Congratulations! If your name is on this list you have won a signed first edition copy of On the Island. Please send an e-mail with your mailing address to traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com.
Erin Hill
Jaime Arkin
Steve Umstead
Deborah Gutierrez
Bridget O'Neill
Leslie Trimble
Adrianna Cabrera
S.I. Scott
Nanette Bradford
Em Cxo
Raina C.
Kristy Lander
Beth Maresh-Ehemann
Leah Rhey
Maria Voulelis Malaveci
Thank you to everyone who entered :)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Win A Signed First Edition Of On the Island!
Yesterday, Amy at IndieReader sent me a link to a feature on their site about first editions, specifically those from formerly self-published authors whose books were picked up by major publishers. You can read it here.
I have a whole box of the first edition of On the Island and while they're certainly valuable to me (sentimentally speaking), I'm not sure how valuable I think they are from a monetary standpoint. However, in the interest of getting them out of my dining room I thought I would share them with you.
I'm giving away 15 signed copies of On the Island. The ones that look like this:
PunchTab will start accepting entries at noon tomorrow!
For extra entries, you can like my Facebook author page, tweet about the giveaway, or follow me on Twitter.
I have a whole box of the first edition of On the Island and while they're certainly valuable to me (sentimentally speaking), I'm not sure how valuable I think they are from a monetary standpoint. However, in the interest of getting them out of my dining room I thought I would share them with you.
I'm giving away 15 signed copies of On the Island. The ones that look like this:
Thursday, November 22, 2012
What I'm Thankful For This Year
Hello everyone,
I hit a pretty big milestone last year at this time: A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I sold my 1,000th copy of On the Island. I was still working my day job in human resources at Wells Fargo and my co-workers rang a cow bell to celebrate (we were always pretty noisy, in general, so this was not as disruptive as you might imagine it to be).
I was thankful for those 1,000 sales. Eternally, unbelievably thankful. I'd read all the statistics: most self-published authors are lucky if they manage to sell 100 books. I'd already surpassed that and daily sales were starting to trend upward. I had no idea what the next six months would bring, but I was having a blast and connecting with readers all over the world.
As most of you already know, things got a whole lot better and I was able to make the transition to full-time writer. And to show you how thankful I am, I'd like to give one of you the gift of reading (or more specifically, a new Kindle Paperwhite with free 3G and Wi-Fi).
In the comments, tell me what you're thankful for. And please know that I am truly thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
xoxo,
Tracey
I hit a pretty big milestone last year at this time: A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I sold my 1,000th copy of On the Island. I was still working my day job in human resources at Wells Fargo and my co-workers rang a cow bell to celebrate (we were always pretty noisy, in general, so this was not as disruptive as you might imagine it to be).
I was thankful for those 1,000 sales. Eternally, unbelievably thankful. I'd read all the statistics: most self-published authors are lucky if they manage to sell 100 books. I'd already surpassed that and daily sales were starting to trend upward. I had no idea what the next six months would bring, but I was having a blast and connecting with readers all over the world.
As most of you already know, things got a whole lot better and I was able to make the transition to full-time writer. And to show you how thankful I am, I'd like to give one of you the gift of reading (or more specifically, a new Kindle Paperwhite with free 3G and Wi-Fi).
In the comments, tell me what you're thankful for. And please know that I am truly thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
xoxo,
Tracey
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Self Publishing FAQ
Hello everyone!
Today I'd like to talk about self-publishing. I receive lots of e-mails and Facebook messages every week from writers who are in all different stages of writing and publishing their first novel. Some are just beginning while others have already taken the plunge and clicked the publish button on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, CreateSpace, etc...
I thought I'd share the answers to the questions I'm asked most frequently. I'll add a tab somewhere so the information can be permanently and easily accessed. I'm also in the process of writing a guest post for fellow author, John Hansen, which will provide a detailed account of my self-publishing journey. I keep promising to get it to him and he keeps pretending it's not months overdue because he knows I'm super swamped. Did I mention he's awesome? Because he is.
Before we get started, one of the things that really concerns me is the number of people who write to me and want to know what self-publishing company I used.
I didn't use any company. I uploaded directly to Amazon (via Kindle Direct Publishing for the e-book and CreateSpace for my paperback), Barnes & Noble (via PubIt!), and Smashwords. On the Island was formatted according to the Smashwords guidelines and was accepted into the premium catalog. This meant that the e-book was also distributed to Sony, Apple, Kobo, and Diesel. I do believe you can upload directly to Apple and Kobo now, but please check because it's been a while since I self-published and things are changing every day. I also released an audiobook via Audible's ACX program.
You don't need a company to self-publish, but you DO need retailers (I've just listed the ones I used above).
These are the places you will sell your book.
Cost to upload On the Island to these retailers:
NOTHING.
NADA.
ZIP.
I PAID NO ONE.
Please don't ever think you need to pay someone to do for you what you are perfectly capable of doing yourself. Self-publishing is not easy, but the actual uploading process is pretty straightforward. There are lots of companies out there that will try to convince you that you need them to publish your book (for which you will pay a hefty fee). They'll probably throw in a bunch of stuff about how they'll market your book for you and do all kinds of things you should learn how to do for yourself anyway. So run, run far away from these companies.
That being said, while it's true that uploading is free, editing, formatting, and a nice cover will cost some money. But there are plenty of talented freelancers who can do this for a flat fee so there is no reason to give an individual or company a percentage of your book earnings to do any of these things for you.
SO DON'T DO THAT.
EVER.
You'll make me cry.
To recap: You are the publisher. Uploading to retailers costs nothing. Don't give anyone a percentage of your book sales (no matter how much they try to convince you that you should).
Okay, back to basics. First of all, is your novel complete? I get a lot of e-mail from people who are just thinking about writing a book and would like some advice on how to get started. Honestly, this is the hardest part of writing a full-length novel. For me, it helped to let the idea percolate in my mind (in my case for about 4 months) before I even wrote the first word. Then I jotted down some notes and thought about the story some more. Finally, when I had a general idea of the beginning, middle, and end, I came up with a loose outline and started writing. I hear a lot of, "Oh my God, I could never outline. I can't be limited that way. I must let my story emerge organically, without constraints." That's perfectly fine. If I tried to do that I'd find myself staring at a blank screen every day since I really need to have some idea of what I'm going to write about before I sit down and open my word document. But that's just me. Part of writing a novel is figuring out the method that works best for you. Whatever you choose, don't stop doing it until you type THE END.
If your novel is complete, is it revised, edited, and polished? Have you given it to your critique partner and your beta readers and received their feedback? And then revised again? All of these steps must be checked off your list before you're even ready to begin the self-publishing process. A surprisingly high number of people write to me and say that they're just thinking about writing a book and want me to tell them how to self-publish it. My answer is always, "Finish the book first, and don't worry about anything else at this stage."
The next step is research. I spent approximately two months reading everything I could find about self-publishing. I actually typed 'self publishing' into the Google search box and went from there. It may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller pieces really helps. www.kindleboards.com is a great place to learn valuable information and connect with other self-published authors. And all of the retailers you'll be uploading to have really great FAQ's which should answer a lot of your questions. If you're going to self-publish, learning everything you can about it is also part of the process. When I first self-published, I spent a half hour per day scouring the Internet, reading blog posts from successful self-publishers, and exploring promotional opportunities. That's not a lot. There's a myth that self-publishing means you will constantly be marketing and promoting your book, but I don't think that's true. If you work smart, it should not take you endless hours per day.
I strongly encourage you to pay for outside editing. Because you are the publisher, you're responsible for the same things that all publishers are responsible for: editing and copyediting. I also believe in hiring a professional editor. You may have a friend, relative, or co-worker who thinks they are perfectly capable of editing your manuscript, but unless editing is their profession, they're not qualified. And you really, really need a good editor. Someone who is an expert when it comes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, not to mention the general rules of fiction writing. I've seen so many self-published authors skip this step but it catches up to them eventually when the low reviews start pouring in. This is a really bad thing and I don't want it to happen to you. Take pride in your work and edit BEFORE you upload. Even a handful of reviews citing a lack of editing may be enough to turn potential readers off. One more thing: proofreading is not editing. We can all spot typos (they're surprisingly easy to see in others' books but somewhat more difficult to find in our own manuscripts). Proofread your own work carefully, but hire a copyeditor to catch everything you missed.
For developmental editing, I used Alison Dasho. A good developmental editor will do several things: check your manuscript for pacing, plot problems, characterization, prose, etc...If you've got tense changes or head-hopping or repetition that does nothing to move your story forward, they'll tell you about it.
For copyediting, I used Anne Victory at Victory Editing.
Feel free to contact Anne or Alison for a quote. They are awesome. If they are booked there are many freelance editors out there (just make sure to do your due diligence so you know that they're qualified). I also outsourced my e-book formatting to Guido Henkel. He's amazing and affordable. He will format your e-book beautifully and give you a nice, clickable Table of Contents (which I feel strongly you should have). Tell him Tracey sent you (not because I get any kind of kickback, but just because I like him so much).
You'll also want to register your copyright at www.copyright.gov. It's the best $35 you'll ever spend. And you'll need an ISBN which you can get at www.bowker.com (you'll need a separate ISBN for each retailer and another one for your print edition).
