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    Readers Choice, Top Ten

    Liquid Dreams

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    Making Waves


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    Tuesday, January 31, 2006
    Home Stretch

    I'm on the home stretch on Pleasure Exchange. YAY. I've been working on this sexy love scene for over a week now. So far it's 25 pages long and I don't see an end in sight. My hero and heroine are having so much fun that they refuse to finish. They keep going at it. Heck, who am I to stop them. I just have to let them play it out to completion. Someone will have to come up for air soon.
    I'm off to see what they do next!
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:45 AM   1 comments
    Sunday, January 29, 2006
    What kind of princess are you?

















    Over at Sylvia's blog I took the princess quiz!

    Take the quiz, find out what kind of princess you are.

    I'm The Romantic Princess.

    You are absolutely in love with love! Charming, romantic, and feminine are all words that describe you. You are a huge flirt and know how to use your feminine wiles to get your way. You are always on the lookout for the guy who will sweep you off your feet.Role Models: Isolde, Juliet You are most likely to: Free a cursed prince from a terrible spell with a single kiss.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 8:31 AM   1 comments
    Thursday, January 26, 2006
    Agent pitch information
    Nadia Cornier has an excellent entry at her blog today about agent pitches at conferences (along with her schedule).
    Great information. Go check it out.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:27 PM   2 comments
    Wednesday, January 25, 2006
    Miracle Cure

    Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness? Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Tequila®.
    Tequila® is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Tequila® can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.
    You will notice the benefits of Tequila® almost immediately, and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past, and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Tequila®.
    Tequila® may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Tequila®. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
    Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:56 AM   1 comments
    Tuesday, January 24, 2006
    Submission Savvy
    Raelene Gorlinsky, Publisher, Ellora's Cave Publishing
    Anne Sowards, Editor, Berkley Publishing Group

    This presentation represents our personal experiences and opinions. But it also includes information from other editors, including those at other publishers. Editors DO talk to each other and share stories, we're in the same profession even if we work for competing companies. (Which is why you should not antagonize an editor at any publisher, even if you are not planning to submit to them.)

    Poll of Ellora's Cave Editors: Top 10 Things We Look for in Submissions

    Professional cover letter. "This is the first impression. If the cover letter is riddled with errors or sounds very immature, I assume the story is the same way."

    Clear synopsis. "I want to know before spending the time reading the submission whether the story meets our guidelines, is appropriate for our market."

    Correct grammar and word usage, no typos.Is this something I would buy to read for myself?Believable and likeable characters.An emotional connection between the characters, and the sensuality worked into the development of the romantic relationship.Good blend of dialogue and action.Intriguing and believable plot, no major holes, no "and a miracle occurred" resolutions.

    Originality: not the same plot elements and character types I can find in a hundred books on the store shelves right now.Clear POV, no head hopping.Submission Pet Peeves (all easily correctable)

    From Anne Sowards, Berkley Publishing Group

    1. Submissions that are completely inappropriate (i.e., short stories, children's chapter books, poetry, academic nonfiction).

    2. Submission of the entire 170,000 word manuscript instead of the first three chapters and a synopsis, as our guidelines request.

    3. Submissions of chapters 1, 24, and 46 instead of chapters 1-3.

    4. A manuscript that is less than 60,000 words is an automatic reject for me. If you write at a shorter length, submit your work to markets that publish those lengths.

    5. Manuscripts formatted in a way that makes them difficult to read-for example, single spaced, double sided, 8 point type on purple paper.

    6. Submissions that include suggested cover art. This is almost always a very bad idea.

    7. Submissions that are emailed or on disk. I usually delete these or return the disk unread.

    8. SASEs (self-addressed, stamped envelopes) that are too small for the submission to fit inside.

    9. Authors who call a week after they send a submission to see if I've read it yet.

    10. And last but not least, those big mailing envelopes that are padded with "recycled" material, little bits of gray stuff that get all over everything when opened.


    From NovelBooks, Inc.:
    Eight Top Reasons Manuscripts Are Rejected(Note: NBI is no longer in business.)

    1. Incorrect format.

    2. Blatant spelling errors. Your spell-checker is your friend!

    3. Incorrect genre for the publisher's needs. What is the publisher looking for?

    4. Shoddy proofreading. Don't you want your manuscript as perfect as you can make it, before you allow anyone else at all to read it?

    5. Grammar problems. Invest in a good book on basic grammar.and READ it.

    6. Disregard for the publisher's DON'TS. For NBI, no pornography, no erotica, no abuse.

    7. Submitting a first draft instead of a polished manuscript. Have you read and reread your submission, to make it as perfect as you can?

