Holding My Book in My Hand for the First Time!

I got a very special package today: the author copies of Primal Instinct! The box arrived via UPS. I could tell right away what it was (because I knew it would be coming around now -- six weeks before my release date); plus, the outer packaging wasn't subtle.

And there it was. The story that I wrote. In actual book form. Right there in my hands. It was magical -- everything I had ever dreamed it would be (although in my dreams my hair and make-up would be perfect for all the selfies I took).

Yeah, it was perfect right up to the point where I had to run to the bathroom because I thought I was going to throw up. That was a wee bit less magical.

I'm taking it all in -- believe me, I'm taking it all in -- because if there's one thing being a mother of four has taught me, it's that you have to enjoy the firsts, because nothing is ever a first again.

Having my book in my hands for the first time. That's something I want to cherish.

The throwing up part comes from the thought that soon everyone else is going to read it, and have an opinion about it (rightfully so, of course).  Some people are going to really like it.

But some people AREN'T going to like it.

And while I appreciate my friend Stephanie's offer to beat up anybody who doesn't like my book, I have to accept that my book won't be everyone's cup of tea. I'm not everyone's cup of tea.

When you put something out there publicly, people have the right to criticize it. Comes with the territory. But it's not something I'm looking forward to. And, there's nothing I can do now to stop it -- thus the nausea.

Beyond that... the inside cover. Sigh. Most Intrigues -- because the line is powered by action and suspense -- have some sort of suspense scene as the teaser. A fall, a chase scene, the couple working together as a bomb is about to go off. Action stuff.

Not mine. Harlequin picked a saucy scene to put as the teaser on the inside cover.

That's what my dad gets for calling it a sex book. Harlequin must have heard him.

To all my friends whom I know are going to ask: no, I can't send you one of my copies, I don't have enough -- those are for reader contest giveaways and writer contest entries -- so support authors and buy your own. Here. You can even buy an autographed copy.  xoxo (PS --  Or I do have these  nifty little bookplate stickers ==> that I'll sign and send to you for free if anyone but my mom wants an autographed copy of my book.)

Today was an exciting day, to be sure. Nausea and all.  Another important first that I'll never forget.

My New Harlequin Intrigue Series - Omega Sector

So, a ton of people have been asking me about my new four-book series for Harlequin Intrigue and what they're about. Okay, maybe not a ton of people have been asking me. Alright fine, my mom has been asking what my new four-book series is all about. But I know you all wanted to know, so I thought I would post here.

The books are based around the Branson siblings – three brothers and a sister – who find their lives and hearts in peril. They are all connected to the Omega Sector: a covert interagency task force, made up of the most elite agents our country has to offer.  All four books are set in Virginia or North Carolina.

I don't really have titles for any of them yet, so I'm just calling them the Omega Series: Books 1-4. 

Book 1– Cameron Branson’s story 

Release date: January 2015

Omega Sector agent Cameron Branson is on the most important case of his career – recovery of highly-classified code-breaking software that has fallen into the worst possible hands.  After months of undercover work, he’s on the verge of recovering the software and finally putting to rest the demons that haunt him.

Until graphic artist Sophia Reardon – a familiar face from his past – happens to show up in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Knowing that with a word she could expose him, Cameron is forced to hurl this innocent beauty into his world of deception and terror.

And as it all begins to unravel, Cameron must choose – finish the mission that could protect so many or save the one woman he’s never been able to forget.

 

Book 2  - Sawyer Branson’s story

Release date: February 2015

In reprimand for insubordination, Omega Sector agent Sawyer Branson has been given a choice: a temporary desk job or protection duty of Dr. Zane M. Daniels, a top-level computer scientist. Although the thought of babysitting some geriatric scientist guy imagining threats in the middle of Nowhere, North Carolina is not appealing to Sawyer, anything is better than a desk job.

But there’s nothing geriatric or guy about Dr. Zane Megan Daniels. This beautiful, young computer scientist is on the verge of completing an important decryption system that will allow Omega Sector to pinpoint terrorist communications. And somebody wants to make sure she doesn’t finish. Megan knows Sawyer will keep her research safe – but what about her heart?

