| Wednesday, September 27, 2006 |
| Writing for Virgin |
OK, so how many of you opened this up thinking I was talking about pure Medieval Heroines, virtuous and untouched and yet somehow ready to be taken by a real man? I do have those books,  but that's for another blog.
The Virgin I mean is Virgin publishing, out of the UK. I've been lucky enough to sign on their CHEEK line, with the books
Fierce Competition
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Opposites Attract
It's a great writing gig, one that came up from doing a short story (my first) for their Wicked Words Anthology -- Sex in the Office. Is it me, or is this a kewl cover?
Wicked Words, for me, started as a nice little writing credit to my resume. I honestly never thought one short story could lead to 4 full length contracts with more on the horizon. I guess they (whoever the they are who says it) are right, that putting yourself out there can really pay off.
As a US author, it was strange at first to switch over to UK English. Hey, I've been barely speaking US English my whole life. I still mispronounce words, even when I know the right way of saying it. Then there are the times I've used all my words up writing and nothing comes out right when I try to speak.
Right now, Virgin books are print only titles (sorry, ebook fans). They're erotic in nature, very light (especially when compared to my other works--like Realm Immortal and Tribes of the Vampire ) and filled with strong, modern day women who know that there is a life beyond Prince Charming. But that doesn't mean there isn't place within them for the right man, the man who accepts them as they are. *insert girlie sigh here* 
My third and fourth CHEEK books are part of a new series, Bit by the Bug book one, now for preorder on Amazon.com or AmazonUK.com
and the second, Along for the Ride (contracts just signed today!!)
These books focus on the Matthews sisters--five very different, yet interlinked women who are all finding their way. In book one, Kat, a photographer hasn't got rose colored notions of romantic love. Her love is for her work, for creating something so beautiful it stand the test of time. When she's offered a chance of a lifetime--the opportunity to show her work in NY's upscale gallery, Fax Paus-- she's willing to do anything. Even if that means dating a bug scientist and breaking him out of his shell. It releases Feb 2007.
Along for the Ride, is Megan's book--a New York Detective whose sudden fame in the arrest of a serial killer is affecting not only her job but her love life. And, the one man she blames for that fame, is suddenly telling everyone they're engaged. It should release Mid to Late 2007.
The rest of the Matthews sisters are planned to follow. I love these girls. They remind me of how sisters should be--teasing, tormenting and yet utterly supportive and willing to beat anyone to a pulp who dares to hurt any of the others. Throw in a quirky tea-leaf reading mother and a professor father and you got yourself a book or five. ;)
I hope you, my readers, will all give these books a read and tell me what you think. They feel so different to write than my paranormals and futuristics, but so far the feedback has been wonderful. I love writing them and know that it's reader support that ultimately gives me my job, so thank you all! |
posted by Michelle Pillow @ 11:18 AM   |
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| Tuesday, September 19, 2006 |
| Realm Immortal 2: Faery Queen ~ Just Released (ebook) |
Just Released in Ebook!
Realm Immortal 2: Faery Queen
He made a promise he didnt keepnow both mortals and immortals alike will pay the price.
It is ill-advised to incur the wrath of a faery, but it is most foolish to do so of a faery queen...
Queen Tania has waited over a year for the Earl of Bellemare. When he left her palace to help blessed King Ean fight a battle to save the earl's sister, she expected him to come back for her when the encounter was over. Instead, he left her, returning to the world of mortals and his precious Bellemare. He made her a promise he didn't keep and now both realms will pay the price for his deceit.
Hugh, Earl of Bellemare, hates the immortal realm. Though it has brought his family blessings, it is now taking everything he holds dear away. Most heartbreaking of all is the sister he was forced to leave behind. Juliana married the unblessed King Merrick, a man who can never love her, and he blames Queen Tania for securing the match. He's spent a year trying to forget the faery queen, but it seems she's not done meddling with his family... |
| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 6:24 AM |
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| Saturday, September 16, 2006 |
| New PNR Interview |
Read my latest interview! Desiree did a wonderful job on it, I was very impressed. :)
CLICK HERE TO READ
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| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 3:56 PM |
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| Friday, September 15, 2006 |
| Lords of the Var Print ~ Update |
9/15/06 LORDS OF THE VAR PRINT - Due to unavoidable circumstances beyond my control, the print versions of Var 2-5 have been delayed by about a month. When I get the final word from the publisher when the new dates are, I'll post them.
Thank you for your patience!
