I just don't get it....

Please forgive me. Writing is an outlet for my frustrations, and this author just needs to post. Bear with me as I lay upon my personal therapy couch and talk to Snoopy on his dog house.

Working on my craft as a writer is important to me, and as much as I hate reading (isn't that a hoot), I picked up a mass paperbook in a store the other day. It was written by a "New York Times best selling author." The current work was #13 on the list, a romance novel, published by a huge publishing company.

Mission: Read novel and see what kind of goods it takes to become a successful published author with a big-named publishing house among others in the biggest book-selling genre.

Result: Disgust.

Please tell me I don't have to use words like "cock" to describe body parts during a tender love making scene to get published!!! All the rules of a great book were missing. -- run-on sentences that made up whole paragraphs, and a host of other rules I see pounded into my mind daily that I must follow that were not. The story? Mediocre at best.

I'm sorry, but I just don't get it. Does success hinge on the use of certain words for body parts?

Done ranting. Thank you very much.

:Shrugs shoulders and walks off page:

The Letter

What should have taken four to six months to receive a response, only took two weeks. As most of you know, I sent the manuscript of The Price of Innocence off to a rather well-known romance publishing company. After sending off a query, the Editor-and-Chief asked to see the entire manuscript. It came back today in the mail with a letter.

Let me preface first by saying that I've never been so excited to receive a letter that informed me the book wasn't right for their publishing company. I sort of knew that ahead of time, because my novel, though it has romantic elements, isn't written as a true romance novel. Doesn't contain all those tidbits that are required to meet that genre of fiction, including the happy ending (although he didn't know that will come in book two). I wasn't surprised that it wasn't accept for those reasons alone.

What really blew me away was the kind letter received with words of the manuscript being very readable and good. It was his last three sentences that made me smile, "Should you try your hand at another historical novel, I'm more than happy to take a look! And I'm not just saying that. I wouldn't put it in this letter if I didn't mean it!"

As a new fiction writer out of the gate who dared to self-publish, I can say I'm glad I stuck my toe in the water and sent it to a traditional publishing house. His encouragement, as far as I'm concerned, was the icing on the cake. It told me my writing does have value.

Frankly, I have another idea swirling in my head about a World War II romance that is somewhat based off my parent's experience during the war. When I get done with my sequel, The Price of Deception, I just might mold my new idea into that traditional boy meets girl, boy gets girl, conflict separates boy and girl, boy and girl over come, and it's happily ever after for the two of them that slips nicely into that genre of romance novels. He might very well get another one of my manuscripts to look at some day in the future.

In the meantime, I'm staying focused. My book has been released, and I will actively market. Occasionally, I'll probably dabble in sending my manuscript contents to other publishers of general fiction, etc. and see if I get any nibbles. If not, I'll stay the course and be happy with my accomplishments as a self-published author crying for respect.

Oh, and while I'm at it -- today I went and saw the disaster movie 2012. It was okay, but one line in the movie flew off the screen and hit me square between the eyes. John Cusack plays an author in the story who poured his life into writing a book, but it only sold 500 copies. A copy of his book ended up being one of the things saved during the earth's time of disaster.

One actor held the book in his hand and said (sorry don't have that line verbatim) that even though the author only sold 500 copies of his book, because he wrote it, it left a legacy in the world. That really meant a lot to me. I probably won't be the next Stephanie Meyers or Dan Brown, but even after I die, and if I only sell 500 copies of The Price of Innocence, I will have left a legacy in this world. What a profound thought! Don't know about you, but boy that made me feel great! So whatever you do great - go leave a legacy in the world using the gifts you were given in life.

Cheers folks!
Vicki

Where do I go from here?

Interesting. I'm feeling a bit lost! It's amazing how pushing yourself to get your book out in a flurry of drafts, edits, readings, and submission can wear you down. Now it's all over and the book as been released through my publisher in the U.S. (Xlibris) - except for my debut on the the 2,500 sites worldwide like on Amazon, etc. - I'm feeling a bit lost! I didn't expect this rash emotion either. I've been so hyped my entire life to released my first fiction novel, I thought I would sigh in satisfaction and relax - doesn't look that way.

It's times like these you discover things about yourself you never noticed before. It's obvious I love to write, but I'm learning I'm driven to write as well. It seems to be so ingrained in me as an individual that when I'm not blogging, plotting, roleplaying, or writing something I don't know who I am any longer. Hum, I don't know if that's good or bad.

Well, I've started the sequel, The Price of Deception. It will roll into a third, The Price of Love. While pounding the keys, I'll continue to market my self-published version and see if I can get a publisher to pick up the three-book series. Why? I guess I'm out to prove a point all my work is not mere VANITY!

With that in mind, this blog will continue to write my journey for The Price of Deception. Who can I torture this time? Muwhahaha!

Cheers,
Vicki

PS...Food for thought on all that vanity business.

