Do you read fantasy romance? Erotic romance? What about a combination of the two? Well, here's an author for you!
Debut author, Cathryn Brunet, writes short stories, novellas and single title romance fiction. In her own words she says, "Sometimes they're sweet, sometimes they're very, very spicy but always they're stories about love."
She's a guest here on Saturday, April 3rd. So mark the date in your diary and come along and learn more about this new Aussie author!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
WHRWA Emily-Best of the Best!
I never thought the last week or so could get more exciting than it already has been but this morning I received an email from Laura Gompertz, Emily Paranormal coordinator, to inform me that my entry was judged Best of the Best of the entire contest! (all the 1st place manuscripts in all the genres are rejudged for this title)On top of that she tells me Leis Pederson from Berkley is going to crit the first three chapters and synopsis, AND that one of the judges (Kay, Assistant Asst. Manager at the Barnes & Noble from the Galleria on Westheimer, Houston) was so impressed with our winners that she's willing to send all 1st place winners to her contact at Dorchester.
How awesome is that? But how am I supposed to get any writing done being high on Cloud 9 all day? For that matter, this whole last week? :-P
Photo: The Emily pin awarded to me for placing 1st in the Paranormal section of the contest. I'll wear it with pride at the RWAmerica, RWAustralia and RWNew Zealand conferences this year!
Love Quote
"I love you not only for who you are, but for what you are when I am with you.
I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but what you are making of me."
(R.Croft)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Holy Adrenalin Rush, Batman!
I'm an Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist in the (paranormal section)!!!I was sitting in front of my laptop, working on scene plotting with my WIP, when the phone rang. When I heard the accent I thought it was one of those telemarketing companies calling to sell me something and was ready to jump in and say "no thanks, I'm hanging up now" but then I heard the words "I'm from the RWA®" and the adrenalin rush hit me like a steam train.
By the end of the phone call I had tears in my eyes and I was trying not to sound like a loon repeating, "Thank you so much for ringing, I'm so excited!"
TOPIC: Rejection Letters: "The Semi-Personal" (Part 2)
Last week I shared some very basic forms of the Standard Rejection Letter. Today, I have a few semi-personalised ones to show you. These aren't much above the SRL, but it seems whomever read the work either saw a glimmer of potential in the work I submitted, or felt strongly moved enough to tell me to get help to hone my writing skills.
I suspect the latter, but then we always opt for the negative, don't we? ;-)
EXAMPLE 1
Dear Contributor,
Thank you for writing to us about your project. It does seem like a good story and thoughtful book, but, unfortunately, not one that we could best publish.
It's a tough world for writers out there. You might want to find an agent to market your book. The Literary Market Place (available at your local library), is a good place to start. I would suggest getting involved in a writers' group that can offer you ongoing support and a creative environment to work in.
Whatever path you may choose, we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Publisher X Editorial
This scrapes in as semi-personal rejection letter. Why? Look at the information in the second paragraph. The editorial assistant has advised me to a) find an agent; b) find a reference book and c) join a writers' group. All hints that I need to develop my writing skills and knowledge about the industry (which I was sorely lacking when I submitted this proposal). Whomever read this took time and was kind enough to impart this advice rather than whip out the Standard Rejection Letter.
EXAMPLE 2
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for submitting chapters of your manuscripts A and B. I have read through your work and enjoyed aspects of it very much.
However, I also think you need to work on your expression and sentence structure. See, for example, the fifth sentence of the first paragraph of Manuscript A: here, the use of pronouns is confusing as SECONDARY CHARACTER and the bird are both referred to by feminine pronouns, and the reader has to reread the sentence to get the proper sense. Also, many of the sentences are heavily loaded with adjectives and adverbs. I suggest cutting back on these as they tend to clutter the writing.
In view of these matters and after careful consideration, I'm afraid that I do not feel sufficiently confident about finding a publisher for this work, and we are therefore unable to offer to represent you.
As we have previously noted, another reader might have a completely different response, and so I encourage you to send your work to other agents, or directly to publishers. I hope the comments here are helpful to that end.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to read this new work; I certainly wish you well with it and I'm sorry we were unable to be of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely,
Agent A
Is this a positive response? I'd give this a reserved yes. There's some personal feedback here from the agent. Helpful, to a point. In a nutshell, she's telling me my grammar and writing style needs lots of work. But at least she's taken the time to tell me this.
EXAMPLE 3
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for sending me Manuscript F. Unfortunately, I don't think it's really right for Publishing House D paranormal romance line. While it's clear you've put a lot of thought into the world you've constructed, your characters are less interesting. RACE A are flawlessly good, and RACE B are flawlessly evil - what makes people interesting are their shades of grey, their choices. None of your characters seem to struggle over their choices - nor do they even seem to have to make difficult choices.
I also had a problem with the prophecy. A good prophecy is mysterious, and adds an element o the unknown and uncertain to the tale. You prophecy is very cut and dry and obvious - there is no mystery, there is no struggle for deciphering it. That cuts out half the fun!
