A year gone, a year ahead

in less then 18 hours, 2008 will be a memory. I'm happy about it. this year was rife with disappointments. We got over 100 rejections from agents for a book, And no, it wasn't because it was a bad book, or poorly written. The subject kinda threw them off. *shrug* we will try again with it, the book itself deserves a bigger distro and a bigger contract. the book is unique and different and I think the industry needs it.

Then, our writing has been slim and none this year. Its only been recently that we have gotten something substantial done, and thankfully. a book that would have normally taken us 1 month to write took 10. Ugh it sucked. The book is good though.

We had FEW releases this year, and that sucked as well. I like having a bunch of things coming out. Keeps me on my toes, but I have noone to blame for that but me and Audra.

So already 2009 has been shaping up better. We have a release almost every month from January to June, Audra's hubby is going to be away from home for 2 months starting Jan 5th so we can get all the WIP's off our list, and I plan on pitching at RT this coming April. Im hopeful that everything will be better in 2009. I know a lot of people are.

I know with the industry being what it is, that we all have a tough time ahead of us all by way of selling, but i think 2009 is going to be a better year for everyone. Readers are still reading and those of us that are really serious about our work are out there in the trenches to get that sale. I hope all of us that are going that extra mile for our careers are recognized for it.

I will be doing my part, and have been just told that Ill be one of the Go Green Authors for the ARe promotion starting in March 2009. Im so excited about this, and see the opportunity as one of the great things Ill be involved in next yet. More on that as i get it.

So happy New Year to all. Enjoy some alcohol and food with freinds tonite, and resolve to make next year 100% better for you and yours.

the holidays and whats coming this week

I swear im the most boring person in the world. Nothing big to report for christmas. Still didnt get what i wanted for christmas, surprise surprise. Aud got a plane ticket to visit me in October for the AAD event. So if your thinking of going, Audra will be there for you to see for yourself.

We are almost finished with two books, one for a revise for Loose id, which we are hoping they like the extended version so to speak, an one we are getting ready for pitching at RT. I love this book, love the characters and the premise, and Im hoping it will do well once it gets out there. And of course, we have to work on Book three of the snakes. Its already started, have about 2k written (which isnt much but it is a start, espcially when we are working on several othe books as well) and im hoping to have masquerade ready to go for a May or June release.

London for the Holidays has a Jan 5th release date, which Im very excited about. Since its out only vampire book to date (and probably ever) im hoping we get some new readers that just read the bloodsuckers LOL. though I will say that the story is good, and different, and when it goes into print, it will have a special short story called No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, and its about Marsh, and Janey after the end of Gifts. It happens on New Years, when The Devil comes to visit for a small conversation and bargain. Sorry, no sex in this one, Janey is pregnant and all, but it explains a lot that people were asking about.

So Im off to watch cartoons and enjoy my saturday. Hope you all had a good holiday!

Acomplishments... and a look ahead.

Im happy to say that while writing was lean this year, I think we have some things to be proud of this year in our career.

~Sold the snake novella's to Total E Bound
~Finished three books, Novels, to be pitched next year at RT
~developed two new series for future WIP's
~conceived and help set up the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend.
~I personally won an Ariana and a Dirk A. Wolf for cover art i did
~I personally was up for a Fangoria horror award for the cover of the book Snuff
~Now have 8 books in print
~were nominated for several awards

Not too bad considering we barely wrote this year. I'm hopeful for next year. What i would like to accomplish:
~We snag an agent/ editor
~We sell our weresnake novel to a NY house
~we finish Masquerade, Leather and Moonshine, A Bitter Kiss of Chaos and What Binds the Darkness
~We do much better at the signings we set up (And this year wasn't too shabby at all)

we dont want much but Im a big fan of setting goals that are attainable. So what have you done this year.. and what do you hope to accomplish?

Letter to the ARe Santa, #3

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year. What do I want for the holidays? An iPhone/iTouch so that I can use Stanza to read all the romance I need from all the publishers I love that I buy at All Romance eBooks. You see, Santa, I deserve the iPhone/iTouch because...

