Six Sentence Sunday 5/1/2011

And it was at that precise moment that the florid man with the enormous eyebrows made a peculiar sound like “Hrrrrrrrrrr”, clutched his chest, and pitched forward, straight into a rather large slice of prime rib that was so rare it seemed to be still pulsing with life.

The man, however, was not pulsing, with life or anything. In that brief moment, he was knocked stone cold dead.

“Well, I never!” cried Melody, as if angered that the man dared to behave so poorly at the dinner table.

Pepper Wellington jumped up, took the man’s pulse, and shook her head. “He never will either,” she said. “He’s expired, I’m afraid.”

From "Pepper Wellington and the Case of the Missing Sausage" by Tanya Eby

Book Trailer for "Pepper Wellington"

Coming February 7, 2011 from Champagne Books...

A Week of Champagne Books--Meet Nikki Andrews, Manuscript Editor

Our week with Champagne Books concludes with Nikki Andrews, a manuscript editor. Hope you've enjoyed learning a little more about the publishing business...and maybe decided to check out some new writers. I'll have new interviews in the coming weeks with more Champagne Books staff and authors.

What brought you to Champagne Books and your position?

After deciding that I really wasn't cut out for life as an admin assistant and getting too old to return to the physical demands of picture framing, I decided to follow my heart and look for work as an editor.  Cindy Davis, who had been the editor for my murder mystery "Framed" and remains a good friend in spite of it, referred and recommended me to Champagne.

What do you do for Champagne Books?

I'm a manuscript editor.

Are you currently looking for submissions and if so, what kind?

I am not involved in the selection of manuscripts.

If you could create the perfect book, what elements would it have in it (besides being well written)?

Strong, memorable characters, a plausible and intriguing plot, an unexpected twist or two, and solid research where necessary. Sparkling prose will hook me every time. And I love works that are not afraid to mix genres.

Is there anything aspiring writers should avoid? Any pitfalls or "Kiss of Death" mistakes to avoid?

Sloppy grammar and spelling make me crazy. How hard is it to check a grammar book or a dictionary? Telling me that X knew how Y felt about Z makes me yawn; show me that process instead.  But if the elements above are present, I can forgive a lot.

Anything else you want to share about your background or interests?

I never would have believed that all those dull grammar drills under the ruler of Sister Mary Mary would lead to a career that I enjoy so much. At last I'm fulfilling my childhood dream of reading for a living!

Are you currently reading anything for pleasure right now, and if so, what is it?

I'm an omnilecteur. If it has words I'll read it, or at least start to read it. Right now I'm in a curious period of re-reading old favorites, or catching up on books I missed while I was busy raising kids. Recently, for instance, I re-read To Kill a Mockingbird and was totally blown away by things I never saw in it twenty years ago. My TBR pile includes Charles Darwin, Garth Stein, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Delisi, and Margaret Atwood, among many others.

To learn more about Nikki Andrews and her work, please visit: www.nikkiandrewsbooks.com.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

To read an excerpt from the action novel by Victoria Roder, please click on the book cover below. It is available in both print and digital formats.

Week of Champagne Books: Meet Mindy Fausey, Editor

In the third installment of this series, we meet Mindy Fausey, Editor for both Champagne Books and Carnal Passions.

What brought you to Champagne Books and your position?

MINDY FAUSEY: I submitted a story to Champagne about four years ago and was impressed by the professionalism and the company. My edits were right on, my editor was professional and wonderful to work with, and Ellen, with her quirky, snappy sense of humor made me feel right at home. So, when they advertised for an editorial position, I jumped on it and applied for a line editor position. After completing the editing test, I was delighted when she offered me a position as a content editor.

What do you do for Champagne Books?

I'm a content editor for Champagne, meaning I edit for a book's content. I look for plot inconsistencies and other plot boo boo's. However, I also make it easier for the line editor and correct any grammar I see along the way, too.

Are you currently looking for submissions and if so, what kind?

