Dreams Do Come True!!

I have amazing, wonderful, awesome news! I am going to be a published author! Soul Mate Publishing is going to publish my first book, Sea of Passion! J I am so excited! I don’t know when it will be released yet, but I will let you all know!!

I participated in Savvy Author’s April pitch event. I had a few requests for Sea of Passion and a few for my Young Adult novel as well. I haven’t heard anything back for Dreamer yet, but I am still hopeful that I will get a positive response.

I had fun filling out the cover art information, I can’t wait to see what my cover will look like. I have to write my blurb for the back page and I still need to write out my author bio. This is proving to be the hardest to write so far. I am not sure what to add about myself. I don’t know how much information readers want to know about the author. I am a nosey person, so I like more background information. What do you all think?

I have a lot to learn still and I am anxious to get started! This is a very exciting time for me! I still feel like I am on cloud nine. I can’t wait to hold my book in my hands.

I have had countless rejections and everyone kept saying that it just takes one agent or editor to like your book and they were right! So all of the aspiring authors out there- keep writing! That one agent or editor is out there for you too!!

Imagination is Everything

I am thankful for other people’s imagination and creative talents.

This feeling came to me as I was reading/singing to my son before bed. We were reading, There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly, for the third time. This particular version of the story is in a pop out book, which is really cool. I am amazed by the creativity and the colors and images on the page that capture my son’s attention along with the catchy rhyme of the story. I do change the ending though…I don’t say perhaps she’ll die.

Reading everyday for my pleasure or to my son creates a wonderful escape. I am thankful to all the authors and illustrators that are able to capture and pull me in to another world. Life can be hard enough, the escape from reality that they create makes all of my everyday trials seem less.

My son at three already has an amazing imagination, which I believe in part comes from reading him books and genetically through me of course. I love that he uses his imagination while playing and talking with his toys by creating another world for himself.

Thank you to all the people out there that use their imagination everyday!

Is this thing on? *taps microphone*

Due to an over abundance of procrastination, a double dose of life altering stress, and an unflinching desire to do better, this author is making her first attempt in a while to bring her journal back to life. Someone grab the defibrillator! Stat!

Seriously though, I've fallen victim to that ever present threat that the world often calls real life. Granted I know this is an affliction that every human being is infected with, but I have a horrible habit if allowing it to distract me from the things I need (have) to get done. The most recent necessity being the need to finish Stacey's and my book collaboration, which is in its finale stages. I'm not going to lie, I've dropped the ball in a major way while Stacey has picked up the slack and done an incredible job of taking my dropped ball and keeping it rolling. She's is one badass b**** who knows how to get things done. And both of us are ready for this book to be finished and sent out for one final, lay it all out there, set of submissions.

I think we're both looking forward to working on some new stuff. I have Olivia's Ghost that needs desperately to be finished and Stacey has her Reapers book that is, in my opinion, the best and most original thing she's ever written. Plus we both have several slutty new novels that are scratching around in our brains.

Honestly, the number of S.N.N.'s in my brain have risen exponentially after this past weekend when Stacey, Tina, and I attended  the annual Bowling Green book convention. We always find ourselves overflowing with inspiration after we attend. Being surrounded by people who are just as obsessed with the literary world as we are, is a good conductor for creativity. It's also that kick in the butt that I needed to juice up my previously drained motivation and get back in gear.

Today alone, I signed up for a Secret Agent competition, began the process of revamping my website, and posted on the blog. Yay, me! *stands up and cheers* Too bad there's so much more to do. *sits back down and sighs*

So, hopefully this week I'll take the time to update a bit more. Stacey is trying to build up her social platform, which is a fantastic idea. I think I'm going to try and follow her lead. Wish me luck!

Save the Cat Spreadsheet!

http://lizwritesbooks.com/savethecat/

 

Go to this website for one of the best plotting worksheets available to writers.

VLOG: Kentucky Writer's Conference: Session One with David Bell

This is a VLOG from the Kentucky Writer's Conference that I attended today, April 19th. This is part one of four.  The remainder of the sessions will be posted through out the week. Have a great day and Enjoy!

Savvy Authors - Pitch Your Book To Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary

Visit: Savvy Authors - Pitch Your Book To Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary

Trying to catch the eye of an editor? Well, now's your chance! Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary will be reading pitches today. SUBMISSIONS REQUESTED: Jill is interested in all types of women's fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy, and suspense, all types of romance, including contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, and category romance and urban fantasy/sci-fi. She also would like to see non-fiction projects, including business, history, current events, relationships/advice, parenting, self-help, health, science, and narrative non-fiction.

Members will have an opportunity to post their 3-line pitch or a short blurb as a comment to this post. Results will be posted within two weeks. Check back to see if you've scored a request! Who can enter?Contest is open to all registered members of Savvy Authors. Not a member? JOIN TODAY! Basic membership is FREE! All entries must be from registered members.

Entries posted anonymously (by non-members) will be removed. If anyone has any questions, please contact Riley Darkes.

The rules are simple:
1.Post your 3-line pitch or a short blurb in the comments section of this article after logging into the website, include at the top the Title, Genre, Sub-genre & Word Count.
2.Make sure your manuscript falls within the genres listed above!
3.Only post if your manuscript is ready now!
4.Check back to see who our Editor/Agent picked! Results posted within two weeks. (Minimum of one, no maximum!)
5.Limit two pitches per member.
6.Be sure to include your name, title, genre and word count of your manuscript. Please note, all pitches that do not follow the directions chance being removed without notice.

This includes posting more than two pitches and pitches that are longer than requested. Jill Marsal is a partner at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She has been in the publishing industry almost 15 years, previously working as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and at Dorchester Publishing, editing women's fiction, romance, and suspense/thrillers. On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of romance (contemporary, romantic suspense, histo rical, and category), women's fiction and family stories, cozy mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.

She is also looking for general commercial fiction and welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. On the non-fiction side, Jill's areas of interest include business, current events, health, self-help/advice, relationships, psychology, humor, how-to, parenting, and narrative non-fiction.

Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced authors. For more information visit the agency web site at www.MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com.

The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency is dedicated to helping authors successfully place their work. Our members have many years of experience in the publishing industry and possess a diverse and unique skill set. We have worked with many bestselling and award-winning authors, as well as first-time authors, and look forward to continuing to bring exceptional projects to the market.

Savvy Authors - Savvy Authors Weekly News April 15, 2013

Savvy Authors - Savvy Authors Weekly News April 15, 2013

Miss Snark's First Victim: April Secret Agent Early Info

Miss Snark's First Victim: April Secret Agent Early Info: Please note: This is NOT the call for submissions! The contest will open next Monday, April 22. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefu...

Savvy Authors - April Pitch Perfect schedule is here!

Savvy Authors - April Pitch Perfect schedule is here!

Savvy Authors - Pitch results are flowing in - check here to see if you scored a request!

Savvy Authors - Pitch results are flowing in - check here to see if you scored a request!