And the nominees are… (wait, that’s all you’ve got?)
So a lot has been said these past few days about the USA TODAY Top Books of 2013 list (Big congrats to all that made the list. Good for you. There are some great books there).
Also sidebar to me and giving myself a back pat for BOUNCE having gotten a mention on the USA TODAY HEA blog. Huge thanks to Michelle Monkou for the lovely review. It was called a “great book club pick”. Loving that! You can check out the full review here.
But back to matters at hand. So much has been said about the fact that there are no self-pubs on the USA TODAY list this year, which is huge, but I do think in many ways speaks to the power of having a backer and big marking behind you (and the possibility of a TODAY show appearance doesn’t hurt a thing). But this hybrid woman writer of color is asking another question: where are the fiction writers of color on the list?
In this big global writing world, why are the top spots in publishing as rare as getting an Academy Award nomination? What are your thoughts? Why are so many writers of color turning to self-publishing? How can there be more visibility for these writers? Also who do you think, writer or publishing house, is getting it right? I’m sure there are some.
This is a day of celebration so things have to start looking up. I’m all about the positive. Have at it.
All the best,
KMJ
Hello Monday, What brings you here?
See me trying to be nice with that lovely “hello” though I’m darned near loopy enough to growl as I write this at 2:46AM after a weekend of Bat Cave copyediting. There I go looking up at the clock and BAM! I’m hit by Monday morning. Can I get a re-wind?
Can I also get a forklift to get me off this basement couch and up my stairs to my bed? How did you spend this weekend? I hope unlike me you got outdoors and maybe took in some fresh air or are you in need of a forklift too and maybe that extra cup of coffee.
Have a fantastic Monday!
Oh and just a reminder my BOUNCE giveaway is still going on. Have you entered yet?
Had to add a little edit here as it’s now 9:30 and I’m just blinking my eyes open to find out about BOUNCE getting an fantastic review on the USA Today HEA blog! This Monday is looking up! You can check out the review here
All the best,
KMJ
image from here
Happy 6th Blogiversary to Me!
Happy 6th Blogiversary to Me over here at ye old blog!
I hope all who celebrated had a Very Merry Christmas. Mine was wonderful with family coming over and a fun time of food and festivities had by all. I want to thank each of you on your well wishes with the debut of BOUNCE. I’m so grateful to each person that commented here, on Facebook or on Twitter. It means so much to me. This has been quite a year, a total speed rollercoaster ride and honestly if I had my way I’d do a little re-wind bringing it back to September or October where my heart tells me the calendar should be set. But, alas it is what it as and I’m ever so grateful to be where I am today. Now a published author of 1,2… 3 books and a 4th on the way!
Latest release!
My mind can hardly get around it. But I know I have so many of you to thank for where I am now. Thank you.
Cheers from me and The Jackster and here’s to a fabulous 2014!
All the best,
KMJ
candle image from here
I’m Coming Out!
Happy Friday! Well we’ve made it through another week. Thanks so much for the well wishes on my January cover for THREADS OF DESIRE.
I really appreciate it.
Here’s a little Friday Flashback to celebrate the end of the week and to give a hint and let you know that a little something something BIG is coming soon from KMJ!…. I’m coming out! To be continued….
All the best,
KMJ
Threads of Desire… Cover Reveal!
Cue the horns and grab your confetti the time is here! It’s the big cover reveal for my final book in my Crimson Romance self proclaimed Creative Hearts series called: THREADS OF DESIRE due out at the end of January 2014.
In this book we meet, Gabby the sexy, sassy and curvy fashion designer who just so happens to be the best friend to Samara my heroine from SEDUCTION’S CANVAS. Being a former fashion designer myself, I can’t wait to bring you into Gabby’s world.
And now a bit about THREADS OF DESIRE:
Sexy, fashionista Gabrielle Russell has been challenging Nick Ross most of his life and now is no exception. A top financial analyst, Nick has been dating his boss’s daughter and he’s on the fast track to turning his five-year marathon into a three-year sprint. But life throws him a curve and when he finds his perfect girlfriend curled up in a very un-zen like position with her yoga instructor. Faced with this awkward downward dog, Nick heads to the only place he can think of—his brother Steve’s place—only to be stuck face to hips, thighs, lips, just about everything with his roommate, Gabby. She’s the habit Nick just can’t shake. The one that got away and she won’t let him forget it.
