Blog Tag: Introducing Two Amazing Authors

Today, I'd like to introduce you to two extremely talented authors.  I'm privileged to know them personally, and they are terrific storytellers.

DAWN IRELAND

Dawn writes historical romance with a contemporary pace.  Her latest release is a short story titled A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS in the Christmas anthology, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A SOUL MATE, which was released in November 2013.  Dawn's writing is lyrical and lovely, and if you're in the mood for a great historical romance, I highly recommend her books.

 About Dawn Ireland

“Once Upon a Time” are four of Dawn’s favorite words. Her love of story became a love of romance when she read Georgette Heyer’s Devil’s Cub. It inspired her to write stories with strong characters that discover love is never easy, but always worthwhile. Dawn’s written several award-winning novels set in Georgian England – an era filled with rules and intrigue. Her characters often defy “Society” as they pursue love, run away, pursue, run away – well, you get the idea.

Then again, she might write romance in order to do the research. What other profession encourages you to sit in the audience at Harlequin’s Male Model search and take notes, or just sigh?

Dawn lives in a Victorian home in Upstate New York with her husband and very independent cats. When she’s not writing, she’s singing, gardening, learning to play the harp, or wood carving. If you’d like to learn more about Dawn and her novels, visit her website.

E-mail Dawn!
Visit Dawn's Website!


RACHELL NICHOLE

Rachell writes sexy erotic romance novels with lots of heat and lots of humor. Rachell's newest book is BREAK(THROUGH) THE ICE, which debuted in January 2014. Get out your fan and a tall glass of ice water when you read Rachell's books. You'll need them!

 About Rachell Nichole

Rachell Nichole is a contemporary erotic romance author. She currently writes what she likes to call Sizzling Romantic Entanglements. She loves creating memorable characters and putting them through the paces on their discovery for and journey to love. She is the author of The Marietta Hotels Series, Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce, Break(Through) the Ice, and Queen of Hearts.

 

Rach lives in New York with a mountain of books, a loving family, and an invisible cat who loves to snuggle.

 

E-mail Rachell!
Visit Rachell's Website!

Tag, I'm It!

Today, I am participating in a "Blog Tag," which is a great way for authors to spread the buzz about their work.  Blog Tag works like this: I answer some questions about myself and my work, and then pass on the good karma by introducing my readers to authors I know in a following post.  Here goes:

What am I working on?

Currently, I am working on AIR, Book Three in the Elemental Series, about the youngest of Hope Creek's foster family, Elsa Pemberley.  Here's a little teaser:

Elsa Pemberley has left Montana to pursue her own life in the Midwest.  Along the way, she meets a man with a mysterious past and an uncertain future.  Can she change this man's fate, and will she learn that in the process, she might just change her own?

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I write stories that walk the line between contemporary, paranormal, and action-adventure.  I love blending genres, and sprinkling my love of the environment liberally into the mix.

Why do I write what I do?

I write the type of stories I'd like to read, about engaging people on adventures in places I'd love to see.  An "armchair traveler" at heart, I write about places as varied as Shetland, Australia, Montana, and Nantucket, with much more to come.

How does your writing process work?

As of 2014, I have dedicated myself to writing one page minimum per day in each work I am currently writing.  So far, I find that this "resolution" is helping me to write more than I ever have.  If I write more than one page, so much the better - and I find that now, the word count is incidental to my characterization.  In short, I am teaching myself a new (and good) habit!

Passing It On

And now it is my turn to tag some people.  I have chosen great authors.  I'm dying to see their answers.  Check them out in next Monday's post to find out their secrets to success!

Happy Spring!

It's finally spring, even though there's still a chill in the air and snow on the ground in NY.  Living here, I've come to realize that all that snow and cold weather makes me appreciate the return of the warmth even more.  Soon, we'll see flowers and grass and budding trees!  Just writing today to wish you a happy one, and I hope you enjoy it!

This year, I have plans to make my gardens better than ever, pulling out what hasn't worked, and adding more of what does.  As always, in April, I'll be hosting my "Earth Day Giveaway" contest, so be on the lookout for that.  Until then, Happy Spring!

Coming Soon: Writer Interviews (A Blog Tag Event)!

 On the 31st, I will be featuring some talented fellow authors, as well as sharing some information about their work, past and upcoming! Keep checking here for details, because it's going to be a great time!

CNYRW Meeting With Rhonda Penders of The Wild Rose Press

Yesterday was a terrific day for me, as a writer.  I knew it was going to be terrific because the fabulous Rhonda Penders, Editor-in-Chief of my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, was presenting at the March meeting of the CNY Romance Writers.

About The Wild Rose Press

The Wild Rose Press opened for business in 2006 as a for-authors, by-authors house, and to this day, they honor that association.  They are known throughout the publishing industry as a "kinder, gentler publishing house."  They are honest but kind about their editorial reviews, and you will never, never get a form letter from them.  Even if your manuscript is rejected, you will receive a detailed letter explaining your work's sticking points - and often, the things the editor liked.  Having been an editor for two amazing years for this house before going freelance, I can say that with confidence ... because I am a very, very wordy editor who likes to tell authors why something worked, or it didn't.  In detail.  They still do that.

To date, TWRP has 1600 stories available, from authors all over the globe.  While primarily a publisher of romance fiction, TWRP has recently opened its doors to works in other genres, including women's fiction, mystery or thriller, historical fiction, and erotica.  If you write in one of these genres, I highly recommend submitting to TWRP ... and not just because I currently write for them.  They have been voted for the fifth straight year as "Best Publisher" in the Preditors & Editors Poll, because their authors believe in them so strongly.

Tips From Rhonda

Rhonda recommends having a second set of eyes take a look through your manuscript to get it in its best shape before submitting it to anyone.  Too many manuscripts cross an editor's desk as "good," but not great, because they haven't been polished enough before submission.

She also advises that the most successful authors are the ones who are active self-promoters - visible online, at conferences, at book signings, and at workshops.  Never pass up an opportunity to promote your work.  Blog tours and group promotions like signings with fellow authors can be cost-effective marketing tools.

Also key in an author's success is her broad base of inventory.  That means you have a lot of works out there, in several genres or subgenres, in varying lengths and at various houses (Yes, she did say "Go write for other houses."  Rhonda is very honest, even when it may not benefit her own house.).

Open Doors

Rhonda is very vocal about TWRP's "open door" policy.  When you are signed with The Wild Rose Press, you are free to bring your concerns right to the top of the food chain if you feel you're not getting the information or answers you need.  Rhonda will either respond herself to your concern, or get you to the person who can find the answers you need.  I have had very good dialogue with Rhonda whenever I've had a concern.  Even if she can't do what I'm asking, she has been very transparent about her reasons.  These days, that's a tall order for a publishing house.

I'm proud to say I'm an author for The Wild Rose Press, not just because of the good times, but because they have been fast and conscientious with me when I have had problems.

And that's why I keep coming back to them.