#PIT2PUB SUCCESS STORY - SARAH MITCHELL-JACKSON

     What is your name/pen name?

Sarah Mitchell-Jackson

What do you write? Genre?

I write literary fiction: novels to tug at your heart, short stories to unsettle.

  Tell us about yourself?

When I’m not daydreaming, I live in Cambridge, UK, with my husband and son.

What prompted you to pitch your book in #Pit2Pub?

All the cool kids on my timeline were doing it - I am in a little network of wonderfully supportive authors - and it seemed as though #Pit2Pub might get me noticed in just the right way. I had a completed, fully-honed novel to pitch.

Tell about your #Pit2Pub experience.

I wrote a 140-character pitch and Blue Moon Publishers, based in Canada, starred it. (It was stars on Twitter back in those days!) I looked up their submission guidelines and followed them precisely. It only took a few days after reading my synopsis and sample chapters for them to ask for the full manuscript. After that it was only about a week before we chatted on Skype and were tweaking a contract.

It was particularly exciting because it hadn’t even occurred to me to try the large North American market. I was still dutifully plodding my way through the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, choosing agents to send to in small waves so that I could take on board feedback before submitting again. Now that everything is on the internet, though, it doesn’t matter that I’m based in the UK and my publisher is Canadian. An event like #Pit2Pub is an excellent international opportunity.

Which publisher did you sign with?

Blue Moon Publishers

Tell us about your upcoming book.

Ashes intertwines three stories which have at their heart the power of human resilience:

Eva is a little girl of five years old who seems to emerge from an otherwise empty burning house. As she cannot remember who she is, beyond her name, and no one comes forward to claim her, she must carve out spaces for herself in a succession of homes and attempt to discover where she belongs.

Dan is the fireman who rescues Eva. He is struggling to maintain a relationship with his wife after the still birth of their daughter and wonders if keeping and raising Eva would help to heal their rift.

Carrie-Anne is a woman who lives in a caravan behind the house that burns. She battles alcoholism and depression, both of which pin her into her tiny sphere of existence with an overpowering inertia.

To be brief, Ashes is about how personal choice is limited by the circumstances over which no one has control. The subject matter is dark, but not devoid of hope.

When is your book scheduled to be released?

Later this year.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

It was ‘getting published’, so the next thing I write is going to have to be a new list.

Parting words for other authors?

Don’t ever give up on a dream. Keep trying in as many ways as you can find. There is nothing that can’t be improved through practice and learning.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SarahMitchJack/

Twitter: @SMitchJack

Website: www.smitchjack.wordpress.com

Publisher: www.bluemoonpublishers.com

#PIT2PUB - SUCCESS STORY - JILL BOWERS

  What is your name/pen name? Jill Bowers

What do you write? Genre? YA Fantasy

 Tell us about yourself? Once I stopped complaining about how hard it was to learn my letters, I loved writing. I've always wanted to be a "real writer." I've written stage plays, radio scripts, creative nonfiction, short fiction stories, and fantasy novels. I also love music, and I'm one of the composers-in-residence for the Westminster Bell Choirs in Logan, Utah. I love my long-haired dachshund, Jasmine. She's fat, bless her, but so adorable. My favorite part of every day is coming home and having her wait for me and dance around in excitement when I walk in the door.

What prompted you to pitch your book in #Pit2Pub? I was looking for any opportunity to pitch my book, because I had (and have) a lot of faith in the premise, and knew it just needed to find the right people at the right time. When I found out about #Pit2Pub, I was excited about the opportunities it presented. I'd participated in Pitch Parties before, and both times they'd led to me submitting my book. I was excited for a new experience.

Tell about your #Pit2Pub experience. I was taking a break at work (I'm a technical writer by day) and browsing through Twitter on my phone when I found out about #Pit2Pub. Thankfully, I had a pretty stellar manuscript ready, so I pitched my book. Blue Moon Publishers favourited the Tweet, and it all went from there. They answered me within two weeks (astonishing, I know!) and asked for the full manuscript. A few weeks later, they gave me a call and offered me a contract for not just the book, but the entire series. I'm so grateful I found #Pit2Pub that day, because without it, I'd just be a lonely writer with no publisher. 