On a happier note, I have a special new installment for Dragon Lord and Var fans. Look for more information coming soon!! |
| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 6:21 PM |
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| Tribute to a Great Man |
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| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 8:54 AM |
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| Flush your toilets and get back to me... |
 I don't know about the rest of you, but I've always heard that toilets on the other side of the world swirl in the opposite direction. In an attempt to research this topic with little effort on my part, I'm blogging. lol So far, I've learned, through conversations that: 1. In Australia the water levels are low and it's too hard to see which way the water swirls.
2. In Thailand, the water levels are really high
3. My own toilet (USA) has a counterclockwise flow and USA toilets vary in water levels.
So, in the worldwide pursuit of knowledge, go flush your toilet and report back. |
| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 8:50 AM |
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| Wednesday, September 06, 2006 |
| See me in Oct 2006 RT Bookreview Magazine! - now on shelves |
I'm in this months issue (OCT 2006) of Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine. Check out the cover story to see it. Congratulations to NCP for your 10th anniversary!
Also, Ultimate Warriors, my NCP superheroine book received a 4 1/2 star review!
"This action-packed anthology starring strong heroines and sexy heroes effortlessly engages readers' imaginations. The stories are paranormal, futuristic, humorous and noirish, so there should be something to please everyone." |
| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 5:26 PM |
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| Saturday, September 02, 2006 |
| Naughty Cupid 3: Cupid's Favor ~ Just Released in Ebook! |
Naughty Cupid 3: Cupid's Favor by Michelle M. Pillow (Paranormal Historical Romance)  'Beware of trolls bearing favors.'
When Lord Malak saves him from a sandpit, Cupid is honorbound to settle the lifedebt or risk being called upon later--even if the lycan noble insists he doesnt want any reward for the deed. Simply breeding the mans goats isnt enough to repay such a price. No, for this he needs something more. Knowing the perfect gift to be revenge, Cupid delivers the one thing that seems to aggravate Lord Malak the most--Lady Sophia. After being kidnapped and drugged by the horrid troll, Cupid, Lady Sophia just wants to go home--to a place where magic doesnt exist and theres no chance of being eaten by a dragon. But most of all, she wants to be rid of her escort, Lord Malak. The charming lycan swore to protect her and see her safely home, but it seems fate and a little troll have other plans. Sensuality: SPICY/CARNAL Buy it now, or read more: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/cupidsfavor.htm |
| posted by Michelle Pillow @ 12:59 PM |
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| Friday, September 01, 2006 |
| Little Mistakes... The Obtrusive Sig Lines |
Sig lines... those little very helpful things at the bottom of an email. I love 'em and have discovered a lot of kewl new authors and websites because of them. But, if not done right, they can be horribly annoying.
I admit, I was one of those authors with the obnoxiously long sig line when I first got started. I didn't mean to be, but I think what happened is that as my books came out, I just kept adding them and couldn't force myself to take any away. Luckily, I wised up and stopped or my sig line would look something like this...
Michelle M Pillow
www.michellepillow.com BOOKS AT ELLORA'S CAVE Pleasure Cruise (with Mandy Roth) Maiden and The Monster
Red Light Specialists
BOOKS AT VIRGIN PUBLISHING Wicked Words Anthology - Print only Fierce Competition - Print only
Opposites Attract - Print only
Bit by the Bug - Print only
BOOKS AT NEW CONCEPTS PUBLISHING Dragon Lords: The Barbarian Prince Dragon Lords: The Perfect Prince Dragon Lords: The Dark Prince Dragon Lords: The Warrior Prince Lords of the Var: The Savage King Lords of the Var: The Playful Prince Lords of the Var: The Bound Prince Mountain's Captive - Contemporary CAPA Winner Cupid's Enchantment Ult.......
Well, you get the point, lol. I don't have the energy to list them here, that's why I keep the website. :)
Most experts say (and by experts, I mean vocal bunch who happen to be saying it) that sig lines should be no more than 3-4 lines with only the necessary info-- You name, website link, newest release or a review quote or small one liner from the book or latest award or link to join a group/mailing list or contest announcement with link to get more info.
Sig lines should be clear, easy to read and shorter than the email or board posting. A three line comment shouldn't have a ten line ad at the end of it. Those I tend to ignore. In an informal setting, a pretty or sexy picture/banner can be nice, but only if it's small and doesn't take my high speed internet connection a year to download--I can't imagine the people on dial up.
Some people use catchy little slogans or funny sayings. I once had some that said:
Michelle M Pillow Arguing with characters is cheaper than therapy.
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