Tips on how to write a query letter

When I was shopping for agents and publishers for my book, I struggled with the query letter.  Unfortunately, it's a tedious task, but a necessary one, nonetheless.  Agents and publishers see thousands of queries every week from writers, so it's important to make your query letter stand out and make the person reading it say, "I need to know more about this book!"  I'm no expert when it comes to writing a query letter, but I did a ton of research before developing my query letter for Coincidence. There is a substantial amount of information online (and probably from experts in the area) on query letters and how to write one, but I thought I would throw a few tips out for any aspiring writers who are looking to write one. And, here they are:

• Make it grab the attention of the reader right from the start!  What's the hook?
• Don't query unless you have a completed and polished manuscript.
• Describe your book in a few sentences, but don't give a whole summary of the book in the letter--that's what the synopsis is for, which will usually be requested if an agent or publisher has read your letter and has found your book interesting.  
• Keep the query letter to one page.  
• Ask permission to send sample chapters of your book.  
• Describe the length and genre of your book.  How many words is it? Is it romance? Horror? Mystery? Sometimes it can be difficult to fit your book into a genre, but it has to be done.  Some publishers and agents are only looking for particular genres and you certainly don't want to query a science fiction publisher about your romance novel--it will make you look like an amateur and uninformed and who wants that? 
• Talk a little bit about yourself.  Do you  have any other published works? What is your background--anything relevant to writing that would be useful?  What gives you the credibility to write this book?
• Make sure you are spelling the person's name correctly.  If you are sending a letter to Jane Doe, make sure Jane Doe spells her name Jane Doe and not an alternate way, like Jayne Doe.  I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have your name constantly misspelled and believe me I know!  My name is spelled Lesley, yet I'm all the time seeing it spelled Leslie, Lesli or Lesly...even after I correct them!  More than likely, if you misspell an agent's/publisher's name, your query is going straight in the trash. 
• Last but not least, thank the person reading your letter for actually taking the time to read your letter.  It's easy to forget such a simple step. 

Below, I've included the query letter I sent out for Coincidence.  This letter eventually got me published by Wings ePress, Inc.  Coincidence was released in November 2010.



Date

Ms. Jayne Doe
Name of Agency/Publisher
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Ms. Doe:

So, what’s the craic? Have no idea what that means? Neither did Samantha “Sam” Montgomery the first time she was asked that question. Little did she know on that hot, humid summer night, that it would be the question that would change her life forever.

I am seeking representation for my first novel—a completed 98,000 word contemporary romance novel.

Coincidence is a story about Sam Montgomery, a typical twenty-eight year old single woman who, stuck in a boring job and with a string of bad relationships under her belt, isn’t where she imagined she would be at this point in her life. Additionally, she has to cope with the sudden death of her beloved grandfather who passed away just weeks after beginning to investigate a letter belonging to his mother—a letter which only fuels questions about his mother’s mysterious past and why she suddenly fled her homeland of Ireland in the middle of the night nearly eighty years ago.

Sam, desperate for some much needed relaxation after the past several months of grieving her grandfather’s death and her unlucky in love past, heads away on her annual girl’s beach trip with her best friend, Kate Mason, only to discover what awaits her at the beach is far from relaxing. When she, a charming Irishman named Sean and an angry red-headed woman cross paths, Sam finds her sanity slowly spinning out of control as she stumbles, falls and laughs her way through a mission which takes her across the Atlantic Ocean in search of love and answers to her family’s puzzling past.

Now, a little about me. With a fiancé who is from and lives in Ireland, I travel back and forth frequently, which allows me the opportunity to know the people, places and culture of what I write about first hand—Ireland is not just a place in the book, it becomes a character as well. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and a master’s degree in criminal justice. In July ’09, I wrote Wintergreen, a humorous travel piece profiling Derry, Ireland, which was published in the Charleston Sunday Gazette newspaper. Additionally, I am the Charleston Budget Travel Examiner for Examiner.com, an online local news guide, where I’ve written articles on how to travel on a budget both nationally and internationally.

I would love the chance to send you my partial or complete manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,


Your name
Your contact information

A few paragraphs from the book

To pique your interest, here's an a look inside the book.  Order your copy today on Amazon and then come see me at my book signing on January 8th at The Book Shop in South Charleston from noon to 2pm.

I walked over to the bed and sat down and opened one of the nightstand's drawers. It was empty except for one photograph, folded in two, right down the middle. I opened it up and saw it was a photograph of Sean and Kevin, both smiling ear to ear and they looked so happy. What happened to this family? I wondered what exactly had caused the rift. Based on the O'Conners' argument this morning, it was evident that it was something bad. I just didn't know what.


