Tag Archives: Crimson Romance

Submitting Your Proposal? I Did.

23 Feb

Nothing seems more stressful than having to pare down a novel into a page or two synopsis, or worse yet a back cover blurb. As an author of romantic comedies, my characters and story lines tend to run in the hundreds of pages per book, with plots and subplots carved into the running chapters.

Yet submitting to an agent or publisher means first drafting a query letter, including a short blurb or paragraph encompassing the essence of the story hooking the person into wanting more. An elevator pitch, if you’re familiar with the term, describe your book in the few seconds you might have if a literary agent or publisher stepped into an elevator with you. Not many details, but must grab the person’s attention through emotion s or action.

If you pass this hurdle, next is submitting a synopsis of the book. In two to four pages you must describe the highlights of the plot and subplots, the ins and outs of the main characters and reveal the ending. Shocking, I know, but the publisher or agent needs to know you have a tightly wrapped up ending, nothing dangling in midair by the last page.

I just sent a proposal packet to Crimson Romance for the sequel of “Her Ghost Wears Kilts.” Now begins the waiting – will it be accepted or not? The new book is titled “Frolic and Foibles” sharing the same crazy characters with a new villain. Think good thoughts to the publishing fairy it will be picked up for 2015.

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Baillie Makes Her Interview Debut

6 Oct

On the first stop of my Pump Up Your Book virtual book tour, The Literary Nook interviews the main character of Her Ghost Wears Kilts – Catharine Anne Baillie. Find out what this protagonist really thinks.

How sheltered was I in my bookstore all those years? I’d never met such an oily psychopath.
– See more at: http://www.theliterarynook.blogspot.com/2014/10/character-interview-catharine-anne.html#sthash.zEDb8QEp.Itf1jSk2.dpuf

Image by Pump Up Your Book, virtual book tours.

Image by Pump Up Your Book, virtual book tours.

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The Sequel … So it begins

29 Aug

Those of you who haven’t read Her Ghost Wears Kilts published by Crimson Romance yet may not want to read any further. I advise you to click off the blog and spend this time grabbing a copy of HGWK instead for an enjoyable adventure. The following paragraphs may contain character content you’re not ready to know. Once you’ve finished reading, c’mon back and be excited with the rest of us.

Yes, I’m finally working on the sequel to my paranormal romantic comedy and thoroughly enjoying being back with the cast of characters I came to love. Of course, Gillian Nation himself returns. The man has been a supporting actor in both Changes in Attitude and HGWK, so he’s on a roll and has his own fan base.

Last night I sat in the stadium bleachers by the JV field of Black Lake High School, purportedly watching the youngest Bown boy go through his drills and plays of Thursday practice. However, most of those two hours, I had my head bent over a blank notebook and found my pen racing through scenes and concepts for the new book. Pages filled with black ink and adrenalin made my heart pound.

The male lead actor in the story is named Brugh (sounds like Hugh). Yes, just like the fluffy four-footed love in my immediate family. But do note as this is important, the pup was named for the character, not the other way round. The character Brugh had already materialized for the sequel before I made the commitment to fall in love with the two Pomeranian puppies.

Enough for now, I am hoping the three-day weekend ahead will be writing and laundry with breaks of lavish attention for Brugh and Bouncer. Enjoy yourselves and be safe.

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Outlander Obsession

28 Aug

Having just finished the latest Diana Gabaldon book in the Outlander series, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood, I am still under the influence of a Claire and Jamie hangover. Enmeshed in the details of the Revolutionary War era, time travel and the highlands of Scotland, I savored every page as I have of the first seven books.

Over the last three weeks, though, I’ve been thrown back into the sci-fi romantic adventure world of the first book Outlander through the first three episodes of the new Starz cable series of the same name. The delightful and dedicated actor Sam Heughan is beginning to grow on me and dissolve my “larger than life” image in his portrayal of Jamie Frazer. The poor actor has quite a task in front of him.

Are ye one of us, now kilt krazy and eager for more of Claire and Jamie?

My romantic comedy Her Ghost Wears Kilts is like a kilt-wrapped candy bar next to the thick detailed tomes of the Outlander series. But after digesting the deliciousness of Gabaldon’s work, you might just want sink into its warm, fuzzy tale until the next exciting episode on Starz.

