Early St. Paddy’s Day

Very pleased to announce that I am in the Mammoth Book of Irish Romance. My story, On Inishmore, is a tale of a Corrigan and her enchantment over an American visitor. I hope you let me know if you read it!

Authors, Be of good cheer!

I’ve learned a lot this year. About myself, writing, what’s important. I don’t think you lose a parent, at any age, without it having a profound affect on you. One thing I’ve noticed recently is that much of what “goes on” on the interwebs regarding writing, romance, authors, agents, editors, fail this and flame that no longer interest me.

I love the editor I work with now at Samhain. Her name is Beth Morgan. I love my very talented critique partner, Gwen Hayes, who just landed a spectacular 2-book YA deal with Penguin. Gwen particularly is a very low-profile, professional person, and I think she’s rubbed off on me a little. When we “met” she said she wasn’t sure she had anything to offer me, because I had published so much more. Ha. Ha. Ha.

I haven’t really been blogging because I haven’t had much to say. The grand dramas of the internet seem like soap operas to me. I can just turn them off, and turn them on a few days later to see it’s more of the same.

I’m enjoying writing, and writing a variety of things–and publishing them. From short stories for a New Jersey magazine to Irish love stories for anthologies to things that you all might one day see published somewhere you recognize. Right now I’m on edits to the sequel to The Egyptian Demon’s Keeper.

And there we have it. The thing I’ve done wrong for five (or more?) years. Cared about the world of writing more than writing. It started with Triskelion, and I never let it go. The inferiority complex, the intrigue, the drama. The things that really interfere with (at least in my case) creativity.

Now, thanks partly to a very trying year, those dramas seem so incredibly unimportant. Because really–aren’t they? In a year when so many are hurting, jobless, even hopeless, does it make much sense to worry about whether someone at RWA lifted an eyebrow or if some agent is “mean”? Nah.

So if anyone should read this, please help me reach out to aspiring authors. Tell them not to worry. Tell them to write and write because they enjoy it. Or to take up tap dancing, if that’s what they prefer. Because every day is a precious gift, and you get to choose how to spend it.

Right now, I’m going to put on some Christmas music and wrap gifts, and then get back to edits.

Thursday Thirteen

Out of the writing cave, and into the fire of figuring out what to write next. I’m dying to write again, immediately. Haven’t felt this way in so long. In any case, with manuscript delivered almost on time, I’m in a jolly mood, so I give you thirteen things you probably have heard. From my favorite author, Mark Twain:

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

An Englishman is a person who does things because they have been done before. An American is a person who does things because they haven’t been done before.

Barring that natural expression of villainy which we all have, the man looked honest enough.

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity — another man’s I mean.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Do something every day that you don’t want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.

Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge.

Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn’t.

Readers on the Romance Business

I hesitated to add anything to the Harlequin, RWA thang, as I’m not associated with either of those institutions. RWA doesn’t recognize my publisher, and HQN doesn’t recognize my extraordinary talent ;o).

I’m not so puzzled over Harlequin’s vanity publishing venture, just assuming their parent company is looking for cash. A wee bit surprised that RWA acted quickly. I’m really glad that authors are concerned that new writers might be taken for a ride, but frankly, I haven’t seen a great outflowing of support from NY-published authors for small press authors. They’ve worked hard to get where they are, dang it all, and the rest of us just haven’t made the grade. I suppose that’s true. What I’d really like to ask a few of those who have posted is whether or not they’d sacrifice their values if it meant their pub company would stay afloat.

So, instead, I went out to my Yahoo group to ask readers a few questions. I thought I’d share their answers here. I know this isn’t statistically relevant and that I could have asked better questions, but the answers are food for thought, at least to me. Oh, and I’m fully aware that this is an unusual subset of readers–as they are online already and are part of a small press writer’s newsletter group.

1. Do you know what RWA is and do you care? Would anything they do influence your decision to buy or not buy a book?

My dad

My parents were part of that so-called greatest generation. My mom’s yearbook said “definitely for the Navy.” And Andy was the reason. He served in North Africa and the Pacific, where he was the lone survivor of a plane shot down. He never talked much about the war, like many veterans. But at the end of his life, he said “I’m not sure those guys were my personal enemies.” As a German American with some Jewish heritage, things were complex for the family. Dad said that one of the prisoners they took had our surname, and he always wondered how they were related.