I gathered that I was sitting on Patricia's side of the bed. Judging from what I heard Martin say this morning about Sean, I couldn't imagine him having this photo in the nightstand. I looked at it, gently running my finger down the photo over Sean's face. There it was--the face that had been in my every thought and dream since I had first laid eyes on it nearly three weeks ago.

I shoved the photo in my pocket and began making my way out of their private living space. Just as I walked out of their bedroom into their sitting room, I heard the front door open.

"Hurry up, Martin. I can't believe ye left yer hat. Ye never go anywhere without that stupid hat!" Patricia called from the front door. Martin's quick footsteps approached their room. I froze in fear and looked around for a place to hide.

As he got closer, I ducked into the bedroom just as he entered their sitting room.

"I'm jist gonna check on Samantha again to make sure she's alright," Patricia yelled.

Martin turned back towards the door. "Leave that poor gerl alone. Yer pesterin' her ti death, Pat! Let her git some rest! Come here and help me find me hat, please."

Grateful that their bedroom was on the first floor, I shoved open the bedroom window. Just as Martin finished yelling at Patricia, I fell to the ground below. "Ouch," I whispered as I landed on a bed of shrubbery. I just barely made it away before seeing the light switch on from their bedroom. The prickly shrubs scratched my exposed skin; however, I didn't dare move. I didn't want Martin to hear or see me lying outside of their bedroom window. There would be no good way to explain this. As the pain of my new scratches from the shrubs added to the pain of my bruises from my fall from the attic, I wondered how much worse this trip could get.

Stop by LoveRomancePassion.com today!

I'm guest blogging today on the Love Romance Passion Blog!  Stop by and check it out.  The topic is a quick writing "how-to."

Here is the link:

http://www.loveromancepassion.com/writing-doesn%e2%80%99t-happen-just-by-coincidence/

In the news: Belfast's Sunday Life, December 5, 2010

New release posting on Author Exchange Blog

Thanks for the post, Linda!

http://lindamfaulknertips.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-release-coincidence-by-lesley-hager.html

Coincidence now available on Amazon!

Coincidence is now available on Amazon!  Click here to order.

Please rate our wedding picture and video on TheKnot.com!

Our wedding video, The Wedding Train, is posted on TheKnot.com.  If you would, please go and rate the video for us!  We created this silent film for our 1920's themed wedding to play before we were announced in the reception.  Barry did such a great job putting all the film together! It was a fun surprise for all of our guests.  Click here to go to the website. 

Also, please click here to go to the photograph section of TheKnot.com where you can rate some of our wedding photographs as well.

The not so average Thanksgiving list

With Thanksgiving upon us, as most of us do, I’ve compiled a list of things I’m most thankful for. Besides the most obvious things, like my health and my friends and family (which of course I’m thankful for), I have a few more specific items.

First, I’m thankful for the ability to express myself with written words. This ability has granted a somewhat socially awkward gal like me, the ability to communicate and express myself without stress (those that know me, know that I am, in general, not a talker).

Second, I’m thankful for my humbleness. It seems that more and more every day, every person I come into contact with is a very important person (please not the sarcasm here). I’m grateful that I’ve yet to begin feeling like I’m very important, because I’m not—and certainly hope that never changes, because in the grand scheme of things, the majority of us are not important. We all can’t be JFK or MLK, after all. But, wouldn’t it be cool if we were?

Third, I’m grateful for Ireland’s new Pet Travel Scheme, which will allow me to take my two best buddies, my cats, Charlie and Fox, with me to Ireland without quarantine when I move there to be with my husband.

Fourth, I'm thankful for Zumba and the great results it has given me as both a student and an instructor (my class is Tuesday nights at the John C. Henson Center in Hurricane at 7pm if you want to come).  An exercise program that doesn't feel like exercise, combines dancing and loud music is always a winner in my book.  Plus, it's fun!

Lastly, I’m thankful we’re all given the opportunity to change or the opportunity for a new beginning. These things are never easy, but often necessary and the results are almost always for the best.

The Sunday Gazette's book notes-Last but not least

As appearing in yesterday's Sunday Gazette

November 13, 2010


Book Notes: Nov. 14, 2010

By Staff reports

The Charleston Gazette


Writer Dinty Moore at MU

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Writer Dinty Moore will read from his work at 8 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Shawkey Room of the Memorial Student Center at Marshall University.

