Angela James, Nice Mommy ~ Evil Editor

One editor, dragging the world to the digital dark side, one reader at a time. Loving books, my family and shoes.

[angelajames]

Win! Lunch on Wed, May 13th for you & a guest at #RT2015 in Dallas, TX.

This has become something of a tradition for us at Carina Press, doing contests so we can hang out with some new people at major conferences. We love meeting with our authors and other publishing friends at conferences, but we also love getting to talk to people we don’t know and hearing their thoughts on the industry, plus talking about other fun things like what you’re reading, the most comfortable brand of shoes, ultimate martini recipes and more. So here’s OUR chance to meet with YOU! 

Using the Rafflecopter link below, fill in as many of the entry options as you like. One of the options (tweeting a message about the contest) is available daily. On Friday, May 1st, we’ll pick 2 winners to go to lunch with Kerri Buckley, Carina Press Senior Editor and me (Editorial Director of Carina Press, in case this is your first time hearing of us). Each winner will be invited to bring along a guest, and we’ll make it lunch for six on Wednesday, May 13th at noon in Dallas, Texas. 

If you’re not attending RT2015 but you are in the Dallas area, no problem, you can still enter to win. You’ll need to come to us (at a restaurant of our choosing) but registration and attendance at RT isn’t necessary to be eligible. 

Oh, and as an aside, each of our four guests will also get a swag bag filled with Carina Press and Harlequin swag and books. Something to take home with you! 

Entries close at midnight eastern on April 30th. Winner must be able to be present in Dallas, Texas and available for lunch on Wednesday, May 13th at noon. The place, date and time are set and cannot be transferred to another place, date or time. Swag bags will not be mailed but will be gifted at lunch and you must be present at lunch to receive a swag bag. Entries are not accepted only win that portion of the giveaway. 

Winners will be notified via email on Friday, May 1st, and prizes not claimed via email response by Monday, May 4th at 12p Eastern will be forfeit and a new winner will be drawn. Prizes are non-transferrable. Entries are accepted only via the Rafflecopter widget. Comments via email, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook or other means outside of Rafflecopter will not be accepted as entries. 

Good luck, we look forward to lunching with you! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[angelajames]

Wondering what to do with all those pins you picked up at #RT14?

Here's a simple easy way to turn them into something you can use on a bulletin board or as fridge magnets.

This is a collection of buttons I picked up from various places during the conference.

Here's what you need to create your pins or magnets:

Super glue

push pins (with a flat top) for pins

for magnets, these push magnets (I have a magnetic bulletin board, so I made all of mine into magnets)

Getting the supplies is probably the hardest part. The rest is easy!

Put a dot of super glue on the back of the button, in the middle top of the button.

Then place your magnet pin or push pin on it, hold down firmly, set it aside and let it dry.

The bigger, heavier pins may need two pins, especially if you're using the magnet type, you may want to put one on top and bottom.

Once dry, stick them to your fridge, bulletin board or wherever else you want to use them!

(In case you're wondering, I took two of those magnets down because I do have a 9 y/o in the house, lol!)

Reader buttons from FWSmedia.net

My other button's a clitoris from smbookobsessions.com

O'Kane button from kitrocha.com

"You're a nice girl..." from VictoriaDahl.com

[angelajames]

Now Hiring: @HarlequinBooks seeking freelance proofreaders

(personal note: I am not involved with this process, so please don't query me about it as I'm simply passing this along since I know I have editors who follow my updates. All queries should be directed to the email address below)

Now Hiring: Freelance Proofreaders

 Harlequin is looking to expand the freelance proofreading team for our Harlequin E (www.harlequin.com) and Carina Press (www.carinapress.com) lines.

Please read the requirements below carefully. Only those applicants who meet the requirements and who provide the requested material will be contacted.

Requirements:

* Completion of a recognized publishing program or significant experience within a proofreading role

* Excellent eye for spelling and grammar, and ability to keep track of story details and characterization

* A good understanding of the Chicago Manual of Style

* Proficient in Microsoft Word 2007 or higher and its review functions, including track changes and comments

* Ability to communicate to editors and authors in a professional manner

* Genuine love of proofreading, reading and the craft of writing

* Ability to self-motivate, stay on task and meet deadlines consistently

* Ability to take direction and feedback

If you meet these requirements, are willing to work in a freelance capacity for a flat, per‑assignment fee, and would like to learn more about this freelance opportunity, please send your CV and a letter of interest detailing your qualifications to [email protected] by May 20, 2014.