After you've done all that, it's time to make your cover. I used this site to choose my cover image. For On the Island, I bought a photo (it was an actual beach in the Maldives) and my awesomely fantastic friend Penne applied the text for me. You can do whatever you want, but you should spend some time on this step (and whatever your budget allows), because people really will judge your book by its cover. My cover image cost $360 because I bought the 300dpi size (which you will need if you're going to release a paperback). Otherwise, you can buy the 72dpi size. Sarah Hansen is a fantastic cover designer. You can find her here.
You will also need to write your product description (AKA your blurb) on Amazon, B&N, etc... I cringe when I read a blurb that has grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors (I had my copyeditor take a look at mine to make sure it was okay). If your blurb has errors, readers will assume your book probably does, too. Please pay extra attention to this step. Along with your cover, this is often the only thing potential readers have to look at when they're considering whether or not they want to buy your book. It's important.
FAQ'S
How did you market your book?
To get started, I used a combination of social media (Facebook, Twitter, and my blog) to do a book launch. What I did not do is send DM's on Twitter asking people to read my book. Twitter is for making friends. If your profile information includes your book title, people will check it out if they want to which is preferable to you asking them to check it out. Ditto FB. It's okay to make sure people know about your book by posting a link on your page, but let them take it from there. You should also set up an author page on FB.
After I launched the e-book I did a giveaway on Goodreads for four signed copies of the paperback. I also purchased paid sponsorships on Pixel of Ink and Kindle Nation Daily, both of which paid for themselves in increased sales.
I think there's a misconception that following a specified formula will automatically equal a successful self-published book. On the Island was largely a word-of-mouth book. There is no promotion that will ever be more effective than a large number of readers talking about your book. If there's any secret to a successful, self-published book, that's it. It doesn't mean that everyone will like your book - because it's impossible to write a book that every single person will like - but if there are enough readers who connect with your novel, and they recommend it to other readers, you'll probably do very well.
Should I query agents with my self-published book?
I would advise against this. If your self-published book sells well, agents may very well reach out to you. At the very least, you will need to have sold 50K+ copies on your own in order to garner any interest from an agent (and subsequently a publisher).
Will you read my book if I send you a copy?
I love reading, and I would love to read every book that is offered, but my TBR pile is in serious danger of toppling over. I also have manuscripts to beta read and/or write blurbs for, and those take precedence over everything else. And I'm one of those authors who can't read anything when they're at a certain stage in the writing process. But if I'm not under a deadline and the book being offered is in a genre I regularly read, I'd love for you to send it to me (although it may be a while before I get a chance to read it). Thank you so much!
Will you review my book for me?
I don't write reviews anymore. Authors writing reviews for other authors is starting to come under fire as a conflict of interest which is unfortunate because writers are often voracious readers and when I love a book I want to shout it from the rooftops (and leave reviews on Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads). However, in light of some recent changes to review policies I will no longer be writing reviews. But if I enjoy your book I will definitely recommend it on my personal Facebook page and also my author page.
Can I be your beta reader?
The beta reading stage is one of the most important stages on the way to a book's publication. It's also extremely stressful for the author (or at least it is for me). This is my baby, and showing it to someone for the first time can be quite nerve-racking. I used a lot of beta readers for On the Island and I gave out a lot of ARC's. There are many people who have asked to beta read Covet, and I have all your names on a list. However, I will be adhering to whatever guidelines Penguin asks me to follow which may involve reducing the number of people involved at this stage.
Can I send you my manuscript?
Unfortunately, there's really nothing I can do with your manuscript. Sending it to me (especially unsolicited) will not get you any closer to your goal of publication because I'm not an agent or a publisher and therefore cannot do anything that will help you. If you want to pursue a traditional publishing contract you'll have to write a query letter and send it to agents. If you want to self-publish, you don't need anyone's help because you are the publisher.
I have a really great story to tell, but I can't write. Will you write my story or co-author it with me?
Unfortunately, I'm unable to write anyone else's story. I take the ideas I can't get out of my head and turn them into books, and I have enough ideas floating around in my brain to last me for a long time. I don't know that I would be capable of turning someone else's idea into a novel, but I encourage anyone who has a story to tell to give it a try themselves - they might be pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoy getting their story down on paper.
When will the On the Island movie be out? Do you have any say in the casting?
I don't have any movie news to pass on at this time. MGM has optioned the rights for a feature film and screenwriters have been invited to pitch the studio. I've been cautioned that Hollywood moves quite slowly, but if/when there is any information to pass on I will definitely post it on my blog, FB, and Twitter. Unfortunately, I do not have any say in who is cast in the film (but I'm going to lobby hard for John Goodman to play seaplane pilot Mick because he would be super awesome).
Should I enroll in KDP Select?
It depends. This is really a personal decision and I don't think there's any right or wrong answer. I did not enroll On the Island in KDP Select because I am a firm believer in making your book available through as many retailers as possible. If you enroll in KDP Select, you will only be able to sell your book on Amazon. After having the amazing Guido format my book for several different retailers, and uploading to them, the last thing I wanted to do was take the book down from those sites.
I'm sure Nook owners wouldn't like that. Or those who prefer Kobo or Apple or Sony or Diesel.
I am a BIG fan of Amazon KDP, but less a fan of Select. Also, the ability to make my book free for a certain number of days was actually a turnoff to me. I know that some authors have used KDP Select's free days to their advantage, but I simply can't fathom giving something I worked 18 months on away for free. But again, this is a personal choice and you'll have to weigh the pros and cons. It sounds like Select has lost a bit of its oomph lately, so do your research and see what other self-published authors are saying about their results.
One thing to remember: Self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. I've had several people tell me how amazed they were that On the Island took off so fast, but it really didn't. I've seen other authors hit the top 100 on Amazon within 3 weeks of publication. It took my book 6 months to get there. Be patient. If you write the best book you can and put out the most professional product you're capable of, readers will follow. Start your next book and don't worry too much about it. And a word of caution: this business is not for the faint of heart. It's not easy and there are no shortcuts. Start developing a thick skin because you're going to need it. But it's also incredibly fulfilling and there has never been a better time to be a writer.
I'm sure there are questions I've forgotten and I'll try to add to this FAQ as I remember them.
Good luck!
Tracey
Today I'd like to talk about self-publishing. I receive lots of e-mails and Facebook messages every week from writers who are in all different stages of writing and publishing their first novel. Some are just beginning while others have already taken the plunge and clicked the publish button on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, CreateSpace, etc...
I thought I'd share the answers to the questions I'm asked most frequently. I'll add a tab somewhere so the information can be permanently and easily accessed. I'm also in the process of writing a guest post for fellow author, John Hansen, which will provide a detailed account of my self-publishing journey. I keep promising to get it to him and he keeps pretending it's not months overdue because he knows I'm super swamped. Did I mention he's awesome? Because he is.
Before we get started, one of the things that really concerns me is the number of people who write to me and want to know what self-publishing company I used.
I didn't use any company. I uploaded directly to Amazon (via Kindle Direct Publishing for the e-book and CreateSpace for my paperback), Barnes & Noble (via PubIt!), and Smashwords. On the Island was formatted according to the Smashwords guidelines and was accepted into the premium catalog. This meant that the e-book was also distributed to Sony, Apple, Kobo, and Diesel. I do believe you can upload directly to Apple and Kobo now, but please check because it's been a while since I self-published and things are changing every day. I also released an audiobook via Audible's ACX program.
You don't need a company to self-publish, but you DO need retailers (I've just listed the ones I used above).
These are the places you will sell your book.
Cost to upload On the Island to these retailers:
NOTHING.
NADA.
ZIP.
I PAID NO ONE.
Please don't ever think you need to pay someone to do for you what you are perfectly capable of doing yourself. Self-publishing is not easy, but the actual uploading process is pretty straightforward. There are lots of companies out there that will try to convince you that you need them to publish your book (for which you will pay a hefty fee). They'll probably throw in a bunch of stuff about how they'll market your book for you and do all kinds of things you should learn how to do for yourself anyway. So run, run far away from these companies.
That being said, while it's true that uploading is free, editing, formatting, and a nice cover will cost some money. But there are plenty of talented freelancers who can do this for a flat fee so there is no reason to give an individual or company a percentage of your book earnings to do any of these things for you.
SO DON'T DO THAT.
EVER.
You'll make me cry.
To recap: You are the publisher. Uploading to retailers costs nothing. Don't give anyone a percentage of your book sales (no matter how much they try to convince you that you should).
Okay, back to basics. First of all, is your novel complete? I get a lot of e-mail from people who are just thinking about writing a book and would like some advice on how to get started. Honestly, this is the hardest part of writing a full-length novel. For me, it helped to let the idea percolate in my mind (in my case for about 4 months) before I even wrote the first word. Then I jotted down some notes and thought about the story some more. Finally, when I had a general idea of the beginning, middle, and end, I came up with a loose outline and started writing. I hear a lot of, "Oh my God, I could never outline. I can't be limited that way. I must let my story emerge organically, without constraints." That's perfectly fine. If I tried to do that I'd find myself staring at a blank screen every day since I really need to have some idea of what I'm going to write about before I sit down and open my word document. But that's just me. Part of writing a novel is figuring out the method that works best for you. Whatever you choose, don't stop doing it until you type THE END.
If your novel is complete, is it revised, edited, and polished? Have you given it to your critique partner and your beta readers and received their feedback? And then revised again? All of these steps must be checked off your list before you're even ready to begin the self-publishing process. A surprisingly high number of people write to me and say that they're just thinking about writing a book and want me to tell them how to self-publish it. My answer is always, "Finish the book first, and don't worry about anything else at this stage."
