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My First Rejection Email

Lesson #11: Rejection will help me improve. 

I sent off 13 submissions of my manuscript, synopsis or first three chapters to various publishing companies who were accepting submissions from unagented and self-published authors. The first email I got back was positive... they asked me to send the full manuscript after reading my first three chapters. They said they would let me know if they are interested in early August. I guess that was fortunate, especially after reading so many stories about authors who get dozens and dozens of rejections for years. No matter what happens, at least my writing wasn’t SO bad that they rejected it immediately.

The problem with artists, writers, and any other creators out there, is that we have to rely on others to appreciate our work in order to make a living. I studied theatre in university and I learned that criticism is part of the job. I also know that I’ll never be able to please everyone, and people have different tastes ... and that’s so important to remember in the world of writing.

So this morning, I got an email back from a publisher, and I am happy to say that it was at least a personal message and not some template rejection letter. At first, I felt like such a failure. I had a moment when I thought that my writing is terrible and maybe I never should have written a book. What was I thinking? What if everyone thinks my writing sucks?

Then I took a breath.

This is what the email said:

I've reviewed your submission request and while the concept of the story intrigues me, I find I'm not as enthused about the writing as I'd need to be to offer a contract. I wish I had better news for you, but I wish you the very best in your search for a publisher.

What I learned: The person did not say she thought the writing was terrible. The concept of the story was good.

Now I will work harder to make the writing in my second book even stronger than my first. I’m sure there are much better writers in the world, and I also know there are much worse writers out there. That’s what really matters. I take comfort in knowing that I enjoy writing and there are some people who like what I write. I don’t need to personalize it if someone doesn’t like what they’ve read. I just need to do the best that I can. I also need to keep practicing to get better, and I need to keep reading great books to stay inspired. Without criticism, rejection, and feedback, I’d never get better so I’m happy to hear what others think.

I hope my story will help others when they get a rejection letter ... because I think most authors do!

Happy writing!

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Some writing inspiration for when times get tough.

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Why Did I Ever Decide to Self-Publish?

Lesson #10: Get Creative! Try new things and don’t give up.

So I still haven’t seen a single sale of my book in over a month. Not to mention that the ranking has now dropped so low that the chances of somebody finding it would be like a needle in a haystack.

You know what? I don’t care.

I didn’t write this book so I could quit my job and write full time. Nor did I write it to make tons of money and become famous. I wrote the book because I enjoy writing, and I wanted to share the story. I wrote it because I could. I wrote it because it was something I’ve always wanted to do. I can now cross it off my bucket list ... and despite the dismal response to my book, I will continue to write because I love it.

That’s not to say I’m going to give up. I’ve learned a few more important things...

1. Other authors are a great resource, so the more community groups I join, and the the more I read author blogs, the more I learn and feel that I’m not in this journey alone. The majority of self-published authors struggle ... especially with their first book. So, continue to network and learn from those who came before you.

2. Experiment with new marketing tactics. I keep changing my promos to see which ones get more hits. Here is a copy of my latest promo that I’ve been using on Facebook and Twitter:

3. Create a Youtube video trailer for your book. Yes, I tried this... but I am not very skilled at video editing - and I used Adobe Premiere Pro, which isn’t the most user-friendly program. The result was less than impressive, but at least I tried! If you want to see it ... and try not to judge too harshly ... here is the link to the video. :)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFU9O9HRHpE&t=1s

4. Try a Goodreads free book giveaway (promotion). Once my book was available for print through Createspace, I decided to giveaway two signed copies on Goodreads. The promotion is still running - I have 18 days left, and I have over 200 people already entered to win. Not to mention that 1/3 of those people have added my book to the “to read” list on Goodreads. Once the promo is done, I’ll provide more information on the results.

5. Keep offering your book for free to people who will read it in exchange for a review. I did this, and I now have 6 reviews on Amazon.ca, 2 reviews on Amazon.com and 2 reviews on Goodreads. They are all 4 stars or higher, so that helps to show potential new readers that it might be worth checking out.

6. Don’t give up. I know that it can be disheartening when others don’t want to read or buy your book, but for me, I know that the book will be around for a very long time, and I have faith that over the years, more people will read and buy it. In the meantime, I will just keep writing. The more books I publish, the more legit and experienced I will become.

Happy writing!

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WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF “A BEAUTIFUL BOUNTY“

I’m giving away TWO signed first edition copies of my historical western romance novel, A BEAUTIFUL BOUNTY: BOOK ONE OF THE DAVENPORT TRILOGY 🤠.

Enter at Goodreads: https://goo.gl/e1738s

💖 NEW HISTORICAL WESTERN ROMANCE 💖 with outlaws, a sexy bounty hunter, a reluctant bride, and a contentious love story!

Available in paperback or 🌟FREE🌟 on Kindle Unlimited.

🔥LATEST REVIEWS:🔥 “I loved this book.” “Kept me entertained cover to cover.” “Excellent book!” “Great characters and twists…”

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N3CRBZ1

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Cheat Sheets for Writing Body Language

We are always told to use body language in our writing. Sometimes, it’s easier said than written. I decided to create these cheat sheets to help you show a character’s state of mind. Obviously, a character may exhibit a number of these behaviours. For example, he may be shocked and angry, or shocked and happy. Use these combinations as needed.

by Amanda Patterson

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Read Self Published Month!

