Road to Publishing: Major Newbie Author Fail

Have you heard of Track Changes editing? You probably have, but little old me hasn't. So, when I got my first edits back from my awesome editor, she used "Track Changes" in MS Word. Pretty simple.

Here's what it looks like:

What did I do? I printed out the edits, put them in a binder, opened up my manuscript in my writing software, WriteWay Pro (see post about this awesome software) and got to work. Little did I know, I made a huge error. I should have edited in Microsoft Word which tracks my changes. Then, the editor can see the changes I made. Ag! I'm sure she is cursing every word she can think of in English (and French, because she's fluent in French, of course). I just hope she is patient enough  to go through the motions with me being a newbie author. 

Me. Right. Now.

Palm to forehead as I read up on Track Changes and how to use it. Here is a great tutorial I found: www.geoff-hart.com/resources/Using-revision-tracking.pdf

My problem now is my MS Word program is in Spanish. Yuck. This is why I like to use my writing software. My whole computer system is Spanish since I bought it in my little country of Guatemala. I will have to buy the English version of MS Office or teach myself all these Spanish editing words that I never knew existed. What do you think? Que piensas? 

Now after deep breaths, I can only hope that you learn from my mistakes. I know I've learned my lesson. Just remember to...

Thanks for Stopping By,

Melinda

Road to Publishing: Marketing #1

For any author, marketing is a must. I am happy to have a marketing team behind me at Entranced Publishing  because doing it all on my own would be something I just couldn't handle. As a new author, I have no idea what to do, how to do it, or when. Sound familiar? Even so, I haven't been absolutely lost in the dark. I knew I had to do something, so at the beginning of this year, I began to put my name out there and in the romance writing community. Here's what I have done.

1) Set up an online presence. This was easy! I love being online and finding my favorite writer's out there. So, all I have to do is maintain that, right? 

Set up a website - Welcome! You are there!

Create an author email: melindaromance@gmail.com

Twitter account: @melindadozier

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/melindadoz

Goodreads: Melinda Dozier

Pinterest: Melinda Dozier

My favorite online place? Twitter! If you haven't interacted with twitter, it is a must. I have met so many people sailing the same ship. I have even "talked" to favorite authors, an excellent motivation! There are beneficial book/author/fun "chats". I could go on and on (in fact, that may be a future post! Stay tuned!)

2) Create Business Cards. I am really new at this. I have received business cards, bookmarks, rack cards, postcards, etc. from authors before. I just didn't know how to go about it. I did a bit of research, talked to other writers and found several sites online that create marketing materials. Here is a list of a few I liked online:

Vista Print - www.vistaprint.com

Overnight Prints - http://www.overnightprints.com/

Print Runner - http://www.printrunner.com/

In the end, I actually had some made locally, since I live in Central America.
Why create business cards or other marketing materials? You can give them away at author signings, conventions, or include them in SWAGS or other giveaways. You want your name out there!

3) Participate in Blog Hops/Blog Tours. This is really fun! There are so many  Blog Hops, Blog Fests, weekly memes all related to romance writers/readers. Here are a list of some of my faves. Of course, I can't participate in all of them, because I don't have enough time in my week, but I will share the wealth of information.

Carrie Ann's Blog Hops - She hosts monthly romance writer's blog hops. They have been a lot of fun and valuable in getting more views to my blog.

The Blog Hop Spot - hosts monthly blog hops. Currently hosting a Halloween hop.

My Secret Romance Book Reviews - hosts several types of romance hops.

Close Encounters with the Night Kind - hosts different types of blog hops, mainly erotica, or hot and sexy authors. This is the link for a Halloween Wicked After Dark hop.

Insecure Writer's Support Group - A monthly post about your insecurities. Great exposure to other writers.

Six Sentence Sunday - A weekly meme for published or non-published authors. Post six sentences from a WIP or MS.

Dirty Little Secret Weekly Meme - takes place every Thursday. Not for the faint at heart. Some topics are a bit over the top. For sexy writers/readers!

________________________________________________________________

Whew! Any online site or blog hop I'm missing? I would love to hear all about it. Leave a comment. They are always welcome!

More to come as I get closer to my publishing date. Marketing will take place in a more proactive way, so GET READY! :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Busted for Reading Romance!

Monday Funny 10/1/12                     HAPPY OCTOBER!

My publisher's Marketing Director, awesome Eden Plantz, has asked the new Entranced Publishing authors to create a video to upload to the upcoming Youtube Entranced site. My first thought was.....AAAAAHHHHH! Me? On video? Woah! One of the fabulous reasons I love being a writer is that I can be solitary and work in the privacy of my own home. So, of course, getting my face out there in front of a potentially large group of people, frightens me. I know it has to happen and I will do it, but I still shiver at the thought.

