Books by Gracie C. McKeever

© 2006 Gracie C. McKeever

In This Issue:
Author Day at CataNetwork-Readers!
Siren Serials Returns!
Coming Soon!
What I'm Reading/Recommended Reads
Latest Interviews!
Reviews for BTS!
New Covers!
This Issue's Article
Work-In-Progress
Poetry Corner
This Issue's E-Publisher Spotlight
This Issue's Author Spotlight
This Issue's Novella Excerpt
This Issue's Newsletter Contest
Contest at Road to Romance!
Giveaways/Good Deals/Shameless Promotions
Odds and Ends

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Hope everyone is doing well since my last full newsletter, and for those who celebrate, hope you enjoyed a happy, healthy, and safe Passover, Easter and Mother’s Day!

Haven’t been to the movies as much as usual. I think I mentioned not seeing much in trailers that grabbed me (this and I’ve got tons of WORK to do ). I am, however, looking forward to seeing the new X-Men movie this Memorial Day weekend. Now THAT’S grabbing me (love my superhero/mutant movies!). And I did take some time out of my schedule to catch TAKE THE LEAD starring Antonio Banderas…Excellent! I haven’t seen a movie as entertaining in a long time. Funny, sweet, cute, with great dance sequences topped off by an exciting finale. If you’re part of the Dancing with the Stars/So You Think You Can Dance craze (I know I am) then this movie is definitely for you. Also caught SCAREY MOVIE 4 and it was expectedly gross, silly and LOL funny. Hey, I can’t help it, I like gross and silly sometimes. And then there was the disaster remake POSEIDON. Great popcorn movie. Action from beginning to end, the perfect summer movie.

Been catching up on my DVD’s. DERAILED with Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owens was EXCELLENT! Characters and storyline had me on the edge of my seat and screaming at the screen most of the film. Haven’t seen a good one like this in a while. Although I figured out the plot less than half-way in, the execution of it and the acting was excellent. I’ve been a Clive Owen fan ever since seeing him in CLOSER, and he didn’t let me down here, though his character in DERAILED was a bit of a departure from CLOSER. If you haven’t yet caught DERAILED, and action/suspense is your kind of movie, then give it a try. Also caught DOMINO (Keira Knightly). Lots of stylized violence, and grainy photography and snappy voice-over/narration. I went along with all this for the most part, until it got to one point (I will not mention it; I’ll leave it up to you to decide which) that made it difficult for me to suspend my disbelief which I had been doing pretty well up until this particular scene. Took away from my enjoyment of the movie, but overall, it was okay. FUN WITH DICK AND JANE (Jim Carrey) was hilarious, LOL funny. If you’re in the mood for a laugh this is definitely the movie for you.

Well, enough of my Roper and Ebert act and more with my writing …

I had my first chat (actually an Author Day) online at Love Romances Ebook Club café Saturday 4/15/06, and it was so much FUN! Exhausting but definitely great FUN!
Spent hours giving away some books, posting plenty of excerpts, answering plenty of questions and just generally enjoying my Author Day of talking about me and promoting my current and upcoming titles! I think I drummed up a pretty fair share of interest too .
If you didn’t make the chat live you can still catch it (and the excerpts) at the yahoogroups site in the archives/message section. I highly recommend joining the café if you want to meet and chat with romance authors, find out about their current and upcoming titles and just generally add to your tbb lists and tbr piles: http://groups.yahoo.com/group.loveromancesebookclub/

And, May 5, 2006, I popped my cherry righteously with
another online chat at The Romance Studio http://www.theromancestudio.com Talked up my books and publishers and just generally…chatted. I think I’m getting the hang of this.

As of this writing, I’ve just scheduled another Author Day at CataNetwork-Readers! I’m so excited. See more information below and don’t forget to come !

As you all know, BENEATH THE SURFACE: THE MATCHMAKER 1 was released April 3, 2006 and is now Available in electronic format from Siren Publishing Inc., with trade paperback release coming soon (as of this writing, scheduled for July 2006).

GUARDIAN SEDUCTRESS: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 1 (excerpted in the February 2006 Newsletter) was accepted for publication by Siren Publishing, Inc. and is due out June 2006. Check out the beautiful cover when you get a chance (see information/url below) if you haven’t seen it already. PREDATOR’S SALVATION: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 2 is due out in September 2006. The duet (print collection) will be coming out later this year in December. I am so excited about these two books! They are such a removal from what I’ve been writing and I stepped up the erotica quite a notch (especially in Book 2) with some very steamy and intense BDSM scenes (for those of you who are into that sort of thing…you know *I* am ). It’s a Femme Dom/male sub…YES, I finally wrote one of my own! Despite its brevity, I was emotionally drained after finishing it, and suffering from some post-partum depression . But I’m going to have to shake that off for edits of upcoming books and so that I can finish up MANIFEST DESTINY: THE MATCHMAKER 3. As you can see, I’ve got a lot on my plate, but this also translates (hopefully) into a lot for you, my readers, to look forward to and enjoy.

