Five Star Author Blog

The Not Quite Right Reverend Cletus J. Diggs

2008-03-17T11:15:00.002-04:00

My Next Five Star book comes out next January, but I thought I'd drop in with a note about another book just about to be released. It just became available for pre-order, and it's only going to be printed in a 100 copy run (though hopefully with a cheaper mass market version to follow).

The Not Quite Right Reverend Cletus J. Diggs & The Currently Accepted Habits of Nature will be out in July....

Here's the cover, and the back cover blurb...

“Whatever grows, must decompose” — Cletus Jehoshaphat Diggs

When Cletus J. Diggs gets a visit from his buddy Jasper and learns about the dead man sticking boot-first out of the fishing hole, he has no idea what it will lead to. web_ready_cletus_cover.jpg

How could he? Old Mill is famous for a lot of things, good fishing, barbecue, over-sized satellite dishes and disappearing beer; it is not known for genetic research, ancient rituals, or alien abduction.

From the moment Cletus and Sheriff Bob drag the corpse from the fishing hole to the final moments of terror, the action is non-stop, tense, and filled with surprises.

Between the Reverend Dozier and his church, the swamp witch, the albino twins, and the local lodge’s well-hidden secrets, the strange events in Old Mill, NC are pretty much out of control. Only Cletus, ordained minister, common law attorney, journalist, private investigator and jack of all trades can draw together the people and resources necessary to set things right. The question is, can he do it before it’s too late?

New Five Star Book Upcoming - and updates

2008-02-27T15:55:00.002-05:00

Just a note - though this seems to be a pretty dead blog, that I have a new Five Star title due in early 2009 - VINTAGE SOUL - Book I of the DeChance Chronicles. This is an urban supernatural dark mystery...sort of. More info on that to follow.

I've been reviewing books, doing updates on my writing, and generally keeping the masses entertained over at my new WordPress site...thought I'd drop in and provide a link. I have three new books due this year, and I'm nominated for The Bram Stoker Award in three categories - it's a good year!

Drop by! Macabre Ink

-DNW

Wednesdays with Joanne - "Post, anyone?"

2007-09-12T10:55:00.000-04:00

Hi guys,

Every time I read our Five Star loop, I see where more of us are going over to the Dark Side, where no one has gone before ... MySpace. The wonderful Mr. Baxley has given my site a mention on the Five Star MySpace page, but I've yet to create my page. I promise I'll "gird my loins" and learn what I need to do.

Do you "Who Still Post On This Blog" feel this blog is worthwhile or do you think we should all use MySpace and/or the FS loop? Code for, is this site a useful tool for us or not?

Just curious, guys.

Joanne Sundell

www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter
Next: The Parlor House Daughter 12/08

While researching the twelfth century . . .

2007-08-29T23:47:00.000-04:00

My latest romantic suspense release BETRAYAL is set in 1122, England. I did extensive research into that time period so that my people would be true to the customs, everyday concerns, and political climate of the day.

One of the aspects of that time that I found fascinating was the influence of the church. The rules set out by the church were not to be broken, and for those suspected of an infraction, the church's punishment was swift and severe. Suspected heretics, for example, were subjected to impossible tests - called trials, at that time - to prove their innocence. One method used was to tie an accused hand and foot, place him or her in a sack weighted down with rocks then throw that sack into a lake. If the accused floated to the top, alive, then he was judged not guilty of a crime against God. If he did not surface, then it was decided that God's justice had been served.

In BETRAYAL one of the characters who antagonizes heroine Katherine is a bishop. Once she is introduced to him, she soon comes to realize that this particular bishop has an agenda of his own which he furthers by using his power as a member of the church. After reading of some of the methods used to prove heresy, I couldn't resist including a scene in which Katherine's faith is called into question. The scene turned out to be quite powerful.

I won't spoil it by revealing anymore, in case you haven't read BETRAYAL.

Research, I find, triggers thoughts and ideas to deepen characters and further the plot. It also makes for fascinating reading : - )

Regards,
Karen

Wednesdays with Joanne - "You're never too old for Harvard!"

