This Blog is Closed

Or at least, I won't be posting here in the future except for major announcements. I'm currently posting on my blog on my website. Come over and see whats' going on with me. http://www.maddybarone.com/

Update

I received and completed the Cover Art Request Form from Liquid Silver and am now waiting for an editor to contact me concerning revisions etc. It's just about time for the National Conference (RWA) so it might not happen until after that. Meanwhile I've been writing Glory and Wolf Shadow's story. Poor Glory. She thinks this guy is really hot. Totally smoking. And she's more than willing to have a one night stand with him. But in the morning she needs to find a phone and get back to the real world. She was on her way to the final interview for her dream job when the plane went down, and even a gorgeous stud muffin like Wolf Shadow can't keep her from reaching for her dreams.

I Have Signed A Contract!

As of July 7, 2010 Sleeping With the Wolf is under contract with Liquid Silver Books! I am very excited to be with them. Over the past few years I have read many of their novels and novellas, and I know they put out a quality product. That's why they were top on my list of whom to submit to. I'm sure they will have me hopping doing some edits and revising in the next several months, so I should get as much writing done as possible on Glory's story before I get hit with the edits. The thing is, I'm totally wrapped up in Tracker's story. And between work, weddings, SCA stuff and fiber arts guild demos I have almost no time for the next two months. So little time, so much writing to do. I'll have to cut back on demos if necessary. My writing is my job, now, so that has to come first. Good thing I like writing.  :D

A Website for me?

I have been thinking that in order to be a successful e-published author I will need to have a website. So today I purchased a domain name and contacted a website designer with whom I am e-acquainted. That is, she is active on Romance Divas and I have corresponded briefly with her. Several other divas gave her designing talents high praise. So I'm hoping she will be able to set up a beautiful site for me. Since I tend to write paranormal/fantasy romances I like the idea of something ethereal and elegant. But then again, I love bold vivid jewel tones. I guess I'll need to see 1.) if she has time to design for me and 2.) what she comes up with.

Moorish Tavern-the Siege of Tunis

As I've mentioned before, I'm in the SCA, a historical re-creation organization that focuses on the Middle Ages and Renaissance. One of the things we do is hold wars and battles. This weekend I went to a mini war in northwestern Northshield called Moorish Tavern. It is an annual event, aways held at the same campground near the Canadian border. There are battles, and feasting, and singing. And there is often rain, as was the case this year. The was a brief but furious downpour, with 40 mile an hour winds. Some tents were tested, and some were swamped, but none fell.

In addition to the usual fighting in armor with swords and shields, there was also a rapier tournament to determine who would have the honor of wearing the Princess' Sleeve. The level of swords(wo)manship was outstanding. Sadly, in the final bout an accident occurred, resulting in Lord Marcus being rushed to the hospital with a dislocated knee. It must have been unbelievably painful, but he returned in a few hours on crutches and showed such high spirits and chivalry that the Princess named both he and Dona Margolit (his opponent during the final bout) as co-holders of the sleeve. She carefully cut it down the middle and gave half to each.

I was very excited to see Sir Yngvar, recently returned from Iraq.

Also, there is a lady whom I love as a dear sister and friend, the honroable lady Eabblean of Castel Rouge. She is generous to a fault, always making garb and giving gifts to her friends. So about a dozen of us got together and planned to make her some garb she has always wanted: an Elizabethan loose gown over a kirtle with all the appropriate jewelry, foot wear and head gear. She cried.

It was a wonderful weekend. I applied bug juice religiously, but it must have been wiped off mys feet by wet grass, because my feet look like smallpox victims. Yikes! Still, I had a great time!

Full Manuscript Requested

About two weeks ago I sent a query with a synopsis and the first 3 chapters of Sleeping With the Wolf to an epublisher whose books I have enjoyed in the past. On June 2 I received a nice email saying thanks, they had received it, it had been added to the queue and I should hear something in 4-6 weeks. Cool. So I began playing with some of the other books in the series, writing some scenes, developing some outlines and character sketches and generally taking a little break from Sleeping. It was finished, but I wanted to review the middle for any improvements I could make after I'd had a chance to get away from it. After all, I had at least a month before they would ask for it, if they ever asked for it. I figured there was a good chance they would tell me thanks, but no thanks.

And when I got to work and checked my Maddy email what did I see? An email from the epublisher. Oh, no, I thought. It's been only two weeks, and I'd heard that a quick answer was usually an R, a rejection. So I heaved a sigh and opened the email.

And squealed loud enough for people three aisles over to poke their heads up to see what was up with me. I waved my hands frantically at my buddy Jill and ordered her to get over to my desk tout suite and read this email. She did, and squealed and gave me a hug. We told everyone within earshot that the publisher I had submitted a partial story to had requested the full manuscript. Someone in the third aisle was disappointed to find out that I hadn't won the lottery. But I feel like I did. I know that this is by no means an indication that the publisher will accept and publish my book. But I had been prepared to receive my first R and it was a thrill to see the full manuscript request instead. Not much work got done by yours truly today.

I may well open my email in another couple weeks and find the thanks, but no thanks message. But at least I've gotten this far. Not too shabby for someone who didn't take her writing seriously until a couple months ago. And if it is rejected maybe the publisher will give me some reasons why and suggestions for improving.

That's the news from Maddy-land today. Off to plunge back into Eddie's Prize.