With several books now available, I was honored when a local bookstore asked me in for a booksigning. Like any author, I ordered a few of each of my books in both print and ebook (CD's) and prepared to wow the crowds.
I got there an hour early - set up, got organized, made sure my pens worked and waited. Waited for friends, co-workers, family - who'd said they'd be there but didn't show up. By the time my signing was over, I'd become almost resigned to its failure. After all how can it be a success when I sold one book and talked to a few people - who asked questions but didn't make a purchase?
Yet it wasn't a complete frustrating failure. Oh no, by making one sale I have my book(s) in another persons hands. There was another lady there as well who gave me her card and said "call me". Is she a buyer? Yes, she is. She owns a book store several hours away from my hometown. And i will definitely be calling her.
As well, I learned a few other tidbits about selling my book. That wonderful amount on the back of the book is set in stone. If it says $5.00 the average reader will not be willing to pay more for it. Does that mean I'll take a loss for my books sold? No. But I have learned that if it said suggested retail price or in US Funds a reader/buyer is more likely to ask how much in Canadian.
So while on one hand I didn't have the sucess that I'd have loved to have ( a sold out afternoon) it was joyfully frustrating. An experience that I will most definitely be doing again - with a bit more planning, more exposure, and attention to getting readers through the doors, wallets in hand and opened to make a purchase.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Submission Call
Submissions Call:
Saddle Up
Length: 50,000 – 55,000
Who doesn’t love a Cowboy?
Our new line, Saddle Up, focuses on anything western. What we are looking for, for the series, are innovative well written stories that focus on strong, likeable, and appealing heroes and heroines.
The tone of the story can be upbeat, fun, and flirty, or dark, sensual, and erotic. We are always on the lookout for a story that pushes or exceeds the boundaries of characterization, plot, and explicit nature.
Saddle Up stories can be about an alpha cowboy fighting for his farm, a cowgirl fighting for her man, or a new widow who now finds herself doing something she never thought she would have to do … farm work. We want stories with real people; stories that pull the reader in till the very last page.
Saddle Up stories are set in both small town communities and large urban areas.
The first of the Saddle Up books will be released in 2010. Our goal is to release 2 books each month thereafter.
Please send your submissions to submissions@... with Saddle Up in the Subject line.
Don’t forget to read our submission guidelines before you submit.
*Permission to repost granted*
Saddle Up
Length: 50,000 – 55,000
Who doesn’t love a Cowboy?
Our new line, Saddle Up, focuses on anything western. What we are looking for, for the series, are innovative well written stories that focus on strong, likeable, and appealing heroes and heroines.
The tone of the story can be upbeat, fun, and flirty, or dark, sensual, and erotic. We are always on the lookout for a story that pushes or exceeds the boundaries of characterization, plot, and explicit nature.
Saddle Up stories can be about an alpha cowboy fighting for his farm, a cowgirl fighting for her man, or a new widow who now finds herself doing something she never thought she would have to do … farm work. We want stories with real people; stories that pull the reader in till the very last page.
Saddle Up stories are set in both small town communities and large urban areas.
The first of the Saddle Up books will be released in 2010. Our goal is to release 2 books each month thereafter.
Please send your submissions to submissions@... with Saddle Up in the Subject line.
Don’t forget to read our submission guidelines before you submit.
*Permission to repost granted*
Monday, August 31, 2009
Word Search for My Contest
Hi everyone. I thought I'd do something a bit different with this so here goes. I've put together a word search featuring "Master's Mistress". Find all the words and let me know how many there are. All correct entries will be put in the bowl for the draw!
http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch/Data/2009.08/1420/14200849.389.html
Click on the link, you can select it as a pdf or html. Have fun and good luck.
http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch/Data/2009.08/1420/14200849.389.html
Click on the link, you can select it as a pdf or html. Have fun and good luck.
Julia Knight Interview
Please welcome Julia Knight author of Ilfayne's Bane.
Me: What inspired you to begin writing?
Julia: Two things really. Firstly, CJ Cherryh. I adore her heroes. I always fall for them, hook line and sinker, and I wanted to be able to do that to readers too! Secondly it was all Johnny Depp’s fault lol. I watched a film of his ( The Brave, I don’t think it was released in the States) and it’s one of those films that really makes you think. What it made me think about was the nature of sacrifice, what people would do for their families. Not long after, Ilfayne popped up in my head and refused to shut up until I started to write about him. A daunting prospect – I’d written nothing more than a shopping list since I left school!
