I’m blogging about ghosts over at The Bradford Bunch today. With Halloween looming tomorrow, I just had to write about my favorite childhood ghost story (good old Bloody Bones). If you get a chance, drop by and share your favorite ghost story with me!

I finished my copy-edits for HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT (woo-hoo!) and happily took my package to the local Fed-Ex today. The place was deserted and the clerk was nice and chatty (I love that). My manuscript weighed in at 4.75 pounds–not too shabby.

All was going well until the clerk asked me if I wanted to insure the package. Now, I’ve already mentioned that the place was deserted, so, since no impatient folks were tapping their feet behind me, I decided to find out just how this whole “shipping insurance” thing works.

Keep in mind…this is the copy-edited version of my manuscript. A copy-editor has already spent hours pouring over it and making marks in red pencil. I’ve spent hours reviewing said marks.

Back to my story…So anyway, I asked the clerk just how much the manuscript would be worth, if it happened to become lost. He leaned over the counter (not that anyone else was gonna overhear) and told me, “They’ll pay you for the paper.”

Uh, the paper? Not for my hours of lost labor? Not for the copy-editor’s lost labor? Just the pages? What is that–like five bucks? Jeez.

So, now I’m desperately hoping that I never lose a manuscript–because those pages are so worth more than five dollars to me.

A RED HOT NEW YEAR received 4 1/2 stars from the Romantic Times! And, SECRETS, VOLUME 21: PRIMAL HEAT received 4 stars!

Here’s an excerpt from the review of A RED HOT NEW YEAR (big thanks to Lauren for passing this along):

“Each author brings something different to this intensely satisfying anthology — werewolves, dragons and more. Fully formed characters, hot and spicy erotica and strong writing make this one for your keeper shelf!”

 And here’s a little teaser from the review of SECRETS, VOLUME 21: PRIMAL HEAT:

“This perfect blend of story, romance and sizzling sensuality has hot alpha heroes and ladies who can hold their own with them. These stories will keep readers warm on a cold winter night.”

Winter is coming, you know–it’s right around the corner. You’d better grab up the book so you can stay warm! 🙂

So, while I was trying to search for a nearby haunted house (not the truly spirit-possessed, just the fun-for-frights kind), I found this cool link. The site even has a link to my often-mentioned Cry Baby Bridge. For those not in the mood to click, here is what it says about the bridge: “Under this bridge, many years ago, a small baby drowned. It is said that the cries of the baby may be heard at times, and if baby powder is sprinkled on the bridge, footprints of a small child may be seen.”

Guess who is thinking about getting some baby powder and driving out to that bridge on Halloween?

Now, seriously, I’ve been on the bridge dozens of times. During the day, at night–and I’ve never heard the child’s cry. Does that mean that other folks haven’t heard it? Well, who am I to say what others have or have not heard? Either way, the tale makes for a good ghost story–and I love a good haunting.

(The following information was sent to me from Deborah MacGillivray.)

“Listen up!!

Tired of submitting to slush piles and getting rejected before the editors even see it?

Want a chance to get your book before a print editor???
Want a guaranteed that the editor actually reads it?
You don’t ever get that request for a FULL manuscript??

Well here is your chance!!

Win a chance to have your completed or nearly completed manuscript read and receive a one page critique from:
Hilary Sares
Kensington editor
(Debut, Brava, Aphrodisia lines)

YES!!!!

FIFTEEN people will win this amazing opportunity.

Yes, 15 people will have their full or nearly completed manuscripts read and will receive a one page critique from editor Hilary Sares.

How do you win this amazing chance??

RAFFLE — $100 per entry.
Enter as many times as you want. (All money is going to a worthy cause.)
~~~~~~~~~ Rules: ~~~~~~~~~

You may enter as many times as you want at $100 a “ticket”. The more times you enter, the better your chances are.

Winners will be randomly selected from a drawing of names. On December 21st, 2007

~~~~~~~~ What do you get? ~~~~~~~~

15 people with completed or nearly completed manuscripts (any genre!) will have their manuscript read
by Hilary Sares (Impress her and she could even want to buy you ~ if you are what she’s looking for!)
All 15 will get a one page critique of their manuscript.

But that is not all….

RUNNERS up will get….

2nd place Runners up…. (#16 and #17 winners)

Chris Keeslar
Senior Editor, Dorchester Publishing
(Leisure Books and Love Spell)
~~ will read and critique 100 pages ~~
You get to put a proposal of 100 pages before Dorchester’s editor, and receive 1 page critique.
Again, he will consider buying if you impress him!
(Historical Romances, Magna, Contemporary, Paranormal)

Leah Hultenschmidt
Editor for Dorchester Publishing
(Leisure Books and Love Spell)
~~ will read and critique a 100 pages ~!
You get to put a proposal of 100 pages before Dorchester’s editor, and receive 1 page critique.
Again, she will consider buying if you impress her!
(Historical Romances, Contemporary, Paranormal)
3rd place Runner up (#18, #19, #20 and #21 winners)

Leanne Burroughs
Publisher/Editor of Highland Press, will read and critique 4 full manuscripts -the publisher/owner of
Highland Press will read and give each a 1 page critique.
Again, she will consider buying.

(Historical Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary,
Mainstreams YA, Childrens) Trade size PRINT Books

Details….The raffle runs through midnight EST December 15, 2007

The random drawing will be held on:
December 21, 2007

So 21 people will have a very Merry Christmas!!!
Winners will be notified by phone and email on that day.

All monies raised go to help author Dawn Thompson’s hospital and medical bills. Dawn recently had a bad fall. She is a new
writer so has to wait for nearly a year or more to start receiving her royalties. She doesn’t have family to help her and has a lot of needs not being covered by her insurance. Money will go to help her pay for medicine not covered, and other needs
arising from her recovery.

All drawings will be final. No refunds.

Any questions about the contest, email:
Deborah Macgillivray
Kensington, Dorchester, & Highland Press author
writer@deborahmacgillivray.co.uk

To enter:

Name:

Email address (working email addy for you will be billed $100 through Paypal):
Pen-name, if any:

Your full address:

Your Phone number:

The Title of your manuscript:

The genre of your manuscript:

Is your manuscript completed? Yes No

If no – expected completion date:

Once your email application is received, you will be sent a “ticket” bill through Paypal at $100.00 for each entry.
You may enter as many times as you want to increase your odds.

You will be helping a fellow writer get back on her feet after trauma, and you finally get that GUARANTEED
chance to be read by some top print editors.”