It looks like this year is shaping up pretty good for my writing. First I have a story accepted to be read on NPR Tales From the South — see my other blog — and today I receive an offer of a contract for a western historical romance, Stone Heart’s Woman, from Wild Rose Press. A great birthday present coming one day before that auspicious date.
It’s been a while since I’ve had any fiction published, and I’m very excited about this. For several years I’ve worked on novels off and on, but continued to publish in the nonfiction field. For those of my readers who think after being published quite a few times, it gets easy . . . sorry, no, it doesn’t. Not if things don’t happen fortuitously. When the bottom falls out of the market for which you’re writing, then it’s like starting over. Unless of course, you’ve written some best sellers.
I’ve never stopped trying to get my fiction published, and have had plenty of rejections, for one reason or another. Usually, at least, I wasn’t told my writing sucks. Not for us. Too commercial, not commercial enough, etc. This book won a first place in historical fiction at OWFI last year, and I pitched it at Ozarks Creative Writers in Eureka Springs last fall. Everything fell into place, the editor and readers love the book, and so, at least for a while, I’m back in the romance game. My romances are very historical in nature, and for some it’s too much.
This should show that we should never stop trying, no matter how many rejections we receive. I’m also working on getting an agent to sell my women’s fiction novels because they are too difficult to sell except to large publishers who require an agent before they’ll look at your work. I’ve pitched them to editors a few times at conferences, which opens up that market to taking a look, but haven’t gotten anywhere.
I’m seriously considering publishing a couple of my books to Kindle to see how they do in that market. But hey, with this sale, looks like I’d better get busy on another historical romance to follow up this one.
Velda Brotherton 
Great Job, Velda.You inspire us all. You have provedthat one must stay busy writing and submitting.
Well congratulations and thanks for the advice. It's hard sometimes to think about what happens after publication.
Congratulations on the contract and belated birthday wishes, Velda. Persistence and patience really do pay off. Can't wait to read your latest book.
Congratulations times two. What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday.Donna V.http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
I buy books for my I-Pad now and then as well as books in hard back and soft-cover. I think of them as just another type and I love being able to run in and buy one RIGHT THEN when I read of something I really want (e.g., seeing that you've published something that I was waiting for) so go ahead and do the Kindle thing. I think its a good thing and I've been cheering e-books since the beginning…not to replace but to enhance.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the good news. (And I hope you had a wonderful birthday.)
Congratulations on your contract from Wild Rose Press. And Happy Birthday.