As I prepare myself for the national conference in Orlando, I have to wonder how on earth will I survive the heat? 
Okay, seriously, although I cannot stand heat and humidity, I do have more pressing concerns. I’ve never been outgoing. Yeah, I know, hard to believe, but it’s the truth.
Just the very idea of approaching an editor or agent on a whim gives me heart palpitations. I don’t know why. I’ve met so many fabulous industry professionals and I know they’re there for the same reason I am-to …

I’m just popping in — between swimming lessons, concerts, and barbecuing burgers on the deck — to leave a couple of great links. One is a caution, and the other an encouragement. I ran across them when I was in the middle of the scene-by-scene editing series, so I held onto them until now. But they’re worth clicking through.
First, the caution. Beware of hubris! We all need an editor, so even if you’re self-publishing, get a professional editor to clean up your manuscript. Otherwise, you may fall prey to the …

In reading Lavada’s post from last week, it made me think about the days before I succumbed to the computer. Yes, I’m probably dating myself here, but I grew up in the world where computers existed really only on Star Trek and the movie War Games.  I recall the first computer we had — it was about as far removed from the modern computer as a diamond is from coal.   And then, later on, into my twenties, my mother actually grew to rely on the computer for work long before …

Like other construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians . . . Authors have a tool belt or maybe you’d call it a tool box.  While a carpenter might have a saw, and hammer, and a plumber an assortment of wrenches what do authors have to enable us to construct a story, or book?   Here are some tools I have.
•    Word processor.  Ah could I have written before the age of a computer in every home?  I doubt it.  I use Word 2003 and I know it’s out of date.  I have …

Stacey Joy Netzel needed today off to deal with the craziness of life, but be sure to check in next month for her next post.  In the meantime, ladies (and gents), it’s time to show me yours.
No, I’m not getting frisky with you.  I am going to ask you to share, though.  Earlier, the topic of Alpha vs. Beta males came up with one of my fabulous CPs.   And because I have a google addiction, I decided to google the topic and see what I came up with. There has …

To conference or not to conference, that is the question.
Okay, so it’s not the most pressing question but as summer has arrived, I figured it’s worth discussing. Show of hands, please. How many of you are going to RWA Nationals in Orlando? *raises hand* How many are going to RomCon in Denver? Who has been or is going to a smaller, regional conference? *raises hand* And did anyone go to Romantic Times? I wanted to, but the budget wouldn’t stretch that far.
For those of you who go to conferences, …

Every June my writer’s group has their Annual editor/agent luncheon.  This year we had 20 industry professionals in attendance and, as always, they had a lot to share.
E-publishing is growing and becoming a huge part of the publishing industry. Samhain acquires the full spectrum of romance and they are always open to new submissions.
Paranormal is still hot. Vampires and shape-shifters are selling, but many are looking for a fresh voice and/or new twist.
Many are looking for regency and historical romances, perhaps mixed with a sub-genre: regency thriller, historical suspense.  Kensignton …

Next week, my second book, Pirate’s Promise, will be released from BookStrand Publishing. This has been a whirlwind year of firsts for me. My first sale, first publication, first speaking engagement, and I’m about to have my first book signing.
I thought I’d close out this first year as a published author by touching on what I think are the six things that can make or break a career.
• Promotion. As an author, we need to have a presence (website, social media, etc.) on the Internet. Get out there and talk …

I’m really sorry. I had a topic for today’s post and everything, but no matter how long I sat and stared at the computer screen last night, I just couldn’t make it work. After fiddling with it for way too long I finally had to scrap it and hopefully next time I’ll have it worked out and you’ll all marvel at my brilliance. 
For today, let’s just pretend I’m brilliant, when in reality I’m soaking in the brilliance of everyone else. Here are some great articles on writing and …

Don’t you love a good mystery?
I know I do, whether it comes in book, movie or…author form?  If any of you have tuned in to ABC’s hit show CASTLE, you’re familiar with the handsome, charming bestselling author Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion.)  The premise of the show revolves around Castle’s partnership with the beautiful and tough Kate Beckett – who becomes the inspiration for his Castle’s new book series Nikki Heat.
As both a writer and a marketing professional, I’ve loved the fact that the books mentioned on the show …

Happy Endings is thrilled to welcome Linda Epstein, writer and Submissions Manager for the McVeigh Agency back to our blog. Welcome, Linda!
LINDA EPSTEIN
I just recently completed the first draft of a novel that I’ve been working on for a few years. I’ve also been working at The McVeigh Agency for almost a year now, reading queries and manuscripts, writing reader reports, doing some editing. When I think about going through my own manuscript, writing the second draft, editing it, re-writing and otherwise working it over, I really get present to …

Sensational!
Did that word—my first sentence grab you?  What about my title, that grabbed you didn’t it? I hope so!  Because today’s topic is all about hooking your reader—and unfortunately not about men in kilts… but my latest release has a man in a kilt!
Today is also my first day as an official blogger with Happy Endings.  I am extremely excited to have joined such a great group of writers!  And hope that the readers of this blog—YOU!—enjoy my posts.
These days it’s all about the hook.  And readers are so used …

Ready for the final installment of THE GOLF SPACES, my Scene Checklist?
I’m going through every scene of my WIP with this checklist — and it appears to improve the writing by a level previous works took many revisions to reach. Maybe it will help you too.
We’ve previously discussed THE, GOLF and the SPA of SPACES. Today, we finish up with CES.
C: Conflict
This one is easy. Does the scene have an antagonist? Is the POV character opposed by something or someone? If not, you need to create conflict.
It doesn’t have to be hand-to-hand …

I want you to close your eyes and imagine an amusement park.  What emotions do you remember feeling the last time you visited one? What experiences do you recall?
The last time I visited one was on New Year’s Eve of this year, and my husband and I took our 3year old son.  I’d been to amusement parks many times, as a child, a teen, an adult, with friends, with significant others, family.  And each and every experience is marked by the same things:  wind in my hair, laughter, breathlessness, holding …

Today,  we’re continuing the discussion on Websites at Romance University and focusing on the About-To-Be-Published author — one who has a contract in hand and a release date on the horizon.   Be sure to visit to see what you need on your website — how to establish your target audience and deliver content that meets their needs.
Websites 101: What the Newly Published Author Needs

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fjeannieruesch.com%2Fwordpress%2F%3Fp%3D3172′;
addthis_title = ‘Websites+for+the+Newly+Published+and+About-To-Be-Pubbed+Author’;
addthis_pub = ”;