Holy updates, Batman!

I can't believe it's already been two weeks since I posted. A lot has happened in that time: The Highlander's Curse released into the world (in print and eBook), and has already received a 5-Star review; I've become an award-winning author - the beginning of The Highlander's Curse having taken 4th place in both the Paranormal category as well as the Golden Pen category in the Utah RWA's Heart of the West Writer's Contest. I got to meet Jimmy Thomas, the model on the cover of The Highlander's Curse (such a nice guy!), and I went to the Heart of the West conference in Park City, along with my fellow Utah RWA writers.

I know I don't normally post pics (other than covers), but I thought it would be fun to share some of the pictures taken at the conference, and at my first book signing (oh yeah! I also participated in my first book signing... add that to the busy couple of weeks!).

Three out of the four are me with Jimmy Thomas, and yep, he let me pose with him while holding The Highlander's Curse. I totally spaced asking him if he could do a Scottish accent. That would have really made Cailen come alive!

As another update, The Highlander's Curse eBook is still on sale for only $2.99 in celebration of it's release, but that promo price is bound to end soon. If you're still not sure if you want to give it a try, I posted the first chapter on WattPad.

Contest Finalist? Yes way!

Okay, so I sort of forgot to post about some great news I found out a few days ago. A little while ago I decided to enter my current Highlander WIP in the Utah RWA's Heart of the West (HOW) writer's contest. I was really nervous to enter the book, but decided to give it a whirl anyway. Any time I get feedback on my books I get seriously nervous, so entering a contest is one of those nail-biting events for me.

I waited weeks, knowing the exact week that I would hear back on the contest. I twiddled my thumbs, checking my email every 2 minutes, or hoping that something would get leaked on the URWA loop. When I finally heard, I couldn't have been more shocked.

I'm a finalist in both the Paranormal category as well as in the Golden Pen for our chapter!

Needless to say, hearing this news has really kicked me into gear and I've since finished my first draft on that novel. I've just started into my first-round edits, and hope to publish this book before I hear if I won the contest in either category.

For info on other finalists, click here. A big congratulations to everyone!!

October, already??

I can't believe how fast time flies. It doesn't seem like a month has passed since I posted last, but, here we are, well into October. I know, I know, I am such a slacker.

As many of you may know, I live in Utah, and I am a member of the Utah RWA. If you ask any of the Utah RWA ladies, they'll probably tell you I'm a slacker as far as members go as well (I'm living up to the name here! haha) - I rarely get a chance to attend the meetings since I have to drive about an hour each way, but I do try to keep up with what all those fabulous ladies and gentlemen are doing in their writing careers.

Anyhoo, I've veared off, so I'll get back on track....

This past weekend the Utah RWA held their annual conference in Park City, UT, so I went with a couple of my writer friends. I had a blast getting to know some of my fellow members better, and went guppy-mouthed when Sherrilyn Kenyon sat at my table to eat dinner the first night. I played guppy for I don't even know how long before I finally kicked myself in the pants and joined in the confersation at the table (about BDSM of all things!) and joked around with her. She is such a great person, and so much more down-to-earth than I had imagined. I am awed at how amazing that woman's books are, and how she cranks them out so fast is anyone's guess. It was just nice to be around such brilliance, especially when I hope to be able to accomplish what she does - sometime in the near future. I had wanted to give her a copy of Dark Seduction, since I have a few printed books on hand, but I completely forgot to pack one for the trip!

The conference was great. Every year I learn new things, and it has this incredible way of getting me motivated to write. Not just in the Immortal Guardians series, but also in my other projects as well. Life has certainly gotten a lot busier for me the last few months, so I'm trying to come up with a plan to be able to continue writing (and give my Guardians and other characters the attention they deserve) while also still spend quality (as in, not staring at my laptop screen or tablet, clicking away at the keys as a scene takes over my every thought) time with my family as well. I have a feeling that things will get even more hectic with the holidays coming up, but maybe, just maybe, I can keep working on Book #4.

Pitching

On the heel of my last post, I figured I'd talk about my pitch at the conference. I originally intended on pitching my first Immortal Guardians book, Dark Seduction, but after a few suggestions from other people, decided to pitch the second one - and yes, I'm about to finally tell you the title - Seduction Ignited.

Let's just say, I learned a lesson.

If your first novel in a series hasn't been published, then that is really the only one you should be pitching.

The editor that I pitched to yesterday stopped me about a minute into my pitch (embaaarrrraaasssssiiiinnng), and told me to pitch the first one. So, I stopped, switched the focus of my mind, and pitched Dark Seduction. I'm still trying to decide if maybe this was a blessing in disguise, because normally, if I'd just pitched the first one in the series, then she likely wouldn't have known about the second.

Why is this important you ask?

Well, you see, because she was at least aware that a 2nd one existed (and it came up that there are several more on the way), she asked for partials on BOTH novels! Now, I'm not saying that it will go anywhere. It's hard to assume anything when there is a 95% rejection rate, but I can say that I'm excited that she was interested not only my novel(s), but the series.

I can only hope, at this point, that she enjoys my writing style and loves the Immortal Guardians every bit as much as I do.

Heart of the West Writer's Conference

Well, I just got home from the Utah RWA's Writer's Conference. It was held in beautiful Park City, UT that - believe it or not - already had snow! Not very deep, but still. The ladies in the Utah Romance Writer's of America are an amazing bunch. I had so much fun and learned information that will help me in my writing career. I am so glad that I attended the conference, and can't wait for next year's to come around.

Don't laugh at me

Alright, I went ahead and joined the RWA. I just had to participate in the Golden Pen... why not, right? So now, my heart and soul will be on display for a bunch of judges to read and... well, judge... So my nerves are just a-rackin'. Here's to hoping I place one or both of my books in the Utah or the National, or both...