Me: For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours?
Julia: Well I read so much fantasy, it only seemed fair to write it. I just love the escapism of it, the fact that anything can, and does, happen. And so it goes writing it – you can make anything happen as long as it has an inherent logic within your world, and you think about the consequences. Or as Terry Pratchett has it ‘You can have flying pigs, provided you make sure that those who live under heavy flown flight paths have very stout umbrellas’. For me it’s the consequences of the fantastical elements that really make the world come alive.
Me: What was your initial reaction when you got that first contract? Have you had anything else contracted and if so what was your reactions? Did you have the same emotions?
Julia: My initial reaction was complete disbelief! I’d only been writing for about 3 years. Surely it must be a spoof e-mail. Right? When it sank in though I was thrilled. I told everybody, even the postman. I’ve just signed a contract for the sequel to Ilfayne’s Bane, Love Is My Sin, and my first thought was ‘phew, it wasn’t a fluke then’ *laughs*
Me: What would be your one piece of advice for anyone interested in getting a book published?
Julia: Perseverance is the key, and never stop learning. Okay that’s two, I cheated. But really it does come down to that. Never think you’ve learnt everything there is to know, keep reading and learning. And never give up, never surrender! If there’s one thing that published writers have in common, it’s that they never gave up.
Me: What sort of goals do you set for yourself with each project?
I tend to have two sets of goals. Daily and long term. So I write every day, and try and get a set number of words in ( 1 thousand is doable for me) If I go over, great. And the long term goals. My current MS, the third in the series, I hope to have the first draft ready at the end of August, tidied up and sent to betas by the end of September and the final draft done by Christmas. I’ll let it rest periodically in between drafts, but I work on other projects then, so I’m always writing. If I miss a day, it’s all too easy to miss the next day, and the next and before you know it life takes over and I haven’t written anything for a month.
And before I go, I’d just like to say a big thanks for the opportunity to talk to you.
Julia: Two things really. Firstly, CJ Cherryh. I adore her heroes. I always fall for them, hook line and sinker, and I wanted to be able to do that to readers too! Secondly it was all Johnny Depp’s fault lol. I watched a film of his ( The Brave, I don’t think it was released in the States) and it’s one of those films that really makes you think. What it made me think about was the nature of sacrifice, what people would do for their families. Not long after, Ilfayne popped up in my head and refused to shut up until I started to write about him. A daunting prospect – I’d written nothing more than a shopping list since I left school!
Me: For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours?
Julia: Well I read so much fantasy, it only seemed fair to write it. I just love the escapism of it, the fact that anything can, and does, happen. And so it goes writing it – you can make anything happen as long as it has an inherent logic within your world, and you think about the consequences. Or as Terry Pratchett has it ‘You can have flying pigs, provided you make sure that those who live under heavy flown flight paths have very stout umbrellas’. For me it’s the consequences of the fantastical elements that really make the world come alive.
Me: What was your initial reaction when you got that first contract? Have you had anything else contracted and if so what was your reactions? Did you have the same emotions?
Julia: My initial reaction was complete disbelief! I’d only been writing for about 3 years. Surely it must be a spoof e-mail. Right? When it sank in though I was thrilled. I told everybody, even the postman. I’ve just signed a contract for the sequel to Ilfayne’s Bane, Love Is My Sin, and my first thought was ‘phew, it wasn’t a fluke then’ *laughs*
Me: What would be your one piece of advice for anyone interested in getting a book published?
Julia: Perseverance is the key, and never stop learning. Okay that’s two, I cheated. But really it does come down to that. Never think you’ve learnt everything there is to know, keep reading and learning. And never give up, never surrender! If there’s one thing that published writers have in common, it’s that they never gave up.
Me: What sort of goals do you set for yourself with each project?
I tend to have two sets of goals. Daily and long term. So I write every day, and try and get a set number of words in ( 1 thousand is doable for me) If I go over, great. And the long term goals. My current MS, the third in the series, I hope to have the first draft ready at the end of August, tidied up and sent to betas by the end of September and the final draft done by Christmas. I’ll let it rest periodically in between drafts, but I work on other projects then, so I’m always writing. If I miss a day, it’s all too easy to miss the next day, and the next and before you know it life takes over and I haven’t written anything for a month.
And before I go, I’d just like to say a big thanks for the opportunity to talk to you.
