Such Sweet Sorrow

Just a quick note to let everyone here know that I’m giving self-hosted blogging another try. Please visit and subscribe to me at the following URL:

http://www.ashleyheckman.com

 

When I exported and moved all of my posts over to the new place, comments and likes decided they were quite happy where they were. I apologize on their lazy ass behalf for your past comments not displaying at the new blog location, and can only hope that you find me interesting enough to like/comment on what I have to say in the future.

Thanks!

So a Writer Walks Into a Bar…

…and orders a magnum of champagne* because SHE SIGNED A PUBLISHING CONTRACT!

That’s right, the little novella that was pretty much publisher Kryptonite for the longest time has found a home! Evernight Teen, Evernight Publishing’s fairly new YA imprint, was crazy enough to take my hot mess of a story on, and they want YOU to read it when it comes out in October.

Don’t make them come after you.

* Except not, because I can’t afford to go to a bar. Actual celebration may include a box of wine and a bacon cheeseburger.

Everything I’ve Learned About Publishing (Which Isn’t Much)

In the past year or two, I’ve gotten much more serious about my lifelong writing hobby. Okay so I wasn’t penning fiction straight out of the womb. You know what I mean, smartass.

Anyway, one thing I’ve realized is that it’s pretty easy for newbs to fall into some big damn sinkholes on the road to publication. From vanity presses to indie houses to self-publishing services, below is the meager knowledge on avoiding craptastic  publishers I’ve collected in my relatively short time in this crazy game. Enjoy!

1. Never pay a publisher. Not one cent. Ever.

One of the first things a properly seasoned writer (yum?) will tell you is that money always flows to the author. What does this mean? It means that you’re supposed to make money, not spend it. But why is it a red flag? There are so many reasons, but this is the only one I needed to know: a house whose authors are supplying the business’ income has no reason to be picky. They’d be stupid to turn anyone away, and as much as they might insist that they are just as picky as a “traditional” house (pro tip: don’t call trade publishing “traditional”), believe me, they are not. You are the customer here. Sales is about parting the customer from their money. Think about it. Do not give anyone there any money.

WIP Wednesday

There’s blood everywhere. How could so much blood be coming from such small cuts? One hand covers one wrist, trying to stop the life that gushes out of me in a barely noticeable rhythm, but this just leaves the other one unattended. My efforts are useless. I’m weakening by the second, each moment limping by as slowly as I seem to be moving now. But it doesn’t matter how fast I’m moving. I’m still moving. Am I moving?

And I realize then…I did this to myself.

Why Hello There

It was your job to make me post. Why didn’t you do your job? Yes, you…right there. I’m pointing at you.

Lots going on lately, but I’m finally settling back into life and feeling ready to write again. There was just no room in my brain for the muse for a few months. Then a couple of weeks ago, I dusted off her little chaise lounge (because muses love a chaise lounge, you know), made her an enticing meal of chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, and we got down to…well, let’s just leave it at this: look forward to a new WIP Wednesday post this coming week :)