From Dream to Reality by Karen Erickson
I’m going to be honest. When I first started seriously writing toward publication, I really didn’t know e-publishers existed. Well, that’s a lie. I knew they were out there but I didn’t consider submitting to them. More than anything, it was pure ignorance on my part. I knew they were out there but I didn’t know what they had to offer, I’d never read any books they published. I was in this simple place where I sat in front of my monitor and just wrote. I wasn’t thinking about where I would submit anything once I finished all of the (really bad at first) writing.
In 2006, I finished a 75k word stinker (ooh yeah it was bad, trust me) and I was bored, looking for a challenge. I wanted to write something different, I wanted to write something, um, naughty. By that point, I knew about e-publishers and I loved the stuff I was reading from them. Quality writing, fantastic plots, wonderfully romantic couples having smokin’ hot sex. What more could I ask for? I wanted to do that, I wanted to write things like that. Could I?
That’s when I got this little itch to write something like that, a short little something that would singe eyebrows and hopefully make the reader sigh with happiness at the end. So I did. I wrote like a possessed maniac for a couple of weeks. I was pleased with the end result but was it good enough?
I submitted it with nerves tumbling in my stomach (my arrow hovered over that send button on the screen for so long!) and received an acceptance only a few short days later! I got so much joy from writing Release Me and even more joy when I sold it to Cobblestone Press. I thought that maybe I was on to something so I continued to write the hot stuff…
Now almost two years later, I’m happily writing for a few e-publishers and I just had my first book out with Ellora’s Cave, Virgin Jewels. What a wild ride it’s been! I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, made a lot of good friends and I’ve even had a few readers tell me they like my stuff (which is the biggest thrill ever!).
I wouldn’t trade this job for the world. Not only do I get to create characters inside my head and make them come alive but I also get to do it sitting on my (spreading) bum in my sweats.
I’m blessed. It’s the best job ever.
Только вчера об этом думал, так что пост как нельзя в тему!
Вот поэтому и не хочется иногда двигаться вперёд!
I want to thank everyone who stopped by today and commented! I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
And now for the winner…Gwen Hayes come on down! You’ve won a free copy of Virgin Jewels, thanks to my husband who picked your lucky number…
Yay! Email me at karen.e.erickson @ gmail.com (minus spaces) so I can send it to you!
Your books all rock! Sometimes it’s just getting up that courage to submit. Congrats on all your success up to date! With much more to come!
You have an inspirational story. I’m thrilled you found your niche and I hope I eventually do the same. I’m already following in your footsteps a little bit–I’ve got some of the really, really bad first writing. 🙂
With you, it seems the hotter the better! Thank goodness you didn’t like that first book, or you’d still be holding back.
It’s always awesome to see the process each of us go through discovering we want to write and what we want to write. I’m glad you found it for yourself. REALLY GLAD ;o)
Your readers will always be glad you found the spicy side!
Can’t wait to read Virgin Jewels – it sounds like another fantastic book.
Loved reading how you got started. And it is a great job. LOL. Congrats on the release. 🙂
Sounds like its been an Awesome ride for you Karen
It sounds like a great read. Can’t wait to try this one. By the way, great comments Karen.
I love all paranormal stories and this sounds like a good one! One more for my growing To Be Bought-list…
The book sounds great. I enjoyed reading the comments by Karen
I always find myself reaching for romance stories with a paranormal storyline, and really enjoyed the excerpts for Virgin Jewels.
Just added “buy Virgin Jewels” to my to-do list for tonight! 🙂 Can’t wait to read it. Love that you found the writing you were looking for!
I like the sound of the book. I hope you continue to write them.
Karen,
Your journey sounds a little like mine, starting with a stinker (which is no longer a stinker because I’ve grown lots as a writer) and moving into e-publishing. Nodding head – writing is really bad for bottom spread 😉
Congrats on your release.
I can’t wait to read this one!
How inspiring! I am glad you are paving the way…I am really hoping that ebooks gain more popularity. Go green…buy ebooks!
YAY! Virgin Jewels was yummy-and I agree-best job ever. And one you were definitely meant to do. 🙂
Karen what an AMAZING story!!! I cannot believe you’d ever write a stinker though, you are an incredible writer. Every single book of yours RAWKS! I just read Virgin Jewels too and I could hardly breathe, it is so incredibly hot!! Congrats on your release sweetie!