This week I’ve baked two birthday cakes, packed twenty school lunches, cooked seven dinners, washed a gazillion clothes, fed the dog, cleaned the car, vacuumed the house, and I also walked into a cobweb by accident and became an instant karate master. 🙂 Yeah, that’s what my son said as he watched in awe, and I’m going with that.
On top of all that, I’m an author, an artist, unwavering, setting aside eight hours a day to write. I’m completely organized, not that you’d tell it from the piles of work sitting everywhere in my office, but I am. And lastly, I’m real.
All authors are. We have family to care for, usually a secondary job (because that pays the bills,) and a ton of other commitments, yet we’re tireless in our dedication to our craft.
This week that’s really hit home as I worked my butt off to finish line edits, and proof the galley of WARRIOR’s final file. In amongst that, I had another book going through its final round of content edits, and yet another going through pre-edits. My fabulous editor worked equally as hard as me, and the morning I received my book’s final files from my publisher, it was to discover all that hard work had paid off big time. My publisher notified me she’d moved WARRIOR’s release date forward by two months. Yes, two months, to September 2nd, and all due to being so ahead of deadlines. Yee-ha! It was totally unexpected, and it totally blewme away.
So, over the weekend I launched into promotion mode for WARRIOR’s upcoming release. I emailed files to YA reviewers and spent several hours creating a book trailer, although that’s just the beginning. Yep, those authors who’ve released books are right now nodding their heads. It’s a big job to promote, and it takes a lot of time. Time we’d rather spend writing.
But this participation in promoting our own work, whether authors go traditional, or self-publish is the reality for all writers. We not only have to write, but we have to promote and sell our work. We can’t get away from it. It’s the simple truth.
Which is the reason for this post. AUTHOR: Artist, Unwavering, Tremendously Hard-working, Organized, Real.
Click “like” on this blog post if you agree and you’re one of these AUTHORS.
Lastly, if you have a moment, take a look at the youtube video I created for WARRIOR. I had a ton of fun making it, and couldn’t wait to share it with you all.
WARRIOR TRAILER:
Have a fabulous week. If you want to drop a comment, make sure you do. I love hearing from you all.
What a magical moment I had last Wednesday. WARRIOR’s cover arrived from my publisher, which meant I spent the entire day printing off copies and pinning them around the house. Yep, my hubby and kiddies couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing the image. So, huge thanks to Renee Rocco of Lyrical Press NY for her skilful hand at cover-art.
Warrior is book two in my YA fantasy romance series. Each book features a new heroine and hero, and Warrior is the story of Hope and Silas. Although the characters from the first book, Protector, feature prominently throughout the second, so you’ll not miss catching up with Faith and Davio along the way. Also, as both the heroines from the two books are from the famed Wincrest line, the images of the two girls are strikingly similar. So, here it is, WARRIOR’s cover. I hope you enjoy.
WARRIOR ~~ Magio-Earth Book Two ~~ Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance.
COMING ~~ November 4th 2013 with Lyrical Press NY.
~~~
WARRIOR’s blurb
To love and protect…across worlds.
On planet Magio, Princess Hope Wincrest, of Dralion is on a quest to discover the lost heritage of a mother she’s never known. While in the Australian Outback, her home away from home, her warrior father warns her she is about to meet an enemy protector whom she must work with to uncover her heritage.
Silas Carver, of Peacio on planet Magio, follows his soul’s call only to discover his soul-bound mate is an enemy of his people. Dralion and Peacio are at war. He demands Hope release him from their bond, and she will, after he helps her learn about her mother.
Eighteen-year-old Hope’s adult strength abilities are emerging and one of them could be deadly to her. She must lay her life in Silas’s hands during a journey deep into foreign lands. Theirs is a battle of the heart and of the land. Can the mated pair find their place with each other in a world at war?
If you’d like to add WARRIOR to your TBR list, the link is here–> Goodreads.
Thanks so much for joining me in celebrating the release of my cover. I’m currently working hard on Book Three in the series, and having a blast writing Silvie’s story. She’s one fiery redhead who knows how to have fun. I should have this one ready to send out for submission at the end of May. So close. I can’t wait. If you want to drop me a comment, you know I love hearing from you.
I wish you all a safe and wonderful week. Catch ya later.
Yay! This would be me right now, if I were a cat! 🙂
Hey, everyone,
I’m doing a huge happy dance down here in New Zealand.
My second baby book titled “Warrior,” in my young adult/fantasy/romance series got a contract. Woo-hoo. Huge thanks go to Renee Rocco and her fabulous team at Lyrical Press NY for saying “yes.” I’m beyond excited. In fact if there weren’t a ceiling over my head, I would have floated away by now. Ah-huh, yes I would have.
Wow, it’s the coolest feeling to know my characters will have their story told, and thank you to all of you who twiddled your fingers with me as I waited to hear back. You guys rock.
In the meantime, to continue the celebrations I have a wonderful critiquing offer for you all. I said I’d bring it back–and I have. (Offer is below.)
I’ve also been super busy learning how to create a book trailer, so here’s what I’ve pulled together for your viewing pleasure. This book trailer is for “Protector” which releases on 7th January 2013. Oh boy, literally just one month away. What a wicked lead up to Christmas I’m having. Just click here to view the trailer on youtube –> Protector’s trailer.
So, to my offer–everyone who leaves a comment asking “for a critique” will have their name put into a hat. What do you win? Yours truly shall be your second set of eyes to go over the first four pages (or 1500 words thereabouts) of your novel. That’s the first four pages. Not four pages from the middle of the book, but the first four pages. Okay, so if you’ve been catching my blogs, you’ll know my skills are in the editing department–which means it will be a fabulous critique. You’ll love it.
I’ll pick a winner and post the name next week on my blog, so keep your eye out for who that is. (Particularly the winner, because you’ll need to get in contact with me via email.)
Now, I’m off to finish my third manuscript, a romantic suspense which I’m aiming to have ready for submission in the next week or two. Yep, why is it a writer’s work is never done?
