I’ve been a bad girl, I know. Work and family became consuming and I let the blog slide. Then when I went to update I discovered that I couldn’t log in to my own site. Apparently my website decided I didn’t have permission to touch it. Talk about hitting a brick wall. Fortunately, my fabulous web designer, Croco fixed everything.

This summer I’ve been working hard on expanding my novella, Heart of the Nile into a full-length novel. The whole world I created has grown to include numerous species and a more complex back story and story arc. My goal … Read More »

I had such a blast at the booksigning. Sold most of the books to toal strangers, which I have to admit is was totally nerve racking to do.
I have to be honest. I forgot my own camera to take pictures.
Thankfully, my family came and took pictures.

Sasha Tomaszycki (1/2 of Gabriella Hewitt) at Borders in Famingdale, NY.

Chatting up book with a customer.

Moer on the way!… Read More »

I kid you not this is a true story.

I come home from vacation, rested and happy, when I noticed on the kitchen table an envelope. It is a 8×11 envelope I had been using to sendout my books to Newspapers for review. On the outside of the envelope someone has scratched out hte zip code and put a sticker over the envelope with the box for “Insufficient address” checked off. I notice that the book is missing inside. Only inside there is my letters with the press release and the cover page addressing the editor. I look to my … Read More »

I’m not going back to the States this summer, which means I’m so not loving life. Japan is hot and sticky in August. Add in three boys, an apartment the size of my parent’s living room (ok, so I’m exaggerating), well you get the picture. What’s made it bearable is Amazon. Not the US one, the Japanese one. They opened their doors a few years back and I parked myself at the front of the line. Whoever thought of putting books only a click away is a genius.

Now, if you prefer to visit the bookstore, I hear you. One … Read More »

Yeah, I got a mention in Express Checkout in the Long Island Press!

THE BOOK – DARK WATERS… Read More »

I sent out my July newsletter highlighting all the going ons for this month.

I tried a new tactic this time. The format layout was great. I had the video embedded in it. A cute sidebar with all the info for the book. Great graphics and even a contest run by a radio station.

Couldn’t be more perfect. Or so I thought.

Well anyway, it seems Hotmail took issue with me sending out a billion emails. They closed my hotmail account!

I’m like what the f*%$!

Seriously, give me a break. I had to freakin’ do that stupid letter crap … Read More »

Okay, I have finally tried my hand at making a bookmark for Dark Waters.

I did it over 20 times before I finalized it. I have no idea if it is good enough. I have no idea if it is the correct size. And I have no idea if it is correctly spelled. Garaunteed there are typos. But I am beat and I can’t do it anymore. I sent it for printing. If it is wrong. So be it.

Here is the bookmark. What do you think?

But hey, I did it for free. And a wise guru author told … Read More »

I have to admit, I am very excited about the release of Dark Waters. But not so excited about promoting myself.
Weird, huh? Well, it isn’t rocket science but for some reason I am baffled by the process. It should be easy and I am sure I am making it more complicated than it has to be. Honestly, how hard is it to just go up to people and say, “Hey, buy my book!”?

Totally horrendous at this I am.
I’m calling all the local newspapers and they are such pros. They say mail them a copy of the … Read More »

Well, I’ve gotten the first round of edits in. They really weren’t too bad at all. In fact, the editor thanked me for turning in such a clean manuscript in the first place. I try. No word on the release date. I’m bouncing in my chair in anticipation. When will it be?

Meanwhile, I’m trying to flesh out the story line of the second book in this trilogy: Tears of the Nile. Expect magic, dark secrets and a lot of passion.

Every part of a book is tough, but the beginning always seems particularly hard. I find that if I … Read More »

Transcripts from emails between Vanessa and Gabriella
***

I’m Vanessa Hawthorne and I’ll be doing your cover for Dark Waters. You can
see my work at www.vanessahawthorne.com or on the Samhain site.

Here’s a first pass at your cover. Please take a look and let me know what
you do and don’t like about it. If you don’t like it at all, it’s okay to
tell me that, too. I want you to be happy with your cover.

Thanks,
Vanessa

***

Hi Vanessa,

Thank you so much for all the effort you have gone to for my cover.
I’m really … Read More »