2007-08-29T13:53:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Yep, you can congratulate me. I've been accepted at Harvard College, ie, my novel, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, is listed as part of the Harvard College Library. Okay, admittedly it doesn't take much to get me excited (the beauty of being over 50 is that no one cares what we say or do anymore) but having my debut novel purchased by Harvard College, well ... I'm still trying to settle back down to earth! Sure I'm not the only Five Star author who's in the Harvard Library, I'm still dancing in the clouds on this one. I got into nursing school years ago on my good looks (yeah, right) but I got into Harvard on "my good book!" I know, I'm having fun with this one but why not, right.

If any more of my books are accepted at Harvard College, I'll eat my covers!!! Ummm ... deelish!!!

Thanks for letting me have my Academic Moment in the Sun,

Jo(anne)

Next from Five Star:
THE PARLOR HOUSE DAUGHTER 12/08
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter

Whoops, I forgot!

2007-08-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

I forgot to include on my "Wednesday Post" to you (I know it's leaving you all breathless), that I, like Jon B., would love you to visit my webpage on squidoo at www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter , in hopes you might put in a "good vote" for me. I don't think I'll ever hit #30 on the charts in A&E, but I'm oh-so-happy Mr. Baxley has!

Thanks guys,

Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
author@joannesundell.com

Wednesdays with Joanne - "The HOOK in us all"

2007-08-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

Hi guys,

Bet you thought I meant to say the BOOK in us all, but oh contrar`...

What I love about what we do, writing, is that we're all unique; all coming up with our own unique HOOK for our BOOK(s). Not so easily done, as we all know, but do it we must (if we want to sell a book or two along the way.) Every time I meet a new author, I'm struck by the fact that this writer has actually written a book, then gotten it published of all things! It still is amazing to me that any of us get published but that's for another day. Right now I want to celebrate the HOOK in us all.

We are all unique, with our own perceptions, our own way of doing ... well ... just about everything. Geez, does that ever come in handy in attempting a novel. What are we without our uniqueness? Not a whole lot, I'm thinking. That is in fact what we bring to the writing table. We're ever in a daily struggle to combat cliche` and convenient storylines. "When I have fears that I may cease to" write, I do my utmost to remember that there is a HOOK, all our own, just around the corner. I just have to find it. Like Harry Potter, but not like Harry Potter. Don't we all love the wizardry he cooks up! Finding a HOOK is a bit like finding a "portkey" in Rowling's amazing stories. Once we do, we close our eyes, endure a bit of turbulance, then we're there!

Oversimplification? Perhaps. At the end of the day, we get ourselves to the end of our book(s), hoping indeed our hook(s) can withstand reviewers and skeptical readers, appealing to many a librarian and bookstore owner. Whew! The ride can be a turbulant one, but I think we can all agree it's definitely worth it!

Relax, it's just writing!

Hah! Want to know where that came from? I read off a gift bag from the Hustler, their motto: Relax, it's just sex! (For all of you chick-lit writers ... good title for you.) Anyway, my point here is that when we're looking for our next Big Bad HOOK: RELAX, IT'S JUST WRITING!

Until next time ...

Jo(anne)

www.joannesundell.com
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter

The Remainder Table...AndShameless Self-Promotion

2007-08-18T17:37:00.000-04:00

A sad fact of publishing is that books go out of print. These days that happens rather quickly unless you’re She-Who-Is-Named-All-Too-Often or Stephen King or—well, you know. And when books go out of print, publishers first try to sell the inventory they have on hand at cut-rate prices. Copies they can’t sell, of course, are stripped and sent to the recycle bin.

I hate spam and junk mail, too, but please hear me out. My publisher is sending all remaining inventory of Death Is No Bargain to the remainder table. I couldn’t stand to see that happen, so I bought out most of their stock. This is your last chance to get a brand new, autographed copy! This book is officially out of print, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Death may not be a bargain, but my latest Emerson Ward mystery is! Get an autographed hardcover copy of Death Is No Bargain at a blow-out price! Hurry! Offer good only until August 31, 2008!