Book 3  - Juliet Branson’s story 

Release date: May 2015

Juliet Branson’s new job as an analyst at Omega Sector is fulfilling and challenging. And, she suspects, her brothers’ way of keeping an eye on her after her tragedy-laced past as an operative. A desk job suits Juliet just fine, until she intercepts a communiqué that spells certain death for sexy operative Evan Karcz, Juliet’s ex-partner.

Evan knows he’s in trouble with the crime ring he’s infiltrated – that’s nothing new – but has no idea how he’s going to get out of it this time. Until Juliet walks in playing the role of his wife – the undercover persona that almost got her killed last time. They’ll have to work together, despite her fears, to complete their mission and get out alive. And will Evan be able to convince Juliet of what he’s known all along: that they make a great team – both on and off cases?

 

Book 4 – Dylan Branson’s story 

Release date: June 2015 

Computer game developer Shelby Keelan has a gift: a photographic memory of anything concerning numbers. When she inadvertently discovers a code linked to terrorist attacks within a popular Internet game, she’s called in by the government to help piece together what she knows.

Pilot Dylan Branson finally has his life the way he wants it: simple, quiet and alone – as far from his covert operation past as he can get. He knows when he’s asked by his previous boss to deliver one tiny package to Omega Sector headquarters that his answer should be no. Especially when that tiny package ends up being a cute and quirky blonde he’s instantly drawn to.

But what should’ve been a routine trip turns into a desperate fight for their lives when someone is determined to see that Shelby and Dylan don’t make it anywhere alive and that the codes in her head are destroyed along with her.

 

"The Call" - I'm Going to be a Published Author!

I got “the call” today. It’s official, Harlequin is going to publish my novel See No Evil (although the title will probably change) as part of their Intrigue line!!!!  The book will be on shelves in April 2014.

To give you an idea of what Intrigue covers look like. :-)

It has been a long journey just to get to this point. The Harlequin eBoards has been a place of constant support for me over the last year. Published and aspiring authors convene there to rejoice, commiserate and sustain each other during the highs and lows of publishing navigation. We pass the virtual chocolate (or in my case, cream-cheese frosting) during rejections and throw virtual parties when someone receives an offer for publication.

Today was my party! And my online friends have requested my “call story.” What can we say? We’re romance writers. We love to hear of someone being swept off their feet and carried off into the sunset bookstore shelves.

It starts back in May of 2012, when the Harlequin Intrigue editorial team had a writing contest. They wanted unpublished writers to send a back-cover blurb of a potential book, as well as a 100-word snippet from the work itself. They would choose the top 5 and ask to see more. This is the blurb I sent:

Ten years ago Adrienne Jeffries was a profiler for the FBI with a talent so remarkable she became known as the bloodhound -- someone who could sense and track evil. But the price she paid for her abilities was too high, costing her almost everything. So she left the Bureau with no intention of ever returning.

FBI Agent Conner Perigo is trying to catch a killer who has eluded his team at every turn. He will use any means available -- including an unwilling ex-profiler with some sort of hocus-pocus abilities -- if it means finally getting ahead of the killer. What he doesn't expect is his attraction to Adrienne or his desire to protect this vulnerable beauty.

And she needs his protection, especially now that it seems the killer has targeted Adrienne as his next victim.

I was chosen for the top 5. After a chat room meeting with the editor discussing more details of the book, she requested a partial, which is a synopsis and first three chapters. I sent those in June.

In October, I received  (via snail mail) my request from Harlequin Intrigue for my FULL MANUSCRIPT. For those who don’t hang out in the Harlequin eBoards, a full request is a big deal. No publication offer is coming unless you first have a request for the full manuscript.  Of course, no offer may come even if they do…

So I took about six weeks to complete and polish my manuscript and sent it off in mid-December. 

Then the waiting game began again. The general rule of thumb is that it will take up to six months to hear back from an editor.  It’s hard. I even heard the story of a lady who had sent her manuscript, waited six months, emailed the editor only to find out it had never been received at all.

Never been received at all? I woke up in the middle of the night in February in a panic. What if the editor hadn’t received my manuscript at all like the other lady?  (That this had only happened one time of the 1000s of manuscripts received by Harlequin, made no difference to my psyche – don’t interrupt my neurotic fit with facts and logic!) I ran downstairs to look at December’s snail mail receipt signature from their office.

