Pages

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! *and some itty bitty prizes*

Helloooooo, everybody! 
I'm so sorry I haven't been in here for a while. As per my last post, I've been... busy. Writing, learning, writing, revising, napping, writing, eating, writing. (Ok, that got old fast. Wow, nothing more depressing than seeing your life spelled out in gerunds.)
 Christmas happened and my own group of little lovelies were on hand to celebrate. This is our table topper. I wish I could have left it up all year, but it started to get a little dry by Jan 15th.
 Some mod podge and paper punch snowflakes and I finally escaped from the land of Pinterest fails.
 Of course, there were cookies. Lots of cookies.

As for writing, I've been immersed in another Austen Takes the South story.
Getting lost in history...
                                                    
Pausing to revel in Southern beauty and grandeur...
                                                
 And emerging to take a breath of Southern style...

(Oh, wait. Rupert Penry-Jones has come to pay us a visit!)
Can you guess which Austen story I'm working on now? Yes?

Well, before we go there, I need to tell you something very exciting. In October, Beth Adams of Howard Books contacted me, wanting to know if I was open to selling this self published series.

                                                 (This is me. A happy writer, pecking away at my keyboard and dropping books into Kindle land. Awwww....)


  As a contented little indie author, it certainly gave me pause. What would it mean to have a traditional house heading this project? What kind of changes would there be? Were there limits to my story lines now? It was a big decision and we talked it over thoroughly. I knew this series needed serious editorial help. I also have always known that self publishing on Kindle doesn't reach the majority of readers. Some authors have successfully sold print on demand books in large quantities, but my earnings in paper were modest. I also knew my paper books weren't as polished as they could be, but I wasn't sure how to make them better. I knew it could be done, but I just didn't have the knowledge, or the time to invest in learning how to make it happen.

  In the end, I realized that I wanted to partner with an editor who loved Austen and understood this series. After much thought and prayer, I felt sure that Beth and Howard Books would bring new life to my quirky little romances. I loved them and wanted the best for them... and I took a chance.

And has it been an amazing journey! In just a few months we've edited both Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits AND Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs. The second of the series had some holes in plot and character motivation that needed to be filled, and it was a blast to dive back into that story. Beth Adams has an amazing gift for seeing a story from several different directions. Her questions always set me thinking on ways to bring the characters into tighter focus. I loved the stories before, but I'm very proud of them now.

The new ebooks became available on Amazon on the 14th. So far, more than ten people have contacted me to say they love the new edition more than the original, saying the story truly shines now. I agree!


So, all of this is to announce that this series is now part of Simon and Schuster/ Howard Books! And to celebrate, we're going to have to give away prizes. Since Rupert Penry-Jones was not available as a rafflecopter prize, I've had to settle for Austen movies. I tried to buy several different editions because I KNOW there is that tiny disagreement between fans over the 1995 and the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movies. (I would tell you which one I love the most, but I don't want to start a food fight on my first day back on the blog.)
                                        
I WILL tell you that Persuasion is my next book in the series! Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin' Cornbread has been a thrill and a half to write.

Here's a peek at the (brand new, of course, since I have my own copies) movies I'm giving away. There are four, so enter often! Tell your friends and family!
Or not. If you can keep the entries down, you might just win THEM ALL.

And the typewriter is not for sale. She's my lovely baby and comes with me to book signings. Also, she weighs approximately a hundred pounds and I would be poor if I tried to ship her anywhere.
The giveaway ends on the 27th. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 comments:

  1. Congrats on getting your novels published with Howard, some of my favorite writers have books with that publisher. :-)

    I love Austen so I'm surprised I haven't seen your books before, I'll have to check them out!

    I've seen all the movies you're giving away. They are wonderful! I have to say, I don't know what all the fuss is about concerning Firth vs. MacFadyen. I think they were both AWESOME Darcys! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hadn't heard of them before but I was absolutely impressed with Beth Adams, and I still am! She's awesome!

      Delete
    2. P.S. The rafflecopter is now open! I didn't have the date set correctly!!

      Delete
  2. I love your books! In fact, I enjoyed them so much that I purchased copies for my daughter to own. I'm so excited and happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your books! In fact, I enjoyed them so much that I purchased copies for my daughter to own. I'm so excited and happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh jeez. User error when posting. Thanks for being so kind to reply on both posts.

      Delete
  4. You know I LOVE LOVE LOVE your stories!!! Winning is fun, but curling up with a new book is the BEST.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Aleena!! And I totally agree. I'm a reader at heart and when I get a new book, I'm like a cat in catnip.

      Delete
  5. This is so exciting, Virginia!! Talk about a dream come true! :) Your new covers are gorgeous. Congratulations!

    ~Amber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Amber! I loved the other covers, but these are very pretty, too! I got to see several different options and we agreed these were the nicest!

      Delete
  6. Congratulations!! This is all SO awesome! I was in love with the 'old' covers, but I have to admit the new covers are breathtaking!

    This could not have happened to a more deserving individual! :)






    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you so much, Christalee! (Or should I say, 'Bless your heart'!!) And I love these covers. I was quite attached to the old ones, but the new versions have such bright colors!

      Delete
  7. So thrilled at your good news! God has used your publishing story to encourage me this year as my husband has been out of work--it's a blessing to see His provision for you and your precious family. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie Lynne and Kathy! I'm so glad this has been an inspiration to you! God is the One who will never tell you to give up. So many times, I've felt this has been too hard, too much work, and He gives me rest.

      Delete
  8. Congrats on your big news. Love the book covers that are shown above!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for a chance to win one of your DVD's. I've not seen any of them. And haven't read any of your books but they sound like fun books. Please put my name in. Thanks! MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think it is fun to watch the different versions as they all bring something fresh to the table. I LOVE Persuasion and look forward to reading your southern spin on it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susan! I really resisted watching the1995 Persuasion because I thought Anne was too meek and I didn't like how I could always see the whites of her eyes. Haha! But so many of my friends said they loved that version best that I did watch it and... now I'm a believer! I prefer the 2007, but I see how Ciaran Hinds brings so much to the story.

      Delete
  11. I'm JUST ASTONISHED!! You updated your blog. I should give you a prize for that. Gorgeous covers. Just like the author. Sassy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haaaahaaaaaa!!!! I almost never blog. I do love to blog, but I just never have time. At the end of the day, I'd rather write. But I love to come here and pour out thoughts... one or twice a year.

      And I love the covers! I still think they need pearls, but hey, we can't have everything, right?

      Delete
  12. hahaha! I didn't actually KNOW Persuasion is your next book. It's mine as well. Of course only a Persuasion addict would even notice the similarities (very few lol). I can't find the clearly defined goal for Anne in the book. No external conflict. Michael Hauge where are you when I need you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What? You're writing a book on Persuasion? Whoohoooooo! Janites UNITE!

      Delete
    2. P.S. I you don't think there's a goal and conflict... I would point you toward her father's dialogue and the cousin Mr. Elliot. Poverty and sham marriages are usually the conflict in Austen, along with the small window a woman might have to save her family from the poor house.

      Delete
  13. Smart move on the choice of publisher.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I hope they feel that way as the year goes on. I'm all in to this project so I'll see how this new sort of "hybrid" (TM!) brings to the table for all of us.

      Delete
  14. I brainstormed with Mary Connealy yesterday. Decided saving the homestead was the only good external conflict.

    ReplyDelete