Looking for readers/reviewers who love historical western romance.

http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/historical-romance/14531

A Beautiful Bounty - Book One of the Davenport Trilogy

I will also be looking for beta readers for Book Two of my trilogy which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. If you love the historical western romance genre, drop me a line!

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Honestly, I don’t need someone who sees the good in me. I need someone who sees the bad in me and still wants me.

Unknown (via thelovejournals)

Great quote!!!

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Chapter One Excerpt from Book Two “A Captivating Captive”

Just a little taste from Book Two of the Davenport Trilogy: A Captivating Captive, which tells the story of Amelia, the youngest Davenport sibling. She falls in love (or is it infatuation?) at a very young age, but gets her heart broken. That experience sets her on a life-changing journey!

_____________________________________________________________________

Sonoma, California - Summer 1880

AMELIA DAVENPORT SURREPTITIOUSLY followed her brother, Darian, as he ambled between the rows of grapevines. She knew he would be meeting his friend, Jaydon Saunders, whose house bordered the Davenport Vineyard to the North. She crept stealthily, ducking behind trees and bushes along the fringes to remain undetected. The vines were thick with bright green leaves, and the canopies were already heavy with reddening fruit. The foliage provided ample cover for her covert escapade.

When Darian reached the road that divided the two properties, Amelia crouched low and peered through a large bush to catch a closer look.

At seventeen, Jaydon already had the makings of an impressive man. His medium build was lean and firm. He suited his sandy, blond hair that was always a little unkempt, and his dazzling smile melted Amelia’s young heart. He had a magnetic boyish charm that drew people to him. She didn’t think there was a boy alive who could be more fascinating.

Jaydon was leaning against the twisted base of a towering, blue oak tree, tossing a baseball into his weathered glove. When he spotted Darian, he hurled the ball towards his friend.

Catching the ball easily, Darian greeted his friend. “Good to see you, Jaydon!”

“Nice catch, my friend.” Jaydon heard a rustling sound nearby, and spotted a quick movement behind Darian. He indicated towards the bushes. “I believe you have a shadow.”

Darian turned and saw a pair of bright, hazel eyes through the branches. “Amelia!”

Wearing a powder blue, cotton calico dress, it was difficult to go unnoticed. She stood out like a rose against a field of dandelions. Resigned to her sudden discovery, Amelia jumped from her hiding spot like a jack-in-the-box, delighted to move closer to Jaydon. “Good morning, Jaydon!” She chirped sweetly.

He smiled. “Hello, Amelia.” He tousled her hair affectionately, dishevelling her sable locks.

Darian scowled at his younger sister. “I have told you before, Amelia, that you are not to follow me. Return to the house at once!”

Amelia’s bottom lip began to quiver. “Please let me stay. I promise I will behave. You can throw the ball back and forth, and I will observe ever so quietly.”

Not wanting to upset her further, Darian’s tone softened. “Mother said you were to practice your music lessons today. I will not be held responsible for keeping you from your obligations.”

“Perhaps I can delay my lessons until later,” she pleaded.

“No, Amelia. Not this time.”

Tears welled in Amelia’s eyes, which tugged at Jaydon’s heart. “I will walk you back to the house, little dove. How does that sound?”

Darian rolled his eyes, while Amelia beamed brightly. “That would be most thoughtful, Jaydon!”

As the three strolled back to the house, Amelia dreamed about the day that she and Jaydon would be married and deeply in love. She tingled each time he called her little dove, a pet name he had given her years before. She imagined an idyllic future with Jaydon, in which they lived in a grand house near the Davenport Estate like in a fairy tale story book. Her fantasy even included three children whose faces each brandished Jaydon’s enchanting smile.

Lost in her blissful reverie, Amelia impulsively reached out to hold Jaydon’s hand. He looked over at Darian, not sure if his friend would approve, but he simply shrugged nonchalantly and shook his head. Jaydon took that as consent, and enclosed Amelia’s delicate hand in his own.

At his warm touch, Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. Excitement coursed through her pre-adolescent body, and she shivered. She was in heaven.

Jaydon felt her tremble. “Are you chilled?”

Looking up into liquid grey eyes, Amelia shook her head. “Not at all … everything is simply perfect.”

Jaydon and Amelia exchanged casual conversation along the way, as Darian shuffled a few paces behind. Occasionally he would roll his eyes each time his two companions would share a sudden exchange of laughter. Jaydon had let loose a number of chuckles when Amelia recited the story about a bird that had come in to the house through the chimney. Her mother had nearly fainted as the bird repeatedly flew across the room over her head. Amelia had never seen her mother in such a flutter as she attempted to chase the bird out the window.

Just as she was finishing her story, the trio arrived at their destination, much to Darian’s satisfaction.

An impressive sight, the Davenport house stood proudly at one end of the vast property.  Situated atop a shallow rise that overlooked the uniformed rows of grapevines, the pristine white of the two-story estate, with the characteristic corner turrets contrasted boldly against the cerulean sky.

