BookingIt

Today is the first day of the month of debuts! I'm excited to host debut authors, some of who I began blogging with years ago. The great thing is that no matter where you're at right now, it's important to know your path can change if you keep moving forward. Not only is my first book out in April, but so is Naomi Rawlings's ! She very kindly agreed to be my guest today. 1. How many manuscripts have you written and did the one that sold feel different? To date, I've written five complete manuscripts. And yes, the one that sold, Sanctuary for a Lady, felt completely different. I'd been working with a critique group, and the critiques improved my writing 110%. Plus I'd worked really hard on the plot, thinking up a twist that I hadn't seen done before and cementing it into my character's struggles in a riveting way. In the back of my mind, I had the feeling that if Sanctuary for a Lady didn't sell, I'd probably be done writing. Because I kne...

Camille Eide graciously answered some questions I had for her. If you hadn't heard, her debut novella just released and is available in Kindle format. 1. Me: So Camille, what's your favorite part about writing romance? Probably the moment the hero knows he's got it bad for the heroine. :-) I like writing emotionally wrenching scenes and tingly moments. To dig a little deeper, I like to read, watch AND write about how a person finds himself drawn to something far beyond outer attraction, something that speaks to a deep need in him, that thing she completes in him. :-) Oooh! Romantic! 2. Me: When did you start writing? I started writing with the intent of publishing nearly 5 yrs ago. The first novel took a while to polish, but eventually attracted my agent and made it to a pub house board (where it sits to this day...) My second in the series will be shopping for a publishing home soon. This Christmas novella is my first book to be published, but not my first. So eve...

Congrats to T. Anne . You are the winner of Cheryl Wyatt's book Ready-Made Family ! I hope you enjoy. Just send me your snail mail when it's convenient. Some cool links this week. First, Musetracks had an awesome contest where they took some pitches and are posting them for certain agents to peruse over and shop for. Still on the subject of pitches, Romance University posted an informative interview with author Lucinda McGary . I know some of you are attending conferences soon. You're working on your pitches and one-sheets. I've never really done either of those, and I'm planning to attend the ACFW conference in September. Any advice for me on this stuff?

I'll bet some of you are familiar with Jennifer Shirk , Samhain author and fellow blogger. Recently I won her book The Role of a Lifetime . I have to give it away because it was SO good! Seriously, I was laughing while I read it at the gym. People probably thought I was weird. The story hooked me in and I read it in like three days, which is good with my as-of-late crazy schedule. Jennifer has a really strong, perky voice. I loved the humor and the characters. Go Jennifer! So, she was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. Below is the short interview. If you want to be entered in the drawing to win her book, leave a comment. :-) 1. How long did you write and submit before you got your contract with Samhain? Well, I started writing when my daughter was about two--at nap time--then three years and two bad manuscripts later...voila! I finally sold. :) 2. What's your favorite thing about being published? I love having a little part of me to physically pass down to my d...