Magical Musings is happy to have Loucinda McGary as our Debut Interview today. The excitement of first sale is something we love sharing with all of you, and believe it’s a cause for celebration. Loucinda will be giving an autographed copy of her book, The Wild Sight, to a lucky commenter today. We know you’ll enjoy hearing about her journey…
We’d love to hear your call story.
I never tire of telling this story, because it really does prove that truth is stranger than fiction!
I was lucky enough to final in the RWA Golden Heart contest in 2006, so of course, I attended the National Conference in Atlanta. My roommate and I had a room on the 20th floor, and one morning as we were going down to breakfast there was a woman already in the elevator. She introduced herself as an editor, noticed my Golden Heart finalist ribbon and asked about my entry. I told her that I was a finalist in romantic suspense. Then she said, “I’d really love to read your manuscript.” And handed me her business card! Later, my roomie said she couldn’t believe how calm I was and I said, “I was so sleepy I thought I was dreaming!”
When I returned home, I sent her that manuscript, which she ultimately rejected. However, she expressed an interest in my current work-in-progress and I sent her the first four chapters of what would become The Wild Sight.
A couple of months later, she called my house (!) and asked me to send the entire manuscript. After I stopped hyperventilating and emailed her the whole story, I convinced myself that nobody ever sells their manuscript to the very first editor who reads it. I am happy to say I was WRONG WRONG WRONG! On the morning of September 14, 2007, the editor called to say she loved my Irish book and wanted to buy it!
So truth really is stranger than fiction. I really did meet my editor in an elevator during a writing conference. She was the very first editor to see my book, and she bought it.
Did you have an agent when you sold? If not, did you send this to an agent prior to selling?
No, I did not have an agent at the time that I made my first sale, and I’m still unrepresented at the present time. I signed with an agent in 2006 but we parted ways a year later when he couldn’t sell my first romantic suspense.
About 20 agents had already passed on the manuscript when I sold it to Sourcebooks. Matter of fact, I received a rejection from one the day after I sold!
How long were you writing, and how many books before you sold?
Basically I’ve been writing all my life. However, I only began to seriously pursue publication after I quit my Dreaded Day Job at the end of 2003. I had joined RWA in 2001 and took lots of classes and attended workshops, but in and around my career and other hobbies. At the start of 2004 I decided to devote my full attention to writing and started my first contemporary romantic suspense novel. The Wild Sight was my third completed manuscript in three years and it sold to the very first editor who requested it.
What type of books do you write?
I write what I call “romantic suspense in exotic locations.” I grew up reading the great Gothic novels of Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Mary Stewart, and those writers have been a very definite influence on my work.
Near the end of my previous career, I developed a great love of travel and have visited 47 states and over two dozen foreign countries. I loved talking about my travels and all the wonderful places I’ve seen, so when I sat down to write my first romantic suspense, I decided to set my stories in some of the places I’ve visited.
I set my first book in the most romantic city I could think of, Venice. My first published work, The Wild Sight, I set in another place near and dear to my heart, Ireland. I have had many readers and reviewers comment that while reading The Wild Sight, they felt as if they were actually in Ireland – the ultimate compliment!
Can you tell us about your debut book?
I’d love to! The Wild Sight: an Irish tale of deadly deeds and forbidden love (that was not my original title, by the way) is a romantic suspense with paranormal elements set in contemporary Northern Ireland. It was an October, 2008 release from Sourcebooks Casablanca (their first romantic suspense release), and it received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. It was also recently nominated for a CAPA (Cupid and Psyche Award) from The Romance Studio.
The hero of my story, Donovan O’Shea was born with a psychic ability he couldn’t control, so he fled to America, where his “gift” never manifested itself. As the story opens, his father’s illness has forced him to return to rural Northern Ireland and the family homestead on the edge of the fens of Lough Neagh. When Donovan was a child, his mother disappeared into those fens and was never seen again. Now the same fens are offering up secrets, both ancient and modern, and restoring a terrible legacy, which just might drive Donovan mad. And if that isn’t trouble enough, a beautiful woman walks into his life, claiming to be his half-sister.