Similar to how I looked at thinking I needed to be filmed!

So, part of the "research" of what I will do in the video is looking at some favorite author's videos on Youtube to get an idea what is out there and what would interest readers. I found Kristin Higgins whose contemporary funny romances have enthralled me for a while now. Snooping around some more, I found these hilarious vidoes she created about romance readers. Of course, I had to share one with you. It is MONDAY FUNNY afterall. So, without further ado, please enjoy the video below... 

Now, my question for you is.... what would you want your favorite author to answer on video? I'm greatful for any input and maybe your questions will be answered! Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Sex and Interviews!

Aha! Got your attention, did I?

Check out my author interview over on the Entranced Publishing blog!

You can also find me on Rachelle's Window blog. I participated in her author chat regarding the best question ever! 

Do you have to have great sex to write great sex scenes?

http://www.rachelleayala.com/2012/09/do-you-have-to-have-great-sex-to-write.html

Thanks for checking me out! Tell me what you think,

Melinda

Road to Publishing: Author Bio

Difficult Task #2: Writing a short bio about myself.

Write about ME? BORING! I mean, that's why I write fiction, so I can get away from my boring self. :) But, since I have to do it, the essential question is: What do I want my readers to know about me?

I looked back at my favorite author's bios and saw that they weren't too fact laden.... member of RWA, loves to read and write (duh) or has a degree in English. The bios that I enjoyed the most were the ones that showed their writing voice. The funny, witty.... "this is the real me"... information. What do readers want to know the most? That they will read your book and enjoy it.

So, I hopefully wrote a mixture of the two. Since I am not an established author yet, I do have to build some background about who I am. here is my boring list:

• I am middle-aged woman (Yuck! Middle aged!)
• Teacher for 16 years
• Bachelors Degree in Communication and Political Science
• Masters Degree in Education 
• Mom to three boys (ages 6, 12 and 14)
• Married to college sweetheart

I could go on and on with the boring facts. Now, the wierdo list:

• I love reality tv
• I secretly love to read Dr. Seuss to my six year old. 
• My oldest and I have a secret "dork" handshake
• Playing Words with Friends, Draw Something, and Song Pop take up too much of my time, but I love it.
• Blogging has become a fun past-time.
• I could stay in bed all day and not feel bad about it.

So, where do I go from there? I mix up the two lists. Hopefully, it's not too boring and hopefully it's not too weird and it makes my readers interested in who I am. 

With all that in mind, here is my true bio:

I am a writer.

I love to read and write romance. 

I believe in Happily Ever After.

The end,

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

My Road to Publishing: First Steps

As an aspiring published author, I loved to read other's blogs about their "trips" into the published world. Since I have signed my contract with Entranced Publishing, I have been on a whirlwind of excitement. So, as promised, I will share my experiences of becoming a published writer as all the steps unfold. 

After signing the contract, I received a lot of information from my publisher. Below I will discuss a few of the fun steps I've been through.

1. Online Author Group - A wonderful asset of Entranced Publishing is the camaraderie between the soon-to-be published authors. We have an online group where we can post questions, find information from our editor, or just say hi. I have to tell you that Entranced Publishing has a great team of fun, chatty, uplifting authors. I suggest you visit their blogs or find them on twitter. Their links are below:

ST Bende

Elsker Series

http://stbende.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @stbende

Nicole Camp

Shadow Bled

http://shadowbled.blogspot.com//

Twitter: @NicolShadowbled

Ashley Christman 

(Publisher/Executive Editor)

www.entrancedpublishing.com

Twitter: @AMChristman

Krystalyn Drown

Spirit World

http://krysteybelle.blogspot.ie/

Twitter: @KrysteyBelle

Rachel Kall

Legally Undercover

www.rachelkall.com

Twitter: @RachelKall

Lorna Peel

Only You

www.lornapeel.com

Twitter: @PeelLorna

Eden Plantz

Pride Goeth Before

Managing Editor at Entranced Publishing

Twitter: @EdenPlantz

2. Art Design for Book Cover - Receiving the art design form regarding my future book cover gave me the heebee jeebees. Every new author dreams of their new cover, and I couldn't wait to see mine. However, I had visions in my head of how it would look already. Knowing that someone else was really in charge shook me a little, because you never know if they have the same thoughts as the author. I didn't need to worry. Little did I know, my own publisher/editor, Ashley Christman, worked my cover herself, and she had the exact vision as I did! In fact, we both had the same couple idea without telling each other. I've already decided that Ashley is a superwoman! She worked my cover in less than a week and now the product is a fabulous cover. In fact, I want to stare at it non-stop, like a love-sick teenager. I think I will print it out and frame it for my office. 

