Cait London's Blog, page 26
October 27, 2010
Cait's Couponola Discount
Wow. I love this new cover for Delilah and the Mountie, my new ebook, created by Amanda Kelsey at . To celebrate, I'm offering a 50% discount coupon at Smashwords on . Just enter the code, JX34K until October 31.
I was late getting into Backlistebooks, but hope to be there soon and able to join on their coupons. Coming in late, I thought I'd double the discount.
Writers at are putting their published works into epublishing and having quite a good time. Do visit them, and check out their sales coupon for a limited time. Make haste! You'll find Diane Chamberlain, Alison Kent, Patricia Rice, Linda Wisdom and many more on the coupon at .
Highly involved in the process of formatting and covering their epublished works, these writers work together as you can see at Backlistebooks. Writers and readers are following the development of the ereaders, and here's what Lori Devoti, also a member of Backlistebooks writes in her .
I don't have an ereader, but I'm following changes very closely. Several friends have Kindles, and they love them.
I tested a few at the store and found that because I read quickly, I needed either a larger screen or a faster page turner. Of course that was a bit ago, and they've probably improved.
Do visit Backlistebooks to see the writers and pick up your coupon.
And don't forget mine for . It's JX34K .
I was late getting into Backlistebooks, but hope to be there soon and able to join on their coupons. Coming in late, I thought I'd double the discount.
Writers at are putting their published works into epublishing and having quite a good time. Do visit them, and check out their sales coupon for a limited time. Make haste! You'll find Diane Chamberlain, Alison Kent, Patricia Rice, Linda Wisdom and many more on the coupon at .
Highly involved in the process of formatting and covering their epublished works, these writers work together as you can see at Backlistebooks. Writers and readers are following the development of the ereaders, and here's what Lori Devoti, also a member of Backlistebooks writes in her .
I don't have an ereader, but I'm following changes very closely. Several friends have Kindles, and they love them.
I tested a few at the store and found that because I read quickly, I needed either a larger screen or a faster page turner. Of course that was a bit ago, and they've probably improved.
Do visit Backlistebooks to see the writers and pick up your coupon.
And don't forget mine for . It's JX34K .
Flash! Ebook Discounts
Wow. I love this new cover for Delilah and the Mountie, my new ebook, created by Amanda Kelsey at . To celebrate, I'm offering a 50% discount coupon at Smashwords on . Just enter the code, JX34K until October 31.
I was late getting into Backlistebooks, but hope to be there soon and able to join on their coupons. Coming in late, I thought I'd double the discount.
Writers at are putting their published works into epublishing and having quite a good time. Do visit them, and check out their sales coupon for a limited time. Make haste! You'll find Diane Chamberlain, Alison Kent, Patricia Rice, Linda Wisdom and many more on the coupon at .
Highly involved in the process of formatting and covering their epublished works, these writers work together as you can see at Backlistebooks. Writers and readers are following the development of the ereaders, and here's what Lori Devoti, also a member of Backlistebooks writes in her .
I don't have an ereader, but I'm following changes very closely. Several friends have Kindles, and they love them.
I tested a few at the store and found that because I read quickly, I needed either a larger screen or a faster page turner. Of course that was a bit ago, and they've probably improved.
Do visit Backlistebooks to see the writers and pick up your coupon.
And don't forget mine for . It's JX34K .
I was late getting into Backlistebooks, but hope to be there soon and able to join on their coupons. Coming in late, I thought I'd double the discount.
Writers at are putting their published works into epublishing and having quite a good time. Do visit them, and check out their sales coupon for a limited time. Make haste! You'll find Diane Chamberlain, Alison Kent, Patricia Rice, Linda Wisdom and many more on the coupon at .
Highly involved in the process of formatting and covering their epublished works, these writers work together as you can see at Backlistebooks. Writers and readers are following the development of the ereaders, and here's what Lori Devoti, also a member of Backlistebooks writes in her .
I don't have an ereader, but I'm following changes very closely. Several friends have Kindles, and they love them.
I tested a few at the store and found that because I read quickly, I needed either a larger screen or a faster page turner. Of course that was a bit ago, and they've probably improved.
Do visit Backlistebooks to see the writers and pick up your coupon.
And don't forget mine for . It's JX34K .
October 9, 2010
Writers Survival Guide X Industry Take
No one knows where publishing is going, but lots of ideas and plans floating around in writer-stratusfere. Opines as I have many, really do not amount to as much as the I've just made.
I've just presented my The Business of Writing talk to a local writers group, complete with handouts and truly hope they use those handouts, i.e. Twenty Top Tips, You as your own resource, Market Talk, Tax Keeping Records for Writers, etc. (I only keep records; a pro-tax person does my taxes.)
When meeting, presenting to any group, I am struck by how much we all need to network and communicate...outside our usual writer-realms. And that is up to the individuals to add to/and or explore research and what is easily available.
Balanced between writing new ones and getting my reverted rights titles into epublishing, I'm really watching avenues of profit and what suits me, my stories. I'm learning a lot about self-publishing because of my reverted rights on early titles. But I'm also watching how publishers are handling their balancing act: providing traditional books for the stands/slots and figuring out a new model for this frenzy of epublishing.