If you have anything else that would be suitable for Publishing House D's paranormal romance program, please feel free to send it along; I'd be happy to look at it.
Cheers,
Assistant Editor
Ouch, eh? Lots of blows here to the confidence and ego, and believe me I winced with every one. Positives? Well, I aimed it at the right house. This one accepted paranormal romances and took the time to read it. She pointed out what I needed to work on - she took the time to give me personalised feedback. More often than not editors don't, can't, they're too busy, but this told me she was interested enough to give me a few pointers. It meant pretty much tearing the book apart and reconstructing it from the foundations up, but it was feedback. There's also a generic offer to submit fresh material.
EXAMPLE 4
This from another editor who read the same manuscript mentioned in the last example. I'd edited and worked on the ms before submitting it to this publishing house/editor.
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for thinking of Publishing House G for Manuscript F, and for your patience! The manuscript had gotten a favourable read and I wanted to take the time to evaluate it personally.
Although Manuscript F doesn't quite work for us, I did enjoy many aspects of the story and would be interested in seeing other projects if you have something suitable for one of our lines.
The strengths of your story include a strong plot and scene tension (especially after the first few chapters), ans appealing characters - HEROINE comes across as having great potential - my main concern was that the romance is too developed, and the scope of the story isn't fully explored. Too, there are occassionally colloquial expressions that don't quite fit with the setting. The VILLAIN seems to be carried along a bit too long and feels forced as he lurks around.
And except for the other world and the seer, there isn't a sense of pervasive energy or magic about the story. The setting is vaguely Earthlike, but there isn't a real sense of the differences that make this world unique.
The story is also shorter than our needs - at least 100 000 words. Some of that might be addressed by developing the quest aspects and the magic feel. And more could be added with a revision of the conclusion which feels rather abrupt. There's a let-down that things are wrapped up in that fashion- and the ending becomes too strongly romantic with the pregnancy aspect. And it also leaves open what their future together will be like.
Again, thank you for thinking of us, and do let me know if you rework Manuscript F. You can also send along the other manuscripts you pitched as appropriate to Publishing House G. But do keep in mind we're looking for a larger scope to the stories.
Sincerely,
Executive Editor
This is a borderline semi-personal rejection letter but I decided to put it in this category because ultimately there was too much work to be done despite it being a highly personalised and detailed. Again, lots of work to do on the manuscript but, in general, it garnered interest and an invitation to submit other work suitable for the line.
Another thing to note is that this response came from an Executive Editor - a step up along the food chain in the publishing house. Look at the opening paragraph she mentions "The manuscript had gotten a favourable read, and I wanted to take the time to evaluate it personally." This has arrived on the slush pile, probably been read by a junior or assistant editor, caught their attention and been passed along to the executive editor. Progress!
Next time I'll share the almost there part of your journey in querying and multiple submissions and rejections.
I suspect the latter, but then we always opt for the negative, don't we? ;-)
EXAMPLE 1
Dear Contributor,
Thank you for writing to us about your project. It does seem like a good story and thoughtful book, but, unfortunately, not one that we could best publish.
It's a tough world for writers out there. You might want to find an agent to market your book. The Literary Market Place (available at your local library), is a good place to start. I would suggest getting involved in a writers' group that can offer you ongoing support and a creative environment to work in.
Whatever path you may choose, we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Publisher X Editorial
This scrapes in as semi-personal rejection letter. Why? Look at the information in the second paragraph. The editorial assistant has advised me to a) find an agent; b) find a reference book and c) join a writers' group. All hints that I need to develop my writing skills and knowledge about the industry (which I was sorely lacking when I submitted this proposal). Whomever read this took time and was kind enough to impart this advice rather than whip out the Standard Rejection Letter.
EXAMPLE 2
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for submitting chapters of your manuscripts A and B. I have read through your work and enjoyed aspects of it very much.
However, I also think you need to work on your expression and sentence structure. See, for example, the fifth sentence of the first paragraph of Manuscript A: here, the use of pronouns is confusing as SECONDARY CHARACTER and the bird are both referred to by feminine pronouns, and the reader has to reread the sentence to get the proper sense. Also, many of the sentences are heavily loaded with adjectives and adverbs. I suggest cutting back on these as they tend to clutter the writing.
In view of these matters and after careful consideration, I'm afraid that I do not feel sufficiently confident about finding a publisher for this work, and we are therefore unable to offer to represent you.
As we have previously noted, another reader might have a completely different response, and so I encourage you to send your work to other agents, or directly to publishers. I hope the comments here are helpful to that end.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to read this new work; I certainly wish you well with it and I'm sorry we were unable to be of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely,
Agent A
Is this a positive response? I'd give this a reserved yes. There's some personal feedback here from the agent. Helpful, to a point. In a nutshell, she's telling me my grammar and writing style needs lots of work. But at least she's taken the time to tell me this.
EXAMPLE 3
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for sending me Manuscript F. Unfortunately, I don't think it's really right for Publishing House D paranormal romance line. While it's clear you've put a lot of thought into the world you've constructed, your characters are less interesting. RACE A are flawlessly good, and RACE B are flawlessly evil - what makes people interesting are their shades of grey, their choices. None of your characters seem to struggle over their choices - nor do they even seem to have to make difficult choices.
