CINDY APPEL NEWSLETTER FOR FEBRUARY 2004
IN THIS ISSUE:
My monthly column update
Book Happenings
Q & A Time

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Chocolates, roses, champagne, bubble baths and candles… Valentines Day can be quite a pricey holiday when you want to impress your sweetie. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Check out my column this month on how you can give your dearest a bag full of “sweet nothings” that cost practically nothing at all.

“Every Day Is Mother’s Day” for February: “Shoppin’ at the Dollar Store” now online at
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/momsday_index.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser to get it to work. And don’t forget to “share it with a friend” by passing the link along.)

As always, I appreciate your feedback.

Here’s a comment about last month’s column “New Years Resolution #1: Stop Feeling Sorry for Madonna”:

Hi Cindy, What a funny and true article on our friend, Madonna! Sue

Glad you enjoyed it, Sue. Hear anything about Madonna’s latest children book? I think even the reviewers aren’t bothering to waste words on it this time ‘round. We may yet make it to the best-seller lists the “old-fashioned way.” (Talent and hard work, that is, as opposed to first becoming a lingerie-wearing, pop music icon.)

~~BOOK HAPPENINGS~~

There’s both good news and bad news on the book publishing front this past month. First, the good stuff. We’re coming closer to agreeing on a title for my upcoming “how-to” book from Gryphon Books for Writers. The title will definitely have THE MANUSCRIPT-EATING SLUSH PILE MONSTER in it somewhere. Whether it’s “How to Defeat the…” or “Secrets of Defeating the…” in it is still being debated. (More news on its release and possible book-signing opportunities coming in the March newsletter.)

On the bad news front, after twenty-one months (yes, almost two years) I finally received a rejection letter from Dorchester for my romantic-comedy manuscript, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER. I know it’s not the end of the world for this funny contemporary story about a sleepwalking librarian and a handsome sheriff during the chaos of rodeo week in small town Texas, but it sure feels like it at times. There are editors yet to be queried so I will not give up—particularly since I’ve received some very nice comments about it.

Luckily, my other two romance novels are still available online—and by special order at your favorite local bookstore.

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X)
Publish America Inc. http://www.publishamerica.com
(trade paperback edition—available through Amazon.com, BN.com, Wal-Mart.com and other online booksellers. Electronic formats available at Wings ePress.)

THE FIXER-UPPERS (ISBN 1-59088-984-3)
Wings ePress http://www.wings-press.com
(trade paperback and electronic editions)

Now, it’s time for everybody’s favorite—

~~Q & A TIME~~

Q: Do you think you will get to New York in March for the big writer thing that is going on? Sounds great and may have a chance to talk to a lot of publishers and maybe that can help. The way they are talking they will be coming out of the wood work. I wish you lots of luck and the best for the coming year, Mary.

A: First of all, thanks for your best wishes and your question, Mary. :-)

For those of you not in the know, the “big writer thing” going on in March in New York is the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, open to readers and writers alike. In past years, “RT” has been held in the fall months but they’re switching it back to a spring rotation. Next spring (2005) it will be held in St. Louis. Since that’s practically out my back door, I’m definitely going to attend it then.

But this March I’m fairly broke and pretty booked up on my social calendar. (It’s our 20th wedding anniversary!)I really wish I could attend RT in NYC.It is a good place to meet up with editors and agents and hear the latest on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of genre fiction. I’m going to see if I can make it to the Romance Writers of America convention this summer in Dallas. It’s another great opportunity for “networking” with publishing professionals.

If you’ve never been to a Romantic Times Booklovers Convention before, you really owe it to yourself. Lots of good times, gorgeous cover models and great eats. Check the conference online via the links at www.romantictimes.com .

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

Check out answers to previous questions online at: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/writingtips.html

And remember to let that special Valentine in your life know how much you care about him or her each and every day of the year!

God Bless--
Cindy
(aka Cynthianna Appel)
My web site: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna

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