HUH???

Had a WTF moment the other day. I'd seen a submission call for a certain genre which seemed to fit one of my stories. I emailed the owner and asked if I could send it to see if there was a possible 'fit'. She said yes, so I sent it off, along with the information it wasn't ready for publication, but I was currently waiting for a yes/no on the previous book, and if it was given a 'no', I'd send it. I just wanted clarification on the genre, and to see if my stories were in synch with their thinking.

Imagine my shock when three days ago, I received a contract for the work! I wrote back and explained why I was refusing the contract.

Maybe it was my fault; I sent something off with no intention of having it published. But at the same time, what does this say about the quality of work this publisher is accepting? Are they a) so desperate for manuscripts it doesn't matter how bad they are, and are willing to publish anything, or b) they recognize they have something good and don't want it going anywhere else? In this case, I'm so tired of certain shennanigans, I'm going elsewhere with my work. I've been lied to; communication is a bitch unless I throw a fit; and I had lengthy email and phone conversations with two other authors who have already severed ties. I'd really like to get published where my friends are! The chats would definitely be more lively:)

Happy Anniversary....

To my sis and her hubby! They've been married now for 14 years!

Also, 15 years ago today, I learned my soul mate was still interested in me. This didn't change our situation, but just knowing he's out there and we still keep in occasional contact is all I can hope for at the moment. 25 years of friendship, as of March 31st; 24 years of realizing our connection (Labor Day weekend) and now, 15 years of reuniting. God....the stuff of bad novels.

But then again, sometimes Truth is stranger than Fiction...

Am I A Scrooge?

So my book's been published; it's also available on Kindle. My new website has been designed and I'm waiting for the money to pay for my domain name. I thought it was included...NOPE! On top of the $30/month, we now have to pay an additional $15 a year for the domain name.

I got my camera for my birthday; my Colts won their football game; and Fabio won Survivor. Yesterday, we picked up the Angel Tree and Wish Tree gifts for our youngest and discovered someone had also included a $100 bill:) This will go toward my daughter's Confirmation outfit, which a kind soul had donated $75 toward, but the hubby deposited in the bank and used the funds for gas money. I wish he'd keep his damn hands off the donated money!

In good news, Congress signed the bill, reinstating his Unemployment benefits. So now I can hopefully pay my cable bill and keep my internet up and running! And the parts for the dryer should be arriving today. Mom and Dad sent that money on Friday. (Good Lord I feel like a freeloader!)

But here it is, four days before Christmas and I'm fed up with everything. The kids have inhaled the cookies I baked last week; we got socked with an ice storm last Thursday and schools were canceled both Thurs and Friday. I still haven't located anyone who wants my beautiful electric organ, and I DON'T want the simply throw it away!

I should get out today before going to work and pick up something for daughter and oldest son.

Sorry for the downer post; think I'll go whip up some chocolate chip muffins, which were SUPPOSED to be made on Sunday by my hubby!

Sigh....once again, if Mom doesn't do it, it won't get done....

Oh What A Relief...

The book is out; I survived NaNo; and managed not to throttle my editor, nor receive any reprimands from her! I did have one issue which gave me nightmares, and emailed my dilemma to not only my former editor, but a trusted author friend whose been doing this a lot longer than I have!

Author friend agreed with my version.

Former editor made the comment my new editor seemed to be working with a grade 2 editing text book (ouch!). I offered a compromise, and even offered to take the heat if anyone complained about it. She agreed, and the book went into the release queu.

So now it's been out for two weeks; I've ridden the congratulatory wave and been featured on four blogs. I've endured the 'hangover' of adrenaline let-down. I've posted excerpts everywhere, and even emailed my interview to a few people. And sent out my newsletter, and hoping it didn't end up in SPAM folders everywhere.

So now what?

It's one week until my birthday; my other blog has picked up 7 followers, but no one commented on Friday's post. Are people just out shopping and too busy to be online? The chat loops seem to be quiet whenever I pop in, although a few of my posts have generated comments.

Our weather has been frigid, so I've not wanted to leave the house except when I absolutely cannot avoid it. I soooooo want to hop a plane for 50 degree temps or above!

In good news, I only have two more chapters left to edit on Love on the Rocks. This week, I'm going to be busy with cookie baking and preparing for my oldest son's return for the holidays. And trying to figure out a way to keep my internet, phone, and cable on. It's not looking promising.

On A Roll...

Sunday, I cracked the 4K mark. I've been working diligently ever since, and hit 13K a few moments ago. There's no way I can make it to the 50K mark, but at this rate, I'll have the ms rewritten and ready for the final go-through:) And that was my plan all along.

I've made my Christmas list:
-keyboard (if no laptop)
-dryer
-camera
-printer
-laptop
-jeans
-tennis shoes
-long johns
-an income
-more sweaters
-black socks
-$$ for books, pictures printed out, and to go out to eat once a week.

Is that too much to ask?

Dilemma:
Saw someone making a bad decision on one of the loops today. Do I email them privately, or let them discover for themselves? I don't know the person, so I'm hesitant to open my mouth, er, fingers, and have my warning fall into the wrong hands. Going to play this one by ear, and pray for the person.

Unprofessionalism

Why is it I'm only having issues with a certain publishing company's authors not returning their interviews on time? I've been doing this now for nearly a year...and I've only had to beg/coax/badger three authors for their completed interviews.

Come on people; if you request an interview, take the time to fill it out and send it back??? YOU came to ME, remember?

I've only not filled out an interview ONCE. And there was no time limit on when I could return it. The only reason I didn't was it was more along the lines of 'show us your creativity and answer these five questions unrelated to your life as an author' type of thing. And the questions arrived at a time of upheaval in our lives until I just decided to delete the email (I think....it may still be around!)

So what I've done is post the author's cover and excerpt. I couldn't find a blurb or the author's website anywhere. It's only going to hurt them in the long run, but I can only do so much.

Update on Edits:
I've sent them off, along with the revised MS. Editor sent the first two chapters back; I've decided to make one more minor change, and I noticed my scene breaks were gone again. I emailed him, and after seeing his reply, I'm trusting his editorial expertise. I hope it's not misplaced. Book should be out either today or next Monday.

In other editing news, I made it all the way to chapter 2 on my other major revision project. Hopefully I'll get some more accomplished this week.

EMA Pt 2

So I sent off the first round of edits...and today Chs 3 and 4, thinking maybe, just maybe, my editor would appreciate my efforts?  Nooooooo....I get an email which states "Please just send the whole thing as one document and your recommended corrections for the whole MS should be placed on the attached Sheet."

Grrr.....Guess I'll continue to do them this way, and then copy/paste the thing into one 

document.  Will THAT make him happy????