It’s a great book, but don’t take my word for it. Here’s what people said about Death Is No Bargain:

"Think Travis McGee in Chicago, with an Alfa Romeo coupe instead of a moored houseboat, and you have a terrific series." —Jeremiah Healy, author of Spiral and The Only Good Lawyer

"Michael Sherer gets better with each book. I hope he continues the trend for as long as I keep reading. Top drawer." —John Lutz, author of The Night Spider

“Get ready to turn some pages, fast.” —Sam Reaves, author of Dooley’s Back

“… quite amazing storytelling that kept me turning the pages.” —Mystery News

“… never slows down as the sleuth follows a meandering trail that climaxes with a fabulous final spin. Fans will appreciate this solid murder mystery.” —Harriet Klausner

“Sherer is a great storyteller.” —Cynthia Lea Clark, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine

“The fifth Emerson Ward caper is an unusual mix of straight-ahead and thoughtful discourse on hot-button social issues. The characters are as complex as the issues with which they wrestle, and the mystery is cleverly presented and resolved.” —Wes Lukowsky, Booklist

“I like the Ward novels. I like Emerson himself. You will, too.” —David Pitt, I Love A Mystery

“Sherer is able to combine nearly breathless action with deep insight into the human psyche so well that it is often hard to tell where the action ends and the inner struggles of his well-crafted characters begin.” —Emily Burson, BookPleasures.com

Get your copy of Death Is No Bargain for only $11.99, including shipping! Heck, at that price, get a copy for everyone on your holiday gift list and finish your shopping early! Still not convinced? Check out a sample chapter at www.emersonwardmysteries.com.

Ready to get a copy? Send an e-mail to msherer@emersonwardmysteries.com with your name, address and return e-mail address. Tell me if you want your copy personally inscribed. I’ll e-mail you a PayPal invoice with instructions on how to submit payment through PayPal. Your autographed copy of Death Is No Bargain will be sent via Priority Mail. Free shipping to the first 10 orders.

Thanks,

Mike

Marketer's Dilemma

2007-08-16T16:44:00.000-04:00

The hardest part of our job as writers is to become known, to connect with our readers or potential readers. No matter how big or small your publisher, your marketing budget has finite limits. With small publishers, though, it’s particularly difficult—not only doesn’t the publisher pay for much in the way of publicity or promotion, but advances are so small that it’s difficult to decide where to spend that hard-earned money.

The man who first piqued my interest in writing fiction was John Nichols, author of The Sterile Cuckoo. Back in my college years, before he published The Milagro Beanfield War, I took a creative writing course from John. He told the class about how he’d become a novelist. It all sounded so easy and romantic—write a book, sell it to a publisher and watch it become an instant best-seller, reap the financial rewards of a movie deal and move to Taos and contemplate your next novel. John’s experience, of course, was as harsh as it was romantic.

While trying to find a publisher for my first novel, I used to joke with people about living a scenario similar to the one outlined above. What fascinated me was that when my first novel finally was published, people naturally assumed that my advance would allow me to purchase a villa in Provence and live the high life. Most of us know how far from the truth that is.

So, how to budget for marketing? For my next book, I put on my PR agency account executive hat and developed a plan, including pre-publication activities like sending out ARCs to mystery magazines, major metro daily newspapers and online reviewers the publisher doesn’t cover, developing press kit and book club materials to send out, and writing articles for pubs like Mystery Scene; publicity activities like a publication announcement press release, a book release notice to online sites, social networks and interested pubs like alumni magazines; the usual promotional stuff like sending post cards to bookstores and libraries; and post-pub activities like setting up bookstore signings and attending conferences.

Most of these tactics are relatively inexpensive, but add them up and they start to run into real money. I asked someone who specializes in promoting authors what I was missing, how I could create more “buzz.” She responded:

“…it would be good for you to be more visible. Print coverage is harder to get than ever these days and not being with a major publisher will affect that, as I'm sure you know. The best compensation for getting attention these days is to be pro-active. Get visible within the mystery community and the industry at large.”

Sound advice. When my series was first published, I joined MWA, became an officer of the Midwest chapter, attended national board meetings, went to the Edgars, participated on panels at conferences like Bouchercon and Dark & Stormy, and toured bookstores and libraries throughout the Midwest with several other mystery authors as often as I could. (Travel was relatively cheap as I was married to a flight attendant at the time.)

Did that raise my visibility in the mystery community? Absolutely. Did I sell more books as a result? Nope.

Now I don’t have the luxury of airline passes. And it’s been well more than a decade since I served as an officer of MWA. So, I wrestle with decisions like whether or not it’s worth registering for LCC 2008 in Denver in hopes that I’ll get on a panel, when I know the cost of attending that conference alone will eat up my entire advance.

