Hi, folks! A few tidbits from the writing world to share today:
If you write anything that is electronically published, there's a good chance you may see it on a site someday that you didn't intend or approve. Unfortunately, this happens A LOT for ebook authors. Certain sites will offer a book as a "free download" for anyone, once they have the file. This basically steals your royalties/publisher's profits and, whenever possible, you should directly address the site where your work appears illegally. If you need to contact a site who's offering your work in violation of your copyright/your permission, here's a sample "Cease and Desist" Letter to use.
*****
Agent Nancy Yost left the Lowenstein-Yost Agency and has formed her own company, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. You can reach her at Nancy@nyliterary.com.
*****
I got my first draft of a cover for Summer's Song -- though both my editor and I are asking for some changes, so no, it's not ready for appoval or publication yet. But the official blurb is! Want to read it?
What if everything you knew about your life turns out to be...wrong?
Ten years after leaving home, the last thing Summer Thompson expects is to inherit her father's half-renovated mansion. And the last thing she wants is to face the memories of the night her brother died - sketchy as they may be. Now a San Francisco museum curator, she plans to stay east just long enough to settle the estate and get rid of the house. Until she finds it occupied by a hunky handyman who's strangely reluctant to talk about his past.
Damian Knight has something to hide: his mother and sister from a brutal stalker. They've found a measure of peace and carefully guarded security in Pine Point. Yet when the lonely, haunted Summer steals his heart, he finds himself opening up to her in ways he should never risk. Especially to a woman who's planning to return to the west coast - after selling their refuge out from under them.
Summer's mounting flashbacks leave her confused - and more determined than ever to find out the truth about her brother's death. But in a small town full of powerful secrets, confronting the past could cost her the man she loves. Even her life.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Nicholas Gagnier
Welcome back! First things first: (drummm rollllll...)...the winner of my blog giveaway contest was...
Mary Ricksen!!
Congrats!! Mary, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com and let me know which you'd like: a download of One Night in Napa, a download of Diane Craver's new novel Whitney in Charge, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients.
Want to know what I'll be giving away in September to one lucky commenter? Come on back Friday to find out!
***
And now on with the important things, an interview with today's featured author, Nicholas Gagnier. Nick is a fellow writer, unpublished right now, who hangs out at the Absolute Write forums, which is where I met him. Enjoy his interview!
Welcome, Nick! Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born in Saskatchewan, on Nov 27/85 to an professional newspaper editor and a business executive. My parents divorced when I was young and I bounced between homes for a while before settling in Ottawa. I have a great interest in television serials, where character development runs amok and besides reading, has been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Writing has been my life since I was 14 or 15, and when I was 18, I tried to write a novel. That failed, and I tried again, failed again. But all that led to learning how to craft a strong story and learn from my mistakes. 2
Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.
Harbour City Story...The book is my first that I've completed, and the first of two parts. I am currently writing the second and concluding novel, called Harbour. The star of the novel is undoubtedly the city itself. Harbour City is a New-York like environment, seven boroughs of segregated culture. City officials take second jobs informing organized crime and the port is under criminal control. Corruption runs deep and wide. In the 1990’s, mass civil protests led to the deconstruction of the modern day Mafia, through a series of trials and undercover operations. When the dust settled, one family was left standing, to which all the other families flocked. There, the disarrayed mob re-organized into a giant crew, led by Don Alberto Rossi. The Mafia was quarantined to one of the boroughs, where there was no police presence, and no protection for the citizenry.
After ten years of peace, Rossi is dying, and has nominated his grandson Michael as his heir to the throne. As the Don slips further, Michael plans a violent take-over to reclaim his family’s place in the city forefront. Harbour City is being poisoned by terror once again.
One morning, Jackie Eckhart awakens in an alleyway, covered in blood with a blank memory. When a crooked detective frames him for murder, Jackie is forced to confront his missing past. With his kids in foster homes to boot, he re-connects with an old flame; returns to the employment of Greek smuggling crew, and makes hard choices. Old friends turn on him, and new enemies emerge. As Michael becomes consumed by his newfound power, Jackie finds himself in the most powerless position of all.
Sounds really intriguing! Tell us, how do you go about developing your characters?
Jackie actually started out years ago as a man without a memory. Think of it partially as my take on the Bourne Identity scenario, although unlike Jason Bourne, Jackie Eckhart is not far from home. He has kids, a dead wife, and a cadre of cohorts, many of which are hardly noble themselves. As the story developed, I think Jackie transcended that stereotypical amnesiac. The supporting characters were all born from him, and I tried to give them all their own journey. Of course, the book has a high body count, and sometime journies die with the character. And the city is also a major character as well. But ultimately, everything spawns from the central character.
What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?
Giving up is the only fatal mistake you can ever make. No matter how many queries are rejected, no matter how many days you spend looking at something you wrote and questioning it. Don't give up.
What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?
Three writers I've drawn a lot of inspiration from are Stephen King, Robert Ludlum, and Phillip Carlo. The first two I hold in the highest regards as fictional storytellers, especially Mr. King. Phillip Carlo is an investigation journalist for the New York Times, and his books are just fantastic in the realm of non-fiction. As far as profiling true-crime, he is just fantastic.
How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?
It's definitely a juggling act. I work for a video games retailer five days a week, and I'm going back to college in the fall, so my writing is definitely going to slow to a crawl. I've allotted a year to write Harbour, but HCS initally took three months to complete. Once the life frees up more, I could probably write two or three books a year.
What is your favorite movie? Did it inspire your writing in any way?
Like I said before. The TV serials are awesome for coming up with themes and character development. It's not a full list but four of the billion series I watch are "24," "Battlestar Galactica," "Lost" and "The Sopranos". They have definitely taught me a lot.
Nick, I'm so glad readers got to see a glimpse at the life of a writer in the trenches...thank you so much for being here today!
Mary Ricksen!!
Congrats!! Mary, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com and let me know which you'd like: a download of One Night in Napa, a download of Diane Craver's new novel Whitney in Charge, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients.
Want to know what I'll be giving away in September to one lucky commenter? Come on back Friday to find out!
