Lorraine Nelson's Blog, page 29
October 10, 2011
Blog Tour Winners: Week 1
Congratulations to this week's winners! I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who participated, bloggers and commenters. You've helped to make Zakia and the Cowboy's release even more memorable. Thank you! I love you all!
Oct 4th: Michelle Fayard - Ju Dimello's Blog
Oct 5th: late model chica – Lorraine Nelson's Blog
Oct 6th: Heather Chamblin – London St James' Blog
Oct 7th: Sukhi – Doris O'Connor's Blog
Oct 8th: Tammy Ramey – Avril Ashton's Blog
The winner of my Author page 'Likes' is Amanda Gardner!
The next draw is Oct 20th. Be sure to keep following the tour for more chances to win.
October 9, 2011
Featured Title AND Bestseller!!!
Zakia and the Cowboy is a featured title and also made the Bestseller List at All Romance eBooks! http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-zakiaandthecowboy-608452-149.html
Wow! Thank you to all those who have purchased my novel to date. You've made all the waiting and agonizing worthwhile. 
Writing is a hobby which I truly enjoy, especially now that I can share my stories with the world. Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing? I've made friends from all over and, I suspect, now my readers/fans. I love you all!
I'm so thankful for the day I subbed to Evernight Publishing. They have a terrific staff and my editor, Emma Shortt, is awesome. And the cover art is to die for! Thank you Dara England of LF Designs. It'll make a terrific poster for my home office, don't you think? And thank you, Evernight, for taking a chance on this newbie. Words simply cannot express how thrilled I am to be one of your authors.
During the course of this past couple of years, I've spent a lot of time on Medical leave from my day job. I won't bore you with the details of each ailment except to say that hand surgery is what motivated me to begin writing that novel of romance I'd always intended to try my hand at. (pun intended!)
I developed an infection in my thumb and by the time the doctors realized what it was, it had eaten away at the bone from the inside. Needless to say, they had to amputate so the infection didn't spread. Everything I do involves the use of my hands, from typing to cooking, baking, gardening and even reading. It's difficult to get used to holding a book open with half a thumb. Luckily, it was my left and I'm right-handed, but it still took some getting used to.
In trying to prepare for a return to work, I started typing. It helped to increase the flexibility in that hand and kept me from going stir crazy. At first, it was just online typing tests, but one day an idea began to take shape and I started writing. Seven weeks later I had finished Love on the Rocks, totally edited and polished to the best of my ability and began subbing to publishers. Boy, have I learned a lot since and have received many rejections for my efforts.
But I found that I really enjoyed writing – enjoyed the challenge of it, learning as I went. I'm still learning. Nobody's perfect. I've since written seven other full-length novels and three novellas.
Zakia and the Cowboy is the first in my Thunder Creek series, with Books 2 and 3 in the works and ideas for 2 more. I enjoy crafting stories and it's helps to keep my mind alive. There are so many ideas floating around in there that at least once I have them written down, they ease off and let me rest… sometimes. lol
My doctor has me off work indefinitely, but at least I have my writing to sustain me. Making money from it was never an impetus. Creating a believable story from nothing more than a vague idea – that's what motivates me. The fact that people want to read my writing is a bonus, and one that I'm rather proud of. I love hearing from my readers and can be contacted by dropping a comment here or on my website. Tell me what you like or didn't like about this book and I'll enter all names in a draw for the sequel. http://lorrainenelson.weebly.com
*** P.S. When that first royalty cheque arrives, I'm certain I'll find something to spend it on.
October 7, 2011
Featured Title at All Romance Books!
Check this out!!!
Zakia and the Cowboy is a featured title at All Romance books!
I feel honored. Thank you All Romance Books.
October 6, 2011
Updated Blog Tour Schedule
Date: Blogger:
10/04/11 Ju Dimello
10/05/11 Lorraine Nelson
10/06/11 London St James
10/07/11 Doris O'Connor
10/08/11 Avril Ashton
10/09/11 Adonis Devereaux
10/11/11 Elyzabeth M Valey
10/13/11 Angelina Rain
10/19/11 Renee Silvana
We've lined up some fun interviews with giveaways at every stop. Join us for a fun week of blogging. Comment at every stop for more chances to win. :-) Winners to be announced October 10th and 20th.
October 5, 2011
New Release from Evernight Publishing!
on sale now!