American Rylie Powell never knew her father. Her mother would only say he was a handsome Irishman who seduced her, married her, and then abandoned her and their baby daughter. But after her mother’s death, Rylie finds tantalizing clues about her father that lead her to Northern Ireland and an encounter with an attractive man who can’t possibly be her half-brother.
What are your plans for the future? What can we look forward to from you?
I’m thrilled to say that I recently signed a new contract with Sourcebooks Casablanca for two more romantic suspense novels! The first book will be on the shelves this coming Sept. or Oct. and is actually my first book, Jewels of the Madonna. This is the story that finaled in the 2006 Golden Heart and started a whole cascade of exciting events for me. It is set in Venice and features a yummy Irish hero who must solve a 500 year old mystery in order to save his sister’s life.
My third (as yet untitled) book will be a new Irish tale with a pair of telepathic twins, one of whom witnesses a murder. I’m working hard on it right now as it is tentatively scheduled for release in Spring, 2010.
Do you have a website?
Yes, of course! And you can read excerpts from The Wild Sight and Jewels of the Madonna here. If you’d like to read more excerpts and keep up with my latests news, please join my Yahoo Newsletter (you can sign up on my website).
I also have a blog on my personal website, Aunty Cindy Explains It All, and participate in two group blogs: Casablanca Authors and Romance Bandits.
Hi AC! Hi all at Magical Musings! What a cool blog you have here. Popping over from the Romance Bandits to see what’s cooking. With Cindy – you can never tell!
You write such fascinating stories, Cindy – loved The Wild Sight! And your book set in Venice sounds fab, as does your book about the telepathic twins. We’ll have to get you onto sexy English heroes, though *g*!
Can you tell us what you’ve learned since crossing the great divide into Published-dom?
Hi Loucinda! Hi Magical Musers! Nice interview and wow about all the traveling you’ve done, Loucinda. You must have many, many stories to tell about your travels. And now, the best part is you can get a tax deduction for them!LOL
Did you mention that THE WILD SIGHT got a STARRED REVIEW in Publisher’s Weekly? An awesome honour for a debut author. It is a terrific book and captures the atmosphere and heart of Ireland so well.
Can you tell us what you did to celebrate that first sale?
Hey, Loucinda and all the Magical Musings gang!
You mention your love of travel. What are some of your favorite places you’ve visited? Did they inspire any still-unwritten stories?
Loucinda, thanks for a great interview! Anna and Christine, thanks for stopping in!
Love your sale story, Loucinda. I’ve spoken to Deb Werksman a couple years ago, and was impressed. I’ll be at a bookstore on Saturday and will look for The Wild Sight.
Huge congrats on your success, Loucinda! And I loved your call story. Really amazing. Thanks for joining us here at MM.
Hi, Cindy, great interview. As you know I never get tired of hearing your call story. It’s such a magical experience and gives hope to all the unpublished writers out there!
The Wild Sight is a fabulous book with clever and appealing characters and just the right touch of the paranormal. Oh, plus Donovan’s just plain yummy!
Hi Cindy -
Another bandita stopping by. I didn’t realize this was your third manuscript (and I can vouch that this is a fabulous story). I heard once on an old RWA workshop tape that 3 books is the average number of manuscripts before one sells (and they sell the third). I know that’s how it worked with me. Hmmm…maybe I should include this in my statistics presentation (grin).
Loved The Wild Sight and looking forward to Jewels of the Madonna. Does that one have a paranormal element as well? You do that well, by the way, combining a little paranormal with a basic suspense/mystery.
Hey Cindy, so glad to have you with us today! Loved your interview, and that’s a call story for the books too.
Can’t wait to read your future novels.
Hi Cindy,
Great interview, and great Sold story! It’s about seizing opportunities, and being persistent, isn’t it?
Congratulations on the 2 book deal with Sourcebooks. I’m sure they’ll be as fabulous as your last, and you deserve it.
Kris
Good Morning Everyone!
(It IS morning, right?!?!) Aunty is still half-asleep, as per usual.
