Nancy Naigle's Blog, page 36

New Title for Out of Focus? What’s the Scoop?

Hey Friends,

Here’s the scoop. You probably remember that I signed a 4 book deal with Amazon Publishing earlier this year for my Adams Grove series. My editors and I have been re-working/revising the first two books, Sweet Tea and Serets and Out of Focus. I’m really excited about them, and I can’t wait for the new versions to get into readers hands. Since book three is Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes we want to find Out of Focus a new name that fits the story and the series.

With your help, I know we can find the perfect match! So, let’s see what we can come up with.

This story, if you haven’t read the original version, is about a commercial photographer, Kasey Phillips, who thinks her biggest problem is deciding whether to photograph Cody Tuggle’s honky-tonkin’ tour, until an accident on Route 58 claims the life of her husband.

In a desperate race against time as a hurricane threatens the eastern seaboard, they search for her three-year-old son who is missing from the wreckage.

A community and friends rally to help, but someone knows more than they are telling.

Some of the suggestions we’ve received so far are:

“Biscuits and Beaux” or “Biscuits and Bows”

Cornbread and Comfort

F-stops and heart drops

Country Songs and Hurricane Gone

Family Time and Country Line

Photographs and Lies

Mint Juleps and Justice

Country Songs and Hope Belongs

Camera Lens and Dead Ends

Bread Pudding and Promise

Porch Swings and Promises

Honeysuckle and Heartache

Pecan Pie and Alibis

Do any of those float your boat? Or can you do better?

________ AND _________.

Leave a comment with your entry or vote. Whoever comes up with the winning title will get a $25 Amazon gift card.

We brainstormed to help get you going.



Thanks y'all!

Booklovers Unite!

For those of you that know me well, you know that I attend several writers conferences and events each year. I love the chance to meet other readers and authors in person. So much of what we do anymore seems to be online and these in-person events put personality into those later online interactions.

My favorite events are those focused on readers AND authors.

For that reason, I’m starting a list of reader/author events across the nation.

I won’t necesarily be attending all of these, but I hope the list will help us all make more connections along the way.  Help me build this list — we’ll keep it updated with new entries, and don’t forget to leave a note about your experience at these events so others will know if it’s the right fit for them next time!

2012

JUNE – 6/20-24/2012 ROMFest – Gatlinburg, TN

JUNE – 6/21-24/2012 ROMCon - Denver, CO

AUGUST – 8/12th 1-4pm FREE  Adirondack Reader ~ Reader Author’s Fair - Inlet, NY

NOVEMBER – 11/3/2012 Southern Magic Romance Readers Luncheon - Birmingham, AL

NOVEMBER – 11/9-11/2012 Readers & ‘ritas -  Allen, TX

NOVEMBER – 11/10/2012 Heart of Louisiana’s Annual Romance Readers Luncheon

2013

JANUARY – 1/17-20/2013 Girlfriend Weekend - Jefferson, TX

APRIL  -  4/27/2013  Barbara Vey Reader Author Luncheon – Milwaukee, WI

MAY – date tbd Heart of Dixie Annual Reader Luncheon – Alabama

MAY – 5/31 – 6/1/2013 Arizona Dreamin’ Romance Reader Event - Chandler, AZ

JUNE – 2013 date not announed yet  Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together - Cincinnati, OH

Thoughout the year – http://www.bookyourlunch.com/ Greenville, SC – a series of author lunches at The Lazy Goat

Southern is more than an accent, Suga’

I spent last week in New York City for Book Expo America. I’ll be posting all the fabulous fun from the event, but before I get to that blog entry I just had to share this experience. I titled it Southern is more than an accent, Suga’ because aside from the fact that everyone I uttered a word to said, “Where are you from?” like it was so cute….but I swear there must be something to the way that a southern gal raises her arm and flips her hand in hopes for a taxi ride that just does not translate into Manhattanese.

I’m no wimp. I promise you that. I’m a strong gal and I’ll tell you like it is, of course, it’ll be in a polite way that momma would be proud of, and no not everything that ends in bless your heart is an insult. A real southern lady rolls that phrase right off her tongue in sincere concern and prayers. Yes, really!

Anyway, back to the taxi situation. I was in New York City for four days and in I racked up a ZERO Sigma – 0% – losing streak to not be surpassed, perfect record in a not-so-good-kind of way in taxi hailin’. I stood with purpose and pushed my arm into the air (pulled in my pinky to not look too delicate) and whoosh those daggone yellow cars sped by me one right after another. I even stepped dangerously into the traffic stream praying for a little help to no avail. I couldn’t tell you if a light on the top means they have someone or not so I waved like a beauty queen on a float and forty glasses of sweet tea—nothing.

