I am so happy to be back in the blogging world!
Most of my regular followers know I’ve been burning the midnight oil on my latest manuscript to meet a publisher’s deadline. I’m happy—make that ecstatic—to say I finished on time and my editor graciously gave me another week for clean-up. I also have to send a huge shout-out to my excellent critique partner, Staci Troilo, who went above and beyond in turning sections around quickly—and expertly—so I could meet my deadline. Staci, my friend, you rock!!
I’ve been up against deadlines before, but this one was the toughest by far. Part of my problem was I languished on the beginning, and by the end of July only had 19K of the 80K I needed. I ended up writing 61K in 6 weeks—while working full-time! It’s amazing what you can produce under pressure, but it’s not something I EVER want to duplicate again. I can do without the anxiety attacks at 3:00 A.M.
Fortunately, my deadline for book 2 has more of a buffer. This one was tight because my publisher didn’t want to go over a year between releases from A Desolate Hour. I fully respect that decision. It’s all about keeping your name forefront in the mind of readers—not easy to do even when you have multiple releases close together.
I’ve already got my revamped blurb from Kensington. Earlier, I submitted my suggestion. Their gurus work from that and send an updated version. I liked theirs better, but did ask for a few minor tweaks. No cover yet, but I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
The book delves into the old Spiritualist practices of the late 1890s—think mediums and séances—but also has a full storyline set in the present. I’ve got two mysteries going on in this book, along with a haunted house, and an urban legend about a Spring Heeled Jack-like creature. The research was riveting!
One thing my publisher wants to change is the title—The Blue Lady of Hode’s Hill. We’ve already decided this will be book one of the Hode’s Hill Mystery Series, but Kensington’s marketing team isn’t in love with my title. I can understand why. When it comes to marketing, it’s a mouthful. So we’re currently debating other titles. I’ll definitely be spreading the word when we’ve settled on one.
I’m expecting first round edits from my editor tomorrow and hope to have changes back to her by Monday. I’m heading out of town the end of October and she’s already agreed to work with my schedule. I’m sure we’ll finish things up before I leave. In the meantime, I’m steadily getting back to visiting everyone again and will be sharing blog posts of my own. Thanks for sticking with me while I worked through my deadline hurdle.
It’s great to be back among friends! 🙂
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks so much for that! I hated vanishing off the map. It’s good to back and about in the blogopshere, and the reblog just stretches that much further 🙂
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So glad you met your deadline, but it doesn’t sound as if you can take your foot off the accelerator any time soon!
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That’s true, but I don’t really work in drafts, so by the time I finish and ship something to my editor it usually doesn’t require much work afterward. I’m crossing my fingers that’s the case with this one, as the publisher accepted the book from notes and not a regular submission. I’m actually looking forward to moving ahead on book 2! 🙂
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Good Luck! ☺
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Thanks for dropping by and for the well wishes! 🙂
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You are Welcome. I hope you are getting there. ☺
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Maybe just ‘The Blue Lady’? The ‘Hodes Hill’ bit is in the series title…she sounds fun, BTW!
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I suggested shortening to The Blue Lady too, but they’re looking for something more in the line of suspense (as in my Point Pleasant series). For the most part, titles are hard for me–kind of like summoning up 80K in 2-3 words. Gack!
At least I know, she’s come across as intriguing 🙂
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We’ve missed you, Mae and are glad to see you back. Congrats on making the deadline! You go ahead of me with edits, I’m still working on mine. 🙂
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I know you’ve been burning the midnight oil too, Joan. I’ve got my fingers crossed that pretty soon you’ll be breathing a deep sigh of relief too. I’m looking forward to your next one!
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Congratulations, Mae! I look forward to reading your latest – whatever the title might be. 🙂
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Thanks, Gwen. I’m still ruminating about the title, but hopefully my editor will have some suggestions too. I am sooo bad with titles, LOL!
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Welcome back, Mae. Congratulations !!
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Hi, Paddy *waving across the pond*
How to delightful to have you drop by with a welcome and congratulations. 🙂
Thank you for both. I’m delighted to be back online again!
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Wow, that’s putting in some overtime. Glad you made the deadlines and are back among us.
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Thanks, Craig. At times, I had doubts I was going to be able to pull this one off. Lesson learned for next time!
I’m glad to be out and about again 🙂
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You’re not selling that process very well. Maybe make it seem more glamorous or something.
