Harlequin Toronto: An Adventure with My Village

August 29, 2016 by Dana Nussio

People often say that writing is a solitary venture, and I can agree with that. There are times when I’ve been staring at my laptop, the white screen mocking me in its sheer lack of words, that I have felt utterly alone. On the other hand, I have found my traditional publishing career to be anything but lonely. Truly, it takes village to publish great books.

Having worked with so many talented professionals with Harlequin Enterprises since I sold my first manuscript in 2001 – people who massaged and polished my stories until they were the best they could be – I thought I had a good understanding of how many people were a part of my village.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Lola Speranza, Director of Publishing Services

During my visit and tour of the Harlequin headquarters in Toronto last week, I learned just how wrong I was.

Okay, I admit that the Harlequin staff might have dazzled me with their queen-for-a-day treatment, the champagne toast and that general Canadian niceness. Still, I couldn’t help being impressed by the sheer number of behind-the-scene individuals involved and the amazing amount of detailed work required in editing, laying out, printing, marketing and distributing a book with my name on the cover.

Even after the lovely tour with Lola Speranza, Director of Publishing Services, I cannot begin to tell you all of the steps required as a manuscript moves from contract to publication, but I will offer just a taste here as a way of honoring the many individuals who work in these offices every day with the goal of producing great books.

I had the chance to meet copy editors, proofreaders, those responsible for typesetting print novels, another group responsible for converting those files for e-books, some who made the brochures for book club sales and those who planned the cover and back-cover content or made sure it was perfectly aligned, that its colors were true and its text was clear. Among those was Shane Dobson, Manager of Production Art, who is the go-to guy for ensuring that a cover is perfect. (Yes, that’s my cover on his desk and on his monitor. )

Then there were those who market the books once they are printed and those who ensure that the books get into the hands of happy romance readers. Just one of my brief visits was with Farah Mullick, Marketing Director, but I have to admit that I already knew her. (We’ve bonded on the dance floor at a couple of Harlequin Parties…oh, and at some work stuff, too.) Throughout the tour, I was amazed to see all of the varied work these individuals do to produce books for readers and make sure readers know where to find them.

After the tour, I had the chance to sit down with my editor, Karen Reid, and Victoria Curran, senior editor of the Harlequin Superromance and Heartwarming lines, so we could discuss my next project. (Crossing fingers here.) That was especially cool as my daughter, Alexa, had come along for the tour and had the chance to join us for the meeting.

My gracious hosts topped off my visit with lunch with the whole Superromance and Heartwarming editorial staff. What a great day!

As much as I enjoyed the chance to be treated like a celebrity for a day, I really appreciate the new perspective I gained from this visit to the Harlequin offices. It was great to see so many people, who are completely invested in transforming wonderful relationship stories into high-quality books for readers to enjoy. Each job is crucial to the mission. Every details matters. It really does take a village to publish great books. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of my village.

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Author Speed Dating: Lora Lee

October 11, 2016August 24, 2016 by Dana Nussio

Author Speed Dating(1)

If there’s one thing I enjoy almost as much as writing books, it’s READING books. I love discovering new authors, too. So as I planned my new blog, I decided this could be a perfect place to introduce my writer friends to new readers and introduce my reader friends to some of their new favorite authors. Only we’re going to do this Speed-Dating style. Just 15 getting-to-you questions, a little bit about the author and an excerpt from one of her stories. Check them out right here each Wednesday, and if the spark is there, you’ll have a match…or two…or three.

Let’s get ready to Author Speed Date. The clock is ticking. Ready. Set. Go!

This Week’s Guest: Lora Lee

Cozy Mysteries

15 Questions

Which Disney princess (or prince) do you wish you were more like?

Cinderella, because I’ve never had glass slippers. Mine were cowboy boots.

And which one are you really most like?

Was the old woman who lived in a shoe a princess? If not, she should have been because – you know . . . kids!

Monopoly or Battleship?

Monopoly – because . . . money, money, money!

How many books have you published, and how many are still tucked in a drawer somewhere?

Four published and more than one unfinished hiding in boxes somewhere.

If you had no audience, and no regrets would follow, what midnight snack(s) would you be gorging on tonight?

Mama’s pecan pie — because . . . Texas!

Manolo Blahniks or Nikes?

Nikes! I’d be a train wreck in heels.

Give the title of the first manuscript (published or unpublished) you ever wrote.

Conquered Hearts – unpublished rough and tumble western historical. Texas Longhorns and cattle drive. Yeehaw!

If you were marooned on a deserted island with plenty of food and water but with only one book to read and re-read, which title would you hope for?

My hardcover edition with three Nora Roberts’ “Born In” books because — you know . . .Ireland!

In which genres and subgenres have you been published?

Contemporary Romance and Cozy Mysteries.

Pizza and beer or steak and Chianti?

Smoked brisket and beer.

How old were you when you had the first inkling you might be a writer, and what gave you that hint?