Which publisher did you sign with? Blue Moon Publishers

Tell us about your upcoming book. Immortal Writers tells the story of Liz, a writer whose words are so powerful that they've brought her stories out of the Imagination and into the Reality Field. Unfortunately, along with all of the good things, her villain has also come to life and is threatening to destroy the world. Only Liz can stop him, but first she has to learn to master magic and slay dragons, all while getting to know other Immortal Writers like Shakespeare, Tolkien, Hughes, and others.

When is your book scheduled to be released? Immortal Writers is slated to be released in the fall of 2016. 

What is at the top of your bucket list? As a writer or as a person? As a person, I want to visit London and tour the UK. As a writer, I want to be a guest at Comic Con, a guest on the Ellen show, or, you know, make a lot of money. We'll see what happens.

 Parting words for other authors? For one, give #Pit2Pub a try. It's not going to hurt you, and it just might be your ticket to success. Second, be persistent. Many people have the talent and the ideas to be professional writers, but they lack the persistence. Don't be one of those people. Pursue your dreams. Keep querying, as painful as each rejection is. When you hit head-first into writer's block, rally through it and finish your projects. Persistence is key.

Links to FaceBook

https://www.facebook.com/immortalauthorjill/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Jilliard08

 Blog/Website

http://www.immortalauthor.com/

Link to your publisher

http://bluemoonpublishers.com/

COVER REVEAL for MURDER & OBSESSION

Flames burn between a hardboiled cop and a gifted artist, but soon extinguish as another man’s obsession ignites into an inferno of desire, driving him to destroy the object of his madness.

To be Released March 2016

As wedding bells echo like the ring of toasting champagne glasses in the ice carved mountains of Anchorage Alaska, detective Steven Quaid rehabs his grandfather’s cabin into a honeymoon cottage for his new bride.

When he returns from a hunting trip, Steven’s faced with five police officers, who “Want to talk.” Plagued by two unsolved murders, the Department is searching for answers.

The conversation comes to a deafening halt as the team finds a bloody crime scene in the bridal suite. "Where's her body?" is a question Steven cannot fathom. 

Steven’s jaw clenches and his heart races. Images of Sarah streak through his mind.

The silence breaks as an explosion of accusations vibrate through every fiber of his being.

Steven bolts…

Although running is never the smart thing to do, Steven’s not thinking clearly and his escape into the wilderness of the Brooks Range proves almost fatal.

This Steven Quaid mystery is both personal and heartbreaking.

*****

   Yolanda Renee

At one time Alaska called to me and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries, and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.

Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two wonderful sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!

You can find Yolanda at:

Blog: Defending the Pen

Facebook

Twitter 

Pinterest

 Amazon

New Covers:

Murder, Madness & Love

After a gritty detective becomes involved with a beautiful widow suspected of murder, rumor and obsession obstruct his quest for justice.

Memories of Murder

World damnation is a psychotic man’s goal, but two obstacles stand in his way, greed and a dedicated detective. 

#SHORTGIRLPROBLEMS

Yes, I'm a short girl.
5'2", eyes of blue, you know the rest...
I don't much care for heels, only on occasion.
My fourth grade teacher was short, always wore heels, and I saw that as a sign of weakness. Despite what every action movie might show you, I think that if my life were in danger (for example, being chased by a T-Rex), I couldn't effectively run away wearing heels. I would die. It's only logical. I'd break a shoe or fall.

Let's be realistic here--I'd definitely fall (and then get eaten alive by the hungry T-Rex).
In fact, that's (the falling part) what prompted this blog post.
While innocently vacuuming the floor, I took off my slippers for just a moment, tripped on my PETITE length pants and just about wiped it.
Good grief!

I've been short my whole life.

Always had to sit or stand in the front row, corner position for class pictures. Always had people ask me "How's the weather down there?"
Sitting in many chairs is a bit uncomfortable.