I I really need to join the 21st century. My cell phone is horrible, and I drop calls, and the phone calls places like South America... and last week it was HONG KONG. I know no one there. See, I should be doing something like this for my mum, or my boyfriend, or grandpa... but really I want it for me. I never ask for anything expensive like this, because money every year is tight and I cant justify spending the kinda money they cost when the cost of living is so high. Im usually a sock and pajama kinda girl. When you have the choice of paying a bill or buying something that you would like to have, the need outweights the want, especially if you dont wanna freeze or read by candlelight. It would be cool to have something current, especially when I normally get something a year after, if not later.

I would like to be more green, and this is a great way to be green, and help to get the E book word out there... When Im at the bookstore and see someone and we talk e books, it would be great to be able to show them (and show off ARE, lol) and get more people into e books, helping to keep the world green.

Thanks Santa, Please pick me!
XOXO
~Stella

Letter to the ARe Santa

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year. What do I want for the holidays? An iPhone/iTouch so that I can use Stanza to read all the romance I need from all the publishers I love that I buy at All Romance eBooks. You see, Santa, I deserve the iPhone/iTouch because...

I I really need to join the 21st century. My cell phone is horrible, and I drop calls, and the phone calls places like South America... and last week it was HONG KONG. I know no one there. See, I should be doing something like this for my mum, or my boyfriend, or grandpa... but really I want it for me. I never ask for anything expensive like this, because money every year is tight and I cant justify spending the kinda money they cost when the cost of living is so high. Im usually a sock and pajama kinda girl. When you have the choice of paying a bill or buying something that you would like to have, the need outweights the want, especially if you dont wanna freeze or read by candlelight. It would be cool to have something current, especially when I normally get something a year after, if not later.

I would like to be more green, and this is a great way to be green, and help to get the E book word out there... When Im at the bookstore and see someone and we talk e books, it would be great to be able to show them (and show off ARE, lol) and get more people into e books, helping to keep the world green.

Thanks Santa, Please pick me!
XOXO
~Stella

We Sold!

So we have sold three books to Total E bound! The Knossos West Weresnakes novella series is going to be back in the published mainstream come next year, and whats more, it will have a third story featuring the nest country club kid, Andy Derelle.

So Audra and I are super excited about this, TEB is fantastic, our editor is the COOLEST, and we have a great opportunity with TEB. I cant wait to become part of their family! I'm looking forward to getting the covers, and seeing the books out again. So those of you who are looking for the Snakes, soon guys... soon!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Im baking up a storm while Audra and I are outlining the third snake book. Its going to be awesome I think, and you will get to see a different side of snake life... a more regimented and austere kinda society. Book three doesnt take place at Knossos West, but in the wilds of the Mojave Desert... Are you intrigued yet? LOL I thought you would be!

Back to it all. Have a great thanksgiving everyone, And enjoy the food and family! Oh and dont get too drunk!

Awesome promotion!

So in my hunny's infinite wisdom, he thought up a cool little promotion.

From today to December 20th, Anyone who orders will get a holiday card with a dollar denomination in it for money off for 2009! 5, 10, 15 and 20$ cards have already been written out, though its all random who gets what! Take a chance! pop over and see what we got and surprise someone with a one of a kind gifty!

Stella by Starlight

MY letter to the ARe santa...

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good boy or girl this year. What do I want for the holidays? An iPhone or iTouch so that I can use Stanza to read all the romance I need from all the publishers I love that I buy at All Romance eBooks. You see, Santa, I deserve the iPhone or iTouch because...

I really want one. I don't make anywhere near the kinda bank it takes to buy one, and Should probably enter the technological mainstream. Hell I'm still using a craptastic phone that unlocks on its own, calls places like Argentina and Japan without my knowledge, and runs up my bills. Honestly who do i know in South America? NO ONE. Also, As I have recently started reading E books, It would help in that as well. I only buy my e books off ARe and now that ARe is on Stanza... it would make it one hell of a merry christmas this year.

XOXO
Stella

We were interviewed!

Audra and I were interviewed on Women On Writing about our collaborative efforts... Come see

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/25-FE2-IMnovelPriceSisters.html


It looks like a magazine page. Im tickled!

Marsh has taken over.

Well the new book is on hold right now. Marsh showed back up and is demanding that the short we are adding for the print book of London for the Holidays (out this December in E book) needs to be finished so he can go on "vacation". I didn't think fictional characters went on vacation (Well mine don't, they all kinda hangout while I'm not writing them drinking up all my tea and eating all the good snacks) so this is news to me. Hopefully Audra and I will get this done and done by wed as Syrus is seriously pissed off and wants to get to his rooftop nookie.