I often wonder how many authors afford to fly around the country attending conferences and doing tours that their publishers aren’t paying for. I suppose like me, many of them haven’t quit their day jobs.

Wednesdays with Joanne - "The Write Trip"

2007-08-08T13:12:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Summer is trekking along, so get those vacation hours in quick! A special shout-out to CC Harrison ... congrats on your next book with Five Star!!! And yes, the Iron Horse Resort is still The Place in Winter Park (although the developers ARE HERE)!

I just returned from The Write Trip: Author Day at Five Star-Thomson Gale, Thorndike Press, in Waterville, Maine. What an honor to have our publisher create a day just for us! Too much fun. Not only did we have an opportunity to meet our fellow authors with Five Star, but the staff of Thomson Gale and Thorndike Press as well. We were wined (H2O and soda) and dined (lobster and chicken) on delicious fare as well as conversation. My feet are back on terra firma (barely) but I have wonderful writing memories to keep me warm on cold Colorado nights to come.

New England is rich in history, and I'm talking Writing history! For me, a romance lover from Virginia who now resides in Colorado, driving along on my Write Trip, passing signs that read Walden Pond ... well, you can imagine. A literary moment, certainly. Another one came when I stopped in Camden, Maine. For those of you who enjoy my love for The Hallmark Channel, as in Sarah, Plain, and Tall (the series runs often) ... roaming around Camden, where Sarah wrote her advertisement "to make a difference," made my heart skip, yet again.

On my way to the airport in Hartford, my Writing Trip took me through John and Abigail Adams country, where they (thank goodness) wrote so many letters to one another, David McCullough could put them together for his wonderful biography. John Adams is one of THE best books I've ever read! (I'm still reading Harry Potter - Deathly Hallows ... so I'll let you know.)

Hmmm...I'm of the thought that one could step out their door in this great country, go in any direction, via any means of transportation, and suddenly discover they are on their own Write Trip! It IS, America the beautiful!

Until next time...

Jo(anne)

Matchmaker, Matchmaker
A...My Name's Amelia
The Parlor House Daughter (12/08)
www.squidoo.com/historicalromancewriter

RUNNING FROM STRANGERS

2007-08-05T13:21:00.000-04:00

I’m very happy to announce that my romantic suspense novel RUNNING FROM STRANGERS will be released by Five Star in September 2008. Pleased, too, that I’ll again be working with Tiffany Schofield and the wonderful Five Star editors and support staff. Really, they treat their authors like rock stars, and diva that I am, I love it!

RUNNING FROM STRANGERS is the story of child advocate Allie Hudson who is forced to go on the run with a child in her care. In her youth, she’d frequently chosen to ignore the consequences of her free-spirited behavior leaving childhood sweetheart Beck Williams to take the blame. Because he loved her, it was an arrangement that suited them both. Until someone died and Allie disappeared. Now, Allie, a devoted child advocate, disgraced family court lawyer, and widow of a murdered cop, seeks refuge at Beck’s secluded Southwest Colorado ranch.

The events in this book were inspired by my work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in the child welfare system, and highlight some of the problems inherent in child protection services throughout the country. Whether due to lack of funding, lack of qualified child welfare administrators, or lack of proper care facilities, these kids don’t have it easy. In the book, Allie becomes emotionally attached to the children she advocates for, going far out of her way to see that they are well fed, clothed and cared for. There’s a lot of action and suspense in this book, and a surprise twist at the end. I hope you enjoy it.

New to my music collection - Beautiful Door by Bill Bob Thornton
(Yes, that Billy Bob Thornton. How many of you knew Billy Bob sang in a rock band? I didn't.)

Monument Valley Revisited

2007-08-01T12:56:00.001-04:00

I went back to the Navajo Reservation to do some research for a follow up book to THE CHARMSTONE. I’m pleased to say that book has generated a lot of interest, and quite a few readers have asked me if there will be a sequel.

So I went to Monument Valley to get back into The Rez mode, to see if anything has changed, and to meet up with my old friend, Don Mose. It was Don’s cultural preservation efforts at Monument Valley High School that inspired the work of Durango Yazzie in the book.

