In 2002,
with my fingers crossed, I submitted a vampire novella, Marriage in Moonlust, to Ellora’s Cave. The story was accepted in
August, the contract was signed in September, and the story was published in
October as part of a two-author anthology, Midnight
Desires, with Sherri King.
Ellora’s
Cave had (and has) an active online readers’ group where I was warmly welcomed
by readers and other authors. Hanging out there was great fun and I felt instantly
at home. On the business side, the staff was very helpful in answering
questions and I really enjoyed working with my editor. Later, upon receiving my
first royalty check, I was pleasantly surprised. For the first time my writing
actually helped pay the bills.
The skeptics
were still talking and trying to subdue those who had decided to venture into
nontraditional territory. Maybe their protests weren’t truly because they
didn’t like the idea of books not written on paper, but because they feared
competition. The world of ebooks was growing.
Ebooks were
getting reviewed by many online sites as well as in print publications such as
Romantic Times Magazine. Some people were reading on ebook devices. My first
device was a Christmas present from my family. My second is still working
perfectly, even though it was one of the oldest models made.
As both a
reader and a writer, I was now firmly entrenched in the world of ebooks. Most
of my favorite authors—Charlotte Boyett-Compo, Sahara Kelly, Katherine Kingston
and R. Casteel to name a few—were epublished.
While I
couldn’t quit my day job (not even writing for a traditional publisher can
guarantee that), I had additional income and best of all it was from my dream
job.
During my
first few years with Ellora’s Cave, my first novel, Darkness Therein, and its sequels were reissued by them. I wrote
additional stories in the series and also started two new fantasy series.
It’s been
ten years since my first story was accepted by Ellora’s Cave. Since then I’ve
had several single titles and multiple series with them, including Ancient
Blood, Alien Affairs, Knights of the Ruby Order and the Horsemen.
Over the past decade, I’ve seen many changes in the epublishing world and how people regard it. Nowadays ebook devices are popular. Big publishing houses offer their titles as ebooks. Some epublished authors have become best sellers. Many authors have enjoyed a long and satisfying career in epublishing.
Readers of
just about every taste can find stories they enjoy and characters they can
relate to. In the ebook world, great romances aren’t limited to boy meets girl.
There are many GLBTQ romances available as well. As both a reader and a writer
I appreciate the freedom and variety of electronically published books. Unlike
days past, when people looking for a story outside the norm would have to
search hard and often end up disappointed, just about any type of story can be
found in ebooks. If you’re looking for a medieval menage with alien werewolves,
it’s probably out there. That’s what I call fantastic.
To the
skeptics who thought (or wished) ebooks and their authors would fade away, not
only are we still here, but we’re stronger than ever. Ebooks have given me the
opportunity to do what I love most—tell stories. I enjoy promotion and contact
with readers and authors. I’m grateful to have learned about the technical
aspect of writing from editors and other professionals like those at Ellora’s
Cave. While I won’t lie and say I enjoy every aspect of writing, I love it
overall and can’t imagine a life without it.
It’s been
an interesting journey and I hope it’s far from over. Whatever the next step in
publishing, I plan to be open to it and I look forward to what the future will
bring.
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