OUT ON SUBMISSION...THE WAITING HAS BEGUN

Out on submission. Finally.

For publishing civilians, that means my agent is shopping my manuscript with editors of publishing houses. We’ve worked hard to polish the story—a process that took two re-writes and a lot of blood, sweat and emails. She believes she can sell it and so do I. It’s the waiting that’s a bitch.

This week my critique partner, Sarah Andre, wrote about the amazing Jo Anne Banker and perseverance on the long road to publication. Veteran author Colleen Thompson wrote a brilliant piece on what to do while waiting. Their wisdom came at a perfect time.

But it’s hard to be patience when so much work and so many hope hang out there—maybe to be embraced, maybe to be rejected.

GIVING AWAY RITA WINNING YA NOVEL: IRON KING

Last week at the RWA National Conference in New York I got to hang out with some wonderful young adult novel authors. Although I don’t think I’ll ever write for that age group, I love reading the books of such marvelous writers as Tera Lynn Childs, Sophie Jordan, Kimberly Derting, Suzanne Collins and many others. These books cover such a wide range of subjects and characters I’m awed by the imaginations who create them. Okay, and these are some very fun women as well as talented!

Is there any YA book you--or your kids--loved that needs to be added to my TBR pile? Why did you love it?

BOOK GIVE AWAY 

Each year RWA nominates books from each romance genre for the coveted Rita award. This is the romance writer’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. This week I’m giving away a copy of the 2011 Rita Award winner in the young adult category—IRON KING by Julie Kagawa. Just leave a comment any day this week, and next Monday I’ll draw a name for the book.

Here’s what the back cover says:

 Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Leave as many suggestions as you want! I read a lot!

FAREWELL, CY TWOMBLY

This morning I read the sad news that Cy Twombly died in Rome yesterday. The Telegraph said this about him:

Cy Twombly, who died on July 5 aged 83, was a reclusive American painter whose work was so individual it barely needed a signature.

I have to agree.  Sometimes an artist’s work just speaks to you and from the first time I visited the Cy Twombly Gallery of the Menil Collection in Houston, I was enthralled, delighted and thoroughly hooked. I didn’t know anything about his background or what inspired his work, only that the huge canvases in the Zen space affected me on a primal level. Sometimes a quick visit through the gallery lightens my day. At other times, I draw peace and inspiration from just sitting on a bench in front of the monumental Untitled (Say Goodbye Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor). Not everyone who passes through likes the paintings or the space, but for me the place holds a magic that never fades.

So, farewell, Cy Twombly, and thank you.

Is there an artist or writer who speaks to you in a special way? Who and why?