We are still waiting on the snake submission for the novella's. Im so keyed up about it I'm almost to the point of paranoia. With everything going on so crappy this year, I feel like we need a win somewhere. I was hoping this was going to be it, and we would have the Novella's back on our release list with a damn good publisher to annouce this year, but it doesnt look like thats going to happen at this point.

2008 has been a wasted year for writing for us. With the wedding, and now Audra geting back in the swing so slowly... Im frustrated and trying to figure out ways to get shit back on track. Its not that easy. I still have hopes though, that the remainder of the year will turn around.

Dont forget, we are taking part in the Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt with some of the best names in E book! (Why we are involved is anyones guess) and you can check it out HERE. Lots of great prizes, enter and win!

Im back to working on Marsh before Audra gets on. Hopefully I'll bang out another 500 words.

Jewelry, Squirrles and Submissions...

Lots going on this week. Mostly to keep my mind off the submissions we still have pending. Im a wreck because of it, so I have been trying to channel my energies into other pursuits. Jewelry has become one of them, and so has writing, obviously. I finished a solo short, and its going into the editor this weekend, after i give it the once over, and Audra and I are slowly adding to the new book but at least its getting done.
Im hopeful we will get this finished to send to our beta for Christmas holidays, as I want this ready to go for RT so I can pitch. I dont think its a hard thing to do. Im scared, because I have never pitched before, but I think it will be good for me, though im going to have to work on said pitch with our Beta. Thank god shes more grounded then me, shes already helped me greatly on that end.
In personal news, Audra's sugar gliders are pregnant. Shes eager to see the babies, but is freaked out by all the singing the female does to the pouch, and all the barking the male (batfink) does when people go near the cage. Squirrles are not suppoed to bark. Period. So this holiday should be an interesting one for her to say the least.
Me? Well nothing good to report, nothing bad either. Im hoping we will have contract news soon but I'm honestly not holding my breath. But, with the jewelry, I have started a Etsy store, and Im so excited. Im designing steampunk jewelry, and accessories, and Im working into a few other things. Looking forward to opening on the 15th. If you are reading this, and stop by Stella by Starlight, and find something you JUST have to have, convo me on etsy, and I will cut out the shipping, and you will have it in your grubby mitts before christmas. Everything comes giftboxed and with a special Stella by Starlight tag.
Well thats me. Im off to get some writing done before the supplies for the rest of the jewelry come. Audra and I are averaging between 2-8k a day. Im saying it a good thing.

Romance and Chocolate Event next Feb.

Feb 7th 2009 at the Farmington CT Borders 13 authors will be on hand for a fun and romantic event called the Romance and chocolate event. Authors of different kinds of romance will be on hand selling and signing books, and attendees will be treated to refreshments, snacks, goodies and lots of free stuff and will also have the opportunity to win one of 6 romance inspired gift baskets. What authors? Lemme tell you:

Stella Price
Tilly Greene
Jessica Andersen
Cat Johnson
Allie Boniface
Isabelle Santiago
Toni Andrews
Marie Force
Kristan Higgins
Denise Egan
Emily Bryan
Kathryn Smith
Annette Blair

Hope to see you there!

Work is never done

Yep. It seems it keeps piling up. But I keep putting stuff off to write. I feel thats the true face of an author, the fact that everything else can sit and scratch when the muse is upon you. I have missed our muse for a while now, but we are so involved in this new series, and these new books that everything is falling into place.

Though we are still waiting on submissions, and I admit I truly hate waiting. Im anxious to get these books placed you know? Though i know things are hard all over, so I shall try to be patient, and hope for the best.

I'm working on some new jewelry and Happy about how its turning out. If you wanna see, check out my store Stella By Starlight on etsy.com. Ooh and if you mention this blog post you'll get free shipping. Just convo me before you buy the piece so I can relist the piece. All pieces come gift boxed, with a holigram box, ribbon and a Stella by Starlight tag. And maybe some cool goodies as well.. Heh

So Im very excited about our new president as well. Audra and I had been chatting about me moving to Scotland if McCain won... So I guess it all worked out, LOL.

Back to writing. We are kicking major ass with this one. Im looking forward to finishing it though, because we have 5 more books in the same world brewing and percolating. LOL.

Art of the cover info

Art of the Cover is a new cover artist resource for both Artists and publishers to find new artists to work with, as well as artists help each other with publisher issues, payments, non payments, and information on relationships with publishers.