Short people clothing isn't either short enough or else makes me look like a ninety-year-old lady.
(I'm aging fast enough on my own, I don't need help--thanks a lot, Macy's!)

People think short girls want tall boys for genetic breeding purposes.

Really it's to help reach the top cabinet shelves in the kitchen.
Unless you're home alone, of course...

There are even seasonal hazards to being short. Safety when driving can be an issue. Let me give you a hint: buy one of those scrapers with an EXTENDER function--totally awesome and then you don't have to drive around, dunking your head, and looking ridiculous like this:

Of course, I've had tall girls complain to me that I had it so good because ALL the boys were taller than me.
Big whoop-dee-doo.
I didn't care. But who said short girls had to be nice and cute?
I prefer this sentiment:

THE EDGE OF NOWHERE by C.H. ARMSTRONG

IN BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE TODAY!

SYNOPSIS

The year is 1992 and Victoria Hastings Harrison Greene—reviled matriarch of a sprawling family—is dying.

After surviving the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Victoria refuses to leave this earth before revealing the secrets she’s carried for decades.

Once the child of a loving family during peaceful times, a shocking death shattered her life. Victoria came face to face with the harshness of the world. As the warm days of childhood receded to distant memory, Victoria learns to survive.

No matter what it takes.

To keep her family alive in an Oklahoma blighted by dust storms and poverty, Victoria makes choices—harsh ones, desperate ones. Ones that eventually made her into the woman her grandchildren fear and whisper about. Ones that kept them all alive. Hers is a tale of tragedy, love, murder, and above all, the conviction to never stop fighting.

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OFFICIAL VIDEO TRAILER FOR THE EDGE OF NOWHERE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.H. Armstrong is an Oklahoma native transplanted in Minnesota. A 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, "Cathie"is a life-long lover of books, and staunchly outspoken on subject of banned and challenged books. The Edge of Nowhere is her first novel and was inspired by her own family's experiences during the 1930s Oklahoma Dust Bowl and The Great Depression.

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PURCHASE A COPY OF THE EDGE OF NOWHERE ONLINE NOW

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#PIT2PUB - MEET THE PRESS(ES) - URBANE PUBLICATIONS

Urbane Publications' mission: To find the daring, aspirational, and exciting new authors, and bring them to a whole new audience. The company is founded on collaboration – collaborating with the writer to create the best work possible, and collaborating with our readership to publish the fiction they want. That’s why we decided to start our own publishing house, because our goal is to publish the work you want to read – once we’ve enjoyed reading it too!

​Urbane Publications offers you all the high quality support of a traditional publisher, but gives you the creative input, shared goals and role in the decision making that you deserve as an author.

So why should you publish with Urbane Publications? Publishing a book, on your own or through a publisher, is a LOT OF WORK!  And many authors are now turning to self-publishing as an option. It is true that with self-publishing you can get your brilliant words in the market in a relatively short space of time. Also, as a self-publisher, you won’t have a know-it-all editor suggesting countless rewrites and edits. You control the creative input from start to finish – the only limits are your budget and the service providers you work with.

But simply writing the book, formatting it, and launching in the market is not what makes a great book or a great author.

We want you to publish with us, collaborate, partner with us for an enriching publishing experience. When it comes to a great book and a valuable piece of content your words are the vital ingredient. But the planning, editing, designing, copy editing, production management, distributing, actual selling, marketing and promoting, and publicising, are all important – and we want to help.

How can Urbane Publications help you with your prospective bestseller?

We believe in the three Cs:
CARE 
CONTENT
COLLABORATION

We treat every single project, and every single author, as unique. No production line, no cost cutting, no templating of ideas or product, we approach and assess every idea individually and tailor everything in the publication process, from author contract to pre and post-publication marketing, to each project’s needs. This is about shared goals and working together to drive your project’s success.

If you have an idea already and want to let us take peek then just get in touch and send us some info – we’d love to hear from you.