***
And now on with the important things, an interview with today's featured author, Nicholas Gagnier. Nick is a fellow writer, unpublished right now, who hangs out at the Absolute Write forums, which is where I met him. Enjoy his interview!
Welcome, Nick! Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born in Saskatchewan, on Nov 27/85 to an professional newspaper editor and a business executive. My parents divorced when I was young and I bounced between homes for a while before settling in Ottawa. I have a great interest in television serials, where character development runs amok and besides reading, has been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Writing has been my life since I was 14 or 15, and when I was 18, I tried to write a novel. That failed, and I tried again, failed again. But all that led to learning how to craft a strong story and learn from my mistakes. 2
Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.
Harbour City Story...The book is my first that I've completed, and the first of two parts. I am currently writing the second and concluding novel, called Harbour. The star of the novel is undoubtedly the city itself. Harbour City is a New-York like environment, seven boroughs of segregated culture. City officials take second jobs informing organized crime and the port is under criminal control. Corruption runs deep and wide. In the 1990’s, mass civil protests led to the deconstruction of the modern day Mafia, through a series of trials and undercover operations. When the dust settled, one family was left standing, to which all the other families flocked. There, the disarrayed mob re-organized into a giant crew, led by Don Alberto Rossi. The Mafia was quarantined to one of the boroughs, where there was no police presence, and no protection for the citizenry.
After ten years of peace, Rossi is dying, and has nominated his grandson Michael as his heir to the throne. As the Don slips further, Michael plans a violent take-over to reclaim his family’s place in the city forefront. Harbour City is being poisoned by terror once again.
One morning, Jackie Eckhart awakens in an alleyway, covered in blood with a blank memory. When a crooked detective frames him for murder, Jackie is forced to confront his missing past. With his kids in foster homes to boot, he re-connects with an old flame; returns to the employment of Greek smuggling crew, and makes hard choices. Old friends turn on him, and new enemies emerge. As Michael becomes consumed by his newfound power, Jackie finds himself in the most powerless position of all.
Sounds really intriguing! Tell us, how do you go about developing your characters?
Jackie actually started out years ago as a man without a memory. Think of it partially as my take on the Bourne Identity scenario, although unlike Jason Bourne, Jackie Eckhart is not far from home. He has kids, a dead wife, and a cadre of cohorts, many of which are hardly noble themselves. As the story developed, I think Jackie transcended that stereotypical amnesiac. The supporting characters were all born from him, and I tried to give them all their own journey. Of course, the book has a high body count, and sometime journies die with the character. And the city is also a major character as well. But ultimately, everything spawns from the central character.
What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?
Giving up is the only fatal mistake you can ever make. No matter how many queries are rejected, no matter how many days you spend looking at something you wrote and questioning it. Don't give up.
What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?
Three writers I've drawn a lot of inspiration from are Stephen King, Robert Ludlum, and Phillip Carlo. The first two I hold in the highest regards as fictional storytellers, especially Mr. King. Phillip Carlo is an investigation journalist for the New York Times, and his books are just fantastic in the realm of non-fiction. As far as profiling true-crime, he is just fantastic.
How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?
It's definitely a juggling act. I work for a video games retailer five days a week, and I'm going back to college in the fall, so my writing is definitely going to slow to a crawl. I've allotted a year to write Harbour, but HCS initally took three months to complete. Once the life frees up more, I could probably write two or three books a year.
What is your favorite movie? Did it inspire your writing in any way?
Like I said before. The TV serials are awesome for coming up with themes and character development. It's not a full list but four of the billion series I watch are "24," "Battlestar Galactica," "Lost" and "The Sopranos". They have definitely taught me a lot.
Nick, I'm so glad readers got to see a glimpse at the life of a writer in the trenches...thank you so much for being here today!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday Mentionables
"The coroner will find ink in my veins and blood on my typewriter keys." ~C. Astrid Weber
Good morning!! It's the last day of the month, which means tomorrow I'll be drawing the name of one commenter from the month of August as the winner of (your choice) either a download of Diane Craver's brand new release Whitney in Charge, a download of my newest release One Night in Napa, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients, a cookbook of yummy recipes collected and organized by Lori Foster and featuring Samhain authors.
Check back here on Wednesday to find out if you're a winner!
*****
Well, the BIGGGGG mentionable for today is that school starts again for me. I have mixed feelings about this. I do enjoy teaching, and I look forward to meeting a brand new group of students. But it's so demanding and time-consuming, and I know that once we start up again, things will be a blur until at least December. It will be tough to find time to write, as well, and that's always a downside.
Speaking of writing, I finished my line edits for Summer's Song last week, which means I'm officially between projects and need to figure out what comes next. The good thing is that I will have 2 print books coming out in 2010, so that gives me a little bit of breathing time before I need to submit something else.
*****
Update on my book signing over the weekend: I was in a Waldenbooks on a Saturday afternoon and did sell 8 books (a combination of all 3 that are currently out) -- really not too bad. Better than that, though, the manager of this particular bookstore loves having authors in and has already told me that whenever I have a new book released, she'll hold a signing for me. Yay!
And finally, the cutest story from my signing was this college kid who stopped by because he needed to get a novel to read and analyze for his college writing class. He ended up buying One Night in Memphis and said, "Hey, I think if it's by a local author my professor should give me extra credit, right?" Then I told him he was more than happy to email me any questions about the book and/or I'd give him a quote for his paper. I thought he'd about pass out from excitement at that point :) How cool is that??!?
Good morning!! It's the last day of the month, which means tomorrow I'll be drawing the name of one commenter from the month of August as the winner of (your choice) either a download of Diane Craver's brand new release Whitney in Charge, a download of my newest release One Night in Napa, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients, a cookbook of yummy recipes collected and organized by Lori Foster and featuring Samhain authors.
Check back here on Wednesday to find out if you're a winner!
*****
Well, the BIGGGGG mentionable for today is that school starts again for me. I have mixed feelings about this. I do enjoy teaching, and I look forward to meeting a brand new group of students. But it's so demanding and time-consuming, and I know that once we start up again, things will be a blur until at least December. It will be tough to find time to write, as well, and that's always a downside.
