4 Types of Friends a Romance Author Has

Romance writers, and often readers, deal with some interesting preconceptions on a daily basis, frequently from strangers. Often, though, we deal with the exact same preconceptions from the people in our lives, those who are supposed to make up our support system as we navigate the world of publishing. When it comes to our careers (regardless of how close we are to them otherwise), these people can be split into four groups:

1. The Super Supporter
• People in this category are the best. They volunteer to beta read your manuscripts; offer opinions on the text, and cover design, and promotional items, and anything else; talk through contract and other business issues with you; tell their friends about your book when it comes out; participate in your cover reveal and blog tour; share the information on social media without being asked; and really do just about everything they can to support you as an author.
  
• These are the people who are impressed you wrote a novel, and often no less impressed that it's a romance.
• Sometimes, prejudices make even these people hesitate (before they've read your book), but they will get over themselves and give it a try for the sake of helping you, because you are the part of the equation that matters to them, not the genre you write.

Mortal Musings Cover Reveal!

It's time! I'm super excited to finally be able to share the cover to my upcoming release, Mortal Musings!

There has been so much going on behind the scenes, and this is the first step in finally bringing all of that out into the world. So without further ado: here it is! As always, I'd love to know your thoughts.

Release date: August 25
Cover design by Coreen Montagna


Muse Alexandra has had it with the arrogant, ungrateful humans she is obligated to inspire. When the internal ranting of her latest charge pushes her past reason, she disregards the rules and forces her own words through his fingers, and is instantly entrapped in mortal form. With no magic, no identity, and no resources, Allie has no alternative but to navigate the mortal realm, depending entirely on her reluctant host while discerning what exactly caused her transformation — and how to reverse it.

Brett doesn’t have a chance to consider the words that mysteriously showed up on his screen; he’s too distracted by the stunning woman who appeared in his office out of nowhere. Before his brain can catch up, Brett’s uninvited guest becomes enmeshed in his everyday life. Her artless innocence gradually lessens his suspicions. Most importantly, the writer’s block that’s been plaguing him dissolves under the fantasies the naively beguiling Alexandra inspires.

All too soon, the forced proximity sparks a confounding awareness neither writer nor muse are able to resist.

Pre-order it now!

Amazon | Smashwords

If you're up for helping me spread the word, there's still time to sign up for the Blog Tour. And of course with the reveal, comes a giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Acknowledgment Pages: Yea or Nay?

In today's world, it seems like just about everything is widely debated — and there are fervent arguments made for every side. Acknowledgment pages are no exception.

Some people believe them to be absolutely necessary, like Alicia Dunams; others hate such pages with a passion, believing they should never be included, as they are merely cheap promotion and narcissism, or that they've gotten too long and are nothing more than name dropping. Here's an article refuting that last one, and here's another arguing against the whole practice.

A quite involved discussion happened in the comments section on this post by former agent Nathan Bransford. And even my tweet on the subject received a variety of answers.

Mortal Musings Cover Reveal & Blog Tour Sign-ups!

There are a few moments along the way that make a novel start to feel "real." The first, of course, is the exhilaration of finally finishing the draft. Many of these moments hinge on when we can start sharing everything we've worked so hard on with others. As publication draws near, those moments start coming closer together, which is both thrilling and terrifying.

I'm so excited to share that Mortal Musings is officially on the countdown to publication, and as proof: sign-ups for the cover reveal and the blog tour are now available! (And yep, that's why this is a rare double-post day!) The cover reveal will take place July 20th, and the blog tour will run August 24th-28th, both hosted by IndieSage.

Publishing Contract Basics Series

Last year I wrote an in-depth series on publishing contracts, but since it's been a while, I've decided to consolidate links to all the pieces in one easy, convenient place! 

If you feel there's anything I've missed in the series, or if you have any questions, please let me know. I will address any concerns in a future post, as I always want to provide the best information possible.

1. Read This First: An Overview and Intro to the Series



Photo credit: joebeone / Foter / CC BY

2. Grant of Rights
3. Subsidiary Rights
4. Publication Clause
5. Warranty & Copyright
6. Finances: Part 1 and Part 2
7. Option Clause
8. Noncompete
9. Termination & Reversion of Rights

As a reminder, it is incredibly important to read and understand your contract. It is much worse to have a bad contract (or for that matter, a bad agent) than none at all. Sometimes that means we have to turn down offers, painful as that can be. For further reading on that aspect to contract negotiations:

• The Other Side of Rejection, or When to Turn Down an Offer
• The Minefield of Contract Negotiations
• Turning Down Your Dream('s Fine Print)

So there's plenty of information included in all of the above, but it's always better to be well informed! After all, for aspiring and published authors alike, these details of contract negotiations can literally determine and control our futures.