First Submission Series – Cristal Ryder
We're closing in on the final three authors for my February series of authors sharing their experience the first time they submitted a manuscript to a publisher and/or agent–regardless of what the outcome was. Continuing on, we have Cristal Ryder today, who just had a new release yesterday!
First Submission Series:
February 1: Emily Cale
February 7: Gina Gordon w/ Giveaway
February 10: Stacey Kennedy
February 14 = Laurie Witt
February 17 = Liia Ann White
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Sara, I think this is a great topic and I'm happy to share.
Wow, my first submission experience…it was with Harlequin Spice Briefs. Way back when they were fairly new. I had a piece that was just over 5k. It was erotic romance that had a f/m/f storyline. I had no critique partner, no one to bounce ideas off. It was just me, all on my lonesome. I was very shy with this story too, since it was my first foray into erotica.
Once I hit send I remember sitting paralyzed for a while not sure what to do with myself. Which was a big mistake. I should have forged on with a new project. So three months later when I got the generic rejection email, I had something else in the wings. But I didn't. I remember feeling embarrassed, not good enough and didn't do much of anything for a while. Then I submitted to other epubs, getting rejections from them all.
But I didn't quit once I was on the roll. I submitted my little 5k story to Bold Strokes Books. My rejection from them was a good rejection. I offered to build it to their minimum word count and the publisher was happy with that so I guess I had an R&R in a way. It ended up at 27.5k. I think my experience with BSB was a fabulous one, even though it ended up with a rejection about nine months later. I had the chance to work with a great editor and learn so much from her comments, the process and the business. That experience led to a professional relationship I still have today.
I was ready to shelve the book but took one last kick at the can with a three line pitch. Lo and behold the pitch was accepted, a request for full followed and a contract a few days later. Whirlwind! I was thrilled to finally have a home for my little 5k story. No Fantasy Required was accepted by Lyrical Press and published in November 2010. As of today I now have four books published with two publishers and the fifth is coming soon with the EC for Men line.
Yesterday was release day for my fourth book, Being Bound.
If I can offer any advice, its to keep on going. Take that first rejection and learn from it, take a moment to feel sorry for yourself but get right back out there. Risk and reward. And remember you're not alone.
I hope you visit my website to find out more about my books and would be happy to hear from you here and at my blog. You can find me at Ellora's Cave and Lyrical Press.
www.cristalryder.com
www.cristalryder.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for having me Sara!
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Sometimes reality is so much better than fantasy.
A man used to getting what he wants, Tom Rourke doesn't take being discarded lightly. Smarting from rejection, Rourke decides the complication of women is distracting him from his goal. He refocuses his energy into ownership of the Black Phantom, where he meets Heather Canyon. Drawn into her erotic web, he can't get her out of his mind. But can he trust her? The only way to know is to experience her first hand.
Dominatrix Heather Canyon is looking for a new beginning, and a safe place where she can let her talents shine. Rourke's proposition is the perfect opportunity. She must test him to ensure they are the right fit for each other and challenges him at every turn. She isn't looking for a partner, but has she found her match with Rourke?