Monday night I had a wonderful time at the Amazon Publishing Cocktail Party at the boutique hotel INK48, and then headed off to the Providence where the IPPY Awards were being held. Now, if you’ve never heard of the Providence, honey, you take a moment right this minute and click this link because it is one of the most exquisite places I’ve ever been. http://www.metronomenyc.com/our-venues/providence-nyc  The Providence is an old church. It’s cathedral ceilings and fine wood contrast the sparkling chandeliers. It  is truly breathtaking.

I was being awarded the BEST BOOK MARKETING AWARD in this fairy tale location and let me tell you … I was excited! Hello, Sinatra, Streisand and Stevie Wonder himself sang in this space. Here I was, Nancy Naigle from Virginia receiving an award in this amazing space. It was a fun night, and I met interesting authors and heard great stories all evening. I got to see my book cover on the jumbotron, get my picture taken with an Olympic style (I swear that thing weighs two pounds) GOLD Medal around my neck and mingle with folks that understood the blood, sweat, tears, and prayers that had gone into that journey.

So, there I was at the Providence on 57th Street. I have this blingy gold medal hanging around my neck and it’s late. Okay, well not NY late, but totally Virginia girl late. I step out and for ten minutes I hailed and hailed and did a cab stop? Hail no!  Didn’t even slow down. It was like while my hand was in the air and I held my I’m-not-a-tourist stare steady my hand was saying, “Hey there, wouldn’t one of y’all please stop and take me back to my hotel, because my granny would just die if she knew I was about to walk the streets of NYC by myself in the dark. Helloooo. Please.” Um, yeah. Those cars swept past me in a quick y’all y’all y’all. I’m pretty sure not even one had a second thought about me. I honestly, and I am not exaggerating as I’m known to do at times, but I really truly would have paid $100 for a ride to the hotel. I’d much rather walk alone in the pitch black darkness of my country home road at the risk of a coyote, nickel-sized mosquitoes, or a pissed-off on-her-last-nerve ready-to-spray momma skunk than walk down a NY block alone.

I was staying down at the Marriout Marquis. Well, I don’t really know if it was down or up or mid, but it was at least like 2 big blocks and 12 little blocks away. And who the heck cares if the blocks are little or big? They’re scary when you don’t know the city and people don’t smile at you, or heck even look you in the eye. Where I come from if people don’t look you in the eye it’s because they’re up to no good. So, after trucking through the streets of NY on foot clutching my purse (it now contained my coveted IPPY medal) I walked and walked and walked. I had no idea if I was even really going in the right direction except that I did remember the Marriott Marquis was in Times Square and there were a lot of lights ahead. That had to mean something, right?

I dipped into a well-lit store and asked the clerk if I was anywhere near the Marriott Marquis. He looked at me like I was speaking another language and shrugged. I repeated myself and the other guy finally repeated the words and said keep going, pointing in the direction I’d been heading. Of course, my thoughts turned to evil young boys pranking on a lost girl and I wondered if they were sending me to a seedy section of town or in the wrong direction altogether for their own kicks and giggles.

Three blocks later I saw a sign that I was headed in the right direction. A huge monstrosity of an M&M store. I do love some M&Ms and that store had caught my attention on the ride in from the airport. Oh yes, that was in a taxi, but no hailing was involved just a line that reached at least 2 long or 6 short city blocks and over an hour of my time to get to the front. At least the airport taxi ladies just pointed me to a car. Had I had to hail…I may have never left the airport.

So the next time I go to NY, I’m considering ordering a small banner from VistaPrint that I can unscroll that says “Please stop, Suga’, I really really would appreciate a ride, and I’m an excellent tipper.” Maybe that’ll work. What do you think?

Reader Author Get-Togethers

Reader Author get-togethers are becoming more and more popular and I for one am thrilled about that.