The next step is research. I spent approximately two months reading everything I could find about self-publishing. I actually typed 'self publishing' into the Google search box and went from there. It may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller pieces really helps. www.kindleboards.com is a great place to learn valuable information and connect with other self-published authors. And all of the retailers you'll be uploading to have really great FAQ's which should answer a lot of your questions. If you're going to self-publish, learning everything you can about it is also part of the process. When I first self-published, I spent a half hour per day scouring the Internet, reading blog posts from successful self-publishers, and exploring promotional opportunities. That's not a lot. There's a myth that self-publishing means you will constantly be marketing and promoting your book, but I don't think that's true. If you work smart, it should not take you endless hours per day.
I strongly encourage you to pay for outside editing. Because you are the publisher, you're responsible for the same things that all publishers are responsible for: editing and copyediting. I also believe in hiring a professional editor. You may have a friend, relative, or co-worker who thinks they are perfectly capable of editing your manuscript, but unless editing is their profession, they're not qualified. And you really, really need a good editor. Someone who is an expert when it comes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, not to mention the general rules of fiction writing. I've seen so many self-published authors skip this step but it catches up to them eventually when the low reviews start pouring in. This is a really bad thing and I don't want it to happen to you. Take pride in your work and edit BEFORE you upload. Even a handful of reviews citing a lack of editing may be enough to turn potential readers off. One more thing: proofreading is not editing. We can all spot typos (they're surprisingly easy to see in others' books but somewhat more difficult to find in our own manuscripts). Proofread your own work carefully, but hire a copyeditor to catch everything you missed.
For developmental editing, I used Alison Dasho. A good developmental editor will do several things: check your manuscript for pacing, plot problems, characterization, prose, etc...If you've got tense changes or head-hopping or repetition that does nothing to move your story forward, they'll tell you about it.
For copyediting, I used Anne Victory at Victory Editing.
Feel free to contact Anne or Alison for a quote. They are awesome. If they are booked there are many freelance editors out there (just make sure to do your due diligence so you know that they're qualified). I also outsourced my e-book formatting to Guido Henkel. He's amazing and affordable. He will format your e-book beautifully and give you a nice, clickable Table of Contents (which I feel strongly you should have). Tell him Tracey sent you (not because I get any kind of kickback, but just because I like him so much).
You'll also want to register your copyright at www.copyright.gov. It's the best $35 you'll ever spend. And you'll need an ISBN which you can get at www.bowker.com (you'll need a separate ISBN for each retailer and another one for your print edition).
After you've done all that, it's time to make your cover. I used this site to choose my cover image. For On the Island, I bought a photo (it was an actual beach in the Maldives) and my awesomely fantastic friend Penne applied the text for me. You can do whatever you want, but you should spend some time on this step (and whatever your budget allows), because people really will judge your book by its cover. My cover image cost $360 because I bought the 300dpi size (which you will need if you're going to release a paperback). Otherwise, you can buy the 72dpi size. Sarah Hansen is a fantastic cover designer. You can find her here.
You will also need to write your product description (AKA your blurb) on Amazon, B&N, etc... I cringe when I read a blurb that has grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors (I had my copyeditor take a look at mine to make sure it was okay). If your blurb has errors, readers will assume your book probably does, too. Please pay extra attention to this step. Along with your cover, this is often the only thing potential readers have to look at when they're considering whether or not they want to buy your book. It's important.
FAQ'S
How did you market your book?
To get started, I used a combination of social media (Facebook, Twitter, and my blog) to do a book launch. What I did not do is send DM's on Twitter asking people to read my book. Twitter is for making friends. If your profile information includes your book title, people will check it out if they want to which is preferable to you asking them to check it out. Ditto FB. It's okay to make sure people know about your book by posting a link on your page, but let them take it from there. You should also set up an author page on FB.
After I launched the e-book I did a giveaway on Goodreads for four signed copies of the paperback. I also purchased paid sponsorships on Pixel of Ink and Kindle Nation Daily, both of which paid for themselves in increased sales.
I think there's a misconception that following a specified formula will automatically equal a successful self-published book. On the Island was largely a word-of-mouth book. There is no promotion that will ever be more effective than a large number of readers talking about your book. If there's any secret to a successful, self-published book, that's it. It doesn't mean that everyone will like your book - because it's impossible to write a book that every single person will like - but if there are enough readers who connect with your novel, and they recommend it to other readers, you'll probably do very well.
Should I query agents with my self-published book?
I would advise against this. If your self-published book sells well, agents may very well reach out to you. At the very least, you will need to have sold 50K+ copies on your own in order to garner any interest from an agent (and subsequently a publisher).
Will you read my book if I send you a copy?
I love reading, and I would love to read every book that is offered, but my TBR pile is in serious danger of toppling over. I also have manuscripts to beta read and/or write blurbs for, and those take precedence over everything else. And I'm one of those authors who can't read anything when they're at a certain stage in the writing process. But if I'm not under a deadline and the book being offered is in a genre I regularly read, I'd love for you to send it to me (although it may be a while before I get a chance to read it). Thank you so much!
Will you review my book for me?
I don't write reviews anymore. Authors writing reviews for other authors is starting to come under fire as a conflict of interest which is unfortunate because writers are often voracious readers and when I love a book I want to shout it from the rooftops (and leave reviews on Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads). However, in light of some recent changes to review policies I will no longer be writing reviews. But if I enjoy your book I will definitely recommend it on my personal Facebook page and also my author page.
Can I be your beta reader?
The beta reading stage is one of the most important stages on the way to a book's publication. It's also extremely stressful for the author (or at least it is for me). This is my baby, and showing it to someone for the first time can be quite nerve-racking. I used a lot of beta readers for On the Island and I gave out a lot of ARC's. There are many people who have asked to beta read Covet, and I have all your names on a list. However, I will be adhering to whatever guidelines Penguin asks me to follow which may involve reducing the number of people involved at this stage.
Can I send you my manuscript?
Unfortunately, there's really nothing I can do with your manuscript. Sending it to me (especially unsolicited) will not get you any closer to your goal of publication because I'm not an agent or a publisher and therefore cannot do anything that will help you. If you want to pursue a traditional publishing contract you'll have to write a query letter and send it to agents. If you want to self-publish, you don't need anyone's help because you are the publisher.
I have a really great story to tell, but I can't write. Will you write my story or co-author it with me?
Unfortunately, I'm unable to write anyone else's story. I take the ideas I can't get out of my head and turn them into books, and I have enough ideas floating around in my brain to last me for a long time. I don't know that I would be capable of turning someone else's idea into a novel, but I encourage anyone who has a story to tell to give it a try themselves - they might be pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoy getting their story down on paper.
When will the On the Island movie be out? Do you have any say in the casting?
I don't have any movie news to pass on at this time. MGM has optioned the rights for a feature film and screenwriters have been invited to pitch the studio. I've been cautioned that Hollywood moves quite slowly, but if/when there is any information to pass on I will definitely post it on my blog, FB, and Twitter. Unfortunately, I do not have any say in who is cast in the film (but I'm going to lobby hard for John Goodman to play seaplane pilot Mick because he would be super awesome).
Should I enroll in KDP Select?
It depends. This is really a personal decision and I don't think there's any right or wrong answer. I did not enroll On the Island in KDP Select because I am a firm believer in making your book available through as many retailers as possible. If you enroll in KDP Select, you will only be able to sell your book on Amazon. After having the amazing Guido format my book for several different retailers, and uploading to them, the last thing I wanted to do was take the book down from those sites.
I'm sure Nook owners wouldn't like that. Or those who prefer Kobo or Apple or Sony or Diesel.
I am a BIG fan of Amazon KDP, but less a fan of Select. Also, the ability to make my book free for a certain number of days was actually a turnoff to me. I know that some authors have used KDP Select's free days to their advantage, but I simply can't fathom giving something I worked 18 months on away for free. But again, this is a personal choice and you'll have to weigh the pros and cons. It sounds like Select has lost a bit of its oomph lately, so do your research and see what other self-published authors are saying about their results.
One thing to remember: Self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. I've had several people tell me how amazed they were that On the Island took off so fast, but it really didn't. I've seen other authors hit the top 100 on Amazon within 3 weeks of publication. It took my book 6 months to get there. Be patient. If you write the best book you can and put out the most professional product you're capable of, readers will follow. Start your next book and don't worry too much about it. And a word of caution: this business is not for the faint of heart. It's not easy and there are no shortcuts. Start developing a thick skin because you're going to need it. But it's also incredibly fulfilling and there has never been a better time to be a writer.
I'm sure there are questions I've forgotten and I'll try to add to this FAQ as I remember them.
Good luck!
Tracey
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Giveaway!
The giveaway is open internationally, but you can only enter once. Good luck!
xoxo,
Tracey
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Book Clubs, Signings, And Miscellaneous Appearances
My favorite season is here! I'm a cool-weather girl and always have been, and I'll take fall over summer any day which probably makes me sound really weird (I'm especially fond of cold and rainy fall days. See? Weird). I'm really looking forward to my first fall as a full-time writer because as soon as it gets cold enough, I'll be turning on the fireplace (yes it's gas. Yes the real thing would be better). My writing chair is conveniently located right next to it and there's nothing I love more than writing in front of the fireplace.
