel good that I'm finally tackling a novel length story. And, I'm encouraged that the muses are whispering so furiously in my ear that I couldn't bear to just work on one thing at a time. That has to be a good sign. But on the other hand, I just somehow want *poof* one of the stories I'm working on to magically appear fully formed onto the page so I can get on with it and hopefully get it published, so I can finally share it with you.
I'm like a five year old sitting in the back of my parents' car so excited to get to where we're going that I can't help but ask "Are we there yet?!" every two seconds. That's what it feels like when I'm writing. I think I need to remember that I'm an adult now, not five, and that I should take time to enjoy the scenery. Because that's why I started writing in the first place wasn't it? Not because I was desperate to finally see the finished product in print, but simply because I loved the process. I loved writing. I loved creating. It was never about 'getting published.' In fact, it's only been very recently that working with editors, and publishing, and marketing have become a part of my life. I guess I'm just so excited to show people what I've been working on. Patience has never been one of my virtues. hehe.
I'm probably getting close to half way done with the first draft of my novel. The main characters, Kyle and Emory, have become very near and dear to my heart already. Especially Emory. In the novella I'm working on I'm experimenting with flashbacks, so I'm having fun trying something new.
I wish I was a faster writer. I wish there were more hours in the day and that I didn't have to spend so many of the hours that I am afforded at the day job and taking care of other things. Seriously... does someone want to come and clean my apartment for me? But, c'est la vie. Time will march forward and I will complete my next story... when I complete it. That's the best I can do, and it'll have to be good enough.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to awkwardly working away on my stories. ;)
I'm like a five year old sitting in the back of my parents' car so excited to get to where we're going that I can't help but ask "Are we there yet?!" every two seconds. That's what it feels like when I'm writing. I think I need to remember that I'm an adult now, not five, and that I should take time to enjoy the scenery. Because that's why I started writing in the first place wasn't it? Not because I was desperate to finally see the finished product in print, but simply because I loved the process. I loved writing. I loved creating. It was never about 'getting published.' In fact, it's only been very recently that working with editors, and publishing, and marketing have become a part of my life. I guess I'm just so excited to show people what I've been working on. Patience has never been one of my virtues. hehe.
I'm probably getting close to half way done with the first draft of my novel. The main characters, Kyle and Emory, have become very near and dear to my heart already. Especially Emory. In the novella I'm working on I'm experimenting with flashbacks, so I'm having fun trying something new.
I wish I was a faster writer. I wish there were more hours in the day and that I didn't have to spend so many of the hours that I am afforded at the day job and taking care of other things. Seriously... does someone want to come and clean my apartment for me? But, c'est la vie. Time will march forward and I will complete my next story... when I complete it. That's the best I can do, and it'll have to be good enough.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to awkwardly working away on my stories. ;)
January 4, 2011
Aftermath
Wow. It's 2011. Christmas came and went. And An Angel for Christmas was published three weeks ago. Absolute craziness.
2010 was an incredible year. It was the year I became a published author. I can only hope that 2011 turns out even better. I can't complain. Life is pretty good.
The feedback I've received regarding An Angel for Christmas has been amazing. There is always a moment of panic when a new release comes out. I grit my teeth, squeeze my eyes shut, and pray that people like it. The comments I've received from readers have meant so much to me and I'm just over the moon about how people are responding to the story. There have also been some wonderful reviews written up and I can't thank the reviewers enough for taking the time to so thoughtfully critique my novella. Kassa wrote a guest review over at Jessewave, Lisa wrote some lovely things over at Michele 'n Jeff reviews, and Tam, who was so kind in the past to review Just a Summer Fling, was fantastic enough to mention this release as well over at her blog.
Read what they had to say:
Jessewave Reviews
Michele 'n Jeff Reviews
Tam's Reads
I must now indulge in a brief moment of fangirling. Of course authors want review sites to write reviews of their book. And, of course they want those reviews to be good ones. It's one of the best ways to get the word out about a new release and to get people excited about it so they will hopefully buy it. There are a gazillion review sites out there and a lot of them are very good. But Jessewave Reviews is arguably the biggest (and in my opinion, the absolute best) M/M Romance review site. I always thought that if I got a book reviewed on that site I had 'officially made it.' Perhaps silly, but, there you go. So, I basically had a minor heart attack when I found that my very own Christmas novella was reviewed there by none other than Kassa. I have followed Kassa's reviews for a while-- on her livejournal, Goodreads, and on Jessewave. I have always loved Kassa's reviews. She isn't afraid to write a bad review and she always says exactly what she thinks. After reading one of her reviews I feel I can really decide if a book is for me or not. Sometimes I find that review sites almost loose their meaning because every book reviewed gets a 4 or 5 star rating. Kassa is tough, though... and I mean that as the highest compliment. I feel that getting a 4 star rating from her really means something and I feel so flattered that she reviewed my story.