They come in several varieties from a dessert party, afternoon tea, luncheon to a weekend-filled-with-fun escape like the annual Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together. I attended Lori’s event June 1-4th in West Chester, Ohio. Conveniently located near Cincinnati at the Marriott this event had over 500 attendees this year. It’s a casual array of events where you  feel comfortable chatting with your favorite author and jumping in on conversations about books. Aside from book signings there are games (I won a bottle of chocolate wine in the Pictionary game — since I don’t drink wine I handed it over to some blogger buddies headed back to Charlotte, NC), photo opportunities, raffles and give-aways. Most of these events work closely with their local libraries and/or charities and make it a fundraiser too. The 2012 Lori Foster RAGT raised money for One Way Farm and the Animal Assistance Foundation. I did my share of supporting through the purchase of 100′s of raffle tickets. Did I win anything? Nope, but I sure had lots of fun reconnecting with friends from last year, making new friends this year and schmoozing with some of my favorite authors like Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, Lori Foster, Duffy Brown, Toni Blake and a list too long to write here!  If you want to see who all was in attendance you can visit www.lorifoster.com

I’m going to start a list of reader-author events and keep it on my website to help more folks find and enjoy the opportunity to hang out with their favorite authors and make friends with like-minded readers. If you know of one … send me the information and I’ll add it to my list.

Hugs and happy reading~

Romance is in the Air~

Hi Friends

While some of y'all are getting your kids set for spring break this week – I'm off for a week of Writer Girl Fun.

This afternoon I'm jumping on a plane and heading for Milwaukee, WI. Tomorrow I'll be hanging with authors and readers at the Barbara Vey Readers Luncheon in Oak Creek. It's going to be such a fun day chatting about the books we love and giving away lots of awesome prizes.

Then, a quick drive down to Chicago (last time I was there it was because I was stuck due to my flights being cancelled – this will be way more fun!) for the big Romantic Times Convention. I've got a booth down in Club RT so I hope anyone attending will stop by and visit. I've got lots of fun planned including buttons – IF I WERE IN A NOVEL I'D BE… (you fill in the blank – I've got markers and stickers – should be a hoot! I might need several – let's see…I'll be a Size 6 – the crazy aunt – the secret admirer …)

I've also got a prize wheel. Just for signing up for newsletter updates from Friends of Crossroads you get to spin the wheel and you could win one of the adorable READ. RELAX. REPEAT. prizes pictured below. Beach bags and lunch bags with room for your favorite novel or eReader and huggies so your water bottle (or diet Coke) doesn't sweat on your books. Or you could get other prizes like bookmarks, treats or muah-muah something like a stick on moustache.  Fingers crossed for the adorable tote bag or cool bookmarks – although a moustache at one of these parties could be kind of fun, too. I can picture it now – glittery fairy wings and a big fat black moustache hahah.

Hope to see you there — but no worries – if you can't make it, I'll be posting fun updates here on my blog, facebook and twitter throughout the week and you know you can count on www.beyondherbook.com for updates from Barbara Vey, too!

Hugs and happy reading~

Nancy

Sweet Tea and Secrets – Sightings Around The Town

Hey Friends,

Just sharing a few online "flickr" photos of Sweet Tea and Secrets sightings around different towns this year. Here we are in Philadelphia, PA. More than 8,700 attendees gathered in Philadelphia, March 13–17, for the Public Library Association 2012 Biennial Conference and Sweet Tea and Secrets was on display.

See if you can spot the book cover or Adams Grove bookmarks among these pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43822981@N02/6882198672/in/set-72157629698620367/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43822981@N02/6882203200/in/set-72157629698620367/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43822981@N02/6882199626/in/set-72157629698620367/

This is the annual show that librarians attend to gather information from all the book publishers. Let's hope a few librarians fell in love with Adams Grove

Thanks for your caring support. I sure appreciate it.

Hugs and happy reading~
Nancy

I’m a Montlake Girl

Hi, Friends,

I’ve got exciting news. I just signed a 4-book deal with Amazon Publishing – Montlake Romance line for my Adams Grove series. I’m so excited to have the dream team led by Kelli Martin (editor) in my corner.

I was running around singing, “I’m an Amazon Girl.” But my momma, being the southern lady that she is, quickly educated me that “Amazon Girl” may not be the most flattering image. With her help, Mom’s a songwriter you know, we revised the words to my new celebration song to “I’m a Montlake Girl.” Yippeee.

Both Sweet Tea and Secrets and Out of Focus will be re-released with some fabulous revisions and new covers soon. Then in 2013, Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes will take you back to join in the festivities at Jill and Garrett’s wedding and so much more. Followed by Cody Tuggle’s story in Out of Frame in the second half of the year(which is going to be here before we know it if the months keep flying by like they have!! Can you believe it’s almost April!)

Of course, the titles could change and I’m sure there’ll be lots of fun along the way, so I’ll keep you posted. I can’t wait to get a sneak peek of the new covers and if you want to be the first to see them…be sure to sign up for my free newsletter on my website www.nancynaigle.com/ncont.htm

Hugs and high 5~

I'm a Montlake Girl

Hi, Friends,

I've got exciting news. I just signed a 4-book deal with Amazon Publishing – Montlake Romance line for my Adams Grove series. I'm so excited to have the dream team led by Kelli Martin (editor) in my corner.

