Here are some other announcements, most I would've otherwise missed by sailing away:Clarissa Draper has released her debut novel, The Sholes Key. It’s a mystery and I’m looking forward to reading it.
M. Pax will be releasing her science fiction, The Backworlds on 7th May
Laura Pauling will also be celebrating the release of her debut novel, A Spy Like Me, from 7th May
An official thank you to J.C. Martin for the Oracle Swag Bag I won. Her book will be released in July. In the meantime, if you like scary stories, read her short story, The Doll. It's wonderful. I loved it.
Meredith Houston will be releasing her novel, Colors like Memories, on 11th May
And lastly, a big thank you to Angela and Becca for their inspirational site, The Bookshelf Muse. You both have created a fantastic resource for writers everywhere. Their book, The Emotion Thesaurus, will be available on 14th May.
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Thoughts on the A-Z Challenge: The A-Z Challenge was about posting thematically from A-Z every day except Sundays during the month of April. This was the second year I took part in the challenge. Last year I wrote micro posts with writing tips. This year I broke from my usual theme and shared some of my photography. I found it a lot easier and it was like a mini break for me. Also, I think my regular readers got to know me better in this last month than they have in the—almost—2 years I've been blogging. Another bonus is that I've met some brilliant new friends and they pushed me over 1000 followers. Wow! Thank you so much to all my new and old followers! What I found hardest about the challenge was keeping up with the comments every single day. My writing time took a huge dent. I ended up sacrificing reading (bad) and TV time (not so bad) because I had a few tight deadlines I needed to meet in April. Would I do it again? I'll let you know next year once I've recovered.
Insecure Writers' Support Group:Normally I'd have a piece of encouragement for the group—keep trying, keep writing, and enjoy what you do—but today I'll ask a question: How do YOU decide whether or not to go traditional, small press, or self-publishing?
Congrats to all the releases now available and coming up!
ReplyDeleteYay for over 1000 followers!
As for your IWSG question, it depends per each work. I write a lot of shorter stories, so some go better in anthologies or magazines. Others are a bit longer, and I went the small publisher route with one and self-published the others. I'd like to see how things go with the novels whenever I get them polished. I guess I just ask myself whether or not I'm willing to give up the control over my writing and who can produce it the best with what I want to do with it.
I have to be patient for two weeks to wait for your announcement???? :(
ReplyDeleteHave a great time on your cruise. And congrats on over 1000 followers! Incredible.
As to your question, I'd prefer to be published traditionally, but if it doesn't happen I'd be happy with either a small, independent press or even self publishing. The main thing for me is getting the story out there so it can find some readers.
Yes, Luanne, you do need to be patient for two weeks. It's a cunning plan to build the anticip........ation.
DeleteMuwhahahaha
congrats to Clarissa on her book! Exciting!
ReplyDeleteAnd have great time at the trip, Lyndy!
Thanks so much. I'm soooo looking forward to it.
DeleteWell, I have to say I am quite curious about your big news.
ReplyDeleteI hope you truly enjoy your vacation, it certainly sounds like you've had one coming for a while!
As for deciding on a publishing venue, I have made some good headway with two agents in terms of revision requests. I have not done so well with the revisions but do intend to keep working at them. My plan is to resubmit to both agents who have requested another look after I have addressed what I agree are legitimate issues with the existing manuscripts.
I believe each of the three paths require a tremendous amount of dedication and persistence and it just boils down to where you want to apply the necessary aplomb and tenacity.
Take care and we'll see you when you get back!
That's so wonderful about your agents!!! I wish you the best of luck with your revisions. I hope they fall into place and the agents LOVE the changes.
DeleteSounds like a great trip - enjoy every moment!
ReplyDeleteSo many exciting books coming out! I haven't made a decision on the publishing route yet - not quite at that stage yet!
Have a great cruise Lynda! After six years you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteI caught up with your Zoom post. Love it! Thanks for contributing to my theme and for coming by so often!
