I am part of a collection. Well my novel, Bedeviled, is part of a collection, Sultry Nights, is available for preorder, and rapidly climbing in the Amazon rankings. It’s very exciting, not just because of the booming number of preorders, but because I am part of a team.
I like it.
Being an author is solitary. I knew that from the beginning. After more than 30 years in the corporate world, I was ready to leave the conference calls, meetings and conventions. and to make my own decisions without needing to run them up the chain of command. I was not just ready, I was anxious to work alone.
I don’t miss the circus, but I miss the clowns
Or so I thought. I missed the interactions with my colleagues. I missed bouncing my ideas off someone for a knowledgeable second opinion. I missed the camaraderie of shared experiences – and the shared celebrations of one another’s successes. I missed the direct interaction and immediate feedback from my clients.
Now, I do interact with some readers, and many of you provide feedback via your comments, emails and reviews – all of which I greatly appreciate. But shared experiences are missing. My characters become my friends, but I am not schizophrenic. I know they are fictional. They may feel like company, but I am still alone.
I am part of a critique group and I have a wonderful cadre of beta readers but they are not with me, they are at the other end of my computer, talking books, not life. We are giving to one another – but still, it’s not quite a relationship.
My editors and I do have an actual relationship – they are my family, literally. When they put on their editing hats they are merciless, but after that they are my sisters again.
My New Tribe
The relationship with my fellow collection authors is special. These writers sink and swim with me. We are in this together and that feels fabulous.
These talented writers share their ideas and their lives with me. I know about their families in some cases. They share their moods – good and bad – their results – success or failure. They connect with me and they help me. I hope I reciprocate in some small measure.
We provide opportunities to promote each other’s work. In July, I shared blog space with Rachel Shane, Linda O’Connor, Whitley Cox, and Jenna Bayley Burke to promote their work and the collection. I have learned to use Thunderclap because of them and through them I discovered a new cover artist – EmCat Designs – who has made me happy beyond belief.
Sultry Nights was in the works for months. I signed on to contribute in the late winter. I crossed my fingers. I had no idea what to expect, but I wanted to find out. I have purchased my fair share of collections over the years leading to the discovery of some great stories and new authors. I hoped this collection would help new readers discover me.
This week we went public. Our preorder links are available below.
Now I wait until November, sharing the pleasure of promoting our book together, getting the word out together and succeeding together.
I can’t wait.
PREORDER LINKS AND ***GIVEAWAY*** FOR SULTRY NIGHTS
Order from this link to be eligible for a $100 Gift Card Giveaway
http://www.lovebooksdaily.com/boxset-giveaway
For other preorder links https://www.romancecollections.com/sultry-nights
Support us on Thunderclap?
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/60642-sultry-nights
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/60718-sultry-nights
You might also enjoy:
- Perfectly Skeptical by Linda O’Connor in Tropical Tryst
- The Billionaire’s Private Scandal by Jenna Bayley Burke
- Stealing Hearts by Rachel Shane included in Forbidden
- Hot and Filthy – The Dark and Damaged Heart Series by Whitley Cox