I'm done with revising The Last Slayer for the moment. Which means Agent thinks it's ready to be shopped around, and I'm happy with it, too. I can't thank her enough for all the suggestions and notes on how to make the story better. I really think the entire story hangs together so much more cohesively now.

Coincidentally (or otherwise) Colleen Lindsay blogged about revisions / rewrites and ego landing. I'd never heard the phrase “the ego has landed”, but it's from a blog post by Del Rey Editor-in-Chief Betsy Mitchell on revisions / rewrites. It look like there are many writers who are very resistant to revisions / rewrites, even if they're going to make the story better, because they're so convinced of their own brilliance or something.

I hope I never become one of those writers. Agent, May and Hero Material have my permission to smack me hard when my hat becomes too snug for my own good.

There have been several articles and blog posts about how the subprime crisis is going to make it near-impossible for new writers to sell, blah blah blah, and I'm sure many of you have read them already. They do look pretty gloomy, the end-of-your-dream-as-a-wannabe-pro kind. And some aspiring writers are feeling so discouraged that they don't even want to bother querying until the economy improves.

This is what I think about the entire situation:

It's never been easy to get published. I can't think of a time when someone squealed, “OMG! It's sooooo easy to get published.”

It's always been difficult to get published and build a career. What changes is the factors that make it hard to do so.

But one thing you know for sure is that people will continue to buy great books. Everyone's looking for a fabulous story, the kind that makes them lightheaded with excitement. And that's what you the writer can control. So write something that leaves agents and editors panting for more, and no matter how bad the economy is (or whatever), they'll publish it and readers will buy it.

To kick off the month of October and the release of my first contemporary romance from Samhain, I’m doing a four-post series on Devil Falls. There’s a chance to win a free copy of Devil Falls each week, so tune in. :)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-60504-220-X
Length: Category
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, LTD

Read It ♦ Buy It ♦ Extras

All he wants is silence. All she wants are answers.

Damien Kirk was once a world-renowned cellist, celebrated across five continents for his musical gift. Now he lives in self-imposed isolation on a small Caribbean island.

Biography writer Victoria Benedict is looking for a story…and she’s not the type to take no for an answer. Her appearance on his doorstep shatters his reclusive existence.

Determined to be rid of her, Damien demands a quid pro quo: a kiss for each answer to her interview questions. Her response is as arousing as it is unexpected. As Damien and Victoria escalate their sensual game of cat and mouse, Victoria discovers the passionate soul underneath Damien’s cold exterior…and a shocking story of secrets and betrayal.

Warning: This title contains the following: sex, scorching kisses, killer breakfasts, a hot tropical island and a happily ever after.

Q&A with Mambo the Grocer

Today we caught up with Mambo the grocer. She owns a small grocery store near the mansion where Damien lives, and does a little fortune-telling on the side.

Me: Hi, Mambo. How long have you been on the island?

Mambo: Since I was born. I am a seventh-generation St. Cecilian. (lowers voice) I know everything about everyone.

Me: Really? What do you know about Damien Kirk?

Mambo: Who?

Me: The man who lives in Greyhaven.

Mambo: Him! He is a demon, I tell you. He killed my girl!

Me: Oh…Errrr…hmm. What did the police say?

Mambo: Pffaah! They can do nothing. He has a demonic power. Everyone is afraid of him.

Me (not remembering giving him any supernatural power): How do you know he has “demonic power”?

Mambo: Have you heard him play his cello? It is unnatural to make such sounds, I tell you. Besides, his dogs! They howl like the hounds of hell and cannot stand the light of day.

Me: Err…okay. Well, thanks for your time.

Mambo: Via con dios. (leaning forward) Avoid that man! He will feed his dogs on your blood.

Me (nodding vigorously): You're right. I'll be very careful.

Comment here with anything you want to say or ask Mambo. She will try to answer them all by October 20, so come back here for her response to your questions / comments. One lucky poster will get a free copy of Devil Falls. (Drawing will be held on October 20, so post by October 19 for your chance to win!)

And finally, the winner from last week is Janie Mason (Commenter #9)! Please contact me for your copy of Devil Falls!

To celebrate the release of my first contemporary romance from Samhain, I’m giving away a copy of Devil Falls. For your chance to win a free copy, check out Damien Kirk Interview Part 1. :)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-60504-220-X
Length: Category
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, LTD

Read It ♦ Buy It ♦ Extras

All he wants is silence. All she wants are answers.

Damien Kirk was once a world-renowned cellist, celebrated across five continents for his musical gift. Now he lives in self-imposed isolation on a small Caribbean island.

Biography writer Victoria Benedict is looking for a story…and she’s not the type to take no for an answer. Her appearance on his doorstep shatters his reclusive existence.

Determined to be rid of her, Damien demands a quid pro quo: a kiss for each answer to her interview questions. Her response is as arousing as it is unexpected. As Damien and Victoria escalate their sensual game of cat and mouse, Victoria discovers the passionate soul underneath Damien’s cold exterior…and a shocking story of secrets and betrayal.

Warning: This title contains the following: sex, scorching kisses, killer breakfasts, a hot tropical island and a happily ever after.