As they rolled into the entrance hall, their father, Michael Davenport, was on his way out the door. “Hello, Jaydon!” He reached out to shake Jaydon’s hand. “Nice to see you, Mr. Davenport.” Jaydon awkwardly released Amelia’s hand to return his handshake.

“Darian, I thought you and Jaydon had plans to do some work at the Saunders’ place today?”

“That was my intention, until little sister decided to secretly tag along. Jaydon and I are here only to return Amelia safely back to the house. Now that she is home, we will be leaving.”

“You could stay here and have lunch,” Amelia proposed hopefully.

Michael lightly squeezed his daughter’s shoulder. “Jaydon and your brother have their own plans. You, my dear girl, need to concentrate on your music lessons today.”

Amelia looked dejected. “Yes, father.”

Jaydon stepped closer and chucked her under the chin. “It was nice to see you today, little dove. I will visit again soon.”

She smiled lifelessly and looked up into Jaydon’s dazzling eyes. “I will look forward to your next visit, Jaydon. Thank you for being such charming company this morning.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Moments later, Amelia was standing alone, and replaying each glorious moment that she and Jaydon had shared that morning. She grinned as she recollected the heat of Jaydon’s hand as it held her own, his engaging smile, and his animated laugh as he listened intently to her story about the bird and her mother. She smiled to herself, pleased that Jaydon had found her story amusing.

She was so caught up in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear her other brother, Slade, approach from behind.

“Is something amiss?”

Amelia turned with a start. “Slade! You startled me!”

“What mischief are in those deep thoughts of yours, sister?” Slade teased.

She giggled and blushed at how accurately he had guessed her thoughts. “I am not mischievous,” she corrected. “I wish I could be a little mischievous. It is not easy with two older brothers around. Perhaps one day I will succeed in my attempts, however.”

It was Slade’s turn to laugh. “I will try not to speculate on the meaning of those words, Amy. I think mischief is overrated, at any rate. Truth be told, I would rest easier if you remained thirteen forever!”

“That’s a horrible thought! I wish I was old enough to be married, but I doubt father would approve until I am at least eighteen. How am I to survive five more years of waiting?”

“You should not think such things at your age. There will be plenty of time to concentrate on marriage when you are older. Enjoy this time, when life is carefree and simple. One day you will wish you had heeded my advice, dear sister.”

Amelia sighed heavily. “You just do not understand.”

Slade gave her a half-grin. “Unfortunately, I believe I understand more than you know. I have ten years more experience on this earth, remember?”

“How could I ever forget? You and Darian never cease to remind me that I am young and inexperienced. I am not sure if I am lucky or cursed,” she quipped.

“Perhaps you will appreciate having two older brothers one day,” he offered, “but I can see how you may not feel that way at present. Our protective instincts may not always be welcome, but we act only out of extreme love. I would have a hard time even seeing you married at eighteen. If it were up to me, I would lock you up so no man could take you away from me,” he teased. “I only want to see the best for you, Amelia.”

“I love you, too, Slade … and Darian, although some days he is not easy to love,” she grinned.

“Now off to your lessons. I will see you later.” Slade sauntered out the front door.

Amelia headed into the music room and sat down at the piano. She pondered her conversation with Slade. If he knew the love she felt for Jaydon, she was certain he would be more inclined to understand her wish to marry as early as possible. She worshipped her two older brothers, Darian and Slade. To her, they were larger than life. Even when they were teasing her or admonishing her, their protective instincts towards her made her love and admire them in every way. Slade was devilishly handsome, and had a dangerous edge about him; although, to Amelia, he was a big pussy cat. Darian, who was three years her senior, had some similar qualities to Slade, but was less volatile and more thoughtful. With his sculpted good looks, girls always looked at him with adoration. Admittedly, she had wonderful siblings and parents who cherished her. She was confident that once she confessed her love to Jaydon, and they were happily married, her life would be near perfection.

Sonoma, California - Christmas 1886 The Davenport house was filled with the fragrance of freshly decorated evergreen swags that hung throughout the main floor. Amelia revelled in the aroma that evoked images of Christmases past. She was almost giddy with anticipation of the evening’s festivities. It was the sixth annual Davenport Christmas Social. Locals from neighboring vineyards, Davenport workers, friends, and relatives would all be in attendance. The event was initially started by her late father as a way to showcase new wines, and show appreciation to the workers. Her mother, Francine, had continued the event after her father’s passing.

Each room Amelia passed through boasted an assortment of seasonal flair: nuts, bead garlands, candies, and even a few home-made Christmas trinkets. An abundance of candles were lit, offering a warm glow throughout the house. Greeting cards from friends and relatives stood proudly on the stone mantle. Amelia picked up one particular card that brought butterflies to her stomach. She had read it dozens of times, and each time the words brought the same level of exhilaration:

Little Dove, Wishing you infinite happiness during this wonderful season. I look forward to once again celebrating the festivities with you and your family on Christmas Eve. It is a tradition I cherish more with each passing year. Warmly, Jaydon

Amelia clutched the card tightly to her chest. This year’s Christmas event would be the most memorable of all. Tonight would be the night, at long last. After many years of waiting and many misgivings, she was going to profess her love to Jaydon Saunders. She had hoped for many months that she would be spared this nerve-wracking effort, thinking he would proclaim his love first. However, after extensive waiting, and dozens of opportunities, no confession of love emerged. Amelia could only conclude that Jaydon must either be apprehensive, or waiting for the perfect moment. Regardless, Amelia had waited too many years, so she would have to take control and do what needed to be done to secure their destiny together. She was certain that he loved her. She had done everything to make him notice her — flirt, giggle, compliment him, sit near him, and repeatedly invite him to spend time with her. She could not think of anything more she could do to let him know her feelings—other than to tell him directly.

