I made this.

Let's say I wanted to stomp on my laptop about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I couldn't work my Chimera book cover into IngramSpark specs, and I was about to lose my shit. I worked on that SOB for well over a week, tweaking it. 

My first foray into IS territory, and I was dying slowly and horrifically.  I hated Canva, Adobe, and really, every other picture program because I WAS NOT GETTING IT.

After revising the cover, probably about seven times, I received a proof I could approve!!! 🥳🎉

Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus.

Then I immediately went to work on the cover for Canary. I used Canva. The Cold War was over. And I made this:

I love this cover with my soul.  It's exactly what I wanted, and I am damn proud.

I learn something new daily. And I DO NOT give up. 

Here's to the lifetime learners and stubborn souls who keep going even when they want to use their laptop for target practice.  You are my people.  And you can do it!

Always writing*

A cover! A cover! My kingdom for a cover!

For some unknown reason, IngramSpark is having one hell of a hard time accepting the cover for my paperback, Chimera. There is a process. I've followed it. Repeatedly. Still shows my cover as pure black. I've sent two HELP ME emails. No response. I've lost what little I have left of my writerly sense of humor. I wanted Chimera available at the beginning of June. 😣

Tick tock, Clarice.

I'm also on my last edit of Canary. I need to look for cover images. Now. I don't know whether to put the cover together as a whole and then add the file, or try to use the IngramSpark Cover Template something or other because maybe they will finally take my fucking artwork. ???

Guys. It's only ten o'clock. If I had an ulcer, it would already be flaring. 😒

Luckily, I've put an extra big scoop of Energizer powder into my smoothie this morning. 😁

Always writing*

...and making covers that SOME places seem to have a problem with, but not the ebook...OH NO...that one's fine...😑

I'm tired.

 I feel guilty because I'm tired.

Is that a woman thing? A "me" thing? A both thing? I'm not sure.

When I've particularly gone through it and come out on the other side, this quote resonates in my head: 

“Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child you have stolen, for my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me!”  Attributed to Jim Henson who I love with my soul.  💖

Usually I'll give myself a day or two, at most, and I start again on editing or writing. "Chimera" is off for processing. Publishing through IngramSpark, which was an entirely new experience. I feel as though I've been put through the woodchipper. 😬 It was an entirely new experience, but now I'm adept at submitting and publishing through them. Only took half my mind and most my soul. 😶

I think I'm going to give myself a day or two. Then I'll edit "Canary" and publish. 

Today? 

I think I'm going to make a casserole and vacuum. 😎 

Always writing*

...this blog counts 😁

Stay relevant

When I published my first book, Virtually Yours, in 2005, I only remember feeling so much happiness I literally thought I would explode with it.  Simply turn into a million burning stars and burst because there wasn't any way my skin could hold the emotion.  When I received the less than stellar royalty check, I cried.  Did I cry because of the amount?  Yes.  But I cried more because I wanted to see large numbers and know there were so many people reading my book.  But me, being me, did what I always do.  I dug in.

I published an Erotic Romance, What He Wants, and a Paranormal Romance, The Portrait, in 2006.  What He Wants was the bestselling book for my publisher three years in a row.  The Portrait was nominated for Best Small Press Paranormal Romance in Romantic Times, now defunct.  I also squeezed in a Time Travel Romance, Perfect Timing.

I was at work December 9, 2006, when our house started on fire.  It burned to the ground, and we lost everything.  Some of the kids didn't even walk out with shoes.  I'd started a new job.  Not even four months in.  Not going to go over the details, but we lost more than simply the house.

I'd already signed a contract for my Elemental Guardian series.  I'd written Fire Goddess and Water Goddess.  Confession from my heart.  I don't remember writing Wind Goddess.  Bits and pieces, actually.  It was right after the house fire.  We'd moved into a new place.  I think I was still in shock.  Thank the Muse it turned out well.  Then, of course, Earth Goddess.  I was mostly back in my right mind then.  I remember Eden's story well.  The first two published in 2007 and the other two in 2008.

I also managed to squeeze out another Erotic Romance, Programmed for Pleasure, in 2007.

The publishers contacted me and said they'd like to publish a megabook with my Elemental Guardians.  Thus, my Elemental Guardians Megabook released in 2009.

The last book I published with my ePub was Warrior and the Sparrow in 2011. 

I continued to write but didn't want the middleman, anymore.  I started self-publishing on Amazon.  Not right away.  But I had an idea for a series, based, incredibly loosely, on an old Brothers Grimm tale I'd read forever ago.  I can't even find it now.  But I digress.  It's a five-book series.  I've published three.  Working on the fourth.

I wrote Chimera, which I'm querying now. 

I'm in process with Canary.  It's a three-book series.  First book is finished.  I'm querying.  I'm 50,000 words deep on the second. 

I received my quarterly royalty email this morning from my ePub which was taken over by Start Publishing/Simon & Schuster.  