Only a few things have changed in Monument Valley. The tiny grocery store down the road from Goulding’s has tripled (at least!) in size and is now a modern supermarket with fully stocked shelves. What we called The Mall, a row of makeshift plywood sheds featuring splendid Navajo jewelry, pots, rugs, and baskets, has moved from the road leading to the Tribal Park to the side of Highway 163. It’s now called The Indian Market, but it will always be The Mall to me. Of course, I had to add a couple of pieces to my Southwest jewelry collection.

Had a nice chat with Don Mose. We talked a little about my new book idea. It won’t be a sequel exactly, though I will try to bring in a character or two from THE CHARMSTONE. The new story was not fully formed in my mind, but I knew I wanted to include certain plot elements and Don was able to expand on those for me. For the historical plot elements – the old Indian Boarding Schools – he referred me to Robert Johnson at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock. (Robert, I’ll be calling you soon.)

Don and I sat in the shade at the Tribal Park during their fabulous Drums of Summer celebration. There were Native American exhibits, songs and dances from various tribes, recognition of Elders, Veterans and local officials, and music. A lot of music. Two of Don’s sons, Travis and young Don, are in rock bands now. I hadn’t met them before, so I stayed to hear them play.

Imagine my surprise when I saw they looked exactly like the young Navajo rock musicians in THE CHARMSTONE! It was as if Larry and Albert Rainwater had walked right out of the pages of my book! I mentioned it to Don, and he just smiled and said sagely, “Yes, you really had a vision there, didn’t you?” I guess I did, Don. I think learned it from you.

And one more thing. Cell phone service on the Rez is close to nonexistent, at least it was for my AllTel phone, especially in the remote vicinity of the Park. But as I was walking through the lobby of the Park Tourist Center, my cell phone rang. It was my agent calling to tell me Five Star had made an offer on a second book!

I’ll blog more about that later.

A Great Place To Promote Your Books

2007-07-26T08:52:00.000-04:00

Hello fellow authors, writers, publishers and friends. My new lens (webpage) on Squidoo.com is getting a LOT of attention. It's gone from #19,000 to #30 in the Arts & Literature category, thanks in part to some of you visiting and rating the page. I really appreciate that and wanted to let the rest of the group (those not on my private mailing list) know about Squidoo.com.

If you're not familiar with Squidoo, you should take a look. I've been mildly surprised by the responses from the Squidoo users and VERY pleased to see my Amazon sales ranks improve almost overnight. While you're there, you might want to think about a Squidoo page for your books or other writing services. The site seems to get a bunch of traffic and it's a lot easier to use than MySpace or FaceBook.

Thanks for listening. I hope to see you at Squidoo soon!

Jon Baxley
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (in hardcover and eBook)

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/FiveStarAuthor

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144516

Wednesdays with Joanne - "An ArtAffair to Remember"

2007-07-25T09:47:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Hmmm, I've a sneaky suspicion you're "all" over on MySpace making new friends. I am an old-fashioned girl who likes old-fashioned romance, so I'll continue to post on our (what must be now) old-fashioned Five Star Blog.

I hope everyone is having a "knock-out" summer! It's going by pretty quickly, isn't it? Make sure to get those vacations in guys. Annette and Frankie are waiting on the beach!

The ArtAffair council in Winter Park, CO, has been kind enough to allow me to peddle my wares (Matchmaker, Matchmaker & A...My Name's Amelia) in the town square, along with other artisans, for two years now. I really appreciate their allowing me in, as it's not been their practice to allow writers into the ArtAffair in times past. My sales have gone quite well, but the best is meeting new readers. I love it when folks happen by, to "buy!" I've met other Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen groupies at the ArtAffair, which is too much fun. We are not alone.

Admittedly, it's a great feeling when folks stop and chat, telling me they've seen my name at the Colorado History Museum Store, or a Denver library, or on signage at The Tattered Cover, Barnes&Noble, or Borders. It's really, really great if they've read my first book and can't wait to put cold, hard cash down for my second. I love to hear back from readers re their opinion of my historical romances. We are lovers all.

Another quick note. My third historical romance, The Parlor House Daughter, has been "signed and sealed" but won't be "delivered" until the end of next year, under Five Star Expressions.

As I said, have a "knock-out" rest of your summer!

