Jordan Summers

I’m officially done with my two partials. Yippee! I cannot believe it. I’m so happy. (Notice I’m ignoring the fact they still have to go out to my critique partner and I have to write the synopses. WG) On top of finishing the partials, I received my unproofed copies of Wicked Women On Top today. I can’t wait to dig into them and read the other two stories. Oh, happy day.

Am I the only who’s shocked it’s already December? Where has this year gone? They say when you get older time flies, but I don’t really believe that. I think it’s our awareness of time that’s acute.

Thanks to a couple of dear friends I’ve been having a field day at Barnes & Noble. Yep, you guessed it. They gave me gift cards. I’m so bad. They’re worse than cash in my possession. Talk about burning a hole in my pocket. LOL!

I just picked up Alison Kent’s ‘The Bane Affair’, ‘Stolen’ by Kelley Armstrong, ‘Tempting Danger’ by Eileen Wilks, and ‘Lord of Seduction’ by Nicole Jordan. I can’t wait to dig into these jewels.

I’m making myself wait until I finish my two partials. Talk about incentive!

I’ve spent the day working on my paranormal. I’m down to writing the last chapter for my partial and have just come up with an ending that I think will throw the readers for a loop. I’m so excited. Now all I have to do is finish this murder scene and read through the whole thing. Fingers crossed I can manage to pull it together by tomorrow. I would love to have it finished and ready to send to my critique partner. Woo hoo!

Last night I went to a meeting where Sherrilyn Kenyon was speaking.

Let me preface this blog by saying that I’m a big Sherrilyn/Kinley MacGregor fan. I love her historicals and her paranormal books.

Anyway, she had a lot of really good advice that I thought I’d share with you all.

She said instead of tracking publishing houses and trends that it’s better to track editors. By that she meant to find out what the editors are reading for pleasure, what book is on their bedside table, what was the last book they purchased, etc. She said you’ll find out more about what an editor really likes that way than by looking at what they’re purchasing for the publishing house. She said a lot of editors buy work that they know will make the publisher money, but they aren’t particularly into personally. She mentioned that having an editor that loves your work is the biggest career boost you can get. She suggested that you ask these questions after you get done pitching to an editor at a conference, if you have time left over.

She also said if you want to ‘eat’ aka make a living, then you’re going to have to figure out a way of making yourself more productive. Sherrilyn said at the bare minimum you have to be able to write two single titles a year. Never make promises you can’t keep. It’s a career killer. She also said to write for more than one publisher if possible, but always let your original publisher have first shot at any new work. You don’t want to burn bridges.

She said to go through the drugstores, airports, and grocery stores to see what publishers and authors are getting distributed. She said that distribution is the single most important thing for a new author to have. It’s worth a lower advance, if you can get in these high volume distribution areas.

I know she said more, but I’m spacing at the moment. I could’ve listened to her for hours. She has a lot of wisdom stored up from her rocky road to success. I hope this little bit helps.

On a personal note, I’d like to congratulate Sylvia Day for winning the Lori Foster/Kensington Brava Reader’s Choice. Way to go, Sylvia! I’m so happy for you.