Fiction Friday – Some More Really Big News

  • June 8, 2012

It has always been a dream of mine to walk into a bookstore, or Target, or Costco and see a book I’d written sitting there on the shelf. I’d probably walk up to it and stare at the pretty cover with my mouth hanging open. Maybe I’d linger in the vicinity and see if anyone else checked it out. If they did, I certainly wouldn’t swoop in and shout, “Hey I wrote that! That’s MY book! Are you going to buy that?” while jumping up and down like a crazy person.

I mean, I probably wouldn’t.

Ahem.

And honestly, I’m eternally grateful for the dream I’m already living. I’ve been incredibly blessed because readers from all over the world are reaching out to me to tell me how they’ve connected with On the Island.  They tell me they’re still thinking about Anna and T.J. days after finishing the book. They say that they’ve recommended the book to their sister or their mother or their friends. I smile every day because I believe I have the best readers an author could ever hope for, and I’m truly humbled by my good fortune.

But sometimes, things get even better. Mind-blowingly, life-changingly better. To the point where you’re not sure what you did to deserve it, but you’re beyond ecstatic and thankful that it’s happening.

Because that long-ago dream is coming true. I am beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island is being published by Plume, an imprint of the Penguin Group. The e-book is available TODAY. You can buy it on Amazon here and Barnes and Noble here. It is also available in the Apple store. The new version contains a letter I wrote to the readers and a wonderful readers guide.

And on July 17th I’ll be able to walk into a bookstore, or Target, or Costco, or anywhere books are sold and see my book on the shelf. I’ll walk up to it and stare at the pretty cover

This pretty cover.  

I’m also incredibly excited to announce that Covet will be released by Dutton – an imprint of the Penguin Group – in hardcover next spring. 

My self-publishing journey has come to an end. It’s been a wild ride and many of you have been with me from the beginning. Your kind words and your support have meant more to me than you’ll ever know, and I can’t stress enough how instrumental you all were in making this happen.
Thank you.
xoxo,
Tracey

On the Island UK Edition!

  • June 5, 2012
Hello everyone!
I hope your summer is off to a great start! I know the season doesn’t officially begin until later this month, but I’ve already received my first sunburn and enjoyed my first boat ride. As far as I’m concerned, summer has arrived!  
I want to tell you all about a fantastic, wonderful thing that happened across the pond. I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that the UK edition of On the Island will be published by Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin.
Look at the beautiful cover!
*swoon*
The UK edition can be purchased on Amazon here (the e-book is on sale now and the paperback is available for pre-order) and WHSmith here. It is also available on iTunes.
I’m very excited because On the Island will be hitting bookstore shelves in the UK later this summer and will eventually make its way to Australia and India. How wonderful is that?
I may need to travel to some of these far away places someday so I can see it for myself, but for now I think I’ll stick to my own backyard 🙂
xoxo,
Tracey

Fiction Friday – Introducing Meira!

  • May 17, 2012

Whenever I read a book I always pay special attention to the dedication page. I often wonder about the relationship between the author and the person the book is dedicated to. Are they related? Is there a special reason they were chosen?

If you look at the dedication page for On the Island, it says ‘For Meira’. Typing her name was one of the most satisfying and emotional aspects of writing the whole book because without her, I’m not sure anyone would be reading it today.

I met Meira online in the fall of 2010. I had posted my query letter for On the Island on Absolute Write’s Query Letter Hell message board. That process is not for the faint of heart, and they don’t call it hell for nothing. But it can be very helpful and I appreciated the feedback. I especially liked the private message Meira sent me a day or two later. It said:

If you’re looking for a beta reader, I would *love* to read this story. I’m not a harsh beta reader. I’m good with punctuation, repetitive dialogue tags, and the general, “I don’t get this”.

She was totally being modest because she’s one of the best line editors I’ve ever encountered (I couldn’t sneak anything by her). I wrote her back and said something like, “OMG, yes! Please help me make this book not suck!” And that’s how our relationship began. Meira pushed me and she pushed me hard. Revising the manuscript for On the Island was much more difficult than writing the first three drafts. It took six long months, 50-60 pages at a time, of going back-and-forth between us before the book was ready for the polishing stage. Meira painstakingly line-edited (by hand!) and sent the pages back to me in tidy little PDF batches. We got to know each other very well during this time. She is more than a critique partner: she is my cyber-sister and one of these days we’re going to meet up, drink wine, and talk about how crazy this life is.

So without further ado, let’s meet Meira!

Hi Meira! Thank you for stopping by my blog. Can you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?

Hi, Tracey. Thank you for inviting me! I live in Colorado with my Dutch husband named Emo. We have two daughters, one black lab, and two insane cats. I love to read everything from science fiction and thrillers to mysteries and children’s fantasy.

