Saturday, April 26, 2014

In The Hot Seat With H.C. Brown: Amy Rose Bennett- Comment for chance to win Amazon gift voucher



Joining me today is author, Amy Rose Bennett.

Amy has a contest running today, so don't forget to leave your email address for the chance to win an Amazon gift voucher...Yay!!!!!!!



WINNER:Euphrasia Holmes -


Bio:
Amy Rose Bennett has always wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. An avid reader with a particular love for historical romance, it seemed only natural to write stories in her favourite genre.  She has a passion for creating emotion-packed—and sometimes a little racy—stories set in the Georgian and Regency periods. Of course, her strong-willed heroines and rakish heroes always find their happily ever after.
Amy is happily married to her own Alpha male hero, has two beautiful daughters, a rather loopy Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Devonshire Rex cat with attitude. She is a Speech Pathologist, but is currently devoting her time to her one other true calling—writing romance.

Q:  Can you tell our readers a little about your writing? What genres do you enjoy writing?
As it says in my bio, I absolutely love writing Georgian and Regency set historical romance stories. I also love Scotland so my first two full length manuscripts—‘Capturing the Master of Strathburn’ and ‘Lady Beauchamp’s Proposal’ (still waiting to be published!) are set there. I’m not sure why, but the country and its history fascinates me. But I also suspect it has something to do with being partial to brawny Highland men in kilts…
I’m still exploring different styles of writing—I’ve written some darker-themed tales as well as lighter, happier stories. All have ‘open-door’ love scenes at the hotter end of the spectrum. As a reader I want to read the ‘good bits’ so that’s how I write as well.
One thing I’ve noticed about my writing though, is that I tend to write a little ‘out-of-the-box’ in terms of plotting. I think I’m a bit of a rule-breaker at heart as an author. For instance my heroes are alpha-beta, rather than just straight alphas, and they aren’t afraid to fall in love with their heroines (even if they don’t admit it for a little while). ‘Lady Beauchamp’s Proposal’ also features a married heroine who falls in love with another man—she has good reason to leave her dissolute husband, mind you! It’s risky because some publishing houses won’t even look at a story with adultery themes. But I also think it makes for a dark, gothic-like tale with a strong love story at it’s core. I’m hoping an editor will think so too one day!
In my debut release ‘An Improper Proposition’—an erotic Regency novella—my heroine, a widowed countess, indulges in a rather ‘improper’ dalliance with her younger, very hot footman. So I guess it’s another instance of writing about something that’s not the usual…and a little bit naughty ;)
I should probably also mention that I’ve recently dabbled with writing a novella sent in the recent-past—the 1950’s—as I wanted to see if I could write something a little more ‘modern’ that was also lighter in tone. I had such fun writing it. It meant I could use 20th century words and phrases like ‘thunked’, ‘get a grip’ and ‘Miss-Goody-two-shoes’. It’s set on the Jersey Shore in 1953 and focuses on a second chance romance between a returned army nurse and a US air force fighter pilot.
Q:  Do you write on a schedule or when the Muse decides?
Since deciding to knuckle down and get serious about writing nearly two years ago (because I dithered about for years before that, telling myself I’d write that novel one day), I’ve completed two full length (100,000+ word) novels, two novellas (one published) and I’m currently into my third work-in-progress (another Regency). So I feel like I’ve been quite productive after being a long-term procrastinator. I write every day now and I’m lucky that I can write almost anywhere! At the moment I’m also fortunate to be in the position to have a year off from working as a Speech Pathologist so I’m definitely writing as much as I can!
Q: Can you tell us about your writing process, for example, do you write an outline first?
I always write an outline of the overall plot—I have to know where my story is going before I sit down to write even the very first chapter. But I don’t plot meticulously. I like to work out the finer details along the way, so I guess I’m a 2/3 plotter -1/3 pantser hybrid. And there’s nothing better than the buzz you get when your characters seem to come alive and tell you what to write. I so love those moments!
Q:  What qualities do you instil in your heroes?
All of my heroes (so far) have had military backgrounds. So courage, duty, loyalty and honour are central characteristics. As I mentioned before, they also aren’t afraid to fall in love. I’m not overly keen on creating arrogant alphas who won’t overtly show their feelings through their actions, or admit they are in love with the heroine until just about the last page (like in bodice rippers of old). My heroes also have a sense of humour and like to tease their heroines at times—I love writing banter!
Two of my heroes (in my larger stories) are also a little damaged emotionally—and of course their heroines help them with the healing process. Aside from being intelligent and caring, my heroes are all tall, dark and handsome with athletic, muscular physiques—basically drop-dead gorgeous…And it should go without saying that they are all awesome in (or out) of bed ;)
Q. Coffee or tea? Coffee
Q. Beach or countryside? Both!
Q. Do you write about the places you know or prefer to take your readers to exotic places?
I don’t know if the UK or the Jersey Shore are considered exotic, but I do like to write about different places—and different times.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
History itself, songs—I often conjure scenes in my head based on the mood or imagery created by the lyrics of a song. Sometimes pictures inspire ideas—for example the wonderful Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland gave me an enormous amount of visual inspiration to help create the gothic mood in ‘Lady Beauchamp’s Proposal’. It’s hard to pin down what fires my imagination exactly though!
Q: We have all suffered submission rejections. How do you cope? Do you have any advice to other writers on coping with rejection?
I’ve entered a fair few contests for unpublished authors (Romance Writers Australia and Romance Writers America contests) in the last year or so, so I’ve learned to deal with the not so glowing contest feedback I’ve received at times. So that has certainly helped me cope with the feelings you get when rejected by a publisher. Contest feedback will also give you an idea of whether your story is close to/at a publishable standard as many contest judges are published authors, editors or contest finalists themselves. You’ll be more likely to get the magic ‘yes’ or at the very least a revise and resubmit on a submission rather than a whole bunch of ‘no’s’ if you are aware of your readiness for publication.
I’ve also had a few ‘kind’ rejections from some publishing houses and a couple of agents too who took the time to evaluate my writing and offer helpful suggestions. Those types of rejections I really appreciate as they’ve made me take a long hard look at my writing then consider ways to improve it. I try to look for the positives—even though I didn’t quite make it, the editor or agent obviously saw potential in my writing. So I always try to learn something from these types of rejections.
In the end though, all you can really do is keep on submitting your best polished effort with the belief that one day you’ll get ‘the call’. So don’t give up!!!