I also had a problem with the prophecy. A good prophecy is mysterious, and adds an element o the unknown and uncertain to the tale. You prophecy is very cut and dry and obvious - there is no mystery, there is no struggle for deciphering it. That cuts out half the fun!
If you have anything else that would be suitable for Publishing House D's paranormal romance program, please feel free to send it along; I'd be happy to look at it.
Cheers,
Assistant Editor
Ouch, eh? Lots of blows here to the confidence and ego, and believe me I winced with every one. Positives? Well, I aimed it at the right house. This one accepted paranormal romances and took the time to read it. She pointed out what I needed to work on - she took the time to give me personalised feedback. More often than not editors don't, can't, they're too busy, but this told me she was interested enough to give me a few pointers. It meant pretty much tearing the book apart and reconstructing it from the foundations up, but it was feedback. There's also a generic offer to submit fresh material.
EXAMPLE 4
This from another editor who read the same manuscript mentioned in the last example. I'd edited and worked on the ms before submitting it to this publishing house/editor.
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for thinking of Publishing House G for Manuscript F, and for your patience! The manuscript had gotten a favourable read and I wanted to take the time to evaluate it personally.
Although Manuscript F doesn't quite work for us, I did enjoy many aspects of the story and would be interested in seeing other projects if you have something suitable for one of our lines.
The strengths of your story include a strong plot and scene tension (especially after the first few chapters), ans appealing characters - HEROINE comes across as having great potential - my main concern was that the romance is too developed, and the scope of the story isn't fully explored. Too, there are occassionally colloquial expressions that don't quite fit with the setting. The VILLAIN seems to be carried along a bit too long and feels forced as he lurks around.
And except for the other world and the seer, there isn't a sense of pervasive energy or magic about the story. The setting is vaguely Earthlike, but there isn't a real sense of the differences that make this world unique.
The story is also shorter than our needs - at least 100 000 words. Some of that might be addressed by developing the quest aspects and the magic feel. And more could be added with a revision of the conclusion which feels rather abrupt. There's a let-down that things are wrapped up in that fashion- and the ending becomes too strongly romantic with the pregnancy aspect. And it also leaves open what their future together will be like.
Again, thank you for thinking of us, and do let me know if you rework Manuscript F. You can also send along the other manuscripts you pitched as appropriate to Publishing House G. But do keep in mind we're looking for a larger scope to the stories.
Sincerely,
Executive Editor
This is a borderline semi-personal rejection letter but I decided to put it in this category because ultimately there was too much work to be done despite it being a highly personalised and detailed. Again, lots of work to do on the manuscript but, in general, it garnered interest and an invitation to submit other work suitable for the line.
Another thing to note is that this response came from an Executive Editor - a step up along the food chain in the publishing house. Look at the opening paragraph she mentions "The manuscript had gotten a favourable read, and I wanted to take the time to evaluate it personally." This has arrived on the slush pile, probably been read by a junior or assistant editor, caught their attention and been passed along to the executive editor. Progress!
Next time I'll share the almost there part of your journey in querying and multiple submissions and rejections.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Act, Dream, Plan, Believe
"To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe."
(Anatole France)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
CHASE THE DREAM contest results
I've been busting to share this news for about a week now but promised not to post until after the final results were announced on the CHASE THE DREAM website - the time difference between Australia and the USA can be frustrating sometimes *VBG*.
My entry, DARK SHADOWS, came in =2nd place! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who went over and voted and helped me achieve this result! I couldn't have done it without you!
My entry, DARK SHADOWS, came in =2nd place! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who went over and voted and helped me achieve this result! I couldn't have done it without you!
TOPIC: Rejection Letters: "The Standard One" (Part 1)
As writers we all know that some stage in our journey to publication we're going to be faced with the dreaded rejection letter. Many, many, many times.
We send off our queries to agents and editors, our hopes pinned on that someone will be interested enough to want to read more, request more of our work, but the odds are heavily in favour of finding a rejection letter in our in-box/the mail. It's a great way to develop perseverance and that much lauded thick-skin.
One thing I've learned over the years of sending stuff out is that there are a variety of rejection letters. There's the standard rejection letter, the semi-personalised rejection letter, the almost there personal rejection letter, and the "holy grail" acceptance letter - the one we dream of receiving.
I'd like to share over the next few posts some of the ones I've received to give you an idea of what to expect if you're just starting down this path.
This week we'll begin with...
The Standard Rejection Letter
There are a few of different types. The first three are in response to submitting a manuscript to a publishing house through their slush pile. The fourth is one from an agent.
EXAMPLE 1
Dear Writer,
Thank you for sending your manuscript (enclosed) to Publishing House B for our consideration.
We have decided that it is not for us, but we wish you every success in placing it with another publisher.