When did you first start writing? Did it take a long time to get your first book published?


I wrote my first manuscript in 2003. It was barely 50,000 words – not long enough to qualify as a novel – and it was frankly quite dreadful. But at the time I was blissfully unaware of those discouraging details. I danced around the room singing, “I wrote a novel!” One moment of self-confidence can launch a passionate career. I spent many years laboring over that first manuscript, perfecting my writing and editing skills. Then, in 2007, I tossed it aside and wrote FIREFLY BEACH. I was lucky that I made a friend who eventually forwarded my manuscript to the editor of Lyrical Press. The editor loved the story and the first edition of FIREFLY BEACH was released in March of 2009. Now, thanks to your inspiration in the field of self-publishing, I released the second edition of FIREFLY BEACH in 2012.

How do you conceive your plot ideas? How do you get inspired for it?

I believe you will identify with this, Tracey. The story ideas seem to descend upon me when I least expect them. Then the characters follow me around – in my car, late at night when I should be sleeping – and they tell me what they are going to say and how they are going to react to the next new development. I don’t know that I can explain it better than that.

Do you write an outline before every book you write?

What’s an outline?

Is your writing space messy, organized or somewhere in between?


Stuff is everywhere. It is organized, but only I know how to find it. When it comes to story ideas, I try to keep all of my notes in one black composition book, but post-its and random scraps of paper come in handy when an idea flashes in my mind and I am nowhere near my desk.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I honestly wish I could stick with a genre. FIREFLY BEACH is a paranormal cozy mystery and NINE-TENTHS is a dystopian science-fiction. I guess I kind of stumble into a genre when the right story comes along.

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you ever experience writer’s block?


It takes me about six months to crank out a first draft and another six to nine months to edit it. I read through the manuscript at least two times on the computer; then on paper, tapping on each word; followed by another couple of rounds on the computer; and eventually a paperback proof (backwards one page at a time) and a Kindle draft.

When I have writer’s block, I surf writer’s forums or blogs. One such evening, I met a woman who had an awesome idea for a novel about two people stranded on a desert island in the Maldives. She’s been my cyber-sister ever since 😉

She means me!

What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?

Much to my husband’s frustration, I often forget the phone. . . but I try to remember our youngest daughter. My oldest daughter created over twenty music CDs for the car. I never leave home without them. My dog rides along on almost every errand trip – his black-hair-covered, white sheet lying in the backseat as a testament to his enduring presence. That’s three. And (of course you were expecting it) pencil and paper.

What was the hardest part of writing Nine-Tenths and Firefly Beach?


Most of the time, I cannot type fast enough to put the words down, but on occasion I will deliberate over one paragraph for an hour, especially descriptive paragraphs. I have a picture in my head, but I can’t put it into words. A single word will elude me, driving me absolutely nuts. I actually sit there with my fingers poised over the keyboard. Eventually, I write an acceptable paragraph. Then when I go through the editing phase, I tweak the words until I’m happy with the final results. On the flip side, I love writing dialogue and never find it frustrating. My characters are always chattering away in my head.

What are the titles of your books and can you give my readers a short blurb for each?

FIREFLY BEACH – When Beth LaMonte rents a cottage on the coast of Maine, she wishes only to withdraw and paint. A mysterious ball of light disturbs her peace and leads her to a secret beach where she finds the diary of a girl who disappeared in 1975. Now Beth is on a mission, not only to bury her own past, but to put to rest the spirit of Firefly Beach.

NINE-TENTHS – Leonard Tramer and his family live in Colorado, trapped behind the walls of a totalitarian state. Dedicated to one another and determined to find the free world, they plan an escape which defies the odds and deceives their tyrannical government.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Yes! SARAH AND THE MAGIC MAYONNAISE JAR. It is a grade 3-6 fantasy – further proof of my genre-commitment-phobia. The novel should be available by the end of 2012. I am working with an outstanding new illustrator, Rachel Loftus, and I am excited to bring my daughter’s favorite story to life.

This book was vetted by my nine-year-old daughter Lauren. Verdict? OUTSTANDING. Plus Lauren thought it was super coolio to read a book in manuscript form.

Where and how can readers connect with you?


a. Blog: http://torchandsickle.wordpress.com/

b. Facebook page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134899

c. Goodreads author page: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134902

d. Twitter: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134905

e. Amazon: http://www.blogger.com/goog_107134908

f. Website: http://meirapentermann.com/

Thank you for stopping by today, Meira.

Thank you for everything.

xoxo,

Tracey

P.S. I accidentally published this post last night before I’d edited or added pictures and live links. If you’re wondering why you saw it but then it disappeared that’s why. Clearly I have no idea what I’m doing here.