Q: What do you like to read and who are your favourite authors?
Whilst I’m a devotee of historical romance, I also read across a range of genres. My favourite historical romance authors are Anna Campbell, Sylvia Day and Julia Quinn (too name but a few). I’ve just started to read Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby mysteries and am really enjoying those. I also love crime-thriller novels (favourite authors are Nicci French, Minette Walters and Elizabeth George), historical novels (like those written by Phillipa Gregory) and paranormal YA series (such as the City of Bones and Clockwork series by Cassandra Clare). Janet Evanovich is one of my go-to authors when I need a good laugh. I absolutely love her Stephanie Plum series!
Q: Do you write one novel at a time or do you move between works in progress?
So far I’ve been focusing on writing one story at a time. But if the muse strikes for another story, I make sure I note down my ideas before they’re gone! I don’t let the lure of something new and shiny distract me from my current WIP. My new characters have to wait for their turn.
Q: Do you have times when the Muse is away on holiday?
Not yet! But if I occasionally get a little stuck between scenes or chapters, I just make myself write through it. I can always fix it later. I also find that fleshing out the scene with pen and paper also seems to help my muse get going again.
Q. What motivates you to write?
You know, I’m really not sure. I’ve always been a day-dreamer since childhood and have always loved making up stories. I guess it’s just part of who I am. Plus I love doing it—writing never seems like work, even when I’m editing.
Q. What advice would you give to unpublished authors approaching an e publisher?
You need to target the right publisher for your book. So do your research! Check out websites like ‘Predators and Editors’ to see who to avoid. If you are actively involved in associations like Romance Writers Australia you’ll quickly establish a network of writer friends—you can then (discreetly) ask for advice from already published authors about who’d they recommend you target or their experiences with certain publishing houses. Visit e-publishers websites and check out their submission guidelines carefully and follow them to the letter. Become educated about what is fair and reasonable in terms of publishing contracts and look for information about the particular terms of contracts on the e-publishers website. Also look at the titles offered—read samples or download a few and look at the quality of the writing and editing, the cover art and the types of stories published. Also hone your query letter, synopsis and manuscript until they are the best you can possibly make them before submitting!


