Yep. it’s true. Thanks to the wonderfully talented author and web master Anne Douglas, my blog and website are now one. So if you want to keep up on my latests happenings hop on over to www.michellecary.com and check it out.
Sorry that I haven’t been around much, but it’s been a very busy week. I’ve been out on the loops promoting my latest release ‘Some Kind of Hero’. Available now at Samhain Publishing. And as you guys know, I got a new cover for my latest contracted story ‘Best of Intentions’. Plus I had galley proofs for my soon to be released full length romantic suspense novel. ‘Ransomed Heart.’ And I just received first round edits for ‘Best of Intentions.’ AND I just got my author copies of the print book ‘Sand, Sun and Sex’. Which is an anthology thats part of Samhain Publishing’s Midsummer Night’s Steam series. They’ll be available to purchase May 29th.
It’s funny, April was such a quite month that I was beginning to worry and fret over my future as a writer. Then the 29th hit and it was like somebody opened the flood gates. Now I’m so busy I can barely think and I’m loving every minute of it. Stay tuned folks. When it gets a little closer to the print release for Sand Sun and Sex I’ll be setting up a contest to win a signed author’s copy.
Not too long ago I announced that I’d been given a contract for my paranormal romantic suspsense entitled ‘Best of Intentions’. Well, the staff at The Wild Rose Press move fast, not only am I expecting 1st round edits any day now, but I’ve received my cover. Isn’t it pretty? The artist is Rae Monet and she does amazing work.
Though I obviously don’t have a release date yet, I’m guessing it will be sometime fall/winter 2008 for e-book then next year for print.
That’s right. The day has finally arrived and I’m happy to announce the release of my erotic romance novel ‘Some Kind of Hero’.
Courage comes in many forms…
After serving his tour of duty in Iraq, Sergeant Derek Rison returns home to find his apartment—and his life—in ruins. Sitting in the back booth of a local diner, contemplating his options, Derek meets waitress Jordan Minx, a petite brunette with a sad smile and a big heart.
Well-intentioned Jordan offers him a place to sleep, but an accidental encounter in the bathroom lands them both in her bed. Derek discovers a woman with an insatiable appetite for sex and a secret to hide—her “boyfriend” blackmails her to be a toy for his group of kinky friends.
Bolstered by Derek’s love, Jordan finds the courage to do the right thing. But the cost of freedom could be her life.
Read an excerpt here (just remember its rated adult): http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/some-kind-of-hero
Oh and the winner of my leave a comment on my blog contest is mamasand2. Thanks for playing!
Michelle
Today I find myself in the mood to talk about critique groups. For a writer, especially a newbie, a critique group can be the lifeline they need in order to hone their skills without plunking down money for expensive writing classes. Yes, it does take longer and you will go through the school of hard knocks, but it’s well worth it.
For the past few years I’ve been a member of an on-line community called The Critique Circle (http://www.critiquecircle.com). I’ve met fellow authors who have become friends and who have gone on to become multi-published and I unfortunately I’ve met a few wannabe know it alls who can’t take even the slightest bit of criticism about their work without becoming offended. Hey, publishing is a hard business. If you don’t grow a think skin, you’ll never survive.
What I’ve learned most from being in this community is that even though you might not like what your peers are saying about your story, they’re probably right. I’ve had stories rejected by publishers for the exact reasons that my fellow critters pointed out but I chose to ignore. I’ve also had stories accepted by publishers because I listened to my peer group and made the necessary changes. It’s a rough process and you have to give as much as you receive, which for a busy author and mom with a real life job, it can be somewhat time consuming. However, the feedback more than makes up for the time put out. If you’re an author trying to break into the business, run your story through a critique group first and see what you get out of it. You might not like what they have to say, but if you listen, you might just become a better writer for it!
And still going!
…that gives epublishing a bad name.
If there’s one thing that the author’s loops I’m involved with are good for, it’s weeding out the good and bad that goes on in the industry. Recently one of my fellow authors came across a post on Ebook Enthusiast.com. And while many of the items listed are correct, the first three not only make ebookenthusiast.com look like idiots, because they’re wrong, but give’s the epublishing industry a perpetual black eye. This is what they wrote.
More and more authors are turning to ePublishing as an alternative to traditional publishing. Here are some reasons why:
No Rejection: eBook publishers are much less choosy about which manuscripts they accept, and many accept all that are submitted.
Wrong, wrong, wrong and um…WRONG!!! Any respectable e-book publisher is not going to accept every submission they receive. In fact, the acceptance rates for e-publishers are only 1 to 2 percent higher than those of the traditional NY publishing houses.
Time: It can take years of searching for a publisher who wants to take on your book, if you can find one at all. With self-publishing, you could wait months or even years before you have the printed copies of your book. With ePublishing, that time can be cut down to weeks or days.
Again, WRONG! While the time from acceptance to actual e-print is less, many e-publishers also put their longer or more popular titles in traditional print and this process can take just as long as any of the NY publishers. Not to mention, with the backlog many of the quality e-publishers now have, if you were accepted tomorrow, you still may not see e-print until a year from now or even longer.
Price: Self-publishing can cost thousands of dollars, and authors must pay for each copy of their book that is printed. With eBooks, you usually pay one fee for the ePublishing service. eBooks never have to be printed.
