#IWSG

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!

September 5 question - What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

After I completed my first manuscript, I attempted to learn about the publishing process. I learned how to write a query letter, and it must've been pretty good because I received a partial request from agent, Jodi Reamer. (She's the agent behind Stephanie Meyers and the Twilight Series) I was psyched. But, my manuscript wasn't top-notch, wasn't ready. And it took many, many revisions and rewrites. The lesson here is: don't rush it. Have a beta reader and/or a critique partner or have a group read your work. 

Afterward, I did receive more requests, and more rejections. I was ready to throw in the towel, until someone mentioned Small Presses and Independent Publishing Houses. Within a week I got 3 offers of representation. I went the small press publishing route.

However, I couldn't quell that spark of acquiring an agent. I'd recently completed a project and decided to again send out queries. 

Let me be clear, if you go this route, grow a thick skin of armor. Be aware of the unsettling depression that can wreck havoc on your brain with each rejection letter, or the new thing agents do--no response is a rejection, which is frustrating. After years of this, I think my skin is made of chainmail, and I don't get depressed anymore. I look forward to improving my project and query letter.

My new manuscript did get the attention of an agent. I signed with her. The edits are completed and it will be going out on submission sometime this month. It just might flop altogether, who knows! But I tried.

Basically, I've ventured down two paths. And, I'm very happy with my independent publisher, she's wonderful and extremely easy to talk to.

In truth, I believe both paths are equally adventurous. My advice is, whichever path you turn onto, be happy with your decision.

What path have you chosen, or which path do you plan on venturing down?

#CTST

**This week I'm Celebrating New Life**

My fourth grand-baby was born on August 2, 2018.

Meet Penelope Marie

Going through labor and pushing for 3 hours, my daughter wasn't progressing. A C-Section was performed. Then, 2 days later we had a scare. Penelope was transferred to a children's hospital for possible surgery. But, when all the tests were resolved, no surgery was necessary and she came home! Thank God! 

Mama, Daddy, and Penelope

Two Proud Grandmothers!

Hazel with her new cousin.                           Sam with Penelope.

Celebrate the Small Things

If you're looking for a sweet Blog Hop that doesn't have to take a lot of your time, and can post about any little tidbit, then join in #CTST! Go to Lexa Cain's and sign up. 
Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:

L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge

Prah, Constantine Baryeh Reviews #paranormal #ebook

I can't believe we're into the month of August already. Didn't we just celebrate New Years!!! The year is flying by and I hope you all are having a fabulous summer. This month our review team chose:

Wicked for Hire

by

Lotta Smith

Medical student Amanda Meyers thought she had her life all planned out until people started dying the moment they touched her. Being cleared of any wrongdoing didn’t stop the medical school from expelling her, and it didn’t rid her of the unfortunate nickname Grim Reaper. 

Luckily, having a rep as the harbinger of death isn’t a total resume killer. Rick Rowling, Special Agent for the FBI’s Paranormal Cases Division recruits her to work for the Bureau. But the sexy, brilliant, outrageous loose cannon proves to be just as untouchable as the mysterious creature or creatures that may be responsible for the seemingly unsolvable murder that becomes their first case together. 

Instead of treating patients, Amanda’s life becomes a test of her patience and a wild ride into the wicked paranormal world where her new boss runs the show. Together they face a ghoulish force that could destroy the entire city and a grueling family dinner that could leave Amanda contemplating harakiri. 

It’s a battle of life and debt [student debt, that is] and saving the world has never been so funny.

Cathrina's Review

Wicked for Hire is a quick, short read. I enjoyed this story surrounding the witty Amanda and the fast talking, and strange Rick Rowling.

Mandy gets terminated from medical school due to her deadly touch, which gets her hired by Rick into the FBI for paranormal cases. It gets a little hairy in the beginning, mainly because Mandy doesn't believe or understand what her job will entail. Rick takes Amanda on quite a wild ride into a mysterious case, which he seems to figure out quite easily, while she stands by and learns. Rick also seems to be immediately attracted to Mandy, however, she thinks the guy is off-his-rocker. But she  can't resist the handsomely charming Rick much longer.  