Speaking of writing, I finished my line edits for Summer's Song last week, which means I'm officially between projects and need to figure out what comes next. The good thing is that I will have 2 print books coming out in 2010, so that gives me a little bit of breathing time before I need to submit something else.
*****
Update on my book signing over the weekend: I was in a Waldenbooks on a Saturday afternoon and did sell 8 books (a combination of all 3 that are currently out) -- really not too bad. Better than that, though, the manager of this particular bookstore loves having authors in and has already told me that whenever I have a new book released, she'll hold a signing for me. Yay!
And finally, the cutest story from my signing was this college kid who stopped by because he needed to get a novel to read and analyze for his college writing class. He ended up buying One Night in Memphis and said, "Hey, I think if it's by a local author my professor should give me extra credit, right?" Then I told him he was more than happy to email me any questions about the book and/or I'd give him a quote for his paper. I thought he'd about pass out from excitement at that point :) How cool is that??!?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday Fun Facts
"The vampires have always been metaphors for me. They've always been vehicles through which I can express things I have felt very, very deeply." ~Anne Rice
Sigh. Here I am at the last Friday of my summer vacation. Can't believe it's gone so fast! Anyway, 2 quick things to mention today:
1. I'll be doing a book signing at the Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall in Binghamton, NY, tomorrow ~ Saturday ~ from 1:00 - 4:00. If you're anywhere in the area, please stop by and say hello!
2. My September e-newsletter will be going out next week, so if you haven't signed up to receive, there's a place right over there on the sidebar where you can do so.
3. Finally, I read Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris over vacation and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I hadn't heard of her until this past spring, but many of you probably read her books or at least know that the hugely successful HBO series "True Blood" is based on them. I'm not really a vampire-genre reader, but I honestly had a hard time putting this book down. I think 2 big reasons were the constant action and conflict (the main character is a waitress who can read minds, and she meets/falls for a vampire who comes to her town just as some pretty brutal killings start occurring), and the voice of the first-person narrator, Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie's really well-written, and I admit I do like first-person because you get such a good sense of the person telling the story. Don't get me wrong, the other characters are well-developed too. It's an all-around good read, and I'll be picking up her next book in the series, definitely!
Have you read any of Charlaine Harris' books? Do you watch True Blood? What do you think?
Sigh. Here I am at the last Friday of my summer vacation. Can't believe it's gone so fast! Anyway, 2 quick things to mention today:
1. I'll be doing a book signing at the Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall in Binghamton, NY, tomorrow ~ Saturday ~ from 1:00 - 4:00. If you're anywhere in the area, please stop by and say hello!
2. My September e-newsletter will be going out next week, so if you haven't signed up to receive, there's a place right over there on the sidebar where you can do so.
3. Finally, I read Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris over vacation and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I hadn't heard of her until this past spring, but many of you probably read her books or at least know that the hugely successful HBO series "True Blood" is based on them. I'm not really a vampire-genre reader, but I honestly had a hard time putting this book down. I think 2 big reasons were the constant action and conflict (the main character is a waitress who can read minds, and she meets/falls for a vampire who comes to her town just as some pretty brutal killings start occurring), and the voice of the first-person narrator, Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie's really well-written, and I admit I do like first-person because you get such a good sense of the person telling the story. Don't get me wrong, the other characters are well-developed too. It's an all-around good read, and I'll be picking up her next book in the series, definitely!
Have you read any of Charlaine Harris' books? Do you watch True Blood? What do you think?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with...Yours Truly
"Thank your readers and the critics who praise you, and then ignore them. Write for the most intelligent, wittiest, wisest audience in the universe: Write to please yourself." ~Harlan Ellison
Ha! Today's Writers' Wednesday post is a little different than usual, partly because I'm still collecting and scheduling writers for the next couple of months.
So I hope you'll join me today over at Leah Braemel's blog...she's hosting me, and I'm blogging about my 15 Favorite Books. Even better, I'm giving away a download of either One Night in Napa or any of my backlist to one commenter today.
Hope to see you there!
Ha! Today's Writers' Wednesday post is a little different than usual, partly because I'm still collecting and scheduling writers for the next couple of months.
So I hope you'll join me today over at Leah Braemel's blog...she's hosting me, and I'm blogging about my 15 Favorite Books. Even better, I'm giving away a download of either One Night in Napa or any of my backlist to one commenter today.
Hope to see you there!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday Mentionables
Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world it has become a necessity. ~Author Unknown
First thing to mention today: my writing friend Liz had a great short story featured at The Long and the Short of It last week - click here to read "Mother of the Year"!
*****
I got my line edits back on Summer's Song last week, and the FLE (Final Line Editor - the person who takes a scrutinizing look at the manuscript after you and your regular editor have already been through it umpteen times) sent back her revisions with these comments: "The plot is great, the back story is very engaging. Summer's character arc is pitch-perfect. The setting of the McCready house makes so many other elements fall into place." Doing a little happy dance right now!
*****
And finally, here are a few pictures from our vacation last week in the Outer Banks, NC:
Some of the waves breaking - that morning they were around 10 feet but got up around 15 feet later in the day
The girls!
First thing to mention today: my writing friend Liz had a great short story featured at The Long and the Short of It last week - click here to read "Mother of the Year"!
*****
I got my line edits back on Summer's Song last week, and the FLE (Final Line Editor - the person who takes a scrutinizing look at the manuscript after you and your regular editor have already been through it umpteen times) sent back her revisions with these comments: "The plot is great, the back story is very engaging. Summer's character arc is pitch-perfect. The setting of the McCready house makes so many other elements fall into place." Doing a little happy dance right now!
*****
And finally, here are a few pictures from our vacation last week in the Outer Banks, NC:
Saturday morning, August 22 - if you look closely you can see what looks like fog, but it's actually salt spray from the waves, courtesy of Hurricane Bill
Some of the waves breaking - that morning they were around 10 feet but got up around 15 feet later in the day
The girls!
