bookwomen - writing??

Hi Jesse -
I'm currently working on three new non-fiction titles for children, my 17th, 18th, and 19th books. Existing titles include seven novels in the StableMates series, three Tarragon Island books, two historical fiction titles set in the 1860s (Jo's Triumph and Jo's Journey), a picture book (Grandparents' Day), and the first two books in a fantasy trilogy (The Estorian Chronicles). I also work as a freelance writer and book reviewer and always have several shorter pieces on the go... I, too, have noticed that there are lots of writers here on Gather.

Well, since Jessie mentioned me by name (I feel so honored LOL), I'll tell you a little about me. I'm contracted at three houses currently, By Grace Publishing (http://www.bygracepublishing.com), Champagne Books (http://www.champagnebooks.com), and Samhain Publishing (http://www.samhainpublishing.com). My book with Samhain is coming this fall, so all I have out now is from By Grace and Champagne.

All three publishing houses are electronic publishers, however, By Grace offers POD books, which means, print on demand, they print them when an order is made instead of making a massive print run in the thousands like the big New York houses. But, this means my print books are only available online.

Now, Champagne and Samhain are moving into the print world via the bookstore. I recently announced that my book ON EAGLE'S WINGS is coming to print on July 31st. That means, you can walk into your local Barnes and Noble or Borders, and ORDER it! :D The books with CHampagne and Samhain are in Ingram's database, which means, it's available for bookstores to order for their shelves, however, it takes awhile for these publishers to circulate enough in the bookstore world for their books to actually be ordered and stocked on the shelves.

I've spoken with a bookstore who said they are more likely to order books to stock on the shelves if the author is a local talent. So, looks like I"ll be hitting up all my local bookstores. :P

Currently, I have 8 books available, mostly in e-book format. ON EAGLE'S WINGS, the Christmas anthology MISTLETOE MAGIC, and the yet to be released THE B.E.A.S.T. WITHIN will all be coming to print by the end of the year. Hopefully at some point, my title with Samhain will as well. But I've also just submitted a fantasy series to them as well, and we'll see how that goes. :D

If you want to find out more about me, my website is at http://www.rebeccagoings.com and I have a few blogs at http://magicmavens.blogspot.com (one I share with fellow authors), and http://beastseries.blogspot.com (one exclusively for my B.E.A.S.T. series). I also have one that's just to gab about what I do when I'm not writing, that's at http://beckasbabble.blogspot.com and if you want to find me on MySpace, go to http://www.myspace.com/rebeccagoings .

Yup, I'm a busy little bee! :D

~~Becka

Nothing published yet, Jessie, but I'm working on it! It's inspiring to see so many others here who have books out there.

I have six published and five more in the works.

I'm impressed by all of you!

wow, you women are amazing writers! i am so proud and impressed!! thanks for the titles and subjects - helps us to find them!!

whoo!!! i am so glad i started this thread! i am learning a great deal.

hi I have 3 published self-help metaphysical books and when I get a minute I freelance. I also have a book of poetry coming out later on in the year...this was very interesting to read and see how many people are published etc., my publishers are www.mandala-press.com, am on amazon and have lots of short stories, poems etc., published. nice topic and great to read about other published authors

I am making a commitment to get a couple of children's stories ready for publishing. I bought the Children's Writers Market with my last B&N gift card from Gather and am ready to polish and get them out. There I made the commitment.

that's great, rochelle and linda!
the commitment is a great start! linda - the website, harold's purple crayon is a great one, as is the children's book council ..,good luck!

Jessie, I'm working on a YA historical which I hope to be the first of a series, I have an essay that will be published in an anthology in October-Classic Christmas: True Stories of Holdiay Cheer and Goodwill, I have two more books in the beginning stages, and I am submitting two more essays for two anthologies. Lots in the works, only one thing published so far!

i'm impressed, ladies! Thanks, jess, for getting this article going.

Linda, www.write4kids.com has lots of good information. So does http://www.signaleader.com/ and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a very helpful group (www.scbwi.org).
Good luck! Writing for a young audience is tremendously satisfying and endlessly challenging -

pogo is sitting on her butt-- but actually I put together a workbook for studying parasha for nonjewish which was very much work and now putting together a Kodak newsletter for expats in Czech Republic, so am bogged down sitting on my butt. previously, I had written a very complicated self-study ESL program comprised of 5 integrated books that included grammar, word-building, spelling, rading skills and vocabulary--which received praise from McGraw-Hill and others, but was lost when the landlord and freinds broke into flat 5years ago and stole everythign I ahd of value--which included the dinosaur computer, all disks and all of that work included.

so wped out in every possible way: financially, emotionally, physically, etc... and never recovered.

so nothing here, but with good reason.

