The Release Date

A few weeks ago, I received an email from my editor, the fabulous Callie Lynn Wolfe. She congratulated me on completing my third and final novel in The Champion Chronicles Trilogy. I felt full of bittersweet excitement, having worked so closely with Callie since I signed with The Wild Rose Press in 2007.

I can't believe it. Almost five years! I'll forever be grateful for her guidance, patience, and support. As a new writer (definitely not a young one) the opportunity to work with the best of the best has been thrilling!

So back to the reason for this post. Like many authors gearing up for another book signing, I labored all afternoon once I had Callie's email, and created post cards to hand out. I had to get HIS SOUL TO KEEP and its stunning cover out there, right? Along with reviews for Retribution! and Consequences... I simply typed "coming soon" for Book Three, and the promo cards arrived four days ago.

There's a reason people procrastinate. I should have, I guess.

Last night, that altogether thrilling email arrived from my editor. And with a cyber drum-roll...

HIS SOUL TO KEEP releases in ebook and print on JULY 22, 2011

Remember my post about changing the blurb? Well, here's the final one:

Destiny is rewritten for Michael Malone, a mystically enhanced vampire, with an outcome so unexpected that everyone in his world is stunned - Michael most of all. Suddenly mortal, he faces challenges unlike any he has ever experienced.


Alana, his Guardian and soul mate, questions how the evil that lived within Michael was vanquished. Lukas, his human son, doesn't trust his father's heartbeat, and Michael himself has no answers.


The bonds of their love will face the greatest test of all when the ancient demon anchored within Michael for 317 years is discovered alive within an innocent human. Can Michael, Alana, and Lukas destroy the evil unleashed in order to give Michael his soul to keep?

I'll be signing Books One and Two on March 19th at the 2011 Create Something Magical Conference
hosted by Liberty States Fiction Writers. 
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Rte.1 & Gill Lane, Iselin, NJ 08830

Come and meet some of New Jersey's finest authors :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Mickey

But I've been busy...

Whew! Life get's busier by the month. I've been remiss with promotion, keeping up with blogs, posting updates, etc. "But I've been busy," has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Nothing bad; all good!

I'm happy to announce that Book Three of The Champion Chronicles: Inheritance is now in the hands of my goddess of an editor. Yep. I finally let it go after many, many revisions. Now the wait begins - again...

I feel very blessed to be an author who can say this. Statistics are staggering on how many individuals say they are going to write a book, and then actually do so. I've completed three in the four years I've been writing paranormal fiction. My thesis doesn't count (gotta grin here).

Now to other good news. Here's my new cover. Consequences... The Champion Chronicles: Book Two also has a release date from The Wild Rose Press: August 6, 2010. I'm very proud of this one. It was a rejection letter that forced me to write it. It was the first book my editor contracted. My sister Linda read the initial manuscript so fast that I was stunned. I poured my heart into it, wrote like a banshee on a mission for four months straight, and held my head high when I wrote the last word. I am pleased to share the cover with you :)

In February, two other Wild Rose authors, Linda J. Parisi (Noble Blood) and Christine Clemetson (A Daughter's Promise) and M. Flagg (Retribution!) will be appearing at the Pequannock Library (973-835-7460 for more details) on February 8th at 7 pm. We have a great presentation called "Three Takes on Love" which includes short examples of our love stories and a discussion session. Everyone's invited, of course.

On February 9th from 7 - 8 pm, I'll be talking at Marketing For Writers in Newton, NJ. The address is 133 Spring St. For more info, call 973-383-0027

March holds two more events and book signings. I'll keep you posted :)

So Happy 2010 to all. I hope your new year is filled with tons of good news and blessings!

Mickey

How FAR does promo go?

Perhaps the better question is: As a new author, how far will I go to promote my book? That's a fairly loaded question. When we sit down to write, does promoting even come to mind? I never considered it. Call me naive, but the bigger picture didn't make an impression on me. At first!

Simply writing a query letter can be intimidating. You have signed a contact, survived rounds of edits and the final galley. Now you're a trooper. Anticipation grows unbearable while you await the release day.

As a recently-published author, nothing held more satisfaction than having that hot-of-the-press book in my hands. Emotions spewed forth quicker than hot lava. And nothing frightened more than knowing I had to shove myself out there to promote what I had written.