"I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the
result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor
(traditional versus self-published added by me)
This too is vanity and striving after wind."
Ecclesiastes 4:4

The Janes of Romance

Below is an introduction to my newest endeavor. Feel free to contact me if you're interested in participating. Thank you.

Introduction The Janes of Romance - A New Website for Authors & Readers

I am an author who released my first historical novel in 2009. After publication, I started actively marketing my book and looked at many romance sites for advertising. Unfortunately, I found nothing that offered a sanctuary for the type of genre I preferred.

From website to website, I was bombarded with scenes of sex advertising romance. Most covers were focused on naked chests, six-pack abs, and bulging breasts at every glance. If that wasn't bad enough, words of romance were teamed with scenes of bondage and demons. For some reason I think Jane Austen would shudder at the sight.

I began to think that I had no place to showcase my book with so many body parts screaming for attention next to my classy cover. In addition my advertisng lacked words such as hot, steamy, sizzling, wicked, and sexy - just to name a few.

So I thought why not make a place for authors like myself who want to publicize their work in a site not filled with exposed bodies? As a result, The Janes of Romance was born.

As most of you know, Jane Austen was a wonderful author who penned some of the most romantic stories of all time in pure tastefulness. This site is dedicated to her honor and ability to tell pure romance. It welcomes authors and readers of like-minded hearts looking for something different.

Who Are the Janes?

The Janes of Romance are published and aspiring authors who stay true to romance stories filled with heart and not heat.

Our site was created to bring reader and authors together, while promoting romance novels tasteful in content and cover.

All authors are welcome - both traditional and self-published. If you are an aspiring author with a book in progress, join us and build a platform before release.

Become one of our Janes and enjoy a place to showcase and promote your work in a different environment.

Feel free to visit our site and look around: The Janes of Romance If you like the idea, we'd appreciate you spreading the word. If you're a reader, with a heart of Jane, feel free to use our badge below.

It's Released!

My book is officially for sale at Xlibris Corporation. After distribution, you'll be able to find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and 2,200 other online retailers within the next 30-60 days.

Here are a few kind pre-release reviews. I promise you, I didn't pay them a penny to say these things!

"I'm fighting back tears. You are an amazing writer and words cannot adequately express how talented I think you are. You have a gift and I am so thankful that you shared the manuscript with me. I am forever touched."

"WHAT A GREAT READ! I think this book was a great romance, and a tasteful one with a truly historical flavor. Thanks for letting me edit it!"

"Just finished reading a draft of my friend's first novel: The Price of Innocence. I didn't get anything done today because I could not put it down. She is so talented. I can't wait to buy my own copy once she gets it published."

"I really love your book. I look forward to the sequel. I'm excited to know as to what will happen between Robert and his son. I'm thrilled to know (deleted spoiler!).... I also love the cover image. It really fits the story. Congratulations in advance." A. Aborque, Xlibris Rep.

Now that it's said and done, whew! On to book two - The Price of Deception. My brain is already plotting, along with my heart wildly beating in my chest. Thanks to all for walking this journey with me.

Hugs,
Vicki

In Production

Wow, what a weekend! I finalized the manuscript and it's in the hands of Xlibris for the cover, galley proof, and final steps to print. Gosh, I'm exhausted! Self-publishing is work, let me tell you. I think it deserves more kudos than the industry gives, frankly.

If you're a perfectionist, like myself, and care about quality, you want to make a good impression. As a self-published author, the task weighs entirely on my shoulders. I don't have a million dollar publishing house behind me to make my writing look good. Frankly, I'm on a mission to prove decent work and a good story can be offered through "vanity" and still sell.

This morning I got up early, cleaned the last bit of the manuscript, checked my author bio, short book bio, long book description, dedication, and reviewed my artwork. Then I packed them all up in multiple emails and shipped them to my representative. A few hours later, I received a call from her, and she was excited as this crazy author. I was driving down the road when the phone call came in, so like a good citizen I pulled over. Frankly, I didn't want to risk an accident. It was too pumped to talk and drive!

She loved the cover, gave me some tips on interior design, and off it went to production. Within the next week, I will have my first galley proof.

It's only taken me 40 years to get here. That's right 40 years of dreaming, screaming, and scheming. I finally made it. My first fiction novel. My friends at work who have read it already are crying SEQUEL now! Gosh, I have no idea where to go from here, but if this keeps up, I guess I'll need to write one.

Thanks to everyone who has read my blog and walked my journey with me. I also sent off the manuscript via "snail mail" to the chief editor who requested to read the book. It will be four to six months before that answer comes back, but in the meantime, my book will be ready to buy within the next month.

What will I do if they offer to buy it? Frankly, I don't know. If they plan on butchering my book, I just may say no. Should they ask for erotic sex scenes, I will say no. I've written a tasteful, historical fiction novel, and I intend to keep it that way.

In the meantime - How sweet it is!!!!!

CHEERS!!!
Vicki