First, the Gloomy Stuff: Keep in mind that publishing is changing as we breathe each breath. Media savvy seems to matter more than story. Questions of Are Publishers and Agents Necessary compete with Perfect Pitch How-tos. Now established writers groups are suffering membership losses, because How-tos are everywhere and agents and publishers are accessible without attending conferences.
In tough financial times, few have $$ to attend/travel to conferences, pay fees, rooms. More depend on Internet. Correction: Almost everything depends on Internet.
But stepping through that gloom, with gleaming sword raised, here's a few of my FWIW, For What Its Worth, that I recently passed along to a writers group, along with handouts. That FWIW is uber important to remember, because everything is in flux and so am I.
First: Google Konrath and you'll find he's phenomenal, creating his own epublishing machine. So as an option to traditional publishing, there is self-publishing, Amazon, etc.
From the self-publishing platform, a wealth of small business spring up, i.e. graphic artists, format people, promoters, communities sharing resources such as BVC, , a professional co-op.
At this posting, conference is in Florida. I'm following it with TweetDeck (get to uses of Tweeting later). If you want to follow, use hashtag #Ninc. They also have a great blog with lots of info. To belong to Ninc, last I checked, the applicant needs 2 traditionally published books by a recognized publisher within 5 years. So a covey of all pros attending this conference, with publishing houses/agents/authors/promotion people telling how it is.
So let's get logical, from the POV, Point of View, of what we know now and see where our time and energies are best spent.
At the same time, let us not override our needs, our creative energies, or our dreams of publication. Let's just skip on over to what I consider logical--AT THE MOMENT...
On the bright side, a newcomer may have a better chance of "a fresh new voice" selling than someone well established. On the other hand, someone well established has a lot going for them, too, i.e. new avenues with a new pseudonym. (I'm doing some of that now, adding onto my Cait London pseudonym.)
FWIW, we're in a flipping-over stage, transitioning from everything, keeping little and rushing toward new horizons. For instance, Konrath might not be a good model for someone who isn't a marketing genius, or who has little resources. He's a media pro, IMHO. Self-publishing suits him. He has a developed marketing platform that is definitely working. He makes very good basic points for anyone not on his marketing level: Get a professional looking cover and provide clean, edited copy.
and others do a good job. Smashwords can even provide ISBNs upon arrangement. Apple wants ISBNs, and Smashwords, the service, not the ISBNs, is free. Smashwords can translate your .doc into book form.
Then, small publishers are looking good lately. But they also have to compete with this changing monster. So check out small publishers.
Amazon's Kindle is based on HTML basically, but mobicreator and other software can help translate your document into form, or you can hire it done. So there are avenues.
When I spoke to this group, one person asked where to get details about Kindle and publishing. People, people, people. Any URL usually has a menu, and or a FAQ. Kindle's would be their .
Let's jump to Twitter and how to use it. Fun? Or research? Somehow, Twitter affects the individual posting with an immediate sense of truth. Users seem less guarded, and that is why I follow some publisher and agent posts.
I also follow comments on , quite the useful tool when shopping for agencies.
Another useful tool is the very popular , a Writers Digest blog.
Now, submitting to agents: Some take personal email, others have a query submission online and want only email, with varying requirements. A few want snail mail, so it's important to check all that. Typically new agents, either starting out on their own, or joining an established agency are "hungrier".
At this point, I don't know how much studying Pitch sessions can help. Yet we are inundated by these sessions.
So how can writers best use their time? FWIW: If you're a writer, you're going to write--something, sales or not. It's just built into you.
When it comes to marketing your work, it's important to at least have a blog, the very least, something that you can link to. They take time, but can also draw interest when submitting your work.
FWIW: I'd go for freebies on everything. Blogs have free templates and many a successful blogger is using a cheapo template. You can also get a free website, tho I love my , and if a free website, you can link from your blog to lengthy articles.
Right now, FWIW, it seems to me that media and graphic-wise writers are ahead and lagging behind are storytellers. Now, when I say "media" that also means those writers who are great speakers/presentors.
FWIW: Research, research, research. In this industry, you get/reap what you put into it, what you invest in learning and doing. is a favorite of mine, with terrific newsletters and options.
Bottom Line: If you're a writer, you're going to write, either for personal satisfaction, the need to write, or writing for publication pay. But if you're a writer, you'll write.
All we have to do is to get real in this changing publication climate, watching it morph by the heartbeat. Writing is/has been a reclusive job, but now, we're learning that we have to prioritize, sectioning off writing time and marketing/promotion time.
Very interesting times....
I've just presented my The Business of Writing talk to a local writers group, complete with handouts and truly hope they use those handouts, i.e. Twenty Top Tips, You as your own resource, Market Talk, Tax Keeping Records for Writers, etc. (I only keep records; a pro-tax person does my taxes.)
When meeting, presenting to any group, I am struck by how much we all need to network and communicate...outside our usual writer-realms. And that is up to the individuals to add to/and or explore research and what is easily available.
Balanced between writing new ones and getting my reverted rights titles into epublishing, I'm really watching avenues of profit and what suits me, my stories. I'm learning a lot about self-publishing because of my reverted rights on early titles. But I'm also watching how publishers are handling their balancing act: providing traditional books for the stands/slots and figuring out a new model for this frenzy of epublishing.