Yours sincerely,
Submissions Editor
Publishing House B
This is the short and sweet, no mucking around rejection letter. Who knows why they rejected the manuscript - could have been wrong house, not acquiring this genre, it was a badly written ms from the slush pile, nothing appealed to me when I read it, it was formatted wrong, we don't accept unsolicited ms - your guess is as good as mine.
What can you learn from this? Not a lot, shrug it off and move on. Submit it elsewhere. Hope for more constructive feedback.
EXAMPLE 2
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for your recent submission regarding your manuscript entitled Manuscript A.
After much consideration, we are unfortunately unable to take you up on your offer of publication as we did not feel that the work was suitable for the current "Publishing Company" List.
Thank you once again for writing to us and we wish you every success with placing your manuscript with another publisher.
Yours sincerely,
Name
Acquisitions Editor
This letter tells you one glaring, blantantly obvious error that I made when I submitted this manuscript to the publishing house. Can you see what it is?
Yep, I targeted the wrong house. The give away phrase - "...we did not feel that the work was suitable for the current "Publishing House" List."A nice way of saying we don't publish this genre. And in my ignorance I never picked up on it. It was years later in a group chat at an RWAustralia conference that this topic came up and the idea of doing your homework and finding out what publishing houses accepted what genres made me realise I'd made Error 1 in my submission process.
EXAMPLE 3
Dear Author,
We regret that we are unable to consider your manuscript for publication. This is not a reflection on the quality of your proposal but rather on it suitability for our list.
We wish you every success in placing your work elsewhere.
Editor X
Publishing House
Can you pick the error? Sound familiar? You got it - I hadn't done my homework and targeted the wrong publisher. Again. D'oh! As newbies sending stuff out into the big, wide world of the writing industry we need to accept that we're going to make some very Basic Mistakes to begin with. The best you can do is learn from them and move on.
EXAMPLE 4
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for submitting sample material from your manuscript. After careful consideration I'm afraid I don't feel that we are the right agents to successfully represent your work, and I am returning your sample chapters and synopsis.
I'm sure that you can appreciate that an agent must be totally committed to a work to sell it enthusiastically to a publisher; to do otherwise is not in the best interests of the author.
Of course, another reader might have a completely different response, and I encourage you to send your work to other agents.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to read your work; I certainly wish you well with it and I'm sorry I was unable to be of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely,
Agent A
A lengthy standard rejection letter. No personal feedback, other than addressing it with my name. All the trademark standard phrases are contained within this letter - after careful consideration, you can appreciate that an agent must be totally committed, another reader might have a completely different response...
Believe it or not this is character building - it's testing your mettle in your journey to be published - spitting out the weak and hardening the determined. Keep going.
This series will continue in a fortnight (as I have a guest author scheduled next week) and we'll take a look at some semi-personal rejection letters.
We send off our queries to agents and editors, our hopes pinned on that someone will be interested enough to want to read more, request more of our work, but the odds are heavily in favour of finding a rejection letter in our in-box/the mail. It's a great way to develop perseverance and that much lauded thick-skin.
One thing I've learned over the years of sending stuff out is that there are a variety of rejection letters. There's the standard rejection letter, the semi-personalised rejection letter, the almost there personal rejection letter, and the "holy grail" acceptance letter - the one we dream of receiving.
I'd like to share over the next few posts some of the ones I've received to give you an idea of what to expect if you're just starting down this path.
This week we'll begin with...
The Standard Rejection Letter
There are a few of different types. The first three are in response to submitting a manuscript to a publishing house through their slush pile. The fourth is one from an agent.
EXAMPLE 1
Dear Writer,
Thank you for sending your manuscript (enclosed) to Publishing House B for our consideration.
We have decided that it is not for us, but we wish you every success in placing it with another publisher.
Yours sincerely,
Submissions Editor
Publishing House B
This is the short and sweet, no mucking around rejection letter. Who knows why they rejected the manuscript - could have been wrong house, not acquiring this genre, it was a badly written ms from the slush pile, nothing appealed to me when I read it, it was formatted wrong, we don't accept unsolicited ms - your guess is as good as mine.
What can you learn from this? Not a lot, shrug it off and move on. Submit it elsewhere. Hope for more constructive feedback.
EXAMPLE 2
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for your recent submission regarding your manuscript entitled Manuscript A.
After much consideration, we are unfortunately unable to take you up on your offer of publication as we did not feel that the work was suitable for the current "Publishing Company" List.
Thank you once again for writing to us and we wish you every success with placing your manuscript with another publisher.
Yours sincerely,
Name
Acquisitions Editor
This letter tells you one glaring, blantantly obvious error that I made when I submitted this manuscript to the publishing house. Can you see what it is?
Yep, I targeted the wrong house. The give away phrase - "...we did not feel that the work was suitable for the current "Publishing House" List."A nice way of saying we don't publish this genre. And in my ignorance I never picked up on it. It was years later in a group chat at an RWAustralia conference that this topic came up and the idea of doing your homework and finding out what publishing houses accepted what genres made me realise I'd made Error 1 in my submission process.