Please include “FREELANCE PROOFREADING” in the subject line.

Qualifying applicants will be asked to complete a proofreading test.

No phone calls, please. Only applicants who meet our qualifications will be contacted.

Permission to forward granted. 

[angelajames]

Not sure about taking Before You Hit Send? Read some reviews!

The next Before You Hit Send writing and self-editing workshop starts on Monday. If you're still wondering if it's worth it, I gathered a few reviews for you to read. Registration will remain open through next Wednesday, and you can easily catch up with the missed lessons, via the workshop forum.

Register here: www.b4youhitsend.com

Reviews at:

From Fact to Fiction

"If you write, if you edit, this class is for you. It could be a semester long class at a college, and you could pay several hundred dollars for this class."

Jodi Ashland

"If you’ve never worked with an editor or publisher before, this workshop is extremely insightful. I enjoyed Angela’s humor throughout the course and she is honest when you post examples from your manuscript."

K.M. Jackson

"So far, just a few days in and though painful in the light of day, I’ve already learned so much and seen some of the errors of my ways (don’t let the poor punctuation of this post fool you)."

Lit Central O.C.

"Not only did I learn how to self-edit in a better, more effective way, I also came away with a brighter outlook on the state of traditional publishing. It’s thrilling to know there are people like James on the other side of the editorial wall who will fuss about the nuances of a word or the necessity of this or that comma. People who flat-out love language, with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies. People who care deeply about all of it, but in the end, care most about telling strong, compelling stories.

Ultimately, James said, 'it’s not about editing your book. It’s about loving your book.' "

Kiera Soleore

"I took this workshop two years ago, and I loved it. I learned so much from it that I kept all my notes. Since then, I have noticed the workshop has only improved."

[angelajames]

Carina Press audiobook giveaway!

I have too many credits at Audible and I haven't been listening to enough audiobooks recently for there to be anything I HAVE to have. So I'm going to gift to three people your choice of any Carina Press audiobook from Audible. Unfortunately, because of our contract restrictions, this is for North America only. All you have to do is enter via the rafflecopter below and I'll choose three winners randomly tomorrow evening.

Note: You'll receive a claim code from Audible to redeem for your specific title of choice.

A full listing of Carina Press titles at Audible is here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[angelajames]

I've been singing along to this song from Halestorm every day for weeks. It's my current anthem. I kind of love it.

Here's to Us

"Here's to us Here's to love All the times That we messed up Here's to you Fill the glass Cause the last few nights Have kicked my ass If they give you hell Tell em to go fuck themselves"

[angelajames]

Holiday anthology giveaway

Every year I edit several holiday anthologies for Carina Press. It's the one special project I hold on to, even while needing to pull back from editing in general. I love the holiday anthologies. This year, I was fortunate to be able to do four very different anthologies, with incredibly talented authors who wrote seriously amazing stories. I'm giving away TWO sets of the four anthologies. That means two winners will each get four holiday anthologies. If you'd like to see more about the holiday anthologies, as well as check out previous years' anthologies, visit: http://www.ebooks.carinapress.com/holidaybooks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is open internationally. Winners will be gifted their prize via their choice of Kobo, Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Prize must be claimed within one week of email or a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

[angelajames]

It's clear I've always been a bad mommy...

9 years ago today, Brianna was born and I thought the doctors had sucked the top of her head off because of a broken suction and blood splatter. Wow, did I feel like a bad mom right off, letting those hack doctors suck the top of her head off. Thankfully, her head was intact and she's grown into quite the beautiful kid who's smart, funny, sarcastic and just so much fun to be around. But you know, that feeling of being a bad mom is one that's so persistent. Last night I was convinced I was awful because I couldn't remember what time she was born and I went back in my blog archives to see if I'd written about the blessed event with that much detail (I did. Same post where I explain about thinking her head was gone.)