First, the Gloomy Stuff: Keep in mind that publishing is changing as we breathe each breath. Media savvy seems to matter more than story. Questions of Are Publishers and Agents Necessary compete with Perfect Pitch How-tos. Now established writers groups are suffering membership losses, because How-tos are everywhere and agents and publishers are accessible without attending conferences.
In tough financial times, few have $$ to attend/travel to conferences, pay fees, rooms. More depend on Internet. Correction: Almost everything depends on Internet.
But stepping through that gloom, with gleaming sword raised, here's a few of my FWIW, For What Its Worth, that I recently passed along to a writers group, along with handouts. That FWIW is uber important to remember, because everything is in flux and so am I.
First: Google Konrath and you'll find he's phenomenal, creating his own epublishing machine. So as an option to traditional publishing, there is self-publishing, Amazon, etc.
From the self-publishing platform, a wealth of small business spring up, i.e. graphic artists, format people, promoters, communities sharing resources such as BVC, , a professional co-op.
At this posting, conference is in Florida. I'm following it with TweetDeck (get to uses of Tweeting later). If you want to follow, use hashtag #Ninc. They also have a great blog with lots of info. To belong to Ninc, last I checked, the applicant needs 2 traditionally published books by a recognized publisher within 5 years. So a covey of all pros attending this conference, with publishing houses/agents/authors/promotion people telling how it is.
So let's get logical, from the POV, Point of View, of what we know now and see where our time and energies are best spent.
At the same time, let us not override our needs, our creative energies, or our dreams of publication. Let's just skip on over to what I consider logical--AT THE MOMENT...
On the bright side, a newcomer may have a better chance of "a fresh new voice" selling than someone well established. On the other hand, someone well established has a lot going for them, too, i.e. new avenues with a new pseudonym. (I'm doing some of that now, adding onto my Cait London pseudonym.)
FWIW, we're in a flipping-over stage, transitioning from everything, keeping little and rushing toward new horizons. For instance, Konrath might not be a good model for someone who isn't a marketing genius, or who has little resources. He's a media pro, IMHO. Self-publishing suits him. He has a developed marketing platform that is definitely working. He makes very good basic points for anyone not on his marketing level: Get a professional looking cover and provide clean, edited copy.
and others do a good job. Smashwords can even provide ISBNs upon arrangement. Apple wants ISBNs, and Smashwords, the service, not the ISBNs, is free. Smashwords can translate your .doc into book form.
Then, small publishers are looking good lately. But they also have to compete with this changing monster. So check out small publishers.
Amazon's Kindle is based on HTML basically, but mobicreator and other software can help translate your document into form, or you can hire it done. So there are avenues.
When I spoke to this group, one person asked where to get details about Kindle and publishing. People, people, people. Any URL usually has a menu, and or a FAQ. Kindle's would be their .
Let's jump to Twitter and how to use it. Fun? Or research? Somehow, Twitter affects the individual posting with an immediate sense of truth. Users seem less guarded, and that is why I follow some publisher and agent posts.
I also follow comments on , quite the useful tool when shopping for agencies.
Another useful tool is the very popular , a Writers Digest blog.
Now, submitting to agents: Some take personal email, others have a query submission online and want only email, with varying requirements. A few want snail mail, so it's important to check all that. Typically new agents, either starting out on their own, or joining an established agency are "hungrier".
At this point, I don't know how much studying Pitch sessions can help. Yet we are inundated by these sessions.
So how can writers best use their time? FWIW: If you're a writer, you're going to write--something, sales or not. It's just built into you.
When it comes to marketing your work, it's important to at least have a blog, the very least, something that you can link to. They take time, but can also draw interest when submitting your work.
FWIW: I'd go for freebies on everything. Blogs have free templates and many a successful blogger is using a cheapo template. You can also get a free website, tho I love my , and if a free website, you can link from your blog to lengthy articles.
Right now, FWIW, it seems to me that media and graphic-wise writers are ahead and lagging behind are storytellers. Now, when I say "media" that also means those writers who are great speakers/presentors.
FWIW: Research, research, research. In this industry, you get/reap what you put into it, what you invest in learning and doing. is a favorite of mine, with terrific newsletters and options.
Bottom Line: If you're a writer, you're going to write, either for personal satisfaction, the need to write, or writing for publication pay. But if you're a writer, you'll write.
All we have to do is to get real in this changing publication climate, watching it morph by the heartbeat. Writing is/has been a reclusive job, but now, we're learning that we have to prioritize, sectioning off writing time and marketing/promotion time.
Very interesting times....
September 28, 2010
Midnight Rider Rides Again
Extrmely popular, MIDNIGHT RIDER by Cait London rides again. One of the Blaylock family series--remember THE SEDUCTION OF JAKE TALLMAN, a cousin? It's so much fun revisiting Hannah and Dan as they unravel their past, and Hannah's need to recover her own and therefore, her life.
Originally, a Silhouette Desire, Man of the Month, MIDNIGHT RIDER is now available in Kindle, etc.
As with all of my early books, brought back in with epublishing, MIDNIGHT RIDER has an author's note, telling a little about how the story came about or how I felt as I wrote it.