As an aside, had an interesting conversation at my Author Day/Chat about GUARDIAN SEDUCTRESS and PREDATOR’S SALVATION and whether or not the heroines are vampires. One reader/author assumed so after reading the excerpt I posted. Read the excerpt below and see what your take is . I mean, they fit most of the criteria, but if you ask Genesis and LaMia, they will firmly tell you that they are NOT vampires. They’re really kind of snobby about the whole issue. I call them vampires in denial . Anyway, enjoy the excerpt! And don’t forget to check out the new covers…there’s several and, dare I say it…they’re seductive and sizzling .

Have a happy, healthy and safe Memorial Day and enjoy this issue of Gracie’s Gazette!
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AUTHOR DAY AT CATANETWORK-READERS!

I will be having an Author’s Day at CataNetwork-Readers Saturday, 5/27/06. Those wishing to learn more about me, my books, or participating in the day’s events (reading great excerpts, meeting like-minded readers and authors...AND winning some really neat prizes), should join up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CataNetwork-Readers/

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

SIREN SERIALS RETURNS!
A fresh, newly revised and hotter version of Part 1 is now available at Siren Publishing, Inc. So if you missed your chance to sample the FREE DOWNLOAD in March, here’s your chance to check it out now. Plus, a fifth book has been added to the mix!

Look out for Part 2 June 8th!

The following five novels
are serialized:

The Blonde Bomb Tech
Romantic Suspense
LARA SANTIAGO

Between Darkness & Daylight
Paranormal/Interracial
GRACIE C. MCKEEVER

Saving Grace
Fantasy
LEXY WILDER

Fire & Ice
Fantasy
AMANDA HILTON

The Polyamorous Princess
Sci-Fi/Menage a Trois
MELODEE AARON
You can check them all out at http://www.sirenpub.com/serials!

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COMING SOON! "A man who wants to save the world one child at a time…a young teen looking for acceptance and a savior wherever he can find them…and a woman who wants only to save them both. Somewhere between darkness and daylight they will all find and save each other." BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT, erotic romance – paranormal/psychic/interracial, and a NCWA (New Century Writer Award) 2003 Novel/Novella Finalist, by Gracie C. McKeever. This novel is serialized beginning March 1, 2006 as part of Love Interludes, Siren Serials. To get your FREE download of installment 1, go here: http://www.sirenpub.com/serials/ To find out more about BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT, and see the great cover for this book, go here: http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/bdad.asp
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DESERT DREAMS by Gracie C. McKeever – Best-selling Paranormal Djinni Romance available as a download from Fictionwise.com http://fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook30601.htm Regular $7.99/Club $6.79
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EPIC's BOOKSTORE:
Epic's Ebook Store is Powered by Fictionwise.com
Fictionwise.com one of the most successful ebook seller on the web or
off has helped create a store for The Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC). It's a published writer's organization that has both ebook and print published members. It also has Industry members such as publishers and agents. Epic is the most recognized authority on epublishing. This bookstore will hope to sell ebooks by epic members that are on sale at fictionwise.
Visit EPIC's Bookstore-http://store.fictionwise.com/epic/

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FLAMES PAST by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN (e) 1-58749-121-4 (p) 1-58749-257-7 — Contemporary Paranormal Romance available and can be purchased from Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS20/flames.html in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers…Now Available in Trade Paperback! Visit Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com Awe-Struck's print subsidiary for titles in PRINT. Also available at Booksurge.com, B&N, Powells, eBookad.com, Fictionwise.com… Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H), $13.95 (trade paperback) – RT 2002 Award Nominee – Best Small Press Paranormal and an Awe-Struck Spice Is Nice title.
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MIND LIKE WATER E-Book Directory: eBooks:">eBooks: free ebook directory and marketing ">http://www.mindlikewater.com">eBooks: free ebook directory and marketing

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DANCING IN THE DARK by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN –1-928670-76-8 — Contemporary Romance available from Awe-Struck's Ennoble Line and can be purchased from http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS6/ditd.html in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers. Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H)
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WHAT I'M READING/RECOMMENDED READS: I found out late in February that one of my must-buy authors, a sci-fi writer who I idolized, passed away…her name was Octavia E. Butler, and I’ve read and have almost every book she’d written. At the time of her death I had her latest, published October 2005, on the top of my TBR pile preparing to dig in. I finished reading FLEDGLING a couple of weeks later with a heavy heart. The book was, of course, excellent, but just knowing that there would not be another book like it – with the deep multi-dimensional characterization, intricate plot lines, timely social issues that weren’t couched in preachy rhetoric, and Ms. Butler’s unique and distinctive voice and perspective – depressed me. If any of you are sci-fi fans or are into a gripping read, try Ms. Butler’s FLEDGLING or her backlist including the excellent WILD SEED, PARABLE OF THE SOWER, PARABLE OF THE TALENTS and KINDRED, just to name a few of her excellent works. Ironically, not only is FLEDGLING sci-fi, it has a healthy dose of cross-over/genre vampire story in it….Ms. Butler will be missed.

