Well, I’m still waiting to hear from the publishers who are looking at my books.  One has only had How Faerie Dust is Made for about a week.  I’m sure it will be several more weeks before I hear from them. The other publisher has had A Real Husband for almost eight weeks.  I should be hearing something soon.   And if, heaven forbid, this publisher says no, I have another waiting to look at it.

My western now stands at 13,500 words.  That’s about 51 double spaced pages. So I’m making progress with that one.  The working title (and I’m sure it will be changed) is The Wagonmaster.  Due to the title, the Fantastic Four (see previous blog post) are convinced I’m writing some kind of S & M, Dominant/Submissive erotic romance.  No, wait… sex book.  LOL  That’s what they call all my romance novels. 

Oh, by the way,  I’m the new interviewer for my online RWA chapter Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. My first interview for the Celtic Heart of the Month is posted on the CHRW web site.  The interview with Vonda Sinclair, CHRW’s VP and Education Coordinator, turned out pretty well. (If I do say so myself.  LOL)  Go ahead.  Click on one of the links and see for yourself.

So…  I’ve been asked to guest blog on a friend’s blog next month.  Hah.  I told her I’d do it. But clearly she doesn’t usually read my blog, or she would have asked someone else. 

She’s still looking for guest bloggers. Any volunteers?

Nita

Just thought I’d share of few pics of my daughter’s graduation. 

Here she is with her proud papa. 

And with her boyfriend.

Here she’s with her brother (left) and his friend. Together, my daughter, her boyfriend, my son, and my son’s friend make up what I call the Fantastic Four.  
They’re always together.

And one more with one of her best friends.

She’s all grown up now and officially a college student.  Classes don’t start until August 20th, but she has her student i.d., her parking tag, and class schedule.

Where did the time go?

Nita

Not bad.  I’ve had one rejection and two requests in the past couple of days.  I’ll take those stats.   One request was for A Real Husband, my historical.  The other was for How Faerie Dust is Made. 

I sent off HFDIM this morning.  They said it will probably be about six weeks on that. 

My historical is currently being reviewed at a publisher who has requested that I not submit elsewhere until they’ve had a chance to review it.  So I can’t submit to the other publisher who’s requested it quite yet.  It’s been a little over six weeks since I submitted, but maybe I should hear something soon.  I’m told it’s usually about twelve weeks.   

I think it’s pretty cool how they decide on whether to offer a contract, though.  See, the publisher I submitted to utilizes readers to help them decide.  The publisher gives the readers a list of books with a blurb provided by the author.  The readers choose the books they might be interested in.  That’s a plus.    At least I don’t have to worry about people who prefer contemporaries reading my book and making suggestions on whether or not it should be published.  After the readers choose the books they want to read, they are given time to read them and fill out an evaluation form. 

I’m assuming that this evaluation form will tell the editors and publishers whether or not they liked the book, and if there’s any major problems with it.  Another plus is that two readers fill out the form and if they disagree, a third reader is found to break the tie. 

I think that’s a neat way to help decide whether or not to publish a book.  They send it straight to the readers and say, “What do you think?”  Actually, it’s sound a lot more fair than putting it in front of only one editor who may or may not like your voice or the plot. 

What do you think?  Would you rather have an editor or agent have all the control?  Or would you rather put your book before readers and give them some of the power?

Nita

I’ve added to my western.  It now stands at 7200+ words.  So far, I’m happy with the pacing and character development.  Let’s see if I can keep it going!

I read two books, too.  Connie Mason’s HIGHLAND WARRIOR and Bertrice Small’s FORBIDDEN PLEASURES.  Both authors are on my favorites list.  And I absolutely loved both books!

Monday and Tuesday was Freshman Orientation for my daughter.  Yes, I now officially have a daughter enrolled in college! 

Today was a day to catch up on emails and MySpace comments.  Wow!  Y’all shoud see some of the beautiful graphics my friends have left for me.  Check them out here. I apologize to my MySpace friends for the lack of comments the last few days.  I’ve had very little computer computer time lately, but I’ll try to stop by your page and say hi tomorrow.

I’ve started working on those Golden Claddagh entries, too.

So, as you can see, even though there’s still no word from the various outstanding submissions and queries, I haven’t had much time to dwell on them.

Thank goodness!

Nita

Not much going on here.  Well, I mean, no more than usual. 

I sent off a couple of queries.  Still no word from the publisher who’s looking at ARH, so I thought it would be a good idea to keep a few irons in the fire.

I read Mary Alice’s SEE HOW THEY DIE. Very good. 

I received four entries to judge for my RWA chapter’s contest, The Golden Claddagh.  I have until the middle of June to judge those, so I thought I’d wait till I get over this cold.  I want to give each entry my complete, undivided attention and I would rather be feeling my best so that my critiques aren’t colored by my mood.

Today was awards day at school.  My daughter won the Daughters of the American Revolution award for citizenship today.  And she raked in another scholarship, this one from the Kiwanis Club.  My son got the math award. 

Graduation day is quickly approaching, as is summer vacation.  I should have been a teacher.  I need a long summer vacation, too.

Nita

I can’t help it.  I’m so excited for my friend, Mary Alice Pritchard.    Her book See How They Die is out today!

It’s her first book with Triskelion Publishing.  Here’s the blurb:

Most dreams don’t come true but Rhiannon knows her nightmares do. They haunt her until it’s too late for the victims. Rhi can’t hide anymore when the latest victims are found close by. Determined to help the local sheriff stop a madman before he kills again, Rhi has to set aside her own fears placing her trust and just maybe her life into the hands of another lost soul.

Gavin’s unique abilities made him one of the army’s best specialists for over eight years. When his partner called it quits Gavin mustered out as well. Now Matt needed his special brand of help to stop a serial killer. How can a man seemingly beyond redemption offer a woman afraid of living a light to hold onto while she explores the sick mind of a killer? Can Rhi’s touch awaken the light within his soul and keep them both safe?

Sounds great, doesn’t it?  Check out an excerpt here!

Congrats, Mary Alice!

Nita

That’s how I feel today.  I’ve had some kind of cold/flu virus.  It started with a runny nose and sore throat on Sunday.  Monday I started feeling bad.  Tuesday I spent the whole day in bed.  I didn’t even change out of my nightgown.  I should have done the same again today, but I got I up and went to work.  If I can make it through today, I should be okay.  I’m off tomorrow because I have to work Saturday.  So maybe I’ll be feeling better after another day of rest. 

I haven’t felt like writing or doing anything else, for that matter.  So the western still stands at about 5k.  I really should have used yesterday as writing day.  I could have taken the laptop to the bedroom, but all I wanted to do was sleep. 

Yuk.  I just hate being sick.  I think tonight I’m going home and make a hot toddy.  Anybody out there got any other home remedies you think might help?

Nita