Here's a little of the Author's Note in MIDNIGHT RIDER:
Set in Wyoming, one of my favorite western states, MIDNIGHT RIDER isn't like some recent stories, because the hero isn't wealthy, but he's a real cowboy gem with his own Code of the West. He's also 41, in the tradition of my hero-characters and he's got that macho personality that just beckons a woman to take him down—and to love him. A strong man, Dan needs a woman to match him, which Hannah does. But she's locked in her own struggle to unravel a very special past and this heated-up cowboy isn't the kind to wait. He's just as ornery as his buffalo bull and the longhorn bull, who compete for her love.
I've visited small towns like fictional Jasmine on my research travels and love them. Oh, those cowboy-ranchers....
***
Revisiting these early books has been my Labor of Love. I hope you'll also like upcoming ones, and DELILAH AND THE MOUNTIE, now available in Kindle.
September 21, 2010
Reminder From a Friend
This a.m. a friend reminded me that I'm not posting links on this blog. Well, I need to....
So to catch up, because I should have a new e-bk on Kindle soon, here are the links to my early books, rebooted in Kindle and other places, i.e. and . Keep in mind that my publishers also have placed an amount of my e-books everywhere:
You'll note that the first four are category books and the last a historical. Please read my previous posts concerning them.
I'm also placing a nice backstory in each of these books. How I got the idea, traveling to research, how one story folds into another. I really am enjoying revisiting these early books, and I've loved all my stories. To a writer, their like children, from conception, to birth, to growth and enjoyment.
More later....
1. Lady's Choice:
2. Gambler's Lady
3. Rugged Glory:
4. Lady's Desire:
5. Delilah and the Mountie:
So to catch up, because I should have a new e-bk on Kindle soon, here are the links to my early books, rebooted in Kindle and other places, i.e. and . Keep in mind that my publishers also have placed an amount of my e-books everywhere:
You'll note that the first four are category books and the last a historical. Please read my previous posts concerning them.
I'm also placing a nice backstory in each of these books. How I got the idea, traveling to research, how one story folds into another. I really am enjoying revisiting these early books, and I've loved all my stories. To a writer, their like children, from conception, to birth, to growth and enjoyment.
More later....
1. Lady's Choice:
2. Gambler's Lady
3. Rugged Glory:
4. Lady's Desire:
5. Delilah and the Mountie:
September 14, 2010
Delilah and The Mountie
If you've read my latest post, , you'll know I've been revisiting my early books in epublishing.
DELILAH, published 1995 as Cait Logan for Berkley-Jove, is now DELILAH and THE MOUNTIE, available in epublishing through Amazon as of now. And issued under the Cait London brand. The Mountie is a North West Mounted Policeman, NWMP, hot on the trail of his brother's killer. And that suspected killer is Delilah's baby brother. The whole Mountie history, later merged with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, is really interesting, so is the Cariboo Trail.
I chose to give each of my different writing brands a logo, and for westerns, it's a black feather, with Historical written beneath it.
Interesting how one book leads to another. I've just finished reformatting a contemporary western, MIDNIGHT RIDER, which took all sorts of awards and led to the Blaylock author-driven miniseries at Harlequin, and Jake Tallman, a cousin, in THE SEDUCTION OF JAKE TALLMAN.
MIDNIGHT RIDER is almost ready for lift off at this moment, and I'm working on a proper cover.
With new work ready to be edited, these old beloved books wait to be revisited. I still love the stories as I did then, and revisiting them is a real pleasure.
Watch for more on this revisiting early Cait London books as we're working on them now....
DELILAH, published 1995 as Cait Logan for Berkley-Jove, is now DELILAH and THE MOUNTIE, available in epublishing through Amazon as of now. And issued under the Cait London brand. The Mountie is a North West Mounted Policeman, NWMP, hot on the trail of his brother's killer. And that suspected killer is Delilah's baby brother. The whole Mountie history, later merged with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, is really interesting, so is the Cariboo Trail.
I chose to give each of my different writing brands a logo, and for westerns, it's a black feather, with Historical written beneath it.
Interesting how one book leads to another. I've just finished reformatting a contemporary western, MIDNIGHT RIDER, which took all sorts of awards and led to the Blaylock author-driven miniseries at Harlequin, and Jake Tallman, a cousin, in THE SEDUCTION OF JAKE TALLMAN.
MIDNIGHT RIDER is almost ready for lift off at this moment, and I'm working on a proper cover.
With new work ready to be edited, these old beloved books wait to be revisited. I still love the stories as I did then, and revisiting them is a real pleasure.
Watch for more on this revisiting early Cait London books as we're working on them now....
September 9, 2010
Westerns Ride Again
Now that summer is over and I'm back at my keyboard, I'll try to do better at keeping up my blogs--which I love btw. I've had some great writerly experiences this summer, but now it's time to settle down to business :)
First up: Published by Berkly-Jove in 1995, DELILAH, renamed DELILAH and The Mountie in 2010 is getting ready for lift-off into epublishing.... With a different cover. I'm working on that now.
As Cait London, a pseudonym, I have quite a few books in my front and back lists. I'm bringing my early books into epublishing, but it is a slow, slow process. You can find them at and just about anywhere else.
Revisits allow minor changes, such as changing my then-pseudonym, Cait Logan, for current Cait London. But hey, guys, same writer whether contemporary or historical. You'll find a different style that goes with each time period.