Fiction Friday And Some Big News

  • May 4, 2012

Happy Friday, everyone!

I know I’ve been missing in action lately, and I haven’t given this blog much attention over the last couple of months. I’m doing my best to respond to all the well-wishes I’ve been receiving via Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail, and I’m hard at work on my next book, Covet. I appreciate all the comments you’ve left here at funny in the ‘hood, and I’m so thankful that you’re still dropping by.

I’ve received a large number of inquiries from readers asking if On the Island will ever be turned into a movie. Many of you have cast your vote for who should play T.J. and Anna, and I always smile when I think of seeing my characters on the big screen.

Especially him. Hello, Taylor Kitsch. You’d make a fantastic T.J.
Could Anne Hathaway be any lovelier as Anna? I don’t think so.
I love you, John Goodman. You’d be wonderful as seaplane pilot Mick. Sorry about killing you in the first chapter. 

All kidding aside, I received some fantastic news yesterday and I’m beyond thrilled to announce that On the Island has been optioned for a feature film by MGM. I never thought I’d ever type those words.

I want to give my heartfelt thanks to my agent, Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, and her co-agent in Hollywood, Steve Fisher, of the Agency for the Performing Arts, for making this happen. I couldn’t be in better hands.

I want to thank all of you, especially those of you who have been with me since I started blogging almost four years ago. You were there when I announced I was going to spend my blogging time attempting to write a novel so I could cross it off my bucket list. The result of that endeavor has been a dream come true, and my gratitude is endless.

I also want to thank the readers who have written to me to say that On the Island made them laugh and cry. Your wonderful feedback has made me laugh and cry, too, and none of this would have been possible without you.

Thank you.

xoxo,

Tracey

P.S. Some of you may have noticed that all the pictures have disappeared from my blog. If you’re ever on Google+ and you want to delete a photo album and you get a warning that says, “If you delete this album all pictures contained within will disappear from the Internet completely – do you still want to delete?” Don’t be a ding-dong and think, “Eh, that probably won’t happen, click!” Because, yeah, it will.

A Tale of Many Reviews blog tour for On the Island – Giveaways! Lots and lots of giveaways!

  • March 9, 2012

Happy Friday everyone!

I’ve been on a virtual blog tour this week, hosted by the awesome Julie at
A Tale of Many Reviews. Click on over and enter the drawing for a signed paperback of On the Island. Julie has also included my dream cast post so you can see who I envisioned in the movie version of the book.

I wasn’t sure of the best way to share all the stops with you but finally decided that a link round-up would work best. The bloggers are all doing a giveaway of the book (print or electronic) so head on over, check out their blogs, and enter to win.

These women are a truly fantastic bunch, and I’ve been overwhelmed by all the wonderful things they’ve said about On the Island this week. I’ve mentioned it before but it bears repeating: readers are the game changers in publishing right now and book bloggers are so very important in spreading the word about books they love. On the Island is a word-of-mouth book, and these wonderful bloggers have shouted their love for the book from the virtual rooftops. I am forever in their debt.

Please click on each blog for a chance to win a copy of On the Island.

Jana at That Arty Reader Girl
Damaris at Good Choice Reading
Shawna at Dreaming in the Pages
Racquel at The Book Barbies
April at Sim ~ Sational ~ Books (and a trailer!)
Autumn at The Autumn Review
Asheley at Into the Hall of Books
Andrea at The Bookish Babe
Amy at Book Loving Mom
Chandra at Unabridged Bookshelf

And a massive THANK YOU to all the tour participants. You made my week.

xoxo,

Tracey

A Special Giveaway!

  • February 16, 2012

Hello everyone!

The absolutely delightful Shana is talking about On the Island on her blog A Book Vacation today.

There will also be a giveaway for 7 copies of On the Island (5 ebooks and two signed paperbacks) because she’s awesome like that.

Please head over and check it out!

Tracey

Book Clubs!

  • February 3, 2012

Last month, I was thrilled and honored to be the featured guest at two book club meetings. The first was at the Principal Financial Group, a financial services company in downtown Des Moines. I used to work there and my husband still does; he’s been there since the ink was barely dry on his college degree. He was the one that told the book club about On the Island, and I was thrilled when he said they had selected my novel for January.

