Zero-G to be Published!

I'm thrilled to announce my short story

Zero-G

will be published by All Romance e-Books,

to be included in the print anthology

28 Days of Heart.

All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

NFS! Nominated for Best Novella by LASR!

I'll thrilled to announce No Funny Stuff! has been nominated for Best Novella of 2008 by Long and Short Reviews!

If you'd like to vote:

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/BB2008.htm

Thanks for participating!

Hugs,

Michele

Fantastic Review!

*Reviewed by Bitten By Books Rating: 5 out of 5 Tombstones

YIPPEE!

What do you get when you mix the Muse of Laughter, a calamity-ridden man, a fantastically eccentric red head, a Chihuahua with the heart of a rottweiler, and a task from the Gods? An utterly fabulous story filled with humor and depth, that's what. This story practically flew off the pages and I had so much fun... I loved this spin on Greek Mythology...and the back story for Drew's family curse was interesting. The interplay between the different deities was well done and a rather humorous version of what was said to happen rather frequently when Olympians take sides. I also got a real kick out of Thalia's various shoe stores. I highly recommend this tale if you're looking for a laugh out loud story that is the perfect remedy for a downer of a day or a long day at work.

Reviewer: Sarai

Big Day! Big Day! for No Funny Stuff!

Song of the Muses Book III is RELEASED!

Wow, what an experience it's been. I must say the best part was meeting the Muse writers. Alisha Paige is the Best of the Best people I've ever met. Masha Holl and Hywela Lyn (Both have marvelous stories in Book II) have been adorable. The other muses were just fabulous folk, and I'm proud to have worked with many of them.

My title, No Funny Stuff!, did pretty well, staying #1 on The Wild Rose Press's Bestsellers List for a solid month, and sat on the Bestsellers List over 2 months! I'm very proud. TWRP was wonderful to me, and my editor Ami was awesome. It feels like the end of something great, even though I'll have a long history with TWRP. More stories are coming. I have two more contracts in the works with other publishers.

Writing for Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, was a whole lot of fun. I just might write another. She's a wealth of unmined gold.

Buy your copy now! E-book or paperback! Your favorite flavor! Laughs aplenty!

Love, Michele

Hop on the Christmas Ride!

Welcome to our newest contest

CHRISTMAS RIDE!

To spread more Christmas cheer, we're giving one lucky person a $75 Wild Rose Press gift certificate! All you need to do to enter is attend each day's blog post, identify the carol, and make a complete carol list to submit after the final blog post of Christmas Eve. Don't forget to check the list twice!

Send it to Christmasrideblog@live.com by midnight, CST Dec. 31st 2008!

Win a Free PDF copy of my Fantasy Romance NO FUNNY STUFF!








Here's your Christmas clue for this blog:


"In the meadow, we can build a snowman,"



Post the name of this carol AND YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS in the comments of this blog, and I'll draw a name to receive a free copy of my hilarious Fantasy Romance NO FUNNY STUFF!, a tale for Thalia, the Greek muse of Comedy!




And here's your next link on the CHRISTMAS RIDE! Have fun!

Teri Wilson's Blog

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Love, Michele

No Funny Stuff! - 5 out of 5 Tombstones!

No Funny Stuff! rocks Bitten By Books!



*Reviewed by Bitten By Books
Rating: 5 out of 5 Tombstones
Bitten By Books <- Read the Review in its entirety!

…What do you get when you mix the Muse of Laughter, a calamity-ridden man, a fantastically eccentric red head, a Chihuahua with the heart of a rottweiler, and a task from the Gods? An utterly fabulous story filled with humor and depth, that’s what. This story practically flew off the pages and I had so much fun… I loved this spin on Greek Mythology…and the back story for Drew’s family curse was interesting. The interplay between the different deities was well done and a rather humorous version of what was said to happen rather frequently when Olympians take sides. I also got a real kick out of Thalia’s various shoe stores. I highly recommend this tale if you’re looking for a laugh out loud story that is the perfect remedy for a downer of a day or a long day at work.
Reviewer: Sarai
***

Wooooooooooo! Haunted Blog!

I’m so excited! So much happening!

Want to win a free e-book? Check out these Haunted Blogs and win free stuff!

Skhye Moncrief
Alisha Paige
Tarah Scott
Betty Hanawa
Marly Mathews
Elizabeth Melton Parsons
Brenda Weaver
Alien Places
Hywela Lyn
Sheri Lewis Wohl
Sister Writers
PL Parker
Sky Purington Writes
Barbara Edwards
Beth Caudill
Susanne Saville

This Halloween I’ll be at The Wild Rose Press’s 24-hour Halloween Bash! If you ever wanted to chat with a TWRP author, now’s your chance! Come party with us! Who knows might stop by! The ghost of King Arthur! Wolves and witches of every description! The devil himself! A popular politician! The Wild Rose Press!

I’ll be holding a contest from 11am to 11:20am, giving away an e-book copy of my Bestselling novella, No Funny Stuff!, a tale for the Muse of Comedy! Don’t miss a chance to win a free e-book. More fun than a propeller beanie.

Or, better yet, don’t miss out on reading No Funny Stuff! for yourself for only $3! Cheaper than a sense of humor transplant! NFS! stayed on TWRP’s Bestsellers List for 2 months! Find out why!
Buy Link:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=925



Halloween night, I’ll be at the #1 Halloween party in 100 miles radius! I’m lugging out my fire-dragon sorceress costume—my very favorite costume--and going to town. The party’s thrown at a with cool things to look at and good food and drink. I can hardly wait. I don’t get out much.

I love this costume because the corset was made by a friend of mine who has passed away--too early--so wearing it is one of those times when I honor his memory. Gold leather with a dragon etched into it, identical to the dragon necklace of the costume. Wearing his creation on the night the dead are closest to the veil separating the worlds, I think of him.

Bless you, Bret, wherever you are, and thank you for your talent and craftsmanship.

Everyone commenting on my blog will be entered into a drawing for a copy of my Greek Romance novella, No Funny Stuff!

Everyone, have a safe and fun night,
Michele

PINK RIBBONS! Laughter: An Essential Part of Breast Cancer Recovery

“Laugh when you can. It is the best medicine.” Lord Byron

How can a few jokes change the course of breast cancer?

Researchers are finding that those who laugh a lot through their breast cancer treatments have a high rate of recovery and a low rate of remission. Why, you ask? Laughter floods our bodies with chemicals called endorphins. These ‘happy” chemicals alter our bodies into staying happy. Becoming happy creates a chemical map to remain happy. It’s a lot like smiling when you don’t feel like it. Fake a few smiles when you’re unhappy, and you’ll find yourself feeling better and spreading joy beyond yourself.

But, can laughter kill cancer, physically-speaking?