Q: Can you tell us a little about your current novel? What inspired you to write this story?
I’ve recently had my debut release with the Australian e-publisher Steam eReads! ‘An Improper Proposition’ is an erotic Regency romance novella…a cougar/upstairs-downstairs mash-up!
Blurb:
Fraternizing with one’s footman—no matter how young and handsome he is—is not the done thing. But Lady Bianca Wells is going to do it anyway…
Widowed countess Lady Bianca Wells secretly lusts after her much younger, rakishly handsome footman Harry Blake. Even though he has been in her employ for six months, she has not succumbed to her indecorous urges to take him as a lover… until one wicked night at an isolated country inn when she throws caution to the wind and offers Blake a wholly improper proposition.
Harry Blake, the bastard son of a duke and governess, is the epitome of the perfect footman, except for one thing—he fantasizes about seducing his beautiful mistress. When Lady Wells proposes that they become lovers for one night only, he is torn. Even though he wants her with every fibre of his being, he suspects that forbidden fruit once tasted, can be awfully addictive. He wonders if one night of passion will be enough, for either of them—especially now that he realizes he might very well be falling in love with his bella Bianca.
But when all is said and done, Blake can hardly refuse such a tempting proposition, no matter how unwise or improper. He just prays that he can put a smile on his mistress’s beautiful face…
Excerpt:
Set-up: Lady Bianca is feeling shaken after a drunken patron propositions her for a kiss at the inn she is staying at. Her footman, Blake comes to her aid, then escorts her to her room…
The sooner she dismissed Blake for the evening, the better. For a servant who’d only been in her employ for six months, he read her too well. And she had come to rely on him far too much. This growing familiarity between them was a problem, but one she wasn’t fit to deal with right now.
She turned back to address him and her breath hitched. He really was too handsome to be her footman. Even with his black hair hidden beneath his periwig again, his chiselled jaw, wide mouth and sparkling emerald green eyes set him apart from most other men of his station. Indeed he was as handsome as any young buck of the ton. Or so her close friends repeatedly told her. Those same friends—including Lady Jameson—who also whispered to her that she was mad not to have a fuck or two with him.
Stop gawping at him like a foolish adolescent girl, Bianca. Dismiss him, before you do something you regret.
With a trembling hand, she pushed a strand of her blonde hair away from her mouth and found her voice. “Well, thank you again for your timely intervention, Blake. That will be—”
“Do you have any brandy, my lady?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Why?”
Blake held her gaze. It was one of the things she liked about him so much. He was respectful yet not easily intimidated by her when she played the haughty dowager countess.
 “Please forgive my impertinence,” he at last responded, his forehead dipping into a frown, “but you’ve had a shock and it might help. Would you like me to fetch you some from the taproom?”
“No, that won’t be necessary, but thank you.” Now was the time to bid him good night but for some reason, she couldn’t do it. She supposed it was because she found his strong male presence reassuring after what had happened only minutes before. She stepped back from the door, opening it wider to admit him. “But perhaps you could re-stoke the fire for me…Tilly has retired early with a headache.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Bianca shut the door after him and leant against the smooth wood panels, watching him as he removed his white gloves before he bent low to toss several logs into the grate. His wide shoulders strained against the navy blue superfine of his liveried jacket as he moved. Such power and grace for such a tall man. She suspected he’d developed his athletic physique when he’d served as a corporal in Wellington’s army. Not for the first time, she wondered how he would look without his livery. She bit her lip.
Stop behaving like a vixen on heat, Bianca. Tell him to go. Now.

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Author’s links:







Thursday, April 24, 2014

In the Hot Seat with Author Kris Ashton




Kris Ashton has been a journalist and editor for the past 15 years, starting out in trade magazines and then moving into more interesting fields like film, motoring and travel. He published his first work of fiction in 2005. His second novel, Hollywood Hearts Ablaze, was recently released as an e-book through Steam eReads.   