Fourth grade. I loved reading fairy tales and playing make-believe.

In 10 words or less, give your best writing advice to aspiring authors.

Don’t procrastinate. Write every day even if it’s only a few lines.

TED Talks or Cupcake Wars?

Neither one. How about Fixer-Upper?

Which one of your own fictional heroes would you have taken home if you could?

Hands down – Buddy Lee from ALL THAT MATTERS.

What is your most ridiculous fear?

Being sprayed by a skunk!

If someone has never read one of your books, which title would you recommend she read first?

For Contemporary Romance readers: ALL THAT MATTERS, an emotional Cinderella-in-reverse love story, deep in the heart of Texas. Cozy Mystery readers: BRINGING IN THE THIEVES for a taste of Texas twang and gospel music when a preacher’s daughter and an ex-con uncover some mighty dirty laundry among Ruby Springs’ holier-than-thou citizens.

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Bringing in the Thieves

By Lora Lee

I knew the minute I read the church bulletin that I was fixin’ to be Southern-fried and plated up in front of God, the Faith Community Church deacons, and eventually the entire community of Ruby Springs, Texas, sure as my name’s Frankie Lou Birmingham McMasters.

My well-meaning landlady, Nettie Bloom, had decided to announce my proposed church project without asking me if I wanted her to. I had just scheduled a meeting with the deacons about it, not given them any details about the idea. I hadn’t spoken it aloud to anyone but Miss Nettie. But now there it was in print, along with Miss Nettie’s usual assortment of misplaced phrases and Mrs. Malaprop word choices. Miss Nettie had been editing the church’s newsletter, News From The Pews, for a good many years, but I’d noticed her memory getting a little tangled lately.

NEWS FROM THE PEWS
Faith Community Church
100 Blessings St.
Ruby Springs, Texas

As we wait for the selection of a full-time pastor, we welcome back interim minister, Reverend Matthew Whitlaw to the pulpit next Sunday at Faith Community. His morning sermon will be “Jesus Walks on Water” followed by “Searching for Jesus” in the evening.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Members of the Weight Watchers group will meet Monday at 5:30 for weekly weigh-in. Please use large double door at the side entrance to the annex. The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will be using the back door.

Prior to prayer meeting Wednesday evening, a bean supper will be held in the church hall. Special music will follow.

Until further notice, please give massages to secretary, Lovey Muchmore. She will then give massages to the newsletter editor who will share the details in the newsletter.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: A NEW CHOIR FOR TEEN SINNERS IS BEING FORMED AND WILL COMPETE IN THE SLUMBER FUN AT THE CITY PARK NEXT MONTH. For more information on sinning contact Frankie Lou McMasters at Doc Adderly’s Animal Clinic.

Prayerfully submitted,

N. Bloom, Newsletter Editor

Truth be know, there were certain people who weren’t exactly thrilled by my return to the town where my daddy, Reverend Frank Birmingham, occupied the pulpit at Faith Community Church before his retirement to Florida. I’d been gone from Ruby Springs eleven years, but it seems those certain people have the combined memory of a herd of elephants. One in particular: Poppy Rose0 deHaven Fremont, Faith Community’s choir director.

I grabbed my tote, made a quick call next door to Miss Nettie’s house where my eleven-year-old, Betsy, was staying for dinner, then headed for the church. It was a hot spring night and bound to get hotter.

Help me, Lord, Miss Nettie and that newsletter are gonna get me killed one way or another.

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BRINGING IN THE THIEVES, Book #1 of the Joyful Noise Mysteries series, is published by Bell Bridge Books and available now in digital and print versions. Book #2 in the series is a work in progress – tentative title SWING LOW, SWEET LARIAT.

Buy Links: Amazon Kindle, Amazon Paperback, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Books

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About Lora Lee

Born in a small town in the Texas Hill Country, Lora Lee discovered the magic of reading at an early age and began inventing stories before she could write down the words. Her preacher daddy, as well as her mama, encouraged her love of books by making certain she always had a library card each time they moved to a new town. She currently resides in West Michigan. Known to her supportive critique group as LL or Tex, author Lora Lee is Mom to her four children and Grandma to her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She enjoys exuberant family gatherings when all twenty-plus members join her for good food and noisy ball games in the back yard.

Keep in tune with the Joyful Noise at: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads.

Lora Lee also writes as Loralee Lillibridge. Learn more about her contemporary romances through her blog and on her Loralee Lillibridge website.

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Author Speed Dating: Nancy Gideon

October 11, 2016August 17, 2016 by Dana Nussio

If there’s one thing I enjoy almost as much as writing books, it’s READING books. I love discovering new authors, too. So as I planned my new blog, I decided this could be a perfect place to introduce my writer friends to new readers and introduce my reader friends to some of their new favorite authors. Only we’re going to do this Speed-Dating style. Just 15 getting-to-know-you questions, a little bit about the author and an excerpt from one of her stories. Check them out right here each Wednesday, and if the spark is there, you’ll have a match…or two…or three.