I don’t have any profound things to say about war. I just want my dad, who’s no longer with us, to know that I remember his service.

It’s alchemy! My book is for sale!

What a lovely day. The Yankees win. Love’s Alchemy is for sale. So, I had something to do with one of those things

I’m back from my little rest and am busy writing an will be a good blogger )
Oh, and by the way, thanks to everyone who entered to win a copy of Love’s Alchemy. The winners are “Buzzy” and Fedora Chen. Congrats!

She holds the key to unlock his past—or unleash hell.

Sidra Patmos has the ability to see the real underbelly of lower Manhattan—a horrifying world where wraiths, demons and a few quirky mortals battle for supremacy. Desperate, she seeks out a paranormal researcher to tell her why her life is a waking nightmare.

Instead of answers, her meeting with the dark and irresistible Van Barlowe unleashes a chain of events far more dangerous than her blackest visions. And a desire she can barely manage to hold at arm’s length.

After three desperate centuries, Van has finally found the Alchemist—Sidra. Somewhere locked deep inside her lies the knowledge that will rescue his family from ruin. The only way to reawaken her abilities is to hold his enemies at bay long enough to convince her to step through the mists of time.

Redemption waits there, and a timeless bond ignited by the undeniable pull between them. The missing ingredient: Sidra’s willingness to risk that Van’s attraction runs deeper than sexual chemistry…

The Forbidden Chamber, from Samhain Publishing, Available today.

“Your life is forfeit if you open that door.”

All her life, Lady Isabel Colven has followed the path laid out for her, content to look neither left nor right for excitement. Her future holds a dutiful, passionless marriage to some nice young man, and she’s content…until the exotic and compelling Lord Rukh Hayle threatens her maidenly reserve. Rumor paints him as a wife-murderer; desire tempts her to look past his aura of danger.

Rukh refuses to let his family’s curse kill a third bride, but Isabel awakens the Raven within him, compels him to take her to wife—and to bed—despite the secrets that live under his skin. That lie is locked in the darkest corners of the manor, waiting to be unleashed. Their lusty union arouses the curse, entangling Isabel in an erotic tug of war that can only end in her destruction. There is no escape for either of them. Not from his family’s shadowy history. Not from demons imagined and real. And not from the choice Rukh faces to save his bride from a fate worse than death…

Warning: This gothic contains heady kisses that lead to ruin, passionate sex on a desk chair, a mysterious husband who may be a murderer, a cursed family of raven shifters, and an unspeakable evil hidden in the closet.

Read the excerpt.
The Forbidden Chamber is available from Samhain at MBaM.

Love’s Alchemy Giveaway!

I’m delighted that Love’s Alchemy will be available on November 6 at Samhain. To celebrate, I’m giving away two electronic copies the day before the release! Entering is easy! Just click on the book title in this post, read the excerpt (link at the bottom of the Samhain page, not the blurb), and tell me anything about Van and Sidra’s first meeting. IMPORTANT! DO NOT LEAVE YOUR COMMENT HERE! Email your answer to ciarcullen@gmail.com.

She holds the key to unlock his past—or unleash hell.

Sidra Patmos has the ability to see the real underbelly of lower Manhattan—a horrifying world where wraiths, demons and a few quirky mortals battle for supremacy. Desperate, she seeks out a paranormal researcher to tell her why her life is a waking nightmare.

Instead of answers, her meeting with the dark and irresistible Van Barlowe unleashes a chain of events far more dangerous than her blackest visions. And a desire she can barely manage to hold at arm’s length.

After three desperate centuries, Van has finally found the Alchemist—Sidra. Somewhere locked deep inside her lies the knowledge that will rescue his family from ruin. The only way to reawaken her abilities is to hold his enemies at bay long enough to convince her to step through the mists of time.

Redemption waits there, and a timeless bond ignited by the undeniable pull between them. The missing ingredient: Sidra’s willingness to risk that Van’s attraction runs deeper than sexual chemistry…

Caveat Scriptor–Quitting the day job

I know, I’m not a famous writer type and probably not the best qualified to write this. Nevertheless, I’m alarmed by some posts I’ve seen recently on writers’ forums about quitting the day job to “write full time.” Especially from those who don’t already have an agent, a track record, or even a contract in hand.

