Winner: The random numbers have rolled and the winner of Sandra's giveaway is MAERED! Congrats! Please email me your address: nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com
Today we get to meet the third guest in my monthly series on authors from my part of the world - Sandra Hyatt! Not only is Sandra a friend, she's a debut author whose first book has just come out. Congratulations, Sandra!!
She's here today sharing the really cool story of where she got the "Call" and giving away a copy of her debut book, so leave a comment to be in the draw.
Everyone, please give a very warm welcome to Sandra. :-)
First off – thanks Nalini for inviting me to blog with you.
It's great to have something like this going on while it seems so many authors I know are off having a wonderful time in Washington DC at the Romance Writers of America national conference.
I have fabulous memories of last year's San Francisco conference. The whole conference is always an amazing experience – terrific workshops and speakers, editors, agents, publishers and hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of authors all in the one place. And the best thing is that every last person there is passionate about romance.
Then, of course, there are the Golden Heart Awards for unpublished manuscripts and the RITA Awards for the very best in published Romance fiction. (Fingers crossed on Saturday night for Mine to Possess in the paranormal romance category. How could Clay and Tally's story not win?).
But last year's conference was particularly special for me because that was where I got The Call from my editor saying she wanted to buy my book. To get that news, in a place like that, and to be able to share it on the spot and in person with my writing friends (as well as the complete strangers I told) was so much fun.
And now, a year down the track, that call has resulted in my very first book Having The Billionaire's Baby hitting the shelves in North America right about now. It's resulted in me being able to hold a real book with my name on the cover, in my hot little hands. It's also resulted in me being able to answer, when someone asks what I do, that I write romance. This is a dream come true for me, a dream that was ten years in the making, and a dream which I'm hoping is only just beginning.
I love the writing of my stories, the way characters come to life, and the way they shape their own destinies on paper. Callie, The heroine of Having the Billionaire's Baby has always been a 'good' girl, always followed the rules, and always carefully planned her life. But on the night of her ex-fiancé's wedding she gives herself permission to throw caution to the wind and act on impulse. Her actions that night land her in hot water with Nick (who plays by his own rules) and her carefully ordered life is turned upside down.
As exciting as it's all been, it's a bit like a rollercoaster too. There are parts where you're slowly climbing to a peak, not knowing what's in front of you. The book hitting the shelves is one of those peaks, because for so many years the only people who've read what I've written have been a few critique partners and some contest judges. Now the whole world—and my mother—can read it.
I'd love it if anyone out there had experiences they wanted to share where they had doubts but triumphed wildly (or even mildly).
____________
Today we get to meet the third guest in my monthly series on authors from my part of the world - Sandra Hyatt! Not only is Sandra a friend, she's a debut author whose first book has just come out. Congratulations, Sandra!!
She's here today sharing the really cool story of where she got the "Call" and giving away a copy of her debut book, so leave a comment to be in the draw.
Everyone, please give a very warm welcome to Sandra. :-)
____________
First off – thanks Nalini for inviting me to blog with you.
It's great to have something like this going on while it seems so many authors I know are off having a wonderful time in Washington DC at the Romance Writers of America national conference.
I have fabulous memories of last year's San Francisco conference. The whole conference is always an amazing experience – terrific workshops and speakers, editors, agents, publishers and hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of authors all in the one place. And the best thing is that every last person there is passionate about romance.
Then, of course, there are the Golden Heart Awards for unpublished manuscripts and the RITA Awards for the very best in published Romance fiction. (Fingers crossed on Saturday night for Mine to Possess in the paranormal romance category. How could Clay and Tally's story not win?).
But last year's conference was particularly special for me because that was where I got The Call from my editor saying she wanted to buy my book. To get that news, in a place like that, and to be able to share it on the spot and in person with my writing friends (as well as the complete strangers I told) was so much fun.
And now, a year down the track, that call has resulted in my very first book Having The Billionaire's Baby hitting the shelves in North America right about now. It's resulted in me being able to hold a real book with my name on the cover, in my hot little hands. It's also resulted in me being able to answer, when someone asks what I do, that I write romance. This is a dream come true for me, a dream that was ten years in the making, and a dream which I'm hoping is only just beginning.
I love the writing of my stories, the way characters come to life, and the way they shape their own destinies on paper. Callie, The heroine of Having the Billionaire's Baby has always been a 'good' girl, always followed the rules, and always carefully planned her life. But on the night of her ex-fiancé's wedding she gives herself permission to throw caution to the wind and act on impulse. Her actions that night land her in hot water with Nick (who plays by his own rules) and her carefully ordered life is turned upside down.
As exciting as it's all been, it's a bit like a rollercoaster too. There are parts where you're slowly climbing to a peak, not knowing what's in front of you. The book hitting the shelves is one of those peaks, because for so many years the only people who've read what I've written have been a few critique partners and some contest judges. Now the whole world—and my mother—can read it.
I'd love it if anyone out there had experiences they wanted to share where they had doubts but triumphed wildly (or even mildly).
41 comments :
Congrats Sandra! It must be the most amazing feeling, holding tangible proof in your hands that all the blood, sweat and tears (I'm hypothesizing BTW :) was worth it! Are you working on another book?
And Callie sounds very like me...although I doubt I'd go out and do something that impulsive...although I don't know how persuasive Nick is :)
Fingers crossed on Saturday night for Mine to Possess in the paranormal romance category. How could Clay and Tally's story not win?).
