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DOES A NEW AUTHOR HAVE A CHANCE IN TODAY'S PUBLISHING WORLD

What is that thing that gives an author staying power when it comes to continuing to be published?.  I  have some authors that I follow just to learn or try to understand why they are no longer players in the literary world.

I have one particular author in mind as I'm writing this article.

The author I'm referring to had two urban fantasy novels published and was featured in two anthologies. I've not read her books, only her excerpts from the books. They were very good. From what I can tell...she's a really good story weaver.

She hasn't had anything published since 2011. From her Face book page that I follow, looks like she has pretty much given up on writing. She hasn't mentioned it in any of her posts nor has she updated her website.

I'm trying to figure out what happened to her and what looked like a promising career. Being a new author, I know that as a new author, the publisher is not going to invest that much money into promotion of your novels.

So, it's up to you to sell yourself. She seemed to have done that. She created a website, created a web presence and attended a few cons.

So, why didn't it work? Why didn't her books sell? She did all the right things it seems. She had an agent pushing her books? But the books didn't sell as much as projected and she and her books were dropped by the publisher and her agent wasn't able to sell to another publisher.

I'm hoping and praying this particular author hasn't given up.

I try to learn from successful authors as well as those not so successful as I plan my writing career. I don't want to land an agent, have my first novel published and not have my publisher pick up any more of my books or have my agent stop believing in me as a writer.


Later,
Melissa

WORKING ON THREE SHORT STORIES!

I've found two short stories that I had completely forgot that I wrote! Now I'm trying to decide if I need to clean them up and send them both in or start from scratch on a whole new story that is a cross between Urban Fantasy and Science Fiction.

I think, I'm going to send the story in that I'm working on and also the other two but to different places.

So, first things first. I need to finish the story I'm currently working on and then start cleaning up the other two for submission.

Later,
Melissa

Wish Me Luck

I'm currently shopping for a short story market for one of my Urban Fantasy Shorts! Feels good just to be out there again. Hopefully I'll find a home for my story.

This time is a little different. My first short story that was published in an anthology, the goal was just to get published for the first time. It was awesome to see my name and bio in an actual book. Well, this time the goal is twofold. I want to get my story published and I want to get paid for it this time.

That's right! I want to be paid for my work. I'm looking to turn this hobby into a part time job. So, like any other job, I want to get compensation for my time, research and writing.

Well, I'm on my way to my full time job right now so...

Later,
Melissa

Cool Research Find

While doing some research on my own work...I ran across this:

Demon: Agaliarept

Why is this so cool you ask? It's the name of the Demon in my favorite authors Hollows series. This is Rachel's Demon AL! I also found Ley Lines! It's just a cool find for a nerd like myself. I know most of you don't have a clue to what I'm talking about but, it makes me happy knowing I'm traveling down some of the same Internet roads that some of my most beloved authors have as I work on my stories.

Later,

Melissa

WRITING IS FUN!

Here's my customized Commander Shepard. Mass Effect is the reason I'm thinking about trying my hand at Science-Fiction writing.

RAVEN's REVENGE 

"Being alive did come with its disadvantages. For one, I didn’t want to die…again. "

That's a line from a current WIP. I'm loving writing again. It's amazing how much fun I'm having writing and putting pen to paper now that my living situation is not temporary. Buying your own home and being able to afford it, takes a great deal of stress away.

Enough of that. I'm working on a story for Raven, A Demon short and I'm trying Sci-Fiction. You can thank my addition to Mass Effect for that. 

The plan is to get a couple of short stories published to get my feet wet again then hit it hard to finish one of two novels that I have in first draft form.

Later,

Melissa

I'm Back!

I apologize for the log absence from blogging. I won't offer excuses, everyone has them. Let's just pick up from here and run with it. I'm back writing and studying my craft. For now, it's a hobby I  enjoy. Maybe one day it will be more.

I've been doing some thinking about writing in different genres. I have only up until now written Urban Fantasy. Mostly because that's what I love to read. I'm starting to feel like any other artist, I need to stretch and strengthen my writing skills by making myself step outside of my comfort zone.

Mass Effect is a science fiction action role playing game that has me seriously considering trying my hand at writing science fiction. The graphics and world development along with well developed characters that you can customize make the game an amazing experience. Yes...I play it. LOL

I'm working on a short story right now. I'm hoping to get it published before the end of the year. I'll let you know how that is going as things happen with that. For now I'll say, it's not an Urban Fantasy.

