Samantha Combs's Blog, page 28
July 16, 2011
Why I Choose E-Publishers
As an author, I am often asked why my books aren't available in print. I have to admit, there is a small part of me that misses what must be a serious rush experienced by sitting at a table with a stack of your newly-minted print book hot off the presses to the right of you, bottles of water and fresh sharpies in a regimented row to the left and a long, impressive line of panting fans in front of you dying, simply dying to have you, and only you, autograph their barely-a-minute-ago purchased copy of your latest tome. I mean, COME ONE....that has got to be fraggin' neat-god damn-capital-O!
Alas, that is not the path I have chosen. Yes, I said it, CHOSEN. Because I continue to submit my manuscripts to e-publishers and in order for you to understand why, I have to tell you a story.
I have a friend, a really terrific writer, and we had been going down the same I-hope-I-get-published highway. She went a different route than me. I chose to submit directly to the publishers I liked and found online. I WILL admit I was rejected by agents, some who wrote me some terrific rejection letters with great advice, MOST of which I took. Two I will name here because they are awesome: I respect and am indebted to Louise Fury and Bree Ogden. One I met and one I didn't, but both offered the kind of advice and encouragement a debut author can only dream of receiving. But I digress.
My friend did get an agent, and they did get a publishing deal and when she told me I was thrilled for her. In that same time period my publisher released my novel with a killer cover in digital format everywhere. Then I submitted another manuscript to them and received a contract with them for another novel to release in two months time, and I submitted and received a contract for a novel with another publisher, to be released in another two months time as well. That meant I would be releasing 3 novels in 5 months. When I asked my friend when hers would be coming out, she said summer of 2013.
Summer of 2013? I couldn't help thinking all kinds of macabre thoughts. What happened if she died? What happened if they went bankrupt? And my first thought? Why did it take so long?
I would still love to be at book signing and it would be cool to see my book on shelves at Target or something, but how hard would it be to wait that long? At the rate that I write, could a traditional publisher even keep up with me? Anyway, as promised here are the reasons I choose to publish with
e-publishers:
My children will not be in college before my manuscripts publishThere is great satisfaction in this process flow only taking two months: Finish-cover art-edit-publishI don't get sick of my own work waiting for the publishing processE-publishing does not add to the carbon footprintThe ability to publish frequently keeps your name out there and your fans interestedFor the record, my awesome publishers, so far: for my two YA paranormal romances, www.astraeapress.com and for my upcoming MG horror/thriller, www.aspenmountainpress.com for their new imprint, Aura Speculative Fiction.
No matter what you decide or where you are published, there is only one thing anyone can call you when you publish your work.........Author. Welcome to the club!
Alas, that is not the path I have chosen. Yes, I said it, CHOSEN. Because I continue to submit my manuscripts to e-publishers and in order for you to understand why, I have to tell you a story.
I have a friend, a really terrific writer, and we had been going down the same I-hope-I-get-published highway. She went a different route than me. I chose to submit directly to the publishers I liked and found online. I WILL admit I was rejected by agents, some who wrote me some terrific rejection letters with great advice, MOST of which I took. Two I will name here because they are awesome: I respect and am indebted to Louise Fury and Bree Ogden. One I met and one I didn't, but both offered the kind of advice and encouragement a debut author can only dream of receiving. But I digress.
My friend did get an agent, and they did get a publishing deal and when she told me I was thrilled for her. In that same time period my publisher released my novel with a killer cover in digital format everywhere. Then I submitted another manuscript to them and received a contract with them for another novel to release in two months time, and I submitted and received a contract for a novel with another publisher, to be released in another two months time as well. That meant I would be releasing 3 novels in 5 months. When I asked my friend when hers would be coming out, she said summer of 2013.
Summer of 2013? I couldn't help thinking all kinds of macabre thoughts. What happened if she died? What happened if they went bankrupt? And my first thought? Why did it take so long?
