tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post8068595530920329526..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Banditas in the GapLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-77290653098383015152008-04-27T15:30:00.000-04:002008-04-27T15:30:00.000-04:00What a brilliant blog!! Your answers, ladies, were...What a brilliant blog!! Your answers, ladies, were exactly like the personalities I've grown to like so very much here. Thank you for the all the tips. When my time comes, expect tons of squealing, omgs, hail-marys, thank-you-gods, swooning, and wild laughter before I get back down to the serious work of writing and the business side of it.<BR/><BR/>Pam, congratulations on the GR, and also on the Laurie, and once again on the GH. Any other contest finals I've missed? You know the Jewish song: "I've got the shabbat feeling / deep in my heart." Well, I've got the same feeling about your impending sale deep in my heart.<BR/><BR/>All of you Banditas and Bandita-Buds: I'm going to have no voice left at the end of the awards ceremony from the number of times I'll be screeching and cheering y'all on.<BR/><BR/>Heyyy, AC: Your cover's bee-oo-tiful. Love those shades of aqua.<BR/><BR/>Christine: I must've missed it somewhere, but how come you came to be named Madame de Winter?<BR/><BR/>And Caren: Why Posh T? Or was it Spice T?<BR/><BR/>Jeanne and Beth: Major congrats to you for your RT review successes.Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-42346593682680676892008-04-26T22:32:00.000-04:002008-04-26T22:32:00.000-04:00Sorry to be so late posting. I've been helping my ...Sorry to be so late posting. I've been helping my brother-in-law and sister-in-law move today, and there's more in store tomorrow. I SO need a massage. :)<BR/><BR/>This was a fun post to read through and take part in.<BR/><BR/>Kirsten, what do you say we take the success level of JKR and split it between us. We both still be stinking rich. :)Trish Milburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-6561860273336150852008-04-26T21:57:00.000-04:002008-04-26T21:57:00.000-04:00Good evening, all! The GR survived his day at the ...Good evening, all! The GR survived his day at the bakery! He insisted on coming along to "help" with the wedding cake. Some of those roses look suspiciously like chicken scratch! We did indeed celebrate the scholarship and as a result he is sleeping off a chocolate binge AFTER his bath to remove all the icing from his feathers.<BR/><BR/>So true, Kate, he really is the grandest prize of all!<BR/><BR/>Great advice from LaCampbell, as usual. Financial matters are always the last thing I think about!<BR/><BR/>I too am suspicious of good news and am forever waiting for the other shoe to drop. <BR/><BR/>I love hearing about all of the various stages of this wild ride. This was a really great interview and post!<BR/><BR/>Aunty Cindy, if Alabama had a lottery I would have bought a bundle of tickets these last few weeks! I am ALMOST tempted to ask my brother to drive to Georgia and snag a few tickets for me at this point!<BR/><BR/>Actually I do feel as if I have hit the lottery these last two years. The career I have always wanted has come back around. I have been SO lucky that people/judges like LOST IN LOVE. I have learned so much about the writing craft and more important learned that I have a lot more to learn! Best of all I have met and made friends with so many wonderful people who have encouraged me, taught me, supported me and entertained me. It would have been so easy to give up on this writing dream, but all of you have kept me going. I did win the lottery. I met people like you!dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-67358857020462635672008-04-26T20:18:00.000-04:002008-04-26T20:18:00.000-04:00Great advice on getting our financial matters in o...Great advice on getting our financial matters in order, Anna. I'm making all these plans for promo and traveling to conferences and suddenly I think -- hmm, how'm I gonna pay for that? Good points!Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-56994501301171651532008-04-26T20:15:00.000-04:002008-04-26T20:15:00.000-04:00Oh Limecello, I'm so in tune with you! I've lived ...Oh Limecello, I'm so in tune with you! I've lived my whole life being a slave to instant gratification. LOL. <BR/><BR/>And yes, I always look with dread on impending results. Phone calls from contest coordinators, agents, editors? I always expect the worst. And the adjunct to that is that I'm so much better at dealing with bad news than with good. I'm always a little suspicious of good news, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. <BR/><BR/>Hey, all that neurosis is good for the writing, right? Yeah, that's my story! :-)Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-86162947433911110462008-04-26T15:57:00.000-04:002008-04-26T15:57:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-10181273239259676952008-04-26T15:48:00.000-04:002008-04-26T15:48:00.000-04:00Pam, the rooster told us he wanted to visit you to...Pam, the rooster told us he wanted to visit you to celebrate the scholarship. And he pouts if he doesn't get his own way! Bet you and he have a fantastic day. Must say I love the sound of the menu!