Wild mustangs up near Corolla - they seem to hang out everywhere: the roads, the beach, people's back yards...
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday Fun Facts
"And while the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department." ~Andrew Carnegie
I'm still on vacation in the Outer Banks, with one eye on Hurricane Bill (looks like we'll have some turbulent surf along with a few storms on Saturday, but nothing too bad)...but I do have two pieces of NEWS for all you romance writers:
First, Firebrand Literary Agency recently announced that it's closing its doors. This is interesting news, since it comes on the heels of a Writer's Digest article that features 2 of its agents as open to submissions from new authors. Regardless, they are no longer in business, though I hear that one/or more of their agents may be opening her own agency. Don't know what genres they'll be looking for. Anyone heard?
Here's the official statement from their website.
Second, if you haven't already heard, Quartet Press is a new digital press, currently accepting submissions in the usual variety of romance sub-genres. Now, I don't know anything about Quartet Press and am not endorsing them, BUT Angela James, former Executive Editor at my publisher, Samhain, recently joined them as editorial director.
While we at Samhain are sad to lose Angie, it's a huge gain for Quartet. She has tons of editorial experience, and she's savvy to the ways of digital publishing and its future. I'd say that Quartet is very lucky to have her.
So...if you're looking for a new publisher, you might want to check them out. Again, this isn't a recommendation by any means, but here's their home page all the same.
I'm still on vacation in the Outer Banks, with one eye on Hurricane Bill (looks like we'll have some turbulent surf along with a few storms on Saturday, but nothing too bad)...but I do have two pieces of NEWS for all you romance writers:
First, Firebrand Literary Agency recently announced that it's closing its doors. This is interesting news, since it comes on the heels of a Writer's Digest article that features 2 of its agents as open to submissions from new authors. Regardless, they are no longer in business, though I hear that one/or more of their agents may be opening her own agency. Don't know what genres they'll be looking for. Anyone heard?
Here's the official statement from their website.
Second, if you haven't already heard, Quartet Press is a new digital press, currently accepting submissions in the usual variety of romance sub-genres. Now, I don't know anything about Quartet Press and am not endorsing them, BUT Angela James, former Executive Editor at my publisher, Samhain, recently joined them as editorial director.
While we at Samhain are sad to lose Angie, it's a huge gain for Quartet. She has tons of editorial experience, and she's savvy to the ways of digital publishing and its future. I'd say that Quartet is very lucky to have her.
So...if you're looking for a new publisher, you might want to check them out. Again, this isn't a recommendation by any means, but here's their home page all the same.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Writers' Wednesday:On Hiatus
Hi, everyone. Since I'm on vacation this week and have limited Internet access, the weekly author interview is postponed until next week. See you then!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday Mentionables
"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in." ~Robert Orben
Actually, there's only one thing really worth mentioning today, and that is that I am ON VACATION for the week! For the last 3 years, we have rented a home in the Outer Banks, NC, with a group of other couples. Not a lot to do down here but relax, enjoy the beach and the pool and some shopping and some seafood, and generally rejuvenate. It's lovely so far, and the weather for the week looks great.
So...yes, I brought my laptop, and yes I hope to do some writing, but we'll see! Relaxing and sleeping in is first on the agenda!!
Actually, there's only one thing really worth mentioning today, and that is that I am ON VACATION for the week! For the last 3 years, we have rented a home in the Outer Banks, NC, with a group of other couples. Not a lot to do down here but relax, enjoy the beach and the pool and some shopping and some seafood, and generally rejuvenate. It's lovely so far, and the weather for the week looks great.
So...yes, I brought my laptop, and yes I hope to do some writing, but we'll see! Relaxing and sleeping in is first on the agenda!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday Fun Facts
Today's fun facts? They revolve around book signings/appearances. Are you an author who's done some/a few/one? Are you a reader who's attended one? Leave me a comment and you'll be entered into my August blog giveaway: the prize is your choice of either a download of Diane Craver's brand new release Whitney in Charge, a download of my newest release One Night in Napa, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients, a cookbook of yummy recipes collected and organized by Lori Foster and featuring Samhain authors.
So anyway, I've had the opportunity to do a few different kinds of public appearances with my books, including straight-forward bookstore signings, conference presentations, readings, book club discussions, and craft fair appearances. Tips? Here are my top 10:
1. Bring your own books. Even in the cases where the store/conference/club has planned to order them for you, things might fall through (or you might sell out!!). Always carry at least 10 copies of your title(s) in the trunk of your car in case this happens.
2. Prepare. Know what you'll be doing. Sitting behind a table and greeting potential customers? Speaking? About what? Your book? Getting published? Romance sub-genres?
3. Following up on #2, bring good ol' swag. Always have bookmarks and/or business cards. Brochures, magnets, excerpt booklets, candy...whatever you're using for promo this time around, bring it and set it out in plain sight. Encourage hesitant browsers to at least take something small. Many times they'll linger long enough to pick up a book and read the back...and then you're halfway to a sale!
4. Arrive early. I mean, that's kind of a given, but know where you're going (especially if you've never been there before) and plan to get there at least 20-30 minutes before your appearance is scheduled to begin.
5. Smile and say hello. Be happy about your books! Talk about why you write, or what your latest book is about. Ask potential customers what they like to read. Be friendly. Be honest. Even if someone doesn't buy your book or take a bookmark. It's OK. They'll be back ;)
6. Enlist people to help you. I was at a book club discussion this week and I brought my sister along. While I mingled with people after the talk, she stood at a table in the back of the room and sold my books. 10 in less than 10 minutes. Not too bad - and it freed me up to sign books and speak with others. At a Borders signing back in May, I ran out of books -- and my hubby ran out to the car to get the back-up box I'd brought while I sat at he and stalled my potential customers (see #1).
7. Bring water (or something else to drink). I spoke a book club this past week and it was about 80 degrees in the room. I usually bring a bottle of water, but this time I forgot. Not good!
