Well, And is Never Shaken has been available for one day, and it is already showing up on the little 'Bestsellers' carousel on the left of the Dreamspinner Press website. Obviously 'Bestseller' here just means that it's sold a few copies quite quickly, but it's the first time I've ever seen bestseller linked to any of my work in any way, so I'm happy.
In other news, I'm giving away a few copies of this novella on Reviews by Jessewave. You need to post a romantic playlist in the comment trail to get your name in the hat. There have been some awesome entries, which are likely to swell my musical collection before long. There's only a few hours left in this giveaway, so if you haven't been there yet, please visit.
Finally, thanks to everyone for their votes in the What Should I Write next poll. Again, there are only a few hours left to vote, so if anyone else has an opinion, please let me know!
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Rejection and Bitch-Slapping
Short post because I am, in a word, knackered.
Having allowed Wave to lure me into turning my five-minute rant on pen-names into an editorial post for her blog, I then got bitch-slapped by...oh, let's see...everyone. Pretty much. I've been replying to comments non stop and post of them are not of the 'Right On, Sista' variety. That'll teach me to have opinions. Or, at least, not to think about them a bit more carefully before sharing them.
I just heard back from TQ Press that 'Precious Possession' is not right for them either. This would be more depressing if it was a form rejection, like the one from DSP, but the lovely Michelle gave me feedback which let me pinpoint what was wrong. Basically I tried to tell the story in the style of a fairytale, with a sarcastic narrator voice. Michelle said that it basically felt like the first eight pages were info-dumping. So that didn't work, then. She also invited me to re-write and submit, which I fully intend to do once I get a spare five minutes. I know they're still looking for Halloween sips and I think PP could work really well for that.
The lesson I have learned this week: People (and by people I mean me) make mistakes. It's okay. The only unforgivable sin is not to learn from them. No more ranting on Wave's blog (I can rant here all I like, since no one reads it) and no more sarcastic narrator voice for me.
Now, back to my new YA novel. I need to hit 5000 words before I shut down tonight.
Having allowed Wave to lure me into turning my five-minute rant on pen-names into an editorial post for her blog, I then got bitch-slapped by...oh, let's see...everyone. Pretty much. I've been replying to comments non stop and post of them are not of the 'Right On, Sista' variety. That'll teach me to have opinions. Or, at least, not to think about them a bit more carefully before sharing them.
I just heard back from TQ Press that 'Precious Possession' is not right for them either. This would be more depressing if it was a form rejection, like the one from DSP, but the lovely Michelle gave me feedback which let me pinpoint what was wrong. Basically I tried to tell the story in the style of a fairytale, with a sarcastic narrator voice. Michelle said that it basically felt like the first eight pages were info-dumping. So that didn't work, then. She also invited me to re-write and submit, which I fully intend to do once I get a spare five minutes. I know they're still looking for Halloween sips and I think PP could work really well for that.
The lesson I have learned this week: People (and by people I mean me) make mistakes. It's okay. The only unforgivable sin is not to learn from them. No more ranting on Wave's blog (I can rant here all I like, since no one reads it) and no more sarcastic narrator voice for me.
Now, back to my new YA novel. I need to hit 5000 words before I shut down tonight.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Reviews by Jessewave
A really exciting new challenge has presented itself to me this weekend. I've been asked by Wave of Reviews by Jessewave if I'd like to try writing reviews for her blog.
This is my absolute favourite review blog and I check it at least once a day; it informs a lot of my buying decisions. Being asked is a huge honour, and not just that but a great opportunity because it means that my name will become familiar to m/m readers before my books ever hit the market. Of course I said yes. Actually, I said 'HELL yes!'.
Nevertheless, it's a little daunting. First of all, as Wave herself points out, this is a serious responsibility. Not only am I going to be having an impact on the quality of this famous blog, but I'm going to hopefully be influencing other people's book buying, just like Wave, Tam, Lily, Jenre, Aunt Leslie and the rest have influenced mine. I have to be fair minded, thorough and objective, while also striving to be entertaining.
There are potential pitfalls. Although I've taken a solemn oath not to be snarky for snarks sake, there are going to be times when my reviews contain unfavourable remarks. Some readers aren't going to like that. I may review authors who are published by the same publishers as me, and that could be awkward if I have negative comments. Will they be angry at me, or think I'm being disloyal? It might not seem fair, but I know that people often aren't fair when their baby, their work, is under discussion.
Despite my niggles, I'm really enthusiastic because I love the m/m community. I've been an m/m reader for nearly three years but I've only dipped my toe into the m/m readers and writers community since January this year and I've found it to be a wonderful place, peopled with strong, intelligent, well-read men and women. People of high ideals, high standards and great integrity. I want to be one of them and that's why I'm taking the leap and doing this.
On with the show!
This is my absolute favourite review blog and I check it at least once a day; it informs a lot of my buying decisions. Being asked is a huge honour, and not just that but a great opportunity because it means that my name will become familiar to m/m readers before my books ever hit the market. Of course I said yes. Actually, I said 'HELL yes!'.
Nevertheless, it's a little daunting. First of all, as Wave herself points out, this is a serious responsibility. Not only am I going to be having an impact on the quality of this famous blog, but I'm going to hopefully be influencing other people's book buying, just like Wave, Tam, Lily, Jenre, Aunt Leslie and the rest have influenced mine. I have to be fair minded, thorough and objective, while also striving to be entertaining.
There are potential pitfalls. Although I've taken a solemn oath not to be snarky for snarks sake, there are going to be times when my reviews contain unfavourable remarks. Some readers aren't going to like that. I may review authors who are published by the same publishers as me, and that could be awkward if I have negative comments. Will they be angry at me, or think I'm being disloyal? It might not seem fair, but I know that people often aren't fair when their baby, their work, is under discussion.
Despite my niggles, I'm really enthusiastic because I love the m/m community. I've been an m/m reader for nearly three years but I've only dipped my toe into the m/m readers and writers community since January this year and I've found it to be a wonderful place, peopled with strong, intelligent, well-read men and women. People of high ideals, high standards and great integrity. I want to be one of them and that's why I'm taking the leap and doing this.
On with the show!
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