8 DAYS, by Barri L. Bumgarner: Fans of Stephen King’s THE STAND (*raising and waving hand wildly*, “Me, Me!”) will enjoy this horror/science fiction suspense thriller about Armageddon, this one started by four young idealistic scientists who want to “cleanse” humanity. Engrossing story, complex characters, fast-paced, something to sink your teeth into. Available from Tigress Press www.tigresspress.com Check out my review for this book on www.amazon.com and rate it (“Was this review helpful to you?”)

EXQUISITE CORPSE, by Poppy Z. Brite: I hadn’t read anything of this author’s since LOST SOULS (vampire novel) years ago, my first book by Ms. Brite. And boy, was EC an eye-opening piece to reacquaint myself with this author’s unflinching voice and style. It’s a story about a serial killer along the vein of Jeffrey Dahmer and it is quite GRAPHIC. Not for the faint of heart, but I enjoyed it as a change of pace (from romance/erotica to slasher/bloody horror…I know, weird). I needed a change, though and EC was a serious shock to the system. Will make me appreciate romance that much more when I get back to it .

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COMING SOON! Genesis has been on the run from her people for twenty-eight years, guarding the cambion Alex Ryan, who doesn't know she exists. But that's about to change when an attempt is made on Alex Ryan's life that leaves his father dead instead and Alex alone in the world….or so he thinks. GUARDIAN SEDUCTRESS: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 1, erotic romance – interracial/paranormal/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy, by Gracie C. McKeever. Blurbs and the beautiful cover are available for viewing. Check them out here: http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/gs.asp Coming JUNE 2006!
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COMING SOON! “Montana Freeborn has been having visions of the "pony-man" since she was a child, her first live encounter with the centaur after a near-death experience when she was five and Seth Phoenix saved her from drowning. More than two decades later, the pair meet again and this time Montana's doing the saving.” SPELLS CAST IN SHADOWS, erotic romance-paranormal/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy, by Gracie C. McKeever, from Siren Publishing, Inc. http://www.sirenpublising.com To find out more about SPELLS CAST IN SHADOWS and see the great cover, go here: http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-scis.jpg Coming JULY 2006!
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COMING SOON! Two competitive and at-odds advertising executives are thrown together when a job assignment and a matchmaking New Age sister of one – who knows each better than they know themselves – decides they are soul mates and perfect for each other. While Dominant Nick Vega and submissive Slany Breeze come to the conclusion that Nick's sister is absolutely right, a serial killer is on the loose and has set his sights on Slany for his special “training program.” TERMS OF SURRENDER: THE MATCHMAKER 2, erotic romance, contemporary BDSM/Interracial/Suspense (spin-off from erotic romance, contemporary paranormal/psychic/interracial, BENEATH THE SURFACE: THE MATCHMAKER 1) – Coming AUGUST 2006! http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-tos.jpg
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COMING SOON! Embittered after her exile from Emsharra, LaMia Enlil meets her match in orphan empath Ariel Diaz, whom she kidnaps and falls in love with. But can he forgive her for causing the deaths of his family years ago? From ancient beings unaccustomed to asking for anything, much more begging for forgiveness, LaMia Enlil nonetheless wants just this from Ariel Diaz, a gifted and unique human male who makes her question the foundations of her Inanna beliefs. Can he forgive her taking his family away from him years ago? PREDATOR’S SALVATION: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 2, erotic paranormal romance, BDSM/Interracial/Psychic/Shapeshifter/Urban Fantasy Coming SEPTEMBER 2006! http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-ps.jpg
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COMING SOON! Dara Kelly and Samantha Taylor should not have died, but did. And now both women are on the trail of two men – one an abusive, cheating husband-turned-killer, the other a rival bounty hunter whom will not be bested by any woman. Each will have their revenge, but at what cost to Caution Foster, the man they both love? IN PLAIN SIGHT, paranormal reincarnation/ghost romance by Gracie C. McKeever – Coming OCTOBER 2006 from http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-ips.jpg
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COMING SOON! "Gale Sinclair is a marriage counselor who has broken the cardinal rule of psychotherapy and fallen in love with one of his clients. Dying in a head-on collision and returning to life in the body of Zoelle Sutherland's estranged husband turns out to be the least of his worries.” ETERNAL DESIGNS, erotic romance – paranormal/reincarnation/interracial, and a NCWA (New Century Writer Award) 2002 Novel/Novella Finalist, by Gracie C. McKeever – Coming February 2007 from http://www.sirenpub.com
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LATEST INTERVIEWS:

My latest two interviews are up and can be read in their entirety at the following sites:

FAR – Fallen Angel Reviews: http://fallenangelreviews.com/Interviews/2006/Mar06-Rachelle-GracieCMcKeever.htm

and

Romance At Heart Magazine: http://romanceatheart.com/interview/graciemckeever.html
Hope you all find each entertaining and informative
REVIEWS FOR BENEATH THE SURFACE!
And they’re starting to come in…Received five so far, two four-stars (well, actually, one is four red-hot tattoos that I’m very proud of ), one four-and-a-half Flags, and one 5 magical wands! (and a partridge in a pear treeeeee):

“* * * * Ms. McKeever captures intense love scenes loaded with earthshaking passion and desire. Eric and Tabitha burn up the pages of this book every time they give into the uncontrollable longing inside of them. At times, I felt like a voyeur watching the steamy embraces. Their passion is only the backdrop for an intense connection that bonds these two souls into one. The feelings and link they share is very special and unique. It is what we are all searching for out of life.