Anyway, this fall will also be insanely busy. Many of you have asked about Covet; I turn the manuscript in to my publisher on November 15th and the days leading up to that deadline are going to be intense. Not because I'm in danger of not making the deadline (the book is almost done), but because the revision stage (which will begin around October 1st) is all-consuming. I love the revision stage, but I have a hard time sleeping and/or concentrating on anything else which can make me appear reclusive and anti-social. Also ungroomed (if you see me at the grocery store at 10:00 p.m. in my pajamas with no makeup and a ponytail, please don't judge).
Also, many of you have asked about the release date for Covet. I had originally planned on self-publishing Covet this fall. But because of all the wonderful things that have happened in the last six months I would have been hard-pressed to make that deadline, and had I not signed with Penguin I would have undoubtedly pushed the release back to winter 2013. I spend 3-4 hours a day working on things related to On the Island: answering reader e-mails, responding to tweets and Facebook messages, and fulfilling requests from my US, UK, and Canadian publicists (interviews, Q&A's, etc...). On top of that, I still have to actually write. A year ago, when I stated that Covet would come out this fall I had no idea what fate had in store for me, and I'm eternally grateful for all the good fortune I've experienced. But it has required adjustments to my timeline and I hope you'll understand my need to be flexible. Also, Covet will be released in hardcover and Penguin/Dutton will need time to make sure they have completed all the steps necessary to put the book on the shelves of bookstores everywhere. As soon as I have a firm release date, I promise I'll share it with you.
After I turn in Covet I'll attempt to take the rest of the month off from writing to enjoy Thanksgiving and my daughter's birthday. But in December I'm launching right into another project that I'm very excited about. I can't tell you about it yet, but I'll provide all the details as soon as I can. Hint: there might be something this spring that will tide you over until Covet is released. It may involve another character from On the Island...
Okay, now that we've gotten all that out of the way, here's what's going on in September and October:
Tuesday, September 25th - Skype chat with the RGV Book Junkies.
Wednesday, September 26th, Book Club - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 27th, Dallas Center Library - 7:00 p.m (presentation and signing).
Friday, September 29th - Sunday, September 30th, TFEIC event in Chicago, Palmer House Hilton (Saturday's author meet and greet is from 12-4). This event will be epic! Read all about it here.
Thursday, October 4th - Chick Lit Twitter chat - 8:00 pm. EST (use the hashtag #ChickLitChat).
Tuesday, October 9th - Book Club - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 11th, 7:00 p.m. I will be at The Book Vault in Oskaloosa. Click here for details.
Tuesday, October 16th, Skype chat.
Sunday, October 28th - WOW (Wonder of Words) Festival, Des Moines. I'll be giving a presentation at 5:00 p.m. Click here for details.
I'm not adding any more dates on the calendar for now, to allow for time to go through the editing process with my editor and also to enjoy my cold and snowy evenings this holiday season.
But as soon as January gets here, I'm ready to fill that calendar back up again :)
Tracey
Anyway, this fall will also be insanely busy. Many of you have asked about Covet; I turn the manuscript in to my publisher on November 15th and the days leading up to that deadline are going to be intense. Not because I'm in danger of not making the deadline (the book is almost done), but because the revision stage (which will begin around October 1st) is all-consuming. I love the revision stage, but I have a hard time sleeping and/or concentrating on anything else which can make me appear reclusive and anti-social. Also ungroomed (if you see me at the grocery store at 10:00 p.m. in my pajamas with no makeup and a ponytail, please don't judge).
Also, many of you have asked about the release date for Covet. I had originally planned on self-publishing Covet this fall. But because of all the wonderful things that have happened in the last six months I would have been hard-pressed to make that deadline, and had I not signed with Penguin I would have undoubtedly pushed the release back to winter 2013. I spend 3-4 hours a day working on things related to On the Island: answering reader e-mails, responding to tweets and Facebook messages, and fulfilling requests from my US, UK, and Canadian publicists (interviews, Q&A's, etc...). On top of that, I still have to actually write. A year ago, when I stated that Covet would come out this fall I had no idea what fate had in store for me, and I'm eternally grateful for all the good fortune I've experienced. But it has required adjustments to my timeline and I hope you'll understand my need to be flexible. Also, Covet will be released in hardcover and Penguin/Dutton will need time to make sure they have completed all the steps necessary to put the book on the shelves of bookstores everywhere. As soon as I have a firm release date, I promise I'll share it with you.
After I turn in Covet I'll attempt to take the rest of the month off from writing to enjoy Thanksgiving and my daughter's birthday. But in December I'm launching right into another project that I'm very excited about. I can't tell you about it yet, but I'll provide all the details as soon as I can. Hint: there might be something this spring that will tide you over until Covet is released. It may involve another character from On the Island...
Okay, now that we've gotten all that out of the way, here's what's going on in September and October:
Tuesday, September 25th - Skype chat with the RGV Book Junkies.
Wednesday, September 26th, Book Club - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 27th, Dallas Center Library - 7:00 p.m (presentation and signing).
Friday, September 29th - Sunday, September 30th, TFEIC event in Chicago, Palmer House Hilton (Saturday's author meet and greet is from 12-4). This event will be epic! Read all about it here.
Thursday, October 4th - Chick Lit Twitter chat - 8:00 pm. EST (use the hashtag #ChickLitChat).
Tuesday, October 9th - Book Club - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 11th, 7:00 p.m. I will be at The Book Vault in Oskaloosa. Click here for details.
Tuesday, October 16th, Skype chat.
Sunday, October 28th - WOW (Wonder of Words) Festival, Des Moines. I'll be giving a presentation at 5:00 p.m. Click here for details.
I'm not adding any more dates on the calendar for now, to allow for time to go through the editing process with my editor and also to enjoy my cold and snowy evenings this holiday season.
But as soon as January gets here, I'm ready to fill that calendar back up again :)
Tracey
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Hey, Winners. I'm Still Waiting To Hear From Some Of You
Happy Saturday!
The two $50 Amazon gift cards and the e-readers have been mailed/shipped to the lucky winners of my recent giveaway.
I have also mailed copies of On the Island (original cover) to:
Kristia Miltiadou
Ely Yant
Carrie Taylor
Devi Hadikusumo
Nicole Monack
Rob Zimmerman
Sharon Herbert
Miranda Hoffert
But I still need mailing addresses from:
Michelle
Emily
Megan McGallis Guntrum
Angie Tsiros
Eva
I have also mailed copies of On the Island (Penguin cover) to:
Deanna Pyles
Anaiz Jaramillo
Jennifer Condron
Jenny White
Elisha Sandell
Ashley Chapman
But I still need mailing addresses from:
Erin Arkin
Crystal Alberta
Cupcake
Dan Amsden
If you entered with only your first name and you're not sure if you're a winner, e-mail me at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com and I can verify by cross-checking your e-mail address.
And winners - e-mail me! I'd love to send you your books. I will give you another week and if I don't hear from you, I'll start selecting more names.
I'll be waiting :)
Tracey
The two $50 Amazon gift cards and the e-readers have been mailed/shipped to the lucky winners of my recent giveaway.
I have also mailed copies of On the Island (original cover) to:
Kristia Miltiadou
Ely Yant
Carrie Taylor
Devi Hadikusumo
Nicole Monack
Rob Zimmerman
Sharon Herbert
Miranda Hoffert
But I still need mailing addresses from:
Michelle
Emily
Megan McGallis Guntrum
Angie Tsiros
Eva
I have also mailed copies of On the Island (Penguin cover) to:
Deanna Pyles
Anaiz Jaramillo
Jennifer Condron
Jenny White
Elisha Sandell
Ashley Chapman
But I still need mailing addresses from:
Erin Arkin
Crystal Alberta
Cupcake
Dan Amsden
If you entered with only your first name and you're not sure if you're a winner, e-mail me at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com and I can verify by cross-checking your e-mail address.
And winners - e-mail me! I'd love to send you your books. I will give you another week and if I don't hear from you, I'll start selecting more names.
I'll be waiting :)
Tracey
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
And The Winner Is...
I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Kindle DX is entry #137, Bobbie Desmond! Bobbie, please make sure to send me your shipping address at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. I'll order your Kindle right away :)
*There will be two winners for the $50 Amazon gift cards because there were so many great comments and I couldn't make up my mind.
The first winner is Kar, who wrote "A fully stocked wine cellar. I could sleep in it, Sip some good wine while watching sunset, after sunset, after sunset, after sunset. And if anyone came to rescue me I would already have a thank you gift. (I am hospitable like that)."
Wine makes everything better, am I right? I could probably handle everything else if I knew I could have a glass of wine every night while I'm sitting on the white-sand beach, staring at the water. I love the dual purpose of the wine cellar (shelter and a place to store those bottles), plus Kar is very thoughtful and I'm impressed with her hospitality.
The second winner is Sara Queen! I'm in total agreement with her suggestion because I might have a teeny-tiny crush on this man:
Oh, Bear Grylls. I'd take you and your mad survival skills to an island with me in a heartbeat. Don't wash your face. No really, don't.
Seeing things like this make me not want to kiss you, Bear.
Okay, I'll totally still kiss you but wipe your mouth off first, okay? Then maybe swish some water around in it because I'm pretty sure that's a snake and OMG, gross.
But Bear + wine = I.AM.STAYING.FOR.A.WHILE.
So there you have it! Thank you for a wonderful 4 days of comments and good wishes. If you're a winner don't forget to send me an e-mail.
xoxo,
Tracey
*Those of you that said baby oil made me smile :)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Final Day Of The Giveaway - Win A Kindle DX!
