Of Ink and Quille

I'm the guest on Karenna's site. She'll be interviewing me about my books, my writing, and so much more. So come out and join us for the fun. I promise I'll try and get back to everyone! Here's the link to her site - www.karennacolcroft.com/?page_id=18

Wow the countdown has begun. With only a little over a full day left in 2009, I've been doning some retrospective thinking over the passed year. It was one full of ups and downs, highs, lows, and some inbetween times. I managed to successfully meet some goals and missed the mark with others. For the coming  new year, I've decided that I need new goals - are they set in stone? No. They'll probably be tweaked, twisted, turned, and otherwise tortured but its a start right? So here goes my top 5 goals. 1. Get my editing business up and running. I'm starting up one online that is specifically for historical writers. 2. Complete my current WIPes and submit them by this spring. 3. Aim for New York with a submission by the end of 2010. 4. Do more to promote my books and build my web identity. 5. Have fun - with my family, my writing, my work...and not sweat the small stuff. There's so much out there that I can't change so I'm going to focus on what I can...

Please welcome back, Tami who honors us with her presence at today's interview. H ow did you get started as a reader for Champagne? I had been a book reviewer for Simply Romance Reviews for a while and I was just dying to get 'more'! So I decided to go to the publishers websites and click on all of the job link pages and see what they had to offer. When I got to the Champagne website they were 'hiring' for readers. So, I got to pre-read manuscripts that were coming into Champagne. I felt privileged and honoured! What, or who, inspired you to get involved in the publication industry? I'm a horrible bookie. I have been since I was a child. I started writing a book almost 7 years ago and I've always had the dream of being a writer. So when I started reviewing I said to myself, "Self you can do this too you know. And the only way to get into any biz is from the bottom up." I am one of those people that wants to know how all the nuts and bolts work. So,...

Tami Winbush: Marketing/PR rep for Champagne Books said: I don't know how it's possible to hate talking to people and love talking to people at the same time. But somehow I end up doing it. I do not like to get up in front of a crowd. It makes me sweat, get all red in the face and my heart beats out of my chest. Textbook heart attack, I mean panic attack. But once I get in front of said people, I can talk to them as if I have known them forever. I love to talk. I've been told that I have NEVER met a stranger, and it's true. The smaller the group of people I meet the better I am. So you would think that marketing Champagne and Carnal Passion Books to people online would make my life really easy since I don't actually have to get up in front of any people, right? WRONG! There is 'something' to a face-to-face connection and being able to show someone something tangible. "Here my dear reader, look at this wonderful book. The cover art is exquisite, the stor...

For those of you who know me I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator...and overly prolific. I'm always doing something and it shows. I'm currently going to be revamping my google group Of ink and quille. If anyone has any suggestions, comments, or thoughts on how to make it a better, more informative and fun group please, please feel free to drop me a note. I'm going to be opening it for discussions, promotions, etc as well as to do a monthly fun feature so please come out and join me in launchin this "New" face of my group in January 2010.

Please welcome author, A.C. Mason to the blog. She was kind enough to volunteer to do an interview. Feel free to post questions/comments. What inspired you to begin writing? I saw a biography of Mary Shelley on the history channel when I was about thirteen. If she could write Frankenstein by the age of eighteen what could I do by then? I didn’t know, but I sure wanted to find out. For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours? I’ve had a fascination with American horror, thrillers, and sci-fi films since I was a very small child. In the eighties many interesting movies like The Shinning, Scanners, Angel Heart and The Lost Boys came out which further molded my young mind. Most kids thought I was disturbed but I couldn’t get enough of these dark places. Eventually I wrote my own scary places. What was your initial reaction when you got that first contract? Let me provide some context. Technically I don’t write romance but most of ...

Wow, only thirteen days left until the big day. I thought it would be fun to share some things about Christmas. Today I'm including an excerpt from my Christmas Novella, Christmas for the Cowboy. Happy Holidays - may they be blessed. Christmas For The Cowboy Chapter One Excerpt Beyond the window a blanket of white lay over the land as Holly Walker snapped the clasp on her bag shut. A sweeping glance around the room revealed her neatly made king-sized bed, two oak dressers, and armoire; each item lovingly cleaned in preparation of her week-long absence. She traced over the wedding ring quilt on the bed and tried to ignore the tremble in her fingers. Her stocking feet made no sound as she walked to the dresser and lifted the small envelope that rested there. “All set,” she murmured to herself, tucking her cell phone into her purse, and starting down stairs. The Christmas lights flickered and danced off the rings on her hands. Holly paused in the doorway and looked around. A massi...