Me: Thank you so much Julia for stopping in. It was great chatting with you. For anyone whose interested you can find out more about Julia's book and her other writing project at http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/ilfaynes-bane or Julia's blog http://juliazknight.wordpress.com/home-page/blog/.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Start of my Contest/Giveaway
With the upcoming release of two of my full length western historical's I wanted to share with you, my readers my contest to help me celebrate. So here goes, in October, after the release of Love Thy Neighbor I'll be drawing three names.
The first prize winner will get the entire back library of my work, that's THREE full length Novels and one Novella.
Second Prize will be a choice of TWO of my books.
Third prize will be a free copy of my Christmas Novella released Dec. 08 as well as a mystery gift.
The rules are simple, read the excerpt and answer the trivia question correctly. Submit your name, email address, and the answer to me via my contact page and your name will be added to others for the draw. I'll also be posting some fun activities such as word searches and interviews with special hints. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all enjoy yourself.
Excerpt from Christmas For the Cowboy
“Excellent.” Holly hung up the phone and pushed the curtain aside. She stepped into the warm spray and sighed. The heat of the water washed away the makeup, the hairspray, everything that she’d plastered on to be someone other than herself. Holly rolled her neck under the shower, her hand already scrubbing at the streaks of black mascara that trailed along her body. The familiar smell of rosemary filled the room as she used the hotel’s shower gel to cleanse away the painted lady.
After washing out her long hair, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall to smile at the man who held a bath sheet open for her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t,” he replied, and pulled her closer to him.
She responded to his gentle kiss before she tucked her head under his chin. “I’ve ordered something for us to eat.” The explanation came easily as she pressed heated kisses along the tanned flesh before her.
“Good, you’re gonna need the energy,” he teased, and swatted her on the rump as she scurried out of the bathroom. “Did you get coffee?”
“It’s on its way, along with your luggage,” Holly called back, and opened her suitcase. She pulled out the red silk nightie she’d made and slipped it on. The familiar comforting sounds of the shower filled the room as she moved the wine off the table and made room for the room service order.
When it arrived, she paid the tab, tossed in a tip and set it down as the bathroom door opened and her lover stepped out. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her. “Does your husband know where you are?”
Holly rolled her eyes thoughtfully. “Does your wife?”
Tyson chuckled and moved to hold her close. “You know what time it is?” he whispered, his attention on the digital clock.
Holly turned in his embrace and shrugged. “So? I’m usually just going to bed at this time. I have a good excuse for being up this late.”
“Food, woman, you need the calories.”
Holly laughed warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed. She took the plate from his hands and set it in her lap. “So cowboy, tell me about yourself.” Her gaze was steady, unyielding, but not unkind.
“I ride rough stock. Broncs, bulls in the CPRA.” He paused and looked at her. “You know what that is?”
Holly shrugged, fully at ease with this particular word game in their annual ritual. “Figure it’s something to do with rodeo. Go on.”
Tyson spoke clearly, detailing his exploits of the past year until the accident. “That bull’s a prize-winner. Never been ridden and I thought I could beat him. I wanted to finish the year in grand style, to be top ranked for the Finals and it didn’t work out that way.”
“So what are you going to do if you can’t go back?” Holly tossed her napkin onto the empty plate and sat it aside. His answer was worth so much and she waited impatiently to hear it. Despite their role-playing, this conversation had far reaching consequences that could alter her future drastically. She shifted to hide the tremble in her body, the fear that raced along her nerves.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything but rodeo so not being able to do it is kinda hard.”
Holly nodded. “What about ranching? Why can’t you do that?”
Tyson stared at her, a multitude of emotions on his face. “It’s not the same. We run a small ranch when I’m not on the circuit.”
“What does your wife say about this? Doesn’t she resent having you only a few nights a year? I mean, you’re my lover and I could do with more than a few weekends. Is it enough to keep your relationship together?” She pointed at the pale band of skin around his ring finger.
“She wants me to stay home, to ranch. Sure I’d like to be able to be home every night but the road has some real perks to it. There’s a wildness, an untamed quality to it. When we’re together it’s great, the sex is great, the laughter, the conversations but,” Tyson shrugged uncomfortably, “I just don’t think I can ever stay put. Moving from place to place is something I’ve always done. I can’t stop being me.”
Holly nodded carefully, her eyes dropped to her lap. It was a familiar refrain, one she’d heard before and she felt her heart break a little. Sometimes it was an uphill battle to be the strong one, to be the one that waited. Now was one of those times. “So you’ll continue chasing the circuit then?”
“I’m not sure. I’m headed home in a few days and after that I’ll see.”
