Hi everyone,
As of November 14th, Romance Writers of America has re-sanctioned Five Star as an accepted non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher! For a while we were off the list, and so its nice to be back on. I can't pretend to know the ins and outs or the exact nature of the ongoing debate; I'm just glad we're approved now.
I'm going to enter A...My Name's Amelia in the RITA, RWA's prestigious annual award. It's just fun to be able to enter, which I'd best hurry and do since the deadline is Nov 3oth! Since Amelia has enjoyed several print runs and is soon going into large print, I thought it worthy of entry. Nothing ventured, right? Amelia got 4&1/2 stars from Romantic Times Magazine so I might have a shot. cough cough As I said, I'm just happy to be able to enter.
This also makes my membership in Colorado Romance Writers, one of the local Colorado chapters of RWA, all the more sweet.
Thanks for listening ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Ah, the Colorado Country Life!"
Hi all,
Thanks to the amazing editor/publisher of Colorado Country Life (REA Association, vol 38, #11) Mona Neeley, A...My Name's Amelia got a favorible review in the widely-read magazine. In our mountain co-op there are approximately 15,000 in the readership, and CCL reaches 22 other co-ops. Talk about the Gift Outright ... I'm so very grateful.
Toward the close of her review, Ms. Neeley writes that, "author Joanne Sundell of Tabernash has woven rich, little-known history from our state's past into a touching story about learning to communicate and to trust another person." Told ya, the Gift Outright. While Amelia has received other good reviews (thank goodness) I'm touched that Ms. Neeley found my book while combing the shelves of her local Barnes & Noble, and further touched that she gave me such a heart-felt review.
She's just one more reason I can say, "Ah, the Colorado Country Life."
BTW, thanks, Marie, for your comments. I'm glad you're out there!
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Thanks to the amazing editor/publisher of Colorado Country Life (REA Association, vol 38, #11) Mona Neeley, A...My Name's Amelia got a favorible review in the widely-read magazine. In our mountain co-op there are approximately 15,000 in the readership, and CCL reaches 22 other co-ops. Talk about the Gift Outright ... I'm so very grateful.
Toward the close of her review, Ms. Neeley writes that, "author Joanne Sundell of Tabernash has woven rich, little-known history from our state's past into a touching story about learning to communicate and to trust another person." Told ya, the Gift Outright. While Amelia has received other good reviews (thank goodness) I'm touched that Ms. Neeley found my book while combing the shelves of her local Barnes & Noble, and further touched that she gave me such a heart-felt review.
She's just one more reason I can say, "Ah, the Colorado Country Life."
BTW, thanks, Marie, for your comments. I'm glad you're out there!
Until next time ...
Jo(anne) Gregg Sundell
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Kicking and Screaming into the Bloggosphere!"
Hi all,
Yes, I do already have this blog. And yes, on rare occasion someone actually posts a comment. I do feel a little alone out here on my skinny blog limb and so ... I hope to increase my readership (bloggily-speaking) by linking up, hooking up, and chatting it up on other writers' blogs.
I attended a Cyberspace Marketing talk at the recently-held WomenWritingTheWest conference in Colorado Springs, put forth by non-fiction author, Donna Druchunus. She's written several successful books including ARCTIC LACE. Well, you can bet that I paid attention to her words when she shared that at one point ARCTIC LACE was 800 on Amazon! My oh my, I said to myself. Donna does Blog Tours for her books. I won't go into detail, except to say that she literally sets up a blog tour with 30 or so writers and posts on their blogs. You can see the value in this, ie many other folks get to know about Donna and her writing, through other sites and other subjects. A nifty idea, I'd say.
Also, I have the pleasure of e-knowing the wonderful, successful writers, Karen Kay and Alice Duncan. These women are amazing in talent and generosity. Bestselling, Native American author, Kay, is part of a western blog, petticoatsandpistols.com. Check it out and comment, absolutely. I might be able to guest post on Kay's blog, which would be an honor. Alice is a talented, award-winning, bestselling author and editor. She's ever a font a knowledge on well ... just about everything. It would be an honor, indeed, if she gets a blog up and going, to guest post on her site. You can see where I'm going with this. You can see the value of being on the same cyberpage with these powerhouse women. You bet, I'm a groupie!
And so ... whether kicking and screaming all the way into the bloggosphere ... I shall try to go where "no historical romance writer from Tabernash, CO, has gone before!"
Blogging all the way ...
Jo(anne)
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
http://www.joannesundell.blogspot.com/
Yes, I do already have this blog. And yes, on rare occasion someone actually posts a comment. I do feel a little alone out here on my skinny blog limb and so ... I hope to increase my readership (bloggily-speaking) by linking up, hooking up, and chatting it up on other writers' blogs.
I attended a Cyberspace Marketing talk at the recently-held WomenWritingTheWest conference in Colorado Springs, put forth by non-fiction author, Donna Druchunus. She's written several successful books including ARCTIC LACE. Well, you can bet that I paid attention to her words when she shared that at one point ARCTIC LACE was 800 on Amazon! My oh my, I said to myself. Donna does Blog Tours for her books. I won't go into detail, except to say that she literally sets up a blog tour with 30 or so writers and posts on their blogs. You can see the value in this, ie many other folks get to know about Donna and her writing, through other sites and other subjects. A nifty idea, I'd say.