Gabrielle Russell is frustrated. She’s been banging it out for years as a curvy girl trying to make her creative mark the exclusive world of New York fashion and she’s hit a brick wall both personally and professionally. Now stuck in a dead end job designing jersey pantsuits for wannabe mafia wives while dodging the advances of her boss’s son, she doesn’t know how to get out of the hole she’s dug for herself. At least she has a bit of peace in the small apartment she shares with her childhood friend and roommate, Steve.
Or she did until Nick Ross walked in. Mr. Perfection and her own devastation, the one that broke her heart and almost broke her spirit, and now here he’s back and looking for a place to camp out while he gets his life back on track. Well, she’s got news for him: She’s not the same girl she was all those years ago when just a look would send her heart stuttering. Okay, maybe she is, but now maybe it’s time the tables were turned on the unflappable Nick Ross.
And here it is…..
All the best,
KMJ
Oh yeah, I’m bad!
Happy New Week and Happy December! I hope all who were celebrating had a great Thanksgiving and a Happy Hanukkah. My Thanksgiving was lovely and full of Turkey and fun, though also quite full of my book 3 edits which I’m happy to report after a grueling process are now done and sent off to my editor.
This was a killer round that I times made me want to throw up my hands and throw in the towel. Thankfully I didn’t do that. I took that towel and cleaned my glasses with it, wiped my brow & rolled up my sleeves and got in there and got it done. Dreaming is easy but making it happen is gonna cost you.
Go me! I’m giving myself a high five for that one. Who knows what the next round of edits will bring, but at this point I’m living victory by victory. So whoo hoo!
And congrats to Roxy for her win in Lena Hart’s giveaway. Roxy please send me your info so Lena can send you your prize! Thanks to all who entered 🙂
All the best,
KMJ
image from here
Business Time
Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! Good for us making it through the week. Though you know me when I’m in deadline mode weekends mean nothing and it’s business time and not in the HA HA way, but in the get down to business and get these edits done way.
That’s ok. The weekend are for everyone and business is what you make of it. Enjoy!
All the best,
KMJ
image from amandaonwriting.tumblr.com
Press Pause
My weekend:
write,
edit,
write,
edit,
edit,
edit,
pause to refill
church &
this perfection:
Edit
now back to editing as deadline looms. What’s your week looking like?
All the best,
KMJ
Flipping the Script
I have gotten my edits back from my lovely editor on my final book in my Crimson trilogy and to say my head is spinning right now is a huge understatement. I have to keep cleaning my glasses to see the black left on the pages through all the red at this point (yes I know a necessary evil but still, WAAAA!). So to that I will be a little MIA for a bit while I clear the fog in my brain, try to flip colors and turn my frown upside down to bring some order and control back to this story. See you on the other side and I hope your week is fantastic.
All the best,
KMJ
Image from Amanda On Writing Tumblr
Persistence
Yesterday I met with my buddies, The Knitsters for the 1st time in a long time. It was wonderful to step out of the Bat Cave and into the light for a few hours and it was also great to pick up the knitting needles again after being away from them for so long.
In anticipation I bought some new heather gray yarn in order to start on shawl that I had been admiring my friend knitting with a beautiful open weave stitch that was a step up from my usual knit/purl action.
I cast on the 97 stitches and got to the point where I needed some help so I got my friend to show me the steps in the stitch that I didn’t know. Here’s how it went: K1*yfwd, k3tog,yrn,P1,rep from*
No you’d think I’d be able to count, pay attention, and get that pattern but, um, no. My 1st try and I ended up off by 20 stitches. My 2nd try and I ended up off by 3, my 3rd try and I was off by 1. Yes people it took me 4 tries and this was no small scarf, I was casting on 97 stitches with each go, but after 4 times I finally got the row right and was so pleased with myself.
I think this says something to my never give it spirit (or just shows I’m loopy). Now I have to turn this attitude back toward my writing but remember to move away from the keyboard at times and bring it back to the needles.
Have a great weekend and I hope you try something new or an old fave this weekend.
All the best,
Kwana
