Archive for January, 2009

“Oh Goddess ” by Gwen Hayes

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-367-8
Length: Short Story
Price: 2.50
Publication Date: January 27, 2009
Cover art by Tuesday Dube

Born to protect women’s hearts, her own beats longingly for a mortal. Oops…

Ondina, one thousand years a goddess, doesn’t think much of mortal men. Probably because her sole purpose in life is to protect the hearts of women who don’t want to fall in love. And now one of those blasted men—Jack—has shattered her sacred chalice, trapping her in a mortal body.

Jackson Nichols, on the partner track at his law firm, is the first to admit he always follows his head. Never his heart. Dina is infuriating, messy, condescending, sexy, beautiful and…well, just about everything that doesn’t fit into his meticulously planned life.

Neither expects to find many redeeming qualities in the other. But when push comes to love, which will Dina choose? Her newly human heart…or one thousand years of duty?

*All author and editor proceeds from the sale of Oh Goddess will be donated to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. You can find out more about the foundation at www.coalitionforpf.org.

Warning: Recent studies show that consuming beverages while reading this story can cause damage to computer monitors, clothing, and sometimes nearby walls. Reader agrees to hold both Samhain Publishing Ltd. and Gwen Hayes harmless in case of accidental spewing caused by laughter.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM!

There is a petition up that is trying to effect change within RWA (Romance Writers of America).

The petition is about proposed changes to RWA PAN (Professional Authors Network) and PRO Organization.

The points of the petition are:

1. A move for total inclusion in PAN for those who qualify based on the current $1000 earnings, non-vanity, non-subsidy guidelines, meaning that all PAN members are eligible for every PAN benefit, including entrance in the RITA competition.
2. The removal of the exclusion of those who don’t qualify for PAN, but are epubbed or small press pubbed, from the Golden Hearts.
3. The refund of entrance fees to every PAN member who entered but was disqualified from the RITAs due to the addition of the phrase “mass-produced.”

Sign the Petition

Angela James, editor extraordinaire, is coming to Romance Divas for a 3 day class on Epublishing! Come join us Jan 13-15 and ask her anything.

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Epublishing (and some things you didn’t know you should know)

Why doesn’t epublishing offer advances? What are some of the pros and cons of publishing my manuscript via epublishing? How do I research publishers? Can I really make money in epublishing? What exactly is POD? Can you give me a snappy comeback for people who say that epublishing isn’t real publishing?

Epublishing has evolved and grown, especially in the last 5 years, but with growth comes pitfalls and problems, and trusting an epublisher with your baby might seem like a risky proposition. We’ll cover the basics of epublishing, from choosing an epublisher and contract details to methods of ebook and print distribution to reasons why you might not want to epublish your manuscript.

Bio:

In 2005, Angela James joined Samhain Publishing, Ltd, a small press company focusing on digital publishing, as its executive editor, where she has played an instrumental role in building the company from the ground up. In her executive position at Samhain, Angela is responsible for managing the publisher’s editorial services division. Her responsibilities include the management of editorial staff, quality oversight, networking and marketing efforts at regional, national and international writing conferences to promote the electronic publishing industry as well as Samhain.

In addition to her administrative duties, Angela continues to edit more than 50 authors including national bestselling authors Lucy Monroe, Lilith Saintcrow and Deidre Knight.

Every year I make resolutions and goals. Some I manage keep, some end up forgotten halfway through March.

Last year was very interesting, Barack Obama became the first African-American President-Elect, the recession and crisis in financial and automobile industries. Living in Detroit, it was interesting to see the fallout from the big 3 situation. On a personal note, due to the financial industry which I worked in, my entire department was let go at the end of October. But on a positive note, I got to spend more time with my nephew and sister who moved back to Detroit. And I’ve gotten to spend more time writing and doing other things I enjoy, in between job hunting.

I also decided to let my hair loc this year. I’ve already started the process and today is the first official day on my journey towards locs. I’m doing braidlocs not twists or comb coils because of the texture and curl pattern of my hair. I’ve been all natural for about five years now.

Resolutions:

1. Follow my instincts more

2. Speak up more

3. Procrastinate les

4. Be more organized

5. Eat healthier

6. Get out more aka try to be less shy.

7. Don’t let fear stop me from things (as long as there is no viable threat or danger)

Goals:

1. Blog more

2. Keep website updated

3. Keep learning new things – craft of writing, crafting

4. Keep writing and submit when finished and polished

5. Practice my mantra/motto – Write, Revise, Submit, Repeat

6. Finish what I start (aka stop sitting on half finished work)

7. Find more markets for articles, short stories and follow through.