A quick tidbit for the people that are wondering how much romance publishers pay to their novelists.  You can take a look at the information gathered by Brenda Hiatt.  She has posted the results of five years worth of publishing advance and royalty data from published authors (see http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html).

The information is quite helpful in giving unpublished authors a realistic view of the publishing industry and what can be reasonably expected during contact negotiations.  

Today I came across a wonderful post from Diedre Knight, the founding member of the Knight Agency.  Her response to the RWA’s stance on ePublishing is compelling and I hope it will enlighten all of my fans and fellow writers to think outside of the traditional mold.  The article called, The Digital Age and RWA: A Call for Change can be found at http://tinyurl.com/nud9zl.

I hope this article will create a wonderful dialogue between RWA and ePublishers but only time will time.  In the interim, please continue to do your own research on Samhain Publishing, Ltd (see http://www.samhainpublishing.com/) and Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publishing (see http://tinyurl.com/msnabk).

Now as many of you know I’m on vacation and tomorrow I’ll attend a nice dinner at an Atlanta restaurant with my extended family.  I’m excited to see my cousin and his new wife.  I also hope to hear how everyone enjoyed their nuptials in Jamaica. 

Oh, by the way I met a very handsome guy on my vacation.  He introduced himself at a private party, we spoke during the last moments of the night and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.  We’ve talked a few times since that Saturday and I’ll probably meet him for dinner before I head back to Jersey.  I’m not sure what will come of this but he made quite an impression on me.

I’m beginning to see taking vacations outside of Jersey has its perks.  Keep checking my Twitter page for updates at http://twitter.com/ambishop1.  Thanks.  

Q. I’m working on a selection of short stories and would like to get them published one day.  I hear getting a writing mentor would facilitate stronger writing.  Is that true?
A. Writing mentors and critique partners are highly efficient in shaping manuscripts into marketable products but they usually fill a temporary need and will only be in an author’s life for a novel chapter or a single manuscript.   Most of these ‘mentors’ have a strong background in the industry as published authors, editors and agents.   They are great in helping you determine major plot holes and improve character development.

Q. Why are writing contest so important?  I don’t see the point in paying the $25 to $35 entry fees to possibility win…what? $50 dollars and the chance to say I won something on my blog.  I don’t see the point.
A. You have to take a closer look at the benefits of contests; pass the prize money and a title at the very least you spend $25 to get your unpublished novel in the hands of literary agents, booksellers and booklovers that don’t even know your work exists.  If you are one of the contest finalists you get publicity and promotion from the contest and exposure to industry leaders that will put your name upfront.

If you are a published author that thinks contest aren’t for you, please change your mind because contest winners often get ads in Romantic Times and/or RWA’s Romance Writers Report.  And that publicity helps sell books.  

Q. Like you, I’m an unpublished romance writer but unlike you, I abhor self promotion.  I’m an introvert by heart so why can’t I wait for my agent or publisher to handle the marketing?
A. I totally understand your dilemma.  Writing in itself requires a person to be able to work diligently in solitude to get a manuscript completed.  It’s a time to tap into your muses and let the characters play on your computer screen but selling books is different.  Promotion of novels requires a public persona there’s no way around it.  When you are a big time novelist, then you can leave speaking engagements, on-air interviews, blog writing and contest judging to others but right now you have to develop a seller’s mentality.  Start small by just having a Facebook presence and joining groups of other writers.  Then branch out to developing your own blog, join a writer’s organization and network.  Before you know it, you’ll feel comfortable and ready to talk about your book at the post office, supermarket or, wherever you go.  You’ll be an agent’s dream client.

Q. What do you think about e-Publishing?  And would you ever consider that route?
A. ePublishing for those that don’t know is a generic term that covers a variety of publishing models and formats.  It includes downloadable books to your computer, a PDA (i.e. Palm or BlackBerry) or a handheld e-book reader (i.e. the Kindle).  There are e-publishers that operate like commercial print publishers as far as quality and marketability of their books but authors don’t receive an advance (they receive royalties) and they pay nothing toward the cost of producing the book.

Back to your question, “will I ever consider that route?”  Of course I would!  Mainstream print houses have structured requirements for their imprints but e-presses have more fluid criterion.  I’m also very happy that some traditional publishers (like Harlequin) are now publishing in the e-book format

Thanks to my wonderful sister I just read an article about romance author Mildred Riley.  She’s a 91 years young retired psychiatric nurse that enjoys writing romances featuring African-American characters.  The article was written by Judy Feinberg and can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/ml6nqq.

Mrs. Riley reminds me that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.  Writing usually starts as a wonderful passion that has to be expressed.  It doesn’t matter if you have a full time job, a family to raise or have a host of other possibilities to tend to because the need to write is always there like a undercurrent of an already established stream. 

The wonderful thing about the Riley article is that her passion for writing is strongly influenced be historic and contemporary issues.  And she isn’t afraid to use the wisdom she’s gained over the years to add depth and layers to her works.

I know all romance authors work hard to mold authentic characters and convincing stories but let’s take a page from Mrs. Riley and draw on our life experiences.  There are wonderful love stories all around us and every day we’ll meet people that can translate into wonderful characters.  Acknowledge that fact!  Embrace it!  And I promise wonderful writing will follow.

Mildred Riley’s latest novel ‘All I’ll Ever Need’, published in May 2009, is in bookstores now.