I would still love to be at book signing and it would be cool to see my book on shelves at Target or something, but how hard would it be to wait that long? At the rate that I write, could a traditional publisher even keep up with me? Anyway, as promised here are the reasons I choose to publish with
e-publishers:
My children will not be in college before my manuscripts publishThere is great satisfaction in this process flow only taking two months: Finish-cover art-edit-publishI don't get sick of my own work waiting for the publishing processE-publishing does not add to the carbon footprintThe ability to publish frequently keeps your name out there and your fans interestedFor the record, my awesome publishers, so far: for my two YA paranormal romances, www.astraeapress.com and for my upcoming MG horror/thriller, www.aspenmountainpress.com for their new imprint, Aura Speculative Fiction.
No matter what you decide or where you are published, there is only one thing anyone can call you when you publish your work.........Author. Welcome to the club!
July 13, 2011
My First Review
Hi everyone. I'm excited and pleased to tell you my first review is in for Spellbound......AND IT GOT 4 OUT OF 5 STARS! How about that? I was super lucky that the reviewer really seemed to tap into the inner struggle of Serena and Logan and understand the coming-of-age aspect of their journey. While it is great to get a high mark in my review, I think my greater joy was my dawning recognition that I have written something that someone "GETS", do you know what I mean? That, for me, was the greater astonishment, even greater, truly, than the great marks. Even though it was stellar to get those, don't get me wrong. So here, for your reading pleasure, is my first blogger review. Thanks to Sherry Gloag, author in her own right, of Duty Calls, available now at all the usual suspects. Thank you Sherry, for an insightful and thoughtfully written review!
Sherry Gloag's Reviews > Spellbound
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edit my review
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bySamantha Combs, Elaina Lee (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)
Sherry Gloag's review Jul 13, 11
Read in July, 2011
Review:
Writing in the 1st person can be restricting, but Ms Combs overcomes both this, and head-hopping, in Spellbound with her masterly use of giving various characters their own sections in the story. Not only does the reader see the events from multiple viewpoints, but each one segues neatly into the next without slowing the pace of the story.
There is a large cast of characters, but the author's technique ensures the reader never loses track of her main players. I did find keeping track of what the different coven members specialised in a bit hard, but once again Ms Combs kept prompting me as the story progressed.
Logan and Serena's meeting is the catalyst for change in their lives. For Logan, it is about discovering a whole new aspect of life and coming to terms with it when he discovers the girl he is falling in love with is a twitch – teenage witch – then his widowed mother reveals secrets which tilt his new and topsy-turvy life upside down. That he adjusts copes so well with each revelation and its consequences might have the author turning him into some sort of super-human, but no, under Ms Combs influence Logan grows and matures with a compassion and understanding that never becomes mawkish or unrealistic.
While Serena seems to have her future mapped out for her and her elder and younger sisters around for support, encouragement and sharing, it soon becomes clear that that any reader pre-conceptions soon go up in a puff of demonic smoke. Her new boyfriend is not the only one who finds his life tilting on its axis as revelations aplenty are thrown at her. Serena's strength of character matches that of her boyfriend, Logan and together with the support of some fun and entertaining characters face their biggest challenge knowing the cost of losing would be death for at least one of them.
The secondary characters all play their parts in moving the story forward and come from different arenas and yet all come together at the end of this fluently written and fast-paced story in such a manner this reader was sad to part company with them at the end of their tale.
For those who enjoy YA, paranormal and romance all wrapped up together, then Ms Combs is an author to watch out for.unlike
1 likeflag
Sherry Gloag's Reviews > Spellbound
onclickcheckOpenSelectssubmitShelfLinkcheckboxgetElementByIdcheckboxuncheckgetElementByIdsavingMessagegetElementByIdonsubmitevalScriptsonSuccessshelfSubmittedcheckboxshelfSubmittedcheckboxresponseTextafterShelfSavecheckboxescapeHTMLeditShelfNameshelfIdshelfNameoldShelfNametypeofshelfNameshelfNamenewShelfNameoldShelfNamenewShelfNamenewShelfNameevalScriptsonSuccesseditShelfNameCompletenewShelfNameshelfIdnewShelfNamerefreshGroupBoxevalScriptsonSuccessrefreshGroupBoxComplete my rating: starRatingsratingIndexcheckStars
edit my review
shelf: read createWindowShelfChoosershelfChooserappendChildshelfChooserShelfChoosershelfChooserInputchoosersamanthacacheChosenafterCloseafterChooseshelfNamebookIdbookIdshelfLinkschosenShelfNamehref="http://samanthacombswrites.blogspot.com/review/list/5655090?shelf='+ chosenShelfName+'" class="shelfLink">'+chosenShelfName+'bookIdshelfLinksshelfChoosersetStyleshelfChoosertypeofshelfChoosershelfChoosercreateWindowShelfChoosercreateWindowShelfChooser SpellboundbySamantha Combs, Elaina Lee (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)
Sherry Gloag's review Jul 13, 11 Read in July, 2011 Review:
Writing in the 1st person can be restricting, but Ms Combs overcomes both this, and head-hopping, in Spellbound with her masterly use of giving various characters their own sections in the story. Not only does the reader see the events from multiple viewpoints, but each one segues neatly into the next without slowing the pace of the story.
