Our Last Day with Lori

I know, I know we are all upset by this news but we knew it had to come. So let's rally together and help our heroes get over the loss of Lori but the possibility of a new hero joining our mixes. Anyway take it away Lori one last time!

The Truth About Getting Published

“Are you excited?”
This is by far the number one question I’m asked since my debut book, Wild Heart, was released November 3rd. Not wanting to be thought of as an ingrate, I paste a smile upon my face and say

“Yes, of course.” But, to the people who know me well, it’s a different response.

The truth?

I’m scared as hell.

It took me over six years to get a contract. But selling a book is just the first step in becoming an author. After that it’s waiting. Lot’s of waiting. Added to that six years, it took over a year from the time I sold my book until Wild Heart hit the shelves at bookstores. In those months there have been plenty of things to worry about; edits, book cover and worst of all…reviews. Let’s face, nowadays reviewers don’t hold back and they can be brutal. Fortunately, so far it hasn’t happened to me…that much. I still remember one of the first reviews I received from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. Of course I was nervous, but I was also excited.

“This is a great debut and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.”

This is just a snippet of the wonderful review Linda gave me. But as thrilled as I was, I knew eventually, inevitably, someone wouldn’t care for the novel I’d created. That day came a couple months later from a reviewer at Night Owl Romance. The woman who reviewed my book pretty much despised it. Since then I’ve had more reviews and none have been negative (knock on wood). Now, I can think about that Night Owl review and laugh. But no matter how hardened you are, no matter how much you expect to get at least one negative review, its still like a punch in the gut; like someone telling you your newborn is ugly.

Reviews have come and gone and my fears have now morphed into something new—sales. I found out about a week before my book came out what my print run would be and it was smaller than I would have liked. Your print run is the number of books they have printed to send out to stores. Print run, but even more so, sales numbers, are the thing an author has to worry about the most. Especially for a new author, if people don’t buy most of your books, you’re screwed. You’re certainly not going to get another contract with your publisher and it’s going to be hard to find another publisher who will take a chance on you.

Sadly, that, my friends, is what I’ve been worrying about now. From the moment I sold my book, I feared that I’d be the type of author who received one contract and then you never heard from her again.

So what keeps me going with all these worries in my head? Lots of people! My critique partners for one, who ran out and bought my book the moment it hit shelves. The same people I can complain to and who listen to me without judgment. My fellow authors are another source of comfort; authors who understand exactly what I’m going through and who can offer me advice. But most importantly, readers keep me going. People who leave comments on my blogs, who support my writing and encourage me to keep going.

To honor you readers, I’ll be giving away 3 copies of my debut book, Wild Heart. Leave a comment for your chance to win!

Read the excerpt below for a taste of Wild Heart!

His lips parted slightly, and his brows wrinkled as if he dreamt something he didn’t particularly care for. Ella’s heart clenched for the boy who’d seen his parents murdered and for the man plagued with nightmares. Hadn’t he said as much to her in the folly? Always nightmares. Gently, she spread the blanket across this lap. And then, because she couldn’t help herself, she reached out and slipped her fingers into the hair at his forehead.

Leo’s eyes opened to reveal cold, glowing orbs. Before she could guess his intentions, his fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist and jerked her toward him. Ella landed on his lap with a gasp. He blinked, and just as quickly as he lashed out, his body relaxed.
“Ella,” he whispered and released his grip.

She swallowed hard and resisted the urge to rub her wrist.

“Merda, did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. “I thought…I thought you might be cold.”

“I mistook you for someone else. In the jungle I—”

“You don’t have to explain,” she whispered.

His palm, large and reassuring, rested on the small of her back and burned through her dress. He stared into her eyes and she found she couldn’t move.

“Are you better?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes, of course, I’m fine now.” She looked at her lap and cleared her throat. “You don’t have to…”

“What?”

“You can sleep in the bed with me,” she whispered.

She felt his body tighten, but his face betrayed no emotion.

“Are you positive?”

She knew what he asked her, the meaning behind the words. She knew what this could lead to. Instead of fear, excitement flooded her body.

Okay ladies remember you can visit Lori Brighton at: www.loribrighton.com or at her blog at: www.loribrighton.blogspot.com

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Wild Hearts at Amazonor Barnes and Nobles

Thank you Lori for coming out and visiting us we hope you come out again to visit!