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The Importance of Reviews

14 Sep

Doesn’t that sound impressive? So literary and that is the point. It’s hard to believe how valuable reviews become when a book is first launched. It’s a written word-of-mouth opinion that travels across the country and sometimes around the world. I want to encourage you, whether it is my books or others you are reading, that when you are done, you post a review at Amazon, Goodreads or Barnes & Noble. Your fifty to a hundred words may be the catalyst for the next person to purchase a copy of that title.

As an author, there is sweet sensation when the first reviews are posted from readers who purchased a copy and enjoyed the adventure you created. A review is your way of contacting the author and letting them know how you felt about the book. Though I’ve shared this on my fb fan page, here is a copy of my first review:

A fun, romantic romp!,

September 8, 2013

First of all, full disclosure here: I admit my own bias toward any novel that includes a ghost as a sentient character. And in this one, not only is the ghost entertaining, he’s Celtic as well! Bonus points!!

Having said that, let me also say that if the spirit world is anything like the world Kathleen Shaputis depicts here, I think I’m pretty much ready to cross over!

I loved this book because it is romantic without being cheesy or sappy, ghostly without being Gothic, and it never takes itself too seriously.

When Baillie, the goofy but lovable protagonist, is told she has a ghost trying to communicate with her, she tries everything to deny his presence–until the news arrives that she has inherited a castle in Scotland, where she ultimately finds herself face to face with the lord of the castle himself (in ghostly form). For its humor, the book reminded me of the old TV series of my childhood, “Topper,” which I loved.

It should be noted here (for lovers of drag queen hilarity) that the characters of Rafael and T-Cup are especially memorable.

Kudos to Shaputis for offering a fun page-turner with a great sinister villain and several unlikely heroes (including a horse). Charming, quick read!

As an author I am more in tune with the importance of reviews, and find I must take the time to share my thoughts and a few words with the world about the books I’ve read and enjoyed. But just as important is hearing from the working mother in Kansas City or the reader flying to Ireland for vacation and has taken a copy of your book to read on the trip. The only way the author will know your reactions is by reviews.

Make leaving reviews a habit of choice, let the author know their hours of sweat and strain paid off. And let me know who your favorite character of “Her Ghost Wears Kilts” published by Crimson Romance is after you’ve read the book. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Virtual Book Tour Schedule is Here

6 Sep
Get ready for a whirlwind, exciting virtual book tour set up by Bewitching Book Tours.

Get ready for a whirlwind, exciting virtual book tour set up by Bewitching Book Tours.

On a wet, wild day in the Pacific Northwest with lightning and thunder as background music, I received my tour schedule from Roxanne Rhoades at Bewitching Book Tours. And with the horrific and beautiful weather outside came the cancellation of football practice for my grandson. Perfect. Gave me time to set up the tour schedule page here and share the good news.

However, the lights are starting to blink, so it would be frustratingly ironic if the power goes out.

I love interviews – radio, television and blogs. Yes, I am a media diva – spreading good cheer, fun stories and information wherever I go. Though the last time I had national exposure and drive-time interviews on radio stations back east, I was about forty pounds lighter. The best thing about virtual tours is I’m behind a computer screen. Ruh-roh, what about Skype? Hmm, well, so far none of the interviews are live or taped.

According to the count down on my blog, it’s ten days before the start of the tour. I’ve been given instructions for my first few events and can’t wait to plunge in with anecdotes and fun facts of being a writer and publishing a paranormal romantic comedy.

Let me post this while the power is still on.

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Launch Day a Family-Fractured Fairy Tale

28 Aug

Sunday night at five hours until my latest title would go on sale an ominous feeling weighed heavy on my shoulders. The phone rang shortly thereafter and set in motion the wheels of another family crisis in an ongoing saga. Anyone who understands about putting the “fun” in dysfunctional family, you know you can almost guarantee that someone is going to break something, hurt someone or otherwise upset a perfectly decent day at any time.

If you’ve read my book “The Crowded Nest Syndrome,” a humorous look at the return of adult children, you’ll know the cast of characters, one of which deflated my launch day. I ended up on the highways, blood pressure soaring from 5 am until after 8:30 pm on my August 26th. Did I get a chance to send out tweets of joy? No. Did I get to relish in the congratulations of friends and family? No. I know the rule “Family before fame,” (I just made that up) but (ready to stomp my foot in a pout) I was really looking forward to this day with all of you. Isn’t that what social media is all about? Getting to shout and tweet and post the wonders of a new book?