8. Be kind to the people making your arrangements. Bookstore managers, craft fair coordinators, librarians...they're all doing you a favor by setting up an appearance for you. At the very least, send a thank-you card or email after you're through. Or consider bringing a small token of thanks with you. Those people will be the ones who schedule future appearances for you...and the ones who talk up your work when you're not there :)
9. Send promo materials ahead of time. If you can, send bookmarks, or a poster/flyer advertising your appearance. Don't leave all the work up to the person setting it up for you (see #8).
10. Read. If you have the chance, and you feel comfortable doing it, read an excerpt from your latest (or favorite) book. I've discovered that people really do like hearing authors read their own writing. And if you pick a particularly juicy part (or a good cliff hanger) you may make a sale or two!
So...what else would you add to this list?
So anyway, I've had the opportunity to do a few different kinds of public appearances with my books, including straight-forward bookstore signings, conference presentations, readings, book club discussions, and craft fair appearances. Tips? Here are my top 10:
1. Bring your own books. Even in the cases where the store/conference/club has planned to order them for you, things might fall through (or you might sell out!!). Always carry at least 10 copies of your title(s) in the trunk of your car in case this happens.
2. Prepare. Know what you'll be doing. Sitting behind a table and greeting potential customers? Speaking? About what? Your book? Getting published? Romance sub-genres?
3. Following up on #2, bring good ol' swag. Always have bookmarks and/or business cards. Brochures, magnets, excerpt booklets, candy...whatever you're using for promo this time around, bring it and set it out in plain sight. Encourage hesitant browsers to at least take something small. Many times they'll linger long enough to pick up a book and read the back...and then you're halfway to a sale!
4. Arrive early. I mean, that's kind of a given, but know where you're going (especially if you've never been there before) and plan to get there at least 20-30 minutes before your appearance is scheduled to begin.
5. Smile and say hello. Be happy about your books! Talk about why you write, or what your latest book is about. Ask potential customers what they like to read. Be friendly. Be honest. Even if someone doesn't buy your book or take a bookmark. It's OK. They'll be back ;)
6. Enlist people to help you. I was at a book club discussion this week and I brought my sister along. While I mingled with people after the talk, she stood at a table in the back of the room and sold my books. 10 in less than 10 minutes. Not too bad - and it freed me up to sign books and speak with others. At a Borders signing back in May, I ran out of books -- and my hubby ran out to the car to get the back-up box I'd brought while I sat at he and stalled my potential customers (see #1).
7. Bring water (or something else to drink). I spoke a book club this past week and it was about 80 degrees in the room. I usually bring a bottle of water, but this time I forgot. Not good!
8. Be kind to the people making your arrangements. Bookstore managers, craft fair coordinators, librarians...they're all doing you a favor by setting up an appearance for you. At the very least, send a thank-you card or email after you're through. Or consider bringing a small token of thanks with you. Those people will be the ones who schedule future appearances for you...and the ones who talk up your work when you're not there :)
9. Send promo materials ahead of time. If you can, send bookmarks, or a poster/flyer advertising your appearance. Don't leave all the work up to the person setting it up for you (see #8).
10. Read. If you have the chance, and you feel comfortable doing it, read an excerpt from your latest (or favorite) book. I've discovered that people really do like hearing authors read their own writing. And if you pick a particularly juicy part (or a good cliff hanger) you may make a sale or two!
So...what else would you add to this list?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Christine Columbus
Welcome back to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm happy to introduce a fellow Wild Rose Press author, Christine Columbus. You're gonna enjoy this one!
Christine, can you tell us a little about your background?
I have lived my entire life in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a Romance Novelist for The Wild Rose Press, with a number of short stories and soon to be released novel, The Perfect Country and Western Story. My latest poem appeared in the Bloomington Art Center’s Literary production Reflection. My flash fiction appeared at MnArtist.org. Other publishing credits include creative non-fiction, poetry and children’s fiction stories.
Yes, Christine Columbus is my real name, but when my Mom agreed to let my Dad name his 6th child Christine Columbus she thought he would have been smart enough to spell Christine with a “K.”
I have lived my entire life in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a Romance Novelist for The Wild Rose Press, with a number of short stories and soon to be released novel, The Perfect Country and Western Story. My latest poem appeared in the Bloomington Art Center’s Literary production Reflection. My flash fiction appeared at MnArtist.org. Other publishing credits include creative non-fiction, poetry and children’s fiction stories.
Yes, Christine Columbus is my real name, but when my Mom agreed to let my Dad name his 6th child Christine Columbus she thought he would have been smart enough to spell Christine with a “K.”
My favorite comment from a teacher was Patrick at the University of Iowa who wrote that he looked forward to reading my work because I was a glitter of gold in a box of sand. For some unknown reason I always visualize a kitty litter box.
LOL...Okay, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.
My novel The Perfect Country and Western Story… was just a blast to write and is a very fun read – even if you don’t like cowboys or music. – Remember the story of Cinderella – Well, instead of a prince and a glass shoe… There is Alexandria who is going to a country festival with an autographic Toby Keith cowboy hat and she is trying to find the cowboy that the hat belongs to.
What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?
Everyone says, “Write what you know.” Which I found very intimidating- because all I know is working full-time, being a single parent and raising 2 children and training 1 dog…or was it training 2 children and raising 1 dog.
LOL...Okay, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.
My novel The Perfect Country and Western Story… was just a blast to write and is a very fun read – even if you don’t like cowboys or music. – Remember the story of Cinderella – Well, instead of a prince and a glass shoe… There is Alexandria who is going to a country festival with an autographic Toby Keith cowboy hat and she is trying to find the cowboy that the hat belongs to.
What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?
Everyone says, “Write what you know.” Which I found very intimidating- because all I know is working full-time, being a single parent and raising 2 children and training 1 dog…or was it training 2 children and raising 1 dog.
So, I say just write… write anything that you think someone might read…because for me I write because I love to have people read my stuff…And when I wasn’t published I took classes because I knew the teachers would have to read my papers – or I write letters – or emails…as long as someone is reading – I am happy.
I like that advice! Now, how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?