I will read Beneath the Surface: The Matchmaker 1 many more times through the years to remember the beautiful love story of Eric and Tabitha. I look forward to the next installment of the series.” Ophelia, Erotic-Escapades. 4 Red-Hot Tattoos – To read the full review, visit Erotic-Escapades here: http://erotic-escapades.com/BeneathTheSurface.html

Here’s a teaser from MayReviews: “* * * *An excellent story! Ms. McKeever has succeeded in taking an often used story line and breathed new life into it. Both Tabitha and Eric are full of such life and anguish that you laugh and suffer right along with them. This author has the talent to draw you into her story and you can really feel the sexual chemistry between the hero and the heroine. The author also sets things up so there will be more books in the series, something I will look forward to. I highly recommend this book” –Char. To read full review, visit May Reviews here: http://mayreviews.20m.com/custom.html

Romance Reviews Today, not starred, but if it were, I think it would be a 4.5 out of 5 : “…Witty banter and complex characters make BENEATH THE SURFACE a delightful, engrossing read. Gracie C. McKeever has certainly caught my interest and I will be eagerly awaiting her next tale. Don't miss out on this wonderful new series.” --Vicki Turner for Romance Reviews Today. To read full review, visit RRT here: http://www.romrevtoday.com/Erotic%20Reviews/beneath_the_surface_04-06.htm

“* * * * *Ms McKeever has created a tight family group around psychic telepath Angela, whose words of wisdom and guidance help all around her. There's a strong sense of realism and locale in this book that really drew me in, and the attraction between EJ and Tabitha just grabs you. Even their banter is sexy, so you know that when they finally go to bed it's not just sex, it's something else, something amazing. The supporting cast is just as great, from bitchy Jade to lovable Frankie, the fast-talking sisters and the rest of Eric's family. With plenty of romantic twists and entanglements, this will keep you reading to the very last page. You're sure to love it – and there's more to come in this fantastic series. Keep a look out for the next book!” –5 Magical Wands! Autiotalo for Enchanted Ramblings. To read full review, visit here: http://enchantedramblings.net/reviews/review0204.html

“Beneath the Surface is book 1 in The Matchmaker series. The story is a phenomenal start to the matchmaking talents of Angela Calminetti, EJ’s sister. Angela wants all her siblings and family happy and in love. She uses her telepathic abilities to make sure that this happens.

EJ and Tabitha, they have to struggle to make it to happiness. The two are stubborn and try to best each other. But they are miserable without one another. EJ knows Tabitha is the one because she reminds him of his first love Sinclair. Sinclair committed suicide when EJ was much younger and he has never really trusted his heart to another woman. Tabitha is different; for the first time in years EJ wants to tell her the truth about his telepathic abilities. Tabitha has had a rough life and is not very trusting of anyone but Eric James seems like he is worthy of her trust. Gracie C. McKeever shows that the bond between EJ and Tabitha will be long-lived and everlasting. And that the two are each others pretty match. Beneath the Surface is an outstanding book that is captivating. I definitely recommend this for readers.” –4 ½ Flags! Chantay of Euro Reviews. To read full review, visit here: http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=154

NEW COVERS!
Jinger Heaston, as always, has outdone herself. I’m looking forward to these being entered in the cover contest for the EPPIES this year (along with my other ones of course…they are that good ):
Guardian Seductress:
http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-gs.jpg

Predator’s Salvation:
http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-ps.jpg

Terms of Surrender:
http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-tos.jpg

In Plain Sight:
http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-ips.jpg


THIS ISSUE'S ARTICLE:
Finding a Book Publisher
By Jenna Glatzer

Recently, a few writer-friends on the Absolute Write message boards and I were lamenting the fact that many inexperienced writers get tricked into believing that vanity presses and borderline-vanity presses are traditional publishers. We were talking about the numbers, mostly—how did so many new writers even find these publishers?

It all became shockingly clear: search engines.
We found that new writers often type phrases like “book publisher,” “find a publisher,” “book publishing,” or “novel publishers” into search engines like Google. And what comes up when you do that? Vanity presses all over the first page, with enticing messages like “Publish fast! We want your book!” Many writers don't dig much deeper than that. They find those first few publishers, submit their manuscripts, and take the first "acceptance letter" that comes their way.