<BR/><BR/>Girls, what a great post. Can we do more like this? I loved the compare and contrast approach. I loved that we sorta got half a dozen banditas blogging for the price of one. Nancy, you're brilliant!<BR/><BR/>Last year was my gap year. After all those years of entering contests (although I only entered the GH once), it was weird not to get that constant feedback. But the advice about using the year to set up things like websites and promo plans is great. The other thing I'd suggest is get yourself organised for record keeping and financial matters. I didn't (d'uh) and I've had a real scramble to get all that in line amongst the chaos of having books actually out on the shelf.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait for all the new Bandita books to fall into my hot little hands. Jeanne and Beth, not long to go now!Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71092069028571730972008-04-26T14:26:00.000-04:002008-04-26T14:26:00.000-04:00Hello Banditas - this was a great post and I loved...Hello Banditas - this was a great post and I loved hearing about all of your experiences! <BR/>As to waiting - someone had a post about this just a few days ago... and I couldn't think of anything :X. I think I'm a pretty "instant gratification" girl. I guess test scores, college and prof school admittances [or rejections] were something I had to wait for, but I think that came with more dread, than excitement :P.limecellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16331447498798826649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39437827345033685622008-04-26T14:17:00.000-04:002008-04-26T14:17:00.000-04:00LOL Doglady, you've finally won the grandest prize...LOL Doglady, you've finally won the grandest prize of all! The Feathered One is yours for the day! I believe he prefers fresh pineapple in his pina coladas. :-)<BR/><BR/>Aunty, we really do have some hard acts to follow. And hello? I'm very nervous that the cover gods might've collapsed and died after producing one of the most gorgeous bookcovers ever -- YOURS!! Note to self: dance skyclad nightly and chant for good cover karma....<BR/> <BR/>Madame, I swear I got chills when you mentioned us all being together at the Penguin Party!! That's soooo cool! Hmmm...any chance of sneaking in a few extra Banditas to make it an even wilder time? <BR/><BR/>Helen, of course we'll be partying in the Lair! And it wouldn't be a party without you, m'dear! :-)<BR/><BR/>Kirsten, your YA sounds so amazing! But yikes, fall 2009. That really will be a long wait--but it'll be so worth it. And fingers crossed that the new manuscript sells!!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for pulling the interview together, Nancy!Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30703516841346281582008-04-26T13:50:00.000-04:002008-04-26T13:50:00.000-04:00Kirsten, so sorry you DDJ (dreaded day job) kept y...Kirsten, so sorry you DDJ (dreaded day job) kept you from adding to the main post. And NEVER say never about being the next JKR! Your YA sounds SO intriguing! Also, my fingers are xxed that your agent will place your contemp. And isn't is KEWL doing revisions <I>under contract</I>???<BR/><BR/>Oh, and almost forgot to say BIG THANX to Nancy for putting together the interview! Gillian, Helen and all, glad you liked it. We'll have to do more like it.<BR/><BR/>ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-54500246433203383832008-04-26T13:40:00.000-04:002008-04-26T13:40:00.000-04:00LOL! Well said, Joanie O'T! Doglady, with your run...LOL! Well said, Joanie O'T! <BR/><BR/>Doglady, with your run of luck lately, please remember all of us here in the lair when you do hit the lottery!<BR/><BR/>And no worries, Helen, we'll be having all kinds of launch parties here once the books hit the shelves!<BR/><BR/>Beth and Jeanne, glad I'm not the only one getting the "real book" comments! GRRRR! And big YES, Beth, if it were out, you better have BOUGHT A COPY! One of my friends (who really should KNOW BETTER), has asked me at least a half-dozen times when and where he can buy it. (Aunty quietly bangs her head on the nearest wall.)Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-21375101050982301512008-04-26T13:22:00.000-04:002008-04-26T13:22:00.000-04:00Congrats on bringing the GR home, doglady! I just ...Congrats on bringing the GR home, doglady! <BR/><BR/>I just noticed I used my "Real" initials of BB instead of my writing intials of BA. No, I don't know who I am half the time :-)<BR/><BR/>The wait between when I sold and now has actually flown by for me. Not sure that's a good thing as my first official deadline is creeping up on me *g* <BR/><BR/>As far as people asking when my book will be out, it's only frustrating to me when it's the same people who ask again and again and again *g* I've even had close family members (very close) ask if my book was already out. I guess I sorted of hoped that if it was available, they'd have BOUGHT a copy ;-)<BR/><BR/>Kirsten, thanks so much for chiming in! Your YA sounds fantastic. I just hate that we have to wait so long to read it!Beth Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01204356784898045866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-42840513981092392742008-04-26T09:56:00.000-04:002008-04-26T09:56:00.000-04:00Hi Gals! Congrats Pam on snagging the GR!I so had...Hi Gals! Congrats Pam on snagging the GR!