Moore is the author of five books of prose. His memoir, "Between Panic and Desire" (University of Nebraska), was winner of the 2009 Grub Street Nonfiction Book Prize.

Moore has published essays and stories in The Southern Review, The Georgia Review, Harper's, and The New York Times Sunday Magazine. Awards include a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction. He directs the creative writing program at Ohio University.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Call Art Stringer 304-696-2403.

Fayette author signing

SMITHERS, W.Va. -- Dale Payne will sign copies of his book, "Fayette County the Early Years: Late 1800's-Early 1900's," from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Christian Family Book Shoppe, in Smithers.

Payne is a retired state trooper and magistrate. He has written histories of Paint Creek and Cabin Creek. His latest book contains more than 600 photographs and covers 112 towns in Fayette County in its 317 pages.

The book may be pre-purchased for signing by calling 304-442-2142 or visiting http://www.christianfamilybookshoppe.com/.

Author to sign novel

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Lesley Hager will be sign copies of her debut novel, "Coincidence," from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at The Book Shop, 57 MacCorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston. Copies of the book can be purchased at www.wings-press.com. More information available at www.lesleyhager.blogspot.com.

Learning the error of my ways on the path to publishing

Given that Coincidence is my first book, I'm new to all the intricacies of the publishing world. Many things I have learned along the way, but many things, I'm still learning...and I don't imagine the learning will stop anytime soon. I was very naive when it came to the whole process of getting published.  Actually, I probably still am about many things.

After months of writing my book and shopping around for agents and publishers, only to get rejection letter after rejection letter, I was finally offered a contract for publication.  I was thrilled!  "Yes, the whole world will see my beautiful creation!" (says naive Lesley). I never would have imagined that writing the book would actually be the easiest part of the whole process!   Well, it was.  No, folks, the path to publication and actually holding that beloved baby (a.k.a. your book) in your hands doesn't end with a publishing contract...oh no.  In fact, the journey has just begun. 

After you sign the contract, it's time for you and your publisher to prepare your novel for publication.  "Wait. What? But, my novel is perfect...it is ready for publication! I've spent countless, sleepless nights developing this perfectly polished, pulitzer worthy (I wish. Oh, how I flatter myself.) masterpiece!" My first error. Are you thinking something like that?  I was. If so, think again.   No your novel is not ready and be thankful that no publisher (good publisher, anyway) will print a novel just given to them without editing.  Oh, the editing...that torturous, glorious process of editing. 

Yes, next my friend, comes the editing.  "What? Editing? A piece of cake! Proofread and throw some commas in there.  Noooo problem!"  H-A H-A!  I laugh at you, former naive Lesley.  Another error. No, editing is much more than that.  Next, your book will go through the publisher's editing department.  And, it never hurts to develop a thick skin right about this time.  You will work with your assigned editor as he or she makes suggestions for changes to your perfect novel. Your editor has seen tons of books and goes through them in a very business-like manner.  They are busy people and they have no time to sugar coat changes to protect your feelings.  Nope, no sugar coating here.  Just prepare yourself as they make suggestions and comments as to what parts of your book (your baby) don't make sense.  They often don't say it as nice as that, either.  You may find yourself curled up under your covers, repeating something like this: "Why did I ever write this stupid book? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" But, don't worry.  That's all part of the wonderful editing process.  Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for editors, especially those who edit first time authors such as myself.  They are incredibly patient and I have to insert my thanks to my editor, Joan, here. Because, God knows, she put up with a lot from me!

Okay, so the editor has gone through your book and made all the changes and suggestions and you've complied with these changes.  "So, we're done, right?"  Oh, how I wish that were all.  In fact, there is some more editing to do.  Yes, the changes have been made to your book and submitted, but now, it is time for the gallies.  The gallies are the last chance you have to go through your novel and correct any changes that were not picked up in that first tedious editing process.  This is usually reserved for simple grammatical and spelling errors--no big plot changes. About this time is when you start thinking something like this: "If I read this book one more time, I'm going to vomit!"  Yes, the book you were once so certain was perfect is enough to make you want to hurl just at the sight of it.  But, you will read it one more time and likely several more times after that.  I'd suggest investing in some Pepto. 

Now, you've spent hours reviewing and making corrections to your gallies and you've put together your errata list (list of corrections) to submit to your editor.  No more changes now. The next time you see your book, it will be an actual physical book.  This whole process takes months and much patience. "So, we're done, now right...right...RIGHT?!!!"  No way, Jose!  Now, it is time to market that beast!  But, we won't even talk about that right now, because that is a whole separate process.

