Thanks Book Fetish!!!

Twitter / Book Fetish: : "We just read a ms from Kim Jones called 'Children of the Damned' -- PUBLISHERS you need to check this out!"

Authonomy Whew...and Something New on the Shelves...FALLEN ANGELS!!!

I am not quite sure how the ranking on Authonomy is determined, but I do know that when someone reads your work, the polite thing to do is to read theirs too, and then back it (helping their book to rise in the ranking system-which no one seems to understand exactly how it works & Harper Collins doesn't really explain what it takes to get your book up there in ranking number, but there are several factors), or at least give some sort of critique. After I posted my chapters, well, let's just say I ended up with an overwhelming amount of readbacks that no human (at least one who reads quite slowly and has a 4-year-old high-maintenance daughter) could possibly accomplish and have a real life too.

In light of the fact that I am making some edits to Children of the Damned, I simply do not have time to read and offer the type of critiques the writers on that site deserve so I bowed out gracefully. I hope to return as soon as I finish my 2010 edits and rewrites. There were some really nice people, some who offered some great advice, and there's plenty of awesome writing to be found there too. I made a few friends and I already miss it, but if I am going to make any money writing books, I must of course write them, hence...I took a hiatus from Authonomy.

Now for the AWESOME news that blew me away last week! I was doing the happy happy joy joy dance around my computer desk...I am thrilled (to say the least) to have come across a couple of articles about the state of affairs regarding fallen angels on the bookstore shelves (no, no) the angels aren't on the shelves, but the books about fallen angels are, and doing very well indeed.

Misty Harris wrote an article entitled: Flawed Angels Elbowing Vampires Aside on Bookshelves and the article can be found here: http://www.canada.com/entertainment/Flawed+angels+elbowing+vampires+aside+book+shelves/2016409/story.html
She writes: "Vampires have kept the blood in the book industry this recession but, apologies to Twilight's resident immortal Edward Cullen, insiders are betting future returns will be carried on the wings of angels." WOOT!

This can only be good news for me.

In another article written by Monika Bartyzel: http://cinematical.com/2009/12/10/are-fallen-angels-the-next-supernatural-romance-craze/

Ms. Bartyzel writes about Disney purchasing the rights to Lauren Kate's Fallen (also about fallen angels) and that the Hollywood Reporter "notes this is the new trend with other titles like Hush, Hush also dipping into the world of angels."

FYI, I have finished both of these books with the intention of hating them...NOT the case. I will be posting my reviews in the near future.

I do so hope that 2010 is better to me and my book than 2009. I hope life is too. : )

Keep Writing Everyone! As a dear friend once said to me, "continue to inflict your art upon the world." I expect all you other writers out there to do the same in 2010.

Sample Chapters

(UPDATE) February 20, 2010 - see above post regarding temporary removal of sample chapters. So sorry, but I will put them back as soon as I get the new updates/rewrites done. However you can still Google "Kim Jones Children of the Damned" as well as see some of the feedback I received while I was on Authonomy. I miss it so much. Great diversion, great for procrastination too.

I have posted the first 5 chapters of Children of the Damned on Authonomy. So for those of you who keep asking for a "taste" you can read the sample chapters here:

http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=13162

The latest news is that a talent scout from the CW Network found me on the internet and they pitched the series and the network is now considering buying the television rights for a possible series like Supernatural or the Vampire Diaries. So little sleeping, little eating is going on - pins -n- needles stuff.

My Apologies to my Posters on this Blog

I somehow deleted all the kind comments left for me to preview before posting and I cannot find them. But to the people who posted the advice, the "hang-in-theres" and such, thank you from the bottom of my heart! It can be so discouraging. WE know, right?!

More Nice Comments from Editors, but Still NO SALE!

When other authors told me it is a huge waiting game, they weren't kidding! In keeping with my positivity outlook month, ...

If you are in a similar situation (looking for an agent/editor/publisher, etc.), stay positive, the economy is messing a lot of things up as the publishing houses are focusing on their authors they KNOW will make them money, taking less risks on the newbies.

Never give up. If you really are a writer, you can't give up anyway. Right? I want my fellow writers to know that there is hope (probably more hope once this economic crisis is over) but hope none-the-less.

Fingers Still Crossed...

This is my positive post for the week. I decided that despite the fact that the sale has not happened as quickly as I would have liked, it will happen. The hard part is the waiting, any of you out there, awaiting a response from a would-be (fingerscrossed) agent/editor or publisher know exactly what I am talking about. The best thing to do is stay busy.

It is hard to remain sane while awaiting my future...I did so much want to write books and not have to go back to a "real guy job" - but we must do what we must do, especially with little ones, and teen ones who eat a lot.

For this week, I shall focus on good things happening.

Where I Write

Where I Write Scary Stuff

Pinhead (he insisted!)