Also, I have the pleasure of e-knowing the wonderful, successful writers, Karen Kay and Alice Duncan. These women are amazing in talent and generosity. Bestselling, Native American author, Kay, is part of a western blog, petticoatsandpistols.com. Check it out and comment, absolutely. I might be able to guest post on Kay's blog, which would be an honor. Alice is a talented, award-winning, bestselling author and editor. She's ever a font a knowledge on well ... just about everything. It would be an honor, indeed, if she gets a blog up and going, to guest post on her site. You can see where I'm going with this. You can see the value of being on the same cyberpage with these powerhouse women. You bet, I'm a groupie!
And so ... whether kicking and screaming all the way into the bloggosphere ... I shall try to go where "no historical romance writer from Tabernash, CO, has gone before!"
Blogging all the way ...
Jo(anne)
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
http://www.joannesundell.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Just Do It!"
Just Do It!
Just go ahead and get in touch with your dream authors to request a much-needed, much-appreciated blurb for your next book. But ... follow the rules to help ensure success.
If you write in a certain genre, try to find writers in your genre. It gives your book more of a boost, adding credibility. Readers know their writers, and if they spot a science-fiction writer's blurb on your historical romance ... well ... you can see what I mean. Plus, a science-fiction writer probably won't enjoy reading what they "don't write," much less like. You better your chances for a favorable review, if you pick your authors much like you search out agents and editors.
Look within the writing organizations to which you belong, and seek out those authors you believe might express an interest in giving you a quote. Just because they're "rich and famous" doesn't mean they won't give you some of their time, if and when they have it. If you make sure and give them plenty of lead time, you better your chances for success. I believe this is key! These noted authors have deadlines and their time is precious little. But if you approach them early and give them plenty of time, they usually will respond in the positive. Be professional, always!
Your reward for obeying the rules in approaching authors for quotes will come back, ten-fold. On my first book, noted award-winning, bestselling author and editor, Alice Duncan, gave me a quote. She's also been more than kind in giving me quotes for my subsequent books. NYTimes bestselling author, Joan Johnston, gave me a quote for my second book, and NYTimes bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, and bestselling author, Suzanne Lyon, are going to give me quotes for my third.
So ... just do it!
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Just go ahead and get in touch with your dream authors to request a much-needed, much-appreciated blurb for your next book. But ... follow the rules to help ensure success.
If you write in a certain genre, try to find writers in your genre. It gives your book more of a boost, adding credibility. Readers know their writers, and if they spot a science-fiction writer's blurb on your historical romance ... well ... you can see what I mean. Plus, a science-fiction writer probably won't enjoy reading what they "don't write," much less like. You better your chances for a favorable review, if you pick your authors much like you search out agents and editors.
Look within the writing organizations to which you belong, and seek out those authors you believe might express an interest in giving you a quote. Just because they're "rich and famous" doesn't mean they won't give you some of their time, if and when they have it. If you make sure and give them plenty of lead time, you better your chances for success. I believe this is key! These noted authors have deadlines and their time is precious little. But if you approach them early and give them plenty of time, they usually will respond in the positive. Be professional, always!
Your reward for obeying the rules in approaching authors for quotes will come back, ten-fold. On my first book, noted award-winning, bestselling author and editor, Alice Duncan, gave me a quote. She's also been more than kind in giving me quotes for my subsequent books. NYTimes bestselling author, Joan Johnston, gave me a quote for my second book, and NYTimes bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, and bestselling author, Suzanne Lyon, are going to give me quotes for my third.
So ... just do it!
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Rules of Engagement"
Hi Romance Lovers, one and all!
However tempting it is here, to lament the rules of engagement in love and marriage, I'm referring to the rules set down on how and how not to write a romance novel. I'm talking about the rules set down on how and how not to submit a romance novel to editors. I'm talking about how to succeed with editors ... hooking them, rather than annoying them ... because you didn't obey their rules of engagement.
When most of us consider submitting to a publisher, we focus primarily on what we're writing and not especially how we're writing. We pay attention to format to a point, making sure our font is 12-point and that we're in Courier or Times New Roman. Right guys? We're focused (as well we should be) on just who we should submit to; when we should submit; should we submit to more than one editor; and which houses want what? This is all important but ... so is format!
The importance of this was brought home again this morning, when I tuned into an exchange on an author loop between authors and editors. While the editors are usually very nice about reformatting manuscripts themselves, they'd prefer not to have to do this. A writer's chances for sale are much, much better if the formatting for their manuscript is correct in the first place. We authors need to (in addition to all of the aforementioned) find out the specific template and format for each house to whom we wish to submit. In doing so, in submitting a manuscript that's already in the house's acceptable format--a manuscript that obeys their Rules of Engagement--we're giving our manuscript the extra boost that just might make all the difference in sales.
