Wednesday, February 28, 2007

First Contract Announcement


Before we get to today's topic, a quick addendum to the Coral Moon influencers’ list post. It's come to my attention there's a bit of confusion. If you were on the list for Violet Dawn, you aren’t automatically moved to the Coral Moon list. I don’t want to be presumptuous in assuming anyone wants to stay on as an influencer. So you “old influencer” folks need to email my assistant to sign up again. (I know quite a few of you are on the blog alliance list, so you’re getting a book anyway.)

Now, today’s fun announcement. It’s a real privilege for me to be in contact with so many aspiring novelists. I know how hard y’all are working, and I remember those frustrating days all too well. My heart is with you all. So it’s especially satisfying to be able to announce new contracts.

This one is for long-time BG Lynette Eason, a wife and homeschooling mom of two in South Carolina. Her book, Lethal Deception, will be released February 2008 in Steeple Hill’s suspense line:

When socialite, Cassidy McKnight, is kidnapped in the Amazon Jungle, haunted ex-Navy Seal, Gabriel Sinclair, must rescue her. As they race to outwit a killer, they find themselves growing closer to each other and to God. But Gabe has an explosive secret and when Cassidy finds out, her world crashes down...

This is a one-book contract for Lynette, but the book is part of a three-part series, so she’ll be on a “wait and see” mode regarding the other two.

I asked Lynette to tell us what she’s done to work on her craft, and what best helped to push her toward publication:

I've been writing fiction for 8 years. Dee Henderson actually edited my entire first book as a way to help teach me the ins and outs of writing. Unfortunately, I didn't realize what she did for me until a couple of years later...groan...and I don't even have a copy of her edits, just the final product. Yup, still kicking myself on that one. So, that was the main thing that REALLY helped me out. In fact, some of my initial questions during the two years of her "mentoring" are up on her webpage. To this day, I'm not sure what prompted her to help out such a newbie. I just chalk it up to a God thing.

Of course, I've been a faithful fan of Brandilyn Collins' F&F blog and that has helped me TREMENDOUSLY over the past year +. Seriously, you've been awesome. Finding your blog was better than Christmas morning and my birthday all rolled into one. (And they usually are - rolled into one, that is as my b'day is the 28th of Dec.)

Also, I've been to the Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference in Black Mountain, NC. I've been three years all total over the past 5 years. Gayle Roper held a fiction mentoring clinic for the week and that was a huge help to sit around the table with 9 other author wannabes and have them go through the first 20 pages or so of my manuscript and give me feedback. And, of course, Gayle's feedback was priceless.

And then there were the contests. Some were helpful, others not. The TBL (Touched By Love) contest sponsored by FHL (Faith Hope and Love) through RWA was great. I got very helpful feedback there. ACFW has been awesome. Every time I've had a writing question, someone has been ready and willing to answer it.

So, I guess you could say it's not the things that helped teach me the craft, it was the published authors who were so generous with their time and knowledge that really taught me the craft of writing...and taught me that I have a lot more to learn!

Lynette’s clearly brighter than I am. Took her eight years to reach publication in fiction; took me ten.

Three cheers for Lynette! Three cheers for a newbie breaking in, and for the pay-off after eight years of hard work!


20 comments:

Lynette Eason said...

Brandilyn, you're awesome! Thanks so much for this.

Kristy Dykes said...

Congrats, Lynette!! Thanks, B., for bringing us this success story.

Jannie Ernst said...

I agree with Lynette! Brandilyn, your blog is my "school," and I learn something new from you almost every day! Thank you, Brandilyn, and congrats, Lynette!

Unknown said...

Stories like these are what give us hope in our writing. Thanks!

Karen said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the good news with us!

William G. said...

You go, Lynette!

Susanne said...

How great that you're sharing someone new with us. I'll be looking for her book!

Congratulations to Lynette!

Unknown said...

Great news. Let me add my congratulations to Lynette. I was only recently sent to Brandilyn's site by SolShine7, so I've not had time to tak in everything, but what I'm reading so far has been fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing and being accessible!

T. Forkner said...

Congratulations Lynette! I wish you many blessings on your books!

Lynette Sowell said...

Hooray, Lynette! I know what you mean. An author did some edits of one of my early books, and back then I didn't realize what a gift that was. :) And like so many here, this blog is in many ways my 'school.' Way to go!! Congratulations!! ~ from The Other Lynette :)

C.J. Darlington said...

Awesome. Way to go, Lynette!

Lynette Eason said...

Hey Ya'll, thanks so much for the congrats and kudos! Ya'll are great! I can't wait to see who's next...smile.

Stuart said...

Huzzah! Congrats, Lynette!

T. Forkner said...

Bet you weren't expecting him, huh. hehe.

PatriciaW said...

Congratulations Lynette and thanks for being so forthcoming in sharing your story.

Lynette Eason said...

Oh boy, my last comment came out wrong...oops. I meant I can't wait to see who's next to be published and announced on Brandilyn's blog! Like I said, I'm still learning the craft...(giggle)

Unknown said...

Way to go, Lynette!

Christina Tarabochia said...

Yippee! I'm in year eight, so she gives me hope. :-)

I just wrote the last of 91,294 words on my newest manuscript, so I'm in the mood for a celebration. Congrats, Lynette!

Dineen A. Miller said...

Congratulations, Lynette! Hope you sell those other books in the series as well!

Cara Putman said...

What awesome news. Congrats, Lynette!