I remember when I first started reading genre fiction. If I wanted to contact an author to tell them how much I loved a book, I’d have to write a letter and snail mail it to their publisher. This was always too much work for me, so I never did, but that was how it worked. There were no author websites, no social media. Hell, there was no email.

When I began writing, things were different. I do occasionally receive a snail mail letter forwarded to me by my publisher(s), but I have my own PO Box for those who want to reach me that way. Mostly readers contact me through my social media outreach, which is what I prefer.

One of the results of this new accessibility is reader commentary and suggestions. This is especially interesting while writing a series in progress. Speculating on what may happen or what one thinks may happen is one thing. Being told that something *must* happen or a character *must* act in a certain way to keep that reader engaged is entirely another.

Now, I’m not bitching. I welcome and encourage discussion on my books. It’s fascinating to see the directions other minds take and the varying responses individuals have to a scene or character arc. But at the end of the day, I’m writing my story in my way and I can’t be influenced to take it in another direction. I’m open to editorial, but not to restructuring my vision based on any individual’s feedback.

The relationship between an author and their work is a separate thing from the relationship between an author and their readers. Yes, every writer hopes that their work will resonate with readers. I love it when a reader tells me one of my books was a perfect read for them and there’s nothing they would change. But it’s also perfectly okay to not be a perfect read, to have elements that a reader wishes would’ve been different or that a character would’ve acted in a different way. It’s actually a bit more of a challenge to take you along on journey using a route you wouldn’t have taken (or feel that the character shouldn’t have taken) and still have you satisfied when you reach the destination. And as a reader, I want an author to take me places I wouldn’t have chosen to go. That’s the escape.

So please, feel free to share your thoughts, hopes, and suggestions. Every writer wants their readers to be so engaged in the story that it lingers and grows in their minds. But be open to the road you wouldn’t have traveled. It might be what makes the trip truly memorable.

I was in New Orleans from Wednesday thru Saturday for the Authors After Dark convention. It was my third year attending and I thought it was the best so far. Four hundred attendees got together to share a love of books in a city unlike any other I’ve ever seen.

It’s been a longtime dream of mine to go to New Orleans. I’ll have to go back sometime and really see everything. As it was, a deadline (the same one that’s going to keep this post short and sweet) kept me in my room Thursday and Friday. To be honest, I really didn’t mind. It was lovely having the quiet writing time to myself. I found the groove and it’s still with me.

But I didn’t want to be in a city I’d dreamed about visiting and leave it feeling unhappy. So I made a short list (VERY short) of things I needed to do to be able to leave NOLA not feeling shortchanged. That list was:

1. check out Bourbon Street
2. have some chicory coffee

(those two things kind of go in order, too, don’t you agree?)

Here I am Wednesday night on Bourbon Street with longtime friend, Sasha White:

And here’s Saturday and the line for Cafe du Monde, where Shayla Black and Kris Cook accompanied me on my mission to have chicory coffee:

With my list done, AND the convention events I attended on Wednesday and Saturday, AND the chapters I wrote, I left New Orleans feeling content with what I’d accomplished while I was there.

How about you? Have you ever taken an abbreviated trip somewhere and still managed to leave feeling satisfied?

Have you ever been to Comic-Con in San Diego? It’s pretty crazy. Mostly in good ways. It went on this past Wed-Sun and I was there Fri/Sat. It seemed a little more manageable this year, less shoulder-to-shoulder crowding.

I had a panel on Friday about writing romance with otherworldly characters and that was a lot of fun. Thanks to the brilliant moderation of Stephanie Perkins, we covered a lot of topics, from story-length to writing in multiple genres. I shared the stage with Kelley Armstrong, Aprilynne Pike, Shawntelle Madison, Tessa Gratton, Marjorie Liu, and Andrea Cremer. I had a great time, which was capped by having Jason Lewis brush past me on the main convention floor. He’s totally hot in person, too!

Later today, I’ll be traveling to London for Penguin UK’s launch of Bared to You. If you live close enough to London to visit, I’ll be hosting an exclusive fan signing in partnership with Penguin Books and Ann Summers. The event will take place between 5-7pm on Wednesday 18th July at a central London location. Keep watching my Facebook page for more details! I’d love to see you. I doubt I’ll get to see much of the city, since it’s a whirlwind trip and my scheduling is tight, but I’m very excited to have the paperback available in the UK and Australia.

I’ll get back just in time to check into the hotel for RWA’s National Conference. Karin and I will be in board meetings as of Sunday, with the conference kicking off on Wednesday with the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing. If you’re anywhere near Anaheim, it’s worth the trip in to come to the signing. You have to see it to believe. Getting 400+ authors in one room for a signing is incredible. And ALL proceeds go to charity!