Let's go get`em, guys!
Jo(anne)
Next from Five Star:
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
A...My Name's Amelia, LP coming
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
However tempting it is here, to lament the rules of engagement in love and marriage, I'm referring to the rules set down on how and how not to write a romance novel. I'm talking about the rules set down on how and how not to submit a romance novel to editors. I'm talking about how to succeed with editors ... hooking them, rather than annoying them ... because you didn't obey their rules of engagement.
When most of us consider submitting to a publisher, we focus primarily on what we're writing and not especially how we're writing. We pay attention to format to a point, making sure our font is 12-point and that we're in Courier or Times New Roman. Right guys? We're focused (as well we should be) on just who we should submit to; when we should submit; should we submit to more than one editor; and which houses want what? This is all important but ... so is format!
The importance of this was brought home again this morning, when I tuned into an exchange on an author loop between authors and editors. While the editors are usually very nice about reformatting manuscripts themselves, they'd prefer not to have to do this. A writer's chances for sale are much, much better if the formatting for their manuscript is correct in the first place. We authors need to (in addition to all of the aforementioned) find out the specific template and format for each house to whom we wish to submit. In doing so, in submitting a manuscript that's already in the house's acceptable format--a manuscript that obeys their Rules of Engagement--we're giving our manuscript the extra boost that just might make all the difference in sales.
Let's go get`em, guys!
Jo(anne)
Next from Five Star:
The Parlor House Daughter, 12/08
A...My Name's Amelia, LP coming
http://www.joannesundell.com/
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Going LARGE"
Hi all,
Yes, as we age we do go LARGE, but this is usually not of our own choosing. And all the duct tape in the world apparently doesn't want to hold up our sagging parts. Phooey! So much for living in the real world. I choose to visit the "unreal" world of writing where it's safe to go LARGE.
My second novel, A...My Name's Amelia, will be released at a future date in large print by Thorndike Press in either their Clean Reads or Wheeler Publishing lines. This gives a longer life to my hero and heroine, Amelia and Aaron, which makes me very, very happy.
All of this is yet another reason for me to opine the good deeds of Five Star - a part of Cengage Learning. From acquisitions to hardcover release, they are a great group with which to work. I am most fortunate to be published with them, sagging parts and all.
Jo(anne)
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
www.joannesundell.com
Yes, as we age we do go LARGE, but this is usually not of our own choosing. And all the duct tape in the world apparently doesn't want to hold up our sagging parts. Phooey! So much for living in the real world. I choose to visit the "unreal" world of writing where it's safe to go LARGE.
My second novel, A...My Name's Amelia, will be released at a future date in large print by Thorndike Press in either their Clean Reads or Wheeler Publishing lines. This gives a longer life to my hero and heroine, Amelia and Aaron, which makes me very, very happy.
All of this is yet another reason for me to opine the good deeds of Five Star - a part of Cengage Learning. From acquisitions to hardcover release, they are a great group with which to work. I am most fortunate to be published with them, sagging parts and all.
Jo(anne)
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
www.joannesundell.com
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesdays with Joanne - "Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference ... Ups and Downs"
Hi all,
Just wanted to share a few comments about the recently held Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference. This was my first time attending this noted Denver gathering.
Ups: The lineup was impressive, both for the conference content and the writers in attendance. Other Five Star authors were there, many of them presenting. Noted editors and agents took appointments to hear pitches; John Helfers from Tekno/Five Star among them. NYTimes bestselling authors Bob Mayer and Maggie Sefton were in the house. Author/pediatrician CJ Lyons wowed us all, too. The conference afforded a great opportunity to meet other writers, hear dynamite panels, and connect with agents and editors.
The Friday night signing was too much fun! Pretty cool experience, guys.
Downs: It's frustrating not to be able to attend all of the workshops. Can't be in two places at once. This is a good "down," right? If you don't attend conferences to pitch a new manuscript, I wonder if you're getting full benefit. While involvements and networking is key for writers, if you sign up for a conference and don't take advantage of the editor/agent appointments, perhaps you're not getting full "bang for your buck." Just my opinion.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Just wanted to share a few comments about the recently held Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference. This was my first time attending this noted Denver gathering.
Ups: The lineup was impressive, both for the conference content and the writers in attendance. Other Five Star authors were there, many of them presenting. Noted editors and agents took appointments to hear pitches; John Helfers from Tekno/Five Star among them. NYTimes bestselling authors Bob Mayer and Maggie Sefton were in the house. Author/pediatrician CJ Lyons wowed us all, too. The conference afforded a great opportunity to meet other writers, hear dynamite panels, and connect with agents and editors.
The Friday night signing was too much fun! Pretty cool experience, guys.
Downs: It's frustrating not to be able to attend all of the workshops. Can't be in two places at once. This is a good "down," right? If you don't attend conferences to pitch a new manuscript, I wonder if you're getting full benefit. While involvements and networking is key for writers, if you sign up for a conference and don't take advantage of the editor/agent appointments, perhaps you're not getting full "bang for your buck." Just my opinion.
Until next time ...
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
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