    8. Research, research, research. Thou shalt not put anachronistic dialogue in thy characters' mouths, nor incorrect clothing on their bodies, nor improper surroundings in their historical time periods. In other words, if you're writing a Regency, study the vernacular; if you're doing a medieval historical, don't have your heroine shoot a revolver at the villain! Make sure your science fiction has a certain basis in science fact, and that your fantasy worlds are true to their internal logic. In your mystery, make sure that you don't wait until the last chapter to pluck the murderer from thin air.

    A Few Words About AgentsFrom Anne Sowards, Berkley Publishing Group.
    Around 98% of the manuscripts Berkley publishes are agented.. Editors at traditional publishers like agents because they save us time. When we receive a submission from an respected agent, we know right away that it will be the type of book we publish and that the writing will be acceptable.. There are benefits for the author as well. The author will have someone to pitch their work who knows the editors in the field, who has lunch with them, and who knows what they like and what they're looking for. An agent is experienced in negotiating contracts and is also usually able to get an author a better deal than they could themselves. An agent can handle the business side of things, and let the author handle the creative. And, perhaps most importantly, a submission from an agent we respect will receive priority and go to the top of our manuscript pile.. Keep in mind that anyone can print letterhead and business cards and claim to be an agent-check him or her out and make sure you're dealing with a reputable agent.

    1. Ask them to tell you a few projects they've sold recently, and to which publishers.
    2. Ask for some names of authors they represent.
    3. See if there have been any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
    4. A big warning sign is if they ask for money up front-a reputable agent should take their commission when they've sold your novel, not beforehand..

    We do consider unagented submissions as well, but considering most of the things we publish are agented, the odds are not as good.

    Submissions Review Process at Ellora's Cave. Remember that editors are very busy. We need new submissions, but they have to be squeezed in with our daily editing tasks. It's a huge amount of work and sometimes depressing to read through so many inappropriate or unacceptable stories to find the few gems. So you the author need to make your submission something that will put the editor in a good frame of mind and will hold their interest.

    Initial Review editor: Reads synopsis and several pages to several chapters. Weeds out the clear rejections. Puts the submissions with strong potential into a queue for the appropriate acquiring editors.
    Acquiring Editor: Reads initial chapters, decides whether to request full manuscript. If so, reads full, makes a decision, notifies author. Will consult with Publisher if wants a second opinion or has question on acceptability of some aspect of the story.

    How To Be a Savvy-and Successful-Submitter
    Step 0 - Before submitting
    1. Become a pro at your profession.. Learn your trade: join writer organizations, attend conferences, go to book signings. Learn the industry: magazines like Publishers Weekly and RWR; publisher websites. Know your "customers": readers. Reviews, discussion lists, bulletin boards, RT BOOKclub magazine. Read. Read a lot. You can absorb writing techniques by seeing how other authors do it. This will also help you be aware of what sort of books are being published-and who's publishing them (useful knowledge when you get ready to submit your own work).
    2. Be sure your "product" is ready for sale.. Use critique partners and proofers. (Family members, close friends, or rabid fans do not count!). Writer's groups can be a great way to get feedback and find critique partners; they also often sponsor writer conferences where you will have the opportunity to talk to editors, agents, and published writers..
    Contests: A way to get feedback on your work. Especially consider those that use editors or agents as judges. Nice for authors to mention wins in cover letter.. Story needs a great "grabbing" start to get and keep the editor's attention. You only have a couple of pages to convince the editor to keep reading your submission.

    Now you are ready to submit your story. Remember, if your manuscript is accepted, this is the beginning of what you hope will be a long and profitable connection with the publisher and editor-so do everything you can to start the relationship off right.

    Step 1: Where to submit
    Know the publishers and agents, what they are looking for. Be familiar with the books they publish or represent. Check out their websites. Ask questions. Send only to appropriate places!

    Step 2: Submission guidelines
    Read them, follow them. Use common sense.

    Step 3: Cover letter / email / synopsis / sample chapters
    Customize each submission letter. Make it easy to read, a quick summary of you and your story. Always be polite, don't be too aggressive, don't sound overconfident.

    Step 4: Be patient
    Response times are often longer than stated. At least you know it wasn't rejected at first glance.