EXAMPLE 3
Dear Author,
We regret that we are unable to consider your manuscript for publication. This is not a reflection on the quality of your proposal but rather on it suitability for our list.
We wish you every success in placing your work elsewhere.
Editor X
Publishing House
Can you pick the error? Sound familiar? You got it - I hadn't done my homework and targeted the wrong publisher. Again. D'oh! As newbies sending stuff out into the big, wide world of the writing industry we need to accept that we're going to make some very Basic Mistakes to begin with. The best you can do is learn from them and move on.
EXAMPLE 4
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for submitting sample material from your manuscript. After careful consideration I'm afraid I don't feel that we are the right agents to successfully represent your work, and I am returning your sample chapters and synopsis.
I'm sure that you can appreciate that an agent must be totally committed to a work to sell it enthusiastically to a publisher; to do otherwise is not in the best interests of the author.
Of course, another reader might have a completely different response, and I encourage you to send your work to other agents.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to read your work; I certainly wish you well with it and I'm sorry I was unable to be of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely,
Agent A
A lengthy standard rejection letter. No personal feedback, other than addressing it with my name. All the trademark standard phrases are contained within this letter - after careful consideration, you can appreciate that an agent must be totally committed, another reader might have a completely different response...
Believe it or not this is character building - it's testing your mettle in your journey to be published - spitting out the weak and hardening the determined. Keep going.
This series will continue in a fortnight (as I have a guest author scheduled next week) and we'll take a look at some semi-personal rejection letters.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
TO'H's lucky commenter!
Thanks, everyone, for dropping in to meet Tracey and find out what she's been up to and thank you, Tracey, for agreeing to be interviewed!
The lucky winner for Tracey's e-book (randomly drawn from an empty coffee cup!) is Sandra! Congratulations!
If you already have NIGHT'S COLD KISS, Tracey has generously given you the choice of her alter ego's book TONIGHT MY LOVE if you'd like.
Contact me with your decision and email address (so I can pass your details onto Tracey) at kyliegriffin@clearmail.com.au and happy reading!
The lucky winner for Tracey's e-book (randomly drawn from an empty coffee cup!) is Sandra! Congratulations!
If you already have NIGHT'S COLD KISS, Tracey has generously given you the choice of her alter ego's book TONIGHT MY LOVE if you'd like.
Contact me with your decision and email address (so I can pass your details onto Tracey) at kyliegriffin@clearmail.com.au and happy reading!
Monday, March 15, 2010
GUEST AUTHOR: Tracey O'Hara
Dark urban fantasy author, Tracey O’Hara, and her DARK BRETHREN series have made their mark with readers of this genre.“Urban fantasy just got a major jolt of talent with O’Hara’s arrival. She makes an extremely strong debut, introducing a world that features a host of supernatural creatures. The pace is brisk and the danger intense. Passion, betrayal, and plot twists galore make for entertainment on a grand scale.”
-- Jill M. Smith of Romantic Times
“Intense, sexy, bold, NIGHT’S COLD KISS is a superb debut. Tracey O’Hara writes in a voice full of passion and power - I’m already waiting impatiently for the next book from this talented author.”
-- New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh
With comments like these Tracey’s series is destined to do well.
Her debut novel, NIGHT’S COLD KISS, was released in September 2009 with EOS/Harper Collins, and her second book, DEATH’S SWEET EMBRACE, is next to hit the shelves (date TBA).
Tracey was born in Tasmania, Australia and grew up in far north Queensland and with a supportive family she pursued her dream of writing. She discovered this passion in 2004 and joined Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of America shortly afterwards.
Today we learn more about Tracey - her past, present and future.
Author name: Tracey O’Hara
Published genre/s: Urban Fantasy/romance & Erotica (w/a Tracie Sommers)(Tracie Sommers is published with harlequin Spice Briefs and her book, TONIGHT MY LOVE, was releases in May'09.)
Favourite childhood toy: I had this weird little doll – it was one of those tiny pink plastic babies with a small kind of Barbie doll head (I think it was her little sister or something). It had dark hair I could brush and I used to make it little beds out of matchboxes and I would put it in my pocket. I loved that weird little mutant doll. Kind of says it all, doesn’t it.
Mutant dolls, eh, Tracey? Enough said. ;-) Also reminds me of the time I kidnapped my sister's Barbie and gave her a haircut and drew scars all over her...I turned her into G.I.Joette...
Greatest Vice: DVDs and movies, and TV shows.
First Erica Hayes, now Tracey, and I have to admit to a huge DVD collection and love of movies...could there be a pattern beginning to appear with UF/para writers?!? Hmm...
Book you’re reading now: I am just finishing off Mel Teshco’s HER DARK LORD* and reading debut author and fellow 2008 paranormal Golden Heart finalist, Kelly Gay’s BETTER PART OF DARKNESS
(*Mel Teshco is another Aussie paranormal author who writes for Silhouette Nocturne BITES)
Most intriguing place you’ve visited: I got to go to San Francisco for the Golden Heart – and that was my first and only trip overseas. But my most memorable is when I was a kid and we spent a year living a hut on a property in north Queensland no running water, no electricity and no plumbing. It was the best time of my life.Ohh, what a great experience you had as a kid - just one big adventure! It's intriguing what memories of growing up remain in our heads over time. It's usually the ones with the most emotional impact - good and bad.