See, vanity and fringe presses caught on a lot faster than I did. They figured out what new writers were searching for and they optimized their web pages to make sure that when a writer typed in keywords like “book publisher” or “novel publisher,” their pages would come up first.

Now, I love the Internet. It’s a fabulous tool. But search engines are not the best spot to start your research when you’re a new writer in search of a book publishing contract. They’ll take you to the last-resort places first.

If you’re truly serious about building a career as an author, whether you plan to write novels or nonfiction books, you won’t skimp on the research. Aside from the time you spend actually writing the book, researching your publishing options may be your most valuable effort in the publication process. If you put your heart, your labor, your discipline into this manuscript, doesn’t it deserve the best home you can find for it?

Choosing a publisher is no simple task, and it’s not a decision that should be based on impatience. Yes, the easy way out is to find one of these “we’ll accept anything” publishers, turn in your manuscript, and have your book in your hands in a matter of just a couple of months (maybe even weeks). Unfortunately, it’s the easy way out only until you actually try to sell the darn thing—then it’s about the hardest road you could possibly have taken.

The next simplest way to find a publisher is in the Writer’s Market. I look forward to its publication every year; it helps to keep me up-to-date about thousands of markets for my work. You can search through it in hardcopy or online, and it has a genre index at the back so you can flip to book publishers that match your genre quickly. However, it shouldn’t be your only tool.

You may choose to look for an agent first, or you may choose to go it alone. Agents typically take a 15 percent commission from sale money; legitimate agents do not charge anything up-front. A good agent can help you get read faster, can help you get read in places that are typically closed to unsolicited submissions, and can help you negotiate the best possible deal.

That said, I’ve made more than half of my book deals on my own. I tend to be more proactive about my career than an agent ever could be, and I’m not afraid to negotiate. It’s all a matter of figuring out what works best for you.

If you choose to fly solo, there really are better ways of finding a publisher than doing random searches or reading books of guidelines. Here are my best tips:

1. Read Publishers Lunch (www.publisherslunch.com), which gives a run-down of book deals. It tells you which publishers are buying which types of books, and usually includes the name of the editor who acquired the book and the agent who made the deal.

2. Read Publishers Weekly (www.publishersweekly.com). It’s expensive, but you can probably find it at your local library. This will keep you up-to-date on industry happenings, trends, who’s buying what, and staff changes.

3. Read books! This may be the most obvious, yet most overlooked suggestion. The best way to target your submissions is to find books in your genre or on similar topics at a bookstore or library, then copy down the name of the publisher. Check the acknowledgments section, too, to see if the author mentioned the editor or agent. Then you can hop onto Google and type in the publishers’ name. More often than not, on any publishers’ site, you’ll find a link to submission guidelines. Barring that, there should be a mailing address or e-mail address at the very least. You can cross-reference information with Writer’s Market once you’ve found publishers that interest you, too.

4. Ask around. Let’s say you found a book in your genre that you enjoyed, but you’ve never heard of the publisher. There’s no harm in looking up the author, then sending off a polite e-mail to ask if he or she is having a positive experience with that publisher.

5. Search Amazon. Look up books you’ve read or heard of in your genre or category. Amazon lists the book publisher in each book’s entry. Then look up the publisher in a search engine or guidebook.

Assuming you want to earn a living from your writing, it’s important that your book reaches a large audience. That means it needs adequate distribution. Unfortunately, most print-on-demand publishers can’t achieve decent bookstore distribution because of a number of bookstore-unfriendly policies (no returns allowed, lower-than-average discounts to bookstores, lack of a bar code or price on the back of the book, etc.), not to mention the overall poor quality of vanity-published books due to a lack of editing and lack of editorial standards. This is not the crowd you want to be in if you plan to be a professional writer.

Above all else, you must be patient. There’s much more to book publishing than I could ever share in a short article; luckily, there are plenty of professional authors who are more than willing to share their expertise with you. Don’t rush your manuscript out until you feel secure that you understand the way the industry works. A few good clues: Do you know what a distributor does versus a wholesaler? Do you know which trade magazines’ reviews are important? Do you know why it’s preferable to get royalties on list price instead of net? Do you know why it’s important to have an “out of print” clause and what it should look like?

There’s nothing wrong with not knowing the answers. Everyone starts someplace. The only wrong thing is rushing into the publishing industry before you get those answers. The more naïve you are about the process, the easier it is for unscrupulous people to get hold of you.

A traditional publisher will never pressure you to buy your own books, to pay for editing or cover art or even your own copyright. They’ll cover the expenses. You’ll be expected to pitch in with publicity efforts, but it won’t all fall on your shoulders. With vanity and fringe presses, these standards aren’t there. Those companies make money from authors instead of from readers.

I know the road can seem long and difficult. Most authors receive many rejection letters before that first acceptance letter. But it’s a worthwhile wait. In a case like this, your first “instinct” may not be the best one. The kinds of publishers you probably want to deal with are not the ones who are screaming, “Click here! We’ll publish your book!” They’re the ones who are busy actually selling books instead of concentrating their efforts on luring in new writers.

