Hi all,
Lest you quickly become lost in "spaghetti western land," dreaming of sharing a saddle behind Clint Eastwood ... wait a minute ... that's a pretty good idea! I like Clint; I love Clint! He's good and bad but never, ever ugly. Hey, even if he were, I'd like him; I'd love him! Anyway ... the good is really, really good for me now.
I just sold my third historical romance set in the west to Tekno/Five Star/Thomson Gale and I'm over-the-moon happy!!! It's The Good, The Good, and The Good! John Helfers of Tekno is a gentleman's gentleman, and a more professional (not to mention down right nice) acquisitions agent you will never meet. My, he does set the industry standard as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to give Tiffany Schofield of Five Star a mention, as well. She's ever helpful, ever friendly, and ever "there" for us, should we need her.
Can you tell I'm extremely happy to be published with Tekno/Five Star/Thomson Gale!!!
This is such a brutal, difficult business, which is why I appreciate John Helfers and Tiffany Schofield all the more. They "make me want to be a better writer." And, because of them I've had the opportunity to e-meet one of their top editors, award-winning author Alice Duncan. Yep, I've died and gone to heaven!
I'm grateful, indeed, to "select out" the Bad and the Ugly, and hold onto the Good ... just a few minutes more.
Love,
Joanne
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "The Sisterhood of Travelling Writers"
Hi All!
Summer's in full swing and the folks are out travelling. Move over guys, the Winnebegos are on the move. Hide the children! (just kidding, of course) It occurred to me that writers don't have a "travelling season," but hit the road on any given day, no matter the time of year, to attend conferences, signings, book talks, attend workshops, critique groups, book fairs ... and on and on it goes. Admittedly, I didn't see the film, "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants," but I liked the title so much, I borrowed from it!
Writers, whether in or out of our Winnebegos, are always on the move. And, we're everywhere! At signings I meet lots of folks who are also writing. At dinner parties, there's a good chance that the guest to my left (or right) is a writer. At the grocery, I meet other hungry shoppers, who also happen to either write, or want to write. At conferences or chapter meetings, there are writers galore ... which is nothing short of delicious! How much fun is it to smooz with other writers, no matter their number of published works, about what they're working on now, etc. Writers are generous, I've discovered. At least most are. Most are willing to share their journey to publication, and want to help others do the same. See, I said "delicious" and I meant it!
I just wanted to check in and give a shout out to one and all, and wish us all good travels this summer; especially all of us in The Sisterhood of Travelling Writers!"
B'bye for now,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
Summer's in full swing and the folks are out travelling. Move over guys, the Winnebegos are on the move. Hide the children! (just kidding, of course) It occurred to me that writers don't have a "travelling season," but hit the road on any given day, no matter the time of year, to attend conferences, signings, book talks, attend workshops, critique groups, book fairs ... and on and on it goes. Admittedly, I didn't see the film, "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants," but I liked the title so much, I borrowed from it!
Writers, whether in or out of our Winnebegos, are always on the move. And, we're everywhere! At signings I meet lots of folks who are also writing. At dinner parties, there's a good chance that the guest to my left (or right) is a writer. At the grocery, I meet other hungry shoppers, who also happen to either write, or want to write. At conferences or chapter meetings, there are writers galore ... which is nothing short of delicious! How much fun is it to smooz with other writers, no matter their number of published works, about what they're working on now, etc. Writers are generous, I've discovered. At least most are. Most are willing to share their journey to publication, and want to help others do the same. See, I said "delicious" and I meant it!
I just wanted to check in and give a shout out to one and all, and wish us all good travels this summer; especially all of us in The Sisterhood of Travelling Writers!"
B'bye for now,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "Bragging Rights"
http://fivestarauthors.blogspot.com
Hi guys,
Happy Wednesday and Happy Writing!
I just wanted to "BRAG" about my shared marketing efforts with other Colorado Five Star Authors. Hey, there IS safety in numbers. We are a group of five: Five Stars from Five Star and just had our first joint signing in Colorado Springs. Just so you'll know, we all "played together nicely."
The talented women of whom I speak, and their works are:
Leslee Breene - LEADVILLE LADY
Patricia Stoltey - THE PRAIRIE GRASS MURDERS
Beth Groundwater - A REAL BASKET CASE
Janet Lane - TABOR'S TRINKET
moi` - A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
Our mix is mystery and romance. Too much fun! (Although I must say, part of the fun is that we romantics outnumbered the mystery gals by one ... heh heh heh) Picture this guys: we shared a small table, managing to balance our books and bookmarks and buttons and pins and brochures and reviews, and ... whew! ... all the while sharing cappuchino ice cream, chatting it up with readers wandering among the stacks who strolled by our group of five; with some stopping for a chat; some extolling the virtues of romance; some eschewing it (few I can assure you); and some placing our books under our noses (if we were not wandering among the stacks ourselves) for us to sign.