    Step 5: ResponsesReject:
    Don't argue, it is pointless. Thank you note (brief, professional) is not necessary but is a nice touch. You may want to submit something else there in future.Face reality. Publishers are companies, they have to turn a profit. They determine what is selling in their market and offer readers what they want to buy. The book of your heart may be something that does not tug at sufficient other hearts.
    Revise and Resubmit: Yes, it's a rejection, but the door is still open. The editor took a lot of time to analyze your story and explain what needs to be changed-so she must see a good bit of potential in it. Really think about the advice. If you don't agree, or it doesn't match what you feel for your story, you don't need to take it; try submitting elsewhere. But if you keep getting similar advice.
    Accept: Joy and celebration! Ask lots of questions early. Find out the process, the timeline; develop realistic expectations. This is your chance to be a "newbie", your editor will be more tolerant now than later. Be friendly with your editor, but keep it professional, not personal.Be professional and realistic in contract negotiations. Do you have an agent or a lawyer with experience in the publishing industry? Don't expect the publisher to "teach" you contract law-be responsible for understanding all the ramifications of your contract.Find out how to handle future story submissions. You want to be multi-published!

    Step 6: Get published.Meet your deadlines. Be reasonable and cooperative about revisions. Don't turn into a prima donna. Remember that your editor has a lot of other books and authors to handle.Not all stories that get bought, get published. Understand your contract. There are bumps on the publishing track, and some of those could derail your book. They may be out of your control, and this can be very frustrating. Keep aware of what is going on at your publishing house, network with fellow authors.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:10 AM   2 comments
    Monday, January 23, 2006
    EC Playing Cards

    Liddy Midnight has come up with a fabulous idea to create a deck of playing cards with our EC covers on them. I'm so excited about this. 54 EC authors are going in on it and we're ordering 6000 decks to be given away at RT, BEA and RWA this year. I sure hope you all get your hands on one. If not I'll be holding a contest soon and will be giving away a few decks. My cover, Unleashed will be on The Queen of Hearts!!
    Stay tuned for updates on this.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 5:58 AM   3 comments
    Friday, January 20, 2006
    Alternate endings

    I've been writing humorous contemporaries for the last 8 months. Yesterday I received my edits for Web of Desire...a dark paranormal....
    As I went through my edits I started adding little bits of humor, and snarky comments by my heroine. It's hard to switch when your mind has been going in one direction for so long. I actually went back in and deleted most of the comments. I left one funny one in about castration. It fit and I liked it.
    So my first round edits are done. I wrote a prologue and changed the ending up a bit. Maybe I should ask my editor if I can keep both endings and when you get to the final chapter you can have a choice for an alternate ending like you do on a DVD...interesting concept.

    Oh, soon that cover will have my name and Web of Desire splashed across that sweet ass! What a shame to cover it though eh?
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 7:22 AM   0 comments
    Thursday, January 19, 2006
    Switching Gears

    I finally feel like I've been making some headway with Pleasure Exchange. I'm 75% done and loving the story. I only have 5 pages left to make my weekly goal but now I have to set it aside for a week or so, which I hate to do.
    The reason for this is I just received edits for Web of Desire, my EC quickie. I was torn, keep working on Pleasure Exchange or work on Edits.
    Since I'm anxious for Web to be released and I'm ahead of schedule for Pleasure Exchange, I decided to dig into edits. Wish me luck, they look tough!
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 3:47 AM   0 comments
    Tuesday, January 17, 2006
    Bad Boys Ahoy! Get your copy today!

    BAD BOYS AHOY!
    ISBN: 0-7582-1251-8
    Brava
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0758212518/

    They're mad, bad, and deadly between the sheets. With their devilish smiles and wicked ways, these three bad boys will make readers want to stay up all night long.

    Back Cover Copy
    Oh, those naughty rakes. With their wicked winks, sensual smiles, and bad boy habits, you just can’t take them out in polite society. But who wants to go out when you can stay in…?

    STOLEN PLEASURES
    Sebastian Blake, Earl of Merrick, long ago fled the responsibilities of his title to become the infamous pirate, Captain Phoenix. But the booty he’s just captured on a merchant ship is a fierce tempered minx who claims to be a bride…his bride, married to him by proxy on behest of their fathers. He could shame his hated family and return his beautiful wife untouched, but no treasure has ever proved more tempting to Sebastian, and making their marriage a true one—in every sense—is his one urgent desire …

