Sigh

I think the next milestone I'd like to hit in my writing career (besides getting a new contract, that is) is finding a mention of myself outside a review or letter specifically to me from a reader. I just went to a blog site where they asked their readers, "What are you reading now?" Just once I'd like to see my name mentioned in such a list.

Oh, I'm not complaining. I have great readers who seek me out, I've received terrific reviews (for the most part--I'd worry more if everyone liked me--I honestly think that would mean I have no voice), and I enjoy interaction with my readers. But how cool would it be to accidentally come across someone on a third party site throwing my name out there. Even cooler would be seeing someone in public reading my book (When you think about how rarely you actually see people reading in public and then factor in how many now read on electronic devices where you can't even see the book, the numbers are truly low).

If you're here reading this, thank you for coming to see me. I love the support I've been getting from readers (check out the dedication of Wishful Thinking). I'm just thinking about reaching that next step.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:

Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson

First Romance

Today is the second day in a row that I've seen reference to "the first romance you've ever read," not in those words exactly. First I was asked the question, what book changed your life? Well, for me, that would have to be my first romance. It introduced me to a world where I found comfort and caring and escape when I needed it, and later where I found what I wanted to be when I grew up. Today I saw another author writing about her first romance (thanks, Erin Kellison) and realized the topic must be fate. So here I am writing about my first romance.

I haven't told you yet, have I? It was Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey. The Flame and the Flower  by Kathleen Woodiwiss was the second. I was home on vacation from boarding school--I was sixteen--and my mother handed me the two books. She said her friend had given these to her because her friend loved them. My mother read them and didn't like them (my mother doesn't like romance--heck, she doesn't like fiction much; she likes to read biographies and histories best), but she gave them to me to read anyway. Little did she know that she was about to change my world.

I was an innocent teenager (really, I was) and the books showed me SEX. They were titillating and exciting, full of adventure and then, to top it all off, they had HAPPY ENDINGS! I must have read them each four or five times that summer. And then I tried Sweet Savage Love (yeah, I won't go into how much that traumatized me--must have if I can still remember it so vividly) and realized I had to tread carefully because not all romance books were the same.

I'd have to say that Captive Bride and Flame and the Flower, for all that they were rapey (ahh, those early romances), set up my taste for romances in the future.  I like romances with lots of action and characters who don't carry too much baggage (Yes, I know Heather was an orphan with an evil aunt, etc, but she never seemed to let her background overwhelm her). And now I write them. All thanks to my mother who passed me two books and said, "Why don't you read these?" (only it sounded like "Vie dohnt u reed dees" in her Hungarian accent--remember to roll your Rs in your head)

So my question to you is, what was your first romance?

And don't forget the giveaway going on now--a wand and the entire Time of Transition series, with three additional winners who can choose one from any of the three books.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
My Favorite Bride by Christina Dodd

Don't you wish you had a magic wand...

Well, now's your chance. In celebration of the release of Wishful Thinking, I'm giving away a wand (the magic will have to be provided by you).

This wand, along with its carrying case, the entire Time of Transition series, and assorted collector cards and bookmarks, will belong to one lucky winner. Just leave your email address (so I can contact you) and answer the following question in the comments:

What's something in your life that you would consider magic? (Broad definition; it doesn't have to be actual magic.)

If you can't access the comments (because I've had some people say they can't), just send an email to GabiStevens505 (at) gmail(dot)com and I'll be sure to enter you. 

Now here are the details:

1. Leave a comment or email me with the answer to the question and a way to contact you.

2. Only one entry per person, but feel free to comment on other people's comments. I just won't count those. 

3. Contest ends April 20. 

4. I'll choose a winner through Random.org and contact them.

5. I will put everything in the mail on April 21, with the possible exception of the copy of Wishful Thinking if I don't have my author copies yet. If that's the case, then I'll send it as soon as I have them. Or if the winner doesn't get back to me with their address by April 21.

