Publishing news and the future of my books . . .

 If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that I've been holed up in my deadline cave for the last few weeks, working on book 3 of my Into The Dark series. The first draft was supposed to be due on February 1st, and Wednesday morning I was riding high on having written 4300 words the day before and was just settling into my writing routine . . . when my phone rang. I jumped to answer it as I do any time a call comes in from New York, just in case it's my editor or agent is calling. This time it was my editor, but what she had to say was wholly unexpected.

Egmont USA, my publisher, will be closing its doors on January 30th.

The word heartbroken doesn't even seem to cover how I am feeling right now. I sold my very first book to Egmont USA in January 2009, and I was working on my sixth book for them when I got the news. It feels like I am losing part of family. I have so much respect and gratitude for the wonderful staff who will all be out of jobs at the end of the month. I am grief struck for all of the authors who have had books canceled (including myself), utterly upset over what this means for my characters and their stories, and disappointed on behalf of my readers who have so graciously invested themselves in my writing.

I find myself rotating through the stages of grief, but most of all, I feel determined to make sure this is not the end of the road for me or my books. I am also immensely grate for all the calls, texts, emails, messages, flowers, and offers of support and help. The best thing about bad news is the outpouring of love that comes afterwards.

So what exactly does this all mean? I don't know a lot at this point, but here is what I do know:

1. The paperback edition of THE SHADOW PRINCE and the hardcover of THE ETERNITY KEY will still be published within the next few months.  They were originally scheduled to be released in April and May respectively, but those dates may move up. (So hurray, you may get to read THE ETERNITY KEY even sooner than originally planned!) However, with my publisher leaving, that means most of my marketing and publicity will go with it. I will be brainstorming ways to spread the word on my own.

2. My backlist books (THE DARK DIVINE, THE LOST SAINT, THE SAVAGE GRACE, ant THE SHADOW PRINCE hardcover) will continue be available through one of Egmont UK's distributors. However, I don't know exactly for how long. (So if you ever wanted to buy one of my books but haven't yet, now is the time to do it.) I'll keep you posted if anything changes with my books' availability. The same goes for THE ETERNITY KEY--it will be available, but I don't know for how long.

3. As far as the future of Into The Dark Book 3, that's all up in the air right now. I have 2/3rds of a first draft written of the book so far--and I have to admit, I really love how the story is going so far. I love Haden and Daphne, and I will be absolutely devastated if I don't get to finish their story. Right now, I am exploring options for getting Book 3 into the hands of my readers. 

4. A lot of people have been asking how they can help and I am so incredibly grateful for this. So here is how people can help: pre-order, post, tell a friend, spread the word of mouth about THE SHADOW PRINCE and THE ETERNITY KEY.  I have gotten so many sweet messages from friends telling me that Book 3 will certainly find a new home with a new publisher--but the reality of this is unlikely. Most traditional publishers won't be interested in picking up a third book in a series. However, the better THE ETERNITY KEY sells, the better those slim chances get. And on the other hand, if I decide to self publish Book 3, the better THE ETERNITY KEY sells, the more likely I will be able to afford the expenses of going it alone. So yeah, if you've ever had the inclination to buy either THE SHADOW PRINCE or THE ETERNITY KEY, now is the time to do it. I hate asking people to buy my books, but if you can spare a pre-order, please do so. If buying a book isn't something you can do, that's totally cool. Requesting the books from your local library is also very helpful. Tweeting, reviewing, Facebooking and Goodreads-ing (is that a word? it should be) makes a big difference. Word of mouth is vital in this business, and right now I could use every word I can get.

5. I'll probably be looking to set up a blog tour and reviews for THE ETERNITY KEY soon. If you're interested, please let me know either through the comments or by clicking that contact button in my header.

Thank you so much to everyone who has ever bought, read, or shared one of my books. My stories exist because of YOU. 

My job made easy

For the last few days, I've been wanting to post a little bit more about how the whole "getting an agent/getting your book published" process works. But a couple of cool kids decided to do the leg work for me . . .so I'll just sit back and delegate from here . . .You know, instead of trying to come up with my own witty remarks on the matter, or actually having to formulate an entire, well-rounded, blog post.

First off is a contribution from my sister-author Brodi Ashton: In one of my very first posts when I started this blog, I compared getting an agent to getting into the top three on American Idol. Yesterday, Brodi decided to take this metaphor and run with it--complete with pictures. So head over there and read her witty comments on the matter and pretend that I wrote them. Thanks for doing all the work, Bro!

Second, the clever folks at Macmillan Publishing decided to put together an insider's video on how a novel goes from the typewriter to the bookstore. (And, yes, I did take this video from Nathan Bransford's blog--but it's not stealing, it's delegating.) Watch. Enjoy. Be educated.




Oh, and just in case you didn't figure it out, that video was totally tongue-in-cheek. I mean, everybody knows that your agent would never staple your manuscript.

Why not have yourself a merry little bookmas?