She knew women generally did not do such things, as convention dictated that men should make their intentions clear, not the other way around. However, she had turned nineteen a couple of months back, and had always imagined she and Jaydon would be wed by now.

Francine joined Amelia in the front parlor where a well-adorned evergreen tree loomed large in the front window. She poured herself a small glass of brandy, and interrupted her daughter’s musings. “These gatherings are never quite the same without your father. It is both a happy and sad time.”

At the recollection of her father, Amelia instinctively fingered the locket around her neck. It was the last gift she had ever received from him before he was killed five years ago. “You are quite right, mother,” Amelia agreed. “I miss him terribly, but most deeply on special occasions such as this.”

Francine hugged her daughter. “It is wonderful that we now have Shiara and the rest of the Montgomery family to join us during these special occasions. And in a few short months, I will have my first grandchild,” a tender smile appeared on her face. “I only wish your father were still here to experience these wonderful moments.”

As if on cue, Shiara and Slade entered the front parlor.

“You do not need to manhandle me. I am quite capable of walking without your assistance!” Shiara scolded her husband, attempting to shake off his hold on her arm.

Slade scowled down at his wife. “While you are carrying my child, I will continue to see that you remain unharmed. If that requires you to accept my assistance on occasion, then so be it.”

“I am carrying our child,” she corrected. “If you only behaved this way on occasion, then I would accept it willingly. You are lucky that I love you, because you are the most insufferable man I’ve ever met!”

Slade chuckled and planted a light kiss on the top of Shiara’s head. “I am well-matched on that score, dear wife.”

“When will the two of you stop antagonizing one another?” Francine jested, knowing full well that her son and daughter-in-law were immensely in love.

Shiara laughed heartily. “Until your son learns to be less domineering, I am afraid there is not much hope of that.”

“If I was not domineering, we would not be happily married, and you would not be carrying my child.” Slade goaded.

Shiara shook her head, refusing to be baited further by emphasizing the word ‘my’.

Amelia laughed at the interaction between Shiara and Slade. She had witnessed hundreds of such exchanges over the past year, and envied the love that the couple shared. At first, she was averse to her new sister-in-law, believing that Shiara held no affection for her brother. To Amelia, Slade deserved only the best, particularly after he suffered so deeply after their father was killed by a thief. Being the eldest sibling, Slade felt he should have been there to protect their father. He had struggled to forgive himself, and spent nearly five years as a bounty hunter, while Darian took control of running the vineyard. Had Slade not fallen in love with Shiara, and married her, Amelia believed Slade might still be risking his life capturing outlaws.

Once Amelia recognized the deep love the Slade and Shiara shared, it was not difficult for her to accept Shiara. In time, they had finally become friends, particularly since they were so close in age. It was refreshing to have a friend to share her thoughts with. A few months earlier, she had confided in Shiara that she was deeply in love with Jaydon. Shiara was the only person who knew that Amelia intended to confess her love to Jaydon during the celebration later that evening.

Shiara squirmed her way out of Slade’s clutches to stand next to Amelia. The two women were exquisitely dressed, but Amelia had taken extra pains to set herself apart. Her silk, emerald-colored dress had a trained skirt and a round-necked sleeveless corsage. The front was layered with cream-colored lace, and a scarf drapery of laurel green net enveloped the skirt. Almond tinted ribbon bows lined the front of the bodice.

“You look stunning,” Shiara complimented. “Are you certain that you want to go through with your plan tonight?”

“I am nervous, of course, but I am certain that Jaydon will be overjoyed to hear how much I care for him. I am determined to finally tell him. Nothing can persuade me to change my mind.” Amelia spoke with confidence, but inside her nerves were stretched thin.

Shiara smiled. “Jaydon could not ask for a more beautiful wife. I do wish you all the best. I know you have waited a very long time to have this conversation, but it is never easy. You are very brave, Amelia.”

“I do not feel brave. There are moments I feel so confident that we are destined to be together,” she revealed, “but then I wonder why Jaydon has not made an effort to court me.”

“There could be many reasons, Amelia. Perhaps he is worried about what Darian might think … or Slade, for that matter. In their eyes, you are still their baby sister, and Jaydon might be very aware of that.”

“Yes, my brothers will likely always see me that way, much to my dismay,” she grinned, “which is why I must be the one to approach Jaydon. If I continue to wait for him, I may be old and gray!”

Darian and Slade approached and interrupted their conversation.

“You both look lovely tonight,” Darian complimented. “Did I hear you say something about Jaydon?”