Now that release day has come and gone and the holidays are over I feel as though I can finally draw a breath. I've been so busy, but it's been a good busy. The only down side to all that busy is that writing has fallen by the way side. I can always tell when I've been neglecting my writing because the characters in my head start clamoring for attention and become very impatient with me. ;) A trip next week will find me soaking up rays on a tropical beach (yay!), but once I return to the wintry Northeast (hopefully with a tan!!) I simply can't wait to pull up my laptop and get back into my writing.
My upmost gratitude goes to the lovely folk at Torquere Press who made my dreams of becoming a published author come true and my heartfelt thanks to my readers. Thank you for allowing me to share my stories with you.
I wish everyone a happy, prosperous, and fulfilling 2011!!
Love,
Lily
2010 was an incredible year. It was the year I became a published author. I can only hope that 2011 turns out even better. I can't complain. Life is pretty good.
The feedback I've received regarding An Angel for Christmas has been amazing. There is always a moment of panic when a new release comes out. I grit my teeth, squeeze my eyes shut, and pray that people like it. The comments I've received from readers have meant so much to me and I'm just over the moon about how people are responding to the story. There have also been some wonderful reviews written up and I can't thank the reviewers enough for taking the time to so thoughtfully critique my novella. Kassa wrote a guest review over at Jessewave, Lisa wrote some lovely things over at Michele 'n Jeff reviews, and Tam, who was so kind in the past to review Just a Summer Fling, was fantastic enough to mention this release as well over at her blog.
Read what they had to say:
Jessewave Reviews
Michele 'n Jeff Reviews
Tam's Reads
I must now indulge in a brief moment of fangirling. Of course authors want review sites to write reviews of their book. And, of course they want those reviews to be good ones. It's one of the best ways to get the word out about a new release and to get people excited about it so they will hopefully buy it. There are a gazillion review sites out there and a lot of them are very good. But Jessewave Reviews is arguably the biggest (and in my opinion, the absolute best) M/M Romance review site. I always thought that if I got a book reviewed on that site I had 'officially made it.' Perhaps silly, but, there you go. So, I basically had a minor heart attack when I found that my very own Christmas novella was reviewed there by none other than Kassa. I have followed Kassa's reviews for a while-- on her livejournal, Goodreads, and on Jessewave. I have always loved Kassa's reviews. She isn't afraid to write a bad review and she always says exactly what she thinks. After reading one of her reviews I feel I can really decide if a book is for me or not. Sometimes I find that review sites almost loose their meaning because every book reviewed gets a 4 or 5 star rating. Kassa is tough, though... and I mean that as the highest compliment. I feel that getting a 4 star rating from her really means something and I feel so flattered that she reviewed my story.
Now that release day has come and gone and the holidays are over I feel as though I can finally draw a breath. I've been so busy, but it's been a good busy. The only down side to all that busy is that writing has fallen by the way side. I can always tell when I've been neglecting my writing because the characters in my head start clamoring for attention and become very impatient with me. ;) A trip next week will find me soaking up rays on a tropical beach (yay!), but once I return to the wintry Northeast (hopefully with a tan!!) I simply can't wait to pull up my laptop and get back into my writing.
My upmost gratitude goes to the lovely folk at Torquere Press who made my dreams of becoming a published author come true and my heartfelt thanks to my readers. Thank you for allowing me to share my stories with you.
I wish everyone a happy, prosperous, and fulfilling 2011!!
Love,
Lily
December 14, 2010
An Angel For Christmas
An Angel For Christmas is out now at Torquere Press!
You can find it HERE .
88 pages / 24,400 words
I'll be blogging all day today over at Torquere Press' livejournal. I'll be running several contests... one of which will be the chance to win a copy of my story. Please stop by and say hello!
You can find it HERE .
88 pages / 24,400 words
I'll be blogging all day today over at Torquere Press' livejournal. I'll be running several contests... one of which will be the chance to win a copy of my story. Please stop by and say hello!
