Robin P. Waldrop's Blog, page 4

Self Published Sadness

It saddens me to see that so many book reviewers refuse to read/review self published authors. We work just as hard, sometimes way harder than traditionally published authors. But, because those particular reviewers have gotten hold of poorly written books, they have stereotyped all SPA. NEWS BULLETIN: Just because someone has a publisher does not automatically make them a "good" writer.

That being said, I have found some really great reviewers out there who refuse to accept or reject a book totally on the premise of whether it is self published or not. Praises to those wonderful people out there. They choose books that they like without first checking the publisher's name. I love them all!! I think they should be given the highest praises!

I know that I will do everything in my power to make sure they get the thanks that they deserve.

KUDDOS TO ALL BLOGGER/REVIEWERS THAT STILL ACCEPT SELF/INDIE AUTHORS!!

NEW YA/URBAN FANTASY NOVEL

Genevieve Labreck finds herself in a world she thought only existed in fairytales...until now!

Ties To The Blood Moon is going live November 15th but you can win a copy sooner. Simply leave a comment to this post and include your contact info. Two lucky winners will be chosen. Hurry, contest ends November 10th.

YA/URBAN FANTASY READERS--LOOK OUT! HERE COMES GENEVIEVE

I'm so sorry I have been so neglectful toward my blog, but I have had good reason. I've been writing non-stop for the last two months and I am proud to say my YA/Urban Fantasy novel is finally finished.

Currently, it's undergoing edits, but I plan to release it December 1st--or sooner. I've also been writing to bloggers, reviewers, interviewers, and anybody I can think of that might read and review it before it's released.

I am dying to reveal the book cover because I love it so much, but I can't. Unfortunately, I am told I should wait until just before the book is released to reveal it. I will say this about it. It was created by the fabulous Claudia McKinney of phatpuppy art. Those of you who know her, know what awesome covers she creates. Those of you not familiar with her work, you can view it here.

Please keep watching, as I will reveal the book cover, and a blurb...soon

LOST HOPE IS GOING LIVE

Do you remember how it felt as a child, every year when Thanksgiving rolled around, you knew it meant in just a few short weeks Santa would be coming? How you counted the days, then when it got really close, you would get so excited, wondering if he got your letter, and hoping he hadn't found out that you got in trouble for drawing on your bedroom wall--in permanent marker--or cutting paper dolls from your dad's very important business documents. And when it came down to Christmas eve night and your parents told you Santa would come only after you went to sleep. You laid awake in bed so excited you couldn't sleep. Do you remember that feeling? That's how I felt from the time I signed my contract until last night when LOST HOPE went live!!!!

I am super excited and proud to announce the release of my short story, LOST HOPE. It is available for purchase here, and here and several other places, such as B&N, Kobo, etc...

Books To Go Now is a wonderful boutique e-publisher who currently publishers various genres of short stories. There is also an author spotlight page, you can view by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Thanks so much for supporting me and waiting patiently for its release. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also, I would like to encourage you to write a review, which you can easily do here. Many readers do not realize how important reviews are towards advancing a writer's career.

Once again, thank you and I hope you will keep watching for the release of my YA/Urban fantasy novel, Ties To The Blood Moon, due out later this fall.

LOST HOPE BOOK COVER

This is the Book Cover to my short story--LOST HOPE. It's due to be released in 2-weeks by Books To Go Now Publishing. When it becomes available, I will add a link to the sites where you can buy a copy, here, Twitter, and Facebook. 

YA/URBAN FANTASY

I think I have found my niche. I recently started a new YA/urban fantasy series and I am having the time of my life. I find myself thinking about this book every waking hour and some nights I dream about it, too. No kidding.

Before, I never read anything but suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, with the occasional romance thrown in here and there. So, naturally when I decided to write, it was only natural to think I wanted to write in those genre's.
It wasn't until recently that I read my first YA/urban fantasy, and was immediately hooked. I told myself i need to try to write one just to see. Since that day I've been having a ball and I only wish I would've discovered this new love sooner.

My husband is feeling a bit threatened lately, because I can't hardly drag myself away from my laptop. I wake up super early in the morning to write, and Go to bed way later than I was. I have a ruptured disk in my back that , unfortunately, made it hard for me to sit in one position for any length of time. Since starting this novel, I can sit in one position for hours. It's crazy, I know, but it's true.

So, if your having to make yourself take time out of your day to write, then maybe your in need of a genre change!!

REWRITES-ARGH!!

Hi friends. I'll bet you're all wondering what happened to me. I know i have been a bit neglectful, but, I have good reason. A REWRITE.

I'm sure most, if not all, of you can relate. OMG! I have been at this thing for about three weeks now? and I am nowhere close to being finished. My good friend and author, Aaron P. Lazar--Gus LaGarde Mysteries--keeps telling me to take my time. Make it the best it can be. which i know is good advice and he's right. BUT, I am not one who was born with patience. I blame that on my parents...lol. Yes, spoiled, I was.

I have also been taking a little time from my writing(you know, when your brain is mush and you can't remember how to spell even the simplest word) and meeting new folks on facebook.  I'll tell you. I never knew there were so many warm, kind, and funny people out there. I have also met a lot of writers and people in the business. They all have welcomed me so warmly. I am truly overwhelmed.

