publishers – Jennifer's Journal

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Hello, everyone!

I have some news, my peeps: I will be changing publishers.

My publisher for Calmer Girls, a small press in the U.S. which has been in business for five years, is closing its doors at the end of August. It was sudden news that leaves me (and all of its other authors) facing new decisions, transitions, and a fresh start.

But it’s okay! This sort of thing is not uncommon these days because of continuing changes in the publishing industry. This even includes the big presses. Who knows, it may turn out to be – dare I say it? – a blessing in disguise for some. With all rights, files and cover art, etc. now reverted back to me, I may even decide to self-publish. Why should hubs be the only one who runs a business in this house?

That said, I’m currently weighing all options while my third reader is plowing through the sequel to Calmer Girls, Calmer Secrets. Don’t you worry, dear Calmer readers, because one way or another you will soon be reading that sequel too!

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As for those who want to but haven’t had a chance to read the first book of the two-title series, there will be a short delay before it becomes available again for purchase on Amazon and Indigo. In the meantime, I still have a small supply on hand which includes those already ordered directly from me, and Norton’s Cove Studio is carrying them as well.

Many thanks to all of you for your support, readership, and for everything you’ve done so far. I hope you will continue to support me and my work as it is incredibly important to me. I will post updates, and the moment I have more info on my novels, I will make it available here and on my Facebook Author page.

Plot twist and move on!

Hi, everyone. I thought I’d pass along a quick update today about my novel and what has happened lately in my life as an author.

I am encouraged by the reception Calmer Girls has gotten in the publishing world. In particular, I am now ~~patiently~~ waiting on those who have expressed interest in my query, synopsis and sample chapters, and who subsequently requested the full manuscript for review. (Yay!)

Of course, my optimism is tempered with caution and awareness of the reality that these are only first steps. The road to getting traditionally published is a long, slow and arduous one for many new authors, and I am no exception. I read yesterday of a successful novelist who endured TWENTY-NINE rejections before his first book was picked up. And it ultimately made it to the New York Times best-seller list!

So now while my manuscript is out of my hands, I continue on with the sequel. In that area I have made progress, but not as much as I would like due to life getting in the way (Funny how that always seems to happen!).

For this reason, I am considering taking part in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it is called. This is a yearly internet event that takes place in November, not only nationally but all over the world. The object is to write 50,000 words of a first draft in 30 days, which means participants write an average of 1667 words a day.

Awesome? Terrifying? Doable? Impossible? You tell me.

If I do indeed sign up, some of my activities will no doubt have to be curtailed or relegated to the back burner. My Friday Bouquet will be suspended for the time being, and my other blog posts will be brief. I won’t be able to read others’ blogs as much as I am used to. But I shall return, my lovelies!

What do you think of such a project? Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo this year? If you are, tell me all about it below. We can give each other moral support. 🙂

Explore Further:
One Wild Word: Get ready for NaNoWriMo by choosing your novel’s story question

Kristen Lamb’s Blog: 8 Elements to NAILING Your Plot and Owning NaNo