I loved writing my Northwest historicals, riding the trails, researching everything--no hardship at all. DELILAH's U.S./Canadian Okanagon and Cariboo trail to Barkerville, B.C. was fabulous. So I've actually been in my story locations, even if fictionalizing the names.
I'm working on a new cover for DELILAH and Her Mountie now, but this one is gorgeous, especially its stepback by the artist Pelligrino. Back in the day, there were more artist renditions/paintings than the graphic works now, which can be just as attractive. As a painter myself, I lean toward that.
So here's the introduction I'm using for DELILAH and The Mountie:
DELILAH
"Cait Logan beautifully blends the heartwarming atmosphere of an American Western with a humorous yet poignant love story." Romantic Times
TAME THE FURY
"The fire and spark between the protagonists is really exceptional, generating and maintaining the best sensual and romantic tension seen in a long time. Definitely a book for readers who adore sizzling verbal sparring and a relationship between hot-tempered lovers!" Romantic Times
WILD DAWN
"An exciting, stunning, and intense book that will touch readers' hearts and souls." Romantic Times
NIGHT FIRE
"A marvelous, not-to-be missed read." Romantic Times
***
PUBLISHED BY READER REQUEST
Dear Reader:
Welcome to DELILAH, previously published by Berkley-Jove Books as Cait Logan and now reissued under Cait London, another pseudonym.
I've added "and the Mountie", because in Simon Oakes is definitely worth mentioning. I'm certain you'll fall in love with him, too. In revisiting DELILAH, I fell deeply in love with her story again. The research for DELILAH was fascinating, and my daughter and I actually traveled the trail from Okanogan/Omak Washington state, up to British Columbia, Canada, then to the Cariboo Trail to Barkerville. I grew up near the Columbia River, not far from our origin point, Okanogan/Omak Washington state. (By the way, the Okanogan Indians are part of the Confederated Colville tribes, pronounced Call-ville.)
While a hefty portion of my fellow writers leaned toward Southwest stories, I researched and rode the Northwest Indian and mining trails. I grew up in rural inland Washington state, and its history is fascinating. (Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce is buried there.)
I have been to the locations of all of my books and the experience is unforgettable, definitely one of the benefits of my vocation. I cannot say enough about the beauty of this trail, from the lush fruit line valleys, to the exciting mountains and wild, untamed Frazer River, churning below. Amid tons of photographs somewhere, we documented this trip, and sat one night, viewing the Northern Lights in a field near Barkerville.
Barkerville, B.C.: Among all the restorations of forts and encampments I've visited, Barkerville stands out the most, as the best. A mining town, started by a strike, it is fabulously presented now. You can walk down the board lined streets, visit the wooden shops, the church, the courthouse, and see the giant waterwheels churn nearby. I loved this town and commend the Canadian government for its restoration.
We also visited the Mountie museum, and mention of the Whoop-Up Trail (whiskey traders) there, led to another book, set in Fort Benton, Montana just below the border. (I've written several books, historical and contemporary, set in Montana.)
Note two different spellings, U.S. and Canadian, caribou for the animal, and Cariboo for the Canadian spelling. Also, in the U.S. Okanogan and in Canada Okanagan. The Cariboo Trail and all the stops are not to be missed. Loved the journey and I hope you will love Delilah and her Mountie as much as I do.
As I prepare DELILAH and Her Mountie for epublishing, I am struck by how deeply I feel about my stories, every one, either contemporary or historical. I'm so glad that this new format allows new readers to enjoy her story, too.
Please visit my for more information about DELILAH and HER MOUNTIE, and my other early books, as well as new ones. I'd love to hear from you. Just e-mail.
And if you ever get the chance to travel these historical trails, take it. Barkerville, B.C. is fabulous for its history and more.
First up: Published by Berkly-Jove in 1995, DELILAH, renamed DELILAH and The Mountie in 2010 is getting ready for lift-off into epublishing.... With a different cover. I'm working on that now.
As Cait London, a pseudonym, I have quite a few books in my front and back lists. I'm bringing my early books into epublishing, but it is a slow, slow process. You can find them at and just about anywhere else.
Revisits allow minor changes, such as changing my then-pseudonym, Cait Logan, for current Cait London. But hey, guys, same writer whether contemporary or historical. You'll find a different style that goes with each time period.
I loved writing my Northwest historicals, riding the trails, researching everything--no hardship at all. DELILAH's U.S./Canadian Okanagon and Cariboo trail to Barkerville, B.C. was fabulous. So I've actually been in my story locations, even if fictionalizing the names.
I'm working on a new cover for DELILAH and Her Mountie now, but this one is gorgeous, especially its stepback by the artist Pelligrino. Back in the day, there were more artist renditions/paintings than the graphic works now, which can be just as attractive. As a painter myself, I lean toward that.
So here's the introduction I'm using for DELILAH and The Mountie:
DELILAH
"Cait Logan beautifully blends the heartwarming atmosphere of an American Western with a humorous yet poignant love story." Romantic Times
TAME THE FURY
"The fire and spark between the protagonists is really exceptional, generating and maintaining the best sensual and romantic tension seen in a long time. Definitely a book for readers who adore sizzling verbal sparring and a relationship between hot-tempered lovers!" Romantic Times
WILD DAWN
"An exciting, stunning, and intense book that will touch readers' hearts and souls." Romantic Times
NIGHT FIRE
"A marvelous, not-to-be missed read." Romantic Times
***
PUBLISHED BY READER REQUEST
Dear Reader:
Welcome to DELILAH, previously published by Berkley-Jove Books as Cait Logan and now reissued under Cait London, another pseudonym.
