Monday, September 9, 2013

I'm BACK in the Saddle, Again...

Picture this: two writers sitting in a coffee house, one sipping on an espresso while the other slurps an ice coffee.

"So, how was your summer?" asked the Espresso.

"The usual: sun, sand, running kid A to point B, while keeping kid C and D happy. Oh, and being a bit more lazy than I'd planned with my writing," answered Slurper.

Expresso shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "So, no progress on your manuscript?"

"Haha!" begins Slurper. "What manuscript?" They both chuckled."No, really. I made some progress, more research and adding material. Frankly, it's kind of a blessing in disguise. I think the story is much deeper and way more visually vivid."

"That's a positive," said Expresso.

"Sure. What doesn't enlist a writer to quit only makes him/her and the story stronger, right?"


IMAGE CREDIT
Any of that sound familiar? Well, I've officially tugged on my cowgirl boots and hopped back onto that writing, editing, and social media-ering horse again. And I'm thrilled!!! I've missed you all so, so much.

Briefly, if you remember back in July I set summer goals HERE. I've reached a few, while putting some off and taking on a few new ones. I read a ton - some I'd said I would; some new ones via authors who asked me to. (LUV it when another author trusts me enough to read and review their work. Makes me feel all gooey inside.)

I've been on sub for about six weeks now, just waiting and waiting... My agent feels confident, but we'll see. She's also pitching two of my picture books to the world. I'm really excited about that. Send me positive vibes! While I'm in the waiting arena over my YA, said agent mentioned she'd been asked if I write MG.

Well, yeah. Thus the real explanation for the above dialog skit. I've been working on an MG manuscript I'd started last year. I loved my MC, but never felt drawn where to take her. The beginning of my summer break gave me that insight. I've developed a unique mind map for this MG story and world, but, to be successful with it I knew more research was needed. Actually, it's like taking a class in said subject (my secret world-building...shhhhh....) Thanks to Theresa, Angela, Sharon, and Kai for being so patient waiting for new material. <3

Lastly, a few of you know that one of my summer goals was to plan the launch of my new book cover & swag design biz. I have designed seven pre-made covers and dabbled a bit with the business side of it all from pricing to marketing to scheduling clients for custom covers. However, recently I was asked to participate in an exciting new project - a steampunk anthology. I've decided to write up a story, so........this will delay launching my cover biz. 

BUT...and this is a huge but that I could use your help with...if any of you need a cover or know of someone in need of a cover feel free to offer my services - at least to chat. I'm open to designing any cover and/or swag before my launch, which I'm thinking will be pushed off until later October. If you look at my page header, you'll now see a tab reading My Book Cover Design Biz! I've posted a few mock cover examples for people to get an idea of the quality of my work and ideas.

Okay, so, whatch'ya been doing all summer long???? I REALLY want to know. 








39 comments:

  1. Yay! Welcome back. That's so exciting--working on MG, and designing covers too? You are one busy woman. I'm keeping my toes crossed for you on the YA submission.

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    1. Thanks so much about the positive vibes about my YA. The longer I wait, the harder it gets because going on sub was MY choice. I could have accepted one of the seven offers I'd received from smaller publishers; a few a really, really would have liked to work with. But, after chatting with my agent, who felt the story was bigger, I opted not to accept and go on sub. *sighs* Just hoping I made the correct decision.

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  2. Sending you good vibrations and wishing you the best outcome for your story out on sub!

    And I'm just glad I can offer any helpful thoughts and feedback. I look forward to receiving more material. What you have ROCKS!

    I'm excited about getting my novella follow up for Neverlove out soon. And keeping things rolling with my MG project as well.

    Big hugs! And welcome back to getting into the swing of things :-)

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    1. Thanks so much! Just hoping I made the correct decision when I took my agent's advice and passed on the small pub offers I received, opting to tweak the manuscript and sub to the larger ones. *sighs* Waiting is testing me. lol

      Oh, and I can't wait to send you what I have. Just retweaking the first eleven chapters, adding in my new research. Should be finished with that in the next day or so. Send me whatever you need read, as well! (Psst...I'm finally going to be releasing my review of Neverlove on Writer's Alley. I'd posted the review on Goodreads, Amazon, etc..., back when I wrote it, but realized this summer that I never released it here. I'll send you the link when it's up.)

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  3. Welcome back! Cool you are designing covers. Hope those manuscripts find a home soon.

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  4. Welcome back and congrats on the new business! That's awesome!

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  5. Glad you're back. Awesome you're on submissions. Fingers crossed for you. Wish I could say summer was lazy. With the blog and my daughter's busy schedule, it was so NOT lazy. Oh well. I'm kind of glad school started.

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  6. Welcome back! I hope the anthology piece goes well, and looking forward to seeing your new business fly!