What now? Actually a lot! I am working on a prequel novella to Time Changes Everything, currently titled Boy Next Door. I actually had it written up before, but never shared it with anyone but a few loyal critters (you know who you are!) It'll be sent to Entranced and hopefully released before the Time Changes Everything launch date of June 3, 2013.

Also, waiting on my first round of edits and then I know I will be super busy! Am I crazy in saying I can't wait? Remind me that I said that in about a month's time.

Thanks for stopping by. Check back next week for more about my Road to Publishing.

Melinda

Cover Reveal: Time Changes Everything

What an awesome day! My book cover is revealed! Take a look at Amanda and Jake from Time Changes Everything. Don't you love it? Thanks to my Executive Editor, Ashley Christman, for a wonderful design!

Celebrating my cover and proposed release date of 

June 3, 2013! 

The "Call" - My "baby" will be published!

Time Changes Everything is like a little baby to me. When my youngest was born 6 years ago, I started writing it on my maternity leave (of course when he was sleeping). But then life got in the way and I couldn't finish. Just last year, hubby asked me why I haven't finished my novel and I thought.... "Yeah. I can do that now!" So, I did. (Thanks Rafa!)

The manuscript went through many eyes in my critique group at Critique Circle - the best critique group on the web. Finally, I decided to send it forward.

On August 6, I enetered a pitch contest at Romance University online. This is an untraditional way of "selling" your book. Entranced Publishing's Executive Editor, Ashley Christman, liked the  pitch and asked for me to send the full manuscript. This thrilled me! So, I sent it in the next day.

In a month's time Ms. Christman sent me the best news via email..... she liked my work and wanted to contract me! WOO HOO!

On the outside.... I was like this.

On the inside.... I was like this.

And since I'm a romance author, let's pretend I was like this:

I have to stop here and give you my "call" or "email" story here. It was Friday, August 24... which happened to be the second day of school. It was a BUSY time for me. I had just let out my period 2 class and thought I would work on my plans for the next week. Sitting at the computer, I then opened my email and found her message. The minute I saw the title of the email, my heart beat a million miles a minute. After reading the email, I stood up, shaking, and let out a SQUEEE!!!! Looking back now, I'm glad I didn't have any students in the room when I read the mail. So, I ran out of my classroom and to the office to call my hubby (my cell wasn't working of course). I was so excited and emotional that I couldn't even remember my own home phone number - so I asked the secretary. She probably still thinks I'm crazy. A quick phonecall later, I had to run back to my class to welcome my newest students with the biggest smile on my face.

So, now that I've reviewed and signed the contract, I am an official author and will have my first baby novel published next year with Entranced Publishing. So excited! As I go through this journey, I will write posts to update you on my process. I'm a newbie at this and other writers might find it interesting to go through it with me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melinda

Time Changes Everything - 2013 Here I Come!

Celebration Time!

Join me in celebrating the news! Time Changes Everything will be published by Entranced Publishing in 2013. Keep checking for updates and blogs on my publishing experience. 

For more information about Entranced Publishing, check out their webpage, www.entrancedpublishing.com.

For more information about Time Changes Everything, click the link to find previous posts or the tab above. 

More to come.

Happy Dance! Woo hoo! 

My Writing Journey Part 1

Submitting Journey Part #1

I began writing my first completed novel, Time Changes Everything, when I was pregnant with my third child (2005). I have always written and loved writing romance in high school, but this particular story was written to be published, not just for fun. Of course, It's been fun, but you know what I mean. Little did I know, that it would take me ... oh.... six years to complete it and send it off. :)

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.
Vincent Van Gogh

Please, don't roll your eyes. Yes! I am a serious writer. But, as any mom knows, once you have your kid (third one by the way) life gets in the way. So, the book was put on hold. I finished about 70% and then went on with life for two years without looking at it.

Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. ~Victor Kiam 

I'd pick up my novel every now and then and add a chapter when I had a chance. When I arrived to the end, I just couldn't finish. There was something there... more than writer's block.... it was as if I was scared to finish my book. THE END just seemed so final. Then what? I had been attached to these characters for so many years, I didn't want to say goodbye.

Finally, around Thanksgiving last year, my hubby asked why I didn't finish my book. I think he saw what an avid reader I am and always heard me say "one day I will be published." My baby was five already. My two oldest kids were in the double digits, so they understood.

I started my adventure again. Over my Christmas vacation, I actually finished my novel. What a whirlwind of feelings. I FINISHED A NOVEL! WOO HOO!

but....I finished my novel....sigh.

I was both happy and sad. However, I did not know that I really was not finished. Writing is only the first step. Next came the never-ending editing stage.

And that's a whole other story. Come back next week for more .

Part 2 coming!