Cynthia Eden has been a cyber friend to everyone here at Magical Musings for well over a year now. And in that time, her writing career has skyrocketed. This girl is selling books left, right and centre, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her. Her single title paranormal romance Hotter After Midnight is set for release by Kensington Brava in May 2008, and she has several novellas coming out before that. So without further ado, here is Cynthia talking about what happens when your dream comes true, and she should know . . .
Hi, everyone! And a big thanks to Michelle for inviting me in on her blog date! (And thanks to all the other ladies here at Magical Musings–I love dropping by this site!)
Today, I’d like to talk a bit about what happens when a long standing dream finally comes true.
You see, for thirteen years, I dreamed of selling a novel to New York. I wrote, I dreamed, I hoped–then, finally…I sold.
Guess what happened next?
I panicked!!
I spent all of my time WANTING that sale, and not thinking about what I would do AFTER the sale. So, after I shakily signed my signature to the contract with Kensington, I realized a couple of important facts, very quickly:
Fact one: I was going to have to write more and do that writing pronto! So, I set up a schedule for myself, and, despite the myriad of crises that can occur in life, I’ve stuck to that schedule.
Fact two: I needed to get PR savvy. Sure, in college, I studied communication and I took a ton of PR courses, but PR for the romance industry–that’s a whole different game! I researched review sites (got close to 40 on my list now–oh, and if anyone wants that list, just drop me an email at cynthia@cynthiaeden.com), I set up interviews–because you know what? Interview spots fill up FAST. In order to get a good booking, you have to book months in advance. I also researched advertising options.
Ah, advertising. That brings me to–
Fact three: Sticking with an advertising budget is important. My grandmother taught me the importance of being thrifty and I’m certainly going to be as thrifty as I can when it comes to advertising options.
In the romance field, the “big” advertising option would be the Romantic Times. Now, the ads in the RT are pricey, but if you book early enough, you can get an author’s discount–or, hey, if you’re really lucky, your publisher will spring for the ad! Also, another great place to advertise is in the Romance Writer’s Report. If you write a strong article for the RWR, you can opt to get an ad as payment–sounds like a great deal to me!
Many writers send out bookmarks and postcards to promote their books. They send these promo items to conferences or bookstores. Recently, I discovered the wonder that is VistaPrint. For a very affordable fee, you can get some great promo items.
Of course, there are plenty of online resources for romance–and many online sites offer affordable advertising options.
There’s also the free PR that one can generate–blogging, getting a MySpace page, etc…
Oh, so much to do!
So, what happened for me when my dream came true? I started working hard and fast in my reality to make certain that I lived that dream to the fullest–and I hope you do that, too.
Tell me, what dreams do you have–and what are you doing to achieve those dreams? Leave me a comment, and, on Friday, I’ll pick one commenter to receive a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate. (I’ll post the winner’s name in the comments section.) Happy dreaming!
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
Cynthia, it’s great to have you here! As soon as I sell, I’ll come back to read your blog for the basics of PR. That’s the part I don’t want to do but know I’ll have to. I know how important those “numbers” are.
I love it that you and other friends are doing so well. You’re beacons shining the way for the rest of us.
Cynthia, a warm MM welcome, and thank you so much for blogging today
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I love that you are so willing to share all your research with the rest of us. That really is at the heart of what makes the writing community so wonderful. The sharing spirit I’ve encountered again and again.
I have short term dreams and long term dreams, but let’s just say a phone call from NY or London features in them
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Cynthia, great blog. Most of us are like you – we’re so busy trying to realize our dream, we forget how it will change our lives. Kudos to you for doing the homework for “After the Sale”. I will definitely be asking “off” list for those. It’s kinda like having Cliff notes!
A girl can’t be too prepared!!
Thanks again. Magical Musings is a great place to guest blog.
I’m a big worrier, so I listen TOO much to authors’ horror stories. I try to plan and imagine how I can avoid the same pitfalls, but there gets a point where I need to pull myself back and focus on the sale, LOL.
I just don’t want to get there before I’m ready, LOL.
Oh! Meant to add, CONGRATULATIONS!
My dream’s about the same as the one coming true for you. As for what I’m doing to get there? Apparently not enough, because I’m not there! *laugh*
Awesome book cover!
Jody W.
Thanx for joining us, Cynthia and congrats. Jody’s right … great cover.
I’m still in the learning process. After contracting with Samhain I was in the same boat. You suddenly had to know all about promotion. So I studied, listened to other authors, asked questions, participated in on-line discussions and think that I’m finally beginning to get a handle on the process. Samhain has a couple of people who are very market savvy, so I’ve been learning a lot from them. And, yes … I also discovered Vistaprint.
My dream is to be able to eventually quit the day job and write full time. That’s definitely in the future right now, but hey … a girl can dream.
Hi, Edie! Thank you so much! I feel so very fortunate to be where I am–writing-wise–right now. But you are so right–those numbers matter, so, hopefully, I’ll have a good showing when the books hit the shelves! (Fingers so crossed they hurt!)
Michelle–thanks for inviting me in on your day! And I certainly hope that your dreams (the short-term and long-term) come true very soon!
Thanks, Liz! I’ll be happy to give you the lists I’m compiling–just drop me an email when you’d like to get them.
Hello, Spy! Oooh…there are a lot of horror stories out there, huh? Like you, I listen to them, and then try to figure out how the heck I can avoid those situations!
Jody–I’ll be checking in to read your blog later this week!
And as soon as your dream comes true, I fully expect you to shout the fact across the Internet (so that I can celebrate for you!).
Liz K–I love your dream! And here’s hoping it becomes a reality in the very near future! It’s great that Samhain has market savvy folks who can steer you in the right direction. I’ve actually been hearing lots of wonderful things about Samhain for some time now, so congrats on having such a great publisher!
Cynthia, I’m so happy for your success!
We love having you at Magical. My dreams came true when I signed with Tiger Publications. I knew two things up front, I’ve dreamed of being an author most of life and I intended to enjoy my journey. Second, I wanted to work with amazing people, and write great books. And learn, learn, learn every single day. My future dream is to write into those twilight years and beyond! 
You mean other than winning the Powerball?
My dream is to get published, but not to get burnt out by it either. I relish the day that I can produce perhaps one or two books a year while an editor sits and salivates in the wings. But unlike many authors, I don’t want to outright quit the day job. I would rather work part-time, so I can sustain that human contact and not get burnt out.
Cynthia, you already have one guaranteed sale with me.
I’m eager for Liz’s and LaDonna’s books to come out too. I’m thinking of getting a bookcase and putting it in my office for all my friends’ books.
Thanks, LaDonna–and congratulations on all of YOUR wonderful success!
Ah, Marcia, put me down for the Powerball win, too!
And, Edie–thanks, lady! You’re awesome! (And I’m looking for their books, too!)
Cynthia, congrats on all of your success.
As far as my dreams? I’m living them!
Cynthia,
Congrats on a totally awesome cover!
As for pursuing my dreams, at the moment I’m concentrating on writing the best possible book I can write. Sticking to a writing schedule is the most important skill I can learn right now, so I’m really concentrating on that as well.
Everyone has their dreams and it is interesting to read about them. Having dreams and goals is important and meaningful. Achieving them is even better. Mine would be to travel since it is the one wonderful objective that I have never pursued. It is beneficial and enlightening.
I’m back!!!! And the winner of the gift certificate is…Marcia! Congrats, Marcia! I will try to follow the blog trail and send you an email.
And thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments. Have a great weekend!