I am really lucky… I hate watching TV and I hate cleaning. So, when I get home from work – after taking a long walk … I have to entertain myself. My kids are 20 and 21 and are in college – so they are only home for the summers. So, I write because …I don’t have anything else that I would rather do…
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?
No, writer’s block…just dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets..block…and occasionally I don’t want to exercise block…
Describe your writing space (or include a picture!)
I like that advice! Now, how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?
I am really lucky… I hate watching TV and I hate cleaning. So, when I get home from work – after taking a long walk … I have to entertain myself. My kids are 20 and 21 and are in college – so they are only home for the summers. So, I write because …I don’t have anything else that I would rather do…
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?
No, writer’s block…just dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets..block…and occasionally I don’t want to exercise block…
Describe your writing space (or include a picture!)
Nice! Can I join you sometime? (just kidding) All right, what do you like to do when you're not writing?
Pretend I’m a Harley Chick….
Pretend I’m a Harley Chick….
Chrstine, thanks so much for being here today. Anything else you’d like to mention?
Don’t be afraid to Live Your Dreams… instead of holding on… let go. And thank you for reading.
Readers, you can find out more at Christine's website, http://www.christinecolumbus.net/, and her Wild Rose Press author page. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday's Mentionables: Royalties, a Car, and a Reunion
"Never go to your high school reunion pregnant or they will think that is all you have done since you graduated." ~Erma Bombeck
Let's see...what's worth mentioning today??
I made my second highest (ever) earnings in royalties for July -- not saying this is a lot, don't get me wrong, but with the release of One Night in Napa plus the little hit my backlist of titles got, there was an actual plus number on my royalty statements this time :)
I'm in the process of buying a new car (and this is a totally separate story which deserves its own Monday Mentionables post, I'm hoping next week when I actually own it...) and finally,
I attended my 20th high school reunion over the weekend and had an AWESOME time. Here are some pics:
Reunited with some gymnastics teammates & trying out our old moves
With my sister at the Saturday night dinner (she was taking pictures for us...she will have you know that she is 3 years younger than I!)
With 2 of my planning committee members at the dinner
Let's see...what's worth mentioning today??
I made my second highest (ever) earnings in royalties for July -- not saying this is a lot, don't get me wrong, but with the release of One Night in Napa plus the little hit my backlist of titles got, there was an actual plus number on my royalty statements this time :)
I'm in the process of buying a new car (and this is a totally separate story which deserves its own Monday Mentionables post, I'm hoping next week when I actually own it...) and finally,
I attended my 20th high school reunion over the weekend and had an AWESOME time. Here are some pics:
With my husband at the Friday night mixer (he was helping me hand out Mardi Gras beads to our classmates...until I told him that no, the women did not have to flash anything to get the beads LOL)
Reunited with some gymnastics teammates & trying out our old moves
With my sister at the Saturday night dinner (she was taking pictures for us...she will have you know that she is 3 years younger than I!)
With 2 of my planning committee members at the dinnerFriday, August 07, 2009
Friday Fun Facts
This week's fun facts: since I'm going to my (gulp) 20-year class reunion this weekend, I thought it would be neat to look back in time at what was big (hair, of course) in 1989...
Songs:
Like a Prayer
Rockin' In the Free World
Free Fallin'
Love Shack
Bust a Move
Movies:
Batman
Look Who's Talking
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
The Little Mermaid
Driving Miss Daisy
Major News Events
Berlin Wall Falls
Exxon Valdez Spills Oil in Alaska
Ring Around Neptune Discovered
Chinese Students Killed in Tiananmen Square
Ayatollah Khomeini Dies
Books
Clear and Present Danger (Tom Clancy)
The Dark Half (Stephen King)
Daddy (Danielle Steel)
Caribbean (James Michener)
The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
And, since I'm a child of the 80s, I was brought up on John Hughes' brilliant adolescent-angst movies, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Some Kind of Wonderful among them. Very sad that he's passed away.
What about you? Remember where you were/what you were doing 2 decades ago?
Songs:
Like a Prayer
Rockin' In the Free World
Free Fallin'
Love Shack
Bust a Move
Movies:
Batman
Look Who's Talking
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
The Little Mermaid
Driving Miss Daisy
Major News Events
Berlin Wall Falls
Exxon Valdez Spills Oil in Alaska
Ring Around Neptune Discovered
Chinese Students Killed in Tiananmen Square
Ayatollah Khomeini Dies
Books
Clear and Present Danger (Tom Clancy)
The Dark Half (Stephen King)
Daddy (Danielle Steel)
Caribbean (James Michener)
The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
And, since I'm a child of the 80s, I was brought up on John Hughes' brilliant adolescent-angst movies, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Some Kind of Wonderful among them. Very sad that he's passed away.
What about you? Remember where you were/what you were doing 2 decades ago?
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Writers' Wednesday: A Peek at Carly Phillips
Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! While I'm in the process of dusting off and updating my blog this week, I don't have a "live" author interview today. Instead, though, I'll point you in the direction of the featured author interview up on my local RWA chapter site, with Carly Phillips. Carly is the author of best-selling novels Lucky Streak and The Bachelor, among many others. While she's usually busy traveling/writing/juggling promotional events, she does still take the time to stay in touch with the members of our group, where she started all those years ago.
So...take a visit to our site and read up on the latest Carly news. Then, come on back here and leave a comment telling me which piece of info you liked the best, or found most interesting. Hey, remember it'll put you in the running for my August giveaway contest!
Hope you enjoy the interview!!
Hope you enjoy the interview!!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Monday Mentionables
"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." ~Ada Louise Huxtable
Welcome to the first day of my "revised" blog...where I'll only be posting 3x/each week -- but I will be offering a giveaway to one lucky commenter each month! What's August's prize? Your choice of either a download of Diane Craver's brand new release Whitney in Charge, a download of my newest release One Night in Napa, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients, a cookbook of yummy recipes collected and organized by Lori Foster and featuring Samhain authors.
*****
Worth mentioning this week:
I'll be signing copies of One Night in Napa at the Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, August 29, from 1 - 4 pm.
