No ARCs???

For those of you who don't know, ARC stands for Advance Reading Copy.  Most often, a publisher supplies authors with ARCs which savvy authors use as a marketing a tool--send to reviewers, blog posts to announce the release of the book, give them out at promo events and conferences.  So needless to say, ARCs are very important.

So when I first read about a publisher not supplying its authors with ARCs for review, I was shocked.  Poor authors I said. That was in February of this year and the article was by an agent.  Little did I know I'd be in the same boat.   Should I feel sorry for myself?  Don't think so. I hate self-pity. 

So what's a woman to do?  Do what women  have done for generations to surivive.  Improvise.  I know it's not fun lugging around 300 page ARC around, but I'm hoping you ladies will forgive me.  The ecomony being what it is and printing/biding is out of pocket...my pocket...I have to wait until I get copies from my publisher, which I promise to send all of you for book tours and giveaways. 

Also, expect T-shirts...black is women's best color if you didn't know it.

bookmarks...

 

And other goodies, which I'll have in the next week or so.  Meanwhile, happy reading and don't hate me for sending my version (or should I say, my husband's version) of ARCs.

The guardian Amulet.

My daughter spent several hours this afternoon creating the Guardian's six-sided star amulet.  I plan to use it on T-shirts, notebooks, all the good stuff when I start my contests.  The Guardians, who are bugging to write book 2, would rather I use a jadeite core, which is closer to what they wear (see the scar on the chest of my cover guy).  I say, boring.  I want a stone closer to emeralds, something that appears mysterious with a core that ebbs and flows. 

So here's my dilemma, which amulet should I use?

This one with the jadeite core (more like the real thing but booooriiiing, looks like a sherrif's shield)

Or the one with the emerald-like core (interesting).

What do you think??????

Awakened cover!!!

I received the cover of Awakened from my editor and I looooove it.  They caught the essence of Bran down to the Guardian scar on his chest.  And the dagger he is carrying is a kris dagger (keris or kriss dagger).  He just borrowed it from the real wielder, the heroine Lil.  I'm going to start posting this everywhere....

Here's what a kris dagger looks like:

Off to go over my galley.

AWAKENED, Book 1

One good thing about independent publishing is how fast things move once they acquire your book.   Go Pill Hill Press.  The new title is official. AWAKENING is now AWAKENED, Book 1 in THE GUARDIAN LEGACY series. I'm waiting for my final galley and book cover.

Haven't blogged because I spent the last few days working on edits and discussing the art for the cover .  If I can have my way, I'd have a shirtless winged man who looks like Drew Fuller (he was amazing in Charmed).

wearing the Guardian pendant (with a jadeite in the core, not an inner star). 

And carrying a dagger or sword:

Oh well, I can dream right.  More good news coming soon.

 

Journey to Publishing

It's been three years since I started the search for a publisher for my YA fantasy book about Guardians/Fallen-Angels/Demons.  I signed up with my dream agent, Leticia, in December and she's been working hard to sell my first book.  I've never had a more hard-working and enthusistic agent work on my behalf.  Finally, three days ago, she sold my book (YEAH!).  Right now it is tentaively named The Awakening.

I was up in Idaho for family reunion when my agent got the offer.  She tried to get a hold of me to no end.  I finally walked to the peer and got some reception and read her e-mail.  Did I scream?  Pinch myself?  You betcha!  Imagine trying to call her from a pier on Lake Pen Oreille where phone comunnication sucks because of the mountains and whatnots.  Still, I got the confirmation and stopped pinchinng myself  long enough to laugh like an idiot.  I had to wait for two days to read the details.

Anyhew, here's a brief summary of the story:

Most teens turn 16 and get the license to drive, Lil gets the license to kill demons. Raised by an eccentric grandfather and used to being alone, she must now train with other teen Guardiansm master her abilities and follow rules set by the Council. Then she meets Bran, a mysterious and gorgeous guy who seems to be in tune with Lil’s emotions. Is he a Guardian or an agent of the demons? And why does he need her help?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?