Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Christmas Stocking Books and Authors - 3


I’m not sure I should be encouraging Abby Green. After all, she has made it quite plain that she has a thing for the BM and I know he has a thing for bright young Irishwomen. After all, that’s basically why he married me – okay, so I wasn’t born in Ireland, but both my parents were so I’m not stretching a point too much. But Abby is so much fun to be with that I’ll forgive her – I'm just not leaving them alone together for too long.

I first ‘met’ Abby through the eHarlequin Community message boards. There on the Passion Presents Style, I we learned about her submission to HMB, ‘held her hand’ while she waited to hear from an editor – talked her through some of her worries about the revisions – and celebrated with her when she had her first acceptance.

Abby lives in Dublin in Ireland and before she started writing she worked in the film industry over there. As she says – “I'm a second assistant director which sounds a lot grander than it is. Basically I organise everyone and do a lot of bossing about. But it's freelance so that means I can gets lots of time to write which is the best thing!”
It also means that she gets to meet lots of interesting men – the perfect opportunity to do plenty of firsthand research.

Here’s how Abby herself describes her journey to publication:

I’ve always loved Mills and Boons. Ever since I found one in my good Catholic Grandmother’s room when I was about twelve. Many years later, feeling a little disillusioned with my day job, and after finding a taped guide on how to write a Mills and Boon, I took it as a sign from the divine to try writing one. After a loooooong procrastination period, I sat down to do it. A lot easier said than
done.
I looked up the M&B website, took down everything you needed to do: write the three chapters, and a synopsis, which kind of paper, what kind of spacing...and then wrote three chapters and a synopsis. I didn’t write any further than that and then sent it off.
And waited. And waited. And waited. And one day I got my partial back with a very long, nice letter from Tessa Shapcott, the senior Editor. At this stage, I was under the illusion that this was a terrible thing, as it was basically a rejection, with notes. It was only after a little research that I realised how lucky I had been.
So I made another attempt and this time, got asked for the full manuscript. Which I duly sent off. (The trips to the post office were invariably marked along the way with all sorts of superstitious signs, good and bad.) After another wait, I got asked for revisions on the full, which unfortunately ended up in a rejection.
But was I dissuaded? Not yet! I had started another ms, and if you’re lucky enough to get to the stage of having an Editor who is looking out for your stuff then you should capitalise on it. I sent off the other ms pretty quickly, got asked for some revisions which were pretty big. Did them, and sent them back.
And then, just a few days later, I got...the...call.
It is such a brilliant moment. To hear that voice coming down the line, ‘Hi, it’s so and so from Mills and Boon in Richmond...like to buy your book...’
I think I was very calm. And then afterwards jumped around the house for about a week. It’s a defining moment, for sure, because it’s such a tough thing to do, to put yourself out there and aim for some target that you’re not even sure you’re hitting right!

If I could write the perfect introduction to a would-be writer’s biography, it would be there in that very first line ‘I’ve always loved Mills and Boons.’ So many writers want to write romance without ever reading one or understanding how they work. But Abby started as a reader – the best possible way to learn this craft.

I was lucky enough to meet Abby in person at Caerleon this year where, in spite of her acceptance, wanting to learn as much as she could about this specialised form of writing fiction, she attended my course on the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. And charmed the BM. But then, well, she charmed me as well and was such great company that by the end of the week I felt as if we’d known each other for ever. The Irish connection helps. She gets my lapsed Catholic references and I understand the way she’d riddled with superstition.

Abby’s first book will be out in January. This is the book that she’s signed and donated to the Christmas Stocking prize. Its title is Chosen As The Frenchman’s Bride. Here’s a synopsis:

He needs an heir – she’s carrying his baby . . .

Being swept off her feet by a tall, bronzed Frenchman isn’t on Jane
Vaughan’s holiday list of things to do. But Xavier Salgado-Lezille isn’t a man a
girl can say no to easily. Especially when he comes complete with a chateau on
his own island!
Jane tries to play it cool, but she’s inexperienced, out of
her depth and a virgin. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan . . neither
is discovering she’s pregnant once she’s home and the affair is over.
Now
Xavier knows she’s carrying his child, and he wants an heir. Jane has been
chosen as his bride.!


Chosen as the Frenchman’s Bride hasn’t actually been out for anyone to review it yet, but I’ve had a sneak peek at what Marilyn Shoemaker on Marilyn’s Romance Reviews has to say after she read it -

Well I stayed up all night as I couldn't put it down! You want weepie, lust and
passion, well read this book. I have to take my time with this review as it
moved me and I want to be able to do this book justice.


