Wednesday, June 6, 2012

My Publishing Journey to date by Jamie Hill

It's hard for me to believe that it's been six years since my first romantic suspense novel was published. Family Secrets wasn't the first book I wrote, but it was the first to get published. I had a wonderful editor (thank you Susan) and I really loved the book. I'll never forget my first ever review-- 4 and 1/2 stars out of 5, and the reviewer said glowing things. I printed that puppy out and carried it around for days, reading it to anyone who would listen.

The book did okay, and garnered more lovely reviews. Sadly, the small press that published Family Secrets closed it's doors and my book was an orphan. It took several years before I found a new publisher and the next two I chose folded before I ever really got going. I didn't give up, kept persevering, but just couldn't seem to find the right fit for the book and me. Harlequin liked my premise but said they could never have divorced heroes or heroines with kids for the lines I submitted to. (Really?)  By the time I got done trying to figure out their guidelines, my head was spinning. But it would have been nice to see my book in bookstores.

Actually, a nearby bookstore, Hastings, has a local author section, and they let me place some copies of Family Secrets there on consignment until they got too dusty a couple years later. I sold two, and one was to my best friend. LOL

Family Secrets was always meant to be part of a series. I started book two, Family Ties, shortly after book one. But frankly, when I couldn't find a good home for the first book, I didn't have much motivation to complete the second one. One of my Amazon reviews mentions that books one and two share similar characteristics, like heroes who smoke and drive Ford Explorers. (I like Explorers, okay?) And when I started these books years ago, many more people smoked. It wasn't farfetched that detectives who worked heavy caseloads might smoke, drink a shot or two, and yes, cuss. (Sorry Mom. She still hasn't forgiven me for that.)

Books We Love came along at just right time in my life. Once Family Secrets was happily settled in, I got busy and finished Family Ties last year. And this year, the Amazon revolution happened, and many of our Books We Love titles took off. I'm thrilled to say that Family Secrets was one of them. It hit #67 on the Top 100 Paid Kindle Books recently, which is pretty good for the thousands of books Kindle offers. Family Ties is steadily climbing.

So what this did was motivate me to get off my duff and write that third book I'd always imagined. It actually came easier than I expected, and I'm very, very pleased with the result. Family Honor is available for sale on Amazon now and will be in print in a few weeks. 

Family Honor makes the sixth novel I've published, three romantic suspense and three older titles that are straight romance. I've decided that romantic suspense is my true love. I'm plotting my next series and can't wait to get started. I hope you'll check out my books and join me on my unfinished journey!



Family Honor

Bodies of dead women are piling up and Detective Melanie Curtis is doing everything she can to solve the 'Cheerleader Slasher' case. Surprised to discover her chief has requested help from the FBI, she's even more shocked when she meets the sexy FBI special agent sent to assist her.
 
SSA Nate Willis tracks serial killers for a living. The slasher case is a challenge, but nothing compared to the feisty police detective he finds leading the investigation. Their attraction is swift and mutual, but the killer is escalating and they need to solve the case before they can focus on their personal relationship. When the unthinkable happens and the investigation is turned upside down, is their chance for happiness also in jeopardy?

“Author Jamie Hill has a knack for pulling a reader deeper and deeper into her stories as they try to figure out where she is leading them.” ~ Tammy, Fallen Angel Reviews




16 comments:

  1. Wow, Jamie, thanks for sharing that with us. Just proves when you find the right place anything is possible. Congrats on the #67 on the top 100 is fantastic. Adding these books to my to buy list.

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    1. Thanks Ro. This year has definitely shown me anything is possible! Take care of yourself!

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  2. I enjoyed getting to know you a little better, Jamie, and reading about your hard-earned road to publication. Most of all, I'm so pleased to be a part of the BWL family!

    Sydell

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    1. Thanks Sydell, I guess we all have our own hard earned roads, LOL But Books We Love has certainly made my life easier!

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  3. Books We Love has made ALL our lives easier, Jamie. I'm so glad you and Jude invited me in. Our genres are funny things, huh? For years, I'd have said I didn't have a genre, I just wrote stories. Then I realized just recently that at its core, everything I write is paranormal romantic suspense.

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    1. Hi Gail, I agree about the genres. A couple of my books are hard to classify and therefore, kind of hard to promote! Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. A rough journey, Jamie. But I'm so glad you are here now and doing well with the sales. Congratulations on releasing all those books.

    My ratings are climbing due to the freebies. I hope the rise continues for Gypsy Blood.

    I am glad I joined BWL.

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    1. Hi Lorrie, Books We Love is glad to have you, too! Thanks for reading my blog post.

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  5. What a great journey! BWL rocks!

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    1. Hi Ann, Thanks for stopping by, appreciate it!

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  6. Thanks for sharing your journey, Jamie. Sometimes the bad stuff has to happen before the good stuff can creep in and put things right.

    Your books are right up my alley, and I look forward to reading them!

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    1. Hi Cheryl, Right back at ya. Your books are right up my alley as well. Thanks for visiting!

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  7. This was such a neat story from first glimmer of hope to now. BWL, is a terrific publishing venture and has given so many of us some measure of success with our writing. Glad to be a part of this large, supportive family.

    Love your covers, too.

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    1. Thanks Maryann, appreciate the kind words and agree the covers are great! LOL Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Jamie, Glad you persisted and am eagerly waiting to read the third of the romantic suspense books. One of these days you'll get a mention on my blog. Can't wait until you start a new series. Books We Love has been great.

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    1. Hi Janet, Yeah, it would have been a shame to have given up and never felt the thrill of seeing my name on the cover of a book. It still gets me to this day. Am excited about my new series, too. Take care!

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I have opened up comments once again. The comments are moderated so if you're a spammer you are wasting your time and mine. I will not approve you.

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