When my book, Coincidence, finally came out, I was over the moon!  Of course, new to this whole thing, I expected a perfect, final copy.  After all, my editors and I spent hours changing, correcting, reading, and re-reading to make sure we had corrected everything there was to be corrected.  Or, so we thought. We did our best to make sure all the commas, periods and quotation marks were in the right place.  Everything was italicized as necessary and spelled correctly.  However, what I failed to realize in all my naiveté was that we were all  human and therefore not perfect ourselves, so how did we expect the novel to turn out perfectly?  Another error of my ways.  We all have opinions of what is correct and what is incorrect and sometimes after going through four different editors with four different opinions, its no wonder many if not all books are printed with errors.

Once I began reading the final, printed version of Coincidence, I was shocked...appalled, in fact, to find errors, which I now know was a product of my publishing world ignorance.  I found missing periods, commas, and question marks, a few misspelled words, and a few periods and commas that decided to call the middle of a word home (i.e. Oh, ok.ay).  "Wait, mister apostrophe,  how did you get there?  That noun is not possesive! Get outta here!"  But, at this point, it is too late for mister apostrophe to go anywhere, because the book is printed and done. Oh, well. Those are just a few errors I stumbled on as I was reading the final version.  In fact, if you read Coincidence, and send me any errors you find, you may just win a prize.  I'm serious!  I don't know what the prize will be yet, but I'll think of something.

Actually, the errors are probably not as bad as they seem.  Since, I expected perfection (another error of my ways), I was disappointed. I realize, many readers will not even notice these minor errors.  Since there are no errors in the actual facts or content of the book, I'm happy enough.  In fact, I've learned through research and through actually being an avid reader of fiction, that errors in books are quite common. Plenty of spelling and grammatical errors find their way into printed books. Just check out this article here by Brenda Coulter in which she addresses romance novel errors.  Actually much to my surprise, I just discovered that Twilight has errors as well.  I've never read the Twilight books, but I'm more inclined to do so now just to see if I can find them.  It makes me feel better that a best-selling series has errors. Perhaps these minor errors add to the book reading experience?  Well, I'm hoping they do.
I've had an eye-opening experience on my path to publishing.  I've decided to embrace the error of my ways and of Coincidence and make some fun of it.  If you find errors in Coincidence, let me know by posting them in the comments section of this post and I'll enter you in a chance to win a prize, which will have to be determined.  But, it will be cool.  Also, if you know of other books with errors, put those in the comments, too...just to make me feel better :).


Until next tome...er, I mean, time,


Lesley

Upcoming book signing

I have a book signing scheduled on January 8, 2011 at The Book Shop in South Charleston, WV.  The Book Shop is between Riverwalk Plaza and the interstate entrance ramps (the former Sam's Hot Dogs).  I'll be signing copies of Coincidence from Noon to 2pm!


Come out and see me and ease my anxiety a little as I'll be extremely nervous given this is my very first book and very first signing!  To order your copy of Coincidence, please visit: http://www.wings-press.com/.  While you're there ordering Coincidence, you may want to check out Suzanne Hurley's latest release, Shades of Envy, which is the fourth in her Samantha Barclay mystery novels.  And, coincidentally (Ehhh? You like that little pun?), is about a woman, also named Sam, who lives in West Virginia and always manages to find herself in sticky and troublesome situations. 

I'll update you when my book is available on Amazon and other sites as well. 

I will also be scheduling book signings in Huntington and will keep you posted on when those will be.

Find Coincidence on Facebook...or actually, just click on the word Coincidence :)

Hope to see ya there,
Lesley

Coincidence has a new ISBN #

The paperback ISBN has been changed.  The new number is: 978-1-59705-551-2.

"Like" Coincidence on Facebook!

Coincidence is on Facebook!  Find it or click on the link and "Like" it and also interact with me other Coincidence readers.

Coincidence has arrived just in time for your holiday shopping!

It's finally here!  Coincidence is available right now!  Order your copy here at http://www.wings-press.com/.  The book is available in paperback as well as a variety of eBooks.  Coincidence will be available on Amazon, Fictionwise and other sites as well shortly. 

For booksellers interested in stocking Coincidence, ordering information is available here:

The price shown on the Wings ePress website is the WHOLESALE price. Suggested retail is 40% more. For BOOK STORES ONLY, Wings ePress offers 5% off the wholesale price for orders of 10 books or more, one or more titles. Returns are allowed for books in new, undamaged condition for cash refund.

