Summer time! Time for Reading on the Beach...

I can't wait to get back to Florida and relax with the family on the beach. Yes. I'm a beach bum! I don't fix my hair or put on any make-up, it's just plain Jane me. Flip flops and all that. (Plus a few extra pounds, but whatever.) 

So far since the kiddo's school's out (Well, she's out for good. Now heading off to college. Boo hoo!), I really hadn't had time to kick back and chill out. I did, however, go to my publishers conference in Las Vegas, where I mixed business with pleasure. Mostly pleasure I'll admit.  (I tried posting pictures but they were all sideways. Sorry.)

 

I had a great time putting names to faces finally. I know many EP authors and staff but only from Twitter and FB. Oh, and I had the best roomie, Tonya Kuper, she's a YA author, and her book *Anomaly* comes out November 4th, 2014 with Entangled Teen. Can't wait to get my hands on this book. (Wish it were out now so I could read it on the beach. Darn. Maybe I could ask to beta-read it for her. Hint hint. or I'll have to take another beach trip in November. Plot Beach party!!!)

What else is going on? Let's see. If you hadn't heard me screaming from the Louisiana bayou, then you may not know about my Witch novel being acquired. Yep. My Vieux Carre' Witch sister series set in New Orleans got an offer last week. Not just 1 book, but also for book #2 and #3... I'm soooooo thrilled, and it still hasn't totally sunk in yet. I can't wait to see the cover. Love paranormal romance covers. I think this book will be out end of this year or early next. My first deadline is nine days away. (Let the fun begin.)

BUT, before BEWITCHING THE ENEMY (Book 1) comes out, I have another book (novella) that is releasing maybe August or September. It will be part of the new Entangled Publishing *Lovestruck* line.  (Y'all this line is going to be killer!)

This novella is fun and sexy, and part of the Vegas continuity series which includes, Gina Maxwell, Jade Lee w/a Kathy Lyons and me so far. Woot! (Can't believe I'm even mentioned in the same sentence with these two talented authors. My author idols!)  My slice of the series is titled, MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, (though the title could change) it will be third to release.

And I'm just as excited about this book as I am with my Vieux Carre' Witch series. Probably because I can't wait to read all of these books and read about the surprise ending that none of the authors will know about until the very last author writes it. I think there will be about 20-30 Vegas books? Maybe. That's lots of fun! And sex! LOL 

Then while attending the publishing conference I find out more good news. I can't announce yet, but it's all good. (Those who attended the conference heard, if they were paying attention that is.)  2014 has been one of the best years for me writing wise and personal wise. Keep positive people. Whatever your dreams are - don't ever give up. Reach for what you want. Such as going on vacation to read on the beach. Can't wait! (Sharks stay away please!)

So what do you look forward to reading this summer?

Hugs,
Dawn
MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, Entangled, Lovestruck (coming soon)
BEWITHING THE ENEMY, Entangled, Covet (coming soon)
DIAMONDS, Siren, B&N, Amazon Kindle (Out!)
NOT AN ANGEL, Kindle only (Out!)

Entangled Publishing is Celebrating 3 years w/ .99 cents books! Woot!

For the month of February, Entangled Publishing is selling books for .99 cents! I can do some serious damage with .99 cent books! Woot! Bye now!

Entangled Publishing

A little secret from Liz Pelletier with Entangled Publishing (Self-Editing Class)

Self-Editing Class

A little editors secret from Liz Pelletier, Sr. Editor, Co-Owner of Entangled Publishing:

How many times have you heard that you need to polish your manuscript until it's gleaming before sending it out the door? Armed with an almost infinite supply of caffeine, you toil over your baby for hours, cutting a few words here, changing a few words there. You diligently run spell and grammar checker over and over. You may even use a macro that points out you used the word "that" 16 times per page and smack yourself in the head. You argue with your critique partner over appropriate comma usage and dialogue tags until neither one of you can remember when to use a comma. And finally… Finally, you deem your baby ready for public consumption and send it off to your dream agent or editor.

After what seems like an eternity, you get a polite rejection in the mail claiming she just didn't "connect with your characters" or she felt your "plot was too passive" (my personal favorite) or he "didn't think your story started in the right place" or any number of things. I betno one mentioned a single thing about comma usage or redundant word choice, did they? And yet, every time we sit down to edit our manuscripts, those are the things we tend to focus on.

I'm going to share a little secret with you... Editors typically consider the mechanics of your writing only if they're truly horrible, but that's only after they decide if they can sell your story, if they love your voice. In the history of publishing, I don't think anyone has ever lost a book deal due to a missing comma or over-usage of adverbs. If you can write a story that a reader can't put down, even despite grammatical errors… Now that's a bestseller.

With that in mind, during this workshop we're going to focus on both the big picture and line edits, but we'll be focusing on concepts that will help you craft a bestseller: How to review your book through the standard three pass editing structure used by professionals, how to evaluate character growth arcs and story structure, how to peel away those bad writing habits to reveal your voice, and how to refine your writing style so a fluid and engaging story emerges.

By the end of the day, I hope everyone will have the tools they'll need to "Edit a Bestseller Like A Pro"!

Join us near New Orleans, LA. as we learn from Entangled Publishing co-founder and editor Liz Pelletier. Registration information is here. Early registration prices have been extended until June 10th.  Class is on June 22, 2013...  (if the links above don't work try this one below) http://solawriters.org/2013/06/03/self-editing-workshop-why-should-you-join-us-liz-pelletier-lets-you-in-on-a-secret/

I hope to see you there!
~ Dawn Chartier

May 11th and June 22nd - Writing Events in the New Orleans Region

This Saturday at 10am to 3pm Sola Writers is having a small fundraiser ($10 members / $15 non-members) in Westwego, LA (at Salaville Perk - Sala Avenue) (15 minutes from New Orleans).

It's more about getting writers (any writer in the NOLA/Gulf Coast area) to come on out for a day for writing and/or plotting. Giving each other ideas to help you move past just an idea, etc.  Can you imagine if 5 or more authors gave you 5 to 10 ideas on where you can take your story next? Or maybe you are stuck on a character? Or maybe just the plot. Whatever it is, these writers will help. And you'll help them right back.

OR if you rather just sit and write - going 20 minute writing sprints, then we will make sure that is what you do. :-) (anyone can attend...) (Lunch not included.)

For more info you can go here... http://solawriters.org/2013/04/02/plottingsprinting-party-may-11-2013/


Self-Editing Class::::You don't want to miss this Self-Editing class on June 22, 2013.  Sr. Editor, Liz Pelletier with Entangled Publishing is going to be teach us how to self-edit our novels before they are sent to a publisher or before we self-publish. (This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!) 

This is an all day class in Metairie, LA - Lunch and Lite Breakfast included. (10 minutes from New Orleans) and it's worth a drive from where ever you are... (You do not need to be a member - anyone can sign up.)

For more info go here...  http://solawriters.org/2013/04/16/self-editing-workshop-by-liz-pelletier-from-entangled-publishing/

Can't wait for these events... I hope to see lots of people attend...

Happy Writing,
Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com

New publisher in town - Entangled Publishing

Just wanted to spread the word about a new publisher in town. Entangled Publishing.

If you made the rounds submitting or not - don't give up. Check out Entangled.

Good luck!
Dawn