My second professional romance novel, a paranormal contemporary called Jewel of the Naga, has been accepted for publication!  I haven't received final notification of a date, but based on past experience it should come out in summer 2016.

This is a bit of an ambivalent moment; on one hand, I'm very gratified and proud.  On the other… lots of work is associated with this: editing, re-editing, promotion.  I'm still promoting Her Heart's Liege, too!

Sometimes the time and emotions associated with promotion and other publication responsibilities make it challenging to compose new material.  However, I'm 16,000 words into a sequel to Jewel, so that's good progress in spite of the other commitments.  :-)

And there's always the tentatively-titled Path to Scotland, a second historical romance which is sitting at about 120,000 words and is not yet finished because I can't seem to decide if it should be two books or if it should expand into three….

I only wish I'd begun publishing professionally a decade or more ago.  :)  Better late than never, I guess!

Reflections on signing my first publishing contract

It's a red-letter day here at Casa de Olivia.  I've just filled out my first publishing contract and put it in its envelope, ready to wind its merry way to Rogue Phoenix Press.  It's a special moment in life, and as with all such special moments, I have a mix of anticipation and anxiety.  "Is this the right thing to do?  Will things work out okay?  Will anybody buy my novel?  Will they like it?  Have I made the right choices?  What's still in store to be done?"

I was first notified my novel would be accepted by RPP on St. Patrick's Day-- I'll just have to trust in the luck of the Irish!

The important thing to remember, both now and in the future, is that I've done the best I could and made the choices that seemed right at the time given the information, opportunities, and skills I have.  I've wanted to be a published author ever since I sat down and wrote my very first short story (an elementary school horror tale, in which kudzu vines devoured a hapless farmer).  And... this is about to be it!

Who knows what the future has in store?  It should be an entertaining challenge finding out.  And if anyone eventually finds and reads this, it's likely you are one person, at least, who appreciates my decision to go out on a limb and publish.  Thanks for reading, and welcome!  I hope you're as happy about my novel as I am right now. 

:-)

Olivia