We welcome all types of proposals: if you’re a novelist, historian, philosopher, economist, biographer, scientist, journalist, comedian, filmmaker, gardener, cook, academic, traveller – or have lived an interesting life or done extraordinary things – we’d love to hear from you. We all have words to share – this is about sharing yours.

So if you have a burning desire to share your love of words then be brave, be bold and get in touch for a natter – there’s nothing better than having a happy chat about the joys of discovering and developing good books.

We welcome your book proposals – in the first instance please send a short outline and your contact details to MATTHEW@URBANEPUBLICATIONS.COM

Read more at the URBANE PUBLICATIONS WEBSITE.

Keep watching the Black Cat Blog and KRISTIN D. VAN RISSEGHEM'S BLOG for more info on the participating publishers.

The next #Pit2Pub Twitter Pitch Party is Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016!

#PIT2PUB - MEET THE PRESS(ES) - SANDS PRESS

Sands Press is a literary publisher interested in new and established authors wishing to develop and market their product.

We are at the forefront of a changing publishing industry. We recognize the uniqueness of the industry as it is now. Writing is no longer restricted to who will publish your book, but has opened up to when will you publish your book.

Sands Press is an independent book publisher specializing in #YA #mystery #fantasy #horror and other genres. We strive to meet the demands placed upon us by the authors and the market.

SUBMISSIONS:

Sands Press is a literary publisher interested in new and established authors wishing to develop and market their product.

As an emerging publisher, we strive to meet the demands placed upon us by the authors and the market.  We are currently accepting submissions in most genres.

Sands Press strives to provide full publishing to all of our clients, however we reserve the right to discuss co-publishing as an option for certain projects.

Read more at the SANDS PRESS WEBSITE

Keep watching the Black Cat Blog and KRISTIN D. VAN RISSEGHEM'S BLOG for more info on the participating publishers.

The next #Pit2Pub Twitter Pitch Party is Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016!

#PIT2PUB - MEET THE PRESS(ES) - CRIMSON FROST

Crimson Frost Books is an independent small press located in Kamloops, BC Canada. Our books are available in electronic format as we are an e-publisher with availability worldwide. We offer print on selected titles as well via our Amazon distributor.

SUBMISSIONS:

Crimson Frost – Scorching stories that burn up the pages…
Approximate required word count:
* Teasers 5,000 to 15,000 words – These can be stand alone stories or part of a larger work.
* Sizzlers 15,000 – words and up
* Novellas 25,000 – words and up
* Full novels/anthologies – 40,000 words and up

We accept all stories in all sub genres of romance with a heat rating of sensual to erotic. These stories will include complex plots with intense conflicts and emotions, multiple twists and turns on the way to their HEA/HFN. Characters will be three dimensional, believable and unforgettable. Romance is the main focal point of the story, the sex being the icing on the cake. We are looking for original works, stories with a bit of a kick to them. While we do look at previously published works, we do require a letter of rights reversal upon submission.

Crimson Frost Books is looking for sexy stories in all sub genres of romance. We are currently seeking stories with well developed plots, three dimensional characters, and must have either HEA or HFN. We want hot stories that will stay with the reader long after that last page has been turned. However, there are some things we will not accept.

* No fan fiction. It must be an original work.
* Bestiality – shifters are the exception but any sexual activity is to be in ‘human’ form.
* Necrophilia – Vampires, Zombies etc are the exception
* Sexual abuse of minors under the age of 18 in any form, including being exposed to sexual acts. This includes consensual acts by anyone under 18. This includes incest, daddy fantasies, etc.
* Rape for purpose of titillation
* Non-consensual sex or BDSM that results in actual physical damage.
* Golden Showers or any act containing the use of feces.
* Manuscripts featuring individuals subjected to strangulation or suffocation as part of the sex act, whether self-inflicted or otherwise will lead to an automatic refusal
Send all inquiries to us at submissions@crimsonfrostbooks.com.

Read more at the CRIMSON FROST BOOKS WEBSITE.

Keep watching the Black Cat Blog and KRISTIN D. VAN RISSEGHEM'S BLOG for more info on the participating publishers.

The next #Pit2Pub Twitter Pitch Party is Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016!