"One characteristic of the cancer patient who does well,” says Dr. Michael B. Van Scoy-Morsher, an oncologist in California, “is the ability to often put cancer in the background for periods of time."

That’s what laughter can do, put breast cancer on the back burner of the body and healing in the forefront. Humor gives us power over things that bring us down, gives life to hope, and hope to life. The worst problem can lift a bit with a hardy guffaw or a bashful smile. Laughing relieves the stress that contributes to cancer, giving our bodies a “vacation”.

Humor affects our entire brain, especially the prefrontal cortex, the nest of perception and mood. The emotions and moods we experience directly affect our immune system, strengthening our fight against the challenge of breast cancer. Laughter often shows us what’s most important and real in life. A sense of humor allows us to perceive and appreciate the incongruities of life and provides moments of joy and delight. These positive emotions can create neurochemical changes that will buffer the immunosuppressive effects of diseases and stress. That’s helping your treatment along the way.

The secret of laughter … is that our bodies are hardwired with some surprisingly powerful natural reactions to extended hearty laughter. These side effects include:

•Blood & all major organs are fully oxygenated leaving us bursting with energy
•Blood pressure drops, circulation improves and pulse rate drops
•Depression is lifted, even chronic depression is often cured
•High endorphin levels put us in a great mood and reduce any aches & pains
•Immune, digestive & sexual systems that are switched off by stress are switched on
•Self confidence is boosted, communication skills and creativity are boosted
•Our lymphatic system is massaged and our immune systems boosted
•Stress levels reduce by 75% or more and we become more stress resistant
(Source: Laughter Yoga)

Humor is the Anti-Cancer. Laugh at the enemy and you will win the everyday battles.

So chuckle when your hair falls out from chemo. Buy crazy wigs. Use this chance to see how you’d look in different hairstyles and colors! Write a funny song about mammograms and sing it to your friends and yourself every day. Smile at your kids at play. Snicker when your dog chases his tail. Build yourself a DVD collection of movies that crack you up. Collect jokes, plan fun. Imagine that breast cancer as a small adversary to your grand attitude. Time flies when you’re having fun!

A breast cancer diagnosis is not a choice; it’s a challenge. How you face and deal with your breast cancer is your choice. Laugh your way into more life. Make breast cancer your favorite target of hilarity and humiliation. Attack the attack, a German martial arts concept. Make your humor more progressive than your sickness.

Here’s to LaughAngeles.com and their list of 40 Laughter Exercises!:
http://www.laughangeles.com/40-laughter-exercises.php

Wishing you good health of body and laughter of soul.
Michele

Zero-G off into the Stars

My next story, Zero-G, is off to the Worlds of Submissions.

This one's special to me. I'll not say why specifically. It'll be obvious to any reader.

Cross your fingers for me.

NO FUNNY STUFF! Hits #1!

I'm so pleased to tell you

my Greek Myth novella,

No Funny Stuff!, is a #1 Bestseller!

That's a great sign for the entire series.

I'm so tickled to be a part of all of it.

NO FUNNY STUFF! Hits #3 on TWRP's Bestsellers List!

I'm beside myself with pride. Another of my babies have hit the Bestsellers Lists for their publishers. Both hit Lucky #3.

Hooray for Thalia!
Her first Bestseller!

Read the Fabulous Reviews and Steamy Excerpts Here!

Did you see the Book Trailer? Don't wait!



No Funny Stuff!, a tale for the Muse of Comedy, costs a big $3!
Funnier than a stump! Less than a cup at Starbuck's and much longer lasting!
WARNING: Will cause chuckles and snorts!

Buy
NO FUNNY STUFF!
Here!

What if they run out,
and here you are,
wasting precious time!

The Person Most Excited

The greatest people I've come across in my life are a wonderful couple named Ron and Roberta Parshley.

Bobbie Parshley is the most giving of people, sacrificed time with her husband so that he could help someone in need. If she ever complained, and she had the right to, I never saw it. I had the chance to live with them for a while, and I never saw a more generous person. Roberta Parshley has the most perfect soul possible in a human. She lives on an Alabama farm now around family and animals, her greatest loves. God, take her sweet soul to Heaven just a little bit longer than she wants to hang out so the people around her can be so lucky.

Thank you, Bobbie, for all you gave me, much more than you know. You're the closest person to being a saint I've ever known. I love you, Bobbie.

Ron Parshley. I don't know where to start. He was my mentor, my life's best friend, my father, priest, my fellow journeyman on this path. Although I'd spent my life studying the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, Ron opened the entire world of history to me on so many more planes, spiritually most importantly. More than just myth but the development of the soul, of God. He changed me immensely. Ronald Parshley, Lord Sylvanis, had been one of the co-founders of both the National Association of Pantheism and The Pagan Allied Network, a direct initiate from Alexander Sanders' hand. I'm so very proud to be of that line :-) The entire pagan world with miss him until we pass from this life. Freedom of Religion in the United States owes much to dedication and love of Ronald Allan Parshley.
So do I.

He was my most beloved cheerleader in writing. He'd had so much faith in me, he'd recommended me to a very well-known pagan author and personality for the position of co-author of her upcoming book. I'd declined, unready for such a big task. He'd be so proud to see me Greek Myth Romance. He'd be the person most excited for me.

I lost Ron in 2001, about a month after 9/11. He's my life's greatest loss. He'll always be missing.
I love you, Ron.

It's NO FUNNY STUFF!'s Big Day!

Wow! A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed anyone who told me I’d be involved in a novella anthology and write a Myth Romance nor a comedy. Now I’ve been asked to do another. It’s been a priceless experience. I’m so proud, my smile makes my cheeks ache.

NO FUNNY STUFF!
is the first of two tales of
Thalia, the Muse of Comedy!

Something's Rotten at the Gates of Heaven

Under conspiratorial inspiration of Olympian thrones,
Thalia, the Muse of Comedy,
sends a blessing of love and laughter to Drew Murphy,
a young man cursed to a short and miserable life.
But when her favorite messenger Daisy Sullivan

accidentally launches the magic
--wrong time, wrong place, wrong method, wrong everything!--
Thalia must force to light buried secrets

of a millennia-old family curse
and face down a most vengeful Immortal

on his own bloody stage
if she wishes to free both Drew and Daisy from an unJust fate.

Ares, the ruthless God of War,
loves only one thing as much as he loves bloodshed....

How's Thalia supposed to make THAT funny?
At least, she's wearing her best sandals!

***
$3.00, less than a cup of Starbuck’s Coffee and more laughs!
What a bargain! :-)

Buy My Book!
Have you bought my book yet?
My family says I’m worth $3, but not much more.

:-)

Love, Michele

Holding the Baby! LAD in PRINT!

