Finished!

Posted by Leslie on July 12th, 2010 | 1 Comment

My work-in-progress THE IRON HEART has reached “The End.” I’m surprised I didn’t cry. You see, I haven’t finished a full-length manuscript since 2005. Oh, I’ve revised and updated and edited several in those years (for agents and editors). And I wrote two short stories (which are published at The Wild Rose Press). But each time I began a full novel, I would eventually give up on it for one reason or another. I always had some excuse why the story wasn’t working.

Not this time.

Maybe it was getting an agent early on (who has sadly left her agency and I am now agent-less again), maybe it was several friends urging me on to read more. Whatever the reason, it is done.

Well, not DONE done. I still have much revising and editing and polishing to do. I might even add another scene or two. But I’ve reached the end and that is a huge accomplishment in itself.

Feel free to pat me on the back. *grin*

Today is the Day

Posted by Leslie on May 4th, 2010 | No Comments

BEAUTY TEMPTS THE BEAST is released officially in print. Hopefully, it is on the shelves of your local chain bookstores. It’s always available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com, Books A Million.com, and My Bookstore and More.

The winner of my give-away contest for Facebook is Eileen Patterson. For twitter, the winner is Cara Wallace. I hope you both enjoy the book!

Another note is that I am more than half way through my current work-in-progress, The Iron Heart. It’s currently at 203 pages and 43,000+ words. It’s all downhill from here, right? LOL! As a bonus, here is a short (unedited) teaser from the manuscript:

Yearning mingled with frustration. Somehow Ella was responsible for his continued defeat. In his mind, she was the obstacle holding him back from finding Hugh. The distraction she caused led to his failures.

He must find relief from this overwhelming desire.

Bennett used both hands to pull her away from his neck. His fingers curled into her hair, his thumbs splayed across her cheeks.

Her eyes were wild, no doubt a perfect match to his own. Her passions were just as raw as his own. Even if her reasons were not the same.

“Ella,” he whispered into the cool night air. “I have to absolve myself of this madness.”

She nodded.

“You don’t understand. I can’t let you go again…not until I—“

Her lips covered his. She put her hands around his neck and pressed herself to him. Her mouth was hot and eager.

A probing tongue teased the seam of his lips, gently sweeping across until he opened himself to her.

Once their tongues touched, Bennett lost every ounce of control. He delved inside the moist fire of her mouth.

Word Count

Posted by Leslie on March 11th, 2010 | 2 Comments

There seems to be an ongoing debate about how to calculate word count on manuscripts. I think it depends on the publisher and how they are formatting your book. So far, all of my books have been published by electronic publishers as ebooks before going to print. These publishers use the word count given by the word processing program.

Right now that word count is about 32,000+ for The Iron Heart.

However, the bigger NYC publishers, who send books to print first (usually as mass market) use the old 250 words per page word count. You could have anywhere from 100 – 350 actually words on that page, but on a printed book it’ll format the same based on the one inch margin, double-spacing, and 25 lines.

Using that formula, I have about 37,000+ words for The Iron Heart.

Which is right? Does it depend on which publisher I am targeting? May not seem like a lot by 5000 words can make a difference in plotting out the novel. I want my mid-point to happen at around 45,000 words. So am I 13K away from that or 8K away from it?

I guess I’ll have to meet in the middle and plan my midpoint in about another 10,000 words. Or stop obsessing about it (*coughLisaSpindlercough*) and just write the story.

News!

Posted by Leslie on February 10th, 2010 | No Comments

I was contacted by an agent through my chapters at Goodreads. We finally connected and chatted. She is interested in my work and wants me to send her anything I’m working on. HOW COOL IS THAT??

Also, surviving our second blizzard in less than a week. I’ve posted pictures over at Facebook and Twitpic. Crossing fingers that our power stays on!!

Before I go…

Posted by Leslie on June 26th, 2008 | 2 Comments

Just saw this (yes, because I was checking out the recent review and comments on Gerry) and had to comment:

…Wuthering Heights is my favorite book. I love it more than anything. It has everything — ghosts, a Byronic hero (who you aren’t supposed to love — but I do anyway), a twisted love affair, sadistic revenge, even a dose of necrophilia. (Not that I roll with that sort of thing, but it’s noteworthy in a Victorian novel.) I have never seen a film version, not even Lawrence Olivier’s, because I never wanted my vision spoiled.

I’ve mentioned before that Wuthering Heights was the one story which propelled me into writing. It’s why I have a fascination with gothics (especially historical) now. For every reason mentioned above, it has always been my favorite book. But as for the movie choice of Catherine, I have to agree with the writer:

But I cannot see (Natalie) Portman as Cathy. Look, I like her — and I think she is very talented. Her youth works in her favor. But Cathy is psychotic and deeply unlikeable, something I have never seen in Portman. (Not even in Closer or The Other Boleyn Girl.) Ideal casting would have been Angelina Jolie in her Girl, Interrupted days, or Kate Winslet fresh off Heavenly Creatures. That’s Cathy Earnshaw.

Hmmm…wonder if I’ll see this film version. NOW…if they can cast Gerry as Healthcliff…OMG! I would die a very happy woman!!

Cover talk!

Posted by Leslie on April 11th, 2008 | 1 Comment

How cool is this? Playpal C. L. Wilson had one of her covers highlighted at Better.tv! Interesting to see how covers are created at these bigger publishers!

Also, I covet this cover! It’s perfect for A TARNISHED HEART! Red hair, lace-up corset…ideal! (Looks like a good read, too!)

Changes

Posted by Leslie on February 27th, 2008 | No Comments

My agent and I have decided to part ways. It seemed the best for both of us. Sometimes two people just work differently and have different thoughts and goals in mind. Still, it’s an adjustment. We worked together for two years. So now I have to set course and decide where my heart belongs as far as my writing goes and if or when to look for a new agent.

To give myself a little cheer–

eBooks

Posted by Leslie on January 27th, 2008 | No Comments

Dear Author has a great post today on the stigma of ebooks. The contention is that most readers assume an electronic book is erotica. Or that epublishers only put out erotica books. While this is how the industry started, it’s not where it is today. My novel at Samhain THE PRICE OF DISCOVERY is not erotica. It is sexy, but so are many other romances. My novel A TARNISHED HEART being released in a few months is also sexy, but it’s not erotica.

The electronic publishing industry exists to promote stories that the bigger publishing houses (with a huge overhead) aren’t able to take the chance on. With lower costs, there is a greater ability to give readers a bigger range of plots and characters.

Of course, I had to comment over at the site. Go check it out and throw your two cents into the ring!

Update Time!

Posted by Leslie on November 25th, 2007 | 1 Comment

1) Just got my revisions back for IMPROPER NIGHTS. That’ll keep me busy for the next few weeks.

2) I received an offer for A TARNISHED HEART from Enspiren Press! Just waiting on the contract now! Got the contract last night! Signed and returned it! YIPPEE!! Look for a Spring 2008 release!

3) Last word from my agent was that MARK OF THE MONSTER was one of the next few to be read by the Dorchester editor. Keep those fingers crossed!