During that search, I also found another blog post, quoted below, that I wrote nearly 9 years ago, when B was about 3 months old. Reading this made me laugh kind of hard, it's so totally me. In case anyone was wondering if I've changed in 9 years, this quoted post is proof I haven't changed at all. Still parenting irreverently and talking about alcohol. Welcome to the bad mommy table! Pull up a seat if you feel you belong.

10. Keeping my daughter out past her bedtime so I can go shopping.

9. Drinking a margarita while holding my daughter.

8. Drinking a maragarita despite the fact that I’m breastfeeding (although not both at the same time)

7. The red mark on my daughter’s forehead from where she whacked herself on the margarita glass (see number 9) when she did a swan dive towards the pretty green color.

[angelajames]

Love this #writeideas from @damonsuede because I can hear him saying it in my head.

"Being an artist is not a disability. Kick your own ass every day, get better every moment, dream hard!"

Damon Suede is an author of male/male romance. I recommend his book Hot Head. It has fantastic character development, very readable voice, great sexual tension and two wonderful heroes.

[angelajames]

New Adult contemporary romance Running Back by Allison Parr

Available now. I loved editing this book! Features a smart, strong heroine who's an archeology grad student, and a hero who's a running back for a pro football team. Don't worry if you don't like sports, this one doesn't feature sports as a key theme. And most of it takes place in Ireland!

Buy now:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fQ7sqP

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1azA3JL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1a7qc0S

Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/1h0a7NJ

Carina Press: http://bit.ly/1h0iucb

Audio version! http://bit.ly/17454s0

Natalie Sullivan is on the verge of a breakthrough most archaeology grad students only dream of: discovering a lost city. Her research points to a farm in Ireland, but to excavate she needs permission from the new owner: the Michael O'Connor, popular NFL running back.

On TV Mike seems so charming and good-natured that Natalie figures getting his cooperation will be a breeze. So she's not prepared to deal with the arrogant--and adamantly opposed--man she meets in person. Or the way one look from him sends shivers down her spine...

Determined to kick-start her career, Natalie travels across the Atlantic and finds herself sharing an inn with Mike, who has come to Ireland in search of his roots. She tells herself her interest is strictly professional, but the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to deny her personal attraction to the sexy sports star. And when Mike confides why he refuses to allow the dig, Natalie must decide if she can follow her heart without losing sight of her dreams.

[angelajames]

Today's #writeideas is via the beach!

"Taking even a 5 minute break can positively effect your creativity. Hard work is important, but so is down time."

Today's message is compliments of my beach vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from earlier this summer. But it's so true, and I hope you'll remember to take time away from your work for both your own mental health, but also the health of your relationships!

[shannonstacey]

Taken With You #WIPLines

[angelajames]

Some of you will probably disagree with today's #writeideas from @smartbitches

"A negative review is a GOOD THING!"

I'll bet some of you are probably cringing at this thought from Sarah at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, but Sarah's in a position to know that negative reviews really do sell books!

[angelajames]

#writeideas is from @juljames today!

"If a scene isn't working, take a break! Don't fight your scene."

New York Times Bestselling author Julie James gives some wise writing advice. Taking a break is a theme in a few of the upcoming #writeideas, and there's a reason for that--it works!

[angelajames]

#writeideas by @lorendac. I hope she doesn't kill me for posting the outtake...

"Be funny."

What I like about this picture is that Golden Heart Winning author Lorenda Christensen is not just telling us, she's showing us, so she's actually sharing two ideas!

[angelajames]

#writeideas by @helenkaydimon gets punctuation points from some photo bombers

"Your writing career is a marathon, not a sprint!"

HelenKay's photobombers are authors VIvian Arend and Shari Mikels. When I saw this photo, it reminded me of a blog post HelenKay wrote not too long ago, which is related to this topic. I guess it was on her mind!

[angelajames]

#writeideas by editor @HeatherOsborn is my #1 self-editing advice, always

"Read your work out loud! You will find awkward phrasing and typos much easier!!"

In Before You Hit Send, this is always the first lesson I teach. There's a lot of different ways to both hear and read your book aloud, and the benefits will show you many, sometimes surprising, things about your writing.