The Best Writer's Group in the World

One of the ladies in my fabulous writer's group just got a two book deal with Aladdin Books! I've read her manuscript in writer's group and it's a great story. Kristen Landon already has one book out called Life in the Pit. It's a teen novel with a touch of mystery and romance. (I'm in the acknowledgements, that practically make me famous.) Check out her book at your local library. If your library doesn't have it, request it to be purchased. Congratulations Kristen, may many more novels soon follow!

Cover Art!!!!

My publisher has finally decided on a cover artist! I’m really excited about their choice. It was the one I was hoping for. His name is Tom Bagshaw. Click on the links below if you want to see some examples of his work.

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/treat/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/falling/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/forest-dreaming/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-3/hush/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-3/celestial-diva/

I think he will do a fantastic job of bringing my mermaid to life. I can’t wait to see the finial art! I turned in the revisions my editor asked for today. It will be a few weeks before I hear back from her--but I hope we are getting close to being finished soon. I’ll keep you all posted.

P.S. I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions of Tom Bagshaw's work in the comments—even if you hate him. : )

Cover Artist

My editor has asked me to view two more artists they are concidering for the cover art. One of them I REALLY liked. She told me my favorite artist was the one they are leaning toward. I should know which one they chose soon. This is me, biting my nails, because the cover is everything. I'll report as soon as I know anything for certain.

Round Three of Revisions

This is the writing that never ends. At least it feels that way. I have more revisions to write in very little time and find my mind is consumed with mermaids and underwater worlds every waking moment (and even some while I'm asleep). But each time I polish up the manuscript it becomes better and more as I always imagined it should be. My publisher asked me to write my dedication and acknowledgments and send them to her. Something about writing a dedication makes the publishing of my book seem so much more real. They still haven't settled on an artist for the cover, but the portfolios they have sent me to look at are all incredible--so it should be a great cover!

Maybe.

Hopefully.

Would You Look at That

I just noticed that I actually have two followers for this website. Bless your hearts Emily and Teresa! Sorry I haven't had time to write a lot about my book, but that's because I'm too busy WRITING the book at the moment. Remember those awful 50 page long term papers they always made us write back in college? Well this is a 261 page long term paper--and it's almost complete. Yippee!

You Will NOT Believe This

They've changed the title of my book again. I'm hoping this is the last time--but know it may not be. As of this moment my book is called Forbidden Sea. I actually like it a little better than Dark Sea so no complaints here. I also got some more exciting news! They want to move my release date up to January 1, 2010. Less than a year away! The book will be offered by Scholastic Book Fairs exclusively until May when they will have the main stream release. (Sorry guys. Unless you have kids with order forms you'll have to wait until May to get a copy.) The only way this can happen is if I can get the manuscript revised like--yesterday. Guess I won't be getting much sleep in the future. Wish me luck!

First Draft of Revisions Done

When I started revisions my manuscript was 218 pages long. It is now 260 pages long. This number is sure to change again as I polish up the new chapters I've written. Hopefully it won't get too much longer. Even though the first draft is complete there is still so much editing to do in the coming weeks. I feel the changes have greatly improved the story and am excited to show them to my editor. Wish I'd thought of the improvements the first time around, but I guess that is what professional editors are for. No word on a title yet. *sigh*