My baby is in my hands!
LOOKS ARE DECEIVING is in print!
It's one thing to have e-books.
It's the next cool step to hold your story in paperback.
This week I plan to sneak into Books-A-Million,
put my book on the Romance shelf, and take a picture of it. :-)

Here's a secret:
If you buy one copy through Amazon.com, you pay for shipping.
Buy two copies, and you get shipping FREE!
Give your second copy to a friend who likes Sexy Suspense!

Buy LOOKS ARE DECEIVING Here!
Read Wonderful Reviews
and Steamy Excerpts!
Watch the Video!



What are you waiting for?

Announcing AMUSE ME!

In the last few days, I've been invited to return for another Muse anthology, which I think is super-cool!

Look for AMUSE ME, another tale of the Muse of Comedy, in 2009!

Introducing THE VICTORY OF LUGH, available NOW!

Valerie Everhart wrote the story for Polyhymnia, the Muse of Hymns, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

Thrust through time to the dark ages of Ireland, Hymnia, Muse of Glorious Praise, finds Dacien, the Laird of Castle Lugh, anything but god-like. She uncovers the mystery of the disappearing women of the castle, but loses her heart to the very person she suspects is the killer, in THE VICTORY OF LUGH.

THE VICTORY OF LUGH is available NOW!

Valerie Everhart's Web site

Valerie's Blog

Introducing NO FUNNY STUFF!, available NOW!

Michele Hart (Hey! That's Me!) wrote the story for Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

Dispatching her favorite messenger to deliver laughter to a dying man, Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, faces down ancient curses and a vengeful Immortal bent on watching generations suffer. She'd rather be shoe-shopping! Luckily for Thalia, the God of War’s only weakness is Comedy’s greatest ally! NO FUNNY STUFF here!

NO FUNNY STUFF! is available NOW!

My Web site

Thalia's MySpace Page! What fun!

Introducing A LOVE BEYOND TIME, available NOW!

Alisha Paige wrote the story for Clio, the Muse of History, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

Cursed for mocking Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Clio, Muse of History, and her lover are thrust back in time to the Salem witch trials and then the Italian Renaissance. Only love can save them both, but is it enough? Is their love A LOVE BEYOND TIME?

Find A LOVE BEYOND TIME HERE!

Alisha Paige's Web site

Alisha's Blog

Introducing DANCING WITH FATE, available now!

Hywela Lyn wrote the story for Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, for the anthology
Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

The task assigned to Terpsichore, Muse of Dance, appears simple enough - to restore a love of dancing, to the Celts. However, all is not as it seems. Danger follows. Legends are threatened; and she did not mean to lose her heart , or have to save the man she loves by DANCING WITH FATE.

Find DANCING WITH FATE here!


Hywela Lyn's Web site

Hywela Lyn's Blog

Introducing ERATO'S TEARS, available now!

Reece Herring wrote the story for Erato, the Muse of Erotic Love, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

A love cut short, burns eternally bright. Beyond Hades domain and perilous encounters, two mortals fight to discover their passion. Will their untried bond endure? Can the Muse of Love overcome the destructive power of one Gods revenge, and right the wrongs of history? Only ERATO’S TEARS will determine.

Find ERATO'S TEARS here!

Reece Herring's Web site

Introducing THE BRIGHTEST HEAVEN, available now!

Masha Holl wrote the story for Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!


Urania, Muse of Astronomy, despairs: invention rules; creativity has disappeared. Then she meets Daniel Kettering. But his research threatens time, space, and every existing world. His choice: forget science, get eternal life – or else. But first, they must save the universe, defeat Chaos, and find happiness in THE BRIGHTEST HEAVEN.

Find THE BRIGHTEST HEAVEN here!

Masha Holl's Web site

Alien Places - Masha's Blog

Introducing DESTINY'S LIGHT, available now!

Robyn Wren wrote the story for Euterpe, the Muse of Music, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

Hades, Zeus, Hestia and the chaos of a forgotten memory, Euterpe, the Muse of Music, hurries to fulfill her quest to unlock the buried words to complete Ceris' unfinished song. Their bond forged the night she's almost killed, Ceris must venture to the underworld to save her and bring them both into DESTINY'S LIGHT.

Find DESTINY'S LIGHT right here!


Robyn's Web site

Robyn's Blog

Introducing HIGHLAND MUSE, available now!

Sky Purington wrote the story for Melpomene, the Muse of Tragedy, for the anthology Song of the Muses, available @ The Wild Rose Press!

Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, risks everything to save Rowan Stewart’s life. Devoted to Scotland in life and the God of War in death, Rowan struggles to understand her undying devotion to him. Can a melodramatic Grecian Goddess and a resolute Scotsman truly love one another? Find out in HIGHLAND MUSE.

Find HIGHLAND MUSE right here!


Sky Puringon's Website

Sky's Blog

Introducing ANCIENT MUSINGS, available now!

Hi, everyone!

I'm excited to announce the unveiling of Song of the Muses,
9 Tales of Romance for the 9 Muses of Inspiration,
available from The Wild Rose Press!


Here's a peek at ANCIENT MUSINGS by Skhye Moncrief, the tale of Calliope, the Muse of Writing:

When the muse of writing, Calliope, challenges Zeus to end her immortal existence, she faces the reality of death in Hades. Only Jake Genoese, an archaeologist's soul, can outwit Zeus's Harpies and help her find new purpose. Far more is at stake when both realize they are no more than pawns for ANCIENT MUSINGS.

ANCIENT MUSINGS is available now! Right here!

Don't miss it!

Skhye Moncrief's Website

Skhye's Blog

Join me today at Kate Davies's blog!

The Muses are blogging about their books all week long.
Don't miss the fun!

LAD Hits #2 on Siren's Bestseller's List!

June 2, 2008

LAD holds #3 for almost 2 weeks!

My launch of Looks Are Deceiving went well. LAD held it's #3 position on Siren's Best Sellers List for nearly 2 weeks, and that really shocked me! Promotions is hard work, but when you see your book on any Best Sellers List, you want to keep it up! Siren Publishing has been very good to me.

LAD goes into print in September! I can hardly wait to HOLD a book I wrote in my hands. I'm going to take it into the book store, put it on the shelf, and take a picture of it.

So strange that the first book published wasn't Luminous Nights. I always expected that to be the Big One. It still will be. I'm trying to talk my artist-exboyfriend to do a cover for LN. He's so talented. What a brat he is! One good spanking oughtta fix his wagon.

Where is Luminous Nights's publisher? Come out, come out, wherever you are....

It's No Funny Stuff 's turn. It's been some experience working on an anthology. What a writing challenge.
a) Never wrote anything so small. 35,000 words. I'm a Big Story writer.
b) Never wrote anything that must be funny. It's about Thalia, the Greek Muse of Comedy, so it demanded some chuckles. I sure wish I were Katie McAlister! She SLAYED me with You Slay Me. If you haven't read it, do.
c) Never wrote anything that hadn't sprung from my own head. My first book was 270,000 words. That's a crazy size. It's two sequels were that big too. LAD was my smallest story at 90,000.
d) Never wrote with other writers in mind.
Whew....
Despite fears, I'm proud to be involved with The Wild Rose Press, really great people. The writers I've worked with are some of the nicest ladies you can imagine.