Wow! Yesterday's comments just blew me away. Reading about who everyone's favorite secondary characters are was very enlightening. Looks like Bones was the clear favorite, followed by Ben, Sarah, and T.J. and Anna's parents.
I took notes, everyone. Oh yes I did.
I'm also thrilled to announce that the winners of yesterday's Nook Color tablets are :
If you are one of the winners, please send me your full name and shipping address to: traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. I'll order your Nook as soon as I have the information. Congratulations!!
A Kindle DX is up for grabs in today's giveaway. In the comments section, tell me what item you would most want to have if you were stranded on a deserted island. As a bonus, I'll award a $50 Amazon gift card to the commenter with the most creative answer. Hint: not necessarily the most practical item (so don't say, like, waterproof satellite phone).
There are many winners from the first two days of the giveaway who have not claimed their prizes yet. Please check this post and this post to see if you've won.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I took notes, everyone. Oh yes I did.
I'm also thrilled to announce that the winners of yesterday's Nook Color tablets are :
Entry #40Whitney B.
Entry #17Gina H.
Entry #17Gina H.
Entry #8, Ashley C., already won on day 2 of the giveaway so the rafflecopter chose a third name. I'm sorry, Ashley C.
If you are one of the winners, please send me your full name and shipping address to: traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. I'll order your Nook as soon as I have the information. Congratulations!!
A Kindle DX is up for grabs in today's giveaway. In the comments section, tell me what item you would most want to have if you were stranded on a deserted island. As a bonus, I'll award a $50 Amazon gift card to the commenter with the most creative answer. Hint: not necessarily the most practical item (so don't say, like, waterproof satellite phone).
There are many winners from the first two days of the giveaway who have not claimed their prizes yet. Please check this post and this post to see if you've won.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, September 10, 2012
Now You're All Just Making Me Cry - Day 3 Of The Giveaway
***Update: Winners of the day 2 giveaway are now displayed. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and see if the rafflecopter picked you :) If you're a winner, please e-mail me at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com. I'll need your full name and mailing address.
Each night, when I'm setting up the rafflecopter for the new giveaway, I read through all the comments one more time. You outdid yourselves with yesterday's comments about your favorite scene from On the Island.
They made me cry.
Not giant ugly tears like I cried when I wrote some of those scenes. But grateful oh my God, how did this even happen? kind of tears. Once again, words cannot express how much your comments mean to me. Thank you so much.
It's been over two years since I started writing On the Island, and over a year since I finished it. In some ways I've moved on. I'm almost done with my second book and I'm immersed in a new story, with new characters. But reading all of your comments has brought back wonderful memories of those scenes. I remember how I struggled to write some of your favorites. How I re-wrote some of them three different ways before finally deciding which version I liked best. Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with me.
Now for day 3 of the giveaway! Two wonderful readers will win a Nook Color. As long as I can ship it to you (via the Barnes & Noble website), you are eligible.
In the comment section, tell me who your favorite secondary character is. I'd love to know if there were other characters you connected with. Also, who would you most like to see in a spin-off story? Here are some of the choices:
Mick
Ben
Bones
Sarah
Stefani
Henry Elings
Dean Lewis
T.J.'s dad
T.J.'s mom
I'm having a teeny-tiny bit of difficulty with the rafflecopter for yesterday's giveaway. It's chosen the winners but it won't display them. I'm working on it and as soon as I figure it out, I'll post the names. There are still 7 of you who need to e-mail me your full name and mailing address from Friday's day 1 giveaway (so send me your info at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com).
After you leave a comment, make sure you also login to the rafflecopter using your Facebook login or your e-mail address so that you'll be eligible to win today's prize.
Happy Monday, everyone!
xoxo,
Tracey
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Each night, when I'm setting up the rafflecopter for the new giveaway, I read through all the comments one more time. You outdid yourselves with yesterday's comments about your favorite scene from On the Island.
They made me cry.
Not giant ugly tears like I cried when I wrote some of those scenes. But grateful oh my God, how did this even happen? kind of tears. Once again, words cannot express how much your comments mean to me. Thank you so much.
It's been over two years since I started writing On the Island, and over a year since I finished it. In some ways I've moved on. I'm almost done with my second book and I'm immersed in a new story, with new characters. But reading all of your comments has brought back wonderful memories of those scenes. I remember how I struggled to write some of your favorites. How I re-wrote some of them three different ways before finally deciding which version I liked best. Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with me.
Now for day 3 of the giveaway! Two wonderful readers will win a Nook Color. As long as I can ship it to you (via the Barnes & Noble website), you are eligible.
In the comment section, tell me who your favorite secondary character is. I'd love to know if there were other characters you connected with. Also, who would you most like to see in a spin-off story? Here are some of the choices:
Mick
Ben
Bones
Sarah
Stefani
Henry Elings
Dean Lewis
T.J.'s dad
T.J.'s mom
I'm having a teeny-tiny bit of difficulty with the rafflecopter for yesterday's giveaway. It's chosen the winners but it won't display them. I'm working on it and as soon as I figure it out, I'll post the names. There are still 7 of you who need to e-mail me your full name and mailing address from Friday's day 1 giveaway (so send me your info at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com).
After you leave a comment, make sure you also login to the rafflecopter using your Facebook login or your e-mail address so that you'll be eligible to win today's prize.
Happy Monday, everyone!
xoxo,
Tracey
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Because I love You All, Day 2
Congratulations to the winners of the day 1 giveaway! 13 signed copies of On the Island (original cover) will be mailed out this week. If you haven't e-mailed your full name and mailing address to me at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com, please do so and I'll get your package ready. Want to find out if you won? Check yesterday's post and scroll down to the rafflecopter.
Okay, now for the second giveaway. Up for grabs today are 10 signed paperback copies with the beautiful Penguin cover. It's the one that looks like this:
Okay, now for the second giveaway. Up for grabs today are 10 signed paperback copies with the beautiful Penguin cover. It's the one that looks like this:
All you have to do is this: In the comments section, tell me what your favorite scene is from On the Island. Then, make sure you login to the rafflecopter. You must do both to be eligible to win. Once again, this giveaway is open to EVERYONE and if you entered on day 1, you can enter this one, too.
You all brought tears to my eyes yesterday with your wonderful comments. I have the best readers in the world. Thank you!!
xoxo,
Tracey
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, September 7, 2012
Because I Love You Guys, Really I Do
****The giveaway for one of the 13 signed copies of On the Island has ended. Scroll down to the rafflecopter to see if you've won! If your name is listed, e-mail me your full name and mailing address at traceygarvisgraves@yahoo.com.
I appreciate all of the wonderful comments; they made me cry!!
A year ago last weekend (September 3rd, 2011, to be exact), I self-published my debut novel, On the Island, with no idea what to expect.
It felt weird. Really weird. It also felt good. The availability of self-publishing programs meant I didn't have to shove my novel in a drawer and hope that someone would take a chance on the next book I wrote.
Not much changed. I still went to my day job. My kids still fought (constantly). And my husband and I still tried to find time to have an uninterrupted conversation (and maybe a glass of wine).
A few months later, things started to change a little bit. Sales went up, although not dramatically. I received some reviews that were so heartfelt they literally brought tears to my eyes and made me smile for days. I received some awesome e-mails from readers who lived all over the world. It was incredibly satisfying and wonderful and I considered myself lucky.
In the spring, things really got crazy. April and May are one big blur...In June, Penguin publishing offered me a two-book deal and put On the Island on bookshelves everywhere.
A year ago, I just wanted to find an audience. I just wanted the book I spent 18 months writing to be available to those who might want to read it.
One year later:
Over half a million copies of On the Island have been sold.
On the Island is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.
Foreign rights have been sold in 23 countries.
MGM has optioned the book for a feature film.
On the Island spent over 10 weeks on the NYT bestseller list, reaching #5 in the e-book category and #12 for the trade paperback.
I no longer have a day job because writing full-time is my day job. I get to spend time with both kids every morning before sending them off to the bus stop. My work wardrobe consists of yoga pants and T-shirts. I spend my days in a quiet house with Chloe curled up next to me.
I don't even know what to say that will convey my true feelings about this. Or how to thank all of you. Because you, the readers, are the ones who made it happen. I'm eternally grateful and I think it's time for one big THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
Here's how it will work: I'm giving away 1 Kindle DX, 2 Nook Colors, and 23 signed paperbacks (13 with the original cover - because that's how many I have stacked on my dining room table - and 10 with the Penguin cover).
This giveaway will span 4 days and I'll be using the rafflecopter to choose the winners. And this giveaway is open to EVERYONE. I don't care where you live. You're eligible. You can enter every day of the giveaway, but you can only win once.
So let's start with the signed original paperback. The one that looks like this: I have 13 to give away.
All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you heard about On the Island (make sure you also login to rafflecopter with either your facebook login or e-mail to enter the giveaway). I want to know what led you to this book. And I want you to know how much that has meant to me.
So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I appreciate all of the wonderful comments; they made me cry!!
A year ago last weekend (September 3rd, 2011, to be exact), I self-published my debut novel, On the Island, with no idea what to expect.
It felt weird. Really weird. It also felt good. The availability of self-publishing programs meant I didn't have to shove my novel in a drawer and hope that someone would take a chance on the next book I wrote.
Not much changed. I still went to my day job. My kids still fought (constantly). And my husband and I still tried to find time to have an uninterrupted conversation (and maybe a glass of wine).