Q:  Can you tell our readers a little about your writing? What genres do you enjoy writing?
I primarily write speculative fiction, which is a catch-all term for sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Of those three, I tend towards horror the most. But over the years I’ve made little side trips into mainstream and romantic fiction. The first (and until now, only) novel I published was a paranormal romance. It might seem strange, a horror writer moonlighting in romantic fiction, but when you get down to the engine room the two genres aren’t so different. Good writing, character development, dramatic tension and an entertaining plot are essential to both.  
Q:  Do you write on a schedule or when the Muse decides?
I’m not a big believer in a muse – probably because in the world of journalism waiting for your muse is not an indulgence you can afford. When I get an idea I write to a schedule, which is usually every weekday. It used to be during my morning and afternoon train commute (which was perfect – no distractions and nothing better to do) but now I have to drive to work so I write early in the morning. Occasionally I will knock out some extra words on the weekend, but the older I get, the less time I seem to have for that. 
Q: Can you tell us about your writing process, for example, do you write an outline first?
I generally scribble down a list of plot points. These sit at the bottom of a Word document as a reminder of what’s coming next, but they’re a guide rather than an outline. Some writers have an entire novel laid out in sticky notes before they begin, but for me that would kill the magic. I find ideas spring up organically during composition and an outline is usually not flexible enough to accommodate them. It does mean I have to go back and stitch up the odd plot hole later on, but I can’t imagine discovering an interesting tangent and thinking, “Well, that’s a good idea but I can’t really pursue it because Martha has to develop cancer in chapter ten.” I want to follow my nose.
Q:  What qualities do you instil in your heroes?
To be honest, I don’t dwell much on my characters’ qualities. Character development has always come to me instinctively and I have never written so much as a single ‘character note’. Looking back over my published stories, however, it seems like I specialise in making unlikeable characters likeable (or at least sympathetic). Gina Hall, my heroine in Hollywood Hearts Ablaze, is a perfect example. She’s a man-eater who abuses her position of power, but from the first we also see she is lonely and capable of self-doubt.    
Q. Coffee or tea?
Coffee! I started the habit fairly late, in my early twenties, and while I don’t drink a lot of coffee - only one or two cups a day - I feel out of sorts if I don’t have a good espresso in the morning. Back in 2009 I did the Darling River Run through outback NSW. The only coffee on offer for the best part of a week was International Roast, which might as well have been bilge water. I didn’t cope well. I’ve since been to the outback several times and the coffee situation has improved, but it’s surprising how often you can get stranded in a remote area where instant coffee is the only option.
Q. Beach or countryside?
I love them both. I grew up around surf culture and spent most of my first twenty summers at the beach, but I also love the quietude and beauty of rural Australia. I’ve been lucky, as a sometime travel writer, to see plenty of coast and country.  
Q. Do you write about the places you know or prefer to take your readers to exotic places?
Again, a little of both. I’ve set some stories in plain old suburbia (because that’s what I know best), while Hollywood Hearts Ablaze is, as the title suggests, is set amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. I’ve returned more than once to the Australian outback and I began setting stories there long before I had been there myself. There is something romantic and haunting about it that makes a good backdrop for just about any tale.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
I believe the tendency to get ideas and turn them into stories is a genetic character trait, like blue eyes or red hair. I’m forever running ‘what if’ scenarios through my head, which is usually where inspiration arises.  
Q: Would you change anything in your life to make writing easier?
I loathe - and I mean loathe - writing synopses. It’s the one part of the publishing process I find utterly joyless. Like all authors, I could also use some more free time. But in the end, writing is like exercise – you either make time for it or you don’t, and anything else is just an excuse. “I wish I could find the time to write,” is a common refrain from wannabe authors... yet they somehow find the time to watch four hours of television every night. 
Q: We have all suffered submission rejections. How do you cope? Do you have any advice to other writers on coping with rejection?
A habit I’ve developed over the years is to scan the first paragraph of the email, and if I see any of those familiar yet ominous phrases that indicate a rejection, I stop reading and go do something else while my disappointment is at its rawest.