There is a large cast of characters, but the author's technique ensures the reader never loses track of her main players. I did find keeping track of what the different coven members specialised in a bit hard, but once again Ms Combs kept prompting me as the story progressed.
Logan and Serena's meeting is the catalyst for change in their lives. For Logan, it is about discovering a whole new aspect of life and coming to terms with it when he discovers the girl he is falling in love with is a twitch – teenage witch – then his widowed mother reveals secrets which tilt his new and topsy-turvy life upside down. That he adjusts copes so well with each revelation and its consequences might have the author turning him into some sort of super-human, but no, under Ms Combs influence Logan grows and matures with a compassion and understanding that never becomes mawkish or unrealistic.
While Serena seems to have her future mapped out for her and her elder and younger sisters around for support, encouragement and sharing, it soon becomes clear that that any reader pre-conceptions soon go up in a puff of demonic smoke. Her new boyfriend is not the only one who finds his life tilting on its axis as revelations aplenty are thrown at her. Serena's strength of character matches that of her boyfriend, Logan and together with the support of some fun and entertaining characters face their biggest challenge knowing the cost of losing would be death for at least one of them.
The secondary characters all play their parts in moving the story forward and come from different arenas and yet all come together at the end of this fluently written and fast-paced story in such a manner this reader was sad to part company with them at the end of their tale.
For those who enjoy YA, paranormal and romance all wrapped up together, then Ms Combs is an author to watch out for.unlike
1 likeflag
July 12, 2011
New Interview I Did!
I am reposting a terrific interview I had the pleasure of doing with a fellow author Iris Blobel from over at Astraea Press. Her book is Sweet Dreams, Miss England, found on the Astraea Press website and Amazon. Check it out!
Interview with Author Samantha CombsAs many of you know I have recently signed up with Astraea Press. One reason for my excitement was that I am now amongst a wonderful group of very, very talented writers.Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to Samantha Combs, author of "Spellbound". The blurb reads:
Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There's something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home.
Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan's town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan's once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone.
Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan's fight to win. But, will he?
Q: Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that?
A: My five year old kept telling me she wanted to marry Edward the vampire! LOL. I got tired of hearing that so I asked her what if mommy wrote a book, what should I write about? Without hesitation, she goes "Witches, momma!" So I sat down and intended to write her a little story for bedtime. I guess the muse was lurking and waiting to pounce. Once I started writing, she grabbed me, unleashed the characters, they all got in the car and took over.
Q: How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?
A: I don't feel like a forty-something mom. In my head I feel like a teen so I guess that's why the genre, YA, comes to me naturally. Also, there is absolutely nothing paranormal ANYTHING in my life, so the idea of something supernatural and fantastical is so delicious, its so fun to write about it.
Q: Did you have to do any kind of research for this book?
A: This book is set in Lancaster, New Hampshire and I visited there once (to visit an old boyfriend, whatever, move on), so the only research I actually had to do was remembering the names of some of the places and street names. Most of the rest of it I have personally visited. And I have actually been to the Old Man in the Mountain before the natural accident caused the face to fall off. (now those of you from the Northeast know I am telling the truth about my age!)
Q: What is the hardest part of writing for you?A: Sometimes it is giving myself over to the idea that I don't know where the story arc is going. I am what is called a "pantser" writer, or a seat-of-the-pants writer, meaning I don't outline or plot my story. I basically think I know where I want the story to go, sit at the laptop, then sort of come to a couple hours later. I read over what I wrote and am amazed the story went NOWHERE where I thought it might, yet I am thrilled with the direction. Sometimes I think that sounds slightly insane, but aren't all writers a bit nuts anyway? As solitary an endeavour as writing is, don't we all pace, and mutter to ourselves and celebrate our victories when no one is in the room? (Please all say yes!)
