TITLE: Vision
GENRE: YA Paranormal Suspence
Teenage friends falling in love. Shelby must keep her mother from marrying a reincarnated psychopath.
"Just go talk to her and get it over with.”
“I know, I’m going.” I forced myself off the couch and away from Ben’s strong warm body.
“I’m gonna walk you home,” Ben said plucking his jacket from the coat tree when we reached the door.
“That’s okay. I need a minute alone to decide what to say.”
He faced me and I realized his eyes were the same color as the pendant the Maharishi gave me. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. Whoever tried to break into your house last night’s still out there,” he said standing so close I could feel his sweet breath. Seriously, how could I be expected to concentrate like this?
“I’ll text you as soon as I’m inside, don’t worry.” He brought his hand to my face and slowly stroked my cheek causing a buzz of electricity to course through me. I took a step closer and put my hand on his chest.
His hand slid around my waist, gently pulling me to him. I’d never been so close to Ben but it felt totally right, and I moved my hand from his chest to his back, erasing the last inches of space between us. Ben leaned down, his lips slightly parting and…the refrigerator opened around the corner in the kitchen, ruining our moment and wrenching me from Ben’s spell. I stepped back from him breathless and walked out the door.
I felt like I was walking on air, and as I floated down the driveway I imagined what it would be like to kiss Ben.
Miss Snark's First Victim
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
First Kiss #1
TITLE: Prime Vector
GENRE: Science Fiction Adult
After a long trip to return home, Catita and Tek get stuck in a storm. They find refuge in a cave, an old communications center.
“Come on. Am I so bad?” Tek whispers, as he approaches, taking his time. He holds her gaze. She’s not going anywhere.
Something inside tells him it’d be best to stay away. The storm blazing outside will soon be gone, taking Catita with it. Regardless of what Tek can see in her, she’s still QEC, and she belongs in Phoenicis. She belongs to the Queen. Yes, the smart thing to do would be to keep his distance.
Tek’s eyes survey Catita’s face, cheeks flushed from the run, amber eyes melting under the dimmed lights, and those heart-shaped lips slightly parted. Waiting. Damn it. Who’s he kidding? He’s never been known for making good choices. Tek leans in, and covers her mouth with his.
Catita takes a calming breath and pulls away, but Tek’s not ready to let her go. Not yet. He presses his forehead against hers, breathing the same air. His hands hold her in place, while his heart pounds in his chest with a force that matches the raging storm outside.
She sighs, and the delicious pain from his racing heart spreads through his arms and down his back. “You’re killing me, honey. I swear you’re killing me slowly,” Tek murmurs against her temple.
As if trying to fill the void between her feelings and logic, Catita shakes her head, hands kneading the muscles on his stomach. Her nose and lips brush against his cheek, and Tek reciprocates. He hesitates for a moment, then releases her. Eyes closed as he recovers.
GENRE: Science Fiction Adult
After a long trip to return home, Catita and Tek get stuck in a storm. They find refuge in a cave, an old communications center.
“Come on. Am I so bad?” Tek whispers, as he approaches, taking his time. He holds her gaze. She’s not going anywhere.
Something inside tells him it’d be best to stay away. The storm blazing outside will soon be gone, taking Catita with it. Regardless of what Tek can see in her, she’s still QEC, and she belongs in Phoenicis. She belongs to the Queen. Yes, the smart thing to do would be to keep his distance.
Tek’s eyes survey Catita’s face, cheeks flushed from the run, amber eyes melting under the dimmed lights, and those heart-shaped lips slightly parted. Waiting. Damn it. Who’s he kidding? He’s never been known for making good choices. Tek leans in, and covers her mouth with his.
Catita takes a calming breath and pulls away, but Tek’s not ready to let her go. Not yet. He presses his forehead against hers, breathing the same air. His hands hold her in place, while his heart pounds in his chest with a force that matches the raging storm outside.
She sighs, and the delicious pain from his racing heart spreads through his arms and down his back. “You’re killing me, honey. I swear you’re killing me slowly,” Tek murmurs against her temple.
As if trying to fill the void between her feelings and logic, Catita shakes her head, hands kneading the muscles on his stomach. Her nose and lips brush against his cheek, and Tek reciprocates. He hesitates for a moment, then releases her. Eyes closed as he recovers.
Monday, February 9, 2015
First Kiss Submissions TODAY!
Submissions for the First Kiss Critique Round will open at noon EST today.
Guidelines are HERE.
Good luck, all!
Guidelines are HERE.
Good luck, all!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Friday Fricassee
If you're reading this blog, that means you have a dream. It entails the bringing of your beloved story (or stories) to the masses, and it looks a little bit like the next person's, and a little bit not.
Because it's your dream. You want to be published. Right?
We all look at the "being published" differently. For some, it's traditional all the way. For others, it's do-it-yourself indie. Some do a mixture of both.
Then there's the actual product. Some of us dream of gorgeous hardcover debuts. Others would be pleased as pie to have a trade paperback hit the shelves. And some dream of raking in the royalties on a digital release, without any paper fuss at all.
