It seems I just can't write on this every single day. Things seem to get in the way. Now, I just want to tell you some of the things that are happening in this neck of the woods.

Both Clan Gunn: Gerek and Saratoga Summer: 1863 have arrived at our house. Both are the first books of individual series; the first, about the Gunn Clan of Scotland, which will be followed by redeeming the villain, and the second about another of the five O'Malley brothers, all horsemen. Both have been distributed throughout Saratoga, just in time for racing season.

In Saratoga Summer: 1863, the story weaves it way from a tragedy in Ireland and the loss in a family lottery to New York City during the beginning of the Civil War Draft riots there and on to Saratoga for the first legalized Thoroughbred Racing Racing Card ever. It's pretty much non-stop action and is being extremely well-received.

Lost Son of Ireland should be out at the end of September or in early October. The store, Celtic Treasures in Saratoga is anxiously waiting for that one.

In the meantime, I have two book signings set up. Craven Books in Saratoga is hosting a signing this coming Saturday, August 20th. It looks to be a fun one, since the track is open and one of the books I've written speaks to that. Battenkill Books in Cambridge, NY is hosting one on the evening of August 31st-for both my husband and me. They've just moved to a new location and think this will show their wares to customers in the area. Looking forward to both.

Once I finished the last edit on Lost Son, I'm starting on the second two books in my series. I will redeem Baen in the Gunn saga and drag Bartley O'Malley to Saratoga to join his brother Connor. I have a suspense in the works, but it looks like it'll have to wait, since the second series books have been promised.

I've been bad!

I have been one lazy gal as far as this blog goes. I started it with all good intentions, then my life got more complicated. There I was, in the midst of revision hell. Three books to go through twice, once for the ebook version and once for the print version. I'm still working on the last book, Lost Son of Ireland, for print. In the meantime, two of my book have hit the sales rack and are doing pretty good. Clan Gunn: Gerek came out in June to surprisingly good reviews and sales. Saratoga Summer: 1863 arrives on the first of August, just in time for the thoroughbred races at--where else--SARATOGA. Last Tuesday, I met an artist/author friend for a quick lunch. Saratoga Summer had just come in the mail. I didn't even bother to open it being late for the lunch date. I tossed it on the table when I arrived at the Ole Bryan Inn and my friend grabbed it. She opened it and shrieked, "I love it. I love the cover. It's absolutely great. I'm going to read this book." She hasn't read the others you realize. She wound up buying me lunch as a birthday gift--yeah, I'm a year older--and I autographed the book and gave it to her. I left to go to a doctor's appointment--see what happens when grow older--and she tootled off to wherever. Little did I expect her to call that night and tell me how she had spent the rest of her day. The little darling went marching in to all the bookstores in Saratoga and pitched my book. I now have 40 of the 50 I ordered promised to several place and I have a book signing on the 20th of August. And I'm in absolute amazement that someone would do such a nice thing for me without my asking. So, no, I'm prepared to 'rock and roll' with selling my books.

Another Day

I'm always away from this site far longer than I expect to be. I finally got back here today.

I finished the first edit on Lost Son of Ireland for the e-version and am awaiting the print version of Saratoga Summer: 1863, so I can reedit it for the hands-on book. I'm also working on my contemporary suspense, thanks to a wonderful gal I've met at the Writer's Village University. She asked if she could help edit the suspense. I agreed, somewhat reluctantly, thinking it would be too hard a job. This gal did some bang-up things for me. I am reading and rereading the eleven e-mails she sent to me and digesting them one by one. She has helped me tremendously in what had seemed like a thankless job. My hat is off to her, along with my most heart-felt thanks!!!

I just got my first copy of Clan Gunn: Gerek. I absolutely love the blue shading on the cover. It makes the inside of the castle look so eerie and gothic. I am much more confident about the book now that I had a chance to go over it. Everything about its production is an upgrade from the first publisher I dealt with. It's surprising what you can learn day by day. I am ready to have all my books reissued and looking forward to some nice signings and such.

Almost finished with Lost Son

I'm finally getting to the finish of editing Lost Son of Ireland. Once that is done, I start the heavy work of totally revising Vengeance Is Mine, the suspense. Next, the second book, which has it's first two scenes, in the Scottish Heritage Series will need to be completed, plus the second book in the Saratoga Series. I guess my summer's spelled out for me. I'll be one busy girl.

