My Publishing Journey - Installment 1

Every Friday, I will take you on my publishing journey. I will provide a window into the world of an author, my interaction with the publisher, and the marketing/promotions involved.

Last week I turned in my book (untitled, scheduled for release Sept. 07), thereby completing the terms of my contract with my publisher. This means that I have no further commitments for any of my books. This also translates to being currently without a publisher.

First, I spoke with my agent to discuss my plans and goals. Considering that there is about a year (give or take a few months) from the time a book is bought to the time the book is released in stores, my goals must take that timeline into consideration. Therefore any proposals I write from this point, if bought, probably won't be on shelves until 2008. Editors are hard at work filling their slots year to two years in advance.

Since most of my current books are tied to a series, which is dictated by readers' choice, I will continue in this trend for my next proposal. My proposal consists of a synopsis (3-5 pages) and three chapters (15-20 pages per chapter). I'm steadily working on this proposal with a self-imposed deadline to send it to my agent by Monday 1/29.

I started my proposal last week Thursday and planned to have it done earlier this week. However, my plans and reality didn't match. Kids had homework, projects due, and lots of studying for tests with the end of the quarter approaching. Now I'm about a week beyond my goal, but that really doesn't matter. I'm still writing every day. Now I'm on Chapter 2 where I'm filling in some of the background to the characters' relationships. Hopefully I'll have a productive weekend and can send it off to my agent. I'll let you know.

See ya next Friday for my next installment.

Michelle Monkou

http://www.michellemonkou.com

Motivation for Love Scenes

As I reached the first love scene in my book Sin's Iniquity, I realized something was different. I was actually reluctant to do it. I couldn't figure it out. I mean usually I'm so hyped about the love scene I can't wait to write it.

But for this one, I found it difficult to embrace the fact that now that these characters had all the tension and it was nothing to stop them from giving the reader what they wanted.

My fingers were reluctant, but I got the characters alone and she was perfectly ready to give him whatever he wanted.

Still i wasnt' in the mood, so I stepped away from the computer and looked at my work area. There as nothing turning me off to the fact that i couldn't do it. There was nothing physically wrong with me. Matter of fact, I was feeling pretty randy with no one to turn to so coming up with the scene was no problem.

Then it hit me...

Oh lawd, how could I forget the most important part of getting to the good part.

Music. I had been playing MJB in my headphones and even though she was jamming in my head, I just couldn't feel my male character.

So I switched up to Brian McNight and started to get in the mood. I sat back down, but there was something still wrong. Brian was getting to the good part, but not taking me there.

So I switched the CD again to Robin Thicke. Nice white boy with a melodious voice to groove too. And he was telling me how much he loved me. Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

With my eyes closed my fingers began to type.

Yes, Robin, you got it. Thank you !

And that's my motivation.

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Sylvia Hubbard is an author, blogger galore and mother of 3 living, working and writing in Detroit, Michigan.

http://sylviahubbard.com

Join her as she releases Sin's Iniquity online at: http://sylviaHubbard.blogspot.com

January Release - HERE AND NOW

Happy New Year, one and all!

My latest book - HERE AND NOW - has hit bookshelves this month, January 2007. This book is the 2nd in the Masterson series. The first book of the series is SWEET SURRENDER, which was part of the Kimani Press imprint launch in its third month, September 2006.

HERE and NOW takes up the story of Laura Masterson who steps out of her family's shadow to forge her own life. She reunites with her college sweetheart, Chase Westfield, who learns how to live life outside the spotlight after his Olympic career is threatened.

Laura Masterson is a physical therapist. I had the opportunity to meet a physical therapist after I was hit from behind while in my car. My back and neck were injured and I had a series of appointments with the therapist. Then I met one of the managers of the company and he was an ex-athlete who, after an injury, turned toward sports medicine. I already had the premise of the ex-athlete, but no career for Laura Masterson. One day, I shared my story and asked if it seemed realistic and that's when I learned that the manager had been an ex-pro athlete. Then I spent time interviewing my physical therapist.

I had pages of notes, but ended up using very little in the story. After all, I'm writing a romance story and the importance and attention had to be on the two characters. Their careers are simply a layer to who they are and what passions drive them. This is the true nature of conducting research and then writing the stories.

Reminder to readers: Many times books may not consistenly make it into the stores or on the shelves. Please do not let that deter you, ask the booksellers to order the books. Otherwise, bookstores will determine, based on their electronic records, that authors or genres of books do not have economic value. The books can also be ordered through http://eharlequin.com.

My first 2007 interview is posted on The Pink Heart Society under the Sunday Spotlight. Feel free to leave a comment (http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com).

Michelle Monkou
http://www.michellemonkou.com