The Search Is On

I've decided to take the time to do it all again. I'm searching for an agent. I haven't tried for over three years. In that time I've published two romances with a third due out in December and have a fantasy novel under contract. I have two more books in the hands of editors and have good hopes for both. When last I threw my lure out there for an agent, I had no publishing credits but now I have a few successes to prove I'm a serious author. So I'm trying again to employ one of those magic workers. My latest completed novel is the first book in new fantasy series. The series is called, Dragons and Gods, and this first book is titled, First Dragon.
I'm very excited about it. I think it's the book to get me in with the big boys in New York. Okay, call me a dreamer but at least wish me luck.
I'm interested to hear opinions from anyone out there about your experiences trying to get an agent and finding the right one. I really think it's the right spot in my career to not only get one, but because I need one. Wish me luck and share your own experiences.

Dreadful Synopsis

I've learned not to fear writing a synopsis as I did early in my career, but that doesn't mean I like it. I worked on one today for my latest WIP. I'm confessing to writing the most horrible example of the darned things of my entire career. It was so dry and skipped so much yet was almost nine pages long. The book is the first book in a new fantasy series and there are a lot of things happening, numerous important characters and an entire world to build. I had so much trouble deciding what to include and what to skip. After finishing it, I decided I'd made a wrong decision at almost every opportunity.
So tonight I'm going to delete the entire thing and start over. Yuch!
On another note, our book signing was a bit of a bust. I'm calling it an act of God. I'm talking monsoon like rains and wind. We're going to try again near Valentine's day. Stay tuned.
I'll be posting some reminders starting next week about December's release of A Ruthless Good. I'm still waiting for my cover art. I can't wait.

Book Signing

I'm very excited about my upcoming booksigning with a number of my colleagues from my local chapter of RWA. Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers, CPRW, has many talented authors with publishing credits in various types of romances. Vicky Burkholder, Natalie Damshroder, Jacki King, Misti Smith, Vicki Smith and myself will have our books available for purchase and personalization at the One Good Woman Coffee Shop in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania from 10 am to 2 pm. We hope for a good turnout at this lovely cafe with specialty drinks, lucious pastries, and warm welcomes.
I will be giving away a unique book thong with every purchase of my either of my two futuristic romance novels, THE GREATER GOOD and/or THE LESSER EVIL. I know most of the people reading this blog are not local to this area, but I hope it reaches someone that could make the trip. Gas is between $2.30-2.65 around here so you can fill up while you're here. LOL
Hope to see you.

Coming Soon!

I've been through this before, but there's no excitement quite like seeing your book on the 'coming soon' page at your publisher. And then you get to see a bump in hits to your website that you can only speculate is caused by eager fans trying to get the scope on your newest release. I was prepared for that with a never before seen excerpt from A Ruthless Good. I hope I picked a very intriguing scene. Feel free to tell me if I did.
The bad news is, I don't yet have my cover. I can't wait for it. The artists at New Concepts Publishing are second to none. I've been extremely pleased by both of my previous covers with them and expect the same this time. The cover for The Greater Good was even better than my suggestions. I've heard lots of authors complain about their book covers so I consider myself blessed.
A Ruthless Good will be released in December. In celebration, I'll be doing some book giveaways and run some contests. Stay tuned for a chance to win a print copy of The Greater Good or The Lesser Evil. I had a great response on my last giveaway and hope for the same this time.
Gotta go and check for my cover art. Can't wait.

Weather for Writers

I teach school so that means I have a number of weeks off in the summer. You would think I get lots of writing done during those months. The opposite is true. Too many things tempt me when the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. I take care of the yard and landscaping around our house. I love it but it's still a time consuming chore. Then there's all my kids activities. When the sun is out the kids will play.
And or course, fall is back to work and all the things that entails. I've found that I get the most writing done when it's cold or rainy outside. Today is an overcast, cool day here in the northeast USA, and I did one scene already this morning. I expect I'll do another ten pages before evening. Something about those clouds and a hot cup of chai gets my creative thoughts rising to the surface.
Winter does the same thing. Getting snowed in is a perfect time to put on some music and hit the keyboard. I often wonder what would happen if I could retire from my day job and write full time. Would I get anything done on a sunny day?
I'm off now to work on part three of my fantasy series I started with, The Keepers of Sulbreth. I'm waiting to hear from my editor on the second book in that series titled, Beyond the Gate. I haven't titled book three yet, but maybe it will come to me on this stormy day.