I drove downtown over my lunch hour to join them and I was kind of nervous. It’s not like I’m shy or anything, and – hello! – I’m a talker, but this was my first book club and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I needn’t have worried. Stefanie met me at the reception desk and from the minute I walked into the conference room I felt at ease. I signed some books and they asked me lots of questions about the writing process. I also talked a little bit about Covet (the book I’m working on now) and explained the difference between contemporary romance and women’s fiction. They were all so nice and they made me feel very comfortable; I had a blast. I did, however, forget to take a picture of them and didn’t remember until I was on my way back to work. *face palm*

The next book club meeting I attended was with the members of A Novel Idea. Linda had read the book and then pitched it to the other gals. Linda and I used to work for the same company and we’d once been in a meeting together although I have no memory of this for several reasons: one, it was 13 years ago, two, our tenure at the company overlapped by only a short time, and three, I was suffering from a horrendous case of the PREGNANCY STUPIDS. This is the same affliction that caused me to jump on the wrong shuttle bus when the shiny new park and ride system opened during the final month of my pregnancy. I spent a lovely 15 minutes touring downtown Des Moines until I finally shouted at the bus driver, “Hey, that’s my building. Stop!” He let me out and probably wished I had taken another bus (the short one, I bet).

Anyway, I showed up at the book club meeting the other night and Linda said, “We weren’t sure you were coming. I saw your tweet. Didn’t everyone in your house just have the stomach flu?”

Um, maybe?

Curses! Foiled again by social media. Must remember what I’ve announced and who might see it.

Me: Oh yeah. We’re totally over that. I went back to work yesterday and everything (possibly sparking a company-wide flu pandemic). I brought crack dip (great! flu-girl shows up with food). The members of A Novel Idea weren’t scared off by a little recent norovirus so they ate the crack dip and said it was awesome (and so are they).

We drank wine, I signed more books, and we talked about On the Island. They also shared some of their previous book club selections and talked about next month’s pick. And this time, before I left, I remembered to take a picture.

I had a wonderful time with both of these groups, and I sincerely appreciate that they selected On the Island and invited me to join them. Writing is a solitary endeavor and sometimes I need a little incentive to put down my laptop and get out of the house.

And an excuse to make crack dip, of course.

Readers Are The People I Care About

  • January 15, 2012

I know, I haven’t blogged in a really long time. Things are crazy right now, and I have half a dozen posts in draft stage that I just haven’t found time to finish. But I need to write this one because I have some things I really want to say.

For those of you not familiar with the publishing world, huge changes have occurred in the way books are brought to the marketplace. With the explosion of e-books and the advent of self-publishing programs like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and Barnes and Noble’s Pubit!, it is no longer necessary to have an agent or a publishing contract in order to make your work available to readers. With this change has come controversy. Who will be the gatekeeper of the tsunami of self-published crap that will surely flood the marketplace? Who will vet the work and make sure it’s good enough? Writers who are traditionally published, who worked hard to obtain an agent and a publishing contract, might not be happy that writers are allowed to bypass this vetting process. Self-published writers may view this differently and appreciate that just because they don’t have an agent or a publishing contract, doesn’t mean they didn’t write a good book. Writers are lumped into one group or the other and assigned all the characteristics, positive or negative, of whichever group they fall into. And honestly, the arguments for both sides have merit.

However, this debate is something many readers simply aren’t aware of and probably wouldn’t care about if they did. Readers want one thing: books they can fall in love with. People are so up in arms warning everyone how they should feel about how books arrived at the marketplace, that they’ve forgotten all that matters is that the book is enjoyed by the very people we write them for: readers. If a story resonates with a reader and they tell their friends or post a positive review, that’s a wonderful thing. If someone mentions how much they love a book on Facebook or Twitter, or they feature it on their blog, that’s the kind of feedback that makes a writer’s day.

I’ve had the good fortune to connect with an increasing number of readers in the past two weeks, and I’m still on cloud nine because of it. I’ve interacted with some phenomenal folks on Twitter and Facebook, and I’m blown away that many of them took the time to leave positive reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and their blogs. I’ve messaged back and forth with people who live in India, Germany, France, and Scotland. How totally cool is that?

Does everyone like my book? Of course not. That comes with being an author and putting your work out there. It won’t resonate with everyone and not everyone will embrace it. But the readers are the game-changers now. Their opinions matter and to try and tell them they won’t be able to find anything to read because they have to wade through all the millions of horrible books out there is ludicrous. Readers don’t have to wade through anything (unless they truly enjoy the hunt). They rely on reviews and word-of-mouth. They’re active on Goodreads and they follow book review blogs. If readers in other countries can find On the Island, everyone can.

Most of my reviewers won’t see this post, so my heartfelt thanks may not reach the people who deserve to hear it the most. But I’ll say it anyway. I want to send a huge thank you to those who have supported me on my publishing journey by buying On the Island, leaving positive reviews, and recommending it to others. I am truly humbled by your kind words. You, the readers, are the people I care about. You are the people I write for. No one else’s opinion in the publishing world carries the weight that yours does, at least not to me.

The future of publishing belongs to the reader. I think it would be wise for everyone to remember that.

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