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  7. Yay for all the new stuff going on. And writing the MG...EXTRA yay!! :-) I enjoyed a break from many things over the summer, writing being one, but I'm hopping back in.

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    1. Yeah, I'm hopping back in now too! Really ready to get things moving forward. I'm so enjoying writing this MG. I find it easier to be funny, maybe less stressful.

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  8. For someone who took the summer off, I think you got a lot done! Research is so important, and a writer's gut must tell them when they've ironed out all the details and it's time to start writing. Wishing you good luck on the subs and the new MG project! :-)

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    1. Thanks! I think continual research is how it's going to go with this MG story. But I'm good with that. I'm learning a ton.

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  9. I worked on my MS a lot this summer, doing a rewrite based on agent's suggestions and then took the last month off! Now it's back in the saddle (just like you) starting a new book!

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  10. You've been so busy, Sheri. I didn't realize you were designing book covers. If I get rejected enough with my current YA, I may enlist your services in my return to self-pubbing.

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  11. What-the-what? Steampunk anthology?

    Hell yes!!!!!!

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    1. Haha! That's exactly what I thought when I was contacted. I've dabbled with Steampunk, but only in my head. This should prove interesting, getting it on paper. Or laptop screen, whichever way you'd like to look at it.

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  12. Best of luck on surviving Submission Purgatory. Always hard for me -- because I could keep tweaking the manuscript while querying, but not after it went on sub!

    As for trying MG, yay! That's awesome! As you know, I switched a YA manuscript to MG and landed a great deal. Making the switch, though, took revising in stages. I had to take out things a little at a time, giving up parts I loved one by one, until I had it right. And then I fell in love with the new manuscript.

    As for what I did this summer -- I did a heck of a lot. Posted about that at the end of August.

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  13. I'm sending you positive vibes! Hope the submission process works out very, very well for you :)

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  15. I know you've been researching this summer. Send your work along when it's read. And good luck subbing! Must be a nail-biting wait for you even if your agent is positive.

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  16. Good luck on your submissions. And congrats on more research for your WIP.

    This summer I gathered my people and wrote, edited, did a cover, did a cover reveal, AND published five volumes in a serial under my pen name (it's top secret). The books are doing really well. =) I also wrote the summary/synopsis for three full length novels, went to UtopYA and hung out with cool people, took a couple of family vacations, went to the pool, and so on... LOL

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  17. Can't wait to hear good news!Crossing my fingers for you! XO Welcome back!!!

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  18. Hi Sheri. Glad you're back in the saddle. Good luck with your submissions.

    The summer was great. It involved a lot of editing but also some relaxation at a friends river house.

    :)

    www.anythingimagined.blogspot.com

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  19. Wow Sheri! Lots of exciting stuff going on. Summer is a busy time and I get as much done as I can. But, I spend as much time with my family as I can because they're growing up way tooooo fast! :) Hope to hear some good news from you soon!

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    1. So awesome you were able to spend precious time with your family. Yes, they do grow way too fast. It's so strange. My oldest turned twenty in August. It doesn't seem possible.

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  20. Wrangling two pups, new roof, new wood fencing, wrangling two pups who are just over a year old...Nope no typo, it seems like all I do lately is wrangle the pups. I am however getting them used to staying behind a rather large gate for some alone time. Hopefully that will be channeled into writing again soon. (Hugs)Indigo

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    1. Whoa...two pups. That's a ton of work. #ibowtoyou :)

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  21. You have a lot of going on girl! Good Luck!

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  22. Hey welcome back! And very cool about the cover biz! I'll keep it in mind for sure!! :D

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    1. Aw...thanks so much! I'm looking forward to my actual launch and regular business.

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  23. Fingers crossed for your subs! I've been working hard polishing a manuscript that an agent is considering. Fingers crossed!

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  24. Hi, Sheri,

    Nice to see you back! Good luck with the cover biz... It's a good business to start. i started a similar one a few months ago and I just finished my second cover... Loving it!

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  25. Sending positive vibes your way. =)

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  26. Hi Sheri!!!!!!!!!! I'm excited for what's to come for you, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    *BIG GIANT HUGS*

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    1. Aw, thanks. I just wish it would hurry the heck up! :)

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  27. Oh my gosh, Sheri! You are a dynamo! I'm worn out just from reading your post. How do you do it all??? Slurper <--cracked me up, btw.

    I launched TWO new books this summer and all I can say is WOW. Whirlwind. Fun. Frightening. I've finally gotten back to writing with a vengeance and it almost doesn't matter that it is all crap, because it is so nice to see new words on the page.

    Good luck with it ALL! I don't even know where to start you have so much going on.

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!SPLAT Your Awesomeness! I'd love to hear from you!

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