When does it all become real?

That's one of those million dollar questions. I don't know. 

Each author has a different "water level" where it becomes real.

I could say when I held my first book, but that's not technically correct... because my first ever book was released over 10 years ago.  It just wasn't fiction.

I could say when I had my first blog entry but that was before I was published as Imogene Nix. In fact there have been many milestones that have brought me to now.

But where am I now?

I've achieved a new high... Well, actually a couple.

I have the best sales ever seen...

I am sitting at between 9 and 15K out of all the books on Amazon... No mean feat.

But the big ones?  I'm now an ARe (All Romance EBooks) Best Seller ... Well, The Blood Bride is!

And to top it off? 

I made the USA Today magazine in the Erotic Books to watch in June 2013. 

So this is where I thank everyone for buying and reading it.  Without your help, it wouldn't be real. It wouldn't happen and I wouldn't be where I am right now.

Imogene

Another Announcement

I am overjoyed to announce that The Blood Bride - my erotic paranormal title has been picked up by Total E Bound. 



Hope just wants to be an ordinary nestling.  She went to college and escaped, but now she’s back and there’s a secret everyone is keeping from her. 

Xavier is the new master of the nest, ready to welcome home the daughter of the house who he has never met. He’s unprepared for the woman who steals his breath and enchants him. 

Now Hope and Xavier must fight for lives and those of the innocents. After all, it is only by overcoming the rogues that they will have a chance of a timeless future together. But will it be in time?

Warning:  If you love sexy alpha males that go bump in the night, hot and heavy encounters and strong females, then this book is for you…

It's the end of another week.

This week has been a long long week. My motivation levels have been well... shall we say... Sub Par. It could be Post Conference Blues, it could be Single Parentitis... in fact it could be any group of a million things.

So, what have I achieved this week?

I've read my way through 23 Mills and Boon novels. Hmmm... Whether that has been good or bad I'll leave up to you to decide. Have I learnt anything? Yes ... and no. Sleep this week has been elusive with hubby away since very early Tuesday, hence the reading almost non-stop (And to be fair, most of them are books from the RWA conference).

I am so looking forward to his return, though maybe I need to move the pile of books from his side of the bed before he gets home. (just a thought of course) :)

It's very hard to build up momentum with teenage daughters in the house and the constant to and fro of school, work and commitments that come with them. Not to mention bathroom wars. Anyone with teen daughters will understand that.

Washing up here has been a frenzy of "Get it finished" and homework is that 9.30 pm "But Muuummm, it's due tomorrow." Sigh. Of course they forget that Facebook, internet games and other stuff which includes bouncing and jiggling to music also eats up time. (Hmm is that a case of Pot... meet Kettle? Maybe just a teensy bit.)

Such is the life of an author/mum of teenagers/wife of busy husbands. Not to mention the reminders of chickens and guinea pigs, my little baby pup (who is now nearly 3!!) and those cats. I;m thinking I should maybe just buy a reel to reel player and tape myself saying... "Have you made your lunch? Is your bag in the car? Have the cats, dog, chickens and guinea pig been fed?"

But that's all in good humor. Don't get me wrong. They could be so much worse to deal with. They dress sedately (usually) do wash their own clothes (under duress, but still), work part time and have the drive to travel instead of hooking up with guys. So, we are doing ok. Note to self: Make sure kids don't check the blog for a week or two...

But... on a bright note, today... oh how I love today! (Could be because hubs is due home tonight)... I'm back to editing. The Blood Bride has finally caught my attention again and I'm focused on working my way though it.

My Beta Reader - JL Addicoat (sorry no website yet) has been hassling me to see it. But you know, it's still in the rough draft format. She can read it as soon as I get my first edit through.

I'm still spending time on Facebook - for me it's the ultimate in catching up...and maybe wasting a little time... But I love it and it's a chill out for me :) Yes I also pick up stuff and links that are super interesting. So today, I bring you Kathy Carmichael's Pitch Generator. Gee... I wish I had known it existed before I wrote my pitch for The Blood Bride. So without further ado, click on the image to go to her generator!

I hope your weekend and next week is productive and fun!

Cheers
Imogene

Pitching

Well, it isn't exactly a secret. Conference season is now upon us.

American authors are gearing up for the RWA in Anaheim (Gee... how I wish I was going) and the Aussies? Yes, our Gold Coast conference is looming. Even the New Zealanders are in final countdown.

Can't wait. Hanging out at the QT with my writing friends, a behind the scenes tour of Palazzo Versace and then High Tea. Dressing up like a 50's film star and the night of nights. Oh and so much to do!

But an essential part of any writers conference (well apart from the socialising and networking) is the Pitch. My previous experience of pitching has been internet based only, so I'm a little confused and nervous about the face to face action. But then, I reckon most of us will be. (RWA hope you have some scantily clad men ready to take our minds off our nerves...oh did I just say that? Naaaahhhh!)

Like many others, I have asked for a pitch appointment. Scary days ahead while I push through to finish that manuscript (because as anyone would know I've been tied up with my Warriors...)

Never fear though! I am about to go back into Vampire Head Space! Da Da Da Daaaa! (so be afraid. Be very afraid!)

But to prepare myself, not only in having a completed manuscript, I've been looking around the internet for resources which can help me prepare. Or not, as the case may be. Anyway, Fliterary has this fabulous you tube video that I just had to share!


I mean, I know that this isn't best practice, but hey, it is amusing and takes my mind off the level of anxiety I am currently feeling about the whole pitch process.

So today, I am asking what you think are the most important things a first time pitchee needs to know about pitching.

The best response wins a copy of my book Starline!

I'm going to leave this open until Tuesday 24th July. So start sharing those ideas!

Imogene

Ruminations from the basement of my mind...

Welcome back to another ramble through my mind! It is a little less cluttered than it was, say yesterday. I finally finished my first draft of The Blood Bride. Truth be told, I want to change the end already - not a lot, but a few tweaks here and there. I will print it out after this weekend - work that I have been avoiding has to come first though.

Great things happened this week, I agreed to be a blogger on Barbara Westbrook's Christmas Recipe blog... You can check it out here - and I turn up in the middle of the month on the 15th (US time remember!)

I also have my editor for Secret Cravings. This was a biggie.... So that means some serious editing for me, and a lot less time to skive off.

Now...on a sober note, I challenged a group of my friends to a challenge regarding presents. What would they wish for this Christmas? We decided to start with the ridiculous and work towards the achievable...

The one thing that came across clearly was we all wanted to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind. Funny that. It included the money to make the things we wanted to happen ... well, happen, of course. Trips and the ability to explore, things that showed us what close relationships we had with those closest to us. And last but not least, most said a change in their size...if you will downsizing (me included there). We are so busy running around we don't treat ourselves with the love and affection we deserve. Maybe that is one of the reasons we love Romance Reading?

So my challenge to you....starting with the ridiculous to the achievable... What would you ask for this Christmas?

I look forward to hearing your ideas!

Imogene