If any of you will be attending the upcoming author luncheon in Waterville ... see you there!
(I'll sign your book if you'll sign mine!!!)

Joanne

My new book cover...

2007-05-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

This is the extremely cool cover Five Star came up with for my book, Fifty-Seven Heaven, due out in mid-December. The book features Kitty and Jack Bloodworth and their trophy winning '57 Chevy, Sadie. Imagine their surprise when they enter Sadie in a contest and find Kitty's irritating cousin's body stuffed in the trunk!

If anyone knows of any antique car club newsletters, please let me know. Hubby and I belong to the AACA and the local chapter, but I'd like to get the word out about this book to other antique car folks. I can't wait to hold the book in my hands!

Wednesdays with Joanne - "Bragging Rights"

2007-05-23T12:17:00.000-04:00

Hi guys,

Happy Wednesday and Happy Writing!

I just wanted to "BRAG" about my shared marketing efforts with other Colorado Five Star Authors. Hey, there IS safety in numbers. We are a group of five: Five Stars from Five Star and just had our first joint signing in Colorado Springs. Just so you'll know, we all "played together nicely."

The talented women of whom I speak, and their works are:

Leslee Breene - LEADVILLE LADY
Patricia Stoltey - THE PRAIRIE GRASS MURDERS
Beth Groundwater - A REAL BASKET CASE
Janet Lane - TABOR'S TRINKET
moi` - A...MY NAME'S AMELIA

Our mix is mystery and romance. Too much fun! (Although I must say, part of the fun is that we romantics outnumbered the mystery gals by one ... heh heh heh.) Picture this guys: we shared a small table, managing to balance our books and bookmarks and buttons and pins and brochures and reviews, and ... whew! ... all the while sharing cappuchino ice cream, chatting it up with readers wandering among the stacks who strolled by our group of five; with some stopping for a chat; some extolling the virtues of romance; some eschewing it (few I can assure you); and some placing our books under our noses (if we were not wandering among the stacks ourselves) for us to sign.

A good time REALLY WAS had by all!

Our next joint appearance (in case you're in "the hood") will be at the Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, in Denver, June 23rd @ 3pm.

Until next time ...

Jo(anne)

Check this out...

2007-04-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

Madison Chase posted an interview with Jamie Paul Rivard, the hero of my January release, Obsidian. It was great fun and my thanks go out to her for the great opportunity. If you want to know more about my long-legged, southern-boy, Coast Guard officer with a quest... check out Madison's blog at http://journal.madison-chase.com:80/?p=100

Teagan Oliver
www.TeaganOliver.com
Romance, Mystery and maybe a bit of Murder...

Wednesdays With Joanne - "Historically speaking..."

2007-04-25T17:28:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks,

Any of you out there like to read and/or write historical romance? If so, GREAT! Phooey to the nay-sayers who try to frighten all of us away by claiming "lack of interest" in the historical genre. This reader/writer has nothing but "interest" in the genre.

Yes, I know erotica sells. Yes, I know chick-lit is all the rage. And yes, yes, yes, I know that Christian/Inspirational romance is selling ... selling ... selling. As far as I'm concerned, I have only one little problem with these reality stats: I don't read erotica, chick-lit, or inspirational romance. I like historicals, always have and always will. That's not to say I don't pick up an occasional bio from the likes of David McCullough, the latest horror thriller from Stephen King, or wait on line for the newest (and alas ... the last) Harry Potter. But, it is to say that my favorite books are historical romance. I was raised on Jane Erye and Pride and Prejudice and to this day, keep them close.

As I enjoy reading the genre, I also enjoy writing in the genre. I believe all of us who do, need to join together, forming our own Band of Brothers & Sisters, writing what's in our hearts, telling the stories of old, in new ways. Those of us who are traditional romantics, who love a good love story, conjuring images of gallant heroes and worthy heroines, packed with emotion and heartache, impossible conflict and unsatisfied passion, all the while hoping for a happy ending ... we must give voice to our stories through pen and key, never giving up hope ourselves, for a Happy Ending to the plight of the historical romance.

Together, WE CAN!