(Added April 1, but it's not a joke) 6. I'm willing to ship internationally.

And I think I'll have three second place winners too: your choice of any of the Time of Transition books--The Wish List, As You Wish, or Wishful Thinking. When I contact you for your address be sure to tell me which one you want.

Can you tell I'm excited about this upcoming release?

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Lost in Your Arms by Christina Dodd

It's almost that time...

Just a little over a month until the release of Wishful Thinking and I'm getting blog appearances set up. Which is good, but now I also have to write them. I really do take the effort to come up with new content for each blog, but sometimes I wonder how many different ways I can write about the magical world I created in my series. The world of an author is weird because I have completed another manuscript that has nothing to do with my fairy godmothers, have started work on yet another, am updating and expanding the self-pubbed ebook to Nook and other formats, and Wishful hasn't even come out yet. Sometimes, it's hard to remember what I wrote about.

But I don't want to sound as if I'm complaining because I'm excited. I do love to reach out to readers. I love to interact and hear from them, or just know that I'm out there and maybe someone is reading what I have to say. That I'm touching a life (Not that I think I'm having some profound influence on someone; just touching them, in a non-creepy, non-tactile way). It was the same feeling I got from teaching--I was a part of someone's life and that made me feel good.

Makes me feel a little more worthwhile.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Giveaway

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

 
   
   

     
       
     
   

   
   

     

       
          Wishful Thinking
       
     

     

       
          by Gabi Stevens
       
     

     
     

       
         

            Giveaway ends March 31, 2012.
         

         

            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         

       
     

   

   

   
   
      Enter to win
   
   
 

Check it out. A chance to win WISHFUL THINKING before it comes out in April.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
New York to Dallas by JD Robb
Fool by Christopher Moore
Forgotten Sea by Virginia Kantra
Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts

Travel

I love to travel. At least I tell myself so. I do actually enjoy seeing new vistas, experiencing new things, eating different foods. However, I hate flying. No, that's not fair. I am a combination of fear and excitement. It's always exciting to travel, but remember exciting doesn't always mean good. If you read an exciting book or watch an exciting movie, it usually means bad things are happening to the characters that they must overcome.  I don't think I want an exciting life. Although I'd probably be thinner if I had one.

So I'm on my way to NYC. I've been there before, but it's still the unknown and unfamiliar for me. So it's fear and excitement mixed (I'm sure that the excitement will all be good in my case). It's the stepping out of one's comfort zone that's uncomfortable. But experiences make one grow as a person, and, as I firmly believe, once one stops growing or learning, you may as well die.

But that doesn't ameliorate the fear/excitement I'm feeling now sitting at the airport.

--Gabi
Books I'm reading now:
Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts
Fool by Christopher Moore

Countdown to Pub Date

April 24. One month and some days. That's when WISHFUL THINKING will be available for purchase. But that doesn't mean I'm not worrying about it now. I have tons to do before then. I just received my ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies), and  I'll be sending them out so the reviews start pouring in. Last year, AS YOU WISH wasn't reviewed in RT (Romantic Times) although my publisher assures me that it was sent. That was a blow. They assure me that WISHFUL THINKING  was also sent this year, but I don't know if it made the magazine yet or not.  In any case, the ARCs are going out.

I also have to decide what contests to run. I have a great magic wand to give away, some copies of THE WISH LIST and AS YOU WISH, and some magic wand charms, so stay tuned.

Because the life of a writer isn't just about writing. It's also about marketing and getting publicity, which despite my efforts hasn't made me a household name. (Not sure I'd actually want to be a household name like Betty Crocker or Mr. Clean.) In any case, it's an aspect of writing as a career that, should you choose to undertake this path, you should be aware of.

So I start again with the reviews. I'll keep you posted how this book, the last and final part of the story started in THE WISH LIST, is received.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Midsummer Moon by Laura Kinsale
Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly