Since The Only hasn’t sent me more pictures to feature of the book signing, I’ll go back and talk about the pitch session and what I’m doing as a result. I was first up to pitch to Lucienne Diver of the Knight Agency. She absolutely rocks as a person! At the Friday night “social” and again at the book signing, she cracked me up. The woman has a wicked sense of humor. The pitch went…okay. Throwing out the memorized mandatory four/five sentences always seems a bit dry and so very hard to show your voice. However, she was kind and requested her standard: thirty pages and a 1-2 page synopsis. Yes. I need to write the synopsis, too, though I have more trouble writing a query/pitch than I do the synopsis. As she was taking pitches at a small conference, I suspect she requested “proposals” from everyone who pitched to her. That said, she’s still high on my list of dream agents, and probably pushed to the top of the list based on her personality. I liked her so much, that even if we never work together professionally, I’m pleased and honored to count her as a friend. She did think my take on vampires was different and that’s always a good thing. I mentioned that I had a request from an editor for a full on SOTW and she suggested I send it along with the caveat that I was looking for an agent, so that if I become agented, the editor would be prepared to deal with my representative. (I did NOT read anything into that statement beyond wild hope! )

About twenty minutes later, I sat down with Charles Griemsman of Harlequin. I could soooo work with this man as an editor. (Not to mention that I just wanted to scoop him up and bring him home!) He’s an absolute delight to be around. We’d briefly discussed SOTW during the Friday party and he seemed enthusiastic. So, I didn’t hit him with the “canned” pitch, but launched into a bit more detail. He, too, requested three chapters and a synopsis. The word count is worrisome (approximately 85K at the moment when he’s looking at 65-70K top end), but I told him I would be happy to work on that. I don’t have to do any cutting until/if he contracts the book. He also wanted to know about my books already published and mentioned that he’ll likely take a look at them. Color me flattered as hell!

As the first three chapters are basically rough draft territory on SEASON OF THE WITCH, I am polishing like mad! I’ve sent them off to my trusty CP and I await her shredding so I can put it back together again. When I started the revisions, I basically ripped out the first EIGHT chapters and started from scratch. Sort of. But not really. There were elements of those first eight chapters necessary to the plot–some in the beginning, some for later on. I still worry there is too much back story but I trust my CP to rip it apart. SOTW is a project near and dear to my heart. Ripping it apart is HARD! *whine* Even so, I want it to absolutely shine! Because it is the book of my heart, I want it to be my absolute best work ever!

So that’s what I’m doing. That and fretting over the query letter. I so totally suck at those. Yes. Really. Somebody want to write it for me? I have chocolate…or booze! Just sayin’…

Yes, I’m a bit late in posting. Sorry. I’d hoped to have more pictures from the book signing yesterday but The Only hasn’t downloaded and emailed them to me yet. These will have to suffice. First up is Charles Griemsman, Harlequin editor extraordinaire, and Lucienne Diver, dream agent, on the Q&A panel Saturday morning.

A brief rundown of some of their answers. In discussing trends: Charles believes that what’s “in” is what is in a writer’s heart. Tell *your* story. Don’t chase trends. A good story will always find a place.

The economy: The downturns means everyone, publishers AND readers, are tightening their belts. There is a new philosophy evolving. The product is the writing, not the book. A book can take many forms. The important thing is the writing IN the book.

What they both look for in new authors: In the book, hooks, voice, passion for the story. In the author, passion, ability to roll with the punches, innovative solutions to problems (plot tangles in rewrites, etc.), flexibility, willingness to engage in dialogue with editor and agent. Lucienne returned time and again to VOICE! Steer away from the tried and true, push yourself.

Other advice to writers: Be willing to work hard and hit your deadlines. Be professional. Productivity and prolific writing can help. Three books a year is not uncommon. If you write one book a year, you may be behind the curve but it still happens. A new author is better off sticking to one genre rather than dividing time and audience across multiple genres. Editors are looking for “mini-series” possibilities when they read a book. Can more books come from this story? Lucienne is a firm believer in Critique Partners and groups. USE THEM! But find the right ones. You need to have someone who will be honest and push you to write the best book you have in you. Attend conferences and classes. LEARN the craft! And Charles added that writers MUST be READERS!

On looking for editors and agents: RESEARCH! Make sure your work fits with a particular editor and/or agent. And make sure YOU fit with them. Don’t waste their time or yours if the fit will be a bad one. Submitting a polished manuscript shows you know your craft and that you can revise and edit.

Here are a few more pics from Saturday. That’s Charles and I in the first pic and Lucienne and I clowning around in the second. The third picture is Charles and the Harlequin authors who attended.

And a picture from yesterday, at the start of the booksigning. That’s Alicia Dean, author of THE HEART OF THE WITCH, Lucienne Diver, author of VAMPED, and yours truly, author of FAERIE FATE.

I’ll have lots of book signing pictures to share later this week. OMG! Barnes and Noble staff and management was so completely awesome. I SOLD OUT OF BOOKS! I was shocked. I was down to my last two as we were wrapping up and the manager offered to put them on the Oklahoma Author’s table rather than me buying them back. Before she could do so, they sold! Yeah. I was just a little stoked!!! I even sold some to strangers. LOLOL

Anyway, Happy Monday! I’m off to start polishing my first three chapters and synopsis for SEASON OF THE WITCH.

I’m writing madly on my “ah ha!” moment for SEASON OF THE WITCH so I thought I’d briefly bring my life up to date. See up there in the right-hand corner? Justin added another counter for FAERIE FIRE. On June 5, I pitch SOTW to an agent and an HQN editor at my RWA chapter’s mini conference. I have a good, solid, short pitch. I think. It was good enough to get a raised eyebrow and request for a full from an editor. I was caught completely off guard by the request. There’s a lesson there… I’ve also had a referral to another agent and I need to query her, but…SOTW HAS to be polished and ready.

On June 6, I’m one of four authors doing a signing at a local Barnes and Noble. I’m soooo excited. I have bookmarks and the new post cards from FAERIE FIRE to hand out, along with 20 books I hope I sell!

Revisions are finished for FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE and sent back to Ms. Editor 2.0.

The Only is having a second plastic surgery on her eyelid the end of June. We expect this to be fairly routine. She’s been chosen to present papers at the Mountain Plains History Symposium in Rapid City, SD in September, followed by a presentation at the Oklahoma Museum Association annual meeting here in OKC. Yeah, I’m just a little proud of the widget child.

And…that’s all the news that’s fit to print. It’s Friday. If I push through this chapter, I’m getting Lawyer Guy to take me out to dinner and I’m having a margarita! It’s a three-day weekend (though I’ll likely be working so long as Iffy wants to play nice) and it’s time to celebrate surviving this week. Who’s with me?

Do you remember the game of tag from when we were kids? The past few days, I’ve been involved in the writer’s version. How many of you know what tags are on Amazon? If you scroll down the page for a book, you’ll see the product details, then the percentage of people who bought the book after viewing the page (which is low because I check that page all the time-LOL!), and then there’s a section titled: Tags Customers Associate with this Book. And a list of tags (search terms) with places to check off what works. Click HERE to see what I’m talking about if you are unfamiliar.

The other day, someone came on the writers’ loop for Wild Rose and suggested that anyone who was interested post the Amazon link to their Kindle version and the rest of us would go tag. I’ve been watching my Amazon sales numbers because I’m a glutton for punishment. A book from a small press with advertising coming strictly from me is never going to be a best seller. I know this. And it’s okay. My sales, paperback and Kindle, have been respectable. Nothing to shout about, but I’ve never dropped into the 7 figure bracket in the paper version. I’ve hovered between approximately 155K and 500K. In the Kindle version, I pegged in around 60-66K. Most of my readers go for the paper version. At one point in this tagging process, I was down in the 16K level on the Kindle and ranked #75 on the romance/time travel list. DUDE! I broke the top 100 in that category for at least an hour or so.

I won’t have any idea of actual sales until July when I get my first royalty statement. And I may have no clue of the Amazon sales then, anyway. I’ve heard that Amazon is notorious for being slow to pay. But the point is, tagging and reviews help. More so than I ever anticipated they would. I’m not one for resolutions and never make them for New Year’s but I’m making one now. When I read a book, I’m going to leave a review at other places and I’m going to rate and tag and use word of mouth to let people know about the authors and books I love. Over the next few weeks, I’m going through my keeper shelf and I’ll let Amazon, and B&N, Borders, All About Romance (for those books in e-editions) and other places know what I think.

One last thing before I hit the ground running…or the internet tagging (as the case may be ) — I have an Author Page at Amazon now. You can see it HERE.

So…It’s Hump Day. Anyone have anything fun they’re looking forward to at the end of the week?

I promise I’ll get over myself some time soon. No. Really I will. In the meantime, I hope y’all will indulge me. I promise to stand on the sidelines, wave pompoms, and cheer loudly whenever any of you get published. And for you who read, I’m there for every twist and turn in your lives. Promise!

At the moment, though, I am on an amazing roller coaster ride. I’m a published author. I have a book out. It’s on Amazon. And B&N. AllRomance.com. Fictionwise.com. And places I probably haven’t even thought to check yet! Oh, wait! I did find a place in India selling FAERIE FATE! The American version. No foreign rights sold–darn it. My point is…I am gobsmacked and thrilled and quaking in my boots at the same time. I try not to check all the sites to see if anyone has reviewed FATE, or rated it, or…heck…anything with it! That people read it and enjoy it is…wow! I want to laugh and cry at the same time. I’m…blessed by this whole whirlwind trip.

In June, OKRWA is presenting their Summer Heat Mini Conference. SHMC consists of a meet and greet on Friday night with the editor and agent coming. On Saturday, we have a continental breakfast, a presentation by our guests followed by a Q&A session. We break for lunch and then there’s a series of pitch appointments while several of our long-time published members talk about the biz to folks before and after their pitch. On Sunday June 6th, four of us are doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble store, 6100 N. May, in Oklahoma City.

Yesterday, I received an email from B&N (I get them almost daily, like I do from Borders and Amazon) since I’m a “preferred member. Down at the bottom of the email is a link to the “Local Buzz”–events at *my* store. I clicked on it. And there were listings for May and June. When you scroll down, right there on June 6th is SUMMER LOVIN’. With FAERIE FATE in big letters! And the book cover next to Amanda McCabe’s new historical romance coming out in June. How freakin’ cool is that?!?!?? Lucienne Diver and Alicia Dean are also signing. There will be posters of us. And fun stuff! I shall take pictures and tweet them (which will feed over to Facebook, of course!) If any of you happen to be in the OKC area on June 6th, stop by starting at 1 p.m. and going until…? I guess until we run out of books.

See larger image Faerie Fate (Paperback) By (author) Silver James List Price: $13.99 USD New From: $12.57 In Stock Used from: $12.50 In Stock

Well, dork that I am, I’ve been checking my numbers. I have no way of knowing what my sales from Wild Rose are, but I’ve been as high as #354,089 on Amazon in the paperback and #71,191 in Kindle sales. #193,793 at Barnes and Noble. In doing my Google search, I’ve found a link for amazon.uk.com, and some company out of India that ships all over SE Asia and the Mid-east. Hrm…. Not exactly NYT best-selling numbers, but hey, SOMEbody is buying my book. And that makes me feel all warm and gooey! *squee*

Today is notification day for National Readers Choice Awards. I scrunched all the numbers yesterday and all my coordinators have their list of finalists. They’ll be making their calls today, informing the finalists in their category. I have my own category to contact and a few others so I’ll be on the phone today. Watch Twitter for announcements. As I hear that finalists have been notified, I’ll tweet them congratulations.

Today is my last day in the author spotlight at Long and Short Of It. And, I’m somewhere else today. Let me think…hrmmm…maybe HERE? Come see me!

And for tomorrow? A very special treat….Really!

One of the first things those in the know suggest to newly-published writers is sign up for Google Alerts. The “magic” that is Google’s search engine takes the parameters you set up and culls a list of “mentions.” Authors use their names, book titles, etc. to find out when people are talking about them. However, there are times when I wonder what Google was thinkin’! In the past two days, these have been on my Alert list:

SET AUSTRALIAN STERLING SILVER JAMES LINTON TEA SPOONS – eBay

Film Noir Reader : Alain Silver, James Ursini (Paperback, 1996 …

| The Silver Tongue
By editor
The Pretenders – Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers, James Walbourne

Image by James Trussart Custom Guitars. Deluxe SteelCaster Antique Silver Barbwire.

James Stevens was found slumped over in the driver’s seat of a 2002 Silver Toyota Corolla

The elegant silver vessel they’d escaped with to Canada was willed to their son James

James is rocking a Defgrip Quilted T in silver in the opening spread!