“Just that he mentioned he would be attending tonight.” Amelia lied.

Darian was concerned about his sister’s obsession with his best friend, but he hoped that she would get past it with time. “All the eligible gentlemen will be falling over themselves tonight when they see how beautiful you look.”

Slade furrowed his brow. “You certainly are turning into an attractive young woman. I may have to keep a close eye on you, Amy. If the eligible gentlemen know what’s good for them, they will keep a safe distance!”

Shiara swatted his arm. “Oh, behave! You will not be intimidating all the young men tonight. Let Amelia enjoy herself!” She winked at Amelia to show her support.

“Thank you, Shiara. Despite my two over-protective brothers, I intend to enjoy every minute.”

Darian raised one eyebrow. “I hope you do enjoy yourself, but just not too much, sister.”

Guests began arriving, and with each new visitor, Amelia became more anxious. She tried to concentrate on the conversation with Shiara and Hannah, Shiara's half-sister, but her eyes perpetually strayed to the door each time another guest arrived in anticipation of Jaydon's arrival. Finally, she spotted him in the entrance hall and her stomach filled with butterflies. He looked incredibly handsome in his dark, wool suit, and wavy, blond hair. His jacket was partially undone to reveal a high-buttoned, silk waistcoat and polished watch-chain. His familiar laugh, filling the room, drew her towards the entrance hall to welcome him.

As she approached, she noticed a shapely, brunette woman whose hand was securely placed on Jaydon’s arm. Amelia froze, as she tried to make sense of the scene before her. Jaydon had no sisters, so she supposed the woman could be a distant relative — a cousin or family friend perhaps. Either way, Amelia intended to find out just who this woman was to Jaydon.

She took a deep, steadying breath to stop herself from shaking. Moments later, feeling calmer, she continued forward and extended her hand. “Jaydon! So thrilled you could make it.”

Jaydon took her hand and planted a light kiss on the back of her knuckles. “So nice to see you, Amelia. May I introduce my companion, Elizabeth Baker? Elizabeth, this is Darian’s little sister, Amelia.”

Elizabeth smiled warmly. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for hosting us this evening. Your house is so lovely.”

Amelia began to nervously fidget with the locket around her neck. She was having difficulty forming a cohesive reply, as her brain struggled to understand. She did not want to like this woman, despite her kind words. A maelstrom of emotions gripped her, but she finally managed a stoic reply. “The pleasure is mine,” she uttered, struggling to regain her composure. “Uh, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to something. I do hope you will enjoy yourselves.”

Not giving them another glance, Amelia hastily darted into the kitchen. Shiara witnessed the exchange, and followed her. She found Amelia sitting alone, visibly upset.

“Amelia? I saw you with Jaydon. Did something happen?”

“I am so confused! Why would he bring another woman here? Who is she to him, Shiara?” Amelia clamored.

“I do not know. I have never seen her before. Did he introduce her? Perhaps she is just a friend,” Shiara attempted to reassure her.

“He said she was his ‘companion’ … Elizabeth something,” she blurted. “She is not just a friend.” Amelia’s mind suddenly shifted. “I will not be deterred, Shiara. He is to be my future husband. Why did I wait so long? I must tell him how I feel!”

Shiara bit her lip as she thought about what to say that might help to alleviate Amelia’s torment. “You are too upset right now, Amelia. It might be better if you waited until a better time to talk to Jaydon. Perhaps when you feel more cool-headed?”

Amelia shook her head emphatically. “This may be my last chance, Shiara. I cannot allow that woman to steal him from me!”

“I know you are determined, Amelia, but it is important that your emotions are under control. It is not my place to stand in your way, but I do wish you would reconsider. Impulsive decisions are usually not the best ones … I can personally attest to that.”

Amelia managed a slight smirk, knowing about some of the impulsive decisions she was referring to. “Thank you for your concern, Shiara, but I am not being impulsive. I know what must be done and refuse to delay any longer. I will speak with Jaydon tonight, as planned.” Amelia took another fortifying breath to calm her nerves. “I think I will step outside on the patio for a few moments to steady myself before seeking him out.”

Shiara sighed in resignation, realizing there would be no changing her sister-in-law’s mind. “Yes, that is a splendid idea. Would you like some company?” Amelia shook her head. “No, I need to be alone. You should return to the festivities and our guests.”

Shiara gave her sister-in-law a compassionate embrace before exiting the kitchen. She contemplated telling Slade about Amelia’s intentions, but involving her husband could oftentimes escalate a tense situation, rather than calm it down—particularly when his protective instincts clouded his judgment.

Amelia was left alone with her turbulent thoughts. Is there a chance that Jaydon does not love me? How can he disregard how deeply I care for him? Surely he must know that we are meant to be together!

Amelia headed towards the back door that led out into the gardens. The door was left slightly open, and she could hear her brother, Darian, in conversation with Jaydon.

“I am surprised you decided to bring Elizabeth here with you tonight.”

“How could I not? You know I plan to marry her … if she will have me, of course,” Jaydon confided.

“I am certain my sister would not be too happy to hear that revelation.”