I'll also be at the Monroe Cheese Festival in Monroe, NY, on Saturday, September 12, from 1 - 4 pm and the Pine Bush Harvest Festival in Pine Bush, NY, on Saturday, September 19, from 10 am - 4 pm.
Finally, my local RWA chapter is holding a luncheon workshop on Saturday, September 12 to welcome potential new members and have an informal meet and greet of its published authors. You can find more information here.
*****
Finished my edits for Summer's Song yesterday, and for the first time I don't have a book under contract to think about! That's both good and bad...now I have to figure out what direction I want to go next, and which project I should focus on. Ah, decisions, decisions!
Welcome to the first day of my "revised" blog...where I'll only be posting 3x/each week -- but I will be offering a giveaway to one lucky commenter each month! What's August's prize? Your choice of either a download of Diane Craver's brand new release Whitney in Charge, a download of my newest release One Night in Napa, or a print copy of The Write Ingredients, a cookbook of yummy recipes collected and organized by Lori Foster and featuring Samhain authors.
*****
Worth mentioning this week:
I'll be signing copies of One Night in Napa at the Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, August 29, from 1 - 4 pm.
I'll also be at the Monroe Cheese Festival in Monroe, NY, on Saturday, September 12, from 1 - 4 pm and the Pine Bush Harvest Festival in Pine Bush, NY, on Saturday, September 19, from 10 am - 4 pm.
Finally, my local RWA chapter is holding a luncheon workshop on Saturday, September 12 to welcome potential new members and have an informal meet and greet of its published authors. You can find more information here.
*****
Finished my edits for Summer's Song yesterday, and for the first time I don't have a book under contract to think about! That's both good and bad...now I have to figure out what direction I want to go next, and which project I should focus on. Ah, decisions, decisions!
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Some Blog Changes...
"When you are through changing, you are through." ~Bruce Barton
Since reaching 1000 blog posts the other day, I've done some thinking and reevaluating, and the result is going to be some changes here at Allie's Musings. I won't get into the question of why-and-who visits blogs, why-and-why-not people comment, why-and-who keeps blogs in the first place. While I think blogs can be useful for authors, you also have to start looking at your content and who you're trying to reach. Is your blog personable and casual? Is it a forum for marketing yourself? Is it a place to share highlights about other authors and books or a way to reach potential readers/editors/agents? All of the above or none?
I have a steady stream of regular visitors, from what I can tell thanks to Google Analytics. However, I don't visit and comment on enough other blogs - nor do I have enough riveting content of my own - to keep growing my readership exponentially, which I think should probably be the goal of a writer's blog. And with my full-time teaching job and my own writing, it sometimes becomes a challenge? burden? to write an engaging blog post each day.
So...that was the long way of saying that I'm going to scale back my blog posts to 3x a week. For a few months, anyway, I'm going to post for Monday Mentionables (anything notable going on with my own writing); Writer's Wednesday (author interviews), and Friday Fun Facts (interesting tidbits for writers). And each month, I'll give something away to one lucky commenter: a book, or a download, or a gift certificate, or a goodie basket...or something to attract those lurkers who visit and read but rarely comment. :)
The official change will begin this Monday, August 3...hope you'll come back and join me!
Since reaching 1000 blog posts the other day, I've done some thinking and reevaluating, and the result is going to be some changes here at Allie's Musings. I won't get into the question of why-and-who visits blogs, why-and-why-not people comment, why-and-who keeps blogs in the first place. While I think blogs can be useful for authors, you also have to start looking at your content and who you're trying to reach. Is your blog personable and casual? Is it a forum for marketing yourself? Is it a place to share highlights about other authors and books or a way to reach potential readers/editors/agents? All of the above or none?
I have a steady stream of regular visitors, from what I can tell thanks to Google Analytics. However, I don't visit and comment on enough other blogs - nor do I have enough riveting content of my own - to keep growing my readership exponentially, which I think should probably be the goal of a writer's blog. And with my full-time teaching job and my own writing, it sometimes becomes a challenge? burden? to write an engaging blog post each day.
So...that was the long way of saying that I'm going to scale back my blog posts to 3x a week. For a few months, anyway, I'm going to post for Monday Mentionables (anything notable going on with my own writing); Writer's Wednesday (author interviews), and Friday Fun Facts (interesting tidbits for writers). And each month, I'll give something away to one lucky commenter: a book, or a download, or a gift certificate, or a goodie basket...or something to attract those lurkers who visit and read but rarely comment. :)
The official change will begin this Monday, August 3...hope you'll come back and join me!
Friday, July 31, 2009
1000!!
"It is not down in any map; true places never are." ~Herman Melville
Oh my gosh...it's my 1000th blog post!! How did that happen? Have I actually been blathering on for close to 3 years here at Allie's Musings? Hmmm..
I'm afraid I don't have anything profound to say today in celebration, except that I'll be running an August contest here on my blog that will begin tomorrow, so make sure and check back.
Spent the last two days with my sister at Mohonk Mountain House, a lovely old resort near New Paltz, NY, which reminds one at every turn of the movie Dirty Dancing (sigh...). It was wonderful, especially the food and the grounds and the hiking. Pictures up here soon, I promise!
Writers, you might want to check out Dayana Knight's blog this week -- she's talking all about getting more exposure and revising your "brand." Also, there's a new bookstore looking for promo items from romance writers, as shared by one of the authors on my Samhain loop. If you're interested in the contact info, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com
Oh my gosh...it's my 1000th blog post!! How did that happen? Have I actually been blathering on for close to 3 years here at Allie's Musings? Hmmm..
I'm afraid I don't have anything profound to say today in celebration, except that I'll be running an August contest here on my blog that will begin tomorrow, so make sure and check back.
Spent the last two days with my sister at Mohonk Mountain House, a lovely old resort near New Paltz, NY, which reminds one at every turn of the movie Dirty Dancing (sigh...). It was wonderful, especially the food and the grounds and the hiking. Pictures up here soon, I promise!
