Friday 14 September 2012

Happy Friday - Spilling the beans!

I have just realised that it is exactly twelve months ago - 14th September - that I pressed 'send' on my New Voices entry - and what a year it has been! I've found out just how naive I was about the publishing industry and writing in general, and, as I've said before, I have learned so much from all the wonderful generous people I have met online.

So I'm really pleased that I can announce my latest bit of news properly today. I've not been picked up by Mills and Boon, but I have had a contemporary romance accepted for publication.

As some of you will know, I've had erotic romances published this year under my pen name Zara Stoneley, but I still love writing contemporary romance and so this means a lot to me (a huge amount!).

I had several offers for 'Text me, Tweet me, Need me' (my working title - but I must admit I like it!) and I am so grateful to the publishers that were prepared to invest in me. I spent some time deliberating and am delighted to say that I have now signed a contract with Lyrical Press, who have impressed me with their professional attitude. They have some great covers and I felt that it was the right home for 'Text me' - and hopefully many more stories that I write.

The other massive bonus for me is that my editor is someone I already know, and have huge respect for, Ann-Marie Smith (aka and writing as Annie Seaton) will be knocking me and my ms into shape! I love Annie's books, she's had huge success this year (long may it continue) but she's also an awesome editor. I know that I have a distinctive 'voice', which also includes breaking some grammar rules, and having an editor that appreciates this is a huge bonus for me. I'm more than happy to make any changes I'm asked to - but it is so nice to go in confident that the real me will still be there at the end.

I've completed all the paperwork now so I'm champing at the bit (no, I'm not a patient person, I want to do it!) waiting for the first round of edits. And hoping I will get a lovely new cover soon!!

So, it's a celebration weekend again here in Cheshire. Does using two names mean I'm a debut author twice?!

Good luck to everyone out there who is entering SYTYCW, and any other competitions. I got my first novel published as the result of entering a competition I didn't win - and I wouldn't be working with Lyrical now if I hadn't hit 'send' exactly twelve months ago on that NV entry.


p.s. I'm also totally gobsmacked (sorry, can I use that word?!) that 'Freefalling' is #25 in the erotica/adult fiction category on amazon uk at the moment!

25 comments:

  1. Ha! I'm thrilled! And yes definitely two celebrations one for you and one for your alter ego - and I don't mean Annie! Have one for me too. Wish I was there.

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    1. Thanks Tea. Lol, wish you were here too - but in your absence I will have a drink for you! Would be great if we could get together some time and toast both our books being published :-)

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  2. Congrats all round! Awesome news :-D

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    1. Thanks Doris, I'm really pleased because I'm convinced it's the right home for this story.

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  3. Fabulous!!

    Many congratulations, chuffed for you :oD

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    1. Thanks Aurelia - looking forward to reading yours soon!

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    1. Thank you Autumn - I can't wait to see this one published!

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  5. And I am so looking forward to being your editor on this wonderful story! A great working relationship is about to be forged!

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    1. I can't wait, I just wish you were nearer so we could meet up!

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    2. Would be brilliant - going to check it out!

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  6. Huge well done! You should totally celebrate like this is your debut! And double congrats on Freefalling hitting so high in the charts!

    x

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  7. so, so happy for you!!! Congrats!!!

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    1. Thanks Aimee - I'm really pleased, not managing to get much writing done at the moment though :-)

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    1. Thanks Jen - will be great working with Annie, and this is a story I really wanted to see published.

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  9. Well done susie. You deserve it! Some you have old of liquid celebrations this weekend! X

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  10. Yay! Congrats, Susie! That's fantastic!!

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    1. Thanks Libby, I'm intrigued by you latest! Would love to know how you get on self-pubbing, am thinking of giving it a go too!

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  11. Great news, Susie! Double congrats on this debut and Freefalling doing fantastically too. Wish you success for future!

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