RETURNS TO BE SENT TO PAW PRINTS, 3000 ROCK ROAD, NEWTON, KS 67114
With fax orders, we'll need the following information.
Submit orders to fax number 859-625- 5629

Name:
Company:
Email:
Address1:
Address2:
City:

State:
Zip/Postcode:

Country:
Fax:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:
PO number (if any):

Card type:
Card number:

For more ordering info please visit http://www.wings-press.com/

Book signings and readings:

I'm available for signings and readings.  If interested, email me at LesRH80@hotmail.com.

Playlist for your Coincidence experience

To get you in the spirit of the book, I've compiled a playlist for Coincidence.  Listen to some of these songs before, during or after reading the book.  Just for a little fun!

P.S. I claim no rights or ownership to these songs and am only suggesting them to complement the experience of reading the book.

If I Ever Leave This World Alive by Flogging Molly

Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

Get Low by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz featuring The Ying Yang Twins

In Da Club by 50 Cent

One Love by Bob Marley

Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley

Dog Days are Over by Florence +The Machine

Mr. Rock 'n Roll by Amy MacDonald

Crazy World by Aslan

Be Mine by David Gray

Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

Meet some of the furry inspiration behind Coincidence

Yes, the book is fiction, but the two cats, Max and Jax, in the book are inspired by my own two fuzzy felines, Charlie and Fox Jeffrey.  Names were changed to protect the pawties involved :)

Charlie is a ten year old, multi-colored male tabby and is simply the best cat that has or ever will walk this earth. Period. 'Nuff said!

Fox Jeffrey is a five year old yellow male tabby and is the loopiest cat I've ever known.  His favorite toy is a stick and he loves to watch invisible fairies dance on the walls. 

A look inside Coincidence

I walked over to the bed and sat down and opened one of the nightstand’s drawers. It was empty except for one photograph, folded in two, right down the middle. I opened it up and saw it was a photograph of Sean and Kevin, both smiling ear to ear and they looked so happy. What happened to this family? I wondered what exactly had caused the rift. Based on the O'Conners’ argument this morning, it was evident that it was something bad. I just didn’t know what.

I gathered that I was sitting on Patricia’s side of the bed. Judging from what I heard Martin say this morning about Sean, I couldn’t imagine him having this photo in the nightstand. I looked at it, gently running my finger down the photo over Sean’s face. There it was—the face that had been in my every thought and dream since I had first laid eyes on it nearly three weeks ago.

I shoved the photo in my pocket and began making my way out of their private living space. Just as I walked out of their bedroom into their sitting room, I heard the front door open.

“Hurry up, Martin. I can’t believe ye left yer hat. Ye never go anywhere without that stupid hat!” Patricia called from the front door. Martin’s quick footsteps approached their room. I froze in fear and looked around for a place to hide.

As he got closer, I ducked into the bedroom just as he entered their sitting room.

“I’m jist gonna check on Samantha again to make sure she’s alright,” Patricia yelled.

Martin turned back towards the door. “Leave that poor gerl alone. Yer pesterin’ her ti death, Pat! Let her git some rest! Come here and help me find me hat, please.”

Grateful that their bedroom was on the first floor, I shoved open the bedroom window. Just as Martin finished yelling at Patricia, I fell to the ground below. “Ouch,” I whispered as I landed on a bed of shrubbery. I just barely made it away before seeing the light switch on from their bedroom. The prickly shrubs scratched my exposed skin; however, I didn’t dare move. I didn’t want Martin to hear or see me lying outside of their bedroom window. There would be no good way to explain this. As the pain of my new scratches from the shrubs added to the pain of my bruises from my fall from the attic, I wondered how much worse this trip could get.

Coincidence makes the paper!

As appearing in Monday's Herald Dispatch:

Local authors release novels

October 25, 2010 @ 12:15 AM
2010/The Herald-Dispatch
Herald-Dispatch.com


HUNTINGTON — A pair of area authors have completed their respective first novels.

J.B. Reed’s first novel was recently released while Lesley Hager’s is set to be released in November.

Proctorville, Ohio, author J.B. Reed’s debut novel “Deadly Shamrocks” is now available through PublishAmerica.

The story revolves around Vivian Clancy, a beautiful girl born to Irish immigrant parents. Vivian learned at an early age that you did not mix with those not of your own kind. Bigotry was deep rooted in those days. She also learned that even those of your own kind would hurt you if given the right opportunity. One day while working at Flannery’s Pub, Vivian met a handsome Irish stranger. He was kind and generous and very charming. Little did she know just how much this man would change her life…forever.