Until next time...
Write like you have a deadline,
Melissa

DISTRACTIONS

There are so many distractions that can keep you away from writing. I happen to have several hobbies, am a single Mother and work full time.

Kim Harrison signed my book (Ever After) to write like I have a contract. I am writing now, but I will admit I probally need to kick it up a couple of notches.

At least my desire to create and write has returned after a long time. Thank you Kim, Jo and Yolanda for continuing to inspire and push me to explore and push myself with writing. I feel excited. Something I haven't felt in a long time.
Later, Melissa

WRITERS AUTHORS AND OTHER STUFF

I'm dipping my toe into the water and trying to improve my writing skills again. But, something has been bothering me lately. I love to read. That's what sparked my interest in writing. I just finished reading and awesome book and truly loved it.

But in the back of my mind, I have a major battle of epic portions going on. What I have noticed over the last couple of years is...some of my favorite and most talented writers have gone the route of self publishing. Now, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with self publishing.

You still get your work out there and there are a lot of successful self published authors but,  I think that some of what's happening is that contracts are not being offered or series are not being picked up.

Now, I'm a reader and a fan girl when it comes to my authors that I read and watching this trend is breaking my heart.

Going the traditional route of publishing has always been the harder route but it's becoming almost impossible. I liken it to becoming a professional basketball or football player. It's one in a million shot or like winning the lottery.

Your chances of quitting your day job and writing for a living is paramount to being able to live out your fantasy these days. I follow a lot of writers blogs. Most of the authors I follow do have day jobs and still have  success  as published authors.

Now my idea of success may not be yours but if you have more than five of six published  books that did fairly well...I think that's success.

So why am I writing again? One is because I love to see my words on paper. Another is I want to see what happens to the character I created. And lastly, I have a strong desire to not just be a published author but also a published novelist.

Can I do it? I don't know but one thing is for sure, if I don't even try...then I have failed already.

Later,
Melissa

MELISSA'S READING LIST

I just finished reading The Undead Pool! It was another awesome offering from my favorite author. Loved this one. But, when I finished reading...I went to Kim's website and realized to my horror...that this is the next to last book in the series! Noooooooo! I've followed Rachel, Ivey and Jenks through 12 books. It's so hard to let them go. Even if I want them all to get their happy ending.

Well, Kim just finished her book tour for The Undead Pool. So, I've got another year to wait until release of her next...sob...last book in The Hollows Series.

Here I am meeting Kim and grinning like a complete idiot. 

I'm glad in a world of digital books, I have brought each and everyone of these in hardcover, two of which I was lucky enough to get signed in person by Kim Harrison in person.

Well, what are you guys reading?

Later,
Melissa

Well, my old Dell laptop went out on me last night. The hard drive is done. I should have learned by now that Dell and I don't get along. I've had 3 Dells and all of them died at the 3 year mark. Why, do I continue to buy Dell you ask? Because you can get them cheap. Well, I had to go out and get a computer last night. This one wasn't cheap. Lets hope this new HP Pavilion I'm typing on last longer than 3 years.


This computer has Windows 8 on it and it's touch screen. It's going to take some getting use too. My daughter's are saying I should be happy I have a new computer and that I had the money to get it. I don't know why I would be happy about parting with so much money but, maybe I'll feel differently today as I try it out with planning my new book.


 

AM I A WRITER

Well, I've finally decided to set life's interferences aside and put butt back in chair. If for nothing else my sanity. It's been a while and I know it takes me a bit to get into that zone or mindset as a writer but, it's something that I need to do. It's something that I have to do.

I've let life beat me up and throw me around long enough. It's time to put on my ass kicking boots and give life a kick or two.

It's been a few years since I've even submitted anything to a publisher. While my friends have continued to plug along, I dropped out of the game.

I need to see my name on that byline one more time at least.

Later,
Melissa

RAVEN LIVES!!!

Well, after meeting Kim Harrison my all time favorite author ever! And having her to sign the first novel, DEAD WITCH WALKING and EVER AFTER I have tons of writing motivation oozing out of my writing cells.

And if that wasn't enough, I went to see Jillian Michaels! 

There are other things that motivate me but wow! What a major boost!

Later,
Melissa

SPRING BREAK

Okay, I couldn't resist this photo when my daughter made it with her phone app. This is part of our Spring Break. We started off picking up BFF #1 and going to Bufflo Wild Wings. That's me there testing the beer.

Then on to the Aquarium to check out the sharks.

Hiking with my youngest...