Q: What's the best thing about being an author? A: Having a thought or feeling or idea and being able to express it so perfectly in words that it almost brings you to tears.
Q: What are you working on now? A: Two YA paranormals at once, one about a vampire hunter (not done to death yet!) and one about a girl whose father was a sea creature. I write in whichever one I feel like. It's like shoes. I decide which one I want to put on that day. Otherwise I get bored and start to hate the one pair.
Q: What advice would you give aspiring writers?A: If you don't write every day, don't beat yourself up. It means you're not supposed to. If you force it, you will just end up deleting it the next day and be that much farther behind. I write when I am moved to. Happily, I am moved to a lot. My muse is a bitchy, slave driving sort. LOL
Q: Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?A: I love Stephen King. My current favourite book is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman. I screamed with laughter.
Q: What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
A: I always wanted to be asked in an interview what would be the most wonderful thing to happen to you as an author? Here is the answer: To be in a book reading attended entirely by children and have a mom come up to me and say "My child never liked reading until he/she read your book. Thank you for introducing my child to books."
Thank you very much, Samantha, for taking the time to take part in this interview. I love your last answer - it is so true!
Samantha Combs' "Spellbound" is available at Astraea Press, Amazon and other online bookstores. Please spare a few minutes to check out this wonderful book - I'm sure you won't regret it!
I would also like to congratulate Samantha on her second book (WIP - Juice and the High School Ghost) which is going to be released with Astraea Press as well and selling another book to Aspen Mountain Press, through their new imprint Aura Spec-fic.
Interview with Author Samantha CombsAs many of you know I have recently signed up with Astraea Press. One reason for my excitement was that I am now amongst a wonderful group of very, very talented writers.Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to Samantha Combs, author of "Spellbound". The blurb reads:
Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There's something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home.Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan's town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan's once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone.
Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan's fight to win. But, will he?
Q: Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that?
A: My five year old kept telling me she wanted to marry Edward the vampire! LOL. I got tired of hearing that so I asked her what if mommy wrote a book, what should I write about? Without hesitation, she goes "Witches, momma!" So I sat down and intended to write her a little story for bedtime. I guess the muse was lurking and waiting to pounce. Once I started writing, she grabbed me, unleashed the characters, they all got in the car and took over.
Q: How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?
A: I don't feel like a forty-something mom. In my head I feel like a teen so I guess that's why the genre, YA, comes to me naturally. Also, there is absolutely nothing paranormal ANYTHING in my life, so the idea of something supernatural and fantastical is so delicious, its so fun to write about it.
Q: Did you have to do any kind of research for this book?
A: This book is set in Lancaster, New Hampshire and I visited there once (to visit an old boyfriend, whatever, move on), so the only research I actually had to do was remembering the names of some of the places and street names. Most of the rest of it I have personally visited. And I have actually been to the Old Man in the Mountain before the natural accident caused the face to fall off. (now those of you from the Northeast know I am telling the truth about my age!)
Q: What is the hardest part of writing for you?A: Sometimes it is giving myself over to the idea that I don't know where the story arc is going. I am what is called a "pantser" writer, or a seat-of-the-pants writer, meaning I don't outline or plot my story. I basically think I know where I want the story to go, sit at the laptop, then sort of come to a couple hours later. I read over what I wrote and am amazed the story went NOWHERE where I thought it might, yet I am thrilled with the direction. Sometimes I think that sounds slightly insane, but aren't all writers a bit nuts anyway? As solitary an endeavour as writing is, don't we all pace, and mutter to ourselves and celebrate our victories when no one is in the room? (Please all say yes!)
Q: What's the best thing about being an author? A: Having a thought or feeling or idea and being able to express it so perfectly in words that it almost brings you to tears.
Q: What are you working on now? A: Two YA paranormals at once, one about a vampire hunter (not done to death yet!) and one about a girl whose father was a sea creature. I write in whichever one I feel like. It's like shoes. I decide which one I want to put on that day. Otherwise I get bored and start to hate the one pair.