I published one book, picking up the pieces: a woman's journey,

and I have a second book which I am editing and hope to find a publisher for.

I also write short stories and poems and I publish a newsletter that features my work and the work of over 338 writers.

I'm glad you asked, Jessie. The comments thus far are inspiring! I think I may be a one-book woman; and that book and its aftermaths meant a great deal to me. It was 'way back in 1964, during Vatican Council II, when Pope John XXIII "flung open the windows" and let some fresh air in for a while. I entered a written conversation with a Roman Catholic woman, Lorraine Juliana, and eventually a Catholic publisher, Bruce, contracted with us to publish our letters, which became The Wall Between Us: a Protestant-Catholic Dialogue. It became a religious best seller that year and sparked some fine friendships and speaking engagements. About 10 years ago it started reappearing in secondhand book stores. I don't think Amazon lists it any more. I have some leftover copies that I bought from the publisher when the book went out of print. That chapter of my life was one I remember fondly.

Hi there, jessie,

Here's mine, published this year, first one:

NO NAME HARBOR, POETRY OF BARBARY CHAAPEL

Website for my book: http://barbarychaapel.eveusa.com

Thanks for your generosity in publishing this article. Good to see Gather women's names attached to books.

I've had two of my books published. "Gifts From God" was released in March 2005. This was a collection of poetry I've written throughout my life. My second book "Defend God's Word" was just released this May. In this book I attempt to share the wisdom I have gained from God's written Word on such subjects as Faith, Salvation, Baptism, Comfort and Prayer. This is my testimony of the hope I have found through my saviour Jesus Christ.
Both of my books were published by Publish America www.PublishAmerica.com
I have also had some of my work in newspapers, anthologies and on my web site www.geocities.com/isaiah1222000
www.publishedauthors.net/defendgodsword/index.html

Nothing published yet Jessie, but will soon..I have faith in me..and have written some more , but I have chosen this to be the first: "Follow your light, Living your destiny". it is a non fiction book based on my experience and the book is certainly going against the grain. The idea of writing such a book came after being tired of listening and reading all the time about the wonders of the daily positive affirmation and how people's life can be changed. I was also tired of those professing that it is so easy to heal ourselves. I was tired of the spiritualists giving the recipees for a better life..and so on.
It took me ages to write the querry letter + proposal and synopsis and maybe it will take longer to find a publisher, but i will find one who will finally appreciate my work and I am sure that many will read it.. because there are many in search of the truth.
Any idea? any support?

Jessie -

What a wonderful idea! I feel so inspired after reading these comments. Of late, I've felt quite torn about whether I should pursue writing professionally - or to continue treating it as a hobby for self-fulfillment. You've given me a bit more spring in my step this morning dear friend. Thanks from the bottom of my socks!

Jessie, thanks for starting this! I had no idea how many here are published. I have published in short, but not book length yet. I have one novel ready to market, "The Lives of Jon McCracken:, and have another project that is being written in both novel and screenplay format. It's a romantic comedy. I think books are easier to sell than screenplays, but it came to me in movie format in my head.

Nothing yet, but working on a memoir.

"Cutting Away the Pain" has been available since June 2nd, and "Moving ON' will be available starting July 28. Both are published by Forbidden Publications Now I better get crakin' on the book I thought I'd have done by July 1st :(

I have finished two and just started the publishing venture. My first one is book 1 in a series of 5 young adult books that take place b/w 1938-1946. It centers around small town life in CT and teenage kids just like from an Andy Hardy film. It's funny but it leads into more serious issues. My second is a Christian romance that is also very funny but contains a poignant story of healing and forgiveness. I've also started an intrigue style book with romantic overtones b/w a CIA analyst and an FBI agent. In my spare time (hee hee), I raise my two boys, homeschool the oldest, and continue to work on my masters degree.

wow - we ARE bookwomen! i am so proud of you all - and for some, your tales of adversity make me want to cry (pogo/mary - so sorry!)...it is amazing, what we can do, eh? i am so proud of you all. what a GREAT thread here!! thank you, thank you!

Jessie great article and it's wonderful to see how many here are published writers, although not surprising. This is great! I am not and will never be published. I do it because I enjoy it, and it is therapeutic for me.