I was running around singing, "I'm an Amazon Girl." But my momma, being the southern lady that she is, quickly educated me that "Amazon Girl" may not be the most flattering image. With her help, Mom's a songwriter you know, we revised the words to my new celebration song to "I'm a Montlake Girl." Yippeee.

Both Sweet Tea and Secrets and Out of Focus will be re-released with some fabulous revisions and new covers soon. Then in 2013, Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes will take you back to join in the festivities at Jill and Garrett's wedding and so much more. Followed by Cody Tuggle's story in Out of Frame in the second half of the year(which is going to be here before we know it if the months keep flying by like they have!! Can you believe it's almost April!)

Of course, the titles could change and I'm sure there'll be lots of fun along the way, so I'll keep you posted. I can't wait to get a sneak peek of the new covers and if you want to be the first to see them…be sure to sign up for my free newsletter on my website www.nancynaigle.com/ncont.htm

Hugs and high 5~

Celebrate International Women’s Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day and according to 123Greetings.com ::

It’s almost always that women have the strongest yet quietest influence on us. Through different roles they so ably perform, as mom, teacher, wife, grandma, friend or sister, they are always there with a smile, support or strength. Reach out to all the special women that you know with our warm ecards on International Women’s Day.

In honor of International Women’s Day my first Adams Grove Novel – Sweet Tea and Secrets - is FREE through Amazon for your Kindle (or the kindle app on your computer!!).   http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Secrets-Adams-Grove-ebook/dp/B005C14XD2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330868647&sr=1-1 If you’ve already enjoyed the book, leave a review on Amazon today and tell one of your favorite gals about the opportunity - if you haven’t read it, I hope you’ll take advantage of the FREE offer and celebrate women with wonderful examples in this story like:

  Pearl Clemmons – best known for her award winning chocolate pecan pie and the best darned unsolicited advice in Adams Grove. The unspoken matriarch of the small town.
  Millie – Pearl’s very best friend and just as fiesty as Pearl.
Jill Clemmons – Pearl’s granddaughter who has come back to Adams Grove. Kind-hearted and capable of anything.
Carolanne – Carolanne is a lawyer now working in the big apple. Carolanne and Jill have been best friends since grade school. Distance or time – neither one can break their bond.
Macy - The gal who was “all that” in high school is back in Adams Grove after her marriage went kapoot. She’s still fearless and making lemonade out of any pile of lemons set in her path.

You might find another favorite woman among the dynamic gals of Adams Grove.

You can meet even more of them in my novel OUT OF FOCUS (also available in print and digital).

Tell me about the wonderful women you celebrate today.

Hugs and happy reading — and a high 5 wonderful woman!

Nancy

Celebrate International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day and according to 123Greetings.com ::

It's almost always that women have the strongest yet quietest influence on us. Through different roles they so ably perform, as mom, teacher, wife, grandma, friend or sister, they are always there with a smile, support or strength. Reach out to all the special women that you know with our warm ecards on International Women's Day.

In honor of International Women's Day my first Adams Grove Novel – Sweet Tea and Secrets - is FREE through Amazon for your Kindle (or the kindle app on your computer!!).   http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Secrets-Adams-Grove-ebook/dp/B005C14XD2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330868647&sr=1-1 If you've already enjoyed the book, leave a review on Amazon today and tell one of your favorite gals about the opportunity - if you haven't read it, I hope you'll take advantage of the FREE offer and celebrate women with wonderful examples in this story like:

  Pearl Clemmons – best known for her award winning chocolate pecan pie and the best darned unsolicited advice in Adams Grove. The unspoken matriarch of the small town.
  Millie – Pearl's very best friend and just as fiesty as Pearl.
Jill Clemmons – Pearl's granddaughter who has come back to Adams Grove. Kind-hearted and capable of anything.
Carolanne – Carolanne is a lawyer now working in the big apple. Carolanne and Jill have been best friends since grade school. Distance or time – neither one can break their bond.
Macy - The gal who was "all that" in high school is back in Adams Grove after her marriage went kapoot. She's still fearless and making lemonade out of any pile of lemons set in her path.

You might find another favorite woman among the dynamic gals of Adams Grove.

You can meet even more of them in my novel OUT OF FOCUS (also available in print and digital).

Tell me about the wonderful women you celebrate today.

Hugs and happy reading — and a high 5 wonderful woman!

Nancy