Here's my point:  I sold copies of Virtually Yours, What He Wants, The Elemental Guardian Megabook, and 23 copies of Programmed for Pleasure.

Stay relevant.  Don't give up.  Keep your name in the conversation.  I sold books I published over 15 years ago.  It can be done.  You can do it.

Always writing*

...and selling those oldies but goodies

 

Querying Agents

As there is an art to writing, there is an art to querying agents.  When I told friends that I finished writing a book and was querying agents, they assumed it would be a quick process.  God bless their wee hearts.  

Querying an agent is like speed dating without the speed.  You both have something to offer, and you're trying to find a match.  Each agent, and rightfully so, will want something different from the author.  Some will want a query, a synopsis, and the first ten pages.  Others may want a query and the first fifty pages.  This is their method to see if they are interested enough to ask for more of the book.  Oh.  You didn't think there was an immediate offer of representation, did you?  Bless YOUR wee heart.  It's a true collaboration between two people wanting the same thing.

I've put out queries for "Chimera" and am still waiting to hear from probably two-thirds of the agents I queried.  But I received truly the best email of non-representation ever.  Let me share a bit:

Dear Crystal,  

 

I’m honored to be one of the agents you considered to represent your hard work. Unfortunately, though your premise is intriguing, I don’t feel as invested in the overall project as I need to be its best champion, and so I'm going to pass.  

*******

First of all, "honored."  She is "honored."  That's a nod to my hard work of banging my head and fingers against the keyboard to create a story I love with my soul and want to share with the world.  Then she goes on to say that my premise is "intriguing."  That's my little boost right there.  Thank you for taking the time to comment on my work.  It's beyond appreciated.  Then she says she doesn't feel she can be its best champion.

And I say thank you.

That's what the author needs.  That's what we're looking for.  A champion.  

I will DIE on that hill for this book.  Give my last breath.  My last heartbeat.  And I'm looking for someone willing to do the same.  That's what an agent will do for the author.  It's a collaboration, a marriage of sorts, between the two where they both work their hardest for the work.  

Still looking for my match.  But he/she is out there.  Because, as I've always said:  A good book will find a home.  Don't ever give up on yourself or your work.

Always writing*

Saturday Plans

 It's my day off.  We all know that doesn't mean what it sounds like.

I'll be editing "Fascination", third book in the Rivers Sisters series, for the last time.  Possibly uploading to Amazon today.  If not, I have Wednesday and Thursday off.  I'll shoot for that.  I work tomorrow at the day job, which is ass.  A one-to-five day is actually a 10-6 day for me.  Getting ready, driving an hour, working 12-5, driving an hour home.  The day is shot.  But it's my LAST Sunday to have to work.  There's that.  😁

Will work on "Incantation", fourth book in the Rivers Sisters series, if I feel the yen to do so.  Or I can pop back over and work on my first book of a dark little trilogy I started.  Not sharing the title.  It's a thing for me.  I'm a bit superstitious in that way.  Not a romance in the slightest.  Reflection, regression, and redemption.  Story of a soul and the journey it takes.  I was on that hot and heavy before I popped out "Dante's Desire", finished "Fascination", and absolutely glued myself to the keyboard for "Chimera".  It's always that main character that plucks at me.  I'm absolutely addicted to writing their stories.  

Have I told you about my mind cabin?  😎

It's sort of like a chalet, I've never been to one, but my subconscious has ideas.  I'm chilling out in the main room.  All sorts of beings wandering in and out.  Some say "Hi!".  Some give me a dude nod.  Some promise to see me later...with no indication of how long "later" will be.  And they explore and walk off to wherever they need to be.  It's wonderful.  High traffic.  I greet everyone.  Every once in awhile I'm taken off-guard, but that's okay.  It's good for me.  It is, quite literally, never a dull moment in my white matter.

I'm off to be a word wizard.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Always writing*

It has begun...someone pound on the drums for me...

I've finished "Chimera."  This is the first time I've publicly written the title anywhere.  Now I'm querying agents, and they want to know if I have a website and blog.  Um...yes?  

I do!

But I also have a forty-hour a week job and add ten hours to commute.  BUT...*happy dance*...my last day at the day job will be JULY 1st!!!  They offered early retirement and blah blah blah, and I jumped on it. 😁

Now, instead of killing myself on the weekends, working 9-7 in my office, The Sanctuary, I'll be able to kill myself five or six days a week!  You have no idea how excited I am!  

I started "Chimera" on 2/11/22 and finished it on 5/8/22 with 65,795 words.  I only now looked at the dates.  I use index cards with the date, the words I start and finish.  I wrote this beautiful book while working my full-time day job.

Imagine what my short ass can do simply focusing on the writing!  I'm not a swooning chick, but I may swoon.  😂

Basically...I'm back.  I'm blowing the dust off this bad boy and making it a priority.  

Damn.  I am excited!!!

Always writing*