A good time REALLY WAS had by all!
Our next joint appearance (in case you're in "the hood") will be at the Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, in Denver, June 23rd @ 3 pm.
Until next time...
Jo(anne)
http://womenwritingthewest.blogspot.com
www.joannesundell.com
Hi guys,
Happy Wednesday and Happy Writing!
I just wanted to "BRAG" about my shared marketing efforts with other Colorado Five Star Authors. Hey, there IS safety in numbers. We are a group of five: Five Stars from Five Star and just had our first joint signing in Colorado Springs. Just so you'll know, we all "played together nicely."
The talented women of whom I speak, and their works are:
Leslee Breene - LEADVILLE LADY
Patricia Stoltey - THE PRAIRIE GRASS MURDERS
Beth Groundwater - A REAL BASKET CASE
Janet Lane - TABOR'S TRINKET
moi` - A...MY NAME'S AMELIA
Our mix is mystery and romance. Too much fun! (Although I must say, part of the fun is that we romantics outnumbered the mystery gals by one ... heh heh heh) Picture this guys: we shared a small table, managing to balance our books and bookmarks and buttons and pins and brochures and reviews, and ... whew! ... all the while sharing cappuchino ice cream, chatting it up with readers wandering among the stacks who strolled by our group of five; with some stopping for a chat; some extolling the virtues of romance; some eschewing it (few I can assure you); and some placing our books under our noses (if we were not wandering among the stacks ourselves) for us to sign.
A good time REALLY WAS had by all!
Our next joint appearance (in case you're in "the hood") will be at the Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, in Denver, June 23rd @ 3 pm.
Until next time...
Jo(anne)
http://womenwritingthewest.blogspot.com
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - Conferences: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Hi all,
I'm still de-programming myself from the CRW-sponsored, Romancing the Rockies Conference held in Denver this past Friday and Saturday. Hence, the title of my blog today. Conferences are Good, Bad, and Ugly; usually all not at the same time, thank God!
Let's start with the Good. If you've never attended a romance writing conference, you're in for a treat when you do. And, if you're a groupie like moi`, you'll be blown away by all the authors you meet. You bet I made sure to have a signed copy of the latest books from Linnea Sinclair, Susan Wiggs, and Jeanne Stein. I can't wait to delve into them! Conferences also afford you a wonderful opportunity to network with authors, agents, editors, and other members of your RWA chapter; not to mention catch the latest and greatest writing tips from amazing writing experts like Margie Lawson. How awesome is she! Okay, admittedly, I've got a huge learning curve to master in terms of the writing craft, but at least I know what I don't know (I think). It's also good, good, good to smoos and network with the best of `em!
Now, for the Bad (hope the other shoe didn't hurt when I dropped it). There are so many incredible speakers, discussing so many incredible topics, in so many different lecture areas --- you can't make them all! Very frustrating to have to pick and choose, but one does what one must. There's always a "handy handout," rich with detail as to time, place, and subject. It's decision-making time, for certain. At the end of the day(s), you leave smarter than when you arrived; more informed than when you arrived; and certainly more aware ... of all that you don't know! Ah well, welcome to the world of writing.
Yep, here comes the Ugly. No offense intended to agents and editors (who graciously give of their time and expertise to travel from their, often far-away, offices) waiting for us at their hastily set-up judging tables, but for me ... the Ugly of conferences is the moment you take a seat in front of an agent or editor, and hope something comes out of your dry mouth, other than cotton fluff, which they've all heard before! I guarantee you, it's a humbling experience. I also guarantee you, if you schedule agent and editor appointments, at least you can count yourself A TRUE BRAVEHEART! "Oh we brave few" ... you get my point. You might not have an offer from any of your appointments to send in a partial, but you at least can leave, head high, shoulders straight; knowing you did it.
Just like spaghetti westerns of old (be still my heart at the mere thought of Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at conferences should be whole-heartedly embraced by romance writers. How can you not, with Clint waiting!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
I'm still de-programming myself from the CRW-sponsored, Romancing the Rockies Conference held in Denver this past Friday and Saturday. Hence, the title of my blog today. Conferences are Good, Bad, and Ugly; usually all not at the same time, thank God!