So today's question is: What does your dream product look like? How much does it matter to you HOW your book hits the world? Does it even matter at all?
Yes, of course I'll get all vulnerable and share my dream first.
I love books. Beautiful, hardcover, smells-so-good-I-want-to-lick-the-pages books, fresh from the store, are one of life's dearest treasures. I love the weight of them in my hands, the satisfying way my bookmark creeps slowly through their depth. I love the ink against the creamy pages. I love--LOVE--books.
And I want my debut to be like that. A real, honest-to-goodness hardcover with my name on it. Something to display on my bookshelves along with all my other hardcover treasures, so that I can look at it and think, "That ones's mine!" Something I can hand out to family members, their names lovingly scrawled on the cover pages.
When I think about it hard enough, my stomach does funny drop-things. For me, this is visceral.
But.
I look at my latest sub list and see things that DON'T EXACTLY MATCH MY DREAM. This publisher does digital-only. That publisher starts with digital and moves to paperback. And this other publisher? I'm not even sure.
Yes, there are Big Five names on there, too, and of course they do gorgeous, real-as-can-be hardcovers. But they're moving with the times, too (or at least, they'd better be), so probably the real-as-can-be isn't a given there, either.
Where does this leave my dream?
Well, hmm. It leaves me asking myself this question: "How badly do you want people to READ YOUR STORIES?" Because, whether they're reading my debut novel on a Kindle or in paperback or as a gorgeoushardcover, the point is that they're READING MY NOVEL.
Right?
I know this is true. So why does it still bother me to think about letting go of my hardcover dream?
I don't have an answer. I want to hear from you. Because I know I'm not the only one who's in love with hardcovers (I buy them almost exclusively).
Share your dreams! And if you're completely unfettered by real-book-love, share your wisdom and insight.
So glad we're such a diverse and passionate bunch! I look forward to your comments.
Because it's your dream. You want to be published. Right?
We all look at the "being published" differently. For some, it's traditional all the way. For others, it's do-it-yourself indie. Some do a mixture of both.
Then there's the actual product. Some of us dream of gorgeous hardcover debuts. Others would be pleased as pie to have a trade paperback hit the shelves. And some dream of raking in the royalties on a digital release, without any paper fuss at all.
So today's question is: What does your dream product look like? How much does it matter to you HOW your book hits the world? Does it even matter at all?
Yes, of course I'll get all vulnerable and share my dream first.
I love books. Beautiful, hardcover, smells-so-good-I-want-to-lick-the-pages books, fresh from the store, are one of life's dearest treasures. I love the weight of them in my hands, the satisfying way my bookmark creeps slowly through their depth. I love the ink against the creamy pages. I love--LOVE--books.
And I want my debut to be like that. A real, honest-to-goodness hardcover with my name on it. Something to display on my bookshelves along with all my other hardcover treasures, so that I can look at it and think, "That ones's mine!" Something I can hand out to family members, their names lovingly scrawled on the cover pages.
When I think about it hard enough, my stomach does funny drop-things. For me, this is visceral.
But.
I look at my latest sub list and see things that DON'T EXACTLY MATCH MY DREAM. This publisher does digital-only. That publisher starts with digital and moves to paperback. And this other publisher? I'm not even sure.
Yes, there are Big Five names on there, too, and of course they do gorgeous, real-as-can-be hardcovers. But they're moving with the times, too (or at least, they'd better be), so probably the real-as-can-be isn't a given there, either.
Where does this leave my dream?
Well, hmm. It leaves me asking myself this question: "How badly do you want people to READ YOUR STORIES?" Because, whether they're reading my debut novel on a Kindle or in paperback or as a gorgeoushardcover, the point is that they're READING MY NOVEL.
Right?
I know this is true. So why does it still bother me to think about letting go of my hardcover dream?
I don't have an answer. I want to hear from you. Because I know I'm not the only one who's in love with hardcovers (I buy them almost exclusively).
Share your dreams! And if you're completely unfettered by real-book-love, share your wisdom and insight.
So glad we're such a diverse and passionate bunch! I look forward to your comments.
Monday, February 2, 2015
First Kiss Critique Round Early Info
Okay, my lovelies! Here are the submission guidelines for next week's FIRST KISS round:
- Submissions for the FIRST KISS CRITIQUE ROUND will be open from NOON to SIX EST on Monday, February 9.
- This is a lottery. The bot will choose 30 entries (and 2 alternates) at random to post on the blog.
- Please submit your up-to-250 words excerpt. The scene should entail THE FIRST KISS or FIRST ALMOST-KISS of your main character and his or her love interest.
- IMPORTANT: Please include a brief (up to 25 words) lead-in to set the scene.
- This is a PG-13 blog. At my discretion, anything that's too erotic/graphic will be disqualified.
- Please use THIS WEB FORM to submit your entry.
- Agented and unagented authors are both welcomed.
- WIPs are welcomed. But PLEASE PROOFREAD AND TIGHTEN YOUR EXCERPT before submitting.
- The 30 entries will post on Wednesday, February 11 for public critique.
Go find your smoochies and have at it! Ask your questions below.
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