IT'S OFFICIAL!

It's all official now. The co-signed contract has been returned to me and a few instructions including a Getting Started as A Hybrid Author document.  Pretty soon I'll get a questionnaire to fill out and will send it and photos of myself to be used on the Media Aria-CDM publishers pages.  I am impressed on how they try to promote their writers. Of course, the writer has to promote themselves too. So you can expect more blogs on the subject of SHADOW OF THE LION.

I'm so excited now as it has all become a reality. So remember this, you novice writers, DON'T GIVE UP. Keep on writing, marketing, and sending out queries. Because one day, like me, you'll  hit "BINGO" and you'll find yourself a published writer.  (And what's good about this is, it's not self-publishing which, though popular these days, is something I didn't want to do with a novel like SHADOW OF THE LION.)  www.mediaaria-cdm.com

I'll keep you posted. I'm even going to start a blog specifically about the book. So watch for it.

STAYING MOTIVATED

My favorite view-point above Plaka, Athens Greece

 

 

It always seems more difficult to stay motivated when the summer sun is shining and the beach beckons. Since returning from my long, fantastic vacation in Wales and Greece, I haven't done much writing.  Of course I've been basking in the good luck of getting a book contract, but that hasn't motivated me to get busy on my second novel Dragons in the Sky although after workshopping a chapter the other week at Scribblers, I did take time to jot down notes and transcribe some notes I'd made during my holidays.  I also managed to send off a couple of travel stories. That's about it. I have succumbed to the call of the hot, sunny weather and made my way to the beach as often as possible.

 

 

Today I intended to write anther travel story but so far have only made some research notes. My workspace in the bedroom is hot as a sauna and it's a bit hard to concentrate under these conditions. I have even found it hard to do much 'thinking' and 'note taking' for my writing. But maybe it's good to take a break. Pretty soon summer will be over (too soon!) and the usual west coast rains will cloud our days. Those are the days it's easier to tie yourself to the computer and get work done!

 

 

Meanwhile, dear Olwen awaits the next chapter of her adventures in Greece. I have some rewriting to do on the last chapter I wrote. Then perhaps I'll be able to forge on with her story. Til then, I intend to enjoy every bit of this remarkable summer we are having on the Coast!

 

 





VICTORY!



It's been a long journey and an arduous battle but at last, we are victorious!  All those years of persistence and dedication to telling the story of the fall of Alexander the Great's dynasty has finally come to fruition. I HAVE A CONTRACT FOR PUBLICATION!!!

Yes, the Media Arias Publisher in UK have sent me a contract which will be signed and delivered within the next few days. I've gone over it with a knowledgeable friend and will go over it again with information from the Writers' Union, but it looks very good.

I was a bit reluctant when they suggested they would like to make it into two books, because of its length. But after consulting with them and with my friends who know the story, I've decided this may be the best way to go. And it means TWO books instead of one.  The first book will hopefully be published by August 2014 and the second volume a bit later than that (not too much later, I hope!)

This 'victory' was accomplished because I wouldn't give up. Though I'd sent out many queries (most of which didn't even get a reply), just before I left on my journey to UK and Greece in June, I had decided to send out a couple more queries. Two days later Media Arias replied asking to see the full manuscript. I had a good feeling about them -- not only because of their promptness, but because evidently their director is a fan of Mary Renault and other writers about this history.  Meanwhile, when I was away I got three other requests for the MSS but had to wait til I returned. And then the news came that they wanted to publish it and just a couple of weeks later the contract arrived!

The lesson here for other writers is, DON'T GIVE UP! Because eventually someone will recognize the worth of you story. I am more than thrilled. But I won't start to really celebrate until next week when I ink my name onto the last page of the contract and send it off to the publishers. Then it's a done deal. And after all these years I'll be a published author. Not only that, but my novel, which I spent so many years to write, will finally be made available to the public.

Alexander was with me all the way. And when I was in Greece this summer I knew he was there, giving me courage. I am proud of this accomplishment and dedicate this in his memory.