Holly smiled and shrugged. These few days weren’t about choices that affected them in real life. This was her time, time to be a woman. Her chance to be sexual, to explore the dangerous side of her desires without worry or concern for the consequences. She pushed her disappointment aside and smirked at him. The bed shifted beneath her as she got on her knees and reached for the plate in his hands. “Well, let’s see if we can fit a few more hours of excitement in, shall we?” she whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS: What's the significance about this weekend with Ty for Holly?
The answer will be revealed Friday, August 28th, 2009.
The first prize winner will get the entire back library of my work, that's THREE full length Novels and one Novella.
Second Prize will be a choice of TWO of my books.
Third prize will be a free copy of my Christmas Novella released Dec. 08 as well as a mystery gift.
The rules are simple, read the excerpt and answer the trivia question correctly. Submit your name, email address, and the answer to me via my contact page and your name will be added to others for the draw. I'll also be posting some fun activities such as word searches and interviews with special hints. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all enjoy yourself.
Excerpt from Christmas For the Cowboy
“Excellent.” Holly hung up the phone and pushed the curtain aside. She stepped into the warm spray and sighed. The heat of the water washed away the makeup, the hairspray, everything that she’d plastered on to be someone other than herself. Holly rolled her neck under the shower, her hand already scrubbing at the streaks of black mascara that trailed along her body. The familiar smell of rosemary filled the room as she used the hotel’s shower gel to cleanse away the painted lady.
After washing out her long hair, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall to smile at the man who held a bath sheet open for her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t,” he replied, and pulled her closer to him.
She responded to his gentle kiss before she tucked her head under his chin. “I’ve ordered something for us to eat.” The explanation came easily as she pressed heated kisses along the tanned flesh before her.
“Good, you’re gonna need the energy,” he teased, and swatted her on the rump as she scurried out of the bathroom. “Did you get coffee?”
“It’s on its way, along with your luggage,” Holly called back, and opened her suitcase. She pulled out the red silk nightie she’d made and slipped it on. The familiar comforting sounds of the shower filled the room as she moved the wine off the table and made room for the room service order.
When it arrived, she paid the tab, tossed in a tip and set it down as the bathroom door opened and her lover stepped out. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her. “Does your husband know where you are?”
Holly rolled her eyes thoughtfully. “Does your wife?”
Tyson chuckled and moved to hold her close. “You know what time it is?” he whispered, his attention on the digital clock.
Holly turned in his embrace and shrugged. “So? I’m usually just going to bed at this time. I have a good excuse for being up this late.”
“Food, woman, you need the calories.”
Holly laughed warmly and sat down on the edge of the bed. She took the plate from his hands and set it in her lap. “So cowboy, tell me about yourself.” Her gaze was steady, unyielding, but not unkind.
“I ride rough stock. Broncs, bulls in the CPRA.” He paused and looked at her. “You know what that is?”
Holly shrugged, fully at ease with this particular word game in their annual ritual. “Figure it’s something to do with rodeo. Go on.”
Tyson spoke clearly, detailing his exploits of the past year until the accident. “That bull’s a prize-winner. Never been ridden and I thought I could beat him. I wanted to finish the year in grand style, to be top ranked for the Finals and it didn’t work out that way.”
“So what are you going to do if you can’t go back?” Holly tossed her napkin onto the empty plate and sat it aside. His answer was worth so much and she waited impatiently to hear it. Despite their role-playing, this conversation had far reaching consequences that could alter her future drastically. She shifted to hide the tremble in her body, the fear that raced along her nerves.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything but rodeo so not being able to do it is kinda hard.”
Holly nodded. “What about ranching? Why can’t you do that?”
Tyson stared at her, a multitude of emotions on his face. “It’s not the same. We run a small ranch when I’m not on the circuit.”
“What does your wife say about this? Doesn’t she resent having you only a few nights a year? I mean, you’re my lover and I could do with more than a few weekends. Is it enough to keep your relationship together?” She pointed at the pale band of skin around his ring finger.
“She wants me to stay home, to ranch. Sure I’d like to be able to be home every night but the road has some real perks to it. There’s a wildness, an untamed quality to it. When we’re together it’s great, the sex is great, the laughter, the conversations but,” Tyson shrugged uncomfortably, “I just don’t think I can ever stay put. Moving from place to place is something I’ve always done. I can’t stop being me.”