Q: What advice would you give aspiring writers?A: If you don't write every day, don't beat yourself up. It means you're not supposed to. If you force it, you will just end up deleting it the next day and be that much farther behind. I write when I am moved to. Happily, I am moved to a lot. My muse is a bitchy, slave driving sort. LOL
Q: Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?A: I love Stephen King. My current favourite book is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman. I screamed with laughter.
Q: What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
A: I always wanted to be asked in an interview what would be the most wonderful thing to happen to you as an author? Here is the answer: To be in a book reading attended entirely by children and have a mom come up to me and say "My child never liked reading until he/she read your book. Thank you for introducing my child to books."
Thank you very much, Samantha, for taking the time to take part in this interview. I love your last answer - it is so true!
Samantha Combs' "Spellbound" is available at Astraea Press, Amazon and other online bookstores. Please spare a few minutes to check out this wonderful book - I'm sure you won't regret it!
I would also like to congratulate Samantha on her second book (WIP - Juice and the High School Ghost) which is going to be released with Astraea Press as well and selling another book to Aspen Mountain Press, through their new imprint Aura Spec-fic.
July 11, 2011
The Detention Demon will be Published!
I am excited to share that The Detention Demon is going to be published! Remember that I submitted the manuscript to a brand new imprint of Aspen Mountain Press called Aura Speculative Fiction after I asked them to friend me on Facebook? I had been looking for a home for my little horror book for a while, I didn't think it was because it was not good, I hoped anyway, but because Middle Grade horror is very hard to place. When I read about the new imprint I got quite excited. They sounded perfect. I asked them straight away if they were considering YA and for that matter, MG to YA and they said they would, on a case by case basis. I queried immediately.
I was mildly surprised when they asked me for the full and totally had my socks knocked off when they offered me a contract this morning. And I must say, I am more than impressed with how together and organized they are. Already, I have been directed to a WIP website where I have registered as an author, have been assigned an editor and uploaded the information I would like to see on the cover, and had SEVERAL conversations with an art director in preparation for assigning an artist to me AND I already have a release date.....October 24, 2011....PERFECT FOR A HORROR BOOK! Just a few days before Halloween. And I didn't even plan it!
So, all I have to say is, if you are looking for a publisher that has it going on, I would so check out Aspen Mountain Press and their new imprint! And look for me soon near Halloween!
I was mildly surprised when they asked me for the full and totally had my socks knocked off when they offered me a contract this morning. And I must say, I am more than impressed with how together and organized they are. Already, I have been directed to a WIP website where I have registered as an author, have been assigned an editor and uploaded the information I would like to see on the cover, and had SEVERAL conversations with an art director in preparation for assigning an artist to me AND I already have a release date.....October 24, 2011....PERFECT FOR A HORROR BOOK! Just a few days before Halloween. And I didn't even plan it!
So, all I have to say is, if you are looking for a publisher that has it going on, I would so check out Aspen Mountain Press and their new imprint! And look for me soon near Halloween!
July 9, 2011
Happy Day! Reviews Might Be Happening Soon!
So, I may not have understood how this whole shootin' match worked BEFORE I released Spellbound, but I think I am finally getting the hang of it. I realize the optimal thing to do would have been to get all your reviews in before the book is released and them bang, zoom, they line up for miles to buy it. Did I do it that way.....no. What-ev. But I am having a freakin' blast learning how NOT to do it the next time. I am meeting some of the best people on Facebook and have the time of my life. Hard to understand how I am not sitting in a bar sipping on a cocktail, because sometimes I am laughing clean out loud at some of the hilarious posts as answers. I'll say it again......THIS IS FUN!
So, the business behind the bustin' up......I am asking my new friends if they might mind reviewing Spellbound, and to my great surprise, they are not only willing to, some are even excited to do it. I have to say that I am experiencing a sense of excitement and even trepidation akin to the one I felt when I was accepted for publication. What will I feel when I get the first review in? I'm more than a little nervous. For now, the jury is still out. I'll check back about it soon. For all my new friends and followers, I can only say.....stay tuned!