A place you’ve yet to visit: The rest of the world. Too many places to name. Ireland, France, Africa – OMG, the list is too long.
Makes you wish for a transporter or TARDIS, eh?
Author/s in your genre who you enjoy reading: It’s hard to nail this genre down – for UF (urban fantasy) Vicki Pettersson, Keri Arthur, Kim Harrison, Jocelynn Drake and so many more I have yet to try. Paranormal romance Nalini Singh (though she's crossing into UF big time) and JR Ward are too of my favs. I like to read dark. The darker the better.
Who or what influenced you to write in the genre/s you’re now published in? Two words – Stephen King. I loved the absolute sheer bloody terror he made me feel. And while I don’t write like that, I never will, I strive to one day scare the pants off people. Then there are the fantasy authors such as Raymond E Feist, Anne McCaffrey and George RR Martin.
I actually never even read any Urban Fantasy until I had written a lot of NIGHT'S COLD KISS. I didn’t even know it existed. I guess the thing that may have been my biggest influence is Buffy, the TV series. I love that series along with Angel, but there are times when I wished it could have been darker and grittier. That is what inspired me.
When developing a story who tends to appear first in your mind, the hero or heroine, and why? With NIGHT'S COLD KISS it was both, I guess my heroine beat my hero by half a thought. With DEATH'S SWEET EMBRACE – it was my heroine.
Writing Milestone/s: I have actually finished two whole books now. Yipeee!!! That is an awesome feeling. I can actually write more than one book.
You're right, Tracey, that euphoria is something anyone who's finished a book can identify with.
Latest release/project: I have just finished revisions on the second Dark Brethren novel and have started to work on my third which I am currently calling SIN'S DARK CARESS.
You have such fascinating titles for your books. I'd love to know how you came up with them...but that's another question for another day (unfortunately).
In your recent release/latest work, what about your hero or heroine inspired you? Okay – I have to talk about the hero in my latest WIP SIN'S DARK CARESS. I love him. Not because he is hot and sexy – well he is, I just haven’t seen that side of him yet, but I know it’s there. He's a burnt out homicide cop who is a drunk and addicted to a new drug called Blue Ice (which actually we find out later in the series it’s elvish). He’s got a mouth, lack of respect for authority and wears a crumpled trench coat.
His name is Lancelot McManus – but he’ll rip your arms off and beat you with the bloody ends if you dared to call him by his first name. He is coming through loud and clear – in fact, I had another hero in mind for this book – but good old Lancelot has convinced me he is it.
I wonder if he answers to Lance? Or does he prefer McManus? Well, I'll just have to wait until the book comes out, eh? Sigh.
Thanks for joining me here, Tracey, it's been great having you! If you'd like to find out more about Tracey, check out her website.
Now, for one lucky visitor, Tracey is generously giving away an eBook version of NIGHT'S COLD KISS from Fictionwise. Just leave a comment and you'll go into the draw!
Friday, March 12, 2010
PROMO: Romancing the West
From the Romance Writers of Australia's website:
Romance Writers of Australia Inc.
proudly presents
The 2010 Romancing The West Conference
Featuring…Juliet Marillier (www.julietmarillier.com)
Three time winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel
Fiona Lowe (http://www.fionalowe.com)
Harlequin Medical author and 2007 Finalist for Romantic Book of the Year. (R*BY).
Fiona Palmer (http://www.fionapalmer.com)
Penguin Australia author
Nikki Logan (http://www.nikkilogan.com.au)
Harlequin Sweet author
Come and hear some of Australia's leading romance authors talk about the craft of writing and the industry they work in. With interactive tutorials and an author panel, it's a day no aspiring author should miss.
Workshop Topics:
- Find Your Voice
- Branding:Why You Need It Before You Sell
- History, Guesswork & Wild Imagination
- Fabulous First Chap & Para
- Conflict & Finding the Zen of Your Backstory
- Tension...How To Write a Page Turner & Avoid a Soggy MiddlePlus: giveways and much, much more.
After a day full of information, relax and catch up with your new friends at our post conference dinner.
Saturday 1st May 2010
Metro Hotel
61 Canning Hwy
Perth
61 Canning Hwy
Perth
Cost:
Pay before 1st April 2010 After 1st April
RWA Members $100 $110
Non-Members $110 $120
Set 2 Course Dinner - $35.00 per head (drinks not included)
Prices include lunch, morning and afternoon tea
For further information on presenters and tutorial topics email RTWenquiries@romanceaustralia.com
OR Claire at lcboston@bigpond.com
OR Michelle at michellediener@gmail.com
Thank You!
To anyone who headed over to the CHASE THE DREAM website to vote - thank you, I really appreciate your support, and the many encouraging emails I received as this process was going on.
Final results will be posted March 19th - fingers crossed, but whatever the outcome I just want to say it's been a valuable experience all round.
