A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful visit to the Vancleave Public Library in Mississippi. The absolutely phenomenal librarians there set up a Publishing Talk with me, Katie Reus, and Manda Collins. For two hours, we talk publishing and books with attendees, and we had a fabulous time.

My part of the presentation focused on the 8 ways that people could break into publishing. I thought I’d share those tips here on my blog, in case anyone was interested in pursuing writing. You’ll see below that most of my web addresses are typed out (and linked)–they are typed b/c when I originally prepare this list, it was in hand-out form.  Just wanted to explain that.  So, here we go…

8 Ways To Break Into Publishing

By: Cynthia Eden

1. Start small. You don’t have to immediately begin by trying to publish a novel. Why not try your hand at writing articles? Short stories? You can slowly start to build your writing resume.

There are lots of choices out there like…

Chicken Soup for The Soul
Writer’s Digest
The Writer
Cosmo
Children’s Magazines
The Romance Writer’s Report

2. Enter Contests. If you final in a contest, then you can often catch the attention of a judging editor or agent. RWA Chapters host a variety of contests. You can see the links here: http://www.rwa.org/cs/chapter_conferences_and_events#contests

Publishers will also hold their own contests. For example, Harlequin holds a “So You Think You Can Write? Contest to find new authors. (http://harlequinblog.com/so-you-think-you-can-write/)

Many magazines also host writing contests. I gained enough confidence to write a novel after I won 1st place in a Writer’s Digest Writing Competition (article category).

3. Attend local or national writing conferences. At these conferences, you can pitch your stories directly to editors or agents. Each writing “group” usually will hold a conference—some examples of those groups include Thriller Writers, Romance Writers, Horror Writers, and Children’s Book Writers.

4. Query agents. Once you have your manuscript polished and you have your synopsis written, start your query process. You CAN query multiple agents at one time. Visit www.agentquery.com to search for agents who are interested in the types of stories that you write. RWA also keeps a directory of agents.

5. Query publishers. (I know, obvious, right?!) Some big publishers will only accept agented material; however, there are many publishers who will take unagented material. Kensington Books, Harlequin (for series), and Sourcebooks all take unagented material. Be sure to always check a publisher’s website for specific submission guidelines.

6. Break in with an e-line. Many of the “big” publishers are starting (or have started) their own e-lines. Kensington, Grand Central (Forever), and Avon all have or are starting e-lines.

Avon’s e-line is Avon Impulse: http://www.avonromance.com/impulse/

Forever’s Romance line is Forever Yours: http://www.forever-romance.com/about-forever-yours/

Harlequin also has several e-lines: Nocturne Cravings (Paranormal tales of 15,000-25,000 words) and Undones (Historical tales of 10,000 to 15,000 words).

In addition, Carina Press is Harlequin’s main digital-first imprint: http://carinapress.com/blog/submission-guidelines/

Speaking of digital publishers…

7. You may not want to begin your career with a “traditional” publisher—instead, you can work with some great digital publishers like Samhain (www.samhainpublishing.com/submissions/) or Entangled Publishing (www.entangledpublishing.com/submission-information/). In today’s digital world, digital publishers are seeing amazing sales numbers.

As with a traditional publisher, you should carefully research any digital publisher. Make sure the publisher will be the perfect fit for you. All digital publishers are not created equal—some will do more for their authors! Some have fantastic reputations and strong sales records.

8. Self-publishing. Thanks to programs like Amazon’s KDP and B&N’s PubIt, authors can now easily self-publish their work. If you are looking for formatting help with your manuscript, I’d recommend: www.e-bookformattingfairies.blogspot.com/. In addition to proper formatting, I’d suggest hiring an editor and/or proof-reader to assist with polishing your work.

Make sure that you produce a high-quality product. Don’t expect to instant be a million dollar self-pub seller. Self-publishing will require a commitment that is just as intensive as traditional publishing. There are lots of opportunities out there for writers—truly, it is a great time to be a writer.

Seize your opportunities! Good luck.

Thank you all so much for participating in my ANGEL BETRAYED release day party!!!!