WHAT!?! This one had me nearly spitting my iced tea on the screen as I read it. No legit e-publisher is going to make you PAY to have your work put in print. Not once have I had to pay for anything, neither has any of the authors I know. If ANY company calling themselves a real publisher asks you to pay RUN AWAY fast.
Personal Interaction: Even if only through email, authors can communicate directly with the person that will be handling their manuscript. You can ask questions about any part of the process and get feedback on your book.
Technology: Lots of authors are excited about being part of the new technology of eBooks. Anybody who has an eBook now is getting in on the ground floor of an emerging technology, and will be part of all the upcoming advancements.
Future Options: Depending on the ePublisher, authors will still have the option to publish their work in paper, sell their eBooks at multiple eBook stores, and even continue to submit their manuscript to traditional publishers while it’s selling as an eBook. (This can also help authors establish a sales record to show to publishers.)
Finally, some statements I can agree with. Yes, I love the personal interaction I have with my editors. It’s been invaluable to making me a better writer and building a relationship with my publishers. And yes, I am excited to be in on the ground floor of the e-book future. It’s going to be a bright one and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. And, while not all NY house will take a submission if it’s already published (e-version or otherwise) it does help to establish a sales record that can help an author break through that giant barrier NY publishers have erected.
Do it yourself!: You can even do the work of “ebooking” your manuscript yourself. This might or might not save you money, depending on whether you need to buy any software for your purposes. ePublishers have more expertise in the process of creating eBooks, but you can take it on as a creative project and be proud of what you’ve accomplished in the end.
Okay, so much for being in agreement. Even in the e-publishing world, if you’re not published through an established and reputable e-publisher, then you’re looked down upon. Self-publishing is NOT the same as e-publishing. I REPEAT, SELF PUBLISHING IS NOT THE SAME AS E-PUBLISHING. Unless you’re doing it as a project for some college course or you simply want to see your book in print with no real desire to make money at it, then you would not want to do it yourself.
People I beg of you, if you’re going to write things about the e-publishing industry, I ask that you make sure your facts are correct, because if they’re not, you’ll not only discredit an industry on the cutting edge, but make yourselves look like idiots in the process.
http://ebooksenthusiast.com/ebook-publishing/index.htm
Very rarely do I feel the need to comment about the business side of publishing. I like most authors in the business know exactly how it works and like it or not accept that way as fact. However, late last week rumors started surfacing around the author loops for my different publishers regarding amazon.com and they weren’t good. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they were in fact true.
In many ways Amazon.com is the Wal-mart of the Internet. It’s a giant among it’s peers and apparently because of their status have decided they no long have to follow the rules of fair trade. For those of you who don’t necessarily understand how the whole publishing process works, let me explain. When a publisher decides to put a book in print, they enter into an agreement with a printer/distributor. Now Lightning Source has been the big dog for distribution in the print world for a long time. They have a good reputation for being reliable and fair and if you’ve ever ordered a new book from Amazon.com chances are you’ve received the book from Lightning Source as they are the ones who fills the orders and many times drop ships them from the closest warehouse so you can have your book delivered as quickly as possible.
Well, a couple of years ago, Amazon.com bought Booksurge, a printer/distributor that was in financial duress and didn’t have a great reputation. Anybody see where this is going? Yep, while amazon.com has an agreement, dare I say contract with Ligtning Source, they have decided they no longer want to share the profits and have begun the immoral and possibly illegal practice of approaching Lighning Source’s publishers directly with a proposal. Drop Lighning Source and use our printer/distributor or we will shut off your buy buttons. They’re also being very sneaky about it by not putting anything in writing, which tells me that what they are doing is probably illegal but certainly immoral.
Those publishers who refuse to be bullied by Amazon.com have had their buy buttons turned off and now their author’s books are only available through third party sellers. Which means longer ship times for the consumer, no free shipping for the consumer, money in both Amazon’s and the third party seller’s pocket and the author (who has slaved over the story making it the best it can be) is left with nothing! Don’t believe me? Go to amazon and do an advanced search for authors of Whiskey Creek Press or Publish America. Both suffered this fate last week. At lest one of my publishers Samhain Publishing has also stood firm and I fear will be next. Still, I stand behind them in their decision and would rather lose what little sales Amazon would generate than bow to the corporate bully.
But don’t for one second think that this doesn’t effect you as the consumer. Because if Amazon gets their way you’ll be looking a longer ship times and potential problems with correct orders being shipped as Booksurge has a horrible reputation for customer service. I say stand up and tell the corporate bully NO! There are other alternatives out there for buying books on line who would be happy to provide you with fine customer service. Start with Barnesandnobel.com. They carry a lot of the same titles that amazon does and if you’re a B&N member you can qualify for discounted rates and free shipping. As an author who could lose tons of future sales because of Amazon.com’s unfair trade practices I ask you to boycott Amazon.com. JUST SAY NO!
Want more info on this subject…check out the links below.
http://depravedduchess.blogspot.com/
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6545772.html?nid=2286&source=link&rid=1817936174
I finally made it. Now it just needs to be edited *bangs head against desks in exhaustion*