In the meantime, I'm keeping an eye out for the comments made by the guest agents and editors on the finalist entries - can't wait to read what they think.
Final results will be posted March 19th - fingers crossed, but whatever the outcome I just want to say it's been a valuable experience all round.
In the meantime, I'm keeping an eye out for the comments made by the guest agents and editors on the finalist entries - can't wait to read what they think.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
PROMO: Tracey O'Hara
There's something incredibly appealing about dark urban fantasy, don't you think? Is it the tormented alpha hero, or the kick-butt-more-than-a-match-for-him heroine? Perhaps it's the grey, not-so-clear-cut sides of life that feature prominently in the world building of this genre that draws us. Maybe it's a combination of all three.
Whatever appeals to you about this genre, Aussie urban fantasy author, Tracey O'Hara, certainly delivers for us DUF fans.
Come and join her on my blog on Monday, 15th March and find out more about her and her books.
Whatever appeals to you about this genre, Aussie urban fantasy author, Tracey O'Hara, certainly delivers for us DUF fans.
Come and join her on my blog on Monday, 15th March and find out more about her and her books.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Joss Whedon Quote
"Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke."
(Joss Whedon)
Friday, March 5, 2010
INDUSTRY: Helpful Links
Thought these writing links might come in handy. Most are my genre orientated (f/f/p romance) but there are a smattering of general sites.
Agents/Editors (for researching information)
Agent Query - http://www.agentquery.com/default.aspx
AuthorAdvance - http://www.authoradvance.com/
Literary Agent Verification - http://www.agentresearch.com/agent_ver.html
Preditors and Editors - http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm
Blogs (advice, opinions, industry news)
Alien Romances - http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/
All Things Urban Fantasy - http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/
Bitten By Books:Paranormal Review Site with Bite - http://bittenbybooks.com/
Dirty Sexy Books - http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Home.html
Literary Escapism:Fantasy and Paranormal Book Reviews - http://www.literaryescapism.com/
Romance Writers of Australia Blog - http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/
Ripping Ozzie Reads:Australian Speculative Fiction Authors site - http://ripping-ozzie-reads.blogspot.com/2010/01/some-useful-industry-links-for-spec-fic.html
SciFiGuy:UF/PR/SF/F book reviews - http://www.scifiguy.ca/
The Galaxy Express - http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/
Vampire Wire:PR/UF books and tv/movie news - http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/
Miscellaneous Sites
Time and Date.com - http://www.timeanddate.com/
Australian War Memorial:Military Organisation and Structure - http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/rank_comparative.asp
IRS:Tax Identification Numbers for the USA information - http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96696,00.html
Organisations
Australian Romance Readers Association - http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/
Romance Writers of America - http://www.rwanational.org/
RWA:Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal Chapter - http://www.romance-ffp.com/
Romance Writers of Australia - http://www.romanceaustralia.com/
Romance Writers of New Zealand - http://www.romancewriters.co.nz/
ParaNormal Romance - http://www.paranormalromance.org/
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America - http://www.sfwa.org/
Submission Guidelines
Avon - http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/avon/SubmissionGuidelines.aspx
DAW - http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/daw/index.html
Dorchester - http://romanticreads.net/2009/05/07/now-accepting-electronic-submissions/
e-Harlequin - http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=538&chapter=0
Hachette Australia - http://www.hha.com.au/about_submissions.html
Orbit - http://www.orbitbooks.net/about-orbit/
PYR - http://www.pyrsf.com/index.html
Tor - http://us.macmillan.com/Content.aspx?publisher=torforge&id=255#ctl00_cphContent_ctl30_lblQuestion
Web Design
Free Images for Websites - http://www.imagehousing.com/
Free Fantasy Design artwork for Websites - http://fantasyartdesign.com/free-wallpapers/best-fantasy-art.php?s=12&np=10&srt=1&best=1
Free Web Counters - http://www.freestatscounter.com/
The Three Bears Method - http://threebearsmethod.com/
Writing Related
Brenda Hiatt's Show Me the Money - http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html
Dictionary of Sexual Terms and Expressions - http://www.sex-lexis.com/
Gordian Plot:thesaurus technique for writers - http://gordianplot.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Great Source iwrite - Grammar - http://www.greatsource.com/iwrite/students/s_grammar_hndbk.html
Kathy Carmichael:Story Pitching Generator - http://www.kathycarmichael.com/generator.html
The Perfect Pitch - http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2007/04/02/the-perfect-pitch
Publishers Weekly - http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Stephanie Smith's Contest Chart for Writers - http://www.stephiesmith.com/contests.html
When An Agent Offers You Representation - http://www.agentquery.com/writer_or.aspx
Write to Done - http://writetodone.com/
(All links are current as of 22nd Feb.2010)
Agents/Editors (for researching information)
Agent Query - http://www.agentquery.com/default.aspx
AuthorAdvance - http://www.authoradvance.com/
Literary Agent Verification - http://www.agentresearch.com/agent_ver.html
Preditors and Editors - http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm
Blogs (advice, opinions, industry news)
Alien Romances - http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/
All Things Urban Fantasy - http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/
Bitten By Books:Paranormal Review Site with Bite - http://bittenbybooks.com/
Dirty Sexy Books - http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Home.html
Literary Escapism:Fantasy and Paranormal Book Reviews - http://www.literaryescapism.com/
Romance Writers of Australia Blog - http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/
Ripping Ozzie Reads:Australian Speculative Fiction Authors site - http://ripping-ozzie-reads.blogspot.com/2010/01/some-useful-industry-links-for-spec-fic.html
SciFiGuy:UF/PR/SF/F book reviews - http://www.scifiguy.ca/
The Galaxy Express - http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/
Vampire Wire:PR/UF books and tv/movie news - http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/
Miscellaneous Sites
Time and Date.com - http://www.timeanddate.com/
Australian War Memorial:Military Organisation and Structure - http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/rank_comparative.asp
IRS:Tax Identification Numbers for the USA information - http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96696,00.html
Organisations
Australian Romance Readers Association - http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/
Romance Writers of America - http://www.rwanational.org/
RWA:Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal Chapter - http://www.romance-ffp.com/
Romance Writers of Australia - http://www.romanceaustralia.com/
Romance Writers of New Zealand - http://www.romancewriters.co.nz/
ParaNormal Romance - http://www.paranormalromance.org/
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America - http://www.sfwa.org/
Submission Guidelines
Avon - http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/avon/SubmissionGuidelines.aspx
DAW - http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/daw/index.html
Dorchester - http://romanticreads.net/2009/05/07/now-accepting-electronic-submissions/
e-Harlequin - http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=538&chapter=0
Hachette Australia - http://www.hha.com.au/about_submissions.html
Orbit - http://www.orbitbooks.net/about-orbit/
PYR - http://www.pyrsf.com/index.html
Tor - http://us.macmillan.com/Content.aspx?publisher=torforge&id=255#ctl00_cphContent_ctl30_lblQuestion
Web Design
Free Images for Websites - http://www.imagehousing.com/
Free Fantasy Design artwork for Websites - http://fantasyartdesign.com/free-wallpapers/best-fantasy-art.php?s=12&np=10&srt=1&best=1
Free Web Counters - http://www.freestatscounter.com/
The Three Bears Method - http://threebearsmethod.com/
Writing Related
Brenda Hiatt's Show Me the Money - http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html
Dictionary of Sexual Terms and Expressions - http://www.sex-lexis.com/
Gordian Plot:thesaurus technique for writers - http://gordianplot.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Great Source iwrite - Grammar - http://www.greatsource.com/iwrite/students/s_grammar_hndbk.html
Kathy Carmichael:Story Pitching Generator - http://www.kathycarmichael.com/generator.html
The Perfect Pitch - http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2007/04/02/the-perfect-pitch
Publishers Weekly - http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Stephanie Smith's Contest Chart for Writers - http://www.stephiesmith.com/contests.html
When An Agent Offers You Representation - http://www.agentquery.com/writer_or.aspx
Write to Done - http://writetodone.com/
(All links are current as of 22nd Feb.2010)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Help Me Chase the Dream...
Well, the 2010 Chase the Dream competition has drawn to a close and now it's up to readers to vote for their favourite!
There are 8 finalists with entries and they span the gamut of romance genres. I'd like to encourage you to visit the website and place your vote. It's easy to do. (And yes, this is a blatant plug to vote for my entry DARK SHADOWS!)
You can vote anywhere between March 3rd and March 10th. As a huge bonus, the panel of editors and agents invited by Rachelle Chase and Leigh Michaels will be critiquing each of the entries and leaving their comments for all to see.
So, if you haven't voted yet, please do!
The final placings will be announced March 19th.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
SHADOWFAE's lucky commenter!
Happy SHADOWGLASS Release Day, Erica!
I hope your book flies off the shelves.
Now for what everyone has been wating for...but first (and yes, this a blatant delaying tactic *grin*), thank you so much to everyone for dropping in to chat with Erica and leaving your comments - there were certainly some interesting questions asked, some more unusual than others! LOL
The free autographed copy of Erica's book, SHADOWFAE, goes to Robyn.
Congratulations, Robyn! You have until the end of the working week (Friday, 5th March) to contact me off-line (at kyliegriffin@clearmail.com.au) with your address so I can post the book to you.
Happy reading!
*If the book remains unclaimed a runner-up will be announced.
I hope your book flies off the shelves.
Now for what everyone has been wating for...but first (and yes, this a blatant delaying tactic *grin*), thank you so much to everyone for dropping in to chat with Erica and leaving your comments - there were certainly some interesting questions asked, some more unusual than others! LOL
The free autographed copy of Erica's book, SHADOWFAE, goes to Robyn.
Congratulations, Robyn! You have until the end of the working week (Friday, 5th March) to contact me off-line (at kyliegriffin@clearmail.com.au) with your address so I can post the book to you.
Happy reading!
*If the book remains unclaimed a runner-up will be announced.
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