*crosses fingers* MTP is one of my favourite Psy-Changeling books - one of those 'speaking' books!
All the best with the release!
Congrats on your debut and your first interview with Nalini!
Congratulations Sandra! I know how it feels to get that first bound copy with your name right on the front. :) Best wishes for a great and successful release!
Congratulations Sandra!! It must feel outstanding to work so hard and finally achieve that success. I felt the same way when I passed my licensing exams and became an architect.
Your book looks very interesting, especially since I feel a kinship to your description of Callie. I can't wait to read it!
Nalini - of course all our fingers are crossed for MTP! Oh, and I finished Mercy and Riley's book - WOW!! It was *blushing* absolutely Wow! Thank you!
Great story, Sandra. Congrats on your debut release!
Congrats Sandra! I don't have a success story to tell, but I hope to one day. I am still in the writing/rewriting phase and hope to one day (most likely years from now) get THE phone call.
Fingers crossed, Nalini! Mine to Possess is my ABSOLUTE favorite in your series! Clay and Tally are just so fantastic (I rave about this book so much, I am running out of words). In fact, I will probably reread it tonight because I am having a big case of nerves with an impending interview.
Wow congrats Sandra!!! And awesome review!
Congrats Sandra! I can't imagine how lucky and happy you must have felt during that call, and then again when you held the published book in your hands. I love Harlequin romances, so +10 points for getting published with them! They are invariably well-written, entertaining and HOT!
Best of luck as you continue writing.
Sandra, congratulations! It sounds like you got 'The Call' at the best place possible *wink*. I'm looking forward to your book, and good luck on future publications!
Congratulations Sandra! I personally don't know what its like to hold your very own published book but, I'm sure you'll never forget that feeling.
Congrats Sandra :)
I would sure love to have that same feeling one day.
The book sounds good, and so does Callie. As for me, nope I have sure never acted wild at all
Sorry I've ended up being away so much today - a child emergency has kept me away from the computer. All sorted now, but time consuming.
Orannia - thanks for your congratulations, yes, it is an amazing feeling. And yes, I'm working on another. Should be out in January.
I'm kind of a 'good' girl too, so I was just letting my imagination go wild with Callie and Nick's story.
Orangebeaker (love that name. I get so curious about how people come up with their 'screen' names sometimes. You see some really intriguing ones out there that you just know have a story behind them). Thanks for your congratulations.
Alanajoli - yes, it's a very special feeling, the culmination of so much work, and so many dreams.
Una - thanks for your congratulations (and same to you re your licensing exams, though I'm not sure how long ago that was).
I've always wanted to write and architect hero. Maybe I should swap it and write and architect heroine.
Thanks, Erica. :)
Christina - have fun re reading Mine to Possess. Isn't it great when you've got a book you just know you're going to be able to lose yourself in to the extent that you forget about everything going on around you. Good luck with your interview.
Thanks Jeanette. It's had some good reviews so far, which is very reassuring. I don't think I used to be this insecure - but maybe it's just because it's a first book.
Celia - I did feel both lucky and happy, but also a little disbelieving. I kept waiting for my editor to call back and say they'd made a dreadful mistake...
Zahra - thanks. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Renee - I wonder if the feeling is something like reaching the top of a mountain (that you've been trying to climb for a decade)?
Blodeuedd - I sure hope you get to have that same feeling one day too. It's wonderful
Congrats Sandra! Looking forward to seeing more from you in the future.
Thanks Fuarie Ai - I have one more coming out in January and I'm woking on my third.
Congrats Sandra! It sounds great and I cam imagine how happy you felt when you heard the news :)
I had a similar feeling when I got into the college of design despite all that was against me
Host - doesn't having things against you just make the victory that much sweeter though.
Congratulations Sandra!!And good luck in the future with many more books!
Thanks Eva.
Sandra
Congrats on your release! Your book sounds really good!
Congratulations Sandra, I've bought and read your book this morning... And it's really great!
I hope to read more from you in the future (maybe about the Brunicadi clan? they sound interesting). I loved the interaction between Nick and Callie and the fact that it was not predictable.
So congrats again and I hope to read more soon!
Congratulations Sandra on your debut book. Sounds great. Beautiful cover.
Congratulations Sandra! I can only imagine how thrilling "THE CALL" must be!
Hopefully you'll be up for one of the awards at RWA or a similar conference one of these days.
Good luck!
Jennifer K.
wow congratulations to you Sandra...sounds like a great love story. I'm sure most of us can relate to Callie.
Congrats Sandra. It's great to find out about new authors who have great sounding stories to entertain me :D
Will be looking for your name on a bookshelf near me on my next book buying spree :D
Hi Maered - thanks for your congratulations. Glad you like the sound of it.
Hi Valysam - I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the book.
I haven't written anything else yet for the Brunicadi clan but I did think maybe a couple of Nick's cousins might make good heros.
Hi CrystalGB - I loved the cover too. It's one of those things that comes as a surprise to the author because although we can make suggestions it's then created by an art department. I'm thinking I should probably frame it and hang it on my office wall - maybe as inspiration for those times that the writing gets tough.
Hi Jennifer - there are so many cool milestones in this business. Awards would be one - but it's hard to imagine it feeling any better than I am right now :).
Thanks Annie - it was a fun story to write.
Ilona - enjoy your next book buying spree. I'm sure I'm due for one of those too (even though my TBR pile is already a little overwhelming).
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