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LOL! I only wish it were glamorous. Maybe someday when I hit the NYT bestseller list 😉
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Welcome back, Mae! 😀 Congratulations on storming through right on time. 🙂
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Thanks, Jan. Storming is a good way of putting it. Hopefully, I can sail through the next one 🙂
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How exciting Mae! I can’t wait to hear what title you decide on. You work so hard and produce great books. I’ve just been shown my new cover for Ninja School Mum today and it’s such an amazing feeling to see everything come together. I am now worrying about the timings of the sequel, asI haven’t started it yet as I was finishing another book. The word count you achieved was amazing, so I need to get a move on!
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Oooh, covers are so much fun, Lizzie! Hopefully, you’ll be splashing it on your blog soon for the rest of us to see.
And wow, it sounds like you are busy–one book soon to come out, wrapping up another, with a sequel for the first in the wings. I usually do my best writing in autumn and winter. Here’s hoping yours are equally prolific!
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You always seem to be writing at least two books! It’s great to hear how you are getting on with your series and new books. How you manage to do it whilst still at work amazes me. You’re inspiring:)
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*blush*
Thanks 🙂
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Good to have you back on your blog again, Mae, even though I’ve had almost zero time for blog reading since Hurricane Irma threw us (literally) such a challenge. The book sounds really cool. The deadlines, not so much. When I read things like this, I’m truly glad I am self-published. I’m way too old to have anyone (other than myself) imposing deadlines on me. I’m hard enough on me, as is. But I know trad pub is still the best option for many, and I’m glad it’s working so well for you. Except for those deadlines, of course.
Can’t wait to see your cover! 🙂 And good luck on a title that works for everyone. Especially you. 🙂 ❤
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After reading your post today and seeing the photos of that MONSTER tree on your house, it’s no wonder you haven’t had much time for blog reading. I hope things get back to normal for you soon, too.
And as much as I whine and complain about deadlines, I have to say they are a powerful motivator. When I didn’t have one I actually felt weird, kind of rudderless. I just don’t want to ever have one this tight again! 🙂
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Sounds like a good plan to me, Mae. And I work well with deadlines, as long as they are my own. I actually pay attention to them and work hard to meet them. But if it were someone else’s deadline, I’d get very nervous, and then angry, and drag my feel worse than ever. I can be contrary that way. 😀 So sounds like we are both good with our approaches to what we do. And as we say down here, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! 😀
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Yay – you’re back! I’d also be having major panic attacks with only 19K – you rock right along with Staci.
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Aww, thanks. You’re pretty stellar too 🙂
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Good for you and glad to have you back with us.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Thanks, Sherry. I missed everyone. 🙂
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Mae, the pleasure was mine. Your writing is so strong to begin with; reading your work was no hardship. And, whatever the title, I know people are going to love this story.
So glad you’re back in the blogosphere!
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Aww, thanks my friend. I just love having you as a CP! 🙂
And I’m glad to be back. It felt like part of me was missing!!
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Congratulations, Mae! Happy to see you survived. The books sounds good. Can’t wait to see what the title will be.
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Thanks, Kim. As soon as we settle on something, and I can share the blurb I’ll be splashing it around. I just wish titles weren’t the bane of my existence. I rank them right up there with commas—pesky little creatures 🙂
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I can hear your sigh of relief from here, lol. Deadlines are TOUGH Glad you survived yours 🙂 The new book sounds interesting!
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Thanks, Jacquie. I’ve come to the realization that deadlines are part of being an author and I just need to suck it up and handle them better, LOL!
I’m glad you think the book sounds interesting. The research on this one was fascinating!
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Reblogged this on Alicia Coleman and commented:
Reblogged! Congratulations, Mae. Looking forward to this new series.
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Hiya, my friend! So great to have you pop in with well wishes. Thank you so much for the blog and the support. It’s always lovely to have to visit.
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Welcome back, Mae! You’ve been missed. 🙂
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Thanks, my friend. 🙂
It’s wonderful having everyone pop in with to welcome me back. What a great group!
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Welcome back, Mae! Glad you made your deadline and I love the storyline! I look forward to reading it soon and seeing the cover and final title:)
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Thanks, D.L.
I’m eagerly awaiting the cover. I have a feeling the team at K is getting ready to work on it, considering the title has come up.
Now, if I could just resolve that pesky item 😉
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I am so happy to see you back, Mae. I have missed you. I am glad you managed to meet your deadline and that is behind you. You will soon be able to relax a bit.
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Aww, thanks so much Robbie. I missed everyone while I was “away” in the land of midnight oil 🙂
And I am definitely looking forward to some relaxing 🙂
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wow – you were missed – welcome back. I am very happy you met your deadline, great accomplishment. Hope you will enjoy with many more successes!