Reed tried her hand at writing when her daughter was young, but with the demands of a full time job, writing had to be placed on the back burner. Although still working full time, she finds that writing is her first love.

Reed will be promoting her book with an upcoming book signing at the Briggs Lawrence Library’s Proctorville Branch in November. She will also be at Taylor Books in Charleston on St. Patrick’s Day, 2011.

For more information, visit her website at www.authorjbreed.yolasite.com.

Hager, a Hurricane resident, will have her debut novel “Coincidence” released in November.

So, what’s the craic? Have no idea what that means? Neither did Samantha “Sam” Montgomery the first time she was asked that question. Little did she know on that hot, humid summer night, that it would be the question that would change her life forever.

“Coincidence,” reveals exactly what that question means as the main character, Sam, embarks on a mission that takes her to Ireland in search of love and answers to her family’s puzzling past.

“Coincidence is about experiencing the possibility of everlasting love and taking risks to make that love come true,” said best-selling author Suzanne M. Hurley of Hager’s novel, in a news release. “It is about being so taken with someone that you will search the world to find him. It is about two souls coming together as one, forever.”

Hager, who earned degrees in marketing and criminal justice at Marshall University, works for the Charleston Area Alliance and teaches Zumba fitness classes. She is already working on her second novel.

The book is available through Wings ePress, Inc., out of Richmond, Ky. For more information, visit www.wings-press.com.

Into the Wild: Our Alaskan Honeymoon

No wonder this area of the world influenced the great American author, Jack London. We took a seven day cruise to Alaska and British Columbia for our honeymoon in September. To say that it was beautiful, would be doing an injustice. You just have to see it for yourself and once you do, you may not believe you are still on planet Earth. Perhaps Jack London himself says it best:

"It filled him with a great unrest and strange desires. It caused him to feel a vague, sweet gladness, and he was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings for he knew not what."

- Jack London, The Call of the Wild, Ch. 7

 

Here are some photos from our trip:

 

Our amazing wedding!

 My brother, Joseph and me.

 Barry and I entering the reception.

 Barry and I saying our vows.

 All of the wedding party.

 Mom, Fred and me.

 My bridesmaids, Joanne and Aisling; My maid of honor, Kimberly; and my junior bridesmaid, Carrie.

Me and Dad

I couldn't resist!  I just had to post some pictures of our 1920's themed September 18, 2010 wedding at the West Virginia State Capitol.  We had the best time and I can't believe how smoothly everything went (being organized, even if that means a 7 page itinerary pays off!)!

Here's the video we made to suprise our guests.  A silent movie to fit the 1920s theme!

Cover for Coincidence is complete!

A big thank you to Alexander Devenport for creating this fabulous cover!  I couldn't be more pleased!

Coincidence will be released in November, 2010. Published by Wings ePress.

Shades of Envy by Suzanne Hurley will be released in November!

Suzanne's Hurley's latest Samantha Barclay novel, Shades of Envy, will be released in November 2010.  I was able to get a sneak peak of the exciting fourth installment of the Samantha Barclay series this week and I was pleased to be able to provide a review.  The review is below.  If you haven't yet read the first three books, make sure you do!

With her Sheriff boyfriend, Al, acting strangely, the town's beautiful new deputy trying to steal her boyfriend and a defiant student who refuses to let her help, Milton High School counselor, Samantha Barclay, doesn't know how much more she can take—that is until the murders start. And once again, Samantha's curious nature pulls her in to the middle of all the mayhem!

Suzanne Hurley's fourth Samantha Barclay novel, Shades of Envy, is packed with action, mystery, suspense, romance and of course delicious baked goods!

Hurley's detailed description of the people, places and things make you feel as if you yourself are Samantha Barclay, trying to solve the tragic murders of some of Paxton's beautiful, young women. Plus, you'll find that you can almost taste the home made food from Connan's, Paxton's only restaurant.

Hurley has an impeccable way of telling a story full of surprising twists and turns that makes small town Paxton, West Virginia more exciting than the big city. Don't miss out on this exciting fourth installment of the Samantha Barclay series!

Reviewed by Lesley Hager

First Review of "Coincidence" is in!

I'm happy to report the first review of Coincidence is in and its a great one!  Thanks to fellow author, Suzanne Hurley, for her rave review of my book!  Coincidence will be released on November 1, 2010.  Published by Wings ePress.