Of course this doesn’t apply to those of you with second homes in Bimini and Maddoff-proof portfolios. But if you’re the average bear, like me, please think things through.

There are only a few spots and a few authors who openly discuss their earnings from writing, especially at small presses. I was struck this past month by my royalty checks. I don’t write “hot stuff” and I’m not particularly a great seller, but I was able to make my final car payment and pay the phone and internet bill with my royalties. Oh, and bought groceries. That is with a new release, several books out, and I’ll admit, minimal promotion. And as I said, many, many authors do much better than I do.

Still–ask yourself these questions before you decide you must quit your job to write:
1. Do you have several months’ funds in the bank to fall back on if you must reenter the workforce during this terrible economic downturn?
2. Do you understand that it could take months, even years before you turn a profit (you’ll be spending money on prizes, organizations, advertising…)?
3. Do you know that if you are lucky enough to land that “big NY contract” it will be ages before the full royalties come your way. You’ll get your advance (hey, if it’s $200K, go for it), but how long will that last you?
4. Do you think you need to write full time to be a writer? Do you know that most writers have day jobs (including those who are caregivers for their own children)? That most writers write an hour here and an hour there? Some fairly well known ones?
5. Are you the sort of person who has the discipline to write all day long? Would you be better in a more social environment for at least part of the day?
6. Do you have an alternate source of health benefits, 401K contributions from an employer, life insurance, etc?

I don’t mean to be a downer, honestly. And sure, it’s none of my business. But the “I made a sale of my novella to small epub! squee! time to quit the day job!” makes my heart sink. Please, can you add anything for or against my warnings here? Have you made it work? How long did it take? Have you tried writing full time and failed? Succeeded? Please share your experiences.

Roaring Twenties Prize Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest and left messages about finding new authors and having fun! We hope you found some new great authors along with your favorites. Authors will be contacting the winners within a week. Some of the entries have only first names, so don’t get too excited–but we have your email on file, so the right person will get their prize. If you haven’t heard about your prize by October 10, feel free to email ciar@ciarcullen.com and I’ll crack the whip ;o)
xoxo
Ciar

THE WINNERS
Sandie wins Vivian Arend (eBook winner’s choice of backlist)
Jane Lavigne wins Juniper Bell (Ebook The Extremist)
Charlene Coyle wins Ciar Cullen (Ebook winner’s choice)
Bella wins Debbie Mumford (Ebook The Silver Casket)
Jane Fahrney wins Renee Wildes (Paperback Duality)
Wanda Flanagan wins Leslie Dicken (Ebook Beauty Tempts the Beast)
Janet H. wins Mychael Black (Ebook Blood & Fire)
Dina Stornello wins Carolan Ivey (A Ghost of a Chance: Legends, Book 2)
April Strength wins Eliza Gayle (Ebook Rope Dreams)
Mindy wins Eliza Gayle (Ebook Watch Me Hide)
A. Muller wins Skylar Kade (Ebook Maison Domine)
Patricia Cochran wins Janna Lee Hayes (Ebook Drive Me Crazy)
Dawn Murphy wins Sydney Somers (Winner’s choice download from backlist)
Susan Pertierra wins Ella Drake (Ebook Scent of Cin)
Judy Cox wins Pamela Fryer (Punch Studio Tiny Book)
Peggy Gorman wins Meg Benjamin (Ebook Wedding Bell Blues)
Linda Nicholas wins Pam Champagne (winner’s choice ebooks)
Teresa Smith wins Pam Champagne (winner’s choice ebooks)
Jen wins Michelle Pillow (Ebook Divinity Warriors: Lilith Enraptured)
Karin Theisen wins Imogen Howsen (Ebook Heart of the Volcano)
Ashley Loos wins Shelley Munro (Winner’s choice of download)
Robinson Mason wins Catherine Wade (Another Time Around)
Betti Obrian wins Debra Parmley (Ebook A Desperate Journey)
Amy wins Sharon Cullen (Ebook Obsession)