It was a chilly January evening. Thankfully, I was ensconced in my cubicle at work. I'm a tech support desk rep, so I was busy assisting a customer. For some strange reason, I decided I needed to check my email whilst the customer was busy typing something into her computer. If you all must know, I suffer from OCED (Obsessive Compulsive E-Mail Disorder). I notice one of the emails is a response to a submission I made to a publisher about a month or so before. My heart fell. In my experience, when they reply that quickly, the news usually isn't good. I've submitted materials to this publisher in the past and I was sent a form reply from the editor's assistant explaining they were not interested. This reply, though, came from the editor herself. Okay, so I admit, curiosity got the better of me, so I opened the email.
Bad move. Not because of the editor's response, but because of my response after opening the email. The editor informed me they wanted to publish my novel along with two subsequent novels. Now my brain has completely turned to mush. I struggled to assist my customer and fumbled with my words. I'm amazed I was even able to help her solve her problem. Can you say, "Worst call EVER?" So I finish up with the customer and take a breather off the phone. I think some jumping up and down and exclamations ensued. I’m fairly certain my co-workers thought I was a fry short of a value meal.
After that "ordeal," I queried several agents, including one who’d requested the first three chapters. I sent her the materials, explaining that I had an offer on the table. She emailed me back explaining my different options, which I thought was very professional. She emailed me again saying she read the three chapters I sent and that she liked my voice. She wanted to speak personally.
None of the other agents I queried expressed such an interest. I emailed several agents to keep my options open. The results were either they didn't like my voice, already had a similar project on the table or they didn’t response at all. So the following Monday, I spoke with the agent and got really good vibes. Also, one of women in my local RWA (Romance Writers of America) chapters is also one of her clients. With her good recommendation, I knew what I was going to do. I signed with that agent.
And a good thing I did too. My initial three book offer went up to four books. So that's the story about how I sold my book. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. SO KEEP ON WRITING!!!!!
What have I learned from this? Don't open emails from editors while on the phone with customers.
What I really learned? Never give up. Keep on writing and submitting. You, too, will have a totally bizarre story to tell about your call.
To celebrate this awesome news and welcome my recently released fantasy erotic romance, Wings of Desire, I’ll draw one random commenter to receive a free copy of the book. Here’s a blurb and excerpt to whet your appetites…
BLURB:
Not the fairytale your grandmother used to read to you.
Rhiannon Kinsley's life goes from boring to downright crazy when a freak lightning bolt strikes her laptop. To make matters even more bizarre, strange words and symbols flash across the computer screen and she hears a mysterious voice. Time to call the men in white coats! Then Cerne Silverwing, an intriguingly sexy man, appears. He insists she’s a faerie princess whose fate will determine his own. What a crock! Now she knows who really needs those white coats.
With the Dark Faerie forces threatening his kingdom, Cerne kidnaps Rhiannon and brings her to Fey, a land where magic knows no bounds. He's performing a duty to save his kingdom and nothing more—a duty that will bring him his wings and the strengthened magic that comes with them. If he doesn’t unite with the princess as her consort, those wings will never grow. But this princess grew up in the land of laptops and instant messages, and she’s convinced they're both crazy. Despite their differences, the two are thrust together to defeat the whip-wielding Dark Faerie Queen before she takes over the kingdom. Passion and peril aside, will Rhiannon and Cerne discover their true destiny?
EXCERPT:
Cerne caught her hand in his and gave her a heated gaze. "I didn't want to resort to this,” he said, his voice thick and heady. "But I've run out of options.” He pulled her against his hard-muscled body. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifted her chin.
Clenching her fists, she bit her lip. Tingling numbness filled her every pore. She attempted to pull herself from his embrace, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.
"Let go! You're frightening me."
"It's for your own good and the good of your people, my sweet.” He traced a finger lightly over her lips. "Soon you'll understand.” He lowered his lips to hers and gently nibbled. Coaxing her mouth open, his tongue swirled with hungry strokes along hers.
She moaned softly as her traitorous tongue danced with his. Lessening his grip on her arm, he allowed her to press closer and rub her bikini-clad breasts against the hard ridges of his chest. Her nipples pebbled against the spandex of her swim top.
Stupid nipples.
She twisted her fingers in his dark mane, pulling him closer. Heedless of what she knew was right, she intensified the kiss. He hoisted her up onto his lap, letting her straddle the rock-hard erection that filled his trousers. Grinding her hips against his, she reached down to unfasten and untie the garment.
He pulled her hands away. "No, leannan. I just want to kiss. The joining must occur at Beltane—in Fey.”
"I'm not going to Fey—”
He reclaimed her lips. Intoxicating warmth spread throughout her body while he licked, sucked and nibbled. She gasped in pleasure and let his tongue probe the cavern of her mouth again. Light as a feather, she sighed in deep contentment. By God, was she floating? Closing her eyes, Rhiannon allowed him have his way with her.
"I'm sorry,” he breathed against her lips. "It was the only way.”
"What—” Her eyes flickered as spots danced before them—until darkness took over.
Cheers,
Arianna Skye / Sidney Ayers
For more information about Arianna, visit her website at www.ariannaskye.com
For more information about Sidney, visit her website at www.sidneyayers.com