Writers, you might want to check out Dayana Knight's blog this week -- she's talking all about getting more exposure and revising your "brand." Also, there's a new bookstore looking for promo items from romance writers, as shared by one of the authors on my Samhain loop. If you're interested in the contact info, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Annual Sister Trip
"Sisterhood is powerful." ~Robin Morgan
Regular (and long-time) blog followers may recall that each year, my sister and I take some kind of trip together. This year it's a rather abbreviated one, since we both have had incredibly busy years, but we're still doing a getaway tonight - tomorrow to a local resort, hiking and eating scrumptious foods and hitting a spa. So...I'm off to get ready -- probably won't be back here 'til later tomorrow, so have a great couple of days!
Regular (and long-time) blog followers may recall that each year, my sister and I take some kind of trip together. This year it's a rather abbreviated one, since we both have had incredibly busy years, but we're still doing a getaway tonight - tomorrow to a local resort, hiking and eating scrumptious foods and hitting a spa. So...I'm off to get ready -- probably won't be back here 'til later tomorrow, so have a great couple of days!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
This 'n That
"Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does." ~Steuart Henderson Britt
Sunday evening I participated in a chat at the Samhain Cafe - my first one, believe it or not, and it actually went quite well. I should probably do them on a more regular basis. Anyone else participate in online promo events like that regularly - and do you find that they increase your sales/followers?
Working on my second round of edits for Summer's Song. I will be so glad when they're over with! I forget how tedious it can be to go through a manuscript with a fine-tooth comb, over and over. Sigh. What did my editor and I find this time? Lots of instances of people turning on/turning off/adjusting the radio in their cars. What the heck? That's a new one for me. Suffice to say most of those scenes are gone now!
50 pages done, 130 to go...
Sunday evening I participated in a chat at the Samhain Cafe - my first one, believe it or not, and it actually went quite well. I should probably do them on a more regular basis. Anyone else participate in online promo events like that regularly - and do you find that they increase your sales/followers?
Working on my second round of edits for Summer's Song. I will be so glad when they're over with! I forget how tedious it can be to go through a manuscript with a fine-tooth comb, over and over. Sigh. What did my editor and I find this time? Lots of instances of people turning on/turning off/adjusting the radio in their cars. What the heck? That's a new one for me. Suffice to say most of those scenes are gone now!
50 pages done, 130 to go...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Query Letters - Yet Again
"Writing is making sense of life. You work your whole life and perhaps you've made sense of one small area." ~Nadine Gordimer
Well, check one off the list: I've finished the synopsis for Entwined. It's a bit of a mess, but it's finished, and working through it, I actually identified some problems right off the bat. So that's positive.
Then I was trolling online yesterday, looking for guides to writing query letters. Yes, I've written a bunch, but they don't seem to get much easier, and any help is usually good help. I came across this guide on AgentQuery (which, by the way, is a terrific source if you're searching for a literary agent) - you might find it helpful: How to Write a Query.
And I made my first attempt at a query for Entwined. I'm a few months away from sending it out, but I still thought it might be good practice to come up with something. So...what do you think??
When scholar Chase Hatfield travels from upscale California to conservative small-town Iowa to research the recently deceased poetess Maggie Silverstone, he falls for her daughter Natasha, translates a never-before-seen journal, and uncovers a secret that threatens to expose the greatest love story ever told.
Set in two different time periods thirty years apart, Entwined is a 90,000-word literary romance novel that follows two separate love stories while exploring the ideas of soul mates and reincarnation. Maggie Blue and Bruce Silverstone meet as undergrads at Blakely College and fall madly in love, despite past secrets that threaten to keep them apart. Thirty years later, when they perish in a car accident, their only daughter Natasha is left to pick up the pieces of their brilliant academic careers and soldier on.
When Chase Hatfield, an aspiring PhD student, enters her life, it is only a matter of time before these two fall in love as well. But puzzling things are occurring at Blakely, from the discovery of a skeleton in the basement of Silverstone Hall to a spirit that hovers over Natasha day and night. When Chase discovers a journal with a secret that could destroy not only Natasha’s life but her parents’ legacy, he is forced to make a heart-breaking decision and turn his back on the greatest love he has ever known.
Told in both past and present narrative, journal entries, and poem fragments, Entwined is a unique piece of women’s fiction that examines what makes people fall in love, despite the greatest of obstacles or social conventions.
Well, check one off the list: I've finished the synopsis for Entwined. It's a bit of a mess, but it's finished, and working through it, I actually identified some problems right off the bat. So that's positive.
Then I was trolling online yesterday, looking for guides to writing query letters. Yes, I've written a bunch, but they don't seem to get much easier, and any help is usually good help. I came across this guide on AgentQuery (which, by the way, is a terrific source if you're searching for a literary agent) - you might find it helpful: How to Write a Query.
And I made my first attempt at a query for Entwined. I'm a few months away from sending it out, but I still thought it might be good practice to come up with something. So...what do you think??
When scholar Chase Hatfield travels from upscale California to conservative small-town Iowa to research the recently deceased poetess Maggie Silverstone, he falls for her daughter Natasha, translates a never-before-seen journal, and uncovers a secret that threatens to expose the greatest love story ever told.
Set in two different time periods thirty years apart, Entwined is a 90,000-word literary romance novel that follows two separate love stories while exploring the ideas of soul mates and reincarnation. Maggie Blue and Bruce Silverstone meet as undergrads at Blakely College and fall madly in love, despite past secrets that threaten to keep them apart. Thirty years later, when they perish in a car accident, their only daughter Natasha is left to pick up the pieces of their brilliant academic careers and soldier on.
When Chase Hatfield, an aspiring PhD student, enters her life, it is only a matter of time before these two fall in love as well. But puzzling things are occurring at Blakely, from the discovery of a skeleton in the basement of Silverstone Hall to a spirit that hovers over Natasha day and night. When Chase discovers a journal with a secret that could destroy not only Natasha’s life but her parents’ legacy, he is forced to make a heart-breaking decision and turn his back on the greatest love he has ever known.
Told in both past and present narrative, journal entries, and poem fragments, Entwined is a unique piece of women’s fiction that examines what makes people fall in love, despite the greatest of obstacles or social conventions.
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