Let’s get ready to Author Speed Date. The clock is ticking. Ready. Set. Go!

This week’s guest: Nancy Gideon

Nancy Gideon -photo

Paranormal graphic

15 Questions

Which Disney princess (or prince) do you wish you were more like? And which one are you really most like?

Cinderella-my first exposure to Disney. Really was into that waiting for my prince stuff. But really, I’m more the Elsa in Frozen type.

Monopoly or Battleship?

Battleship. Bring it!!

How many books have you published, and how many are still tucked in a drawer somewhere?

59 published, another full three in a drawer, countless body parts on flash drives!

If you had no audience, and no regrets would follow, what midnight snack(s) would you be gorging on tonight?

A pint of Ben & Jerry’s – something with coffee-flavor, nuts and caramel swirl . . . or anything salty!

Manolo Blahniks or Nikes?

Nikes . . . Just do it . . . later.

Give the title of the first manuscript (published or unpublished) you ever wrote.

China (something). One of those in the box somewhere. A publisher actually read it once, but I don’t think 750 pages of wandering cast and ninjas is worth revisiting.

If you were marooned on a deserted island with plenty of food and water but with only one book to read and re-read, which title would you hope for?

I’d pack my COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE from college and have it all: drama, romance, comedy . . . and being stranded in a Tempest. I could play all the parts.

In which genres and subgenres have you been published?

Most of them! Regency, historical, contemporary romance and suspense, paranormal, non-fiction and even a screenplay or two!

Pizza and beer or steak and Chianti?

Steak on the grill and beer.

How old were you when you had the first inkling you might be a writer, and what gave you that hint?

Fifth grade when I first saw my name in print under a fractured fairy tale in my school’s newspaper. It was awesome! Never wanted to be anything else.

In 10 words or less, give your best writing advice to aspiring authors.

“Butt-in-chair-hands-on-keys.” Stolen from Nora Roberts who also said, “You can’t edit a blank page.”

TED Talks or Cupcake Wars?

Supernatural reruns?? I do like Cupcakes Wars. Food Channel rocks!

Which one of your own fictional heroes would you have taken home if you could?

All my favorite heroes are dark, damaged and dangerous . . .being sensible, I’d have to say . . . any of them, though right now, my current hero, Colin Terriot, a shape-shifter prince, no less, is leading the pack (the six-pack!). Besides, they all live with me anyway.

What is your most ridiculous fear?

That my outfit and jewelry won’t match. I’ve been late to work trying to find the right second earrings!

If someone has never read one of your books, which title would you recommend she read first?

Any of them would give a reader the feel for my style: Fast-paced, sometimes gritty, sizzling with added sass and humor. Probably REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT from my “By Moonlight” dark paranormal shape-shifter series because it sets up the off-shoot “House of Terriot” books I’m currently writing. Or if you’re a contemporary reader, TOTALLY YOURS, written under my pen name Dana Ransom – now on sale for just $1.99!

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Nancy Gideon - book

REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT

by Nancy Gideon

The deadly leader of a shape-shifter clan with no memories of who he is and a dedicated cop hiding a heart-breaking secret face impossible odds in steamy New Orleans that conspire to pull them apart. Because the enemy they pursue . . . might be him.

Had she expected it to be easy having him here so close and yet so agonizingly far away? Bad enough watching him in that antiseptic clinic cell, a prisoner of his own panicked madness, raving, raging, out of control. Worse was having him here in the lush, sexy surroundings he’d built for them to share, temptingly near yet impossible to reach.

A bargain made in heartbreak hell.

Though she might be tortured by cherished memories, he was not. She was nothing to him but a protective port in his emotional storm, and that knowledge was driven home like a stake through the heart every time they were together, every time he stared at her through those cool green eyes without the slightest flicker of response. Every time he took that distancing step back to evade the casual graze of her hand. Every time he lay next to her in the night and silence created a force field of discomfort.

Tripping over him every minute of the damned day only emphasized how much she wanted, needed him back.

And underlined how far away he was.

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Praise from Publisher’s Weekly for the “By Moonlight” series:

“A paranormal romance series with intriguing characters and zippy action . . . Gideon masters the tension required to keep her complex and engaging story moving.” (Starred Review)

“Vivid writing, plot twists and a satisfying ending will keep readers coming back to Gideon’s magical NOLA.”

“Rich and complex. Enticing new dimensions to the Shifter world keep things fresh. Gideon delivers well-crafted prose and page-turning tension.”

REMEMBERED BY MOONLIGHT available on Amazon.

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About Nancy

Nancy Gideon is the award-winning author of over 59 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix, and is currently testing the “Hybrid author” waters. She works full time as a legal assistant in Central Michigan, and when not at the keyboard, feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl. She’s also written under the pen names Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings and is a member of the Mid-Michigan, PAN and FF&P Chapters of RWA.

Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, Goodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group, Amazon

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