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Aww, thanks for those well wishes, Mino. It’s great to have you drop by with a welcome back 🙂
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Holy crap! I hate that kind of pressure. Glad you survived it and glad you’re back. Have to say, having a critique partner who’s there for you when there’s a gun to your head is a wonderful thing. I have to give it up for Staci Troilo. My critique group is like that, and it’s one of my many blessings. The Spiritualism of Arthur Conan Doyle’s days fascinates me, and I find the Ouija board terrifying. Add in mysteries? This sounds like a great read!
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I thought the pressure on the last one was bad, Judi, but this one topped it. And Staci was/is incredible. She was a huge help!
I have to admit that a Ouija board doesn’t really factor into the story (I couldn’t find a stock photo of a seance circle), but the rest of it does. ACD even gets a mention in the book 🙂
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How exciting, Mae. That’s a lot of writing while holding down a job! But you did it! Welcome back to blogging 🙂
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Thanks, Diana. I am so glad to have the deadline behind me and be back in the blogopshere again!
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I’m so glad you’re back! Deadlines make me crazy, so I don’t know what I would do if I had to meet someone else’s deadlines instead of my own. (Except when editing for clients…then I have to meet their deadlines.) I can’t wait to read the new book. It sounds like something I would really like. Of course, I always love your books!
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Thanks, Lauralynn. I so value and appreciate all your support! 🙂
And it sounds like you do have some juggling to do with deadlines for your clients. I hate having a deadline hanging over my head, but at the same time, I’m lost when I don’t have one, LOL!
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What an accomplishment to write that amount of words in the time period you did, plus work full time. You must be exhausted. Here, have a glass of wine and put your feet up. 🙂
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Aha! We are of a like mind, Jan. That’s exactly what I did tonight, LOL! 🙂
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Congratulations, Mae! It does make you feel disconnected, doesn’t it? I’m enjoying the free time I have left before diving back in, and it’s dwindling fast. Ugh!
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LOL! That’s the problem with deadlines, Sue. There’s always another one lurking around the corner–although they are what keep us productive!
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Great to have you back, Mae. Glad you made the deadline.
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Thanks, John. I’m glad to be back among friends with the deadline behind me!
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Yup. 😀 Look! Another deadline.
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LOL! It’s the life of an author 🙂
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Congrats on meeting your deadline, Mae – great to see you back online!
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Thanks so much, John. Happy to be back!
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Welcome back Mae. You survived and stronger for it.
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I do feel that way, thanks. It makes me realize what I can accomplish under pressure!
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Congrats, MC! Glad you’re back but finish up the polishing. I have my own deadlines for publishing, but never seem to make them. Life gets in the way, and I guess I let it! Looking forward to your new book…
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How lovely to have you drop by!
Yep, life can be a major distraction, LOL. Right now it’s interfering with the polishing, but I’ll wrangle it under control. 🙂
I’m thrilled to be back and able to roam the blogosphere again!
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Woo-hoo! So glad you’re back, Mae! As I’m just getting started in the whole process, with a full-time job as well, I’m making notes. My first item on the list: WRITE! No excuses. And if I have any doubts, I just remember how you rocked your deadline. Good luck with the edits and here’s hoping there won’t be many 😀
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Thanks, Julie. I’m a little over halfway through the edits but I got a late start. Hopefully, I can wrap them up in the next day or two.
And yep, writing is where it’s at. I remember when I published my first book, several other authors told me to build a backlist and I can now say it really makes a difference. You’re going to rock this whole writing thing!
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Hugs, Mae! Glad you were able to meet your deadline. I’m not looking forward to them in the future, lol.
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It was a rough one, Traci. I’m hoping to handle the next one better. They definitely do wonders when it comes to motivation, LOL
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I bet!
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Congratulations for surviving the pressing schedule, and welcome back to the daylight world! Missed you.
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How about Blue Hill Thriller, Blue Hill Killer, Killer on Blue Hill, The Kill, The Blue Killer, ha ha. Oh my gosh! I like it when titles just come to me and then I forget about it. Sixty-one thousand words in six weeks? Great. Your blog site is super. I need to update next year.
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OOh, those are great suspense titles for sure! We finalized one and sent it to marketing, so I’ll be rolling out news of it soon, but I do love what you came up with. Thanks for visiting my blog and for the comments. I actually want to update my site a bit but that pesky time thing, you know? 😀
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