Looks Are Deceiving Debuted at #3!

It was AMAZING!! I'm so proud!

I celebrated with cheesecake and chocolate! I never expected such a great debut! I never expected so many pimples and pounds for all that sin!

I got some great reviews: 5 out of 5 Stars with "Review Your Book" and 4.5 out of 5 Stars from "Just Erotic Books". And readers have sent such nice reports.

Check out the reviews:
http://www.SirenPublishing.Com/michelehart/lad.asp
Sure is nice to see your name under "Bestsellers".

2 Days to Blast-Off!

Looks Are Deceiving hits the world Monday, just 2 days away!

I'm so excited! Hold my hand!

I'll be chatting all day Monday on Siren-BookStrand's Readers' Loop! Come chat with me! I'll be giving away a copy of Looks Are Deceiving!

Don't miss a shot at a free e-book!

You gotta check out the 5-Star Review! Here's where to go:

http://www.SirenPublishing.Com/michelehart/lad.asp

Have you seen the book trailer? What are you waiting for? It's pretty cool!

See you Monday at Siren Publishing's Author Chat!

Be There or Be Square!

Right Around the Corner!

My newest release is coming up fast!
Looks Are Deceiving will blast off in less than 2 weeks. I'm excited, nervous, optimistic, and your garden-variety terrified. I can imagine the haunting feeling of having not done enough promotion is natural, even though you've done tons. There comes a time when you have to sit back in the audience and watch your kid perform in the high school play. I'm proud of how this story has evolved.

I've been placed in the board of my RWA local chapter. Most people probably intended to get onto the board. It strangely fell into my lap so I'm going to answer the knock of Opportunity. She's done me right in the past. Steve, one of my very best friends , told me, "90% of success is showing up and listening." He was so right!

Have you seen my book trailer for Looks Are Deceiving?
What are you waiting for?

What do you think? Write me and tell me!

Passion and love,

Michele

Looks Are Deceiving's First Review!

A review by Anna Small
author of To Tame the Wild Wind

While contemplating which brand of ketchup to buy, cash-strapped college student Elissa Baker receives a proposition by three goofy guys eager to set up their workaholic friend. The offer is too good to resist: 300 dollars to go on a blind date with Greg Moretti, whom, they assure her, is a handsome bachelor. Behind on her bills, Elissa accepts their offer, not knowing that the real reason they chose her was due to her ragtag, disheveled appearance.

Greg and the 3 “Amigos” have had a lifetime of playing jokes on each other, and Greg informs his buddies that he can fall in love with any woman, regardless of her appearance, as long as she has a brilliant mind. Little do the Amigos know that Elissa’s real beauty is hidden behind grass and dirt stains and work clothes. She appears at the classy restaurant where Greg works (turns out his wealthy family owns it) and confronts him with the stupidity and childishness of the bet. He convinces her to play along for a full month; at the end, the Amigos will award her $1,000.

Thus starts an unlikely pairing of the studious, sheltered Elissa and outgoing, devastatingly handsome Greg. As they go around town pretending to be a couple, love begins to blossom - an inconvenience to Elissa, whose sights are long-set on the FBI Academy. he resulting misunderstandings and a mysterious case of disappearing wine wraps the reader in Tampa’s seductive world of fine food, expensive wine, luxury homes, and old money.

Michele Hart has written an artful erotic romance with strong notes of suspense that leaves the reader breathless. I was drawn into the sensual world that opens up for Elissa as her love for Greg blossoms. Ms. Hart has created a page-turner that leads the reader from the underworld connections of the restaurant business to the glittering social scene of power and money, woven through with dark, sexy ribbons of desire and passion, danger and betrayal.

Looks Are Deceiving's New Stuff

Oh, I've been doing so much in preparation of

LAD's release May 19th.

Check out LAD's Web Page!

There are pictures, a book review, a countdown clock,

a book trailer, and a unique contest!

Here's LAD's MySpace Page!

Don't miss Elissa's Diary and Greg's Journal.

Here's Michele's MySpace Page!

I finally built myself a MySpace page.

Here's Thalia's MySpace Page!

Stay tuned for my adventure written for

Thalia, the Muse of Comedy! August '08

Come over and be my MySpace friend on all the pages. Makes me look like I have lots of friends.

:-) !

Updates on Upcoming Releases!

Looks Are Deceiving

I’ve sent in my publisher edits for Looks Are Deceiving, and I’m proud of how the story has matured through two publications.

Siren Publishing was very easy to work with, and I’m sure I’ve put LAD in the best hands. Siren was voted #1 Publisher by the 2007 Preditors & Editors Readers Poll AND Siren made 2nd Place last year. I really think LAD has landed in the top of its genre of Erotic Romantic Suspense.

Check Out Looks Are Deceiving Here!

Looks like Looks Are Deceiving's e-book release date is MAY 19th! YAY!
Siren Publishing * quality romance for the sophisicated reader

---

No Funny Stuff!
a tale of the muse of comedy!

I’ll be turning No Funny Stuff! over to my publisher in the next week or so, a few weeks early. I’m a touch nervous over it. The assignment, a short story with a theme supplied, was quite a challenge for me on so many levels, and I learned a lot, not just about writing, but comedy, human psychology and relationships, group dynamics, and the e-publishing industry. I wouldn't trade the experience.


Here's a bite of No Funny Stuff!

---

I've been quite blessed to be a part of the

SONG OF THE MUSES anthology, 9 Tales of the Greek Muses of Inspiration, Book III

No Funny Stuff! is due in e-book August!

SONG OF THE MUSES
comes in paperback October!
from The Wild Rose Press * where romance blooms

---

Luminous Nights awaits its moment.

LOOKS ARE DECEIVING signed!

I'm proud to announce the sale of
LOOKS ARE DECEIVING
to a fabulous publisher, Siren Publishing.

Siren is top-notch and I'm delirious to be a Siren Girl!

LOOKS ARE DECEIVING will be e-published in July '08 and print-published in December '08.

I'm pretty tickled.

December was awesome!

I contracted a short story and sold 2 full novels, plus a resale!

2008 will be break-neck and in the best way!

Love,

Michele

No Funny Stuff!

I'm tickled, elated, and energized to announce I've been invited to write a short story for a new anthology to be presented by The Wild Rose Press!

The Songs of the Muses will be short stories of the 9 Muses of Inspiration!
(Psst! I just heard a few sentences of every story from the authors, and the variety you will see is FANTASTIC! Historicals, Contemporaries and Fantasies!)
Look for Song of the Muses Summer 2008!