Imagine meeting a guy and having an instant connection. You feel that you’ve known him forever! Your lips touch in a kiss that promises to be the best ever but chaos intervenes and you are yanked apart without ever finding out each other’s last name!

Such is the case in ‘Coincidence’, Lesley Hager’s exciting, new debut novel.

Samantha Montgomery sets off with her best friend Kate Mason, on their annual summer holiday at Blake’s Beach, South Carolina. There, Sam meets her possible soul mate, Sean, who is flying back to Ireland the next day. Due to a mess Kate is in, they are torn apart without exchanging vital stats - like names and addresses. They know nothing about each other except the magnetic pull, to be in each other’s arms.

‘Coincidence’ is about experiencing the possibility of everlasting love and taking risks to make that love come true. It is about being so taken with someone that you will search the world to find him. It is about two souls coming together as one, forever.

Ms. Hager pens a book that will satisfy your heart’s romantic inclinations. It is exciting as well as spell-bounding. This novel will have you rooting for Samantha as she sets out to find her love as well as search out information about her ancestors. Her descriptions of Ireland and the unique way the Irish speak, will sweep you up until you feel you actually are in this great country, living among the people there. This is a beautiful heartwarming story about love, family, ancestry and forgiveness.

So brew up some tea and settle down for some good reading. ‘Coincidence’ will have you racing to the end to find out if Sam finds Sean. Ms. Hager is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.



Reviewed by Suzanne M. Hurley
www.suzannemhurley.com

Zumba-thon to benefit Diabetes Research

Zumbathon

Saturday, September 4, 2010 - 11am to 2pm

Charleston, WV

On the Boulevard in front of Magic Island 

All proceeds to benefit the

Diabetes Action: Research and Education Foundation

Register in advance or at the entrance, no set price for registration.

Any Donation is Appreciated.

 

I have the registration form.  Please email me if you would like to register!

 For other information please contact Corey and Rachel:

zumbawithcoreyandrachel@gmail.com or 304-2-4-ZUMBA

ZUMBA® and the Zumba Fitness logos are trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC, used under license

Viola, A Woeful Tale of Marriage a good read

As a new Wings-ePress author, I was recently given access to the Wings Yahoo groups and connected with another fellow author, Katherine Pym.  Katherine's book, Viola, A Woeful Tale of Marriage was just released this month.  Katherine asked me to read her historical novel and provide a few comments she could include in her reviews and marketing which I was happy to do.  I'll have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!  Pym, much like myself, is an old soul--her soul being much older than mine...several centuries older to be exact.  I'm drawn to the early 1900's where Pym is drawn to the 1600's. Anyway, on to the book.

Viola is set in 17th century London and Pym does a wonderful job of bringing this century back to life and giving us a peek into that time period where religious strife and plague were the main concerns.  Even though we nowadays tend to associate that time period with puritanical values and actions, Pym provides us a world that is anything but.  Take a look--Viola is available in paperback and eBook, of course.

Honored to be awarded the Seven Seals Award from ESGR

ESGR Recognizes Alliance

Passage from The Alchemist

                                 The Alchemist

One of my favorite books of all time is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, so I couldn't help but want to have a part of it read at my upcoming wedding.  How could I not?  The story of a young shepherd looking for his meaning in life only to discover that his meaning was to find love...I mean, come on...how perfect for a wedding?  Here is the passage I've decided to include in our ceremony:

 

“When he looked into her dark eyes, and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke -- the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had theirs here at the well. She smiled, and that was certainly an omen -- the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life. The omen he had sought to find with his sheep and in his books, in the crystals and in the silence of the desert. It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning."

e-Books continue to grow

I came across this article today from The Tech Herald, which excited me considering Coincidence will be an e-Book as well as available in paperback.


Amazon: Kindle eBooks outselling traditional hardcovers

by Steven Mostyn
 
The digital eBook format is continuing to draw customers away from traditional print publications, according to online retailer Amazon, which has a vested interest in the market’s growth via its Kindle electronic book reader.

Although not prepared to divulge actual sales figures regarding the emergent popularity of eBooks, Amazon has revealed that it is currently selling around 80 percent more digital books than hardback books through its online store.

“The Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format,” enthused Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos in an official statement outlining that for every 100 hardcover books sold during the last month, the online store sold 180 eBook versions.

Clearly pleased with the Kindle’s “astonishing” progress, Bezos was keen to point out that Amazon has been selling hardcover books for 15 years, while the availability of Kindle content has yet to reach the three-year marker.