13 Music That Inspired Devil Falls (Soundtrack)

1. Double Cello Concerto in G minor by Antonio Vivaldi
2. “Air” Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D by J. S. Bach
3. Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J. S. Bach
4. “Tell Me Where It Hurts” by Garbage
5. “Break Away” by Big Mama
6. “Sleep” by Azure Ray
7. “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
8. “Di quella pira” from Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi
9. Symphony No. 25 in G minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
10. “Extreme Ways” by Moby
11. The Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello by J. S. Bach
12. Soul of the Tango by Astor Piazzolla
13. Symphony No. 5 in C minor by Ludwig van Beethoven

To kick off the month of October and the release of my first contemporary romance from Samhain, I’m doing a four-post series on Devil Falls. There’s a chance to win a free copy of Devil Falls each week, so tune in. :)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 1-60504-220-X
Length: Category
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, LTD

Read It ♦ Buy It ♦ Extras

All he wants is silence. All she wants are answers.

Damien Kirk was once a world-renowned cellist, celebrated across five continents for his musical gift. Now he lives in self-imposed isolation on a small Caribbean island.

Biography writer Victoria Benedict is looking for a story…and she’s not the type to take no for an answer. Her appearance on his doorstep shatters his reclusive existence.

Determined to be rid of her, Damien demands a quid pro quo: a kiss for each answer to her interview questions. Her response is as arousing as it is unexpected. As Damien and Victoria escalate their sensual game of cat and mouse, Victoria discovers the passionate soul underneath Damien’s cold exterior…and a shocking story of secrets and betrayal.

Warning: This title contains the following: sex, scorching kisses, killer breakfasts, a hot tropical island and a happily ever after.

Interview with Damien Part 1

Honestly I had no idea what to expect when Miranda (Damien’s manager) said Damien would see me for a quick interview. You gotta wonder about a guy who goes missing for months after a ghastly scandal. Not that there’s anything wrong with scandals, mind you. After all, don’t we all love good gossip?

So here I am, blindfolded and led by a couple of people — men I think. Beads of sweat pop out on my skin at the briny smell of ocean and the piercing screeches of seagulls. Thank God Damien is a musician, not a mob boss.

Someone pushes me into a car, and we drive for a while. The road is apparently unpaved. The car stops and we get out and walk over uneven ground for a good ten minutes. I hear what sounds like a waterfall in the distance. Finally we enter a house. My blindfold disappears and I see a pair of Dobermans. Great. I’m afraid of dogs, especially big ones. They merely glare at me, and I thank my lucky stars they are leashed.

A big-boned woman who reminds me of a boarding school headmistress is standing in front of me.

Me: Hi! I’m Angelle. I think Damien’s expecting me.

Woman (speaks with a subtle accent…I can’t quite place it): I’m sorry, but there’s been some misunderstanding. You have to go back.

Me: What?

Woman: Mr. Kirk isn’t feeling well, and he’s not—

Me: (thinking “yeah right”) DAMIEN!!!!!! DAMIEN!!!!!!!!!!!

My loud voice startles the dogs and they start barking.

Woman: Stop that right now! You horrible American!

Me (ignoring her): DAMIEN!!!!!!! I know you’re here!!!!!!!

I guess I screamed loudly enough. Finally the man appears. Damn. He’s hot. It’s like a pure concentration of male hotness. If it weren’t for my boyfriend, I’d jump him.

Damien: Amadeus, Ludwig, silence!

The dogs immediately quiet down.

Damien: So. You’re the bottom-feeding writer Miranda told me about.

Me: You should show some respect here. I’m your creator, and I can make you ugly if I want.

Damien (lifts an eyebrow): Do let me know when a publisher starts a Quasimodo romance line.

Me (choking in outrage)

Damien: Well? I haven’t got all day. Ask your question and get out.

Me: What really happened on the night your—

Damien: Next question.

Me: Wait! I haven’t finished—

Damien: Yes you have. Next.

Me: Why are you so insufferable?

Damien: Because I can be. (Smiles nastily) You’re my creator. Surely you know.

Me: No. I prefer to create and deal with pleasant people.

Damien: Well, you have me instead. Of course, you can always leave and deal with Miranda if you prefer. She handles the “pleasant” work. (Takes the dogs’ leashes) I presume our interview is over?

Me: No way. I’m going to take questions from the audience. And so are you.

Readers, feel free to ask any question you want by Monday October 13 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. I’m going to draw five on October 13 and make Damien answer them by October 21. Also, one lucky commenter will get a copy of Devil Falls.

On one of the loops I belong to there's been a discussion on one of the workshops because some people thought it was too snarky because the manuscripts were someone's baby. I don't know … but if you send something to publishing industry professionals, you should be ready to hear what they have to say even if you think their comments are mean. It's not their job to spare your tender feelings. Nobody put a gun to your head and forced you to submit.

Your manuscript is NOT your baby or treasure or any such thing. It's a product you hope to sell to make a profit. (Or at least generate positive cash flow since “profit” is a figment of an accountant's imagination.) This is not to say that it doesn't hurt to get rejected or us writers don't get neurotic when we write. But this kind of attitude helps because you can maintain some distance so that an editor/agent's rejection of your manuscript does not become personal and morph into a rejection of your baby.

(BTW — I don't get this “baby” thing in the first place. Do people normally sell their children to the highest bidder?)

To invest excessive emotional attachment above and beyond what's necessary will only break your heart even more when you get rejection slips, crappy reviews, and snarky reader comments.