“I would never intentionally cause Amelia unhappiness. You know that, Darian,” he explained, “but I am afraid I may have upset her already. I introduced her to Elizabeth upon our arrival, and within moments she disappeared. I had hoped to have a chance to speak with her about my intentions—”

“Or lack of intentions, you mean,” Darian corrected.

“I have never had intentions to marry her. Amelia is like a sister to me. Of course I care for her deeply, but I do not desire her in that way.”

“I do not envy you, my friend. If you were any other man, I would not be pleased to hear that you plan to hurt my sister, and Slade, well… he is even more protective than I am. Unfortunately, she convinced herself long ago that she was in love with you, so that is no fault of yours,” Darian lamented. “I regret not setting her straight before her infatuation reached this point.”

“As do I. For years, I believed it was just an innocent crush. It was only this past year that I came to realize the depth and sincerity of her feelings,” Jaydon admitted.

Amelia collapsed to the floor. She felt as if the air was being sucked out of her lungs. Jaydon intended to marry that woman? Her head was spinning. Infatuation? She struggled to catch her breath. A stream of tears suddenly flowed relentlessly down her cheeks. Her small body was wracked with sobs.

Slade was passing nearby and heard her cries. He rushed towards her listless body, crumpled on the floor. “Amelia? Are you hurt?” When no answer came, he rushed to pick her up and carried her up the stairs to her bedchamber. He laid her gently on her bed, as he examined her for injury. “What has happened to you? Have you injured yourself? Did someone hurt you?”

Amelia shook her head and buried her face in her pillow, as she continued to weep uncontrollably.

Slade rubbed her back to comfort her. “Who did this to you?”

Amelia refused to answer, feeling both devastated and embarrassed.

“Stay here. I will fetch you something to drink to calm you. Whatever is troubling you, it cannot be as bad as all that.” He gently closed the door behind him, as he went in search of a glass of warm milk for Amelia, and something more potent for himself. Whatever was causing his sister such anguish, his wife would certainly have some insight.

Amelia was still reeling from the knowledge that Jaydon did not love her. Even more distressing was his intention to marry someone else. Why had she not known how he felt? How could he not feel the same way for her? She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. Her entire life was falling apart, and she was powerless to do anything about it. All hope for a happy future had disintegrated in the span of a few short minutes.

She felt foolish. Did everyone know how she felt about Jaydon, and were they all laughing at her for being so naive? Even her own brother, Darian, was aware of the situation, and he chose to disregard her feelings entirely. She would not forgive Darian for his betrayal, and she would never be able to face Jaydon Saunders again.

Her tears seemed endless, so it would be impossible to return to the gathering and converse with guests after her dreams had just been decimated. She was certain that Slade would make excuses for her absence.

Shiara gently knocked on the door. “Amelia? May I come in?” When no answer came, Shiara opened the door and sat beside the bed. She placed a glass of warm milk on the bedside table. “I brought you something to calm you. Slade said you were upset, so am I to assume your conversation with Jaydon did not go well?”

Amelia finally sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes. “There was no conversation. Jaydon is planning to marry that Elizabeth woman. He doesn’t love me.” Saying the words aloud caused her eyes to well up again.

“How do you know this?” Shiara handed Amelia a kerchief.

Amelia wiped her eyes with the soft cloth. “I-I overheard Jaydon and Darian talking in the garden. Darian said I had an infatuation, and Jaydon said he thinks of me like his sister. I feel so humiliated.”

Shiara placed Amelia’s hand in her own. “I am so sorry, Amelia. I know how much you care for him. How could you have known how he felt? Do not agonize over it.”

“How could Darian do this to me? Why didn’t he tell me?”

“I am sure he never expected you would get hurt. He cares for you deeply. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Amelia shook her head. “I just want to be alone.”

Shiara stood and walked to the door. “I know this may not be what you want to hear, but you will love again, Amelia.” With that prediction, Shiara went back to the festivities.

Amelia could not imagine herself continuing to live her days as she had before. She must go some place far away. She could not bear to be so close to Jaydon, knowing that soon he would marry another woman. But where could she go? She thought about going back to Oregon with the Montgomery family, but felt that would be too much of an imposition. She had an aunt who lived in San Francisco. Perhaps she could go there for a while. Her Aunt Marion, her late father’s sister, had a small house near the San Francisco waterfront. Her Uncle Lonny had recently passed away, so her aunt lived alone. It was possible her Aunt Marion would relish the idea of Amelia’s company for a time. It was the best option she could think of in her current state.

Exhausted from her emotional unrest, Amelia eventually let sleep take her.

____________________________________________________

If you liked the story of so far, feel free to read A Beautiful Bounty: Book One of the Davenport Trilogy. It is the story of Shiara Montgomery and Slade Davenport. I think you’ll enjoy it! Available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited through the month of April 2017.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3CRBZ1

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Only 1 download last month!

Lesson #9: Expand the distribution options by offering a print version.