Also, the forums section they are going to be offering classes and contests so that you can grow as an artists and make your portfolio grow as well.

I'm going to be running a class in January I think, that's if they accept it. Apparently there is a group of professionals that decided by a criteria if you are a registered professional, but i think we should all get an account there and work with them to make our jobs easier.

http://www.artofthecover.com

Joyus Samhain to all!

So Audra and I havent done much of anything writing wise this week, and i guess we needed the break. I did design some new jewelry though so im excited. Tonite is movie night, and maybe stopping by a friends place thats having a party. though I wont be dressing up, sad I know.

So nothing else on this end. I have the signing tomorrow, looking forward to that. I hope people show up.

Fun at Storycasting.com and a contest

So we have all our work at http://www.storycasting.com/ and we have been having a really fun time with it. What is storycasting.com? Its a website where you can cast your choices for actors and actresses for characters of your favorite books. I love it, and have been playing with it constantly.

So with all our books on there, we figured we would do a cool contest. Join Storycasting.com and cast our books. For ever book cast you have the opportunity to win a free print book of choice, as well as some other fantastic goodies. Its a fun new community, and we know you will enjoy yourself with it. See if your picks match ours! Keep checking back after you do, you may have won your choice of print books from us!

updates and all that jazz.

Audra and I are about 61k into the new book and its full steam ahead. I do really love this book, and the characters are becoming more real to me every day. I think its good to have a world outside the Eververse, so that we can escape when the monotony starts to set in.

I'm ill again, no surprise given the time of year, but I'm doing much better. We have a signing next Saturday, last of the year, in Middletown NY. I'm hopeful we get a much better turnout this time. I still need to send out the Info on myspace and such. *shrug*

And I have stared doing steampunk jewelry. Im opening a Etsy shop soon, once i get enough stuff to add to the shop that is. Still deciding on a name for it though. Any insights will be welcome.

Audra and I are still waiting on submissions... and as usual, we are antsy panty about it. We recently got a rejection that made NO SENSE considering they told us the book WASNT romance, then told us that the book would be much better suited for Category rather then single title. Yeah, oh and we were 1.2k shy of their work cap. Yeah, I know. We are baffled as well. *Sigh* I think I would have appreciated it more if they just said "Snakes scare me and Im comfortable publishing anything having to do with them." *sigh*

So im back to writing. See you guys soon

A breakthrough

Yes! We hit the 50k mark for this new book last night and today we have been outlining the next part of the book. I'm excited. We still need to go back in and do the bad guy parts, but all in all it wont take that much bulking in the details and descriptions area. That makes me a happy bunny.

So i thought I would drop in for a few and give you guys an update. Still waiting on the submission for the snake novella's and the novel.. but I'm hopeful. The stories are good and you awesome readers keep asking for them... So here's hoping that they get placed soon.

So its back to work for me. I have to get through another 500 words before Audra and I keep going on things together. I'm so excited about this book...

Fucked weekend

Needless to say I'm still here at AlbaCON. Not a happy weekend to say the least. Some of the people I have met, were awesome. LOVED them. A lot of the people I met, SUCKED hardcore. Like the asshole that moved us into an unused hallway for the signing time? Yeah, bastards, and they weren't very nice about it either.

So this con is off my list for next year. I wont be coming back and being treated like shit. But the panels were ok, Amusing people on them to say the least. Oh and I was molested by a dragon puppet. Yeah. I know.

On the upswing, I got an octopus stuffed animal, and named him Archibald Witwicki. Yep. I know.

So Im off to walk about Albany, and maybe get some pictures and such. Heres hoping anyway. We have one panel left, at 2pm, and then Im going HOME. Its been a fucked weekend. But... It was an experience.

The right kinda working...

We have been blowing through this book and learning so much about the characters that its scary. Audra and I haven't been this excited about writing a book in ages, and I'm seriously excited that its going so well.

We should probably hit between 45-50k by the end of the week. I'm saying that pretty damn good for a week's worth of intensive soul searching in a new book. Now we have to decide names and Im slowly outlining the next three books in the 6 book series. The guys are... well they are stunning really.

And tomorrow I'm getting ready to leave for the convention, I don't know how insane its going to be to leave the Inferi world but I have to for the good of our career LOL. So its back to work today. Wish us luck.

S