It's hard to concentrate right now. Today was the first warm spring-like day this month. The trees are beginning to leaf out, and the ones on the mountain (really a big hill) in back of our house are displaying that light Kelly green Celtic color. In fact, today, I wore a lightweight sweator that exact color. The trees are still light and wispy, delicately wafting in the slight breeze that is a constant in our yard. It's a color and movement that catches my eye. I like Spring, but it's really Autumn that turns me on with its rich rust and golden colors.

As you can see, it's hard to keep my mind on what I should be doing--editing.

Too busy to breathe

I'm just trying to keep track of what I'm doing and what I'm supposed to be doing. Getting my books reissued has been more of a challenge than I expected. I've done both edits of Clan Gunn: Gerek and one of Saratoga Summer: 1863. I now have Lost Son of Ireland in my hands and am doing the first edit.
I'm taking a Branding workshop from Earthly Charms website and an Erotica Writing Course from Writers Village University. Naturally, I'm behind in both.
I am revising my suspense novel, Vengeance Is Mine, with the hopes of sending it off to one of the big NYC publishers. I have the first chapter written for the second book, Clan Gunn: Baen, of the Scottish Heritage Series and am working on the characters--several new ones.
After reading this over, I guess it's not so bad being busy. It makes life worthwhile and it gives something to look foward to every single day.

Just keep going

I finally finished all the edits on my first books with the new company. Clan Gunn: Gerek is on its way to the publisher--all $7.05 of it. She should have it by Saturday. Then she gets it all ready for the printer and off it goes. Hopefully, I'll have it in my hands at the beginning of June.

I have just started the second in the series, Clan Gunn: Baen and that's why I haven't been active on the board. I have done the Alice Orr characterizations for Baen (added to them as well) and for the two antagonists-right from her book, No More Rejections. By the way, any author who doesn't have this book is missing something special. It's a dynamite, helpful book.

I have just recently figured out my heroine-protagonist and am doing the characterization of Vika Oliphant. As soon as I get her finished, I'll post again. Everything in the novel has changed since I added this new character, including the first paragraph, the first two pages and the entire first scene-which I've thrown out completely. Too much like the last book. And I hate to throw out whole scenes, but if they don't work anymore--out they go. Will be back soon.

right now, I'm inundated with work--after a hiatus of far too long. I've been working on the revising and reediting of my books. We've changed the Gunn title yet again. It's now, Clan Gunn: Gerek.
I'm also working on the edits for Saratoga Summer: 1863, the electronic edition, along with the print edition of Clan Gunn: Gerek. I just want to mention that it's a heavy workload, because I'm also working on the second book of the Scottish Heritage Series, Clan Gunn: Baen.
I hope to have a running commentary of what it means to be published and what it takes to be writing a new book. I had been working on two suspense novels. One is finished and the second just branched off into something entirely different. Never had that happen before. But, with the new publisher in the picture, some of the ideas have changed and I'm now back into one of my comfort zones--historical novels.
This weekend, I'm going to the RWA New England Conference for authors and am looking forward to it--even though I'm bringing work with me. See you all on Monday.

Today's Announcement

My three out-of-print books have been picked up by the Cambridge Books Division of Write Words, Incorporated, whose present URL is www.ebooksonthe.net Arline Chase, the publisher, has given me three new covers that really indicate what the books are about (I'm really excited about the way they look) and has changed the titles of two.

My Scottish The Gunn of Killearnan is now, The Gunns: Gerek and the first in my new Scottish Heritage Series. I've done some revising, reediting and it will be out shortly. I've already started on the second one: The Gunns: Baen.

Unlawful is now Lost Son of Ireland, and brings about the fact that the hero was stolen from Ireland, at the age of seven, and has returned. It's not part of a series but a stand-alone novel.

Saratoga Summer-1863 is now Book One of the new Saratoga Series about the five O'Malley brothers and is about Connor, the oldest. The new cover has a resort picture of Broadway in Saratoga, the horse and carriages and the famous Union Hotel of that day. I'm already three chapters into the next one about brother Bartley.

I've also had my website redone by Glass Slipper Designs and think the gal there did a wonderful job. Stop by and take a look at the new design and the new covers.
www.DoriceNelson.com

Just changed the blog settings so anyone can comment. Love this font.

Celtic Musings

Since my Celtic novels went out-of-print, due to the close of a publishing company, I have recently accepted an offer from another publishing company, Write Words, Incorporated. Soon my new revised, reedited and reissued novels will be back on the playing field.