Chosen as the Frenchman’s Bride is out in M&B Modern in January 2007 and for American readers the good news is that you will be able to get your hands on this book in April next year. Abby’s second book The Brazilian’s Blackmail Bargain is out in the UK in May.
And I happen to know that only yesterday Abby heard good news from her editor about her latest submission so there will be a third, as yet untitled, Abby Green out in the near future.

Good luck with your very first book Abby. I have my own copy of it on my TBR pile – my treat for when I kick Andreas out the door and on to my editor’s desk. I hope Chosen as The Frenchman’s Bride is a wonderful success and the first of many for you. I’m looking forward to celebrating its launch with you in January – just keep your hands off the BM – OK? ;-)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for such a lovely write up Kate and ok...I'll keep my paws off your BM!!
X Abby Green

Unknown said...

Congratulations Abby-- and thanks Kate for passing on such a lovely story. I can't wait to read the book-- definitely something to look forward to in the post-festive grimness!

Does Abby have a website you can link us to, kate?

Unknown said...

Ok you two, I feel the Irish connection as well since I'm half Irish but I've got one up on you Kate, I also have the redhair.

Seriously, Abby's book is wonderful. It's so wonderful that I'm having a hard time writing a review for PHS as I want it to be special. Abby has a wonderful careeer ahead of her and to have your support Kate even more special.

So from across a very cold pond today (18 degrees and snow) lots of hugs.

Anonymous said...

Carol C said...

Abby I wanted to see a dressing gown photo, instead you're all glammed up.

Kate thanks for the story and the blurb which gets us excited readers one step closer to the real thing. Only a few days until it's on sale on the M&B site I believe.

Anne McAllister said...

Congratulations, Abby! I'm looking forward to my own copy SOOOOONNNN!

I'll let Kate make sure you keep your hands off the BM. I'll make sure you keep your hands off the cat!

qksuy: Chinese fast food?

Kate Walker said...

You're welcome Abby - just keep your paws off!

Hi India - I think there will be a rush on Abby's book - and the other new Modern author I have coming up. January is going to be a good month. There's a new Michelle Reid out then - and I've been lucky enough to be given an advance copy. I sneaked a peak and didn't want to put it down . . .

Abby doesn;t have a web site yet but as soon as she does I'll set up a link - come on Abby - get to work on it!

HI Annie - I'm saving Abby's book - and everyone else's as my reward when I finish writing mine. I'm so looking forward to it. It was great to be in at the very beginning with her - I still remember the day she announced her first sale on eHarlequin. Still doesn;t mean she can get her greedy little paws on the BM

Hi Marilyn - we'll let you join the Irish gang - red hair isn't a necessity tho Abby has it naturally and mine has auburn tints. I could feel your entusiasm for Abby's book in your blog - it makes me want to read it soooo much.

Carol - she scrubs up okay, doesn't she? I was expecting the dressinggown and grubby face pic too. Just another day to go and you should be able to order.

Anne you needn't worry about Abby grabbing the cat - she's allergic and he's a one woman cat - ok - a 2 women cat - you and me. Not sure about the BM though. And as soon as I can i'll send you a copy of Abby's book.

Anonymous said...

Thanks again Kate for an AMAZING write up. I don't deserve it! Especially as I am allergic to cats and if I ever come for a visit I will be doped up to the eyeballs with anti-histemines! The BM is truly yours (sniff sniff)...but you see what makes him extra special is that he is all yours...as you are so wonderful. But enough patting of backs. Carol shame on you! Want to see me in a dressing gown?! Well come to Dublin and see me the morning after...that's an offer you can't refuse!
x Abby
ckakjzmp - chimpanzee? Anne?!

Anonymous said...

It never ceases to amaze me, Kate, just how much you truly care about the HMB new authors.

I think I'm going to have to wait for Abby's second book, though. I just have tooooo many on my TBR shelf already and another 5 to add this month (and probably - hopefully - a few Crimbly presents). I do so wish I could read quickly.

Unknown said...

Well, if you want a preview you can go to my review blog and please feel free to post comments. Since I'm not an author I've been a little shy but what the heck?

http://marilyns-romance-reviews.blogspot.com/

I second the comment Kate about how wonderful you are in your support of new authors. I think it's wonderful and thanks for letting us know on the forums about who is new in the author community.

I am so thankful I've met these two new authors Abby Green and Annie West.

 

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