My 2nd Baby

Currently Working on: Promo for the release of STOLEN HEAT...NEXT TUESDAY!

Mood: Getting excited, nervous, but ready for the book to be OUT.



R-day is coming. Next Tuesday my second book, STOLEN HEAT, releases. I've been through this before. I know all about the "process". And yet, with Release Day looming, I have the same jittery feelings I had seven months ago when STOLEN FURY hit store shelves. I thought I would be more relaxed this time around, but obviously I'm not.

"Release day" is such a strange concept, don't you think? STOLEN HEAT's "street date" is Tuesday, July 28, 2009, but it's been 'In Stock' on Amazon for over a week, and I've heard from booksellers in Australia who tell me the book is "Already selling well". I'll admit I don't entirely understand the concept of "Street date or "Release Day" - if a box of books comes in it's the bookseller's decision whether to set it out early or not. Obviously, all sales count toward our sell-through numbers, but I've been told by other authors that books sold before Release Day don't count toward list calculations, so authors are technically at a disadvantage if a bookseller is so excited about their book they want to get it out as soon as possible. Does that seem strange to anyone else?

Of course, that's only one part of this whole biz that confuses me, but it's the one first and foremost in my mind today as I look ahead to release week. I imagine the way I'm feeling now is much like a parent feels when they send their baby off to college or out into the world. You hope and pray you've done all you can to make them the best they can be. Because from here on out, their life is out of your hands.

I'm sure my anxiety will only peak in the next few days. Like I said, I've been through this before, but it doesn't make it any less exciting. I have a gift certificate for a massage, which my hubby gave me for Mother's Day that I never got to use, so I'm thinking Tuesday would be a good day to cash it in. Do something relaxing. Take my mind off "R-Day". Ease the jitters.

Um...yeah, right.

How about you? If you're a writer, what do you do to ease your stress on Release Day, or do you not get nervous when your books are released? (If you don't get nervous I wanna know your secret!) If you're a reader, how do you deal with stress and anxiety over something big you're looking forward to?

Oh, and before I forget...in case you haven't heard (and how couldn't you???) I'm giving away some BIG BIG prizes in anticipation of STOLEN HEAT's release. Click the widget below or go to STOLEN HEAT CONTEST to enter for your chance to win a $100 VISA giftcard and a whole host of daily prizes!

Guest Blogger - Elisabeth Naughton

Hi all! For those of you who don't know me, I'm what you would consider a long-distance member. I live in Salem but rarely make it to the meetings simply because I have three kids in sports. (And, wouldn't you know it...Saturdays are "sports" days around here.) But I'm thrilled to be with you all today.

In following with this month's theme and the fact this is the end of 2008, I thought I'd blog about things that made me smile this past year. Obviously, as this is release day for my debut romantic suspense, STOLEN FURY, top of the list for me is...well...release day!


Archaeologist Lisa Maxwell has staked her career on collecting the priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs, the three Furies. She finds the first, Alecto, and while lecturing in Italy, meets Rafe Sullivan, a man who briefly distracts her from her goal. After a passionate seduction, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. But she’s not the kind of woman to get mad, she plans to get even…even if she has to partner up with the sexy scoundrel who swindled her. Together they’re on the run to find the last two Furies. But Lisa soon finds Rafe is the least of her worries. Other treasure hunters are hot on their trail--and they'll kill to get to the prize first.

STOLEN FURY was a joy to write. I remember smiling when I finished it because I knew I had something special. But there have been other writing moments that have made me smile this past year. Including...

1. Getting "the call" in February.
2. Talking to my editor on the phone for the first time and hearing how much she loved the book and my writing.
3. Getting my first cover (which I LOVE).
4. Meeting my editor, face to face, at Nationals in San Francisco.
5. Hanging out with some of the RCRW girls in San Fran. (Super fun times!!)
6. Each good review as it's trickled in. Especially the Publisher's Weeekly one where they called STOLEN FURY "A rock-solid debut."
7. Receiving a copy of my book from my editor, hot off the press.
8. Having my book compared to Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones.
9. Having a reviewer compare my hero to a "Han Solo/Indiana Jones rogue" (how fun is that?)
10. Getting my box of author copies.
11. Every email from friends who are excited about the release.

I know I'm leaving off moments this past year that made me smile, but those are the big ones I can remember off the top of my head. It's been a fun year - this time from unpublished to publshed - a bit stressful, but a year I wouldn't change for the world. Big thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of me on the loop and in person.

How about you? 2008 is winding down. Time to look back at your year and tell us...what happened in your writing life this year that made you smile?

***
And before I forget...I'm running a FUN, interactive contest on my website. Embark on your very own quest, partner up with a sexy treasure hunting guide and enter to win a $100 VISA gift card!

Distracted

Elisabeth Naughton

Currently working on: Stolen Seduction

Book three in my Stolen Series for Dorchester

Mood: Feeling Rushed

So I planned to have this blog up and ready by 6am. Alas, you can see I'm a wee bit late. And there's one major reason. You see, last night - when I should have been putting this blog together - I was reading. What was I reading? Our very own Kristina McMorris's Between The Lines. And I got so wrapped up in this fabulous book, I didn't write a single word. Not on this blog or on my wip or on my editor revisions for Stolen Fury, which are due in, um, like a week. So blame Kristina for my being distracted. I am. ;)

Since I'm in the mood to blame Kristina, I'll also add that because I was so engrossed in her book, I didn't have a chance to clean my desk before taking this picture. I do most of my edits here, my promo work and all my email and chapter work here (in case you didn't know, while I'm a member of RCRW, I'm also the president of the Mid-Willamette Valley RWA chapter in Salem). You'll notice I have piles of notes on the left side of my computer - things I need to work on, letters to respond to, etc. On the right I have a couple boxes of business cards that were just delivered, and which I have no idea where to store. On the floor on the left is my spiffy red computer bag (I love that thing) and my signature flip-flops, which, in the summer, I never go anywhere without. What you can't see on the right, behind my chair, is the stack of books in my TBR pile. At least 15 books I'm saving for vacation in August - and all books I can't wait to read.

I do write at my desk sometimes, but the bulk of my writing is done here. On my living room couch. Not sure why, I think maybe it's because this is where I started writing long before I had my own desk and special place. Can't seem to get out of that mindset.

Far and away, the most important item on my desk - aside from my laptop which isn't always ON my desk - is this Believe sign. It sits on my desk always, and every time I sit down to work, I see it like a shining beacon. I got it a year before I sold, when I was going through a period where I was feeling down about the state of the market, how long my book had been "out there" and what was going to happen next. I believe in the power of positive thinking, and seeing this every day helped reinforce my belief that if I worked hard and didn't give up, I'd eventually sell. To this day I am 100% convinced that positive thinking worked.

What's the one thing that keeps you going when you're feeling down? Is it something visual or is it more internal?