All of the giveaways closed at noon on 6/27, so I am now going back through the comments and randomly selecting the winners. As soon as the winners are determined, I will send emails to the winners, and I will also come back and post the names of the winners at the top of each giveaway post.

However, while the giveaways at my release party may be closed, I do still have 2 other chances for you to win prizes:

At Magical Musings, I am giving away a Kindle copy of ANGEL BETRAYED (and sharing pictures of New Orleans).

At the Brava Blog, I am giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate (and talking about bad boy heroes).

Again, thanks so much for coming to my release party! I really appreciate you helping me to celebrate!

Update: Thank you for the wonderful comments!!!  The winner of the HOWL FOR IT ARC is…Anne! Congrats, Anne! Sending you an email!

Thank you all so much for coming to my ANGEL BETRAYED party!! I hope you had fun reading the posts. Be sure to check back tomorrow b/c the giveaways will all close at noon.

This is the final post of the party, so I figured it should be an ARC post.  Do you want an ARC of HOWL FOR IT?

WED OR DEAD – by Cynthia Eden

Gage Ryder knew his human bride had a wild side. But spending their honeymoon night on the run from hunters out to finish him and his pack is sure not the kind of fun he was looking forward to. No problem–Gage will do whatever it takes to lay bare Kayla’s secrets and find the truth.  If he can keep from being captured by his own seductive game.

LIKE A WOLF WITH A BONE – by Shelly Laurenston

Quiet little Darla Lewis couldn’t be happier when the most-feared member of the South’s rowdiest pack kidnaps her.  A girl gets real tired of being overprotected by her own shifter family, and there’s nothing like an oh-so-big bad wolf to start a pack feud, unleash her instincts–and have her surrender however and whenever she wants…

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For this giveaway, let’s keep things simple. Just tell me one fun thing that you want to do this summer. The ARC winner will be randomly selected. 😉

Thanks, again, for coming to my party!  Have a terrific summer. Happy reading to you!

Update: The winner of THE CLAIMED is…Suzieq. Congrats!!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the various book spotlights and guest posts today! I tried to include a mix so that readers of all romance sub-genres can find titles that might be interesting.  For my final spotlight of the day (final spotlight–not final post–be sure to check back for the last giveaway…hint…there’s an ARC coming in that giveaway!), I wanted to return to a spotlight on paranormal romance.  This spotlight focuses on THE CLAIMED by my friend Caridad Pineiro.

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Victoria Johnson loves her life. She’s her own boss in a quaint beachside town, and has great friends who keep her grounded. If only they knew who she really is: an heiress to an ancient race who possesses astonishing superhuman powers. It’s Victoria’s duty to restore her clan of Light Hunters to their former glory by choosing the perfect mate. In Christopher Sombrosa, she just may have found him. Strong, smart, and successful, Christopher exudes a powerful energy. Their connection is sensual, irresistible-and forbidden.

A member of the Shadow Hunter clan, Christopher has defied his own father to lead his people away from affliction and violence. Yet he cannot ignore his duty to carry on his ancient bloodline. Stunningly beautiful and brimming with an erotic life force, Victoria is everything Christopher ever hoped for in a mate . . . but as a Light Hunter, she’s his mortal enemy. Together, they could unite their warring tribes. But murderous factions on both sides don’t want peace-and they’ll stop at nothing to keep light and darkness apart forever . . .

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Think the book sounds good?  Then how about a copy? I will pick one commenter to win a copy of THE CLAIMED (print or digital).  Just tell me your favorite romance genre or leave a question for Caridad.

And…Caridad sent this teaser over for readers. I hope you enjoy it:

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Victoria ambled beside Christopher along the hard-packed sand at the water’s edge, her insides in knots as attraction and common sense battled it out. There was no denying the strong pull of something elemental between them.

She narrowed her eyes to try to make out the faint hint of energy surrounding him. In the dark it was less visible than before, but nevertheless registered against her aura. She had to try to find out more about him and if he was aware of his abilities. “So you say you moved here permanently from the city? You can do that just with your programs?”

A casual shrug rippled across his broad shoulders. “The royalties for using the software are quite generous.”

