And today I'm happy to announce that I, too, am, in the language used in the publishing trade press, officially a "debut novelist."
You can read the details of my book deal in this new blog I have set up:
The Adventure Begins: Avon Buys Lord Lighting
I will of course continue to keep up with the Diabetes news and update this blog and the Blood Sugar 101 web site. But I will be working full time on the second and third books I am now committed to deliver to my publisher. This deal gives me a foot in the door. If I can deliver, I have the chance of becoming a bestselling author. Avon is the top publisher of Romance and being acquired by them is like getting into the Top 24 in American Idol. I'll be competing with other new authors to build up a readership and I'll have to write fairly fast and very well to do this.
The latest word from my agent is that we are shooting for publication of the first book in November of 2010.
But what a thrill to be given a chance like this! And what a slap in the face for those who claim that the low carb diet decreases our mental abilities. I was low carbing at Bernstein levels when I wrote the first draft of this book and eating no more than 100 g a day when I did the many revisions it took to get published.
Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I've been a member of RWA for a few years now, and am happy as can be to hear about your contract with Avon!
ReplyDeleteYou'll post a link to the Amazon page for your book when it becomes available for pre-order, won't you?
Great news, Jenny! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteLene',
ReplyDeleteI learned an immense amount during my years as an RWA member. I also owe a lot of my success to Alicia Rasley's Story Within Guidebook. Alicia gives seminars for RWA chapters and if you ever have the chance to take one, go for it. She's the best teacher of writing I've ever met.
Congratulations Jenny!!!
ReplyDeletePlease be sure to let us know when it is available. I'm an avid reader and I LOVE romance novels. I'm always looking around for new authors to read. I get tired of reading the same old authors all the time.
Don't worry. I'll be letting EVERYONE know when this book is available. And urging you to buy copies for every single one of your friends. ;) I really want it to succeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous news! I'll be looking forward to seeing the book.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat news Jenny - Congratulations. I wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
p.s.
ReplyDeleteIs it "Lighting" or "Lightning?" Both are used on the other website...
Not my genre, but really exciting news. Congratulations. I'll bet it turns out a great book. RobLL
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteIt is "Lightning" and thanks for pointing me to the typo! It's now fixed.
I agree, Alicia is a wonderful teacher. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times, and bought the workbooks/pamphlets she used to sell on her site about characterization, etc..
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly be looking forward to buying a couple copies of your book, so that I can have one for myself and one for my mom. I bought two of your terrific diabetes book, and I suspect (alas) that my mom will read the Regency with much more avidity and appreciation than she did the diabetes one. She's just not interested in doing much to manage her health care. I, on the other hand, use the book frequently, and still think it's one of the best resources I've found for managing my diabetes.
By the way, the first romance I ever read was a Regency. It was Frederica, by G. Heyer, and I was 11 or 12 at the time. I fell in love with Heyer, romances, and Regencies, all at the same time. Up til then, I'd read mostly fantasy and science fiction (still a passion of mine) and I was thrilled to have a whole new world of fiction in which to immerse myself.
Again, congrats!
Congratulations! I like reading a good historical romance. I passed my final exams in the UK by reading good historical fiction. It made it stick and I have always loved history. I like a historical romance even if it isn't too full of actual history though.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I think people are sometimes surprised that we have lives outside of diabetes!!
ReplyDeleteMy story focuses on the growing love between the protagonists, not the history, but I hate it when someone writes what is supposed to be a "historical" romance but makes the people act exactly like modern people or scatters the pages with anachronisms.
ReplyDeleteI used to adore Heyer too, and there is a certain amount of homage to Heyer in the way I write, though quite a few of the books I used to love don't hold up for me when I reread them now. We have very different ideas of the role of men and women in a happy marriage now than we did in the 1960s.
That's great!!! I can give you a big hug because I'm publishing my first novel this year (and did that on low carbs as well :) Keep on the good work, in writing and posting on your blog.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Although I don't usually read romance novels, I will read your book. I am also glad that you plan to continue the insightful updates to your diabetes websites.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jenny! You deserve it!!!
ReplyDeleteNow, although it's a romance novel, I do hope it's not _too_ sweet; some of us are trying to control our blood sugar levels, y'know!
ReplyDeleteWell done! I know how competitive the field is, with too many writers thinking that it's all formulaic and submitting dreadful write-by-numbers drivel.
Getting out from the slush pile is the huge first step, so now you just need to build the momentum.
I'll buy a copy but I won't promise to read it! 8-P}
Congratulations Jenny. You deserve your "overnight" success:-)
ReplyDeleteI must admit that as a mere male I'm not a Romance reader, but Mum is so let us all know when it's ready.
Cheers, Alan
CONGRATS!! Jenny...don't read romance maybe you will change my mind.stell
ReplyDeleteWooHoo! That's awesome news Jenny!
ReplyDeleteCogratulations on such a wonderful and exciting achievement! I have such admiration for you!
ReplyDeleteGREAT news, Jenny! Go wow 'em :D
ReplyDeleteNicky.