It was signed by Bob. Unreadable last name.

Bob.

Although I was sure Bob Nolastname was stellar at his job and not just some homeless NY person who had wandered in off the street and taken refuge in the Harlequin mail room, I decided maybe I better double check. Not having a direct phone or email address, back onto the Harlequin eBoards I went. I finally posted under “Ask the Editors” section asking what I should even do.

Allison Lyons, Intrigue line editor, responded directly. She had my manuscript on my desk and was currently reading it.

Yay! – she had it! Terror!! – she was reading it!

At the end of April, Allison Lyons contacted me again. She liked See No Evil and wanted to pass it up to the Senior Editor for possible acquisition. So up to the Senior Editor it went. Finally the person who would ultimately decide.

At the Smithsonian just before The Call

Time slowed to an almost halt as I waited to hear.  Each Monday I said to myself (and anyone around who would listen): THIS is the week I will hear from Intrigue. I said that to myself for SEVEN Mondays. I checked my email incessantly, hoping for word.

Finally, this week we took a family trip to Washington DC for a couple of days. I decided I wouldn’t take my laptop or iPad or anything that would ping me when I got an email.  If Intrigue emailed me, it would be there when I got back.

Ends up they didn’t email. Allison, the editor from Intrigue, called. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered.

So there I was in the middle of the dinosaur exhibit in Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – surrounded by dozens of blaring children – receiving one of the most important phone calls of my life.

Intrigue wanted to buy my book and hopefully publish more of my works in the future!

We didn’t talk for long, between my giddiness and all the T-Rex madness, it was hard to converse effectively. But Allison was very gracious and enthusiastic.

Before we hung up, her last words were: Welcome to the Intrigue Family. 

I feel like little orphan Annie running around Daddy Warbucks house:

"I think I'm gonna like it here!!!"

Navigating the Treacherous Romance Publishing Waters

As I mentioned in a post last month and in one of my (many) little side boxes, I sent a query letter about my first completed novel Unbreak My Heart off to a certain publisher in March, thinking I would hear back in 6-8 weeks. After all, it was only a one page letter and a three page story synopsis, how long could it take?

But surprise, surprise that’s not how it really goes at all in the world of publishing.

So in case any of you are thinking of submitting a manuscript to that huge Romance publisher (you know the one), here’s how the category romance publishing timeline really works:

Step 1) You send a query letter and synopsis. Average response time 3-9 months. TO A ONE-PAGE LETTER.

Possible Response #1 from publisher:  “Your query letter was terrible and your synopsis was boring. Please don’t bother us again with your nonsense.” 

Possible Response #2 from publisher: “Your query letter wasn’t terrible, but wasn’t good enough for us to want your entire manuscript. Send the first 3 chapters and we’ll see.” 

Possible Response  #3 from publisher: “Hey, nice query and synopsis, please send us your full novel right away! We like it and think it may work, but understand we’re not promising anything…”

Step 2) Based on what response you receive, you either commit Hara Kiri or send in the requested document. Let’s just assume you got response #3 above. (That would be the best possible news and all your writer friends would throw an online party for you.)

Then you wait another 6-9 months to get a response for that. 

Possible Response #1: The Bad Rejection Letter (aka, form letter rejection). This is the worst type of rejection, basically: “thanks but no thanks”. Letter is not personalized in any way. They don’t want to hear from you about this manuscript again; no matter what. Your status upon receipt: Distraught. Drink much wine. Consider never writing again.

Possible Response #2: Personalized brief rejection. “We liked your intriguing plot [or hero or internal conflict or whatever] but this manuscript won’t work for us for whatever reason [too many billionaire sheiks already in this year’s publishing schedule or whatever].” So yay, they read it, but they still don’t want it. Believe it or not, this is actually considered a good rejection. Status upon receipt: Sad. Drink a little wine. Consider never writing again. Or self-publishing.

Possible Response #3: Personalized extended rejection. This includes an extended list of all the things the publisher thinks are good and bad in your manuscript. They don’t want you to resubmit this book, but they do think that providing you with detailed feedback will help you write a better, more publishable book in the future.