“It must be nice to live a life of leisure and enjoy the nature around you.” She hit a watery patch of sand where her foot sank deep, making her wobble and bump up against him. The moment her skin met his, the buzz of his power radiated throughout her, awakening desire along her sex, which quivered in reaction.

Totally not a human life force. Caught off guard, his energy was clearly discernible and much more powerful than what she had expected.

He stopped walking and shifted away, but kept a gentle hand on her arm to stabilize her. From that point of connection, warmth and energy continued to travel between the two of them, making it impossible to deny the Hunter blood in him.

“What are you?” she asked, looking into his eyes. It was clear as she met his gaze that he understood her question had nothing to do with his home or employment or anything else two normal people would discuss on a first date. That lack of confusion confirmed she was not off in her observations.

“What’s more important to you: What I am or who I am?” he replied, his grip tightening on her arm for a moment before he relaxed it and instead brushed his hand from wrist to elbow in a simple caress. But beneath the physical touch came one of energy.

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Caridad Pineiro is donating a portion of her royalties for sales of her paranormal romance THE CLAIMED to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, an organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life for U.S. service members and their families who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. If you’re one of the first fifty (50) to e-mail Caridad with a proof of purchase of THE CLAIMED or proof of a donation to HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, Caridad will send you either a HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS pin or tote bag along with other swag.

Update: The winner of the $10 Amazon.com gift certificate is…Cindy W.  Congrats!!!

Congrats to Cynthia Eden on her new release of “Angel Betrayed”! After reading “Angel of Darkness” and nearly every other book she’s written, I am bubbly excited to get my copy.

Cynthia is a friend of mine and a very admired role model for other writers. I have learned so much from her and I’m very proud of her accomplishments.I would also like to thank Cynthia for inviting me to be a part of her release party.

By the way, My name is Janet Breakfield. I am also a Paranormal Romance writer. You can check out my website at www.janetbreakfield.com.

My new release in “The Bayou Series” is book 2. “Sacred Bayou’s” plot takes place in southern Louisiana and is riddled with non-stop action, excitement and romance. The preceding novel and first in the same series is “Bayou Legend”. Here’s a short description of each book:

“Bayou Legend”
Passion, Voodoo and Curses abound in this thrilling,supernatural story of life in the swamps and bayous of South Louisiana.

The responsibility of being the newest “Treater” rest solely on Emily’s shoulders. She has never loved a man until she reunites with her childhood friend, Tanner Guidry. Little does she know that she is his salvation made flesh.

The curse of “Loup Garou” is like a second skin attached to Tanner thanks to Ursulla, the wicked Voodoo witch that cursed his family when she couldn’t have his Grandfather years earlier. Now all of the men in Tanner’s family carry the curse. Will Emily’s love and magic be enough to save Tanner from the curse and the Witch that wants to destroy him? Will Ursulla’s secret be revealed as she tries to destroy Tanner and Emily?

Or will her love spell using Tristan to seduce Emily be enough temptation to tear them apart?

“Sacred Bayou”
Betrayed by passion and the only man she’s ever trusted, Emily Bourgeois finds the comfort she needs in the arms of a sexy Nephillim. He’s everything she never knew she ever wanted. After having destroyed one generation of Voodoo, now the next stands in her way disguised as her friend and Voodoo priestess, Ameliana. It will take all Emily’s courage and supernatural strength to defeat the evil that reins over the skinwalkers of Bayou Lafourche, while in the process saving the sacred burial mounds of the Houmas Indians from destruction. Nothing can stop Emily from helping to protect the sacred burial grounds, even as her life seems to be falling apart around her. She must battle the anger toward her ex-lover, magical and evil beings bent on her destruction, and meanwhile establish a new love with the very addictive, Merrick. Torn between the two unbelievably sexy men may be the death of her, buy damn, what a way to go.

Thanks to everyone that has bought my books in hardback and also on eBooks!

You can find all my books online at these links: Smashwords, Amazon, or my website.

You can also find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

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Thanks for sharing your book info with us, Janet!!  I like that Janet’s books are about a different “type” of shifter–I am such a loup garou fan!  What types of shifters do you enjoy reading about?  Tell us or leave a question for Janet and you will be entered in the giveaway for a $10 Amazon.com gift card.