A few months later, things started to change a little bit. Sales went up, although not dramatically. I received some reviews that were so heartfelt they literally brought tears to my eyes and made me smile for days. I received some awesome e-mails from readers who lived all over the world. It was incredibly satisfying and wonderful and I considered myself lucky.
In the spring, things really got crazy. April and May are one big blur...In June, Penguin publishing offered me a two-book deal and put On the Island on bookshelves everywhere.
A year ago, I just wanted to find an audience. I just wanted the book I spent 18 months writing to be available to those who might want to read it.
One year later:
Over half a million copies of On the Island have been sold.
On the Island is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.
Foreign rights have been sold in 23 countries.
MGM has optioned the book for a feature film.
On the Island spent over 10 weeks on the NYT bestseller list, reaching #5 in the e-book category and #12 for the trade paperback.
I no longer have a day job because writing full-time is my day job. I get to spend time with both kids every morning before sending them off to the bus stop. My work wardrobe consists of yoga pants and T-shirts. I spend my days in a quiet house with Chloe curled up next to me.
I don't even know what to say that will convey my true feelings about this. Or how to thank all of you. Because you, the readers, are the ones who made it happen. I'm eternally grateful and I think it's time for one big THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
Here's how it will work: I'm giving away 1 Kindle DX, 2 Nook Colors, and 23 signed paperbacks (13 with the original cover - because that's how many I have stacked on my dining room table - and 10 with the Penguin cover).
This giveaway will span 4 days and I'll be using the rafflecopter to choose the winners. And this giveaway is open to EVERYONE. I don't care where you live. You're eligible. You can enter every day of the giveaway, but you can only win once.
So let's start with the signed original paperback. The one that looks like this: I have 13 to give away.
All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you heard about On the Island (make sure you also login to rafflecopter with either your facebook login or e-mail to enter the giveaway). I want to know what led you to this book. And I want you to know how much that has meant to me.
So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Totally Unscientific Poll Results
I took an informal poll and asked readers, via my author page on Facebook, for their input on who they'd most like to see playing T.J. in the film adaptation of On the Island. I've tallied the votes and thought it would be fun to share the results with you all.
The actor who received the most votes to play T.J. was Zac Efron. You guys really, really like Zac. I mean, like, a lot.
In second place was Alex Pettyfer (or as I like to call him, Alex Prettyfer, because OH MY GOD, look at him).
One person suggested Justin Bieber "just for laughs" and I have to agree. I'm sure he's a lovely person and this is a really great picture of him, but, yeah. NO.
In third place we have Taylor Kitsch, my original choice for T.J. I've mentioned this in a few Q&A's I've done recently, and it pains me to say it again, but I think he's too old to play T.J. which is a crying shame because I really like looking at him.
Jeremy Sumpter, Steven Strait, and Aaron Johnson were a few of the other suggestions.
The actor who received the most votes to play T.J. was Zac Efron. You guys really, really like Zac. I mean, like, a lot.
In second place was Alex Pettyfer (or as I like to call him, Alex Prettyfer, because OH MY GOD, look at him).
One person suggested Justin Bieber "just for laughs" and I have to agree. I'm sure he's a lovely person and this is a really great picture of him, but, yeah. NO.
In third place we have Taylor Kitsch, my original choice for T.J. I've mentioned this in a few Q&A's I've done recently, and it pains me to say it again, but I think he's too old to play T.J. which is a crying shame because I really like looking at him.
Next up is someone I've never heard of: Steven R. McQueen. Perhaps it's because I don't watch The Vampire Diaries. Perhaps I should start.
Jeremy Sumpter, Steven Strait, and Aaron Johnson were a few of the other suggestions.
I have a suggestion to throw into the ring: Jamie Campbell Bower. I can't remember how he came to my attention, but he's adorable and hot - two qualities that an actor playing T.J. will need to have. Plus I think he's just young enough to pull it off.
It was also suggested - and I wholeheartedly agree - that an unknown actor (paired with a well-known actress a' la Christopher Atkins and Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon) might be the way to go.
And lastly, I've bumped Anne Hathaway out of the starring role of Anna, not because I don't like her, because I really, really do, but because I think one of these two actresses might be a teensy bit better.
Minka Kelly
Eliza Dushku
Thanks for your input, everyone!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Lisa's Booty!
Hey everyone, head over to Lisa's Booty and find out what you need to do to win a personalized, signed copy of On the Island. http://lisasreads.com/lisas-booty/
xoxo,
Tracey
xoxo,
Tracey
Thursday, July 12, 2012
On the Island's Book Birthday Pictures
Hello everyone,
On the Island hit bookstores across the country on Tuesday! I didn't realize just how awesome it would feel until I saw the trade paperback sitting on the shelf. This picture is from the Barnes & Noble at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines. I sure do like their sign!
I went to Target next and there on the shelf, sandwiched between Elin Hilderbrand's Summerland and Kristin Hannah's Home Again, was my book.
My last bookstore was another Barnes & Noble. I almost didn't stop, but it was on my way home so I thought, "Oh heck, why not." While I was standing there taking a picture of the display with my phone, I overheard someone say "On the Island" so I totally started eavesdropping stood there, all nonchalant, and a woman and a B&N employee walked over. The customer was looking for On the Island. But she wanted to make sure it was the book written by the woman who lives in Des Moines. She questioned the B&N employee and the employee responded that she wasn't sure but would find out. I couldn't take it anymore because I was literally standing right there so I opened my big mouth contributed helpfully to the conversation. "Yes, that's her," I said. "I mean, I'm her. It's me." The customer looked shocked but then gave me a big smile despite my deranged grin. I explained that the book had just been released and that I wanted to stop in and see it on the shelf. She was buying a copy for herself and her daughter and I offered to sign them because I just happened to have a Sharpie in my purse. She was so nice and she made my afternoon. For the rest of the day I told that story to anyone who would listen.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Release Day!
Good morning everyone!
Today is the day I've been dreaming about for a long, long time. On the Island is on bookstore shelves across the nation. You should be able to find it everywhere with the exception of Costco (it will be available there on 7/16).
If you are out and about and happen to see On the Island, take a picture of yourself in front of the display and send it to me. I'll post it on my Facebook fan page which is right here.
And once again, because I can never say it enough, I want to thank all of you for making this happen, especially those of you who have been following this blog since the beginning. A special shout-out goes to Elisa Abner-Taschwer, Penne Heede Pojar, Keri Stokstad, Bryan Stokstad, Julie Elsner, Missy Pomerantz, and Monica Shadowens.
xoxo,
Tracey
Today is the day I've been dreaming about for a long, long time. On the Island is on bookstore shelves across the nation. You should be able to find it everywhere with the exception of Costco (it will be available there on 7/16).
If you are out and about and happen to see On the Island, take a picture of yourself in front of the display and send it to me. I'll post it on my Facebook fan page which is right here.
And once again, because I can never say it enough, I want to thank all of you for making this happen, especially those of you who have been following this blog since the beginning. A special shout-out goes to Elisa Abner-Taschwer, Penne Heede Pojar, Keri Stokstad, Bryan Stokstad, Julie Elsner, Missy Pomerantz, and Monica Shadowens.
xoxo,
Tracey
Monday, July 9, 2012
Book Signings!
Happy Monday everyone!
Here's a list of where I'll be in the next couple of weeks. I sure would love to see you, so stop by and say hi!
Tuesday, July 10th
I will be on the radio at KAZR 103.3 "The Morning Moose Show" tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. Tune in and hear me talk about On the Island.
Thursday, July 12th
Live interview, in-studio at Iowa Public Radio "Talk of Iowa" radio show. 10:00 a.m.
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver Avenue, Suite 1
Reading and book signing: 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 17th
Clive Public Library
1900 N.W. 114th St.
Reading and book signing: 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 2nd
Barnes & Noble
333 Collins Rd NE, Bldg 1
Cedar Rapids, IA
Reading and book signing: 7:00 p.m.
I'll post more dates and events as they become available.
Here's a list of where I'll be in the next couple of weeks. I sure would love to see you, so stop by and say hi!
Tuesday, July 10th
I will be on the radio at KAZR 103.3 "The Morning Moose Show" tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. Tune in and hear me talk about On the Island.
Thursday, July 12th
Live interview, in-studio at Iowa Public Radio "Talk of Iowa" radio show. 10:00 a.m.
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver Avenue, Suite 1
Reading and book signing: 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 17th
Clive Public Library
1900 N.W. 114th St.
Reading and book signing: 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 2nd
Barnes & Noble
333 Collins Rd NE, Bldg 1
Cedar Rapids, IA
Reading and book signing: 7:00 p.m.
I'll post more dates and events as they become available.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Fiction Friday - Some More Really Big News
It has always been a dream of mine to walk into a bookstore, or Target, or Costco and see a book I'd written sitting there on the shelf. I'd probably walk up to it and stare at the pretty cover with my mouth hanging open. Maybe I'd linger in the vicinity and see if anyone else checked it out. If they did, I certainly wouldn't swoop in and shout, "Hey I wrote that! That's MY book! Are you going to buy that?" while jumping up and down like a crazy person.
I mean, I probably wouldn't.
Ahem.
And honestly, I'm eternally grateful for the dream I'm already living. I've been incredibly blessed because readers from all over the world are reaching out to me to tell me how they've connected with On the Island. They tell me they're still thinking about Anna and T.J. days after finishing the book. They say that they've recommended the book to their sister or their mother or their friends. I smile every day because I believe I have the best readers an author could ever hope for, and I'm truly humbled by my good fortune.