Within an hour or two, I’ve usually become more philosophical about the rejection (unless it’s a shortlist rejection - those take longer to get over) and can bring myself read precisely why the editor or slush reader nixed it. More often than not, these days, it’s an unenlightening form response. Occasionally the remark will expose the reader/editor as a nitwit who missed the point of the story entirely. But now and then, you’ll get some advice as to what was wrong with your story. This advice is golden. I can think of at least one story of mine, ‘Trouble With the Locals’, that became publishable when I accepted a slush reader’s critique that it was way too long.
Q: What do you like to read and who are your favourite authors?
I’ve been a Stephen King fan ever since I was old enough to read adult books. I started with Pet Sematary and have now read everything he has ever written (except for his Dark Tower fantasy series, which I’ve never been able to get into). John O’Grady, who famously wrote They’re a Weird Mob, is another author who influenced my work. I’ve read his books to pieces. The English science fiction author John Wyndham (Day of the Triffids) is probably my third key influence. Beyond that, my tastes are eclectic indeed. Mark Twain, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens are three of my favourite ‘classic’ authors. Even though I’m the ‘wrong’ sex, I quite enjoy the work of Aussie chick-lit author Liane Moriarty. And I recently finished reading Junky by William S. Burroughs.
Q: Do you write one novel at a time or do you move between works in progress?
I usually only write one novel at a time, but I have been known to stop work on a novel for a week or two if a juicy short story idea pops into my head.
Q: Do you have times when the Muse is away on holiday?
I can sometimes go three or four months without a story idea. I used to get stressed when that happened, but I learned over the years that another idea would turn up sooner or later. I go through fertile periods as well, where I’ll get three story ideas in three weeks. 
Q. What motivates you to write?
I’m a high concept guy. That’s what gets me started, the sense of possibility and anticipation that comes from, “What if such-and-such happened?” Once I’m underway, I just enjoy writing. It’s as simple as that. Sure, I have off days, when the words refuse to emerge and I feel like I’m turning a silk purse into a sow’s ear, but usually I close my laptop on a high.
Q. What advice would you give to unpublished authors approaching an e publisher?
Writing a novel is the easy part. It’s all the tedious stuff that comes later – the editing, the presentation of your manuscript, the (goddamned) synopsis – that will attract a publisher’s attention. Also, get a feel for what sort of fiction the publisher wants. Sending a paranormal romance novel to a publisher that only does mainstream romance is not only a waste of your time, it also makes you look like a novice and a fool. 
Q: Is there anything you would like to share with us about upcoming releases?
If anyone wants to try some of my horror writing, ‘The Devils of Cain Island’ was recently published in issue #31 of Dark Eclipse. It’s a little unusual, in that it switches perspective between the 18th century and today. It’s historical horror!
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current novel? What inspired you to write this story?
A few years ago I was trying to sell a horror novel without success. Around the same time, I visited my local Borders – back when Borders still existed – and was appalled to discover the horror section had been lumped in with science fiction and amounted to one shelf of Stephen King books and a few miscellaneous authors. I was bemoaning this situation to my mother-in-law and she said, “Well, why don’t you write something popular, like romance?”
I was doubtful, but I mulled it over for a while and eventually decided good writing was good writing, no matter the genre. Besides, it wasn’t like I had no knowledge of romance. I’d read everything by Jane Austen and my wife had force-fed me a steady diet of romantic comedies over the years, so I began to try and cook up an idea.
I spent many years as a film critic and entertainment journalist, so Hollywood and its internal workings were familiar. I also knew the area from a couple of trips to California, so I decided to set it there. Then one day I got thinking about Hollywood’s infamous ‘casting couch’ and wondered, “What would happen if the traditional gender roles were reversed?” That was the high concept I needed and the story grew from there. I was surprised how much fun it was to write. As well as a torrid romance yarn, it’s a redemption story for the post-feminist era: rather than finding the strength to overcome adversity in a patriarchal world, my heroine starts out powerful and has to find the courage to be vulnerable if she’s to have any hope of happiness.  
Blurb:
Gina Hall is a beautiful and ruthless Hollywood executive who uses her power and influence to get what she wants from up-and-coming actors. Her ‘auditions’ usually involve the casting couch.

