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!

Bad blogger!

Yup, that's me! I haven't blogged for a while because a) I've been mad busy and b) I was waiting for news!

Anyway, apologies if you've popped by.... I've set up a 'For writers' tab at the top of the page and this is where I've copied the list of publishers accepting submissions. I'll revisit it periodically to check it's up to date - any additions/comments are very welcome. (Pretty please!)

And news... I've been busy as I was commissioned to write an erotic romance novella by Xcite Books for their Secret Library series. I sent an idea in just before I went on holiday in July and it was ok'd by the time I got back - then I was asked how quickly I could finish it as they had a September publication date in mind. I got the story finished and in before the end of August and it was edited and contracted within days and released on the 5th September. I was extra pleased because didn't have a publication date in advance - and then got an email on the morning of my birthday to say it had been released! I'm also delighted as it will be going into print, bundled with two other stories, in a lovely plush Secret Library cover early next year!!

I love the characters in this story, 'Freefalling', and I think the cover captures Tom, the hero, perfectly. The book has been published under my pen name Zara Stoneley and if you want to know more, and read an excerpt check it out here! AND it's free on Amazon at the moment (buy links are included above the excerpt).

More news.. I've also signed a contract for 'Riding High', my next erotic novel to be published by Xcite. More details will be over on my Zara Stoneley blog when I have them!

And my last bit of news.... as you probably know, I started off writing contemporary romance and would love to get some published. I wrote a novella some time ago and with help from Annie Seaton I've knocked it into shape and subbed it - I've now got offers and will shortly be deciding who to sign a contract with.

So phew.... summer school holiday is normally a quiet time, now I've got to really get down to work!