Oh My God! This is SO COOL!
I'm off to write a super-cool story about the Muse of Comedy!
Wakka, wakka!

No Funny Stuff! by Michele Hart <--What do you think?

2007 ROCKED for Michele!

Clearly, I'm Santa's favorite!

I have sold Looks Are Deceiving!

That's right! Juicy publisher, too! LAD did far better than I ever expected. I figured it was an e-book and that's all it would ever be, but I was so wrong!

LAD will be born into the print world December 2008!
The anthology I'm currently working on will be in print October 2008.

Luminous Nights just might be signed in the next few weeks, making 2007 a year of Rock-n-Roll for Michele! If LN comes through, I will have sold 3 full-length novels and a short story. If not, hey, 2 full novels and a short story sale is not loafing!

HA! I remember New Year's Eve 2006 saying to myself, "I need to start looking for a job. This writing-thing doesn't look like it's going to work."
-- Famous last words! --

It was The Wild Rose Press who wrote me on New Year's Day to request the full manuscript for LAD. That kept me going, had come at the perfect, most needful time. They didn't buy it that first round, and for good reasons that helped me become a better writer. And I have a wonderful relationship with TWRP. They were the ones who invited me into the anthology!

2008 will be a busy year! The busiest of my life! Busy is GREAT!

Love to all,
Michele

Lucky Girl !

I've been invited into a Fantasy anthology!
That's the cool side of the pillow!!!

I've been invited to submit a short story for a Mythology series for an RWA-approved publisher, with whom I have 2 submissions. I'm taking that as a good sign for at least the Sci-Fi/Fantasy submission. Even if they pass on my first 2 submissions, they must like my writing, so I'll just take it as a positive.

Gonna be a fun project! It's an anthology with 9 assignments, and it looks like they're mixing unpublished and published authors. I'm bound to learn a boatload of important stuff, and that's the best part. (OK, seeing my name on a book cover will be the best part. But becoming a better writer is just fractions of a molecule away in second place.)

I'm assigned a task to write a comedic story. I've written funny lines, funny scenes, but not a funny story. And here's my chance! I'm very excited, got great ideas.

I'm such a lucky girl. I come from a HILARIOUS family! My sister, my very favorite comedy partner, just spent a year living with me, and there wasn't a day we didn't put Mom in laughing fits. Gee, Sister just left this week and I miss her! My brother's another one. Although we don't get along, he KILLS me when he gets on a roll. One of the funniest guys in the world, IMO. (Don't tell him I said that.)

So, I'm really looking forward to working my comedy bones.
Gosh! I'm exCIIIIIITED!

Looks Are Deceiving Back in Submissions

I’ve rewritten Looks Are Deceiving, have given it quite a “fluffing”, if you know what I mean.

WINK!

It’ll be a lot more attractive to the Erotic Romance publishers, and I’ve got faith in LAD. It's a better story now, deeper characterization.

I’ve learned much in the submission process, and my writing's already benefitted. I’m more ready for publication for the experience, for sure, and that makes it all pretty invaluable.

As hard as it was to suffer through StarDust’s closing just days after publishing LAD, it turned out to be a good thing. I learned a lot about the questions I should ask, the marketing I need to do, and I'm much more comfortable with it all.

Goes to show there’s light just on the other side of darkness. Nice when things work out that way.

So, both Luminous Nights and Looks Are Deceiving are on publisher desks right now.

Patience, patience. Calm blue ocean … Calm blue ocean … :-)

Patience - More than a Virtue

Sometimes the Right Decision is Hard to Make

Publishing's risky. You really gotta have guts, listen to your instincts, and develop super-human patience. It doesn't hurt to have a few poker skills.
Know when to hold them, know when to fold.

I've done what a majority of writers would call insane. I've turned down 2 publishers who wanted Luminous Nights. After much research, hanging around author loops, weighing suggestions made, I decided to pass. They weren't right for the story.

I know, I know ...

It's unwise for an author to be attached to a story. They are, after all, products, not our children. And I'm not so attached to other stories I've written, but LN is special to me for a few reasons. I'm willing to change it for the right publisher, however they wish. I want LN to be the very best it can be.
But it's gotta be the right publisher.

When it comes to LN, I'm going to hold this hand until I like the publishing house.
Luminous Nights is worth it.

Excitement In The Air!

So many changes since my last blog.

StarDust Press has closed, and I mourn her loss. SDP was very good to me, an all-around very good experience. I had a few more stories in mind for SDP. but ...

Forward, forward, forward!
Still much excitement ahead.

I get the rights to Looks Are Deceiving back, and I'm loving the opportunity to give it another polish, which is what I'm doing right now. Have some publishers in mind for LAD. Can''t wait to submit it again.

I'm awaiting news for Luminous Nights from my dream publisher as we speak. I'm sweating bullets and holding my breath.

Can't wait to get back to my current work-in-progress, Alien Whip. It's a very fun and challenging premise. Can't wait to see where it goes. I have a feeling I'll be surprised.

Jennifer Estep's new book, Hot Mama is coming out in November. If you haven't read her first book, Karma Girl, what the heck are you waiting for? Superhero Romance - I'm an instant fan, and Jennifer is brilliant!

Stay tuned ...

September 5th I Became a Published Author

I'm pleased to announce the publication of my novel, Looks Are Deceiving, available through StarDust Press. Break out the confetti and the brass band!

It was scary. I often wanted my mommy, even though it actually had been easy with very few corrections.

A step forward, a big one. Somebody, hold my hand. I've got lots of marketing to do! Here I go! I'm excited about the next step.

I've been offered a contract on Luminous Nights and a rejection from a publisher who REALLY wants LN if I fluff it up. Having two sales in the first year sure would be cool.

Must make the right decision ... Scary.

Wow! Here I am ...

It's my publication date, my e-publication date, and I'm awaiting the hours. This is the moment, isn't it? Where the world has the opportunity to to commennt on you work?

Received a Contract Offer for LUMINOUS NIGHTS!

Doing my research ...

Packing up SYNERGIZED, unpacking ALIEN WHIP!

This entry should be subtitled, Until We Meet Again.

We're through with rough edits for Synergized, a work of the heart. I'm proud of it. That entire project will be for future publication, not for an immediate sale. It would take quite a presentation to sell a trilogy right off the bat, though I've seen it done.
(Looking at you, Cheryl, with admiration!)
I'm not going to plan for a grand slam first time out.
In a few years, I'll be a better writer, and I'll rewrite the first book of the series, Magnetic, in awful need of a rewrite. Well, it was my first completed single-title, finished before 1995. Even substandard writing, an agent assessed the manuscript and said it was very sellable, if rewritten. It's all about the writing.

Meanwhile, Mom loved, loved, loved Synergized! She came away with a huge smile on her face and some fabulous compliments. That was neat. It's also, all about makin' the momma proud.