Keep working at it until you find the right solution. Take as much care in finding a book publisher as you would a marriage partner; get to know the publisher before you commit, and understand what you’re getting into. When you begin walking into bookstores and seeing readers picking up your book, you’ll thank yourself that you took the time to get it right.
Jenna Glatzer is the editor-in-chief of www.AbsoluteWrite.com and the author of many books, including Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, which comes with a free editors' cheat sheet at www.jennaglatzer.com. Her latest book, Fear is No Longer My Reality, which she co-wrote with Jamie Blyth of The Bachelorette, is hot off the press.
This article may be freely reprinted in any e-zine, newsletter, website, or print publication as long as the bio remains in tact.

POETRY CORNER:
This was written in loving memory of my stepdad, David Jerome Moore ("Rome" to his family and friends), who passed away November 23, 2001...

A fine suit

of blood and sweat

to hell and back

and overseas

seen the world

in mud dirt and rain

from treetop cradle

and foreign fox holes

the big picture he has seen

nothing fazes him

Veteran

of the earth

firm bed clean linens

shelter heat indoor plumbing

the basic needs

he did treasure

what we all take

for granted

© 2002 by Gracie C. McKeever

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WORK-IN-PROGRESS: Divorced and love-crossed Evelyn Vega gets more than she bargained for when she receives a two-week vacation package to a dude ranch as a birthday present. She thinks gorgeous cow boss Jason Makepeace will be the perfect vacation fling, but Jason has wife, kids and picket-fence written all over him. MANIFEST DESTINY: THE MATCHMAKER 3, erotic paranormal romance, contemporary/May-December – Also a spin-off of SPELLS CAST IN SHADOWS, by Gracie C. McKeever – Coming May 2007!
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MILES TO GO by Gracie C. McKeever — ISBN 1-58749-025-0 — a Byte^Me teen novel available from Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS8/mtgo.html in download and diskette: html, pdf, Palmpilot, REB 1100, Softbook, Hiebook, eBookman, Distributed internationally through online booksellers. Price: $4.50 Usual, non-sale price (download) $8.75 (disk, price includes S&H)
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THIS ISSUE'S E-PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT:

Heatwave Romance – “Ebooks with body language” is the motto of this subdivision of Awe-Struck E-Books. Heatwave Romance is the erotic/erotica wing of Awe-Struck E-Books and can be found at http://www.heatwaveromance.com If you like your romance HOT, but still want the solid characterization and plot that Awe-Struck is known for, give Heatwave Romance a try.

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AVAILABLE NOW! The fix is in when older sisters Angela – a New Age practitioner who shares her brother's telepathic abilities – and Evelyn decide to play Cupid and hook their brother EJ Vega up with Evelyn's personal shopper. From here, what starts as a professional relationship will gradually escalate into something much more when the free-spirited, "gifted" author preparing to go on his first national book tour, enlists the services of the uptight and skeptical Tabitha Lyons. BENEATH THE SURFACE: THE MATCHMAKER 1, erotic paranormal, contemporary/psychic/interracial/light BDSM romance. Out April 3, 2006 from Siren Publishing, Inc. http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/bts.asp
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THIS ISSUE'S AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:
I’ve “known” Linda for several years now (seems like forever) since we’ve both been kicking around the e-publishing world around the same time (even landing at the same, now-defunct lamentable publisher NovelBooks, Inc. a few years ago); and though I’ve never yet had the pleasure of meeting her, I consider her a friend. Meet versatile, talented and award-winning author Linda Bleser here http://www.bleser.com/linda/ and discover her worlds of contemporary, humorous and paranormal romance and much more! She also has an alterego who writes horror: L.B. Milano, her “evil twin,” can be visited here: www.lbmilano.com Whomever you decide to visit, I know you won’t be disappointed .


THIS ISSUE'S NOVELLA EXCERPT: PREDATOR’S SALVATION: SISTERS OF
EMSHARRA 2 – © 2006 Gracie C. McKeever-Coming Soon from Siren Publishing, Inc.
http://www.sirenpub.com

Blurbs:

Embittered after her exile from Emsharra, LaMia Enlil meets her match in orphan empath Ariel Diaz whom she kidnaps and falls in love with. But can he forgive her for causing the deaths of his family years ago?

From ancient beings unaccustomed to asking for anything, much more begging for forgiveness, LaMia Enlil nonetheless wants just this from Ariel Diaz, a gifted and unique human male who makes her question the foundations of her Inanna beliefs.

An intern architect at Ryan and Associates, Ariel Diaz has spent the last year learning his craft under the tutelage of partner Alex Ryan. Alex is the closest thing to family that Ariel has known since losing his own family years ago. But not even Alex has been able to elicit the complete truth behind Ariel's family's death, especially when even Ariel himself is uncertain of the facts.

Shadowing the pair responsible for her exile, LaMia Enlil discovers a perfect means to her revenge against Alex and Genesis in Ariel Diaz, her newest target, a carrier of the rarest human energy, spirit-boost, and the only remaining blood-relative of the two males from whom LaMia once sampled the much sought-after kundalini.

Someone else, however, has a mean score to settle with LaMia and will not stop until she destroys everything the Inanna cares about, starting with her latest pet: Ariel Diaz.

Unedited Excerpt (ADULT CONTENT – Graphic Language, Some Sexual Content):

“I do not hear any water running, Ariel. What type of shower are you taking?”
He closed his eyes and bit back a snappy retort. God, the woman sounded like his mother! “I’m, uh, just admiring your taste in trappings and design.”
“Is it not lovely? I have a subscription to Architectural Digest. I had one of the interior designers spotlighted in the special Interior Design Legends issue come in to do my loft.”
Fleetingly, he wondered if the interior designer in question had done the job willingly or
under the influence of one of her notorious spells.
But a more important issue was the woman’s vanity, a trait Ariel determined to try and use against her and to his advantage as soon as he could.
She was a female after all and obviously arrogant about her abilities to bewitch and dominate those in her orbit. If he could just play to her pride, get back into her good graces—
Ariel pivoted to face the door where LaMia lackadaisically leaned against the jamb with her arms folded across those magnificent breasts.
His cock instantly hardened and stood at attention at the sight of her.
Ariel cursed under his breath at the traitorous reaction of his body. He couldn’t hide his erection if he tried, the boxer briefs he was wearing only enhancing the stark silhouette of his aroused penis rather than containing it.
He watched as she unfolded her arms and straightened. His heart thudded as she sniffed the air in that already familiar way, like a predator in the woods tracking game.
What did he smell like to her that would put that lascivious smile on her face as she crossed the length of the marble floor to him? Surf-and-turf? Chicken fricassee? Enchiladas and fajitas?
She paused a foot in front of him and Ariel stood still when she bent her head to his neck.
He kept his hands clenched at his sides as he fought every instinct in him that told him to move, resist, fight her, and run. When she leaned further to put her mouth on him his breath hitched in his chest at the barely-there contact, her full lips and agile tongue fluttering against him like butterfly wings.
Ariel closed his eyes, feeling exposed and susceptible, wondered which would kill him first, her arousing cinnamon scent or the rampant power of his knee-jerk desire.
She didn’t touch him with anything but her mouth, hands clasped behind her back as if she were trying to resist some kind of uncontrollable temptation herself.
LaMia trailed her teeth along the veins in his neck until she reached the pulse point, and suddenly punctured skin, quickly sinking her sharp fangs deep.
Ariel stiffened then shuddered in her grip. He fought not to pull away, unsure if she’d release and he’d leave a chunk of his throat in her mouth. He couldn’t even scream and by the time he thought to swing his arms up between them to fend her off, she had already caught his wrists and dragged them down to hold firmly behind his back.
“Be still,” she rasped against his throat, and then backed his hardly struggling form towards the nearest wall before sinking her teeth back into his neck.
He felt her sucking, drinking his blood, felt the warm liquid dripping down his neck and chest as she pulled hard and he unconsciously arched his throat as if to give her better access.
Ariel gasped and jerked against her as she widened her stance to stand astride his legs, cock throbbing behind the blue cotton material of his boxer briefs, wanting out, wanting to get at her.
What was she doing to him that he couldn’t and didn’t want to fight her? What was she doing to him to make him enjoy being bitten?
She released his wrists, pressed flush against him, slid her hands up into his hair as she rubbed her slit against his jutting erection and moaned.
He closed his eyes and echoed her sentiment, grinding his painfully hard cock against her, dry-humping like a desperate, horny teen at a forbidden, unchaperoned party.
She lapped at the wound she had made, carefully trailing her tongue from one nipple and back up to his neck to get every drop of his blood that had spilled.
Suddenly, she released him and stepped away, and when he opened his eyes to stare at her, she looked back at him with a dazed look in her usually sharp hazel eyes, as if she didn’t know why she had done what she had just done anymore than he did.
“Hurry and take your shower. We have much to discuss.”
With this, she made an about face, left the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
Ariel sagged back against the wall as soon as he was alone, legs weak and head even lighter than his legs were weak. He didn’t know if it was the loss of blood, or just the diversion of most of it from his head to his dick that caused the dizziness.
He had been kidnapped by some kind of vampire! What the fuck?
If being snatched out of a public parking lot by some alien superhuman dominatrix in the middle of the evening hadn’t been bad enough, this was just a thousand times more unbelievable and…frightening.