I've added "and the Mountie", because in Simon Oakes is definitely worth mentioning. I'm certain you'll fall in love with him, too. In revisiting DELILAH, I fell deeply in love with her story again. The research for DELILAH was fascinating, and my daughter and I actually traveled the trail from Okanogan/Omak Washington state, up to British Columbia, Canada, then to the Cariboo Trail to Barkerville. I grew up near the Columbia River, not far from our origin point, Okanogan/Omak Washington state. (By the way, the Okanogan Indians are part of the Confederated Colville tribes, pronounced Call-ville.)
While a hefty portion of my fellow writers leaned toward Southwest stories, I researched and rode the Northwest Indian and mining trails. I grew up in rural inland Washington state, and its history is fascinating. (Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce is buried there.)
I have been to the locations of all of my books and the experience is unforgettable, definitely one of the benefits of my vocation. I cannot say enough about the beauty of this trail, from the lush fruit line valleys, to the exciting mountains and wild, untamed Frazer River, churning below. Amid tons of photographs somewhere, we documented this trip, and sat one night, viewing the Northern Lights in a field near Barkerville.
Barkerville, B.C.: Among all the restorations of forts and encampments I've visited, Barkerville stands out the most, as the best. A mining town, started by a strike, it is fabulously presented now. You can walk down the board lined streets, visit the wooden shops, the church, the courthouse, and see the giant waterwheels churn nearby. I loved this town and commend the Canadian government for its restoration.
We also visited the Mountie museum, and mention of the Whoop-Up Trail (whiskey traders) there, led to another book, set in Fort Benton, Montana just below the border. (I've written several books, historical and contemporary, set in Montana.)
Note two different spellings, U.S. and Canadian, caribou for the animal, and Cariboo for the Canadian spelling. Also, in the U.S. Okanogan and in Canada Okanagan. The Cariboo Trail and all the stops are not to be missed. Loved the journey and I hope you will love Delilah and her Mountie as much as I do.
As I prepare DELILAH and Her Mountie for epublishing, I am struck by how deeply I feel about my stories, every one, either contemporary or historical. I'm so glad that this new format allows new readers to enjoy her story, too.
Please visit my for more information about DELILAH and HER MOUNTIE, and my other early books, as well as new ones. I'd love to hear from you. Just e-mail.
And if you ever get the chance to travel these historical trails, take it. Barkerville, B.C. is fabulous for its history and more.
August 20, 2010
Why Do Writers Write?
I sit here, picking away gobs of spray insulation foam on my arm (my first attempt), and seriously contemplating my writer's day.
Who knew this stuff would come back at you, scrolling in puffy strings everywhere?
Okay, I digress. What can I say? I'm a virgin-insulation sprayer. That was yesterday. Messy, but finished. Yesterday, I also edited gobs. So yesterday was Gobs Day.
Today, I'm preparing for the first of September, ready to launch my babies out into the world. These last two weeks before September and/or to Labor Day are busy for everyone. Students are back to school, homeowners are planning fall fix-up, and writers are really working hard.
With Missouri's extreme heat this summer, I've hit the keyboard during the afternoon, modifying my usual early a.m.s to the heat.
Summer is really busy as you can see on my blog . But with a pretty busy family, there's always lots to do. I've dropped off from the track a little as writers do when they're intensely into projects. But I'm creeping back into gear, now that my rough draft is finished.
In touching base with other authors, the discussion came up about Writing For $ vs. The Love of Writing. Everyone has different takes, and I've get read an article on (really good blog) BTW, about writers income, and living off it.
I've been doing that for a number of years, after leaving a day job, but also writing for 2 publishers. Writing is my only income, and according to this article, the percentage of those writers may be as low as 1%. I'd heard 2% earlier.
I've seen Writing listed in the Hobby Sections of online communities. Really? Say it isn't so.
Most writers usually have some other source of income, either through spouse, retirement, investments, day-jobs, etc. I have a big problem with that label as we work darn hard out here. In fact, most writers I know are working at multiple tasks, day-jobs, various writing projects, and their own specialties.
Tip: Writing for sucess has specific personality elements. One is regimentation and ability to prioritize. The multiple-taskers above do know how to handle a calendar with life and writing deadlines, and they know how to prioritize. One writer, a teacher, spoke of writing around the corners of his life. I think that says it well for those with so-called day-jobs.
Prioritizing your writing projects isn't easy. Writers who complete their mss, edits, whatever, usually step back to catch up with life for a time. Then, they're back at the keyboard, brainstorming new proposals, working on platforms/PR, whatever. Because? It's necessary to be brewing new stories all the time, keeping the creative flow moving along. I keep a Toy Box of story ideas, when one drops in on me and just dipping into that plasters me with ideas. I think most writers have more stories in them, then they can actually write in their lifetimes.
Sometimes that's a sluggish situation, such as one writer I recently spoke with, has different family situations that are absorbing her physical and mental energy. Don't we all? There are just times when the Big Bird of Paradise drops one on you and you have to mop up the best you can.