So I've been feeling a little under the weather the last few days. (That's my excuse for not blogging for a bit.) Kind of a weird case of the flu or something--with all the aches and sinus headache and devoid of energy, but without all the mucus and hacking that usually accompany such ailments. It's preferable to being a ball of snot, but still not pleasant at the same time.

The "no energy" part has been the real kicker--especially since the thought of dragging two hyper-active little boys to the grocery store was enough to make me crawl back into bed, fully clothed, Monday morning. The boys didn't mind much (it meant they got to have fruit loops for lunch) until their supply of Transformers fruit snacks and pretzel fish ran dry. I even resorted to eating the gluten free/dairy free cheeze pizza (notice the "z" in cheeze) that has been lurking in the back of the freezer for the last couple of months after I bought it on a "I'm so desperate I'll buy anything I'm not allergic to" kick. (And how was the cheeZe pizza, you ask? Um, let the fact that I only ate four bites of it answer your question.) By late evening, the boys were begging me to go shopping, so I left them with hubby and went to the grocery store for a little peace and quiet . . .oh, and a new supply of fish-shaped crackers and cereal bars made out of chickpeas (yeah, that's right, I did say chickpeas).

Little known fact about me: I love the grocery store. Ever since I was a little kid. It is my sanctuary.

At least it was before I ever had to take my two boys with me. Which is pretty much equivalent to hopping up a couple of Capuchin monkeys on meth and then shoving them into a car-shaped cart that isn't big enough to actually hold both of them in the cab (much scratching and biting and monkey fighting ensues), and then dashing through the store at top speed, trying to fill the cart with "nutritious" snacks without actually bringing the cart to full stop (because all parents know that if the car-cart stops for more than 1.5 seconds, the monkeys WILL get out--and then all hell breaks loose).

So anyway, I love the grocery store--sans children. It is a great place to wander up and down the aisles, contemplating one's future, or plotting the next great paranormal romance in one's head.

Okay, enough with the digression. I'm pretty sure this post had a point . . .which is . . .oh yeah . . .

I haven't been feeling well lately, and, let's face it, neither has the economy. In fact, it's in the toilet. Unfortunately that also includes the book industry. Things are not looking good for both big and small publishers. As a result, some publishing houses are either implementing or considering book buying freezes, and others have gone the layoff route (right before Christmas too! Seriously-- ouch).

In short, publishers have less money to spend on acquiring and producing books, and are even less anxious to spend it on new authors such as myself. You can read more about the problem here. Or here (scroll down to the November 10th post). Or here.

So how do we solve this disturbing dilemma? Simple: buy more books.

Lucky for us, tis the season for spending cash! I know you are sitting there right now with a large number of people on your list, and you have no idea what to get them for Christmas. Well, now you know.

We all can't run out and buy a Ford to bolster the economy (and would we want to?), but almost everyone can buy a book. If everyone bought just one book, that would be great--but why not knock several names off your Christmas list with one fun-filled trip to B&N (or even better yet, The King's English--or your local indie bookstore wherever you are). So go ahead and have yourself a merry little bookmas--and while you're at it, support your favorite author, save an editor's job, and help out your friend who has wild aspirations of selling her manuscript :-)

Need a little help picking titles?

The School Library Journal put out this list today of "Books that Make the Best Presents" for teens and children

Moonrat compiled this list of "Best-Ever Suggestions for Books as Gifts." (Mostly suggestions for adults.)

My sister-author Brodi is compiling her own lists. Here and here.

And here are a few more recommendations from myself. (A * indicates a local Utah author.)

Picture Books and Easy Readers:

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Bertie was a Watchdog or basically anything else by Rick Walton* (especially great for boys.)

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman (My friend Nicole gave this to KidA and my boys can't get enough of it.)

On the go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe by Ann Edwards Cannon* (easy reader series about a couple of quirky pirate brothers who are afraid of the water)


Middlegrade: 8-12

Raymond and Graham Rule the School by Mike Knudson* and Steve Wilkinson

The 13th Reality by James Dashner* (I haven't read this one but my nephew loves it)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan (the first book is called The Lightning Thief)

The Goose Girl or Princess Academy by Shannon Hale*



Young Adult: 12-40+ (we just talked about how this is for everyone)
In addition to the titles I listed in this post, I would also like to add these other titles:

The Losers Guide to Life and Love by A. E. Cannon*

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List
or
How to Take the Ex out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison



Adult: everyone else

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Um . . .look at those other lists because I don't really ever read adult fiction.


Care to share your suggestions so we can all have a Merry Bookmas? Fire away!

(Note: please buy books at your own discretion--I tried to only suggest books that I felt are "appropriate" for the intended age group, but we all have differing opinions on this matter. So do your research to find out if the book is suitable for the person you are buying for.)

(Additional Note: I've been informed that Graceling--suggested in my YA post from the other day--may have "racy" scene in it. I just started reading it, so I cannot substantiate this information, but so far I am enjoying the book. I also just started reading I'd Tell You I love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You . . .and so far, I LOVE IT!)