Thanx sooo much to LaDonna, Edie, Michelle and the other great authors here at Magical Musings for inviting me. And YIPEE! Nice to see my Banditas popping over for a shout out. Okay, 5 Banditas so far, one more and as everyone knows, with 6 Banditas, you get egg roll! LOL!
AC
Hugs across the pond to V.Anna!
I’ve learned a LOT since getting “the Call” but I think one of the biggies is that selling and becoming a published author does NOT vanquish the doubts and worries. All it does is replace a few with a WHOLE NEW SET! LOL! Or maybe that is just the way it is with us writers, we are worry-warts.
Thanx for your kind words about TWS and my other stories, and as for those sexy English heroes… BRING ‘EM ON! Esp. if they look like Clive Owen!
AC
Christine,
I don’t think I’ve had a chance to tell you yet, but I read your Dangerous Duke on the plane going to Turkey. Talk about a sexy Englishman!
And yes, I have all kinds of fun experiences and sights I’ve seen to draw on for future stories. No IMMEDIATE plans to set a story in Turkey, but I never say never!
As for celebrating “the Call” the DH took me out to a favorite Italian restaurant and when we got home, I opened a bottle of champagne my CP Aimee gave me waaay back when I finaled in the Golden Heart.
AC
Hey Trish!
You wanna know some of my favorite places? How many days do you have to listen to my answer? LOL!
Actually I find all kinds of fascinating things every place I go! I usually say my favorite destination is the one I haven’t visited yet. Right now, that is a toss up between the Pyramids in Egypt and New Zealand. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be seeing either until the economy… MY economy improves. :-/
Edie and Michelle,
Thanx so much for inviting me to blog today!
Hope you both enjoy The Wild Sight.
AC
BIG HUGS to my CP Jo-Mama!
You can take a MAJOR amount of credit for all your wonderful and insightful critiques of TWS. MWAH! I couldn’t have done it without you!
AC
Donna,
The old analyst in me LURVES those stats. I hadn’t heard that one before about selling the third book. If you and I had known, we could have written that third book FIRST!
Thanx for asking about Jewels of the Madonna. Yes, it does have a sort of paranormal element. The hero and heroine in modern day Venice may or may not be reincarnated lovers from 1485 Venice. And some of the scenes are written in 1485. Hope you and other readers enjoy that twist.
AC
LaDonna,
Thanks for asking great questions!
If you tried to invent a call story as unusual as mine, NOBODY would believe it!
AC
It’s so fun to hear people’s stories. Goes to show you that the elevator pitch IS important!!!! Congratulations on the debut, Cindy. =)
Hi Aunty Cindy,
Thanks for sharing your call story. Congrats again on the book deal.
Hi Cindy—Your book sounds fantastic. I’m going to have buy it. I love Ireland. In fact, I write romantic suspense and love to set the books in exotic locations, too. Great interview!
Congratulations on your two-book contract. Joan Beth Erickson
Hi Aunty Cindy
I never tire of hearing this story and The Wild Sight is such a fantastic book I loved it and am so looking forward to your next one can’t wait to read it.
Have Fun
Helen
Hey, Cindy!
Glad to read more of the Wild Sight over here at Magical Musings!Loved the Wild SightCan’t wait for The Jewels of the Madonna to hit the shelves. I’m thinking a 500 year old mystery would liven up things!
I never tire of hearing the call stories! Brings back wonderful memories of my own call, but mainly it is just wonderful to live the moment. Congratualtions Cindy, again. I loved your book so much. My daughter just finished reading it and was over the moon! We have turned her into a romance reader! Well, you have as she still hasn’t read my book! Ha!
Hey, Aunty Cindy! No wonder it’s mayhem in the lair today. You’ve taken your whip and brought it over here to see the Magical Musers. Hiya, Magical Musers! Great to see you again!
Cindy, I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, congratulations on the release of the Wild Sight and also on your next contract. Yay, you! I love that you explore new and different locations. Can’t wait to read the Venice book!
Hi Cindy,
I have your story to read next. My girlfriend received your book from a dear friend (me) for Christmas. She called all blubbery saying she cried, she loved it and could hardly put it down until she finished it. Said it is the best present I have given her. AND, that I better read my copy soon. Guess you have a fan….
