IN THIS ISSUE:
My monthly column update
Romance Happenings
Q & A Time

“Bells are ringing… Happy Holidays!”

I seem to have a lot of classic holiday melodies stuck in my head lately. (Wonder why?) The title of this month’s “Every Day IS Mother’s Day” column is “Have Yourself a Merry, LITTLE Christmas” and it comes complete with a “soundtrack” you can listen to or not depending on your mood (and your computer set-up). Find out why I think bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to celebrating the holidays by clicking on the link below.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/momsday_index.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser in order to get the link to work.)

There’s an added holiday bonus this month and this month only for all my loyal newsletter subscribers. My special “gift” for you is a free short story. You can access this Christmas special by clicking on the link below:

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/christmas.html

And don’t forget to hang up your “stocking”you never know what “Santa” will bring you.

To quickly answer all the questions I’ve received in regards to how the River Blenders did in the Sweet Adelines International chorus competition… Well, we didn’t do as well as we liked, but we all had a great time. There are some things in life more important than making the top ten, and number one is to have a great time and learn a lot about yourself and others in the process. I’d say we certainly did that in Nashville. Our next goal? To win big at regionals in March!

ROMANCE HAPPENINGS

I’m always amazed (and humbled) to receive comments from readers about my books. Here are two such letters I received this past month. Do you think I ought to hire one of these ladies to act as my publicist?

Fran from Illinois writes:

“Cindy, I enjoyed COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL, as you know, but I really LOVE so many things about THE FIXER-UPPERS. It is definitely a keeper. For starters, I love the romance between the less-than-physically-perfect hero & heroine. I get so tired of beautiful people. Of course rich & beautiful people have great romances (though they don't seem to last,
much of the time, do they?) I enjoyed the boys. The friends. Fixing up both of the houses. Jack getting his comeuppance. The only thing lacking to make it totally perfect was that I wanted Hayley to get her
comeuppance, too, and have to pay some of that huge debt she ran up on Mike.”

Thanks, Fran, for your kind words. You know, I kind of wanted to make Hayley “suffer” a bit, but Mike (the hero) is such a gentleman, he couldn’t stand to act so unchivalrous to his ex-girlfriend no matter how bad she treated him. That’s when a writer knows she’s in troublewhen the characters on the page “talk back” to her and refuse to go along with her ideas… Luckily, no one’s called the guys with the white waistcoats that tie in the back for meyet.

Here’s a wonderful, unsolicited review from Sue:

“I read COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL--I couldn't put it down. One aspect of the book that appealed to me was the relationship you developed between Ronnie and Natalie. I could see her swinging from the tree branches, sneaking up on her mom, and enjoying a boat ride with Dave. Dave's tender relationship with Natalie gave his character much appeal.”

“I also savored the sexual tension you created, although, I must admit, it was almost too much tension for me. Waiting for Dave and Ronnie's encounter,
combined with your book's humor and delightful plot, contributed to my lack of sleep. When is your next book coming out?”

Thanks, Sue, for your lovely comments. I’d like to know the answer to that last question myself! If I don’t hear something about my manuscript, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER, in the next couple of days, I’ll be calling the publishers asking what’s the deal. I’m scare of making a phone call to someone working in an ivory tower in New York City, but I don’t think I can make it through the holidays not knowing!

In the meantime, if you haven’t done so already, why not pick up a copy of one of my contemporary romances and see what Fran and Sue are talking about?

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X)
Publish America Inc. (trade paperback) http://www.publishamerica.com or Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158851918X/qid%3D/002-6033692-2832836
Wings ePress (electronic editions) http://www.wings-press.com

THE FIXER-UPPERS (ISBN 1-59088-984-3)
Wings ePress (trade paperback and electronic editions) http://wings-press.com or Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590889843/qid=1006548284/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_10_6/103-8760945-2902229


It’s everyone’s favorite Q & A TIME!

Q: I have started a novel and have written about 200 pages. My question: How do new writers find editors and or agents who will actually read and critique their writings honestly? As a new writer, I don't know if I am writing junk or something of real interest. Harold, Tampa, FL

A: Good question, Harold. Even for not-so-new writers, the task of locating "honest" editors and agents remains a challenge. A motto that will serve you well when dealing with any aspect of the publishing industry is this: The money flows FROM the publisher/agent TO the author, NEVER the other way around. In other words, be very cautious if an "agent" or "publisher" says that you have to pay a "reading fee/publication fee" up front to have your work evaluated--especially if it's a substantial amount of money. (If it's a "reasonable charge" that you feel you can afford and the person has some solid credentials working in the field, then you might gamble on it, but I'd always ask for references first.)

Editors and agents are always on the look-out for new talent. However, in this very tight economy we're currently experiencing, they aren't especially open to "critiquing" or spending a lot of time with a writer (especially an unknown one) to help him or her get his or her work up to a publishable standard. And eventually you will have to submit a completed, thoroughly proofed manuscript of the correct length to an agent/editor. Partially completed manuscripts submitted by unknown writers are usually declined automatically. Think like an editor: how does he or she know you can complete it?

But don't despair--this is where your local and/or online writer's groups can really help. You need to link up with other writers who write in your preferred genre (science fiction, romance, western, thriller, horror, etc.) that will read and offer constructive feedback on your manuscript. You need to read widely in your chosen genre and read publications and web sites dealing with publishing and marketing your writing to know what is currently selling and what isn't. Critique groups that meet at your local library, college campus, bookstore or online via email will get you hooked up with writers who know more about what's selling, too, and are a great source of moral support. There are many national and regional writing organizations that can help you as well. For instance, I belong to the Romance Writers of America (http://www.rwanational.org). Do a web search and see if you can't find a national or regional writers organization that can direct you to some local critique groups and make plans to visit one. I promise: you will learn a lot!

Above all, READ. Read everything you can get your hands on, especially in your chosen genre. Make note of what publishers publish stories like yours and which ones don't. Look at the dedication page of a book that is similar to yours and see if the author hasn't thanked his or her agent. This could be a person who will like your book as well. And never, ever let rejection slips get you down. You've written about half a novel already, more than most people ever dream of doing. You are a writer, and you should be proud of it.

Best of luck finishing your manuscript… And if you feel that you need a little extra “encouragement,” check out the essays at “What keeps a writer going?" at http://www.fearlessbooks.com/FeatureLine23.htm (Hint: You may actually recognize one of the authors.)

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

Until next time, I wish you and yours a most blessed Christmas and a most prosperous New Year

Cindy
(a.k.a. Cynthianna Appel)
My web site: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna

P.S. Feel free to forward this newsletter on to an email friend or ten. You'll be glad you did.