It took quite some time, but I managed to format my book so it was accepted to the Smashwords Premium Catalogue. Once it was ready to go, the dashboard has some marketing tools for authors. When you go into the Channel Manager, you can opt into a number of expanded distribution options, such as:

Barnes & Noble Kobo Apple Inktera Baker & Taylor Overdrive

Unfortunately, because I opted into Amazon’s KDP Select, I have to wait for the exclusivity agreement to expire before I can release my book on other channels. That was a good lesson... I am not convinced that KDP Select was the right choice because it limits what I can do on other sites. That being said, I could upload and prepare my book for pre-release, and I just selected the release date to be the day the KDP Select period ends.

In addition, I used Createspace to make my book available in print format. That site works with Amazon, so once your book has been reviewed for appropriate formatting, it will be made available alongside your Amazon e-book. There are still many readers who prefer a physical book to an e-book. I am hoping that once I have approved my print copy (I am reviewing my first draft today), then I might see some additional purchases.

The great part of this decision, was that there is no exclusivity agreement on print books under the KDP Select option. That means, I can offer the print copy anywhere, even while I am still under the KDP Select agreement.

Once my book is ready, you can select your sales channels on Createspace, as well.

On a side note, I also read a few forums where people discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Createspace vs. Amazon for printing physical copies. The general consensus leaned towards Createspace as the better option.... at least until Amazon improves its processes.

Lastly, once my print book is available, I will offer a few free copies on Goodreads as part of a free book promotion. Hopefully this will generate some interest in the long term. We’ll see how it goes!

I hope that information is helpful for those getting started. Don’t hesitate to send me a message if you have a question about how this works.

Happy publishing!

HERE IS MY LATEST PROMOTIONAL GIF FOR MY PRINT COPY:

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We Are All Characters ...

You can’t be a writer if you’re not a character yourself!

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Author Humour ...

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LAZY COMFORT

Dug up a very old poem today.

I haven’t written poetry for many years, but I found this one hidden in some old file folders. Ah, memories!

LAZY COMFORT

I give a great, jolting breath, light a cigarette, push up my pillow, And consider how I will spend the afternoon. I can almost taste vanilla ice-cream as the musical truck passes by Like Peter Pan drawing the children away.

The heat penetrates the air, hanging like morning fog in London. Mesmerizing fan blades above offer some reprieve. Ringing. Ringing.  Persistent caller wants to prattle, But my lazy comfort is too much to sacrifice.

Foraging insect, hovering near my screenless window, Circles curiously; furiously precise. Emotionless calm nudges the clock forward, almost timeless, As a thoughtless essence cools my naked skin.

[melissalurquette-blog]

Ugh! My Synopsis Needs Work!

Lesson #8: Keep Your Synopsis to 500 Words... And Make It Interesting!

I made the decision to send my book to a publishing company who was accepting unsolicited manuscripts, even if you don’t have a literary agent. To do that, I needed to write a synopsis. I found it much more difficult than writing my novel!

I read through many websites, searching for a secret formula that would make my book sound incredible! I needed a synopsis that stood out from the rest. Alas, that was not the result ... nope... my synopsis is boring and forgettable.

So, I will share with you what I’ve written as my first draft, and over the next few weeks, I am going to try to re-work it to make it more compelling and engaging. That way you can see some of the process.

In the meantime, here are a few websites that have offered me some guidance in writing my first draft. And yes, my synopsis is just under 500 words, after editing it down from 650.

http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/how-to-write-a-synopsis.html#

https://janefriedman.com/novel-synopsis/

This one has a few great examples to draw from:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/synopsis-writing

Here is my “work-in-progress” synopsis:

A Beautiful Bounty: Book One of the Davenport Trilogy Author: Melissa Lurquette

Young and defiant Shiara Montgomery is opposed to marriage, despite her father, Bryant’s, insistence. Who wouldn’t be after being abandoned by her birth mother, and witnessing a loveless marriage between her father and gold digging step-mother, Patricia? Without her real mother, she had learned to only rely on herself.  She was raised unconventionally, pursuing activities normally reserved for men. Marriage would mean giving up her independence, and Shiara vowed no man would take that away from her.

Slade Davenport, heir to a California vineyard, is running from his own emotional demons. He is a notorious bounty hunter, with a reputation for capturing his prize. He enjoys the perilous lifestyle, and has no intentions of giving it up.

Slade and Shiara clash during their first encounter, but the intensity of their attraction is palpable. Fate intervenes during their second confrontation when Shiara’s is accosted by a group of unsavory men. Slade rescues her, and once she is safe, they conspire to hide the incident from Bryant.

Bound by a secret, Slade and Shiara embark on a contentious relationship. Shiara is physically attracted to Slade, but tries to deny her own newfound emotions that he is arousing. Slade is not willing to abandon bounty hunting, so despite his unexpected response to Shiara, he resists shackling himself to her.

Feeling increasingly pressured to marry, Shiara flees to find her birth mother. Slade tracks her down, but disaster strikes on their journey home. Slade is shot by the outlaw he is pursuing. He survives, but believes he has put Shiara’s life in danger.

Bryant forces Shiara’s hand and demands she marry. Her impulsiveness and defiance is too much for him, but a capable man like Slade is the perfect protector for his willful daughter. Slade unintentionally agrees to the union during a volatile exchange with Shiara.