Personally, I would love to see more fantasy, dark fantasy, and urban fantasy. Some science fiction would be nice, too. Even the right kind of horror (think Dean Koontz) can make a fine platform for a romance. I also love ghost stories, but it's got to be original!

If you could create the perfect book, what elements would it have in it (besides being well written)?

Ohhhhhh, wowee. I would love to write a believeable autobiography of my life. The main problem would be making it believeable, because, as it stands, it's a wild ride most readers would think just plain crazy. But, the perfect novel would have some suspense, some sexual tension, believeable characters, realistic dialogue (a biggee for me), and the classic plot arch. It would have an identifible "black moment" where the relationship between the hero and heroine seemed doomed. The black moment doesn't have to be a fight between them--it can be where savages have the heroine burning at a stake or kidnapped by aliens.

Is there anything aspiring writers should avoid? Any pitfalls or "Kiss of Death" mistakes to avoid?

My personal pet peeves are 1. the he/she felt/thought/realized/saw/decided pitfall. If we're in the characters point of view, the reader will know the character is feeling/thinking/realizing, etc. it. 2. Unbelieveable characters. The hero or heroine's mother doesn't ALWAYS have to be either a saint or a harpie. Where are the ordinary, average moms like me? Lol... 3. Unrealistic dialogue. Write like you talk. Don't have a character say, "Nevertheless, you should not behave in such a ghastly manner." in the 21st century. Make her say, "Damn it, you stupid ass! Stop acting like an idiot!"

Anything else you want to share about your background or interests?

I'm very active. I believe that a body in motion stays in motion. I'm a native Florida girl, so naturally I love the water. I love to jet ski better than boys, surf, swim for my workouts, and play a mean game of beach volleyball. I have Asperger's, which I'm working on successfully conquering, so my interests are vast and varying. Right now I'm interested in the Indians that used to inhabit the area where I live. There are some untouched Indian mounds all over the place, along with plenty of Spanish gold to be found, and I'm working on getting permission from landowners to poke around their vacant lots.

Are you currently reading anything for pleasure right now, and if so, what is it?

I've got way too many interesting stories to edit, all of them excellent reading. But, when I get the rare break in editing, I like Jodi Picoult, Margaret George, anything about Henry VIII, and Dean Koontz, as well as some well written fantasy.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

To read an excerpt from Champagne novelist Julie Eberhart Painter, click on the book cover below. It's available in both print and ebook formats:

A Week of Champagne Books–Meet Judy Gill, Editor

Judy, what brought you to Champagne Books and what is your position?

JUDY GILL: An ad on, I think, The EPIC Biz List, requesting an editor.

What do you do for Champagne Books?

I started out editing and am now, in addition to editing, the acquisitions editor, both positions I love.

Are you currently looking for submissions and if so, what kind?

Always. Good science fiction, romance, paranormal, time travel, historical aimed at, primarily, adult audiences. I'm not looking for children's fiction at this time.

If you could create the perfect book, what elements would it have in it (besides being well written)?

Captivating characters who grab me in the first couple of paragraphs, strong plot, good pacing, no up-front back-story, great dialogue that shows, not tells combined with action that advances the plot. I know this last comes under the heading of being well written, but I also look for good spelling and grammar, and signs that the manuscript has been proof-read and polished almost to death.  Sloppy writers make me shake my head. Spell-check functions are not to be trusted (as I've learned, personally, over the years of my own writing.)

Is there anything aspiring writers should avoid? Any pitfalls or "Kiss of Death" mistakes to avoid?

Upfront back-story (spending time explaining to the reader the how and why of the character or characters being where they are at that point in their lives.) Simply jump right in and get that story going with your main characters at a point of vital change/danger/need/crisis that must be addressed right now. Back-story can (and should) be filtered in later throughout the work. I'd like writers submitting to me to take a look at my editing tips at www.editsbyjudy.blogspot.com

Anything else you want to share about your background or interests?