Some say you should try traditional publishing first, but I think I'm anxious to get an ebook out as my friends who've self published after traditional publishing say it rocks! I'm still not sure though...
Denise
I can't wait to hear your exciting announcement. In the meantime, have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the mention. It really means a lot. I've been looking forward to the other releases as well and can't wait to buy them--especially the thesaurus.
Congrats on 1000 followers!
How do YOU decide whether or not to go traditional, small press, or self-publishing? I'm with a small press and I love the free editing that is included. However, I also love the independence that comes from self-pub. So, for smaller books, not in my normal genre, I might self-pub.
Happy sailing! That's a long, long wait for a holiday. Look forward to hearing your good news. ^_^
ReplyDeleteInteresting post as always, and re publishing, was too old to wait for a publisher or agent to accept me so just got on with it and did everything myself.
ReplyDeleteyep, it's certainly a slow process to go the traditional route.
DeleteThanks to all the announcements and congrats to all the authors!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice break!
Enjoy your cruise!
ReplyDeleteFinding a publisher was the only thing I knew to do...
Have a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to everyone with books coming out. So exciting.
As for your question, I prefer traditional publishing because it's what I know best.
Enjoy that vacation! It's been ages since I've been on one too.
ReplyDeleteRef: traditional, small press, or self-publishing
A lot depends on the subject matter. For the really niche-y stuff, self-pub is the way to go. For more mainstream stories, small press.
I'm not opposed to traditional, but now that they're splitting advances into thirds or fourths (depending on the contract), it doesn't offer enough of an incentive to go trad.
Enjoy your cruise. I'll be waiting with plate and fork for the chocolate cake. Posting was rather fun, but trying get around to all the great blogs was impossible. I need to figure out a system for that!
ReplyDeleteThe way I got around to everyone was through using a priority system. Those who commented on my posts always got top priority, after that I'd slowly work my way through the list of participating blogs.
DeleteCongrats to Clarissa! I look forward to reading her book.
ReplyDeleteI'll check back for that exciting announcement. I love good news. :)
Congratulations to all those releasing books, and to you for over 1000 followers! I can't wait to hear your news. Enjoy your vacation. It will probably be that long before I'll be able to take one myself.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the A-Z challenge and enjoy your holiday.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to reading Clarissa's book!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely holiday! :D
Exciting announcement??!!! Cake!??! Chocolate Cake!?!?
ReplyDeleteCome baaaaack!!!! LOL!!
Awwww have a great holiday!!! See you soon with your most exciting news! Take care
x
Enjoy your break. For short stories, poetry or novellas indie press and self pub is often the only way to go unless you are an established author who writes these in addition to novels.
ReplyDeleteAnd so many books out, Clarissa's mystery novel piques my interest.
Enjoy the break. Sounds great and the exciting return news... I can't wait. I find the prosepct of self publishing daunting. i want someone to hold my hand as I do it! Good luck to Clarissa, Mary, Laura and JC- awesome!
ReplyDeleteHave a great vacation. I need one badly.
ReplyDeletegreat news!
ReplyDeleteand i'm curious as to the responses! i'm leaning to small publishers!
Hi Lynda! Enjoy your time away from blogging. See you when you get back.
ReplyDeleteI love your normal posts on writing, but I really enjoyed your A-Z picture posts. As for your question, I don't know. I am apparently incredibly cowardly and don't think I'll query until I have a pile of novels ready to go. It seems like a good idea to try the traditional route, give it a set amount of time, and then self-publish after a reasonable amount of time. I'll figure it out when I get a few more written. :)
ReplyDeleteA very interesting, I wish you a happy journey.
ReplyDeleteWow! Lots of new exciting books coming out. And I've always enjoyed the Emotion Thesaurus posts--how great they are going to be made into a handy reference book!! I love it. :) Enjoy your CRUISE!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the updates. Lots of new books! Congrats on breaking 1000! And I'm jealous of you 'cause you get a vacation and I don't. :P Have a great time. :)
ReplyDeleteSo many cool new releases... will go and check them out. Hmm with your questions, I guess I'm a bit lazy and think that self-publishing might take too much time away from my writing.. but then again, authors these days have to do their own marketing...hmm not sure I have a definite answer on which I prefer.