The great thing about this rejection is that it usually includes the words: “If you have any other projects you feel would suit us, please send them directly to me.” This means you no longer have to start back at the beginning with a query letter the next time you write something. You have a contact person!  Status upon receipt: All your writing buddies are thrilled for you. This is huge! But on the inside you’re a little sad. It’s still a rejection. But after a little wine, you’re back to computer – you’ve got a new book to finish. And someone to send it to.

Possible Response #4: Revise and resubmit. Hooray!! Basically, a list of everything they want you to add, subtract or change PLUS an invitation to send it back once you’ve made the edits. Of course, that does often mean significant changes to your beloved book… Status upon receipt: Everybody, not just your writing buddies, should be happy for you. You should be thrilled yet a little nervous at all the work to be done. And the fact these editors tore your writing apart still has you reaching for the wine, but hey, you’ve accomplished more than most! Get working

Step 3) So, as you can see, even after 9-18 months of waiting, three out four responses lead to an outright rejection. Even a revise & resubmit response may still lead to a rejection even after you make the changes. But you keep writing and submitting until someday you reach the highpoint:

Step 4) The Call. An offer for your book is made. You are going to be a published author!

Where am I in this process? Well, still waiting to hear about about two separate manuscripts. One should be any day now (my fast track submission: Love & Other Dangerous Stunts). The other, Unbreak My Heart... well, it's been in Step 1 for two months now, so that may be awhile before I hear anything.

No matter what, publishing is not a quick process. That’s why the third piece of advice anyone will give you about writing is to start your next project immediately upon finishing your last one – don’t wait to hear from a publisher. (Second piece of advice: Write what you want to read. First piece of advice: Quit trying to make your first draft perfect; done is better than perfect. )

Dumping the Peanut and Moving On

A few people have asked where my boot camp book word counter has gone. (The actual question was, “Where did that crazy looking peanut thing that counted your book go?”) Remember him?

Well, I retired him. First, he was obnoxious. Second, I kept forgetting to update him so he was never very accurate in terms of my writing “mood,” although the word count was usually correct. And third, I have moved on to another writing project for the time being. I promise I am not being flighty. Although I will fully admit I am a stronger starter than I am finisher, I do plan to come back to Love and Other Stunts soon.

I was writing Love and Other Stunts for a particular reason but not because it was really the book I wanted to write as my sophomore effort. 

Later this week I'll discuss how the "trying to get published" process (with a large publisher) works for a newbie writer. Let's just suffice it to say it's a difficult process and the response time from editors is long. Like 6-9 months just to hear back about a one-page query letter.

So when a big-name romance publisher was having a “fast-track” submission opportunity, I jumped on it. The editors were calling for new writers to send them 1) A query letter, 2) A synopsis of the book, 3) The first chapter. Writers did not need to have the manuscript completed in order to send. The program closed on April 23.

The greatest thing about the “fast-track” program – the publisher promised to respond to all queries by May 18. A three week turnaround!  Much better than the 6-9 months I may have to wait to hear about my first submission: Unbreak My Heart.

The “fast-track” program was the sole reason I was writing Love and Other Stunts. It was a story I hoped would fit that publisher’s niche and word count. So I took April and got through about half of Stunts, and figured out where the rest of the book was going. From there, I was able to write the synopsis, polish the first chapter and sent it off to the fast track program.

But I’ve decided that unless the publisher likes it and wants me to send them a manuscript, it’s not the story I want to really tell right now and put all my effort into. So I’m going to put it aside for a little while.  

Instead, one of the many stories in my head has caught my attention.  About a girl. And a guy. And a murderer. Fun stuff.  So I’ve started a word counter for the new work in progress (WIP) I’m calling See No Evil (although I’m sure that won’t be the final title), so I can keep track and you can peek at the numbers if you’re into that sort of stuff. I am hoping to have it finished by the end of the summer, but don’t have an anticipated number of words yet, so although I’m starting the counter goal at 50,000, that will change.

And so project #3 begins… with project #4 (a non-fiction book about running that a friend pitched to me yesterday) hovering in the wings.

Four open projects. It’s like having four children; each with their own needs, developments, and personalities…

Good thing I have a little experience with that.