I’ve learned to leave my coffee cup in the kitchen until after I check the list. I dread thinking about adding FAERIE FATE and FAERIE FIRE to the mix. I bet I get some doozies! Has anyone else done the Google Alerts? What sort of links did you get?

Well…I’m not really hysterical but I am bouncing up and down like a fool! FAERIE FATE is up on the COMING SOON page at The Wild Rose Press. See? There it is down toward the bottom. If you click on the title (and my name!) it takes you to the page with the blurb. Wow. Yeah…This is me doin’ the Snoopy Dance! I’ve actually had hits on the title! WooHoo!

*deep breath* Okay. I’m calm now. No. Really. And I found the cactus tree. It’s been moved into plain sight and dusted. Now I just have to figure out where to put it. I also found the stockings. That’s always a win! I even, thanks to my marathon shopping day on Monday, have things to stuff them with. I even have presents if I’ll get off my @$$ and get them wrapped. Seems a bit pointless unless I have a “tree” to put them under. Right? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

So…today’s Christmas question: Where do you hide presents so no one will find them? (And do you ever forget where you put them? *raises hand sheepishly*)

G’morning, shadow peeps. I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. First, news on the Name The Trilogy front. It will have no official name. LOL! The Powers That Be don’t like foreign looking or sounding names as they feel it discombobulates readers. (True, that can happen–I know I have to stop and look up unfamiliar words, especially when I read Regencies!) Miss Editor and I could not decide on a series title we liked so I suggested dropping the title altogether. The books have similar names and the covers will tie them together. Each book is basically stand alone in that there is no over-reaching story arc. The fae and the family ties are what provide the cohesion among the three books. That leaves me free to call it what I want, albeit unofficially. Welcome back to Tír Nan Óg.

Second, I’ve officially started writing FAERIE FOOL. (If you call one paragraph a start – LOL!) Rory and Delaney will finally have their story told. I’ll be working on it simultaneously with the edits on FAERIE FIRE.

Third, speaking of FIRE. Would you like to see the cover? The fabulous RAE MONET has done it again!

Be sure to click on the cover to see the full-sized version. Well…the almost full-sized. The big file I have would clog your computers! It’s awesome blossom goodness!

Stay tuned for news of FAERIE FATE goodies to come.

And the last bit of news, the winner of November’s random drawing will win an autographed copy of Merline Lovelace’s newest book, ALL THE WRONG MOVES (A SAMANTHA SPADE MYSTERY).

Cheers!

See larger image All the Wrong Moves (A SAMANTHA SPADE MYSTERY) (Paperback) By (author) Merline Lovelace List Price: $6.99 USD New From: $3.15 In Stock Used from: $2.27 In Stock

As most of you read this, I’ll be either in the air or lounging around an airport waiting to change planes. I’m on my way to Florida for a week. I hope to be writing lots words as I am way behind on my NaNo count. I always manage to squeak through at the end, and every year I despair that I’m going to make it. I doubt I catch up to my original personal goal, but we’ll see. Yes, this would be me whining.

In the meantime…I’m nowhere closer to picking a new trilogy title. So…I’m going to toss out the wild and wacky ideas I’ve had. Feel free to weigh in with thoughts, ideas, and snark!

In no particular order, but for the way the names occurred to me:
1. Faerie Feud Trilogy (the on-going feud between Ahearn the fae piper and Manannan Mac Lir, King of Tir nan Og, is a large part of each story)

2. The Timekeeper Trilogy (Mannanan Mac Lir is the timekeeper–he has to keep all the lives sorted out)

3. The Faerie Tears Trilogy (fire opals are called faerie tears, and these stones play a role in each book)

4. Tales from the Land of Ever Young (Tir Nan Og translated means Land of Ever Young.)

5. Faerie Circle Trilogy (Uhm….? Was free associating…)

6. Faerie Dance Trilogy (ditto)

7. Standing Stones Trilogy (there are standing stones in Tir Nan Og that are the gate between there and here)

8. Faerie Stone Trilogy (sort of a combo of standing stones, with fae reference and then the gemstones)

9. Forever Faerie Trilogy (does this sound as lame as I think it does?)

10. Legacy of the Fae Trilogy (scraping bottom…)

I can use some serious snark, folks so… On your mark, get set, go! I’ll check in as able! See you next from beautiful, downtown central Florida…