Shalom,

Jo(anne)

www.joannesundell.com

Wednesdays With Joanne - "For whom the bell tolls"

2007-04-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

Hi folks,

This morning, with the news of the loss of life at Virginia Tech, then the news of 157 dying in 4 car bombs in Baghdad, it's more difficult than usual to "pick up where I left off in chapter 5." I look to one of my favorite passages in literature for solace. It's by John Donne, Meditation 17, and reads something like this:

"No man is an island; entire unto himself.
Each man is a part of the continent; a piece of the main.
If a clod be washed away, Europe is the less.
Every man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee."

Yes, you bet I'm going back to "chapter 5," but I do it with a heavy heart.

Shalom,

Joanne
www.joannesundell.com

Wednesdays With Joanne - "I'm Seeing Stars!"

2007-04-11T14:01:00.000-04:00

Four and a half to be precise, from Romantic Times Magazine for A...My Name's Amelia!

Hi all,

Since Five Star Expressions is a combination of women's fiction and romance, you bet I'm thrilled to have two books published in this line. Like many of you, we've found a home with Five Star-an imprint of Thomson Gale, taking our stories where, perhaps, others have not. We're edgey and take risks, to my thinking. I'm nothing but grateful that Five Star has given me an opportunity to be in print, twice. And, I'm nothing but grateful that some of the Big 4 have reviewed both of my books. No worries here, folks: I'm not "going there" with the whole review magilla, except to say that any review is unexpected and, indeed, appreciated.

While I'm over the moon, absolutely, to have some appeal to the library market, I'm out of the MySpaceStratosphere when the romance market takes notice of my stories! Although I don't need RWA approval to write a women's fiction with romantic elements, it's still nice when they sanction my work. At the end of the day, it's all about the stories that we all want to write. This dictates our words, to my thinking. Just where the fit will be ... well, you have to read the book and find out!

I have a shelf in my office with Five Star books from other authors, all signed! Yea! You're all rock stars, literary rock stars! I'm so happy to be counted among you, and love the energy you all generate every day, on the bookstore beat and on the Big Bad Internet.

Shalom,

Jo(anne)

Wednesdays With Joanne - "You are what you WRITE"

2007-04-04T10:17:00.000-04:00

"So...what do you write?"

How many of us get that question, and how many of us have more than one identifying genre. I say if you do, good for you! We're supposed to write out of our comfort zone on occasion and "go where no writer has gone before," right? We're supposed to be able to pen a few contemporaries, then try out our historical ink, then perhaps cozy up with a cozy mystery or two...or three. I give kudos upon kudos to writers who do just that. It's great and it shows nothing but talent, talent, talent!

My genre, if you will, is historical romance set in the West. The only comfort zone I've stepped out of so far is aspiring "to pen" an even more unique heroine in women's fiction. That's the gold ring I go for on the writing merry-go-round...to chronicle the journey of adventuresome, brave women who helped settle the West. And, speaking of the West...what, exactly, do I mean by "You are what you Write?" Perhaps a better statement would be "I am what I Write."

You know how some folks start to resemble their animals? We've seen the pairings, and not just on Leno or Letterman. It's weird and freaky, but true. Now I have huskies, so...I don't mind going there--my dogs' hair usually looks much, much better than mine! When I glance around my home, animals included, I could be in nineteenth-century Colorado. Running water and electricity aside, my home resembles my stories, easy. I just didn't get the resemblance before.

I enjoy writing historical romances with a Victorian touch or two, and I enjoy living in a home with a Victorian touch or two. If it's an antique, I'm on it! If it's an old book, I want it! If I can get a scroll-top instead of a lap-top, done. If I can buy a functional set of mason jars, I much prefer them to stemware. If I can find a worn quilt with just the right colors, or a settee with just the right cushions, the furniture is moving...again. If I have to don my sorrell boots every time I venture out into the wilds with my dogs, so be it. If I have to stack more wood in our kitchen Franklin stove for "the perfect cozy fire," I happily shun gas heating. If my oilcloth greatcoat isn't in fashion, so what. If I can get black licorice over red ropes, it's in my cookie jar. I think you get my point here...which is...

...I suppose "I am what I Write." It's not so much of a stretch of my imagination to write about nineteenth-century Colorado since that's pretty much where I'm living anyway.

Shalom,

Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com

Visit Us At MySpace!

2007-03-13T18:48:00.000-04:00

If you're wondering what happened to all of us, we've joined the MySpace revolution! Check us out and see what we've been up to. The Five Star Author MySpace page will take you to a world of great authors, exciting news, and personal Five Star author MySpace pages.