Finished with a walk on the beach. And yes, we did it all in one day.

Later,
Melissa

GUESS WHO ELSE I GOT TO SEE #

Life is what you make it. You can sit around and mourn the loss of a marriage and be bitter for the rest of your life or...you can go out and live life. I choose life! I've been learning to enjoy life again and loving every minute of it. In my last post you saw that I got to meet my all time favorite author Kim Harrison and last week....

I got to hang out with my BFF #2. We had dinner at the Brio Tuscan Grill before heading...

to see Jillan Michaels!!! We went to see her Maximize Your Life Seminar. She was totally awesome! Had a blast! She is definitely a motivational speaker. She's one of the people I admire.

So inspired after meeting Kim and seeing Jillian. I believe, to be a great writer you must live life and live it to the fullest so that you can then translate your emotions and feelings of your characters to paper and pen. That is what I am doing or at least, trying to do.

Later,
Melissa

I MET KIM HARRISON!

Wow! That's right! I got to meet my favorite author...Kim Harrison! I still can't believe it! She is the reason I ever started writing or thought I could or that it was even possible. She is the reason that I have at least one published story to my credit. (Raven's Transformation)

Kim signed her latest book Ever After for me! If this doesn't get me writing I don't think anything will.

I got to hang out with  fabulous author and friend Marcia Colette and her awesomely cute baby girl.

I have had a hard time of it over the last three years but I am determined that this will not be the end of my writing. Stay tuned for the next chapter and updates on writing.

Later,
Melissa

MY WRITER'S DESK

No writing today. I don't know about you but, I find that I can't write, study or really get anything done if my desk is a mess. And since my desk is in my bedroom, I have to clean and organize my desk and my room if I'm going to accomplish anything.

It's been a busy couple of days but, butt can now get in chair and write. I've always been like this, unable to get down and work on writing, sketching or customs if my environment isn't to my liking. Now that it is, I have no excuses.

Later,
Melissa

BLOOD CRIME BY KIM HARRISON

I stopped by my local book store a couple of days ago and picked up Kim Harrison's latest graphic novel Blood Crime. This is the second graphic from Kim that gives us a peek into Rachel and Ivy's life before the Hollows novels.

These are told from Ivy's POV, which is great! Confession time! Ivy's my favorite character in the Hollows. Don't get me wrong, I love Rachel, Jenks and the rest of the gang but, Ivy's definitely my favorite character.

When I get writer's block, I like to read some of Kim's work. Not that I write like her but, it reminds me of why I started writing. My love of writing came with my love of reading.

I'm planning on falling asleep reading tonight. I love crawling in bed with a good book.

I'm in the process of revamping my blog. I figured, a new year, calls for a new blog look.

Later,
Melissa

SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN

 

 

I finished reading Shadows Before The Sun by Kelly Gay and it was awesome! I'm hoping we haven't seen the last of this series but, so far Kelly hasn't announced any more books from staring Charlie and Rex.

I did see that Mrs Gay has another adult series that she'll be producing herself that is coming out soon. I'm excited about this new series but, I am still hoping we get another two book contract for Charlie.

Later,
Melissa

SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN

I just finished reading THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES by Kelly Gay. It was awesome! It took me a while to read it due to personal drama but, drama over and I'm back to reading the books I love by my favorite authors.

I stayed up late last night because after finishing THE HOUR OF DUST AND ASHES, I had to jump right into SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN.

I checked Kelly's FB page and I'm relieved to know that her books are contracted 2 at a time and she doesn't have plans to stop writing about Charlie and her adventures just yet. Yay! (High pitched fan girl squeal!)

What's so cool about this book is, we get to get inside Hank's head and peek around a bit. Most of the story is told from Charlie's POV but, we get into Hank's head and we learn more about Hank's mysterious past.

And I have to say, after learning more about the man, I have to say, I liked Hank a lot but, now I think I love him.

After I finish devouring SHADOWS BEFORE THE SUN I'll be reading A BEAUTIFUL EVIL next. I'm having a really hard time getting my daughter not to give away any spoilers. She's already read this one. And she loved it! I picked up quite a few cool Mom points for introducing her to Kelly Keaton's writing.

As soon as she finished reading it, she said, is there another one? I said, "Not yet." How long do I have to wait? I said, "It usually takes an author about a year to put another one out. And Kelly is writing two series right now."

So, Kelly if you happen to read this, my daughter would like me to ask you if you could speed it up a bit. LOL

Later,
Melissa