Writing – my passion, my dream. I started writing adult fiction as a hobby almost three years ago while on medical leave for hand surgery. With the aim of gaining more flexibility in my fingers, I began typing. I just sat at the computer and started writing. J When I finished that first manuscript seven weeks later, I was thrilled! Then came the process of editing, tweaking, and polishing until I felt it was ready to send.
Boy, was I wrong!!!
Needless to say, I've suffered through my share of rejections, but instead of giving up, they made me more determined to succeed. I've joined several writing groups and forums and have made many online friends, people who have been supportive and encouraging throughout this journey. By nature, writing is a lonely job, so it helps to have people with whom you can share with and do a little brainstorming. Except when the characters start talking to me. LOL That's when I can immerse myself in the tale and write for hours on end, crafting their story their way.
With the help of a terrific editor at Wild Rose Press, I discovered where my writing lacked substance, studied those areas, kept writing, revising and submitting. I've entered contests and pitches, even won a couple, but publication still evaded me… until this past July when perseverance paid off.
It wasn't a call that came, per se, but an email. Evernight Publishing wanted my book. So, by receiving an email notification I didn't have to stutter excitedly through a phone call and embarrass myself, but without speaking directly to someone on the publishing end, it didn't really feel real – until I opened another email that Sunday night and saw my cover. Squee! Fantastic!
I'd been waiting on the edits/revisions to come in and wasn't expecting to see any cover art, especially at11:30 pm on a Sunday night. My surprise was immediate and vocal. My son came running, alarmed, but smiled when he saw the cover. Everything had happened so fast!
On July 17th I subbed my manuscript to Evernight, on the 18th I received the contract, signed and returned it on the 20th and on the 25th, received the covers. No matter how you look at it, this team is super efficient. Marketing and promotion commenced with the release of the covers and my first book, Zakia and the Cowboy, comes out today.
It's been a pleasure to share my journey with you. I hope this serves as inspiration to other writers to just keep learning, writing, and submitting; and for my readers, provide a little "behind the scenes" info.
Post a comment or question for your chance to win a free download of Zakia and the Cowboy. Check my blog schedule in yesterday's post to follow along and enter a few more times, increasing your chances of winning. I'm giving away one free download at every stop along the way. Winners will be announced the following day.
*Please Note: Evernight Publishing is experiencing temporary problems with their website, but Zakia and the Cowboy is available at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SEUZVW
Now, I'll open this up and welcome questions…always hoping I have the answers. Lol Thanks for helping me celebrate this momentous day.
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October 4, 2011
Zakia and the Cowboy is now at Amazon!!!
I'd like to say a big Thank You to the staff at Evernight Publishing for helping me realize a life-long dream. Emma Shortt is one of the best editors ever! And Dara England did up a spectacular cover! This is all so exciting.
A special thank you to my fans who have been patiently waiting for Zakia and Luke's story. Enjoy!
Zakia and the Cowboy is now at Amazon!!! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SEUZVW#reader_B005SEUZVW
Also, drop by and like my author page on FB for a chance to win a free copy. https://www.facebook.com/LorraineNelson.Author
New Release: Blog Tour Schedule
Zakia and the Cowboy Blog Tour Schedule:
Date: Blogger:
10/04/11 Ju Dimello
10/05/11 Lorraine Nelson
10/06/11 London St James
10/07/11 Doris O'Connor
10/08/11 Avril Ashton
10/09/11 Adonis Devereaux
10/11/11 Elyzabeth M Valey
10/13/11 Angelina Rain
10/19/11 Renee Silvana
We've lined up some fun interviews with giveaways at every stop. Join us for a fun week of blog hopping.
Welcome New Author, Ju Dimello!
I consider it a privilege to have my good friend, Ju Dimello, here today to share her call story. We met online in 2009 and have become the best of friends. To be signing contracts within a few weeks of each other just feels so right. She's hosting my pre-launch party today at her blog. Please welcome Ju and leave some comment love.
First off, I have to give a big, sloppy smooch to Lorraine, who wanted me partying on her blog on the same day she is having a pre-launch party at mine 
Head on over, to say "hi" to her for a chance to win her debut release! And read on while I extol the virtues of a quality that Author Michelle Styles often repeats.
Perseverance does have its merits…
Like all other writers, I don't want to start by saying how many "years" I've been writing… Needless to say, it's been on and off for ages, just tinkering around without an aim, and frankly, it might sound like forever. During the second half of 2009, I decided to become serious about it. I did, creating my online id : Ju Dimello, the aspiring author, and got involved in online writer activities—like getting critique partners, joining a group of fellow writers etc. And the funny thing was, I believed my writing had some merit.. Gah! I still envy my own blissful ignorance, and also wish I had some of that blind confidence left!