Holly nodded carefully, her eyes dropped to her lap. It was a familiar refrain, one she’d heard before and she felt her heart break a little. Sometimes it was an uphill battle to be the strong one, to be the one that waited. Now was one of those times. “So you’ll continue chasing the circuit then?”
“I’m not sure. I’m headed home in a few days and after that I’ll see.”
Holly smiled and shrugged. These few days weren’t about choices that affected them in real life. This was her time, time to be a woman. Her chance to be sexual, to explore the dangerous side of her desires without worry or concern for the consequences. She pushed her disappointment aside and smirked at him. The bed shifted beneath her as she got on her knees and reached for the plate in his hands. “Well, let’s see if we can fit a few more hours of excitement in, shall we?” she whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS: What's the significance about this weekend with Ty for Holly?
The answer will be revealed Friday, August 28th, 2009.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Interview with Suzannah Safi
For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours?
I am a romantic person by nature. So, whatever I write: paranormal, contemporary, horror, and suspense, I mix it all with romance. The thing with my writing is that I don’t know what I will write next, it could be any mix of the romance genre, so it is not one writing style I stick with, but several.
What was your initial reaction when you got that first contract? Have you had anything else contracted and if so what was your reactions? Did you have the same emotions?
My first contract was with The Wild Rose Press for my contemporary romance novel ‘Worth Every Breath”, which is coming out in e-book and paperback in September 2, 2009. When I received the email from the publisher congratulating me, and offering a contract, at first, I blinked few times before it hit me ‘I’ll be a published author!’ After the first dance around the living room, and calling all the people I know to tell them about the news, I sat quietly savoring the moment. After that I received another contract with Champagne Books for my paranormal romance novel ‘This Time You Are Mine’. The feeling was the same as the first time I received my first contract definitely. The joy of knowing that my babies are going to see the world, and they will be enjoyed by readers is indescribable.
Do you have to do a lot of research to write the books you do or do you write within the fields you know?
Oh my, research is not only time consuming but also exhausting, but I love every minute of it. As an author you have to do lots of research, and that’s why most authors are knowledgeable about many subjects. I don’t necessarily write about what I know, only because I’ll be limiting my creativity, and I have a wild one when it comes to writing romance LOL. Talking about myself as an author who likes to write about all types of romance genres, I tend to research lots of subjects, you never know what you will find. I consider knowledge a precious jewel, without it you can’t be complete. When you have knowledge the sky is your limit.
What would be your one piece of advice for anyone interested in getting a book published?
Don’t ever give up; it takes time to get published. Be wise when you search for a publisher, don’t just go with anyone. It’s important to know if the publisher you are seeking is suitable for the genre you are writing in. Also is the publisher selling or not? Do your research on any publisher you are submitting too, it will save you time and effort in the long run.
What sort of goals do you set for yourself with each project?
My goal always is to enjoy what I write, if I am not enjoying the story no one will. When I get an idea for a story, I write it first as an outline, then I research all the materials for the story, save them, then start my journey. And what a journey it is, I live in my stories, experience what my characters are experiencing, live their lives, feel what they feel. It’s a world I create, people I meet, and experiences I go through.
What promotional avenues would you recommend to those who are newly published?
Use every avenue: bookmarks, brochure, internet ads, contests, book trailers, even talk to anyone about your books. You never know when you will make a sale.
For authors who are interested in having a professional book trailer created for their books to market, please visit my Book Trailer Design Company at www.design.suzannahsafi.com
Upcoming Contest
Its HUGE!!!!
Wow! With two full length historical novels due out in Sept. and October I'm holding a massive contest.
Starting August 25th I'm going to be posting clues and excerpts on my blogs and website. Along with each clue there will be a single question about the clue/hint you'll have to answer.
Collect all the clues/hints for a chance to win the entire back library of all my books in e-book format. This includes, Christmas For the Cowboy, Master's Mistress, and my upcoming releases Borderline Sin, and Love Thy Neighbor.
That's FOUR books in all plus a special 'freebie'. On October 5th I'll be doing the draw.
The prize break down will be as follows:
The prize break down will be as follows:
1st. Place the entire back library - including the 'freebie'.
2nd. Place one full length e-book of the winner's chosing from the library and special freebie
3rd. Copy of my novella on CD as a PDF Christmas for the Cowboy as well as a mystery gift.
The rules are simple: Leave a comment answering the days trivia with the correct clue.
Feel free to back link your sites/blogs with mine (I'm shamelessly trying to drive people to mine)
Have fun! And yes that's a rule. hehe.
Come out and have a great time - and learn a bit more about my characters and books!
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