Before the wedding, however, Shiara is kidnapped by the same outlaw being hunted by Slade. Disturbingly, Slade learns that Patricia has aligned herself with the outlaw in a scheme to kill Shiara so the Montgomery inheritance will eventually fall to her own daughter.

Slade rescues Shiara again, but she is traumatized from the kidnapping. Slade stays by her side, and comes to realize he loves her. Once she recovers, Shiara and Slade are wed, despite Shiara’s internal resistance.

For safety, Shiara is sent to his family’s vineyard in California, while Slade remains in Oregon to bring the outlaws and Patricia to justice. Shiara, fearing abandonment, feels alone and insecure about her marriage. She learns that Slade nursed her back to health after the kidnapping, and Shiara finally realizes that she is in love with Slade.

Slade succeeds in capturing the outlaws; Patricia being killed in the process. When he joins Shiara in California, he wants to prove his love for her – giving up bounty hunting, and committing to stay with her forever. Finally letting go of her fears, Shiara, too, confesses her love for Slade.

Feel free to offer me feedback on my synopsis. I want to take it from boring to enthralling ... Good luck and happy synopsis writing!

[melissalurquette-blog]

Wine and a Good Book ...

My draft copy of my historical romance novel in print! So excited to see the hard copy and feel the book in my hands. It makes me feel like I’m an actual author now! There’s something about a physical book that is so appealing.

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How Do I Get People to READ My Book?

LESSON #7: Offer Your Book For FREE to Build a Reader Base

Every forum that I’ve read reinforces that the best way to get sales is to offer your book for free ... preferably BEFORE you launch. The question of HOW to do that if your book hasn’t been made available yet is another story.

There are many sites that promote free books to their readers, but again, that would be after you’ve made it available on Amazon, and with KDP SELECT authors can choose to offer their book for FREE or at a DISCOUNT as a promotional tool once per enrollment period. This will result in Amazon promoting your book for you. When I enrolled, I offered it for FREE for 2 days over Valentine’s, and without any promotion at all I had over 70 people download my book, from many different countries.

In hindsight, I should’ve promoted the FREE offer in advance of the promotional dates, but I was a rookie and didn’t realize how this would’ve benefited my book sales. Keep in mind that after my free promotion was over, I had to wait until the next KDP Enrollment period to offer it again. I have since learned that it is better to just change your book price to FREE, without enrolling in KDP Select. Otherwise, you are bound by the exclusivity agreement on Amazon, and can’t offer your books through other sites.

For my next book, I will offer a PDF copy of my book to my network IN EXCHANGE for a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. I was also encouraged to order a number of print copies of my book (which I secured through Createspace), and send them to a few people who promise to review the book. Have those same readers commit to passing the book along to another reader. The more people who have read your book, the more word of mouth will spread. Even if you can contact a local book club and ask them to read your book - try having them BUY 7 copies and you will send them 3 FREE copies. You could tell them you would attend one of their book club meetings and do a reading if they are interested... (I will discuss what I learned about book readings in my next post).

Here are a few great resources that support this FREE BOOK PROMOTION strategy for authors:

http://okdork.com/10-marketing-tactics-to-net-41000-downloads-on-amazon/

http://denisewakeman.com/marketing-trends/19-ways-promote-ebook/

I’d love to hear your thoughts about what others have learned about offering FREE books.

Happy Promoting!

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A LITTLE ADVICE FOR WRITERS.

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I Am Stumbling Around in the Dark

Lesson #5: Social media & the author community is invaluable.

For some reason, my Lesson #5 post went missing, so it’s a little out of order. Sorry for that!

Anyway, let’s talk about social media...

First of all, I probably should have made this Lesson #1, since nothing will ever happen if you’re not using social media. Get yourself a Twitter account, and start following other authors, publishers, book promoters. You will soon see what others are doing. If you aren’t familiar with how to use Twitter and hashtags, not to worry - there are tons of resources out there to help you. Here is a link to some popular author hashtags:

http://www.wiseinkblog.com/social-media-2/31-twitter-hashtags-for-the-indie-author/

http://www.authormedia.com/44-essential-twitter-hashtags-every-author-should-know/

I have used many different hashtags in my Twitter posts, but it’s important to limit it to no more than two or three. That is more effective than filling your entire tweet with hashtags. Also, don’t just promote your book over and book, otherwise you will lose followers. The goal is to post interesting information so people will want to follow you. Retweet fun posts from others, and start a blog, so you can promote your writing on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, etc.

Which brings me to my next point. Blog! Keep writing! Almost every successful author out there will tell you that blogging is key. It will help you to start build a following of readers, while also keeping you writing.

Many articles will tell you that you need to get a website. I have not done this yet, but if I start to see more success in sales, I will definitely do this. I am currently focusing on a number of other marketing strategies, so a website is on the back-burner for now.

Join author communities. I am finding the GOODREADS community quite helpful and engaged. There is always someone willing to answer questions as I stumble along in the dark, trying to figure out this indie author world. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel. You just need to stay connected to others who understand your struggles. It’s also nice to read when others are having success! It gives me hope that one day maybe I will start to see similar success.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to ask me any questions about any of my lessons learned. I am mostly friendly! ;)

Happy Networking!