But sometimes, things get even better. Mind-blowingly, life-changingly better. To the point where you're not sure what you did to deserve it, but you're beyond ecstatic and thankful that it's happening.
Because that long-ago dream is coming true. I am beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island is being published by Plume, an imprint of the Penguin Group. The e-book is available TODAY. You can buy it on Amazon here and Barnes and Noble here. It is also available in the Apple store. The new version contains a letter I wrote to the readers and a wonderful readers guide.
And on July 17th I'll be able to walk into a bookstore, or Target, or Costco, or anywhere books are sold and see my book on the shelf. I'll walk up to it and stare at the pretty cover
I'm also incredibly excited to announce that Covet will be released by Dutton - an imprint of the Penguin Group - in hardcover next spring.
I mean, I probably wouldn't.
Ahem.
And honestly, I'm eternally grateful for the dream I'm already living. I've been incredibly blessed because readers from all over the world are reaching out to me to tell me how they've connected with On the Island. They tell me they're still thinking about Anna and T.J. days after finishing the book. They say that they've recommended the book to their sister or their mother or their friends. I smile every day because I believe I have the best readers an author could ever hope for, and I'm truly humbled by my good fortune.
But sometimes, things get even better. Mind-blowingly, life-changingly better. To the point where you're not sure what you did to deserve it, but you're beyond ecstatic and thankful that it's happening.
Because that long-ago dream is coming true. I am beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island is being published by Plume, an imprint of the Penguin Group. The e-book is available TODAY. You can buy it on Amazon here and Barnes and Noble here. It is also available in the Apple store. The new version contains a letter I wrote to the readers and a wonderful readers guide.
And on July 17th I'll be able to walk into a bookstore, or Target, or Costco, or anywhere books are sold and see my book on the shelf. I'll walk up to it and stare at the pretty cover
This pretty cover.
I'm also incredibly excited to announce that Covet will be released by Dutton - an imprint of the Penguin Group - in hardcover next spring.
My self-publishing journey has come to an end. It's been a wild ride and many of you have been with me from the beginning. Your kind words and your support have meant more to me than you'll ever know, and I can't stress enough how instrumental you all were in making this happen.
Thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
On the Island UK Edition!
Hello everyone!
I hope your summer is off to a great start! I know the season doesn't officially begin until later this month, but I've already received my first sunburn and enjoyed my first boat ride. As far as I'm concerned, summer has arrived!
I want to tell you all about a fantastic, wonderful thing that happened across the pond. I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that the UK edition of On the Island will be published by Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin.
Look at the beautiful cover!
*swoon*
The UK edition can be purchased on Amazon here (the e-book is on sale now and the paperback is available for pre-order) and WHSmith here. It is also available on iTunes.
I'm very excited because On the Island will be hitting bookstore shelves in the UK later this summer and will eventually make its way to Australia and India. How wonderful is that?
I may need to travel to some of these far away places someday so I can see it for myself, but for now I think I'll stick to my own backyard :)
xoxo,
Tracey
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Fiction Friday - Introducing Meira!
Whenever I read a book I always pay special attention to the dedication page. I often wonder about the relationship between the author and the person the book is dedicated to. Are they related? Is there a special reason they were chosen?
If you look at the dedication page for On the Island, it says 'For Meira'. Typing her name was one of the most satisfying and emotional aspects of writing the whole book because without her, I'm not sure anyone would be reading it today.
I met Meira online in the fall of 2010. I had posted my query letter for On the Island on Absolute Write's Query Letter Hell message board. That process is not for the faint of heart, and they don't call it hell for nothing. But it can be very helpful and I appreciated the feedback. I especially liked the private message Meira sent me a day or two later. It said:
If you're looking for a beta reader, I would *love* to read this story. I'm not a harsh beta reader. I'm good with punctuation, repetitive dialogue tags, and the general, "I don't get this".
She was totally being modest because she's one of the best line editors I've ever encountered (I couldn't sneak anything by her). I wrote her back and said something like, "OMG, yes! Please help me make this book not suck!" And that's how our relationship began. Meira pushed me and she pushed me hard. Revising the manuscript for On the Island was much more difficult than writing the first three drafts. It took six long months, 50-60 pages at a time, of going back-and-forth between us before the book was ready for the polishing stage. Meira painstakingly line-edited (by hand!) and sent the pages back to me in tidy little PDF batches. We got to know each other very well during this time. She is more than a critique partner: she is my cyber-sister and one of these days we're going to meet up, drink wine, and talk about how crazy this life is.
So without further ado, let's meet Meira!
Hi Meira! Thank you for stopping by my blog. Can you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
Hi, Tracey. Thank you for inviting me! I live in Colorado with my Dutch husband named Emo. We have two daughters, one black lab, and two insane cats. I love to read everything from science fiction and thrillers to mysteries and children’s fantasy.
When did you first start writing? Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
I wrote my first manuscript in 2003. It was barely 50,000 words – not long enough to qualify as a novel – and it was frankly quite dreadful. But at the time I was blissfully unaware of those discouraging details. I danced around the room singing, “I wrote a novel!” One moment of self-confidence can launch a passionate career. I spent many years laboring over that first manuscript, perfecting my writing and editing skills. Then, in 2007, I tossed it aside and wrote FIREFLY BEACH. I was lucky that I made a friend who eventually forwarded my manuscript to the editor of Lyrical Press. The editor loved the story and the first edition of FIREFLY BEACH was released in March of 2009. Now, thanks to your inspiration in the field of self-publishing, I released the second edition of FIREFLY BEACH in 2012.
How do you conceive your plot ideas? How do you get inspired for it?
I believe you will identify with this, Tracey. The story ideas seem to descend upon me when I least expect them. Then the characters follow me around – in my car, late at night when I should be sleeping – and they tell me what they are going to say and how they are going to react to the next new development. I don’t know that I can explain it better than that.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
What’s an outline?
Is your writing space messy, organized or somewhere in between?
Stuff is everywhere. It is organized, but only I know how to find it. When it comes to story ideas, I try to keep all of my notes in one black composition book, but post-its and random scraps of paper come in handy when an idea flashes in my mind and I am nowhere near my desk.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I honestly wish I could stick with a genre. FIREFLY BEACH is a paranormal cozy mystery and NINE-TENTHS is a dystopian science-fiction. I guess I kind of stumble into a genre when the right story comes along.
How long does it take you to write a book? Do you ever experience writer’s block?
It takes me about six months to crank out a first draft and another six to nine months to edit it. I read through the manuscript at least two times on the computer; then on paper, tapping on each word; followed by another couple of rounds on the computer; and eventually a paperback proof (backwards one page at a time) and a Kindle draft.
When I have writer’s block, I surf writer’s forums or blogs. One such evening, I met a woman who had an awesome idea for a novel about two people stranded on a desert island in the Maldives. She’s been my cyber-sister ever since ;)
She means me!
What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
Much to my husband’s frustration, I often forget the phone. . . but I try to remember our youngest daughter. My oldest daughter created over twenty music CDs for the car. I never leave home without them. My dog rides along on almost every errand trip - his black-hair-covered, white sheet lying in the backseat as a testament to his enduring presence. That’s three. And (of course you were expecting it) pencil and paper.
What was the hardest part of writing Nine-Tenths and Firefly Beach?
Most of the time, I cannot type fast enough to put the words down, but on occasion I will deliberate over one paragraph for an hour, especially descriptive paragraphs. I have a picture in my head, but I can’t put it into words. A single word will elude me, driving me absolutely nuts. I actually sit there with my fingers poised over the keyboard. Eventually, I write an acceptable paragraph. Then when I go through the editing phase, I tweak the words until I’m happy with the final results. On the flip side, I love writing dialogue and never find it frustrating. My characters are always chattering away in my head.
What are the titles of your books and can you give my readers a short blurb for each?
FIREFLY BEACH - When Beth LaMonte rents a cottage on the coast of Maine, she wishes only to withdraw and paint. A mysterious ball of light disturbs her peace and leads her to a secret beach where she finds the diary of a girl who disappeared in 1975. Now Beth is on a mission, not only to bury her own past, but to put to rest the spirit of Firefly Beach.
NINE-TENTHS - Leonard Tramer and his family live in Colorado, trapped behind the walls of a totalitarian state. Dedicated to one another and determined to find the free world, they plan an escape which defies the odds and deceives their tyrannical government.
Will you have a new book coming out soon?
Yes! SARAH AND THE MAGIC MAYONNAISE JAR. It is a grade 3-6 fantasy – further proof of my genre-commitment-phobia. The novel should be available by the end of 2012. I am working with an outstanding new illustrator, Rachel Loftus, and I am excited to bring my daughter’s favorite story to life.
This book was vetted by my nine-year-old daughter Lauren. Verdict? OUTSTANDING. Plus Lauren thought it was super coolio to read a book in manuscript form.
Where and how can readers connect with you?
a. Blog: http://torchandsickle.wordpress.com/
b. Facebook page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134899
c. Goodreads author page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134902
d. Twitter: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134905
e. Amazon: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134908
f. Website: http://meirapentermann.com/
Thank you for stopping by today, Meira.
Thank you for everything.
xoxo,
Tracey
P.S. I accidentally published this post last night before I'd edited or added pictures and live links. If you're wondering why you saw it but then it disappeared that's why. Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing here.
If you look at the dedication page for On the Island, it says 'For Meira'. Typing her name was one of the most satisfying and emotional aspects of writing the whole book because without her, I'm not sure anyone would be reading it today.