So, the business behind the bustin' up......I am asking my new friends if they might mind reviewing Spellbound, and to my great surprise, they are not only willing to, some are even excited to do it. I have to say that I am experiencing a sense of excitement and even trepidation akin to the one I felt when I was accepted for publication. What will I feel when I get the first review in? I'm more than a little nervous. For now, the jury is still out. I'll check back about it soon. For all my new friends and followers, I can only say.....stay tuned!
July 7, 2011
I Will Now Eat The Humble Pie!
Please pass the damn fork! I am willing now to admit that Face Book is all it is purported to be and more. Today, I joined two groups for authors, YA Writers Unite and Author Exchange. In just one day and really, in less than five hours, my blog traffic has doubled. Now, granted that truly means I went from 11 followers to 22, but I am in insurance finance so lets look at that my way. That means I have made a 200% increase! Woo-hoo. That's some government accounting for ya!
So, I will now take my gigantic helping of crow, thank you very much. The best thing is, I have read the most fun, entertaining and wonderfully written blog posts today. Not only did I get some bitchin' new friends, I got friends that can write. How can that be wrong?????
So, I will now take my gigantic helping of crow, thank you very much. The best thing is, I have read the most fun, entertaining and wonderfully written blog posts today. Not only did I get some bitchin' new friends, I got friends that can write. How can that be wrong?????
Happy Anniversary To Me and My Husband!
Today is My 10th Wedding Anniversaryby Samantha Combs on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10:59amHello everyone. Today is my 10th wedding anniversary. My husband would rather die than be on facebook, but I am wishing him happy anniversary here anyway. Twelve years ago I wondered who the good looking guy was over by the dart board. Ten years ago he stood next to me and told me I looked beautiful. Eight years ago, he kissed my head and told me, honey, he's perfect. Five years ago, he said, Baby, she looks just like you. And three hours ago, he called me from work and said, I'm sorry I forgot, but I've never loved you more. Want me to bring dinner home? He doesn't read my books, I'm not sure where we'll be in ten more years, but he can order food for me at any restaurant in town without me telling him what I want, he NEVER forgets to put the seat down, he's the only person I can close my eyes in the car with, and when I got my first book deal, he was the only person I was desperate to tell. Oh yeah....I'm married and I wouldn't have it any other way. So happy anniversary Husband. Love ya.
July 6, 2011
Submission Request News!
Today was a good news/bad news day. Bad news first. Today, my husband and I made the agonizing decision to take our youngest out of daycare to save some money because I STILL have not found a job and it seemed to make the most sense. I am home days and our oldest is already home with me since school is out for the summer. We have fun and I enjoy having them with me for almost all of the day (they ARE siblings and they DO wrangle, let's be reasonable). I think I just wish I had made the decision for different reasons than economical. So that was the bad news.
Now, for the good news. I have had an upper Middle Grade horror story that I've had trouble finding a home. I have blogged, I think, about how one agent was THISCLOSE to wanting it, and me, but thought it needed reworking. She was right, of course, and the reworking has made it amazing. The issue is there isn't many homes for the horror genre in Middle Grade. I know, I know, you all just screamed at me, what about the Goosebumps series? So, besides that, and the author of them, R. L. Stine, and also his Mostly Ghostly series, who else or what else can you name? NOTHING, RIGHT?
Me either. And therein lies the rub. Because its mostly an untapped reserve, there isn't a home. Until today. Recently the supercool publishing site Aspen Mountain Press just opened up their imprint Aura, a speculative fiction site. I friended them on facebook and then questioned them about their horror requirements. They responded they would take a look on a case-by-case basis. So, late Monday night I submitted a query and synopsis for THE DETENTION DEMON, my 17k word horror novella for the Middle Grade boy. And I am pleased to report I have been asked for the full. WOO-HOO!
Now, I realize this is just step one in the million-writer march to publication, but I am a goof-ball and I insist on celebrating every frickin' step, thank you very much. So, you'll excuse me while I light the barby and pour myself a cocktail. Stay tuned for the progress reports. And it may not hurt to say a quick little prayer. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Now, for the good news. I have had an upper Middle Grade horror story that I've had trouble finding a home. I have blogged, I think, about how one agent was THISCLOSE to wanting it, and me, but thought it needed reworking. She was right, of course, and the reworking has made it amazing. The issue is there isn't many homes for the horror genre in Middle Grade. I know, I know, you all just screamed at me, what about the Goosebumps series? So, besides that, and the author of them, R. L. Stine, and also his Mostly Ghostly series, who else or what else can you name? NOTHING, RIGHT?