Let's start with the Good. If you've never attended a romance writing conference, you're in for a treat when you do. And, if you're a groupie like moi`, you'll be blown away by all the authors you meet. You bet I made sure to have a signed copy of the latest books from Linnea Sinclair, Susan Wiggs, and Jeanne Stein. I can't wait to delve into them! Conferences also afford you a wonderful opportunity to network with authors, agents, editors, and other members of your RWA chapter; not to mention catch the latest and greatest writing tips from amazing writing experts like Margie Lawson. How awesome is she! Okay, admittedly, I've got a huge learning curve to master in terms of the writing craft, but at least I know what I don't know (I think). It's also good, good, good to smoos and network with the best of `em!
Now, for the Bad (hope the other shoe didn't hurt when I dropped it). There are so many incredible speakers, discussing so many incredible topics, in so many different lecture areas --- you can't make them all! Very frustrating to have to pick and choose, but one does what one must. There's always a "handy handout," rich with detail as to time, place, and subject. It's decision-making time, for certain. At the end of the day(s), you leave smarter than when you arrived; more informed than when you arrived; and certainly more aware ... of all that you don't know! Ah well, welcome to the world of writing.
Yep, here comes the Ugly. No offense intended to agents and editors (who graciously give of their time and expertise to travel from their, often far-away, offices) waiting for us at their hastily set-up judging tables, but for me ... the Ugly of conferences is the moment you take a seat in front of an agent or editor, and hope something comes out of your dry mouth, other than cotton fluff, which they've all heard before! I guarantee you, it's a humbling experience. I also guarantee you, if you schedule agent and editor appointments, at least you can count yourself A TRUE BRAVEHEART! "Oh we brave few" ... you get my point. You might not have an offer from any of your appointments to send in a partial, but you at least can leave, head high, shoulders straight; knowing you did it.
Just like spaghetti westerns of old (be still my heart at the mere thought of Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at conferences should be whole-heartedly embraced by romance writers. How can you not, with Clint waiting!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "The book(s) in us all"
Hi Folks,
Every time I'm at a signing, someone comes up and begins to talk about the books they have in them, yet to write. Invaribly what follows is one reason after another about "why" they haven't started on their novel(s). Hidden in this same person's meaning is perhaps the inference that "all they need is a little time and then they can write." I hope so for their sakes. Wouldn't that be nice if it were that simple. Geez, maybe it is and no one told me!
I absolutely love to talk to folks at signings. Those who stop for a chat and a look at my book(s) are usually polite, gracious, interested, intelligent, and just plain nice. Of course they're honest, too; many not liking romance, per se, yet willing to have a look. Many who stop are writers themselves, or at least beginning writers. Some have a good friend or relative who writes and is published. To this I say Hurray! To any accomplishments along the writing journey, I say Hurray!
Back to the person in the first paragraph, who wants to write, but hasn't yet. The only part I think they've yet to understand about writing, no matter whether fiction or non-fiction, is that finishing a book is the first step in writing. I know that sounds crazy, but a writer needs to know they CAN finish something. Only through the discipline of setting aside a time and place to write, can they begin writing, then finish their manuscript. Once finished, not only will the issue of "wanting to write and never having time to write" be off the table, but the issue of thinking "it's easily done" will be off the table, too.
Important for all of us is getting started in the first place. Don't wait, planning for that "some day" to arrive. Whether a beginning writer sets aside a little time before work in the morning, or a time at night to get those fingers keyed in, the first "book(s) in us all" will be in the making. How cool, and yes, how simple is that?
I do believe we all have books in us, waiting to come out. So, what are you waiting for?
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Every time I'm at a signing, someone comes up and begins to talk about the books they have in them, yet to write. Invaribly what follows is one reason after another about "why" they haven't started on their novel(s). Hidden in this same person's meaning is perhaps the inference that "all they need is a little time and then they can write." I hope so for their sakes. Wouldn't that be nice if it were that simple. Geez, maybe it is and no one told me!
I absolutely love to talk to folks at signings. Those who stop for a chat and a look at my book(s) are usually polite, gracious, interested, intelligent, and just plain nice. Of course they're honest, too; many not liking romance, per se, yet willing to have a look. Many who stop are writers themselves, or at least beginning writers. Some have a good friend or relative who writes and is published. To this I say Hurray! To any accomplishments along the writing journey, I say Hurray!