I've been writing fiction nearly all my adult life. (Prior to that, I wrote really, really bad poetry). I sold my first novel to the first house that saw it, and never looked back. I'm a charter member of Novelists, Inc., and have been published by Robert Hale, Women's Weekly Library and another British house, by Bantam Books, Dorchester Publishing, Kensington, and Harlequin, and have books translated into I think, 20 languages word-wide.  Working with so many editors for somany years helped me hone my craft and I learned a great deal from all of them. E-publishing my backlist, writing a few more books to be e-pubbed, and editing for Champagne are my "retirement" activities.

Are you currently reading anything for pleasure right now, and if so, what is it?

At the moment, I'm halfway through Sahara, by Clive Cussler (in the living room) and listening to The Passage by Justin Cronin (in bed & in the car on my PDA.

To learn more about Judy Gill, please visit: www.editsbyjudy.blogspot.com and www.jggbooks.com

Today's Author Spotlight: historical romance by Allison Knight. To view the book and read an excerpt, please click on the book cover below.

A Week of Champagne Books-- Meet J. Ellen Smith, Publisher

This week, I thought I'd try something fun and different. As you know, my book "Blunder Woman" was published by a company called Champagne Books. The book came out in July as an ebook and is now available in audio. (If things go well, it will go to paperback in November.) I'm grateful Champagne Books took me on, and they'll be publishing my first romantic-comedy-mystery in February. I've talked a lot about my own work, so I thought it would be fun to talk about someone else's for a while.

It occurred to me that many of you might not know about Champagne Books (a small publisher with a big heart and dreams). If you're a person who likes to read (I'm raising my hand) then you'll get a chance to find new books in a variety of genres and be the first to tell your friends. If you're a writer, you just might get the inside scoop on how to get your work out there. Today, we'll meet J. Ellen Smith, owner and publisher, and general magic-worker.

What brought you to Champagne Books ?

J. ELLEN SMITH: Stupidity? Seriously though, I had been an author in epublishing for years, got busy with a publisher who went belly up, heard horror stories from other authors  and figured there had to be a better way. One day I went for coffee with a friend, and while we sat over vanilla lattés and complained about the latest thing we’d read, the idea that would become Champagne was born. Several more months of research ensued, and then it was time to either put up or shut up. I’d been saying for two years that I could do it, and I decided that the time had come.

What do you do for Champagne Books?

I’m the owner, and publisher. That means I handle all the paperwork, the logistics, the hiring and firing of staff, the hand-holding of authors who’ve had a bad day, the financials. Basically, if no one else will do it, I do. Keeps me busy and out of trouble!

Are you currently looking for submissions and if so, what kind?

Our submissions are open, and we are actively acquiring science fiction, steampunk and fantasy. I’d also like to see more romance in the same genres.

Is there anything aspiring writers should avoid? Any pitfalls or "Kiss of Death" mistakes to avoid?

The advice I always give to an author is to do their homework when submitting to a house. Always know what they’re looking for and submit according to their guidelines. That means, if a house isn’t looking for science fiction, don’t send them your latest laser-shooting space epic. It won’t matter how good it is if they don’t publish it. Be professional and respectful. There’s no quicker way to get a rejection than to send an email to us that is of the same tone you’d send to a friend. Remember, we’re not your friend, we’re your perspective publisher.

Are you currently reading anything for pleasure right now, and if so, what is it?

I’m always reading, whether for work or pleasure. On my computer, I’m currently reading one of our November releases, Love Sam by Linda Rettstatt. Fabulous book, just be sure to have a full box of tissues handy. On my e-reader, I have The Face of Betrayal by Lisa Wiehl open right now to satisfy my  current mystery/suspense kick.

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To learn more about J. Ellen Smith and Champagne Books, please visit the website at http://www.champagnebooks.com . There's also a sister site of spicier books at http://www.carnalpassions.com/ .

Coming Soon: Interviews with acquiring editors and writers for Champagne Books.

If you have a few bucks (not the deer kind), why not take  chance and try one of the books at Champagne?

AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT: Check out this Champagne Author, David Boultbee and his piece "Venus Inferno". J. Ellen Smith also created the cover for his book. To read an excerpt, click on the book cover below.