So glad so many great things are happening for you and that your wonderful story is gaining such respect. Hugs!
Hey Kris!
(waves madly at my GIAM and TGN buddy) Thanx for dropping by and all your good wishes. You know all about persistence too, and I can’t wait for May when your debut release The Conqueror hits the shelves!
And YAY! 2 more Banditas (Aunty tips her riding crop to Suz and FoAnna) we are now up to 7 so that means WE GET EGGROLLS! LOL!
AC
Helen and Jane!
HUGS to my TWO STAUNCHEST FANS!
Having readers like the two of you love my books is what I dreamed of all those years before I was published. Can’t thank you both enough for all your wonderful support!
AC
Big HELLO to my local chapter mates, Misa, Joan and Paisley! (except Misa is now in another state — WAH!)
Thanx a BUNCH for being here.
Misa, really looking forward to reading your debut release La Vida Lola.
AC
Joan,
You may have heard me mention this before, but my DH has relatives in Northern Ireland and that was one of the reasons I decided to set Wild Sight there.
I hope you enjoy TWS, and what’s NOT to love about Ireland?!?!
I’ve only been to Venice once, but it is one of those wonderful places that leaves such a lasting impression. One of my writer buddies, Tina Ferraro has relatives who live near Venice and she assure me that I really nailed the setting in JOTM.
I love making the setting as much a character in the story as the H/H.
AC
Yes, m’darlin Paisley, your friend sent me the nicest fan email! Thank you sooo much for giving her a copy of The Wild Sight.
Do readers know how very much it means to us writers to receive fan mail?!?! It is THE. BEST. THING. EVER!!! Next time you read a book and put it down with a happy sigh, PLEASE tell the author! Even if it is only a line or two. They will really appreciate it, Aunty GUARANTEES IT!
AC
Sharon, my Casa-Sister!
So happy I helped to convert your daughter into a romance reader! There can never be too many of us.
I will admit to being a bit nervous about family members reading my books. NONE of them read anything until Wild Sight was actually published. Then I was pleasantly surprised at how much several of my real life nieces (and one nephew-in-law!) LURVED IT!
Can’t wait for March and your debut Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy Two Shall Become One!
AC
Hello My Casa Sister!
Lovely interview and you know we all love your call story! (Now, the way I heard it, you accosted Deb in the in the elevator and she had no choice but to request… LOL, just kidding!)
Loved The Wild Sight and can’t wait to read books 2 and 3! You GO girl! And last night, I successfully ate with chopsticks. Well, I got food to mouth. The success part is still questionable.
xo
Marie
BIG HELLO to my Evil Twin, Marie!
Such a load of Blarney! Everyone knows that Aunty is never awake enough to accost ANYONE at 7 am!
Well… maybe Hugh Jackman or Eric Bana, but that’s it.
Congrats on getting food into mouth with chopsticks! We’ll get you ready for a tour of Asia yet! Or at least a sushi bar the next time you’re in California. LOL!
Can’t wait for your next release Love At First Flight!
HUGS!
AC
Everyone says that the best place to meet an editor or an agent is at the bar. I’m thoroughly convinced that the elevator is much better. My chaptermate Candy Halliday met her agent from Trident Media on an elevator (in Atlanta, I think).
Hmmmm. When is RWA going to be in Atlanta again?
Congrats on the release, Cindy! And to those of you have not already run out and bought your copy of Wild Sight? What are you waiting for? It’s terrific!
Marcia,
Thanx a bunch for popping by! I’ve heard the bar is a good place too, and probably not nearly so claustrophobic as an elevator.
I think RWA will have another conference in Atlanta in 3 or 4 more years…
AC
BIG HUGS to Karin!
Can’t thank you enough for your support!
In case you didn’t know, check out the back cover of Wild Sight where you will see a wonderful quote from Karin Tabke, who did not know me from Adam but agreed to read the copyedited galley and give me a blurb.
I’m sure I probably owe her my first-born or something…
AC