<BR/><BR/>I so had to laugh about your comment, Aunty Cindy about "Will it be in a B&N like a real book?" I can't tell you how many folks have asked that. Ha! I want to say "No, it's only available from exlusive outlets like oh.... BORDERS? That would be because it actually IS a REAL book. Imagine that." Heehee.<BR/><BR/>Kirsten I'm so glad you jumped on today to tell us your experience too. I can only imagine having to wait nearly two years between sold and on-shelf. That must be so challenging with the "when can I get it/where can I buy it" group. <BR/><BR/>On one hand, I'm so glad my wait to see my book in "the flesh" is almost over, but I'm so anxious about it too. :>Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-76342220113025696732008-04-26T09:03:00.000-04:002008-04-26T09:03:00.000-04:00Well of course, it can be doglady....you're on a w...Well of course, it can be doglady....you're on a winning roll!<BR/><BR/>(Please remember me when you hit the lottery)<BR/><BR/>I'm so darned excited for my Gap Bandita Buds and have the dates marked for going crosstown to the BN or Borders on their first day out. <BR/><BR/>Congratulations ladies!<BR/><BR/>Joanie T on the other end of the waiting spectrum...Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566704374877697300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-8740060057499016152008-04-26T08:57:00.000-04:002008-04-26T08:57:00.000-04:00Hi Ya'll! I'm another Gap Bandita, though my darn ...Hi Ya'll! <BR/><BR/>I'm another Gap Bandita, though my darn day job was too busy for me to help out on this awesome blog! You gals rock and I'm sorry I wasn't more with it last month! <BR/><BR/>But here's my gap experience: <BR/><BR/>First, I sold in Oct 2007, and book 1 of my series won't be out until Fall 2009. So I think that makes my wait the longest! I just got my revision letter from my editor YESTERDAY so I'm mulling it over now and thinking about changes to the ms. Meanwhile, between selling and now I wrote an adult contemporary that my agent will be hitting the streets with shortly. <BR/><BR/>My book coming out in '09 is a YA urban fantasy about a girl who must decide whether to use her dangerous psychic powers. She's also trying to figure out what's going on at her mysterious new private school, and deal with two very different boys. <BR/><BR/>I can't tell you how many people have asked me if I'm the next JK Rowling. Ohhhh yeeeaaahh, I say. No doubt at all. :-p <BR/><BR/>What else? Hmm, I was a little bummed not to get to enter the GH, but so relieved not to be worried about getting a call! <BR/><BR/>I haven't learned much, except that it's always nerve-wracking and stress-inducing to be a writer. I don't care how many books you've sold. I'm MORE nervous about my agent trying to sell my latest ms than I was about her selling the YA! <BR/><BR/>I'm off to ponder revisions! Have a great day everyone!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-2390460679610992482008-04-26T08:11:00.000-04:002008-04-26T08:11:00.000-04:00Pam, you rock girl!!!!! :)Oh, you guys need to do ...Pam, you rock girl!!!!! :)<BR/><BR/>Oh, you guys need to do more interviews like this, I really do love hearing about your books, and the process behind the product. Lovely to read happy news! :)Gillian Laynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15772849187702478349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-56536789363998611612008-04-26T05:14:00.000-04:002008-04-26T05:14:00.000-04:00Congrats doglady on the GR have fun with himGreat ...Congrats doglady on the GR have fun with him<BR/><BR/>Great interview Ladies I loved reading everyone's comments. I am so looking forward to the release of these books you should all be very proud of yourselves for what you have achieved.<BR/>I don't think I have ever had to wait for anything like this and I don't know how I would have managed.<BR/>I hope you all have a release party here at at he Bandits so as I can attend.