Back to the person in the first paragraph, who wants to write, but hasn't yet. The only part I think they've yet to understand about writing, no matter whether fiction or non-fiction, is that finishing a book is the first step in writing. I know that sounds crazy, but a writer needs to know they CAN finish something. Only through the discipline of setting aside a time and place to write, can they begin writing, then finish their manuscript. Once finished, not only will the issue of "wanting to write and never having time to write" be off the table, but the issue of thinking "it's easily done" will be off the table, too.
Important for all of us is getting started in the first place. Don't wait, planning for that "some day" to arrive. Whether a beginning writer sets aside a little time before work in the morning, or a time at night to get those fingers keyed in, the first "book(s) in us all" will be in the making. How cool, and yes, how simple is that?
I do believe we all have books in us, waiting to come out. So, what are you waiting for?
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "Historically speaking..."
Hi Folks,
Any of you out there like to read and/or write historical romance? If so, GREAT! Phooey to the nay-sayers who try to frighten all of us away by claiming "lack of interest" in the historical genre. This reader/writer has nothing but "interest" in the genre!
Yes, I know erotica sells. Yes, I know chick-lit is all the rage. And yes, yes, yes, I know that Christian/Inspirational romance is selling ... selling ... selling. As far as I'm concerned, I have only one little problem with these reality stats: I don't read erotica, chick-lit, or inspirational romance. I like historicals, always have and always will. That's not to say I don't pick up an occasional bio from the likes of David McCullough, the latest horror thriller from Stephen King, or wait on line for the newest (and alas...the last) Harry Potter. But, it is to say that my favorite books are historical romance. I was raised on Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice and to this day, keep them close.
As I enjoy reading the genre, I also enjoy writing in the genre. I believe all of us who do, need to join together, forming our own Band of Brothers & Sisters, writing what's in our hearts, telling the stories of old, in new ways. Those of us who are traditional romantics, who love a good love story, conjuring images of gallant heroes and worthy heroines, packed with emotion and heartache, impossible conflict and unsatisfied passion, all the while hoping for a happy ending ... we must give voice to our stories through pen and key, never giving up hope ourselves, for a happy ending to the plight of the historical romance.
Together, WE CAN!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Any of you out there like to read and/or write historical romance? If so, GREAT! Phooey to the nay-sayers who try to frighten all of us away by claiming "lack of interest" in the historical genre. This reader/writer has nothing but "interest" in the genre!
Yes, I know erotica sells. Yes, I know chick-lit is all the rage. And yes, yes, yes, I know that Christian/Inspirational romance is selling ... selling ... selling. As far as I'm concerned, I have only one little problem with these reality stats: I don't read erotica, chick-lit, or inspirational romance. I like historicals, always have and always will. That's not to say I don't pick up an occasional bio from the likes of David McCullough, the latest horror thriller from Stephen King, or wait on line for the newest (and alas...the last) Harry Potter. But, it is to say that my favorite books are historical romance. I was raised on Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice and to this day, keep them close.
As I enjoy reading the genre, I also enjoy writing in the genre. I believe all of us who do, need to join together, forming our own Band of Brothers & Sisters, writing what's in our hearts, telling the stories of old, in new ways. Those of us who are traditional romantics, who love a good love story, conjuring images of gallant heroes and worthy heroines, packed with emotion and heartache, impossible conflict and unsatisfied passion, all the while hoping for a happy ending ... we must give voice to our stories through pen and key, never giving up hope ourselves, for a happy ending to the plight of the historical romance.
Together, WE CAN!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesdays With Joanne - "For whom the bell tolls"
Hi folks,
This morning, with the news of the loss of life at Virginia Tech, then the news of 157 dying in 4 car bombs in Baghdad, it's more difficult than usual to "pick up where I left off in chapter 5." I look to one of my favorite passages in literature for solace. It's by John Donne, Meditation 17, and reads something like this:
"No man is an island; entire unto himself.
Each man is a part of the continent; a piece of the main.
If a clod be washed away, Europe is the less.
Every man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee."
Yes, you bet I'm going back to "chapter 5," but I do it with a heavy heart.
Shalom,
Joanne
This morning, with the news of the loss of life at Virginia Tech, then the news of 157 dying in 4 car bombs in Baghdad, it's more difficult than usual to "pick up where I left off in chapter 5." I look to one of my favorite passages in literature for solace. It's by John Donne, Meditation 17, and reads something like this:
"No man is an island; entire unto himself.
Each man is a part of the continent; a piece of the main.
If a clod be washed away, Europe is the less.
Every man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee."
Yes, you bet I'm going back to "chapter 5," but I do it with a heavy heart.
Shalom,
Joanne
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