We are different, my writer-friend and I, because when I'm deeply troubled, I can take a mini-vacation by dropping into my stories--taking a little mental health break. She cannot, and there's nothing wrong with that. But it is important, if not dealing with a money/career-making deadline, that we are human, flesh and blood and we need what we need to survive. Every writer is different in that aspect.
Recently, I've just stepped off the writing Boardwalk (didn't meet Snooki, thank goodness) and worked on different projects. I needed to try new fields, and old. "Mining" we call it. I write because I need to, because it's a part of me, my daily routine, my feel-good time. I miss it, when life (and home fix-up) pops in, eating up my creative time.
But then, I'm a scheduled writer, with regular hours. Make the coffee, check the e-mail and settle in with my characters. (Incidentally, they only come to my PC and don't like travel.) Another writer may write in bursts, when "they feel the muse", but that's not for me. I'm behind on updating my blogs now, and my . But I'll get there, because I'm really into my stories now and don't want to leave my mental creative nest.
But as I've said, all writers are different in their goals, needs and financial situation. My first goal was just to get my name on one book. That was almost 70 books ago and a really gratifying career that I'm still enjoying.
So, if you are a writer, ask yourself, why you write and how dedicated you are, and what you are willing to sacrifice. I need to do this on a poll, I guess, but I'd rather get back to my stories.
Who knew this stuff would come back at you, scrolling in puffy strings everywhere?
Okay, I digress. What can I say? I'm a virgin-insulation sprayer. That was yesterday. Messy, but finished. Yesterday, I also edited gobs. So yesterday was Gobs Day.
Today, I'm preparing for the first of September, ready to launch my babies out into the world. These last two weeks before September and/or to Labor Day are busy for everyone. Students are back to school, homeowners are planning fall fix-up, and writers are really working hard.
With Missouri's extreme heat this summer, I've hit the keyboard during the afternoon, modifying my usual early a.m.s to the heat.
Summer is really busy as you can see on my blog . But with a pretty busy family, there's always lots to do. I've dropped off from the track a little as writers do when they're intensely into projects. But I'm creeping back into gear, now that my rough draft is finished.
In touching base with other authors, the discussion came up about Writing For $ vs. The Love of Writing. Everyone has different takes, and I've get read an article on (really good blog) BTW, about writers income, and living off it.
I've been doing that for a number of years, after leaving a day job, but also writing for 2 publishers. Writing is my only income, and according to this article, the percentage of those writers may be as low as 1%. I'd heard 2% earlier.
I've seen Writing listed in the Hobby Sections of online communities. Really? Say it isn't so.
Most writers usually have some other source of income, either through spouse, retirement, investments, day-jobs, etc. I have a big problem with that label as we work darn hard out here. In fact, most writers I know are working at multiple tasks, day-jobs, various writing projects, and their own specialties.
Tip: Writing for sucess has specific personality elements. One is regimentation and ability to prioritize. The multiple-taskers above do know how to handle a calendar with life and writing deadlines, and they know how to prioritize. One writer, a teacher, spoke of writing around the corners of his life. I think that says it well for those with so-called day-jobs.
Prioritizing your writing projects isn't easy. Writers who complete their mss, edits, whatever, usually step back to catch up with life for a time. Then, they're back at the keyboard, brainstorming new proposals, working on platforms/PR, whatever. Because? It's necessary to be brewing new stories all the time, keeping the creative flow moving along. I keep a Toy Box of story ideas, when one drops in on me and just dipping into that plasters me with ideas. I think most writers have more stories in them, then they can actually write in their lifetimes.
Sometimes that's a sluggish situation, such as one writer I recently spoke with, has different family situations that are absorbing her physical and mental energy. Don't we all? There are just times when the Big Bird of Paradise drops one on you and you have to mop up the best you can.
We are different, my writer-friend and I, because when I'm deeply troubled, I can take a mini-vacation by dropping into my stories--taking a little mental health break. She cannot, and there's nothing wrong with that. But it is important, if not dealing with a money/career-making deadline, that we are human, flesh and blood and we need what we need to survive. Every writer is different in that aspect.
Recently, I've just stepped off the writing Boardwalk (didn't meet Snooki, thank goodness) and worked on different projects. I needed to try new fields, and old. "Mining" we call it. I write because I need to, because it's a part of me, my daily routine, my feel-good time. I miss it, when life (and home fix-up) pops in, eating up my creative time.
But then, I'm a scheduled writer, with regular hours. Make the coffee, check the e-mail and settle in with my characters. (Incidentally, they only come to my PC and don't like travel.) Another writer may write in bursts, when "they feel the muse", but that's not for me. I'm behind on updating my blogs now, and my . But I'll get there, because I'm really into my stories now and don't want to leave my mental creative nest.
But as I've said, all writers are different in their goals, needs and financial situation. My first goal was just to get my name on one book. That was almost 70 books ago and a really gratifying career that I'm still enjoying.
So, if you are a writer, ask yourself, why you write and how dedicated you are, and what you are willing to sacrifice. I need to do this on a poll, I guess, but I'd rather get back to my stories.
July 31, 2010
Writers Survival Guide X
While Orlando's RWA (Romance Writers of America)mixes fun and business, I'm holed up in my cool MO home, working away. Rather, I'm preparing to work, but am writing this post first.