<BR/><BR/>Have Fun<BR/>HelenHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30993010078345565172008-04-26T05:12:00.000-04:002008-04-26T05:12:00.000-04:00Boy, can I identify with you ladies! I found the w...Boy, can I identify with you ladies! I found the wait was sooo long for that book to be published and then when my release date came I was on deadline and it whizzed by without me noticing particularly. Er, except for that huge Bandit party we had.LOL <BR/><BR/>I can't wait until your books are released. Lots of partying yet to come in the lair. Thanks, Nancy, for putting that interview together. I really enjoyed reading all the insights and advice. <BR/><BR/>And Kate, you, Donna and I will be at the Penguin party together! How cool is that? <BR/><BR/>Congrats, Pam! So wonderful to hear your news about the scholarship. Well-deserved, too!Christine Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260589566405262159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-49044825380626353232008-04-26T03:47:00.000-04:002008-04-26T03:47:00.000-04:00LOL, Tawny! Jo-Mama wrote a comment about "your fi...LOL, Tawny! <BR/>Jo-Mama wrote a comment about "your first time" to me in her congrats card after I got "The Call"!<BR/><BR/>I feel so fortunate to be following in the footsteps of our pubbed Banditas, Tawny, Fo, Madame D-W, Donna, and Christie! But I gotta tell ya, they are also HARD ACTS TO FOLLOW! <BR/><BR/>So are Mme Duchesse and Wonder-Beth! Beth just got a 4 star review in RT for "Not Without Her Family" and Jeanne got a 4 1/2 star TOP PICK for "Dark and Dangerous"! Big shoes to fill for me, Trish and Kate, I'm just sayin...Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-65915812992749497672008-04-26T03:38:00.000-04:002008-04-26T03:38:00.000-04:00CONGRATS, Pam! The GR is with you AT LAST! :-) See...CONGRATS, Pam! The GR is with you AT LAST! :-) See, you really are ON A ROLL!<BR/><BR/>Yes, Amy, I'm planning a launch party! Matter of fact, I'm planning TWO! One will be invitation only for those here locally who have been so supportive. The other will be an open-to-the-public FREE FOR ALL! ;-)<BR/><BR/>It has been very (AHEM) challenging to EDUCATE those who perpetually ask, "When can I buy it?" "Will it be in B&N like a REAL book?" Much snapping of the crop and gnashing of Aunty's teeth has occurred as she continues the EDUCATION PROCESS with those lovely friends and family members.Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-74016933891286312032008-04-26T02:39:00.000-04:002008-04-26T02:39:00.000-04:00Well doglady she didn't end up getting the scholar...Well doglady she didn't end up getting the scholarship but I think it was going to be to Harvard or Yale or one of the big US universities?? Does that sound right - it was a few years back now....<BR/><BR/>I dont think there's an easy answer to the "when is it coming out" question. People who don't write have no idea of the process or publishing schedules or even a remote clue how very, very difficult it is to even get published. (he number of people who say to me why don't I get published with xyz pubishing house etc etc - like it's soooo easy!!)<BR/>I think you just smile and say "don't worry you'll know when it's out cos you'll hear me screaming from your place"Amy Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12690419732247281048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-18924136097250500932008-04-26T02:13:00.000-04:002008-04-26T02:13:00.000-04:00*sniff* I'm all teary eyed here, so proud of you ...*sniff* I'm all teary eyed here, so proud of you all for selling and what great fun you're about to have as your first books hit the shelves. <BR/><BR/>You know, that saying "Its never again like the first time" totally fits the debut book excitement :-) <BR/><BR/>and doglady -rock on!!! Congrats on nabbing the GR ;-)Tawnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14076851566613018105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-79900801126945571212008-04-26T01:04:00.000-04:002008-04-26T01:04:00.000-04:00It really is such a long drawn out process, Amy, a...It really is such a long drawn out process, Amy, and so nerve wracking. Not to mention that some of the interviews have to be conducted in the language of the country to which you intend to go! Where did your sister go? I had a friend and fellow singer who went to Italy on a Fulbright the same year I went to Germany so we did get to visit each other. <BR/><BR/>Planning a book launch party sounds like fun! Oh and that was another question I intended to ask the ladies. How do you deal with friends and family who are constantly asking "Yes, but when is it going to be really published?"dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-91961590433416658722008-04-26T00:47:00.000-04:002008-04-26T00:47:00.000-04:00Oooh doglady, my sister went through the Fullbrigh...Oooh doglady, my sister went through the Fullbright process. Even flew to the US for the interview stage. It was harrowing!Amy Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12690419732247281048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-15643240493262522892008-04-26T00:45:00.000-04:002008-04-26T00:45:00.000-04:00Dang doglady - you beat me!Hey, great blog! Tres t...Dang doglady - you beat me!<BR/>Hey, great blog! Tres tres intersting.<BR/>I had a year between call and book-on-shelf. A year of people saying when can I buy it.<BR/>I planned my book launch party - that was fun and I highly recommend you all have one. You got a book published - that's hard. Celebrate!Amy Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12690419732247281048noreply@blogger.com