I’ll finally get back home two weeks from yesterday, just in time to write my next blog here. *whew* I expect I’ll have some fun stories and photos to share then!

What have you got planned for the next two weeks? Any of the events above on your plate? Happy Monday!

First, I have to apologize for missing my Monday blog post a couple weeks ago. It was my travel day between Cincinnati (where I’d been at Lori Foster’s Reader & Author Get Together) and New York (where I was headed for Book Expo America). In the mix, I forgot. I’m sorry. 🙁

At least I can report that I saw wonderful enthusiasm for books while I was away, from readers and writers and publishers. Despite the states of the industry and economy (or maybe because of them?), the love and commitment to books is alive and well. Optimism was high, deals are being made, and publishers are still excited about selling books. Writers are feeling empowered and there were initiatives I saw in development that will make it even easier to get self-published works in the hands of readers.

The overall mood seemed to be very positive. I spoke to a few college booksellers and librarians who are building popular fiction collections on their campuses, which I think is fabulous. I’m hoping to eventually hear some news about how that’s working out. Reading is supposed to fun, convenient, portable entertainment. (I say that while thinking that I’m four books behind on my reading goal for the year. *grr*)

I came home to summer break, so the kids don’t have to be chauffeured to school and if I get up early enough, I can still enjoy a few quiet hours of writing time. I’d be ecstatic if it wasn’t so damn hot outside! (I can’t even think about the year being half gone already…)

My sweet dog, Jesse (easily the sweetest dog ever), had bladder stone surgery last week and is slowly recovering. She’s still pretty heavily medicated, but she’s eating heartily and seems like she’s feeling better than she has in a while. So I get to enjoy some quiet home time with my family before Comic-con rolls around, followed by the Romance Writers of America Conference. Anyone going to either one?

I have ARCS of A Hunger So Wild to give away! Hunger releases July 3rd, so the ARCs really shouldn’t be in my possession any longer. They’re supposed to be read!

Just leave a comment about your annual reading goals–do you make one?–and summer joys–what do you look forward to most about summer?

Happy Monday!

Last week, I signed the contracts granting publishing rights for my Crossfire series to Penguin and on June 12th, the book will be available in stores. I can’t quite believe it, especially since I just turned in galley edits this morning!

When I self-published Bared to You, I had no expectations for it. I’m not known for writing contemporaries and the subject matter is dark. I assumed my existing readers (who don’t usually crossover for me) wouldn’t be interested in the story and new readers might find it difficult to trust a new-to-them author to take them on such a journey. I expected the greatest benefit of releasing the story was that it would make me happy to put it out there. It would also fill a nine month gap in my publication schedule–giving me a reason to send out a newsletter and remind readers I was still writing books–and it would allow me to establish and test the infrastructure needed for future self-published releases in genres I was known for.

I wasn’t at all prepared for the phone call from Cindy Hwang during which she asked me if I’d be open to selling the series. At the time, the book had barely released. I had no idea what would happen over the following weeks. My hope was focused on just recouping the money I’d spent on editorial and production. Luckily, that happened really quickly, but along the way I discovered that getting the paperback in the hands of readers was next to impossible, even while offering a 55% wholesale discount to retailers and accepting returns. In the end, the only way for readers to buy the paperback was online, and that was a major motivating factor in my selling the rights to the series. I don’t want readers to have trouble buying one of my books. Which isn’t to say I won’t be self-publishing in the future, because I definitely will be. Every method of publishing has it drawbacks, but having total control of my work makes up for a lot of self-publishing’s cons.

And so the original self-published version with the pretty blue cover with the sexy couple will become obsolete on Wednesday. If you’d like a copy (either digital or print) you’ll need to buy it before then. Berkley will take over distribution on Thursday, May 24th and they’re releasing the book with a new, understated cover. For those readers in the UK and Australia, you’ll have an edition just for you. I’m not sure what the cover for that is yet, but you won’t have to pay the outrageous prices you’re used to paying for my books. I’m so happy about that!

I hope this decision works out to be best for everyone: me, you, and Penguin. *fingers crossed*

The winner of the MSW book pack I was giving away in my last post (as chosen by random.org) is Sandy Lion. Sandy, email me at sylvia@sylviaday.com with you mailing addy (or email, if you’d prefer either Kindle or Nook versions).

Do you have any special plans for this upcoming weekend (which is Memorial weekend here in the States)? Are you reading something awesome now? Happy Monday!