NEXT!
I've started on my next project, Alien Whip, did a rough first chapter, introducing the hero and heroine. I'm excited about it. The original goal was to write a short one this time, but alas, the story is the story, and I'm going to write the story, whatever size it turns out to be.

Gonna do some things I've never tried before: an alien invasion, cybernetics, themes of growing sentience, a few things I'll not reveal. Stay tuned. I'll post the first chapter in the next few days.

My birthday's coming up. 42. Do you remember "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"? The gang asked the smartest computer in the galaxy, Deep Thought, what the meaning of life was. Deep Thought's answer was 42.

... Just 42 ...

42's gonna be a good year for me.
(Knocking on wood, throwing salt over my shoulder with crossed fingers, murmuring a prayer to the Gods. )

Hey! 41 was great!

Mom Just Read SYNERGIZED !

I'm lucky to have such a gift as my mother. She's fully into my career and writing, and it really is a special thing for your mommy to love what you do.

She says Synergized is my best work yet. She really loves it!
I'm sad to say you'll not see it on bookshelves any time soon, as it's the 3rd of a trilogy, and the first book, the one that needs to sell the series isn't my best writing, so I'll need to set it aside until I become a better writer.

It's all about the writing.

Book 16 - Off and Running! ALIEN WHIP on its Way!

Started Book 16 today.
Its name is Alien Whip, it's a SciFi Romance Action/Adventure. It's going to be a small one, I think, aimed at the e-publishers.
We'll see that happens. I'm a pantser insead of a plotter so it'll surprise me as much as anyone else. Cross your fingers for me.

Book 15 - SYNERGIZED - Done !

Wow, Synergized was my biggest single-title and took the longest, but it's my best writing yet, and I'm really proud of it. I took on big themes on this one. Let's see if someone thinks it's good. I'll probably be editing for the next month or two.

Sadly, I can't be submitting it any time soon. It's the third of a trilogy, (The Shapeshifting Priestesses of Pygras) and I'll have to find just the right publisher. I've seen SOOO many sequels that just waned horribly at the end, and I'm really glad I did these two sequels well. Each is better than the book before, and I'm proud of that.

Here's the Series Summary if you're curious:
http://www.michelehart.com/series-pygras.htm

Doing Edits is COOL!

Edits have been such a good experience.

Got a lot of experience with Word 2007, and my loathing of the program has diminished. I'll eventually entirely convert down the line, I imagine.

Edits allowed me to fix so many flaws I'd seen. Only had to rewrite ONE scene. I consider that a triumph! And the rewrite was just SO much better. I also got to plant a few more tidbits.

All said, I'm much more confident and proud of the manuscript. Thanks goes to Traci @ StarDust Press for a great eye spotting weaknesses. She was very patient in my learning Word, majorly helpful at all angles. I hope I get to work with her again. If she became disgusted with my bozo questions, she never showed it. First Class.

Looks Are Deceiving 's in the hands of line editors now. I'll get those edits soon.

Two Spaces or One? No Tabs. Where Did Tabs Go?

I've decided to blog more. (NO!)
Yes, really.

I like e-publishing. This is a neat experience, and I'm glad to be on the show.

e-publishing has some interesting formatting differences compared to print pubs.

Two Spaces or One?

The e-publishers want one space between sentences, the print publishers want two. Hm ... How did that happen?

I'm typewriter-trained, which means I use two. I prefer the look of it, but that's just probably due to familiarity to it. I think the extra space brings a bit more clarity, which is never a bad thing.

All my manuscripts are 2-spaced, and instead of converting, I think I'll stay with two. After all, if you have an MS with two spaces, you can always hit Find and Replace, and replace every two spaces with one, job done in seconds. If it's the other way around, you can't replace one space with two. It'll put two spaces between every single word. If you have to look for the end of every sentence in 800 pages to insert an extra space, you might as well spend days in Hell.

I sure am glad I realized that before I quickly converted my stories to one space for submission to the e-pubs, then had to go back and spent a week EACH (14 books) putting them back for the print pubs. Maintaining two different files, one 2-spaced and one 1-spaced, opens the doors for mistakes.

Tabs. Are they no longer cool?

I like tabs. Never had a problem with tabs, always got along with them, once permanently set. Word is a monster with tabs, I've noticed, and I wonder how much that pain in the rump influenced the elimination of tabs. Damn you, Microsoft!

(Of course, if you know me,
you know I blame Microsoft for the following:
global warming, the dryness of my July 4th brownies (even though the box said "moist"), the Mid-East crisis, the high number of calories in peanut butter, the fact that shoes are uncomfortable. There is no Waffle House near my home and therefore, no good hash browns around. The overrating of Tom Cruise. The overwhelming fear that one day we'll have a President Cheney. The purse I most love is not big enough. Alien abductions. AND the inflated price of peach-yogurt shakes.)

I love you, WordPerfect, but the industry is forcing me to Word. I had wanted to be true to you and had hoped the world would come around to your superiority, but the enemy was too strong, too rich, and too dirty. You were good, really good, baby, but I'm going to have to sacrifice my finer tastes for my career. I'll always love you.

So, tabs are out and I'm down with that, not a crisis. Just an observation. Thank the stars for this computer world where changing such things does not take weeks and months.

If I'd ever had to actually hand-write a manuscript, I'd've never written my name!

I'm So Excited! Edits Underway!

Just finished my 2nd round of edits, and my editor at StarDust Press, Traci, is really nice, and has remarkable patience with me over Word 2007.

For those who don't know, I've fought the good fight over Word 2007 for the sake of Word Perfect but, alas, I have lost. I am surrendering the fight. It's too big a war, and I like some of Word's features, so I'm just giving up and giving in.

Edits went much faster than I thought, and I've learned a lot.

Yep, I did it! I'm on the road to publication !

With pride, I announce that I've sold Looks Are Deceiving, my first toe-dip into the world of Contemporary Romance, to e-publisher StarDust Press!

I'm very excited to see where StarDust will take the story. I expect to learn much about e-publishing and the entire publishing industry as a whole. I'll be holding hands with another author, both of us members of RWA's Paranormal chapter and contracted with StarDust, so I'll not be alone.

I expect I'll be asked to "plump up" the love scenes, make them steamier, and I'll be doing so. StarDust Press is focused on erotica, so I can say "I write erotic romance", something I hadn't seen coming. A testimony to the adage, "You never know what's ahead." There were times in my early life that I would've never believed I'd be a published author. Barring odd occurrences, I should be officially published in about a year or less.

I'm excited. I'm going to learn a lot.

My new e-mail signature will read:
Michele Hart
SciFi/Fantasy Romance Author
Looks Are Deceiving - January '08 StarDust Press

And THAT alone feels GREAT!
The whole world treats you better if you can say "Published" after the word "Writer" when describing your career and obsession.