BTW, note Book 4 in my early category book, A Lady's Desire, first published as Second Chance at Love, Cait Logan. In each book, I write about how this story arrived on my fingers or something that made the book special. I wish I'd scanned all the great reviews for each one, but their in a box somewhere, so maybe sometime... No small thing to be a USA Today bestseller or a NYTs either, which wasn't/isn't why I write, so these great reviews sometimes still shock me. I set out to get my name on just one book and now, close to 70 later, I'm still stunned.
Writing posts and keeping up with business does sometimes start the fiction-wheels turning. Amid much business and several books, I thought I'd share another Writer's Survival Guide, Number TEN. Check out the tag Writers Survival Guide and Writers Stuff and you'll find a whole backlog of maybe-useful info, if you work it.
This morning's post is leading with a little reminder that whatever the reason, it's always nice to keep those fingers from keys, until whatever sharp reply is under control. Once that Send key is hit, that e-mail may not be recovered.
The moral of this story is: what goes around, comes around in the professional writing community especially. It's essential to remember in all correspondence, which is in print/email, that any comment can endanger a potential entry door into publishing. That is, authors, agents, publishers all communicate in a sometimes very small community. A sharp reply, a bit of temper, to one can ripple wherever and amazingly fast. Likewise, poor professional manners.
After that tidbit, which is only too true, I spent this a.m. networking/catching up with business/e-mail. I'm on several loops, some professional, some websites and blogs, Facebook and Twitter. At Twitter, that's @CaitLondon and I'm currently using TweetDeck of the many apps available.
My books and e-books are available at different sites, publisher's versions and my own via reverted rights for traditional books. Every author must try to retrieve their rights, if possible, and it is no small job, if you have a longer list. In fact, it's a whole day-job to manage. A simple letter to the right person, starts the ball rolling.
For some time, I've been happy with V website software, but have been putting off a badly needed update to their new software, SiteSpinner Pro. Terrific support from Derek and the forums, and as a website host, is surpreme, even handling your domain name's renewals for you. If you start up with them, please mention that Cait London sent you as that gets me some points on their next charges. Highly recommend BlueHost and they have a supreme CGI bin for users, lots of storage and facilities I haven't even started to tap yet.
This a.m. I checked into my account. This is a blog "aggregator". Interpreted lightly, this beast goes out and collects everything subject and/or blog I want. Very handy for a busy person, because Bloglines holds all the blogs until I can run thru what I want and can hold in a CLIP file for later reference. Very handy. I clicked on the ones I wanted for later reference and the rest slid off into Ciberspace, not clogging up my account.
Bloglines also offers several other features, like a free blog. Check those out.
With a lot of business on hand, and an author usually does, I recommend use of mailbox filters to save time. To a writer, Time is like Money. We use it to create and hopefully provide some income.
Most writers have several mailboxes, according to the task. One for editors/publisher business is essential, family and friends, one per email loop, one for subscriptions (storing newsletters, etc. in one place is very hand). But also include one mailbox for the stuff you have to sign up for, but not really that important, i.e. I like to check over the different Coupon places. Some email can wait, so it just sits in that mailbox until you can deal with it, like I did this a.m.
Of those I hit this a.m., I think an article by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker was the most immediately useful, as I've just backed up my machine. Carolyn's article, is a recommended read for everyone.
I back up and store on external hard drives, but also the WIP on thumb-drives. Writers get paranoid about backing up for good reason. So much work can be lost if a computer's hard drive dies.
Generally, Anything on is good, and Elana Johnson does a good job there. While you're there, sign up for their newsletter.
More:
Another great newsletter comes from Cynthia Sterling. She picks up stuff from everywhere. You'll find her at her blog, .
One big freebie for you KIDLIT writers: There's a free online conference at with tons of editors and agents/writers there. This starts August 10, 2010, I think, and there is a chat for registration. Quite the online offering.
Novelists, Inc, a professional members only group, has a great filled with tips from pros.
I also belong to , which is an author's co-op for traditionally published authors who have reverted rights and are self-publishing their books or are writing new material.
And the topper is probably Publishers Market Place, free version, available at Cader Books. For intense useage, they also have a $20/mo option.
I hope you've enjoyed this issue of Writers Survival Guide.
July 19, 2010
Outlaw Love in Kindle
Lady Desperado is my story in Outlaw Love. Monday is a business day for me, so I can devote the rest of the week to writing.
I was going through contracts and struggling to make a so-called "paperless office" by scanning legal stuff, i.e. contracts, etc. when I hit material about this anthology. Naturally, I wanted to check it out and found that it's still going strong.
I need to reread my Lady Desperado and post a back story for it. If you're following the new epublishing of my early books, you'll see that I enclose a back story to each one. Love those.
I was thrilled to be invited for this western historical anthology by Dell Books. In the lead was Brenda Joyce, Connie Brockway (isn't she super?), Cait Logan (moi), and Stephanie Mittman, new back then.
Thrilled. Short stories, and I think this was 30k maybe, are extremely difficult for me to write. I tend to think in layers. Lady Desperado was one of the most difficult work I've done, though all of it is pretty intense. Very intense.
A 1997 release, it is now in Kindle form with my other books. It continues to sell but now in a new form.
So if you like westerns, I wrote as Cait Logan and will soon be working on Delilah and her Mountie.
