My friend Julie called me today to tell me that Wal-mart in Union, MO, only had two of my books left on the shelves--meaning I'd sold eight out of 10 in a store I usually only sell half. I was thrilled.
Every time a book gets into the stores I worry about it. The books that I think will do really well sometimes don't. Case in point, Legally Tender, my January 06 American, didn't sell as well as predicted. Maybe it was January, when everyone is broke from holiday spending and making those resolutions to cut back. Maybe it was because it was of the cover. I know I read one blog where the woman loved the book, but she bought it only after someone recommended it to her. She blogged that she hated the title, and had it not been recommended, she never would have bought the book--just because of the title.
So The Wedding Secret is out there now. I can't fix anything about it and I am already writing my November 2007 American. But a book is like a baby, once it's born, you can't send it back if it's not what you expected. However, I love this book. It's one of my favorites. So I hope everyone will love my baby just as much as I do. I hope they'll spare a few Christmas dollars to pick up a little romantic escape. Until the January Americans arrive, I nervously check stores, Amazon numbers and pray. You'd think that after 13 times I'd stop worrying. But I won't.
So I'm like the stores holding their breath on sales numbers. Only time will tell. And come April, when Nine Months' Notice hits the stands, the butterflies and nerves will take flight again. I guess it's all part of the process.
Michele
Friday, December 08, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
What season is it, anyway?
It may be December to you, but what month is it for a novelist?
Weird question, right? But time plays strange tricks when you’re writing a book that might take place during an entirely different season – or in another climate.
Embarrassing problem for us Southern Californians: We forget that people in other places have to wear coats in the winter. Of course, sometimes the problem is subtler than that. I once described a heroine in Austin, Texas taking a sweater along on a summer night in case she got cold. My cousins who live in steamy Austin found that extremely funny.
In case you’ve never been to the LA-Orange County area, it’s a semi-desert climate where temperatures can drop as much as 40 degrees. We hardly ever have hot nights.
The time shift can be tough on readers, too. I’ve had books come out in entirely the wrong season. While it may be pleasant to huddle in front of the fire and read about sunny summer weather, I’m sure it’s disconcerting to hear sleigh bells in July. Of course, our friends in Australia and New Zealand are probably used to that!
I’m actually a little surprised to realize that my February release, The Doctor’s Little Secret, is – get this – set in February. That’s a rarity, believe me.
The editors at Harlequin have my sympathy. It must be tough to schedule four books a month, planning well in advance. Sometimes a book that’s slated for a particular month gets delayed, and another has to be moved up to fill the slot. I’m sure they try to take the seasons into account, but they don’t have magic wands.
Of course, in writing a trilogy like the one that starts in February, I have to think ahead about the months and how they’ll affect the storylines. The second book, Daddy Protector, which comes out in May, takes place during June and July. The third, Twin Surprise [September release],starts in October and ends on New Year’s Eve.
Wait! They’re actually coming out at the right times of the year, or as close as humanly possible.
Maybe those editors ARE superwomen.
In any event, if you’re shivering right now, hope you’ve at least got a good book to read in front of the fire. And some chestnuts or marshmallows roasting. Happy holidays!
Weird question, right? But time plays strange tricks when you’re writing a book that might take place during an entirely different season – or in another climate.
Embarrassing problem for us Southern Californians: We forget that people in other places have to wear coats in the winter. Of course, sometimes the problem is subtler than that. I once described a heroine in Austin, Texas taking a sweater along on a summer night in case she got cold. My cousins who live in steamy Austin found that extremely funny.
In case you’ve never been to the LA-Orange County area, it’s a semi-desert climate where temperatures can drop as much as 40 degrees. We hardly ever have hot nights.
The time shift can be tough on readers, too. I’ve had books come out in entirely the wrong season. While it may be pleasant to huddle in front of the fire and read about sunny summer weather, I’m sure it’s disconcerting to hear sleigh bells in July. Of course, our friends in Australia and New Zealand are probably used to that!
I’m actually a little surprised to realize that my February release, The Doctor’s Little Secret, is – get this – set in February. That’s a rarity, believe me.
The editors at Harlequin have my sympathy. It must be tough to schedule four books a month, planning well in advance. Sometimes a book that’s slated for a particular month gets delayed, and another has to be moved up to fill the slot. I’m sure they try to take the seasons into account, but they don’t have magic wands.