Frankly, I'm happy that no one gave me a contract for those initial stories of mine. I still cringe looking back at those "learning" manuscripts.
The fog around my eyes cleared soon enough, from the time I hit "submit". I've garnered a cartload of R's which are all "starred", labeled as "important" in my gmail, as souvenirs along my journey towards publication. There were, of course, countless times when I just wanted to give up, endless moments of "I'm writing cr*p" and I trudged on because of the sheer encouragement given by my online friends. (If you're reading this, you know who y'all are.) I'm really glad I did continue to learn, panst (the pantser equivalent of plot), write, lather, rinse, repeat….
Writing is a hard, lonely task. Of course, some writers can't not write. I always need an end goal so I can focus on what I'm working at – For eg, I don't think I could write if I didn't dream of getting published.
There were times when I wondered, "What the heck am I doing?" I have a blog, I have great followers. Let me not mention twitter, FB, goodreads account, etc, but for what purpose? It isn't enough if our CP's, or acquaintances (whom you beg to read your book once) declare it's fabulous.
Then I realized one thing… a tiny thing that seemed so obvious once I thought about it. I have surrounded myself with online friends who're serious about books (both reading and writing, not to mention reviewing), so that even if I wanted to tuck tail and run, they wouldn't allow me. Some, well – yeah, like Lorraine, might happily grab me by the neck and throw me back to the wolves if I as much as gave her a chance, which I didn't, thankfully! She's a real motivator in that sense.
Well, someone had to threaten with the proverbial boot up the keister! LOL
Honestly, there were more than enough times when I was ready to throw the towel down and call it a day. But then some tidbit would crop up somewhere—like an online buddy sold a book, got a fantastic review, or even got a horrible review (those made me realize that even pubbed authors don't have it any easier)… And that poked me, prodded me to keep going. I wouldn't say I wasn't green with jealously, or that I was a saint who took every piece of news with a smiling face. I'd be happy and sad at the same time, confused about my own feelings, and once again, I'd pick up the pen (or open the word document), trying to enter into the heads of my characters.
The happiest moments were when the characters spoke to me and I lost myself in their stories. (Gotta love it when that happens.) Of course, many are shelved, never to see the light of day again, but then… who knows… the characters might pop up again, this time with a new story to tell and maybe I can do them justice some day.
Now that I have a contract from Ellora's Cave for my ménage story, I'm literally over the moon! Frankly, I thought getting the "YES" from a dream publisher was the "destination" of this publishing journey and had expected to surround myself with pizzas and ice cream, pass my days in total bliss. I know you're snickering there at my innocent assumption, but well…
Yeah, quite the assumption…cover art, edits, more edits, promo….
The fun part of making the sale stays until we get the contract, after which I have to think about a lot of stuff, like creating websites, tackling edits, plan for the sequel (and write it too!) Means, I have to bury myself in the writing cave once again! The only difference now is knowing there's an editor interested in my work, knowing that I'll have readers in a few more weeks/months makes the entire journey worthwhile. (Oh, and the royalty checks of course!)
Please… don't forget to send the cheques! LOL
I'll sign off this post with another saying that rang true to me. "There is no lift for success. One has to take the stairs." Am I glad I did (And in case you're wondering…yes, I'm still walking a couple of feet above the ground
Oh, I like that!
I really want to thank Lorraine for giving me this chance to celebrate with her.
PS: I'm still awed by her productivity (I've dubbed her as a ninja robot)!
LOL!!! Ju!
Thank you for joining me today. It's been great!
October 3, 2011
Evernight Birthday Bash Winners
Our first congrats goes to Missy Carter, winner of the $5.00 Gift Certificate from Evernight Publishing. Congratulations, Missy!
Secondly, from all the commenters this past week, I numbered all the names and told my son to pick a number. The winner of a free download of Zakia and the Cowboy is Dawn Doyle. Congratulations, Dawn. I'll send it off to you as soon as it's released.
Thank you all for participating in this past week's birthday celebration. I've enjoyed reading and replying to each and every comment.
Please come back on Wednesday to help me celebrate the release of my debut novel, Zakia and the Cowboy. I'll be posting my blog tour, hopefully later today or tomorrow, here and on my brand new website (http://lorrainenelson.weebly.com/) to promote the novel, giving you more chances to win a free copy. Thank you for your support.
Lorraine
