Books published in 2012

Today is the last day for the year 2012. I wish I could say it was as prolific as last year as far as selling my writing was concerned, but unfortunately that did not happen. I had two gigs this year – ghost writing and editing – and both of them were not as lucrative as the many sales and gigs as I had last year. And, in fact, they became the two gigs I said goodbye to forever this year.

That’s right: I have said goodbye forever to ghostwriting and manuscript editing. They are just not right for me after all. I am grateful for the experiences and I am glad I can say that at least I gave them a go.

There was something else I had to say goodbye forever to this year, though in this case, it was not something I wanted to say goodbye to: The deaf/HOH newspaper I was writing for, SIGNews. I was heartbroken when SIGNews shut down. But then again, I guess I should not be surprised it happened. A lot of newspapers have shut down this year, as well. I only wish they kept SIGNews as a digital newspaper, as many other newspapers have decided to do. That particular writing gig was near and dear to me. It was more like a job than just a “gig.” Even still, SIGNews is a newspaper that has been sorely missed.

All the same, I had a good “book” year this year. And I noticed it was interesting how many of my books this year sort of fell under the theme of "the year of 2."

This year, I finished revising two novels: Books One and Two of The GHOST Group series. The first has been submitted to my publisher and the second is scheduled to head on out next month.

This year, I co-wrote two poetry books with my daughter, Jennifer Wilson. The first one is DOGS FOREVER: Poems for the Dog Person. The second one is a short collection of poems about mythological creatures. (My daughter LOVES Greek mythology.) The first was published this year:

The second one is with a publisher and we are waiting for a response on it. Jennifer also illustrated both books. (She has been a busy illustrator this year!)

Also on the number 2 theme, I had TWO poetry books published this year. The first is DOGS FOREVER and the second one is Follow That Dream:

I also revised and submitted yet another poetry book, which is with another publisher. I hope it will be my 2013 poetry book.

As a change from the "two" theme, however, I  wrote up three children’s books this year. One of them was already published, A Million Doughnuts:

The second children’s book I wrote is slated for a March submission to my publisher. My daughter has illustrated both books.
 
The third children’s book has not been accepted anywhere as of yet. I did not send it to my publishers because it requires illustrations of the gray wolf, and neither of my illustrators can draw wolves, unfortunately. So I am looking for a publisher who has an artist on staff who can illustrate wolves.
 
Finally, there are two other things that happened this year that are not exactly a “two” but they are still two things.

My nonfiction charity ebook, On the Wings of Pink Angels: Triumph, Struggle and Courage Against Breast Cancer was published this year:

As was my e-story, The Perfect Christmas:

I did not have two nonfiction books come out this year, but with the status of a couple of nonfiction manuscripts right now, that may happen in 2013. I hope the same can be said of two short stories! 

Jennifer Wilson's debut as an author, with a second book in the same year!

When a new year begins, one thing most people do is create a list of things they want to accomplish for the year. It could be losing weight, finishing a project or moving to a new home. On Day One, these accomplishments are front and center in the minds of these people.

But sometimes, accomplishments have a way of happening without us even expecting them. That is what happened for my daughter, Jennifer Wilson, this year. This year, she became the author and illustrator of not one but TWO books. She had always wanted to be an author but it just never happened.

But this year, it happened for her. Her dream came true. Jennifer co-wrote and illustrated the poetry book, DOGS FOREVER: Poems for the Dog Person, and she wrote/illustrated the children’s book, Sarah’s Special Angel.

At age 10, my daughter became a debut author. When she turned 11 this year, she had her second book published – in the same year!

Congratulations, Jennifer. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to read your next book – this novel you are working on. And thank you for asking me to co-write another poetry book with you this year, which you have also illustrated. I can’t wait until it comes out sometime in 2013!

Best of luck to you on many more books and works of art!

About Jennifer Wilson:

Jennifer Wilson is 11 years old. She writes poems and short stories. She is also a young artist, and her favorite type of art is Anime. She draws a variety of pictures and has created mini comic books either alone or with her friends. She has also written short books, creating her own cover art, and she also likes to write songs. She also likes to read, especially Japanese comic books, play video games and watch a good horror flick. Some of her favorite authors are Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and Jeff Kinney.

