When most folks think of a grand entrance, they might imagine a grand staircase, ascending to a crowded ballroom (think: Cinderella). Or, they imagine a red carpet rolled out in welcome (think: Hollywood). Well, I’m a historical author, not a movie star. And I can’t imagine anything more welcoming than a Cobblestone Carpet… and luckily, thanks to old-town Richmond’s charm, that is precisely what I got on my very first book tour! The tour kicked off Thursday 2/28/13 at Eagle Eye bookstore in Decatur Georgia, and I was fortunate enough to have a full quorum of friends come out to cheer me on. Special thanks to Charles for arranging everything! My critique partners Romily Bernard (right) and Sally Kilpatrick made the trek up, and lots of friends and coworkers from CDC and Georgia Romance Writers came to see me take on such questions from the audience as, “So, about this racy cover: can...
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I wish someone had warned me. You know, about the being nervous part, about the part where those supposed butterflies in your stomach actually feel more like a hamster. On a lopsided wheel. Trying to gnaw its way out. Why, you ask? My debut historical romance What Happens in Scotland is almost here!!! February 26th is the day, which means I have just under a month to bite my nails down past the quick (given they are already hovering in the vicinity). The month before a debut author’s book release (at least, the month before my book release) is interesting, terrifying, and beautiful. After all, I’ve been waiting ten months for this, ever since I got that amazing call from Esi Sogah at Avon. And reaching even further back, I’ve been working toward this for four years, ever since I started writing my very first novel. In the writing...
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We just had a cover conference this morning (where the editors meet with the art department and discuss a few titles) and it got me thinking of some of my favorite covers lately. I adore quite a few of our recent and upcoming covers--and the books between them!--so I thought I'd show them off here. Any pique your interest? From Avon Impulse: From Avon: From William Morrow:
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Enough to try haggis-flavored chips? Time will tell! Courtesy of Jennifer McQuiston, author of the upcoming What Happens in Scotland.
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There are a lot of great parts to being a book editor. Getting to read amazing manuscripts months (sometimes years!) before they're available to the public; working with interesting, creative, innovative people; the parties. But I think my absolute favorite part is when I get to Make The Call and offer an author a contract. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to contract three books from an amazing new author, Jennifer McQuiston. (Her debut, WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND, is on sale March 2013. End shameless plug.) Once her agent and I were done working out the details, I called Jennifer to tell her how excited I was to work with her. What followed was one of the most amazing exchanges of my career. I heard Jennifer say to someone in the room with her, "Tell Esi what you get now that Mommy has a book deal." And a little...
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