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NEW LIFE INCOGNITA: A young black man is shot down in the streets in a drive-by. But a mistake has been made. Kelly shouldn't have died. So he's returned to Earth…in the body of a young comatose white woman married to a hot looking Latino narc cop. Can Kelly resolve the questions surrounding his death? What will happen to Amire, the woman he loved in his previous life? And, most important, can he resolve his marriage – now that he's a woman named Dagny – to another man? New Age Paranormal Urban Romance (interracial/psychic/reincarnation/wiccan) by Gracie C. McKeever Available from Fictionwise http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook36736.htm
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THIS ISSUE'S NEWSLETTER CONTEST: For the next several newsletters I will be running Dark-Hunter contests, meaning each book offered will be one from the DH series (a chance to hook someone else on the series besides myself ). For May/June 2006 I'm offering DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (Paperback, Very Good Condition…Zarek’s title is one of my favorite stories in the series so far!). To enter for your chance to win, just send an e-mail with your name and e-mail address to gwiz10@optonline.net with DANCE WITH THE DEVIL in the subject line. Contest runs until June 20, 2006. One entry per e-mail address, and per person. Refer a friend, however (who e-mails me with his/her request to subscribe and naming you as their referral), to the newsletter before the deadline, and you get an additional entry. The more friends you refer, the more times you're entered. (Referred friend will automatically be entered in the current newsletter contest once). Winner will be notified by e-mail, and mailing address will be requested at that time. In the event chosen contestant does not respond within seven (7) days, another name will be drawn. AUTHOR SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THAT PREVENT TIMELY RECEIPT OF AN ENTRY AND/OR RESPONSE. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE, THEN THAT MEANS I DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR ENTRY OR CONFIRMATION. Author reserves the right to publish winner's name on webpage(s) and in the newsletter. April 2006 winner of DESERT DREAMS: Teresa Balderas, of AR. Congratulations Teresa and hope you enjoy your prize!

Also, as a reminder, if you haven’t yet entered my contest at Road to Romance for an electronic copy of BENEATH THE SURFACE, you still have time. Just go to this link http://www.roadtoromance.ca/contestmckeevermay06.htm and follow the directions there. The deadline is 5/31/06. GOOD LUCK!

GIVEAWAYS/GOOD DEALS/SHAMELESS PROMOTIONS:
The Road to Romance http://www.roadtoromance.dhs.org/index.htm -- For Readers and Writers of romance fiction. Reviews, interviews, contests links, and much more! Also -- FREE BOOK offers from http://roadtoromance.dhs.org/freestories.htm The Free Stories Feature has been updated and given its own page. It used to be on the contest page. These are author stories and are linked to their sites, where you can either download them or read them online. Lot's of free reading here! Follow the links offered with each.

"SHADOW OF LOVE" Paranormal Romance – FREE Novel Download from Awe-Struck E-Books
http://awe-struck.net/FREENVLTTE/freeshoflve.html

Do you like to read a chapter of a book before you buy it? Stop by Readers Read™ http://www.readersread.com/excerpts/ to read excerpts and first chapters from the newest books. Check back frequently.

If you haven't checked it out yet, zip on over to Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com, your source of fine books in print. EP is an imprint of Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. and brings to you the same great stories—and great giveaways and sales—from your favorite Awe-Struck Awe-thors…only in print! "Earthling Press—books from your home planet."

Stay informed about lots of your favorite writers (and regular monthly contests) in one monthly newsletter, and consider subscribing to Writerspace-News, where you'll be kept up-to-date on Janelle Denison, Jayne Ann Krentz, Elizabeth Lowell, Stella Cameron, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Geralyn Dawson, Susan Wiggs, Diana Palmer, Marilyn Pappano and more. To subscribe, visit http://www.writerspace.com/news.html

Want to find out: What Science Fiction Romance is, anyway, and why does Science Fiction Romance deserve its own newsletter and website? Wellllll…you guessed it, another newsletter. But, if you're really into the genre and want to keep abreast of what's coming out and going on with your favorite sfr authors, then this newsletter IS a must (I know, that's what they all say).

The newsletter, which hosts the yearly SAPPHIRE AWARDS for the best works in the genre, has been in publication since 1993/1994 and has had an active website since 1996. Visit Speculative Romance Online http://www.specromonline.com/ Click "Join SPECROM", then "Become a Member" to subscribe/gain access to the newsletter.
And along the same lines, try THE DREAM WEAVER – "For those who believe in the magic of dreams". It's easier than ever to read the Dream Weaver online! www.earthlycharms.com/dreamweaver.htm Or send a blank email: DreamWeaverNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe and be automatically entered in the bi-monthly drawings.

New and Used Books http://www.newandusedbooks.com – Features new releases, reviews, interviews, contests.
ODDS AND ENDS:
Please feel free to share this newsletter (in its entirety and/or including the proper credits when/where necessary) with a friend or two...or a hundred! Encourage them to sign up. Or they can just drop me an e-mail expressing their wish to subscribe to the newsletter and I'll sign them up. Want to preview the newsletter and see if it's to your liking? Check out past issues of Gracie's Gazette at
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnewsletter.asp?AuthorID=623

If you've ever read any of my books and enjoyed them (I hope, I hope, I hope), why not consider hopping on over to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Booksurge.com or Fictionwise.com and writing a reader review. I'd be ever so grateful!

Thanks for subscribing and see you next issue!

GCM—
http://www.graciecmckeever.com
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." –Steve Prefontaine