Of course, in writing a trilogy like the one that starts in February, I have to think ahead about the months and how they’ll affect the storylines. The second book, Daddy Protector, which comes out in May, takes place during June and July. The third, Twin Surprise [September release],starts in October and ends on New Year’s Eve.
Wait! They’re actually coming out at the right times of the year, or as close as humanly possible.
Maybe those editors ARE superwomen.
In any event, if you’re shivering right now, hope you’ve at least got a good book to read in front of the fire. And some chestnuts or marshmallows roasting. Happy holidays!
Monday, December 04, 2006
HELLO
Hi everyone,
Just checking in, too. A Harlequin American blog—that’s exciting and I’m happy to be a part of it.
I have an American, Once A Cowboy, coming out in February. There’s a real sexy cowboy on the cover. I’ve never had a cover quite like this one and I’m anxious to see how readers will like it.
Right now I’m trying to finish a book, Christmas shop and decorate. There isn’t enough hours in my day.
Take care, Linda Warren
Just checking in, too. A Harlequin American blog—that’s exciting and I’m happy to be a part of it.
I have an American, Once A Cowboy, coming out in February. There’s a real sexy cowboy on the cover. I’ve never had a cover quite like this one and I’m anxious to see how readers will like it.
Right now I’m trying to finish a book, Christmas shop and decorate. There isn’t enough hours in my day.
Take care, Linda Warren
My Name is Shelley and I'm a Wrestling Parent
Right now I feel like I'm two people. By day, I'm Shelley Galloway, Harlequin American Author. I spend my days writing as much as I can, cleaning up the house, running errands...pretty much doing all the things I thought and hoped I'd be doing back when I was young and dreaming about growing up. I do 'girlie' things, too. I get my nails done. I needlepoint. I really like the Hallmark channel.
I also have become a high school wrestling fan.
Yep, my fifteen year old is a high school wrestler. I now spend my evenings worrying about pins and headlocks, ringworm and 'alpha weight'. Sweaty gymnasiums suddenly don't smell too bad to me. I've got a year's supply of Selsen Blue and Lysol in my bathroom. And, I found myself standing up and cheering next to my husband when my kid won a really tough match that involved blood!
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be excited about these things.
I guess that's why life is so good, huh? Thank goodness we get to do things we'd never thought we'd ever do. Like cheer for a certain sweaty boy who's now taller than me.
And spend my days thinking of another story to tell.
Shelley
I also have become a high school wrestling fan.
Yep, my fifteen year old is a high school wrestler. I now spend my evenings worrying about pins and headlocks, ringworm and 'alpha weight'. Sweaty gymnasiums suddenly don't smell too bad to me. I've got a year's supply of Selsen Blue and Lysol in my bathroom. And, I found myself standing up and cheering next to my husband when my kid won a really tough match that involved blood!
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be excited about these things.
I guess that's why life is so good, huh? Thank goodness we get to do things we'd never thought we'd ever do. Like cheer for a certain sweaty boy who's now taller than me.
And spend my days thinking of another story to tell.
Shelley
Sunday, December 03, 2006
A newbie happy to be here!
Hello, everyone.
This is my first experience posting my own blog entry, so I hope I'm doing this correctly!
I'm thrilled that Harlequin American Romance Authors now have their very own blog.
A little background info about this brand-new author:
I made my first sale a year ago, to Harlequin American, and my first two books came out recently.
THE SHERIFF'S SON was a September 2006 release, and--to both my surprise and joy--it hit the Waldenbooks Series Romance Bestseller list. All due to its adorable cover, for sure! If you haven't seen it, check it out at my website: www.barbarawhitedaille.com
The second book, COURT ME, COWBOY, is a November release and out now. I'm so computer-clueless I can't even call myself technically challenged--but if I've done this correctly, you should see the cover above.
Both books are set in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, a small community where everyone knows everyone else's business--and most don't mind sticking their noses into it, too! All in a good cause, of course.
THE SHERIFF'S SON is about childhood sweethearts who were torn apart and are now reunited. Not such a good thing for my heroine, who is about to lose control of her wayward seven-year-old son, her beloved business, and her deepest, darkest secret.
COURT ME, COWBOY is the story of a couple whose whirlwind relationship resulted in a marriage destined for failure. Then they discover they're pregnant.... Compromise might be an option--if they can survive the courtship they never had first time around.
As you might imagine, I've been living in a wonderful daze for the past three months!
Now it's time to come down out of the clouds, get caught up on my Harlequin American reading, and drop by here often to see what's happening.
Hope you enjoy our new blog!
All the best,
Barbara
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