Amazon’s chest beating comes after the Internet retail titan recently hacked down the price of its 3G-equipped Kindle device, which dropped from $259 USD to a more pocket-friendly $189 USD – a factor that likely played into the increase in eBook sales.

The Kindle price drop was brought into play after rival eReader manufacturer Barnes & Noble dropped its dual-screen Nook from $259 USD to $199 USD.

Coincidence, my first novel will be published soon!

I was just offered a contract by Wings e-Press, Inc. to publish my first novel Coincidence.  Publication date is set for November 2010.  It will be released as an e-book and in trade paperback.  Here is a sneakpeak:

Lifford, Ireland—1918


Wiping the tears from her face, Eileen gently placed the letter she had hastily written beside the paraffin lamp on the narrow table that hugged the wall of her family home’s foyer. She looked around recalling all the happy memories she had shared with her family here.

It was dark now—the only light flickered from the small lamp. The tiny blue flowers on the wallpaper danced happily in the light. As ridiculous at it sounded, Eileen felt a sudden, slight urge of jealousy rush over her—jealous that these blue flowers were dancing in such a free-spirited, care-free manner while she seemed to be carrying the burden of the world on her shoulders. She wondered if she would ever dance again. Or, if she would ever be care-free again.

The sun would be coming up over the small Irish town she had lived in all her eighteen years in just about an hour and her parents would be reading the goodbye letter she had just written to them; although Eileen wasn’t sure how upset they would be about what she had written. She thought they would actually be relieved to know that she was gone, that she would no longer be around to cause them any more pain and embarrassment.

Eileen took a last look around her home. She gazed into the sitting room at the old oak fireplace that she and her parents had sat in front of every evening after dinner. She peered into the corner of the sitting room where her father had put up the Christmas tree every year. Overwhelmed with sadness, knowing she would never again enjoy the warmth of the fire with her parents or laugh with them on Christmas morning by the tree, Eileen burst into tears so loudly she was sure she had woken everyone up.

After waiting a few minutes to make sure her parents were still asleep, Eileen pulled herself together and took a final look around. Everything looked ghostly in the flickering light of the lamp, which seemed appropriate—she would soon be just a ghost in this house.

She couldn’t believe she was leaving, that this would likely be the last time she would see her home and her family again, but there was no other choice now—not only did the town think badly of her, so did her parents. She shuddered to think of the pain she had brought upon her family—so much pain that they had in fact basically disowned her. Her heart broke and tears welled up in her eyes again.

She never thought her family would shun her—they had always been so close. As much as she was hurt however, she was just as angry—angry with her parents for turning their backs on her. She was their daughter after all. She couldn’t imagine ever turning her back on her own child.

She picked up her suitcase and slowly opened the old, creaky front door.

“Goodbye,” she said quietly to the house and her sleeping parents, as she stepped out into the cool, damp night. As she shut the door, even though she knew it was only the wind, she thought she heard the house whisper goodbye back to her.

James Montgomery was waiting on the gravel road in front of her house, still dressed in the only clothes he had—his dirty, worn soldier’s uniform. His wavy brown hair, gently tousled from the wind, looked oddly pristine against the dinginess of his uniform, which was stained from months of fighting in the war. As filthy as his uniform was however, James was still the most handsome and caring man Eileen had ever met. They had met just months before, and her heart fluttered every time she saw him. She imagined it always would.

“Come on, its going to be light soon, we need to go,” he said taking her bag from her hand. He leaned in to kiss her tear-stained cheeks. His strong, face was filled with worry as he looked at Eileen’s beautiful, sad face.

“Are you sure you want to come with me?” he asked, wiping the tears from her innocent face and pushing her long, blond hair behind her ears. Her big green eyes were not able to disguise the pain her face was so bravely trying to do. He would die if she didn’t come with him, but he hated to see her in so much pain. He just wanted to take it all away. If he could fix everything, he would. He would do anything for her.

“Aye, I’m sure. We couldn’t make a life fir ourselves here. No one wants us here anyway,” Eileen said, choking back the knot that had been in her throat for what seemed like weeks now.

The early morning fog was so thick she could actually feel it going in her body with each breath she took. Between the now constant lump in her throat from weeks of fighting back tears and the fog she was now inhaling, she felt as if she may suffocate all together. Then, James leaned down to kiss her and she suddenly felt as if she could breathe again. He had a way of bringing her back to life.

She was torn between leaving her home, her family, her country and letting the love of her life, James, slip away. However, with the circumstances now, there was no other choice but to go with James. He was everything to her and she knew that he would make everything okay. They were going to his home—to America to start a new life together.

James would be her family now.