But while she is strong, independent and hard working, Gina is also 32 years old and lives alone in a penthouse apartment with her cat. One day, a handsome actor, Jack Triton, refuses to submit to one of her auditions and storms out of her office. Gina begins to re-evaluate her life... and the man who stood up to her.

She asks to meet with Jack to apologise, and during lunch Jack sees the sweet California girl behind the man-eater façade. The pair begin a tentative relationship that quickly blossoms into a steamy love affair.

But old habits die hard and Gina finds her icy business persona and the woman Jack loves coming into conflict. When Gina and Jack’s hot new relationship becomes fodder the paparazzi, things begin to look shaky. Will this Hollywood glamour couple survive, or will Gina’s unscrupulous past tear them apart?

Excerpt:
“I’m sure you’re a wonderful actor,” Gina said. “But how much do you want this part?”
“I want it more than anything!” Tony said, sitting bolt upright. “This is my first feature film, it’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was--”
“No, Tony,” Gina said, getting up from her plush office chair. She walked around to him, her high heels silent on the thick carpet. She ran a finger down his smooth cheek and along the defined line of his jaw, then placed her hand on his chest, feeling the hard chasm where his pectorals met. “How much do you want this part?”
His eyes showed an exhilarated terror. “I want it very bad. As bad as you can imagine.”
“Show me, Tony. Show me how much you want to be the star of Dark Flowers.”
His eyes darted to the door. “Here?” he said.
Gina squeezed his arm, her heart fluttering at its solid shape, and lifted him to his feet. “We won’t be disturbed. Grant knows better than to bother me during a casting session.”
She led him to an enormous futon-style lounge that sat beneath a window with distant views of the coast. She stroked his chest and let her hands run over the hard ridges of his stomach. She continued on and discovered that, intimidated or not, Tony Cantori liked what he saw.
He liked it a lot.
He gave a small grunt at her touch and then tucked his thumbs under the lapels of her business jacket, sliding it off her slender shoulders. Their lips met, a furtive brush to begin with, but then they opened up and she savored his taste.
They broke the kiss and began to strip off one another’s clothes. He fumbled with Gina’s bra hook, but he looked upon her exposed chest with such wide-eyed appreciation that she could forgive him. When they were naked they kissed again, his hardness slipping and straining against her.
Tony tried to push her down on the lounge but she resisted and said “Uh-uh” and swivelled him around. He lay back obediently and she straddled him.
Gina had to hold back a moan as he entered her--he was like a good meal, filling, satisfying. His hands found her breasts and cupped them, his fingers twitching her nipples. She looked down and saw his face harden.
“Not yet,” she said sternly. “This audition isn’t over yet.”
Tony stopped thrusting but it was too late. His face screwed up and he gasped--one part pleasure, one part despair.
Gina crossed her arms and let out a huff.
“I’m sorry!” Tony blathered. “We can go again! Just give me a few minutes and I’m sure next time--”
“This audition is over,” Gina said, stepping off. She felt dirty and sticky and her labia were outraged. Half the blood in her body seemed to be pulsing and pounding in her loins.
“Ms Hall, please, just let me--”
“Get dressed,” she said.
He looked at her with hurt puppy dog eyes.
“And stop staring at me,” she said.
Tony put his clothes on in a hurry. Gina stood by, naked and impatient, her arms still folded under her chest.
When he was dressed, Tony looked at her sideways, not quite daring to meet her eyes. “Do I ... have I got...”
“Don’t call me, I’ll call you,” Gina said.
Tony scuttled out of the office. When he was gone, Gina sighed and padded into the ensuite bathroom to take a shower.

Buy Link: http://steamereads.com.au/product-category/contemporary/

Author’s links:
Website: kris-ashton.wix.com/spec-fic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Ashton/494049427360631
Twitter: KrisAshtonWrite







Monday, April 7, 2014

Feeling rejected?



Okay, so I've been crowing about my contracts this year....and yes, after 50 published books, I still happy dance because a contract for me is a validation that I have worth as a writer.
Yes, I get rejections and I know all authors have faced rejection at least once in their writing career.

For me, a rejection doesn't mean my life is over. Yes, it is depressing especially when I want my story published by a particular publisher. I'm just like everyone else, I want to have a great agent and see my books out there in the local book store or even better on the NY Times Bestseller List....I mean who wouldn't?

But it's horses for courses, some stories are not a fit for certain publishers that doesn't mean another publisher won't fall in love with your story. When I first started, I sent my YA to all the wrong publishers and those ten 80K+ stories about witches and warlocks are gathering dust because I gave up.
I had no feedback and no idea  how to improve or who to send my work to.

One day I guess I'll get time to read the old M/S again- they are very funny, I remember crying with laughter writing them and so did my BETA reader. Ah those were the days :-)

How do you handle rejections?

What upsets you the most?

We've all had them from JK Rowling  to Stephen King  from the form rejection letter to the one liner....declined.

What upsets you the most?

Me, well  I'd prefer a " thank you for submitting but your story isn't right for us." form letter than one that is condescending.

The best comes from a publisher who actually gives a little feedback.

Feedback...good or bad is valuable.

So what do I do if I receive a rejection letter? I feel rejected LOL....then I submit it to another publisher and write  another story.....NEVER GIVE UP  :-)
HC