A Very Happy Mother's Day to You and Yours!

Have you ever found yourself pondering, "Now what can I
give Mom for Mother's Day that she'll really appreciate?" I know I have. In fact, it's exactly what I was saying to myself today... What does Mom want--besides my love--that she doesn't already have? Flowers? Candy? Clothes? Jewelry? A lifetime subscription to TV Guide?

So, in service to all of childrenkind, I have decided to
tackle this tricky topic in this month's column. My "Every Day is Mother's Day" essay is entitled "If We Only Came with Labels." Unfortunately, our mothers don't, but we can always wish!

You can read my column at either my web site:
http://www.cyberedge.net/~cynthianna/momsday_index.ht
ml or through Miscellaneous Ramblings ezine at
http://www.miscramblingsmag.com (click on the column
link at the table of contents) And don't forget to give Mom your special gift with a great big hug! :)

FAN MAIL CORNER

A dear fellow Sweet Adeline named Ann forwarded an e-
mail comment to me from her sister-in-law, Roberta, in
regards to my latest release. Here's what she says--

"Ann, your wonderful brother got me COUNTRY BOY,
CITY GIRL by Cynthianna Appel. I started reading it last night and can't put it down. Read three chapters before retiring last night. It's great!"

Many thanks for the compliments, "Bert". And mucho
thanks, Ann, for passing it along, too. It really makes my day to know someone is actually reading my book and
enjoying my words. It makes up for the long, lonely hours in front of the computer and for all those times when I feel like throwing in the towel... Who could have ever imagine writing romance could be such a tough business? (See Q & A section below.)

If you haven't bought your copy of COUNTRY BOY,
CITY GIRL yet, don't delay! You can still get it at a 30% discount at Amazon.com by clicking the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158851918X/q
id%3D/002-6033692-2832836 or by typing in the title at
the "search box" at the top of their front page. COUNTRY
BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X) is also available
direct from the publisher (www.publishamerica.com) and
can be ordered through your local bookseller as well. To
read an excerpt or read what the reviewers have said, hop over to my web site at
http://www.cyberedge.net/~cynthianna

IT'S Q & A TIME!

Here's a real doozy that's been posed to me by several people:

Q: Whenever I go into the bookstore and scan the romance shelves, I notice a ton of contemporary romance titles with babies, "secret babies," cowboys or all of the above on the cover. What gives?

A: Have you ever heard the phrase, "Familiarity breed
success?" Probably not--but it's how the romance
publishing world seems to work sometimes. Romance
publishers like the "tried and true" and tend to buy story ideas that have sold well in the past. They don't want to risk money on publishing a book they aren't
100% certain will make back its advance. Even though readers may not want to read the same kinds of stories over and over, authors who have a contract with a publisher are sometimes expected to write more of the same to insure future sales. (It works the same way out in Hollywood. Think of how many successful movies are "copied" over and over again. You get the idea.)

But you say you're tired of the same old, same old... What can you as a reader do to change this situation? A lot! Don't be afraid to e-mail or write to a publisher and tell them what topics/stories you'd like to read about in the future. They'll listen to your comments and take them seriously since YOU are the buying public.

Also, be sure to check out "small press" publishers like
Wings ePress (www.wings-press.com) and Publish
America (www.publishamerica.com) and see what kinds of
titles they are putting out. Smaller publishers are trying to find their niche in the marketplace and may publish some very different types of romances in order to please those readers who don't find what they like in their local bookstores. For booklovers, the infinite variety of publishers and books that can be found on the Internet can be a real blessing. Don't be afraid to explore!

If you have a question--any question, romance writing
related or not, don't hesitate to email me at
cynthianna@hotmail.com. (Do not hit "reply" to this
newsletter, as your email will bounce.) Results guaranteed or double your money back. :)

TWO BOOKSIGNINGS AND AN INTERVIEW ALL
WITHIN ONE WEEK!

Here's the latest news flash from my affiliation with the GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS project: I signed books with
visiting series editor Allison Gappa Bottke and with fellow local contributor, Dr. Carol Jackson
(www.caroljacksonministries.org), this past week in
bookstores in both Missouri and Illinois. On Monday, I was interviewed along with another local contributor, Christian radio talk-show host Dr. Debra Peppers
(www.pepperseed.org), for an article to appear in an
upcoming issue of the South County Times. Talk about an
exciting week! Upcoming volumes in the series include a
U-turns book with "teen stories" of hope and healing. For more info on how you (or your teen) can submit a story, check out the web site at http://www.godallowsuturns.com

And if you're still thinking of what to give Mom for
Mother's Day, why not treat her to a copy of one or both of the GAUT books? They make lovely gifts and are available at most Christian bookstores and many chain bookstores.
GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS : ISBN 1-58660-300-0
MORE GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS: ISBN 1-58660-301-9

Now, it's time for me to get back to deciding what to give my mom... Besides Mother's Day, my mom also celebrates her birthday in the month of May--as does my youngest daughter. For next few weeks, I'll be living in the card store!

Until next time, God's blessings always--
Cindy
a.k.a. Cynthianna Appel
web site: http://www.cyberedge.net/~cynthianna

PS Please pass this newsletter on to an email friend. You'll be glad you did!