Now, if only I could sell Luminous Nights or Magnetic ... Both better work than Looks Are Deceiving, and written in my chosen subgenre and true love, Futuristic Romance.
Who knows why these things happen.

I SOLD !!!

I'm terrified to announce I've been offered a contract by an e-publisher for Looks Are Deceiving. I'm even scared to utter the publisher's name. More to come ...

Looks Are Deceiving

I sure started 2007 right!

On January 1st, Wild Rose Press wrote me to request my Short Contemporary Romance, Looks Are Deceiving, and TWO of their editors want to read it. The Contemporary Romance editor to whom I submitted my query and synopsis took it to the Suspense editor, and they both want to read it. Two editors at the same publisher!

Needless to say, it recharged my batteries.
I'm waiting to hear back from them. I'm pretty sure the Suspense editor will pass it up because the crime is actually in the background of the story, not a major plot, which is why I'm not bothering to submit it as a Suspense. The crime unfolds behind the hero's, heroine's, and the reader's backs and gets them in the end, but it's almost not really in the story itself. So I don't suspect the Suspense editor will want it, but it was a nice charge to respark the Romance hopes. It was a wonderful way to start the new year. I’m crossing my fingers ...

I Love ShapeShifters !

This is my new website address!


Stop by, we'll have coffee ...

14th Book In The Can * ILoveShapeShifters.Com

This was a busy month for the Chele-ster.

Looks Are Deceiving
I've finished my 14th book, Looks Are Deceiving, a Short Contemporary Romance I plan to offer to Harlequin and a few others. Here's a link to the back cover blurb, if you're curious --> http://www.michelehart.com/proposalb18.htm/
Wish me luck.

I overheard Vee say a new author has a better chance of getting published with a short book than a long book, which makes sense. If a publisher has a 100K word-count story from New Author #1, and a 130K word-count from New Author #2, the publisher's going to sign the short one because it would be cheaper to produce.
Thus, the reasoning for writing a Short Contemporary.
In the past, I've tended to write large stories so I've purposely crafted a short one to hopefully quicken that book contract.

Funny, all my stories, all SciFi and Fantasies, have shapeshifters in them. When I set out to write this Short Contemporary, I wondered how I'd write a story without a shapeshifter.
About a quarter of the way through writing the project, I realized what I was writing: a story about a woman who could look like two very different people. - -> Yep, another shapeshifter story. Some habits refuse to die, altogether.

ILoveShapeShifters.Com
I have a new, memorable domain name, ILoveShapeShifters.Com, which I am very excited about. It sticks to the brain and requires no spelling explanations. ("That's Michele with one L, not Michelle with 2 Ls. That's Hart without the E, not heart with an E.) I like that, even developed a cool logo with it that will most likely show up in everything I do. I love designing logos, have done it for fun for years.

Hope everyone has a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

- Michele
ILoveShapeShifters.Com

Trust Me. I'm a Romance Writer.

Dear SciFi Agents and Publishers ... READ ME !

I've belonged to Star Trek Social Clubs for three years now. When a female member learns I write SciFi Romance, they FREAK! They are SO READY for SciFi Romance! They want to hear about my stories, they hop on my website and read samples. I'm often asked for famous names they can rush to the bookstore and read. They are so hungry ...

SciFi will soar when the publishers UNLEASH IT! Invest in it! I'm hip-deep in the middle of SciFi fandom, and SciFi Romance is a silent sleeping want of the SciFi world. Trust me when I tell you a lot of GUYS are willing to read SciFi Romance! And more women than ever are getting into science careers and entering the SciFi world. Slightly less than half of all members of the Starfleet International Fan Club are WOMEN! That's a big audience.

There is MORE FANTASY being done in Hollywood than ever before. 19 of the Top 20 Grossing Movies of All Time are FANTASIES. There are at least 15 more movies about superheroes alone in the pipeline in Hollywood. Fantasy and SciFi are half-sisters, and SciFi is rising as well. The WANT of it is soaring!

But the SciFi fans are hungrier than the entertainment industry is feeding them. Hollywood is sprinting to catch up. Tragically, the Romance industry has not yet awakened to the huge untapped starving market! And it's not going to be a passing trend, either! Star Trek has just celebrated their 40th Anniversary of being THE most successful SciFi TV show of all time. Battlestar Galactica has just been reinvented into the biggest hit the SciFi Channel has. No one is SO misinformed to call Star Trek a trend. Trends don't last 40+ years. As we speak, new Star Trek movies are being penned by JJAbrams, the director of Mission Impossible 3. They're on their way.

Dear SciFi Agents and Publishers!

The tidal wave of SciFi popularity is in your hands! Ride the surfboard, don't be washed away from the shore!

Increase the number of SciFi Romance books published and tell the world they can be found, awaiting the SciFi fans who starve for them! Market to SciFi fans directly! Fan magazines, conventions! Market to the general public!

Tap this permanent market awaiting your notice! This world is becoming more scientific every day. SciFi Romance will be here to stay if you help it be born!

Being hip-deep in SciFi fandom and seeing it for myself, I can promise the industry great success! Add up the attendance of conventions, memberships in SciFi Fan Clubs all over the world. Add up the viewership of the SciFi Channel and the popularity of the already well-established genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

That's big sales, my friends! And rabid fans. I never knew more die-hard, rabid, spent-every-spare-buck-on-it fans in my life!
Let's go get them! Who's with me!?!
-Michele Hart
http://www.michelehart.com/

Hooray for FF&P !

Got some readers for my stories, way cool. RWA's Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal Chapter is awesome. They've helped me much already.
I should get some good feedback.

I also spent some time building online book proposals on my website, looks good, looks good ... Got a page for every finished story. Looks good, looks good ...

Waiting to receive critiques before I start submitting again. Why waste the money of postage when you know there will be changes?

Meanwhile, I've done a little work on the single title I'm writing to introduce the Fantasy series I wrote a kabillion years ago. Cross your fingers for great inspiration.

My Blog Should Be Called "Kill Me Now"

Got my results from a First Chapter contest where I'd entered both Luminous Nights and Entangled. Boy, were the results mixed and odd.

ABOUT CONTESTS
Though we all want to believe that these contests are judged by published authors, themselves embedded in the crucible of publishing, but it’s usually just not so. Most contests receive so many entries, they must baptize the UNpublished writers with a class on how to judge, and those graduates will become "Certified Judges".

Seems to me that no matter how educated the readers–-some agents and editors have an alphabet soup of degrees behind their names--one reader will simply LIKE one story when another reader will not. One reader will SEE a scene when the other reader does not. It’s in the author’s hands to make as many people as possible SEE the story. But when it’s all said and done, when quantitative scores are thought up and marked down, when the comment boxes of the judging sheets are filled with scribble, good and bad, it still boils down to just one thing: OPINION.