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 a...

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 sub...

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.

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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: 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 answe...

For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours? First, my primary genre is a hybrid between suspense and romance. There’s two reasons that a big alpha male would even try to do anything with romance: First, I think in modern society love and relationships have been maligned by the media. You see signs everywhere, especially in youth that treat relationships as a throw away commodity. Why not do something to convey that there is a reason God made men and women bonded at their heart. It’s how I feel on the inside, its what I believe in. Second reason, I’m a Wussy when it comes to love, always have been, always will. No, I don’t write pure romance, rather I create stories that deal with how the bond between a Man and woman can give them the strength to overcome adversary. In other words, I write about relationships from the male POV. Why add suspense? Because I have so many images and scenes of an intriguing nature floating around i...

Good morning everyone, welcome to Candace's moment in the spotlight. I hope you'll find some useful and entertaining insight into her writing and being an author. She was kind enough to answer all the questions rather than the five I asked for. Without further ado, here she is: What writing style do you use and why? I write by the seat of my pants. A story is never fully developed until it’s done because the characters tend to take it in new directions. When did you begin writing? When I was about 7 years old – my first book was entitled “Mr. Fathead Goes to the Moon”, about a character who looked suspiciously like Mr. Potato Head. For each writer their genre is the one they’re comfortable with. Why did you begin writing within yours? I’ve always been a sucker for romance. When I was a teenager, it was away to go somewhere other than reality – a place I could imagine I was beautiful and popular and my knight in shining armor was just a coincidence away. What was your initial re...

Hi everyone, Wow its already into August so quickly. Where does the time fly? This Saturday I'll be hosting three very talented authors from Champagne. They'll be talking about their books, their personal choices and other tidbits. Come out and join us for the day.

While I realize that this post has little to do with writing, I wanted to share it with you. We're currently going through a record breaking heat wave here at home. This past weekend we had a huge, huge lightening storm. Over 12,000 strikes were recorded. Today on the way home we saw the smoke plumes from three fires and heard about another three that have sprouted up within the past two days. Temperatures are up there as well, 40 degrees Celcius (105 degrees fareinheit) and aren't helping the fire situation. In the past two weeks thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes due to the fires. Its a terrible time and one that is reminiscent of 2003 when those here watched an entire town die with the carelessness of one person. Friends, family, people I'd grown up knowing lost their homes, their livelihoods in a firestorm that wiped out a small town and destroyed a multi-million dollar mill. The town has begun to heal - although its no where near the way it was s...

Wow, its been a while since my last post. I have to admit without internet its been beyond difficult to access the internet long enough to update my sites...but I've got it back and I'm going to be posting on a regular basis. Today I thought I'd update everyone on what's been happening in my crazy, whirlwind life. Its been mostly good stuff - I've gotten numerous books in contract with two coming out within the next three months. Master's Mistress made the #1 bestseller list for Champagne Books in May, and has been selling quite well. I ordered books from the publisher and sold out within hours of their arrival!!! I was amazed - especially considering the economy and everything. Alas, everyone loves a good book to curl up with. Borderline Sin is coming out September 7, 2009 and I'm super excited about it. It's my first foray into multiple nations. She's Canadian and he's a US Marshal in the late 1880's. I'm hoping all goes well and it sel...

Once again Michael Davis has done it! He's got another of his top-notch thrillers available. Check it out on his site at http://davisstories.com/ . "Michael W. Davis has once again written a top-notch thriller. He starts out with a bang, then steps back and slowly reels the reader into a story both believable and otherworldly. As the truth unfolds, the horror of what happened to the town and its inhabitants many years before leads the way to a stunning conclusion. Blind Consent is a necessary read for thriller lovers everywhere. Michael W. Davis fans can only hope he is hard at work on his next novel.", 5/5 stars, Reviewers top choice. Here's the link if you want it: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=3407

My how real life seems to have gotten away from me lately. I've got so much on the go its hard to know where to start. I am however, super excited about my upcoming plans. I've got several new projects on the go including the second of "Master's" Trilogy featuring Ninth century Ireland. I've begun working on a new book as well (I'm writing two at once if you can believe it) that's set in 18th century France during the Seven years war. Its also an erotic novel **Gasp** so I'm going to be holding a contest for a pen name. The winner will be gifted with a special collection of my work and I'm looking forward to it. Gotta run but feel free to post a comment or question and I'll try to get back to you asap. Have a great week and happy Spring.

Yippee! Finally it has arrived. Master's Mistress will be out in March of this year. I'll be holding a contest the last week of february to see who gets a free copy! Come out and join me.