Me either. And therein lies the rub. Because its mostly an untapped reserve, there isn't a home. Until today. Recently the supercool publishing site Aspen Mountain Press just opened up their imprint Aura, a speculative fiction site. I friended them on facebook and then questioned them about their horror requirements. They responded they would take a look on a case-by-case basis. So, late Monday night I submitted a query and synopsis for THE DETENTION DEMON, my 17k word horror novella for the Middle Grade boy. And I am pleased to report I have been asked for the full. WOO-HOO!
Now, I realize this is just step one in the million-writer march to publication, but I am a goof-ball and I insist on celebrating every frickin' step, thank you very much. So, you'll excuse me while I light the barby and pour myself a cocktail. Stay tuned for the progress reports. And it may not hurt to say a quick little prayer. Go ahead. I'll wait.
July 5, 2011
The Anthony Verdict Makes Me Happy My Kids Are Home
Because of my unemployment, my husband and I have had to make a hard decision to take our youngest out of daycare for the remainder of the summer. Since my son is out of school for the summer, I now have the pair of them home with me now. Normally, they would be driving me to drink, both underfoot, running around, yanking my laptop cord out and wrangling like two cats in a garret. That was before the verdict was announced a half hour ago in the Casey Anthony murder case of her two year old.
I am stunned. There are no words to explain my shock over a Not Guilty verdict.
That sweet, tender little angel was killed, dumped in a shallow dirt grave and no one has to answer for it. I excused myself for a few minutes and went in the bathroom to cry. I tidied myself up, then went in the kitchen, hugged my kids and let them eat brownies for lunch. They aren't bothering me today. Enough said.
I am stunned. There are no words to explain my shock over a Not Guilty verdict.
That sweet, tender little angel was killed, dumped in a shallow dirt grave and no one has to answer for it. I excused myself for a few minutes and went in the bathroom to cry. I tidied myself up, then went in the kitchen, hugged my kids and let them eat brownies for lunch. They aren't bothering me today. Enough said.
July 4, 2011
Top Ten Reasons to Buy and Read SPELLBOUND!
10. With the heat level being "sweet" you can buy this for your 14 year old or a 140 year old and both will enjoy it equally!
9. You know you need something to tide you over before the next Twilight comes out!
8. A book full of kick-butt witches? Do I need to go on?
7. If the hero is named Logan, you know he'd be hot in the movie, right?
6. With SPELLBOUND moving up in the Amazon rankings so rapidly, you'll be the first of your friends to have the next cool book!
5. Summer jobs don't pay that much....$6.99 is cheaper than a ds game or a DVD!
4 SPELLBOUND in ebook form is GREEN and saves the planet.....no tree died for its creation!
3. You can get it all over the place: www.astraeapress.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, among a slew of others, (email me if you need more)
2. It's a pretty great story! (seriously, all prejudice aside)
And the number one reason to buy and read SPELLBOUND...............wait for it.........
1. Of course, I wrote a sequel! (I did mean wait for it. I am about 2 weeks away from finishing it. And I don't want to give it away, but MAN, IS IT GOOD!)
9. You know you need something to tide you over before the next Twilight comes out!
8. A book full of kick-butt witches? Do I need to go on?
7. If the hero is named Logan, you know he'd be hot in the movie, right?
6. With SPELLBOUND moving up in the Amazon rankings so rapidly, you'll be the first of your friends to have the next cool book!
5. Summer jobs don't pay that much....$6.99 is cheaper than a ds game or a DVD!
4 SPELLBOUND in ebook form is GREEN and saves the planet.....no tree died for its creation!
3. You can get it all over the place: www.astraeapress.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, among a slew of others, (email me if you need more)
2. It's a pretty great story! (seriously, all prejudice aside)
And the number one reason to buy and read SPELLBOUND...............wait for it.........
1. Of course, I wrote a sequel! (I did mean wait for it. I am about 2 weeks away from finishing it. And I don't want to give it away, but MAN, IS IT GOOD!)