Regardless of how the story poured out of me, that it turned into a novel meant I wanted an audience. An untapped realm of readers might find entertainment in my words. Many people who I'd never consider fans of this genre turned out to be lovers of juicy vampire tales.

But promo is a tough nut to crack.

It's downright hard to sell yourself. Actors know it. Musicians, costume designers, dancers and artists of all kinds know it as well. The creative side slams into the wall of harsh reality. But I want readers. So do you. I'll continue to explore every avenue and keep looking for new ideas.

Here's what I've found that works:

1. An article in the local newspaper ~ This led to a book signing at a popular coffee house. I followed up with an article to announce the event. The newspaper published that as well. The successful event led to being asked back - on Halloween (did I mention I write paranormal??)
2. Join legitimate writers groups to network with other authors, and a host of on-line groups to listen and learn from.
3. Book signing at my local writing chapter.
4. Always carry material to hand out ~ postcards, pens, and business cards
5. Participate in group advertising and take out affordable ads alone in smaller publications.
6. Have a web site and blog.
7. Join Facebook and create a Fan Page. (Feel free to become a fan!)
8. Use every contact imaginable and encourage others to write.
9. Create a presentation with fellow authors to showcase our books together.
10. Venture out of my comfort zone a little each time.
11. Follow some great blogs like http://dayanaknight.blogspot.com

Now for something I've not done before. Here's a little bit of Retribution!

Perhaps it was the purity and the power of the blood—along with the fact that a distance now existed between Michael and those he loved. No longer drinking the life force of Lukas or Alana, the blended blood was Georgian, the contribution of all twelve Council members. Michael had clarity.

His eyes shot open at dawn, not needing to look at the alarm clock beside him. Alana still slept, lost in happy dreams. She lay curled to his body, safe and secure. As if Michael had willed Alana to turn, she sighed, head resting on the pillow. Her arm flung across the empty side of the bed. He slipped out from beneath the satin sheets… No sound, no disturbance to the lovely woman beside him.

After a quick shower, he pulled on the sweats and shrugged on an undershirt still hanging behind the bathroom door from last night. Standing at the sink, Michael picked up his toothbrush, the one Alana had purchased in Pisa the other day. The habit was hundreds of years old…An absentminded glance in an empty mirror as the vampire ran firm bristles back and forth over even white teeth. But this time, he stared in disbelief. A cloudy image peered back—one that hadn’t been seen in centuries. High cheekbones, straight nose, square chin and strong brow were unmistakably his. Leaning into the mirror, Michael couldn’t see his eyes clearly, but it was his reflection, something lost the night he’d been turned. The one thing that sets me apart from humanity, he thought, one thing that should be lost forever. The image fascinated, but also frightened. One more secret I must keep from Alana—for now.

Promotion is still the scary beast. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts, so please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by today.

What a great day!

Sometimes I think everyone needs a day to get lost in. That was today for me. The cooler weather certainly helps! It's spring for sure with the lilacs blooming outside my window. I have two bouquets positioned in the house with the lovely fragrant blooms. And the scent of spring cleared my mind.

Of course, responsibilities came first, as did a visit with my sister. Then I wrote. It felt good to clear some of the cobwebs away and put a short story down. Tomorrow it will be edited with fresh eyes, but tonight, I feel like I've accomplished something.

And it feels soooo good! What did you do today?

Hi all,
If you've come to visit, I'm still new at this. However, the news is that Retribution! is now available in E-book. I'm so proud of that accomplishment. It's been a long road, but one with fantastic experiences. Will the book sell? Wish I had a crystal ball to answer that one.

Writing is a process. It's also a journey into my imagination that tinted with personal innuendo that somehow impresses upon my subconscious mind. I do it to relax more than to make a statement. There is also this creative urge that takes hold. Sometimes, a scene plays itself out in my head. Sometimes, it's just a phrase, a turn of the word that sparks inside me. After the story pours out, it's edit time. I'm good at that. Had lots of practice.

Wouldn't it be great if life were the same way? We could go back and edit, and edit, and edit... Maybe that's why I like writing. It's my world and I get a re-do.

If you get a chance and find yourself interested, go check out The Wild Rose Press. I'm into week two of e-book release and still in the top ten. Let's see what tomorrow brings :)