I am still so new to this business. But, I have made a promise from the first day I began writing: I will always remember where I came from, and how it felt to be the 'new guy'. There are some of the more famous writers who just won't take time for newbies, and I'm sorry if I offend anyone here, but that really ticks me off! I mean, they didn't just wake up one day and say, "I think I'll write a book and become famous." Well, not anyone I know of, that is. No, they started exactly where you and I did. what would it hurt them to take one day from there busy life, and help a few folks by mentoring, or answering questions. Instead, they add a page to their site with a few paragraphs and label it "for writers".

That being said, there are some wonderful people who, no matter how many zeros was printed on their last check, will stop in the middle of their very busy day(s) and go completely out of their way to help guide and develop new writing. My hat's off to these guys. You know who you are--stand up and take a bow.

I actually had a young lady write to me--yes me, a nobody--and ask me questions about the writing business.  I was shocked and elated. So, what did I do? I wrote her a two page letter telling her everything I could think of that I know, or have learned. And after that, I told her to write to me anytime and if I could help I would. Even if I never make a million dollars, or I make fifty million dollars, I promise to still be watching for that occasional email from the newbie writer.

Have you noticed how I tend to ramble and get way off track...lol. Oh well. I just call em' like I see em'!

Now, back to the rewrite. I hope to have this thing finished by August end. There are three other outlines I have written and can't wait to get started on those.

Gotta go...More later   ;o)

RE-WRITES

Okay, so I've been neglecting my family, friends, blog, facebook friends, and my website, and anyone else I might have forgot to mention. But it's for good cause.

I'm currently working on a major rewrite for the novel that was to be entitled Twisted. The name has changed to The Cabin. Sounds more enticing, huh. I have been very fortunate in finding some very good friends who are authors, and who have taken me under their proverbial wing. I think when I'm finished this time, I shouldn't have any trouble gaining an agent...I hope.

I'm no Amanda Hocking, Stephanie Meyer, or JK Rowling, BUT, I do have a great story to tell, and I believe the world wants to hear it.

I had been discouraged for so long, it's just taking me a little time to get back in the saddle and knock out this rewrite. But with all the encouragement I am receiving from everyone, I now feel a new sense of purpose, and am moving on full speed ahead.

Oh yeah. I still haven't received the edits from my publisher for my short story yet, but will keep you all informed. Thanks to all who have supported me.

Sign On The Dotted Line

I have had one of the greatest weeks! As I'm sure you know, I have been pursuing publication for several months, without any luck. That was until a few days ago, anyway.

My day started much the same as any other day: Wake up early, write for an hour, get dressed, and drive to work in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Paint all day in the stifling heat, drive home in the same bumper-to-bumper traffic, cook dinner, write for an hour, take a shower, and go to bed.

On Tuesday, my day started the same way, but ended in a much different light. At two o'clock, I sat down for my break and decided to check my email--something I had almost quit doing all together. As I scrolled through the junk mail, there it was. An email from a publisher. I figured it was another rejection.

"Dear Robin: We have read and reviewed your short story submission, and we would like to publish it."
I jumped up, and started doing the happy dance while shouting, "They want to publish me."  I'm sure everyone that I was crazy, but I didn't care.

Finally, after many rejections, my persistence paid off. I know its only a short story, and I probably won't make more than a few dollars, BUT, I've gotten my foot in the door.

I now have a renewed sense of purpose. I'm excited about writing again, and my mind is flooded with new ideas. This is exactly what this writer needed.

I will update my blog as my story gets closer to publication, and keep everyone that's interested, informed.

What's the moral to this story? If you truly love writing, NEVER GIVE UP!

I MISS YOU DAD

Happy Fathers Day to my deceased father.  He's been gone sixteen long years, and I miss him as much today as I ever did.  He was my hero, and I cherished my time with him. 

You see, I am the product of a divorced family, and after he and my mother divorced, our visits became more scarce with each passing year. Until finally, I was grown, and our visits stopped and our relationship was reduced to an occasional phone call.

I had become too busy with my own life, and he with his work.  Who knew I would get a call on my birthday saying he had cancer. But stupid me thought he was invincible.

Our phone calls to each other increased dramatically over the next three months.  We talked and laughed, sharing stories about things we'd done together when I was a little girl.

The call came on a Thursday afternoon.  He had taken a turn for the worse.  I called my husband at work, crying.  He rushed home, we loaded our five children in the van, and my husband, such a trooper, drove all night to get me to the hospital. 

We arrived at the hospital the next day, and he got to meet my youngest two daughters for the first time. It was a bittersweet reunion. My husband and children went to a hotel, and I made a vigil at my dads bedside.

Sometime the next morning he faded into a coma, but I stayed right there, holding his hand and praying. In that conversation, I made my peace, and told him it was all right, he could go home. But he wouldn't. My dad held on another two days six hours and eleven minutes.

It wasn't until I went to the cafeteria that he died.  I was gone only six minutes, and when i stepped off the elevator, his nurse was standing outside his door.  My heart sank, for I knew he had gone home.

Happy Fathers Day, Daddy.  I miss you. 

Signed, Your little girl.