ReplyDeleteOnce I knew I wanted to pursue publication, I knew I wanted the traditional route. But my patience can get in the way sometimes. In that respect, I have forgone going the agent route and went directly to the publisher. Sure, it's a newer, smaller press, but it's still traditional as far as I'm concerned. I need the validation. Have fun on your cruise!! I'm so jealous.
ReplyDeletegood for you! and have way way fun!!
ReplyDeleteENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful vacation! A cruise sounds lovely! See you when you get back :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday cruise, look forward to your return, especually the double-chocolate fudge cake.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check those books out!
ReplyDeleteA-Z was a bit overwhelming, I'm definitely slowing down for a bit now. Have an amazing time on your cruise!
That's a lot packed into one post!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time away from it all.
I'll let you know how I'd like to be published...once I finish the 2nd book!
Heather
Thanks so much for commenting on my guest post over at Tyrean's blog! I appreciate your thoughts and insight.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time on your cruise! :)
Have fun on your vacation!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all those with book releases!
I haven't decided yet. I'm going to query a few agents and small press publishers, but I've also taken a look at a few self-publishing sites. I'll see when I've finished my 100 Days of Revision.
I enjoyed reading your challenge.
ReplyDeleteI plan to have my short stories published into an ebook - either through self-publishing or an independent press. As for the novel, I'm playing that one by ear.
Have a wonderful cruise!
Have fun! Thanks for the updates. I missed a few of those.
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful vacation..:) enjoy..!
ReplyDeleteTasty Appetite
Lots of new releases. Have a great vacation. I'm so jealous.
ReplyDeleteGreat news all around. :) Have a wonderful cruise.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your cruise! Where to? Hopefully Fiji?
ReplyDeleteI went to the Isle of Pines and Noumea (They are part of New Caledonia). The Isle of Pines was particularly wonderful.
DeleteHave a great vacation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info...that is a lot of book releases!
Congratulations on completing A-Z. :)
I hope you have a great time on vacation.
ReplyDeleteBtw I'm a little jealous of the amount of books from contemporary authors on your reading list. If anyone out there wants to send me a review copy I'm looking for new books to read.
Great reflections post Lynda!
ReplyDeleteI too hope you have a wonderful time!
Have a great vacation!
ReplyDeleteAs for how I decide about the publishing, I have no idea. Just when I think I decided, something happens that changes my mind. :-D
yeah, I know that feeling ;)
DeleteThanks for all the info about the new books being released. Congrats on surviving the A-Z Challenge. Working so hard to post all those blogs means you'll enjoy your vacation extra, right? Have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteWow! Have a blast!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear your exciting news!!!!!
Ooh, have a great time on your cruise! I've been wanting to go on one for a while, but my family hasn't had a chance yet. I didn't have enough time to blog for the A-Z Challenge but it sounded like loads of fun. :)
ReplyDelete~Wendy Lu
The Red Angel Blog
Hope you're having the time of your life,Lynda!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflections post!
The new releases sound great!
I self published my own book in 2011. It was a great experience since and it was first hand knowledge. I learned so much! I wouldn't trade that for anything less. Sometimes - even though you have to pay for it- it's better to get things done yourself rather than depend on someone else!
Hope you will venture of to my new blog when you get back!
http://betty-alark.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-type-of-character-are-youhanging.html
Have a great cruise! Thanks for the release info!
ReplyDeleteHappy cruise. Have a great time.
ReplyDelete1,027 followers! Impressive. A lot of great bloggers have had books come out recently. I wish them much success.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful break/vacation. Maybe you have your theme to next year's A to Z Challenge...
Thanks for all the links. Hope you have a great trip!
ReplyDelete