I met Meira online in the fall of 2010. I had posted my query letter for On the Island on Absolute Write's Query Letter Hell message board. That process is not for the faint of heart, and they don't call it hell for nothing. But it can be very helpful and I appreciated the feedback. I especially liked the private message Meira sent me a day or two later. It said:
If you're looking for a beta reader, I would *love* to read this story. I'm not a harsh beta reader. I'm good with punctuation, repetitive dialogue tags, and the general, "I don't get this".
She was totally being modest because she's one of the best line editors I've ever encountered (I couldn't sneak anything by her). I wrote her back and said something like, "OMG, yes! Please help me make this book not suck!" And that's how our relationship began. Meira pushed me and she pushed me hard. Revising the manuscript for On the Island was much more difficult than writing the first three drafts. It took six long months, 50-60 pages at a time, of going back-and-forth between us before the book was ready for the polishing stage. Meira painstakingly line-edited (by hand!) and sent the pages back to me in tidy little PDF batches. We got to know each other very well during this time. She is more than a critique partner: she is my cyber-sister and one of these days we're going to meet up, drink wine, and talk about how crazy this life is.
So without further ado, let's meet Meira!
Hi Meira! Thank you for stopping by my blog. Can you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
Hi, Tracey. Thank you for inviting me! I live in Colorado with my Dutch husband named Emo. We have two daughters, one black lab, and two insane cats. I love to read everything from science fiction and thrillers to mysteries and children’s fantasy.
When did you first start writing? Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
I wrote my first manuscript in 2003. It was barely 50,000 words – not long enough to qualify as a novel – and it was frankly quite dreadful. But at the time I was blissfully unaware of those discouraging details. I danced around the room singing, “I wrote a novel!” One moment of self-confidence can launch a passionate career. I spent many years laboring over that first manuscript, perfecting my writing and editing skills. Then, in 2007, I tossed it aside and wrote FIREFLY BEACH. I was lucky that I made a friend who eventually forwarded my manuscript to the editor of Lyrical Press. The editor loved the story and the first edition of FIREFLY BEACH was released in March of 2009. Now, thanks to your inspiration in the field of self-publishing, I released the second edition of FIREFLY BEACH in 2012.
How do you conceive your plot ideas? How do you get inspired for it?
I believe you will identify with this, Tracey. The story ideas seem to descend upon me when I least expect them. Then the characters follow me around – in my car, late at night when I should be sleeping – and they tell me what they are going to say and how they are going to react to the next new development. I don’t know that I can explain it better than that.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
What’s an outline?
Is your writing space messy, organized or somewhere in between?
Stuff is everywhere. It is organized, but only I know how to find it. When it comes to story ideas, I try to keep all of my notes in one black composition book, but post-its and random scraps of paper come in handy when an idea flashes in my mind and I am nowhere near my desk.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I honestly wish I could stick with a genre. FIREFLY BEACH is a paranormal cozy mystery and NINE-TENTHS is a dystopian science-fiction. I guess I kind of stumble into a genre when the right story comes along.
How long does it take you to write a book? Do you ever experience writer’s block?
It takes me about six months to crank out a first draft and another six to nine months to edit it. I read through the manuscript at least two times on the computer; then on paper, tapping on each word; followed by another couple of rounds on the computer; and eventually a paperback proof (backwards one page at a time) and a Kindle draft.
When I have writer’s block, I surf writer’s forums or blogs. One such evening, I met a woman who had an awesome idea for a novel about two people stranded on a desert island in the Maldives. She’s been my cyber-sister ever since ;)
She means me!
What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
Much to my husband’s frustration, I often forget the phone. . . but I try to remember our youngest daughter. My oldest daughter created over twenty music CDs for the car. I never leave home without them. My dog rides along on almost every errand trip - his black-hair-covered, white sheet lying in the backseat as a testament to his enduring presence. That’s three. And (of course you were expecting it) pencil and paper.
What was the hardest part of writing Nine-Tenths and Firefly Beach?
Most of the time, I cannot type fast enough to put the words down, but on occasion I will deliberate over one paragraph for an hour, especially descriptive paragraphs. I have a picture in my head, but I can’t put it into words. A single word will elude me, driving me absolutely nuts. I actually sit there with my fingers poised over the keyboard. Eventually, I write an acceptable paragraph. Then when I go through the editing phase, I tweak the words until I’m happy with the final results. On the flip side, I love writing dialogue and never find it frustrating. My characters are always chattering away in my head.
What are the titles of your books and can you give my readers a short blurb for each?
FIREFLY BEACH - When Beth LaMonte rents a cottage on the coast of Maine, she wishes only to withdraw and paint. A mysterious ball of light disturbs her peace and leads her to a secret beach where she finds the diary of a girl who disappeared in 1975. Now Beth is on a mission, not only to bury her own past, but to put to rest the spirit of Firefly Beach.
NINE-TENTHS - Leonard Tramer and his family live in Colorado, trapped behind the walls of a totalitarian state. Dedicated to one another and determined to find the free world, they plan an escape which defies the odds and deceives their tyrannical government.
Will you have a new book coming out soon?
Yes! SARAH AND THE MAGIC MAYONNAISE JAR. It is a grade 3-6 fantasy – further proof of my genre-commitment-phobia. The novel should be available by the end of 2012. I am working with an outstanding new illustrator, Rachel Loftus, and I am excited to bring my daughter’s favorite story to life.
This book was vetted by my nine-year-old daughter Lauren. Verdict? OUTSTANDING. Plus Lauren thought it was super coolio to read a book in manuscript form.
Where and how can readers connect with you?
a. Blog: http://torchandsickle.wordpress.com/
b. Facebook page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134899
c. Goodreads author page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134902
d. Twitter: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134905
e. Amazon: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134908
f. Website: http://meirapentermann.com/
Thank you for stopping by today, Meira.
Thank you for everything.
xoxo,
Tracey
P.S. I accidentally published this post last night before I'd edited or added pictures and live links. If you're wondering why you saw it but then it disappeared that's why. Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing here.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Fiction Friday And Some Big News
Happy Friday, everyone!
I know I've been missing in action lately, and I haven't given this blog much attention over the last couple of months. I'm doing my best to respond to all the well-wishes I've been receiving via Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail, and I'm hard at work on my next book, Covet. I appreciate all the comments you've left here at funny in the 'hood, and I'm so thankful that you're still dropping by.
I've received a large number of inquiries from readers asking if On the Island will ever be turned into a movie. Many of you have cast your vote for who should play T.J. and Anna, and I always smile when I think of seeing my characters on the big screen.
All kidding aside, I received some fantastic news yesterday and I'm beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island has been optioned for a feature film by MGM. I never thought I'd ever type those words.
I want to give my heartfelt thanks to my agent, Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, and her co-agent in Hollywood, Steve Fisher, of the Agency for the Performing Arts, for making this happen. I couldn't be in better hands.
I want to thank all of you, especially those of you who have been with me since I started blogging almost four years ago. You were there when I announced I was going to spend my blogging time attempting to write a novel so I could cross it off my bucket list. The result of that endeavor has been a dream come true, and my gratitude is endless.
I also want to thank the readers who have written to me to say that On the Island made them laugh and cry. Your wonderful feedback has made me laugh and cry, too, and none of this would have been possible without you.
Thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey
P.S. Some of you may have noticed that all the pictures have disappeared from my blog. If you're ever on Google+ and you want to delete a photo album and you get a warning that says, "If you delete this album all pictures contained within will disappear from the Internet completely - do you still want to delete?" Don't be a ding-dong and think, "Eh, that probably won't happen, click!" Because, yeah, it will.
I know I've been missing in action lately, and I haven't given this blog much attention over the last couple of months. I'm doing my best to respond to all the well-wishes I've been receiving via Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail, and I'm hard at work on my next book, Covet. I appreciate all the comments you've left here at funny in the 'hood, and I'm so thankful that you're still dropping by.
I've received a large number of inquiries from readers asking if On the Island will ever be turned into a movie. Many of you have cast your vote for who should play T.J. and Anna, and I always smile when I think of seeing my characters on the big screen.
Especially him. Hello, Taylor Kitsch. You'd make a fantastic T.J.
Could Anne Hathaway be any lovelier as Anna? I don't think so.
I love you, John Goodman. You'd be wonderful as seaplane pilot Mick. Sorry about killing you in the first chapter.
All kidding aside, I received some fantastic news yesterday and I'm beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island has been optioned for a feature film by MGM. I never thought I'd ever type those words.
I want to give my heartfelt thanks to my agent, Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, and her co-agent in Hollywood, Steve Fisher, of the Agency for the Performing Arts, for making this happen. I couldn't be in better hands.
I want to thank all of you, especially those of you who have been with me since I started blogging almost four years ago. You were there when I announced I was going to spend my blogging time attempting to write a novel so I could cross it off my bucket list. The result of that endeavor has been a dream come true, and my gratitude is endless.
I also want to thank the readers who have written to me to say that On the Island made them laugh and cry. Your wonderful feedback has made me laugh and cry, too, and none of this would have been possible without you.
Thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey
P.S. Some of you may have noticed that all the pictures have disappeared from my blog. If you're ever on Google+ and you want to delete a photo album and you get a warning that says, "If you delete this album all pictures contained within will disappear from the Internet completely - do you still want to delete?" Don't be a ding-dong and think, "Eh, that probably won't happen, click!" Because, yeah, it will.
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