I believe this novella sets up the reader for the next book installments. 

Head over to read Nana and Empi's reviews! 

#NewRelease @nanaprah #romance #KimaniRomance #Harlequin #ebook

Today, I'm Celebrating A
Hot New Release
by an Amazing, Prolific Author
NANA PRAH

💛 BOOK RELEASE💛

Title: Path To Passion

Author: Nana Prah

Genre: Contemporary Romance 


💛


BLURB

The man who broke her heart . . .

Is the man she now needs more than ever!

Heir to his family’s global empire, branding genius Miguel Astacio turns everything into marketing gold. Only his best friend’s sister seems immune to his magic touch. Until Tanya Carrington comes to him to save her floundering nightclub. Miguel is ready to rectify past mistakes. But will his supreme sacrifice win the heart of the woman he loves? 

Add to Goodreads: https://goo.gl/hbCASz

BUY LINKS

Amazon US: https://goo.gl/nbTvYU

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/jkwRjj

Barnes and Noble: https://goo.gl/5gx7Mx

iBooks: https://goo.gl/cLpN6p

Kobo: https://goo.gl/YwVpWN

EXCERPT

Miguel’s blood heated as she gave him a wavering smile. She was just too 
beautiful, with clear skin marked only by a dark mole at the corner of 
her nose, angled dark eyes and full lickable lips.

“I mean,” Tanya continued, “I won’t even be able to recognize the place when its
completed. Everything sounds incredible, but I may have to draw the line at the
cages for dancers.”

He thought she might. “Trust me, if we charge people to dance in them, they will
pay. The one rule is that they have to keep their clothes on.”

“We’ll see.” She stared at the screen again with her eyes unblinking 
“Um…” She rubbed the back of her neck and a light sheen of sweat broke out 
on her forehead. “How much will this cost?”

Now for the heavy convincing. He got up and stood beside her to point at the 
CCTVscreen showing the dance area, which had filled up a little more in the hour
they’d been going over his ideas. “I can see this place packed, people waiting
all the way up the street trying to get in. VIP area filled with actors,
musicians and pro athletes flying in to experience it.”

Unable to resist, he leaned close so they were almost cheek to cheek. Her heat and
honeysuckle perfume floated into him, and he turned his head so his starving
lips could caress her one more time. He kissed along her jaw until he met the
sensitive area of her neck, where he teased her with gentle nips until she
moaned. She sprang as far away from him as the room would allow.

What had he been thinking? Why did she affect him this way? She took away his
willpower like no other woman had ever done. Thinking became almost 
impossible when she was around. The desire to smooth his hands over her 
incredibly silky soft skin drove him to get closer, but he stayed rooted to the 
spot, watching her rub the goose pimples from her arms.

“Answer the question, Miguel.” He was pleased to hear her voice quiver. “How 
much will it cost?”

He’d rather discuss the turbulent heat swirling between them, but if she wanted to
ignore it then he should, too. “You’ve heard the saying that you have to spend
money to make money, right?”

Her slow nod brought her hair forward. He watched as she brushed back the 
strands he wanted to filter his fingers through, bringing her close so they 
could fall into the attraction drawing them together.

CONNECT WITH NANA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanaPrah.Author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NanaPrah

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanaprahauthor/

Website: https://www.nanaprah.com/

#IWSG

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Alex's awesome co-hosts are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, and Lee Lowery!

What pitfalls would you warn other writer's to avoid on their publishing journey?

If you're self-publishing, never release your book without getting a professional editor. Typos, repetitive words, and scenes can be avoided by employing an editing service. 

Always have beta readers or a critique group help guide you through the pitfalls in your manuscript. After writing and editing your own work, you'd be amazed how many blunders that can escape you.

If you plan to query for an agent, make sure your query letter is topnotch with an obvious hook. And make sure it's typo free and professional. There are numerous sites on how to compose a good query letter. Also, have another writer or editor read it. Others may find where the letter needs improvement. After querying with the same letter without feedback or requests, change it up. 

Learn how to market your book. (I'm still learning) Before publishing have plan in place. Get advanced reviews. Send out ARC's (Advanced Reader Copy)