    LUCIEN’S GAMBLE
    Lucien Remington’s reputation as a debauched libertine who plays by no one’s rules—in business or the bedroom—is well deserved. He gets what he wants, social repudiation be damned. But society can keep from him the one thing he truly desires, the untouchable Lady Julienne La Coeur. Until she sneaks into his club dressed as a man and searching for her irresponsible brother. Suddenly she’s in Lucien’s grasp, his to take, and his mind is filled with the most wickedly sinful thoughts. A gentleman would walk away from the temptation she presents. But then, Lucien has never claimed to be a gentleman…

    HER MAD GRACE
    Hugh La Coeur never wanted to be the Earl of Montrose. Wine, women, and a hefty wager are preferable to responsibility of any kind. It’s certainly preferable to spending the night in an eerie, neglected mansion owned by a legendary madwoman. The duchess’s companion, the fiercely independent Charlotte, is another matter altogether. Hugh would be happy to spend as many nights in her bed as possible. He knows she’s hiding terrible secrets, but for once in his life, Hugh has the desire to take on someone else’s burden as his own, no matter what the danger…
    They’re mad, bad, and totally irresistible…

    “Bad boys and sensuality combine in a trio of delicious novellas by the up-and-coming Day." - Romantic Times
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 5:11 AM   0 comments
    Monday, January 16, 2006
    Review For Unleashed

    Waking up to find a review like this in my inbox really make my day.

    Thank you Keely Skillman at Ecata!

    Unleashed by Cathryn Fox is molten lava wrapped in spun-sugar, with explosive potential. Oh, a reader who, like me, absolutely adores a man with a badge and has always wanted a wolf of her own will positively melt over Jace. I could eat him up with a spoon and then beg for more. Then there is Skylar; she is warm, loving, strong and lonely . . . the perfect woman to slip yourself into mentally. Add a bad guy you want to stab repeatedly and a sensual setting made for voyeurism and Ms. Fox has created one whopper of a awesome story. It is stories like this one that keep husbands busy in the bedroom, boyfriends thinking wow and women believing that love can find a way, along with a very healthy dose of mind shattering sex. Ms. Fox's love scenes are potentially dangerous to your blood pressure, body temperature, and sanity because they are so explosively captivating. I believe that I can even be persuaded to beg Ms. Fox to give us more.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 5:32 AM   2 comments
    Sunday, January 15, 2006
    King Kong

    I took the kids to see King Kong last night. I really had no idea it was 3 hours long. While sitting there, I made a mental note never to go to our tiny theater on a Saturday night again. It was filled with talkative teens. One guy just wouldn't shut up. He was sitting behind me and for the first hour of the movie talked non stop. One man told him to shhh.. about 40 times. I don't know why anyone would spend $12 to go to a movie and sit there and talk. I eventually moved seats.
    My daughter cried for the last half hour. Not little sniffs either. Great big gasping, hiccupping sobs. I basically tucked her into my arm and turned her head from the screen for most of it. She's supposed to go to a birthday party next weekend to see it again. Not going to happen.
    All in all, despite the chatter and my poor daughters broken heart, I enjoyed the movie. I did find it a bit too long though.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 6:35 AM   0 comments
    Saturday, January 14, 2006
    I thought this was funny!


    One day a father gets out of work and on his way home
    he remembers that it's his daughter's birthday.

    He pulls over to a toy store and asks the salesperson,
    "How much is the barbie on the display window?"

    The salesperson answers, " Which one? We have:
    Work out Barbie for $19.95
    Shopping Barbie for $19.95
    Beach Barbie for $19.95
    Disco Barbie for $19.95
    Divorced Barbie for $265.95

    The amazed father asks: "What? Why is the Divorced
    Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?"
    The salesperson annoyingly answers : "Sir..., "Divorced Barbie comes with:
    Ken's Car,
    Ken's House,
    Ken's Boat,
    Ken's Furniture,
    Ken's Computer and...
    One of Ken's Friends.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 5:32 AM   0 comments
    Friday, January 13, 2006
    Lover's Locket

    I'm thrilled to announce that Lover's Locket just sold to Avon for an antholgoy. Here's the blurb.

    Centuries ago: On the eve of her arranged wedding to a man she doesn’t love, Princess Caira Montright flees her father’s castle and secretly meets her lover, Zarek. Their plans to elope are foiled when one of Lord Montright’s vassals captures them. The all-powerful Lord Montright places a curse on Zarek, banishing him to an eternity of hell inside a portrait—a portrait that finds its way back to Caira in every lifetime. Zarek is forced to watch Caira throughout the centuries yet never be able to claim her as his own.
    The only thing that can break the curse is for Caira to recite the incantation on the Lover’s Locket. Then she must battle the forces of evil to free him forever.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 3:00 PM   4 comments
    Thursday, January 12, 2006
    Robin49



    This is me today...We have a thunderstorm coming through and I'm a bit behind on my weekly goal so today I'm working furiously to catch up before I have to shut the computer down.