I missed the birth of “Her Ghost Wears Kilts.” By the time I returned home to wi-fi and a computer in the dark of night, I was thoroughly drained of energy and personality. There are powerful people out there who can wring the life out of you if locked in a position of listening to them for hours at a time with no escape.

Launch Day-plus-one celebration.

Launch Day-plus-one celebration.

This morning I crawled to my day job knowing I’d face an inbox of customers needing help and a stack of finished books from calling in absent on a Monday. Not overwhelming, because I knew we all cover what we can for each other when someone’s out. But (get the Kleenex ready) Kate, from production, came in with a gorgeous bouquet she’d created herself and a delicious cookie pizza with “Best Author” across it. Oh, how the tears fell. And, yes, I Photoshopped some of the puffiness from under my eyes. Jeez, I’d been crying and she wants to take a picture!

Okay, so I missed the official Launch Day – doesn’t mean the party’s over, I’m just getting warmed up. My virtual blog tour doesn’t start until Sept. 16 and there is much to do and people to encourage to enjoy the perils of HGWK. And those who pre-ordered and are now able to jump into the story of Baillie will soon be telling their friends.  Right? Doesn’t mean HGWK can’t make the best-selling list of paranormal romances about ghosts.

Right??? You betcha.

 

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Book Trailer by Ami Blackwelder

22 Aug

Four days until “Her Ghost Wears Kilts” published by Crimson Romance is launched, Ami Blackwelder, Book Trailer Creations, sent me the finished product of the book trailer. A mini commercial of my latest novel – and it’s just fun. I uploaded it to YouTube.com and went about sprinkling the link throughout my social media.

Ami took an image of the cover and a short summary of the book to put together my commercial. Her talent of picking out short lines about the story, mixed with images and adding a soundtrack happened in a short blink of time. That which would have taken me weeks to even attempt with no assurance of a tangible product, she whipped together and only charges $50.00 – that’s right, fifty dollars. Fab-u-lous.

What a great way to reach more possible readers, something easily shared, that brings a “feel” to the story. What would your book trailer look like?

Her Ghost Wears Kilts Book Trailer

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Goodreads Ad

16 Aug

I’ve submitted an ad about pre-ordering “Her Ghost Wears Kilts” on Goodreads. Are you a goodreads_logo_140-5b3e47356388131c1699f0baca28a234member? It’s a great site of tens of thousands of readers and authors sharing books they’ve read, currently reading or want to read in the future. I know it was recently purchased by Amazon, but I don’t see any changes yet.

In setting up the ad, I could choose a daily budget and specifically target certain genres which is very important. Someone in love with literary fiction would probably not like HGWK. It would be as if the reader were expecting roast beef and got cotton candy instead. I know my audience is women, who’d love to have a subscription to People or already does, loves a happy ending and tends to shop at Target, Kohls, or JC Pennys.

It needs to be approved and they note this could take a day or two.

Advertising on Goodreads? Check!

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Postcards by Ninth Moon

4 Aug

KS_PSTRCD_FT_1aI love the quality of my new postcards designed and printed by Ninth Moon for writers here in western Washington. I’ve already passed out quite a few and will keep at least a dozen in my purse and notebook. You never know who you may be talking to during the day. And for a romance book, I’m checking out the women in line with me at the grocery store or in mini groups during football practice.

I didn’t have my mailing list ready to go once they got here. Note to self and others: best thing to fill the time waiting for the cards is ordering or buying postcard rate stamps and revise your address list to included anyone and everyone you feel would be responsive to your title.

Her Ghost Wears Kilts come out in three weeks which is a great time to send out postcards. People can display them on their desks, tuck into their desk calendars and pin to their bulletin boards. Hopefully it’s in a public location where others will see it and comment on the bright cover design starting a word-of-mouth campaign.

For some of those I’ve chosen for my Street Team, I’ll send them ten postcards, pre-stamped, to address to their friends and send out. This will reach another level of readers I wouldn’t normally know.

It’s a warm Sunday morning, a load of laundry is running, the dishwasher is humming and I’ve exercised the pups. Now it’s time to start addressing the postcards to go out in tomorrow’s mail. Three weeks and counting.

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