I’ve judged for one contest and will never do it again. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, to set my opinion to a number that just might hold back a great author whom I just didn’t GET. Maybe she’s a future Best Seller. Just because I didn’t GET her story doesn’t mean others wouldn’t. So I swore I’d never judge again.

And yes, my entries into this contest scored low. Neither story made the Finals. But the results were so mind-bending on the subject of opinion, I had to share.

I’m in my office pounding this out, and Mom (my editor, FYI) is in the livingroom, reviewing the results as I speak and I’ll insert her random comments, giving you another view of this. At this moment, she is reviewing the results from the lowest score, which came from Entangled, my newest and best story. Entangled was the story an agent had offered me a contract. He loved Entangled. He actually loved both stories, but he signed Entangled first, would have signed Luminous Nights if I'd agreed to the changes, which I didn't, in case you missed that story. Agent gone bye-bye.

The Luminous Nights Entries
This was a shocking spread of points.

Judge A - gave me 48 out of 50 points. If this judge had been the only judge, I would have made the Finals for sure, which nets the writer a read by an acquiring editor. It very often gets the author a book sale. This judge was generous in her scoring. She said she wants to read it when it comes out. A very nice review, hard to argue about.

From the livingroom, Mom just shouted, "WHAT?"

Judge B - gave me 34 out of 50 points. She liked the story too, had some criticisms about things the other judge didn’t see, but that’s not at all unusual. We all spot different things, overlook others. But when I reviewed her every comment, I think she was a bit harsh on the number of points she took off for small things.

For instance, she said she wanted more dialog tags (said, asked, muttered, shouted). Out of 10 possible points, she gave me a 6. She deducted 4 points for an issue I see as minor. Still it’s opinion, right?
How big a problem is this when you think about it? This is a problem that can be solved with a half-thorough review of the manuscript, slip a ‘said’ there, a ‘replied’ here. In my opinion, not a big problem solved in one night with a quarter of my attention while watching the news. Seriously, it’s a small problem easily corrected, a problem that should have cost a point, maybe 2, not 4. Still, my opinion, no more valuable than any others.
But what if those 3 points I saw as a stiff punishment for a small crime, may have kept me out of the Finals?

Mom just yelled, "What the heck are you talking about, Lady?"
I laughed and laughed and laughed.

Okay, well, the average of the two scores kept me out of the Finals in that one. I accept it. I can’t change it. Let’s move on.

Entangled entries
Scored low from both judges all the way around.
Judge C gave me 38 out of 50 points
Judge D gave me 28 out of 50 points <–-This is what Mom’s reading now.

This slayed me since an agent loved the story, signed this book on the spot. Everyone who’s read it loved it. STILL, all opinions, right?

I’ve read the judging on the entry Mom is shouting about. I’m leaving out the majority of Mom’s comments of bewilderment over what exactly this woman had to say. Can’t write all day ... but it's a chuckle-riot hearing her shouts!

This judge cannot possibly be a reader nor writer of Paranormal Action Adventure stories OR she was in an extremely caustic mood when she picked up my entry. Her comments and corrections are ludicrous. This judge is reading everything against a very strict literal interpretation as though she doesn’t understand metaphor.

For example: (examples lead with stars, BTW)

*** "Kade entered the tossed office."
Her comment was, What do you mean by "tossed"?
Is there anyone who doesn’t understand or can even picture a tossed office to mean anything other than an office in disarray?

*** "Kade stuck his copper head into the shuttle .."
Yes, the judge questioned whether Kade’s head was really made of copper.

*** "Ty turned to his own computer and grazed over the document."
Yes, the judge asked if Ty were eating the document.

***This one kills me.
In the previous paragraph, Cia has just shapeshifted from a white tigress back to her human form. The next paragraph opens: "Back to herself, Cia picked up the document ..."
The judge underlined "Back to herself", and asked, What does this mean? (FROWN)

***Here’s another good one:
The hero is complaining about the priestesses, calling them "frigid little nuns".
The judge says, Most people assume nuns are chaste. Is that true here?
One would think the word "frigid" answered her question.

***Another goodie:
"Ty drew a troubled breath."
The judge asks, Does he have asthma?

***Now it’s your turn to guess how absurd the judge can be.
"Willa possessed long cookie-dough hair."
You got it. The judge asked if there were cookie-dough mashed in her hair.

There really isn’t room to list them all, but there were many, many episodes of this all through her critique. Even if you see her point in one or two of these, she'd given me 20 pages of this stuff. Strangely, through it all, she did not dislike the scenes. She liked them, liked the characters, liked the story. Had no real criticisms at all. Bizarre.

Did this judge keep me from the Finals, no. The other score wasn’t so high either. A few points from this judge would not have bumped me into the Finals on that entry. But when you get judges who judge entries LIKE THIS, it eats through you to know this person had wielded the power to keep you from your next career goal.

One thing’s true, if the MAJORITY of people do not GET a story or don’t like it, the writer needs to go back to the drawing board, clearly what I must do for these stories. They're hardly perfect.

But it’s a glimpse on attitudes, I think. And how someone’s crappy attitude can make an impact on your career. Someone you've never laid eyes upon, someone who’ll never write you a check but cost you much in self-confidence, maybe even bad advice.

Contests are great. If you can win one, or even be able to put at the bottom of your queries that you’ve Finaled in one, it’s a powerful thing that might prompt an editor or agent to examine work they might have passed up on superficial inspection.

For the few who Finaled, it was a great thing. But for those who paid $20 per entry and didn’t make the grade came critiques from judges who may not be any better a writer than the author herself is. Or worse, receive a judge’s critique from someone flat incompetent to judge hair shampoo instructions.

I don’t think I’ll do contests anymore. At least when I’m turned down by an agent or publisher, I’m sure there’s someone better than me on the other end of the rejection letter assessing my work. Sure they can be in bad moods too, but at least someone else respected their eye enough to pay them for the job. I didn’t have to pay the legitimate agents/publishers $20 an entry. By entering the contest, I paid money to gamble that a better author than me would be judging my writing sample. I see that wasn’t a sure bet. For sure. I should have spent the $40 on postage to agents and publishers.

My friend Steve warned me about contests ...
I’m glad no one reads my blog ...

It's My First Time ! What Do I Say ???

This is my very first blog, and I'm a beginner at this. No laughing!
I'll have to figure out somethin' here ....

Just came back from the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Atlanta, and I don't think I've ever said, "There's no place like home", so many times.

Met my agent, a real nice guy. I have a lot of faith in him. His agency is focused on Romance, which I like, and he says I'm his only SciFi Romance author!! Yippee! He'll be pitching me a lot then hopefully.

If, as a writer, you ever thought, "Hey! I have an agent now, and the hard part's done," lean over here so I can slap you across the head. Few things worse than your agent calling you and telling you the scene you thought was your very best scene must be rewritten. Kill me now ...

Are you masochistic? Become a writer!