Today is a day of traveling for me.  I'll be accessible via computer and BlackBerry to a limited few but I'm trying my best to leave Jersey in Jersey.  LOL  I'll finish this blog when I arrive at my destination.  I've been promised much R&R so I'm excited and I can't wait to enjoy these next couple of weeks.

Hopefully some inspirational writing will follow...

Great news everyone I just discovered a wonderful site, thanks to romance author Monica Burns.  Just one more perk of joining RWA.  (You know you budding romance writers want to join too.)  Anyway the URL is http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/.  It’s a place where they read and review romance books (with a smattering of other genre and non fiction books) from the readers' point of view.

Appearing everyone is talking about the latest review of The Claiming by Trinity Blacio (see http://tinyurl.com/mtqdua).  The eBook is being slammed by the website reviewers and some RWA published authors are calling it a cautionary tale of what 'not to do' in writing.

I would write more today but the reviews and comments have my head swimming.  And some of you wonder why authors take their time with re-writes and rough drafts.  It’s because once you do it wrong… you’ll get slammed mercilessly.

Take a look and the Dear Author site and let me know your thoughts. 

It’s Monday and this weekend gave me plenty of time to reflect on everything that has happen to me this year.  I’m very thankful for the progress I’ve made as a woman, mother, friend, administrator and writer but I’m still a work in progress.

I've decided to pencil in some time for me to recharge and I have a good friend to thank for that.  I didn’t know I was getting SO stressed out until he poignantly told me that I needed to relax.  I really thought I was taking care of myself but knots in my neck and back tell another story.  I need a massage, an icy alcoholic beverage and the warm of the summer sun so I’m going to stop fighting it and get away for awhile.

I love Jersey, don’t get me wrong.  I don’t care how the Housewives of New Jersey make this place look to the rest of America, the CT/NJ/NY tri-state area is the best place to be but it’s very fast pace here.  And some people in Jersey don’t want to hear that they maybe off in their assessment of a situation or that they are being cruel and unjust to others.  It's life in the fast lane!  Many Northeast people can't help but see things analytically and their energy vampires nature can drain all peacefulness out of the most patience people.   So it’s nice for this southern raised girl to get out of here as much a possible.

Stress isn’t good for the body and self-induced stress is the absolute worse so I’m getting my affairs in order so I can give my mind and body a much needed break.  Hopefully I’ll return with a clearer mind and re-centered s when it’s all said and done.

I’ll still blog so you guys will still be updated on my writing progress (yes, my laptop is coming too) and anything I learn in the world of romance fiction.  Have a great week everyone.

Q. What is you favorite food?
A. I love all types of food but I would have to say that I love lobster, dark chocolate and good sushi.  Yes, I’m a southern girl that loves good soul food but I’ve lived in the Northeast for so long that my tastes have become more eclectic.  

Q. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
A. I enjoy working out, visiting with my friends, horseback riding, watch recording on my DVR and reading novels.  I like to spend a lot of time in the park now that the weather is warmer but I’ll have to schedule that time around my job at the university and my writing schedule. 

Q. Will you continue to work at the university when your books are published?
A. Of course I will.  Being a published author takes work but establishing a fan base takes time too so I need to support myself and my daughters in the interim.  Besides, I LOVE my job at the university.  I couldn’t ask for a better boss and my colleagues are the most supportive people you would ever meet.  

Q. Who are your heroes?
A. If you look on my photo gallery page you will see many photos of my heroes.  It’s too many to name in this blog so please take a look when you get a moment.  

My sister forwarded this information to me yesterday, so I thought I would pass it along.

Elise B. Washington, the first Black Romance novelist died last month from cancer and multiple sclerosis.  (See http://shar.es/b1yh for New Jersey Examiner article)

Her only novel “Entwined Destinies” was given three stars by Romantic Times magazine (See http://tinyurl.com/qmr4fe)  The story deals with Kathy Godwin, a reporter for a London-based magazine that discovers Lloyd Craig, a top TransGlobal Oil executive, while covering business conference.

Washington worked primarily as a journalist and blazed the trail for black romance novelists today.  She believed in the showing the depth of love black men could show to black women.  And she is one of the reasons why Multicultural romance will continue to thrive and grow.

Below is a quote one of my sistafriends shared with me to keep me motivated to achieve my dreams of becoming a published writer.  I wanted to share it with you to keep you motivated in reaching your goals.  (See quote below)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. 

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? 

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. 

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

Good morning everyone.  I personally feel that today will be a life changing day.  Many wonderful things that I hope to come to pass will happen today.  I’m typing it into existence because I’m just that confident.   Hallelujah!!!

The writing is going well and I’m looking forward to submitting North Star in a few contests this month.  Wish me luck with that.  I’m hopeful the judges’ feedback will be help my writing development and that I will place.  I must say that a few eBook publishers have shown an interest in reading North Star so I hope winning a contest or two will make the major publishers take notice.  Wish me luck.

Well, I enjoyed sharing my knowledge of African-American authors yesterday so I’m going to share one more.  I’m not sure if any of you heard about Kayla Perrin but she’s wonderful.  Perrin is a USA Today and Essence Bestselling author who resides in Southwestern Ontario with her young daughter.  Take a moment and watch a brief interview she did for COS productions a year ago.  If she interests you, please visit her website at http://www.kaylaperrin.com/ and learn more about her latest release “Single Mama’s Got More Drama”.  Thanks.