As for me, I've been busy with marketing, promotion, booksignings, writing, freelancing, and home renovations! Quite a mix, huh? I've also been doing a number of radio interviews, in fact, I have one tomorrow evening with AdviceRadio.com. Maybe some of you will join me. It's at 5:30 Pacific time; 8:30 PM EST.

I've also moved my blog to my MySpace page. Some of you have asked, "Where in the heck did it go?" I posted the move at Authors Den.

Okay, that's about it for now. If you get a chance, stop by and visit us at MySpace and let us hear from you. Do you want us to keep this blog up as well? It's voting time!

My baby has left the nest...

2007-02-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

Officially, OBSIDIAN was released at the end of January. Every writer will tell you that having a book published is a lot like doing publicity for a movie. Actors end up doing the interviews and promo stuff long after they've moved on to the next couple of movies. They have to drum up the same excitement for a project that they may have worked on two years before. Writers tend to get the same thing. By the time our projects hit the shelves we've already (hopefully) moved on to the next project, or the next project... or if we're very prolific then maybe even another, by the time it is time to the promo for the book. If you're like me you spend a lot of time trying to put yourself into the reality of your book. You want to be there and feel what is going on around you and those emotions and intensity that belong to that plot, that book... so going backward can sometimes jolt you out of your self-imposed reality. I suppose if I were working on a series this might not be as jarring, but since the book that I am working on now has no relation to OBSIDIAN other than being another Romantic Suspense I find myself going between the two worlds.

Still, I was offered a great piece of advice from a friend when I sold the book. Advice I intend to take to heart. She told me not to worry about what is going to happen... only to enjoy it because you can only sell one "first" book.

Teagan Oliver
www.teaganoliver.com

This and That...by Lonnie Cruse

2007-02-23T17:40:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

I'm celebrating finishing my current WIP last night, well, actually around 1 AM this morning. Not a lot of sleep, so I'm not my usually alert self. But color me perky! (I hate that word.) I have a few words to tweak yet, because I had to look up the proper spelling/usage online for several words, like Betty Grable and grille verses grill. Not to mention porta potty and if anyone can steer me straight on Fifty-Seven/fifty-seven/Fifty Seven/fifty seven (as in the year we all know and love?) I'd be obliged. Oblidged? Thankful, how's that? This is the second book in my '57 series, and I'm hoping Five Star will want to publish it.

To celebrate finishing, I took my Rewards certificate from Best Buy and bought more Charlie Chan movies today. Ahhhh. Anybody else a Chan fan?

I've been taking some online classes from the Mary Buckham courses and Earthly Charms and the lessons have really helped me work my way through the saggy baggy middle of the recent manuscript. Now to begin anew. I hate middling my way through a manuscript. Wondering if I can get from "here" to "there" and make it all connect.

My first book in the '57 series, FIFTY-SEVEN HEAVEN, is due out from Five Star in December. I have an ISBN, but no cover yet. I can't wait to see what they come up with. Now, to locate a poodle skirt . . . one that actually fits. Sigh.

Researching my next book

2007-02-02T08:53:00.000-05:00

I've just sold my second Dotsy Lamb Travel Mystery to Five Star (Yea!) and they say it'll come out next spring. ('08) Now I'm into book three. This one is set on a cruise ship in the Greek Isles. So, as usual, I'm spending as much time researching questions like "What sort of uniform do the police on Mykonos wear?" as I am actually writing.

The story is about murder, but there's a sub-plot involving the illegal antiquities market. In my research so far, I've learned a lot about how museums end up with stolen artifacts, how many millions of dollars change hands, and what countries serve as conduits for the blackmarket.

There are those who don't see it as wrong. They reason that if the items end up in a display case--anywhere--they are better off than if they were still in a farmer's field somewhere weathering away. The farmer who discovers something on his property can't understand why he can't sell it to whomever he wants.

But the point is, the illegal excavation and smuggling destroys all evidence of where, when, and with what else the artifact was found. There is no record.

I've bought a great CD called Network, and I'm using some good websites, but if anyone reading this knows about the illegal antiquities market, would you respond to this blog and let me know?

Thanks,
Maria Hudgins