    Hey Robin,
    Can you email me at cathryn@cathrynfox.com I have a little something special for you for posting on the blog.. Smooches.

    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 3:30 AM   2 comments
    Wednesday, January 11, 2006
    The power of the Chicken Nugget.

    While sitting at the orthadontists office today waiting for my son to get his braces tightened I flipped through an Elle magazine. Much to my surprise and delight, I came across a picture of this gorgous guy who fits the image I have in my head of SAM YORK!! The hero from Pleasure Exchange.

    So I tell my daughter to cough really loud, because I wanted to rip it out. She was furious. She kept saying, stop it, stop it. So I cough, and rip, and cough and rip. Said daughter is getting louder by the minute yelling at me to stop, drawing much unnecessary attention.
    I finish tearing and neatly tuck Sam into my purse. She's quite upset at this point so I tell her it's just a magazine and it will eventually end up in the recycle bin and who cares about one picture of a guy anyway. That didn't appease her one bit. She opened her mouth to yell "stop it" again, but I cut her off and said, Chicken Nuggets?
    Her eyes lit up, her mouth slammed shut, and she smiled. Ah, the power of the chicken nugget!
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 1:57 PM   6 comments
    Tuesday, January 10, 2006
    Unleashed nominated!
    http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

    Unleashed was nominated at preditors and editors readers poll. If you liked it, I'd appreciate your vote!
    Thanks
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 10:14 AM   0 comments
    Inspiring chapter meeting

    I went to my chapter meeting on Sunday and the talented Deborah Hale did an education session on Plot Hooks, advantages and disadvantages. Deborah put a ton of work into this session and we all left the meeting inspired with seeds of story ideas.
    Thank you Deb.

    Now if you love historical you're going to love Deb's February release, The Bride ship. The story is set in my hometown of Halifax, which I find so exciting. A ship full of single women looking to find themselves a husband arrive in town and Governor Sir Robert Kerr is not very happy about this. He believes they are there to embark on a more scandalous endeavor. A mistake that has him challenged to a duel by the women's unlikely chaperone, the lovely widow, Mrs. Jocelyn Finch.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:03 AM   2 comments
    Friday, January 06, 2006
    She liked it!
    I sent PLEASURE CONTROL, my first AVON story off to my editor at the end of October. I've been biting my nails ever since, sure my revisions were going to be horrible. Well, I heard from my editor yesterday and THERE ARE NO REVISIONS!!! Wow. I'm thrilled. She said she might have a couple of small comments which I can address during copy edits.
    So I'm sitting here today in my lovely pink reindeer pajama's that my son gave me for Christmas, working on the third story, waiting for UPS to come and pick up my second manuscript. It's back to chewing nails again, waiting to hear what my editor thinks about the second book.

    Hope everyone has a nail biting free day!
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 6:15 AM   4 comments
    Thursday, January 05, 2006
    Come vote!



    Hope on over to Fallen Angel Reviews and cast your vote for your favorite publisher, artists, author website and more !!
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:29 AM   0 comments
    Wednesday, January 04, 2006
    New Website

    New Year, New Look, New Website.
    I'm so thrilled with my new website. ML Benton of moonglade designs did a fabulous job.
    Hop on over and check it out. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
    Also, coming soon: New logo's for my cafepress store. (I hope you love them as much as I do) and a new look for my blog.

    Want a chance to win a prize from my cafepress store. Just post on my blog. I'll pick one lucky winner next Wednesday.
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 4:30 AM   1 comments
    Sunday, January 01, 2006
    Goal setting

    It's that time of year again when I start to think about the year ahead and what I need to work on. This year I need to concentrate on finding a balance between family, friends, writing, exercise etc. Anyone else have this problem?
    I don't seem to have any trouble sticking to a regular writing schedule, 5 pages a day, 25 pages a week, but I do have trouble sticking to a regular exercise schedule. I used to go to the gym everyday but then my knee blew out on me and now I'm having a hard time getting back into the groove. Not to mention finding exercises that don't bother my knees.
    So my goal this year is to work on finding balance. Would anyone else like to share their goals?
    posted by Cathryn Fox @ 10:28 AM   1 comments
    About Me

    Name: Cathryn Fox
    Home: www.cathrynfox.com
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