About Dogs Forever: Poems for the Dog Person:

Dogs! Dogs! Big dogs, little dogs, funny dogs and lazy dogs! No matter what kind of dog in your life, you’ll find a poem that describes your furry friend in DOGS FOREVER, a mini book of poems that celebrate the bond between human and canine that only a dog lover would know.


Buy link


 
About Sarah’s Special Angel:

An orphan girl just wants to be with her mother again. Her only friend is a little pet mouse who likes to ride around on her shoulder. What will happen when she meets a special angel?

Buy link

New cover for a new genre: Marissa Carmel and her novel, iFeel

Dear Readers: In July, I posted about the new novel, iFeel, by Marissa Carmel. The author is pleased to announce that her novel has been re-categorized and, in honor of the occasion, it has a brand new cover! Please welcome Marissa Carmel to my blog once again and check out the before and after images of her novel. 

 

“I am so excited to announce that the Vis Vires trilogy is being re-categorized! I've always felt this series never really fit the YA genre, as the characters are beyond their teenage years and dealing with issues a little more mature. After discussing this with my publisher, we decided New Adult was the way to go. I am a huge fan of New Adult books and series and I can honestly say, putting iFeel in this category feels right. Also in doing so, it opened my writing up for the next 2 books in the Vis Vires trilogy. As a proclamation to the new genre we redesigned the book cover, and I have to say I couldn't be happier with the turnout. It conveys all the themes and emotions of iFeel to have. I hope you like it as much as we do!!”

 Here is the old cover:

Here is the new cover:

Blurb for iFeel:

Lust. Anger. Hate. Desire. Love. Happiness. Joy. iFeel. Liv Christianni is isolated, alone, tortured and withdrawn, saddled with the torrential downpour of the world’s emotions.

Accepting of her providence Liv has lost all hope, until one day fate steps in and spins the course of her life like a spiraling top. Hunted by a Spirit Stalker, Liv is forced to gain control of herself and her surroundings, threatened by the touch of her immortal love; she must find a way to survive both physically and emotionally as her reality is shaken up like dice on a Craps table.

Can she find the courage to accept her true self? Can she love unconditionally cognizant of the condemning consequences? Can she rise from the ashes to become the person she was always meant to be?

Funny, witty, real, and poignant, iFeel rips into your soul, and sets your emotions on fire. If you are a fan of Charmed or Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries or The Secret Circle this series is for you!

About Marissa:

Marissa Carmel has been writing since a young age and although it has always been for personal enjoyment, she finally decided to break out and share her imagination with the world. She hopes that her universe is as fun and intriguing to her readers as it is to her. 

Marissa Carmel is originally from NJ but moved to Maryland several years ago, she enjoys reading, writing, and catching up on her DVR library. She is currently working on the sequel to iFeel, Gravitational Pull, which she hopes to release sometime in 2012.

The author can be found at this web site.

New book: A Million Doughnuts

Great Minds Think Aloud Independent Publishing has just released my newest children’s book, A Million Doughnuts. I was inspired to write this story after reading a “doughnut song” my young daughter wrote. I just loved the song so much and wanted to use it in a story. Thank you to my daughter, Jennifer Wilson, for granting me permission to use her song lyrics in this book.

Thank you also to Kitty Bullard, owner and CEO of Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing, for accepting my manuscript and putting together a fabulous cover for this book. Thank you for all of your hard work and extra time to get this book out before Christmas. And especially thank you for your patience during the many times corrections were needed. You’re patience and kindness have been greatly appreciated.  You rock!!

Thanks also to my daughter, Jennifer Wilson, for illustrating this book. She had told me in the past that drawing doughnuts was a real challenge for her, and I’m grateful she stood up to that challenge and conquered it! Way to go, Jennifer! Thank you for your wonderful drawings!

I am very excited to have a second children’s book out. I recently finished typing up my next children’s book, which also includes illustrations by Jennifer. This particular book is slated for a March 2013 submission to Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing. They have been a pleasure to work with and I am grateful that they are willing to publish books that contain illustrations by my young talented daughter.

Electronic review copies of A Million Doughnuts are available upon request.

Here is the blurb for the book:

Rusty loves doughnuts, but it seems like his parents won’t ever let him have a doughnut! One day he wishes for a million doughnuts, and when that wish comes true, Rusty learns that maybe there is too much of a good thing.

Here are links to where you can buy a copy of this book:

Amazon:

Kindle

Print

Kobo

Nook