My first contract--Getting It!

Today I had the best news from my editor at Mills & Boon. She's thrilled with my latest book and has made the offer to buy it. It will be titled: The Nurse's Little Miracle and will be out around March 2008. She's also offered me a two book contract, which is a first for me, too. That's such a thrill. My first contract!
So many things in life are little things. But it's important to celebrate the little things and the big things. Or maybe that was just an excuse to have my husband take me out to dinner to celebrate!
The biggest part that pleased me is that I feel as if I finally "got it." The writing part, the editing part, the revising part. All of it. Each part is important on its own, but all together to make the final package worth while, it what counts in the long run. Some of us take longer than others to get it and I sure took enough time, too. Ten years to be exact. Ten years to "get it!"
But it was worth it. Never ever quit. Because at the end you'll have, as my editor puts it: a cracker of a story! that the publisher will put their money up for.
Happy writing,
love,
Molly Evans

Medical Romance-What It's All About

So you've heard of medical romances, even heard that two are nominated for RWA's prestigous Rita award, but . . . what are they?
With the success of shows such as ER, House, Bones, CSI, and others, medical romances are taking off. But they've been around for about thirty years. So why haven't you heard of them? They are primarily distributed in the UK and not available in bookstores in North America. (This is a hint to start sending letters to Harlequin's offices to ask for NA distribution).
Medical romances rock! They take the best of romance and the best from medical shows and spin them together into the most awesome, emotion packed short fiction you've ever read.
For the curious, keep your eyes peeled for The Surgeon's Marriage Proposal, by yours truly, Molly Evans. This book is available as a hardback in May and then in paperback in July. I'm so fortunate that it's coming out in both formats.
For other medials available right now, check out www.eharlequin.com and click on Harlequin scroll down to medicals and buy a few good reads.
Molly

Happy Birthday to Molly

well, it's a little bit late now, but my birthday was the end of January. In the midst of it, I was on a deadline for my second book. The good news is that I did get that second book completed and out the door (via email) to my editor. Whew! Big sigh, there.
I do think that perhaps the second book had more angst surrounding it than I had with the first book. Although I wanted to sell that book very badly, I was more relaxed about the writing. This time I took on a challenge as well as a deadline (self imposed) and wanted to do it right. At first I thought the book was only going to be about half the length I needed it to be, but as I wrote it and added the dimensions and emotional depth required, it made it over the page count! Another golden moment.
So keep those good vibes coming my way that the second book is accepted as easily as the first. I'm prepared for a ten page revision letter, but I've done it once, I know I can do it again!
love
Molly

Merry Christmas To Molly!

Just a few days before Christmas now, but last week I received my present from Harlequin Mills & Boon. My first advance check came in the mail. Yippee.
Now I'm hard at work on my second book. That sounds so exciting to say that! But I love writing. Writing fulfills some creative need I have. Of course, it's a long time to get that satisfaction that such an accomplishment brings. While I'm waiting for that to happen I craft when I have time. Mostly I make cards, envelopes, quilt and knit. Not too much time for that lately between working, taking care of my 6 year old, being a wife, making a lame attempt at house keeping, meeting with my critique group every two weeks and writing.
My editor is Jenny Hutton and she's a lovely woman. There is an interview with her at:
http://pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/search/label/jenny%20hutton
I am very fortunate to have found Jenny. Or maybe she found me, I'm not sure which. In any case, my manuscript was in the slush pile sitting on her shelf for many months before she read it. Thankfully, she didn't pass on it and worked with me to polish it to where it was ready for publication. I hope she doesn't have to work so hard on this next book!
Now I need to get back to the writing part for a while. My goal is to have this rough draft finished by the end of December. I have a few days left and about 70 pages to write. I think I can manage it.
Happy Holidays, whatever they are, to everyone who happens by my little blogspot.
Molly

Progress as a first time author--Line Edits!

Well, I received my line edits. That is a manuscript that is printed out much as you would on your own computer, but on the left side, each page is assigned a number. This makes it easier for everyone to find the errors that need to be corrected before it goes to press. There were a few what I call "European-isms" that I found. Since the book will primarly be available in Europe and Australia, they get to have those changes. One example was, Respiratory Therapist was changed to Respiratorist. I don't even know if that's a word, but I marked it and sent it back. The next phase is galleys and though I haven't seen one, I hear they look more like a real book. An author can send galleys to reviewers ahead of the final print book. I think that will be the most exciting time. When I have that first book in my hands and can open it, read it, smell it and savor the experience for the very first time, will be the thrill of a life time. Then, I get to do it all over again!
Happy reading,
Molly

Molly Evans is born!

About two weeks ago I received a call from a lovely editor at Harlequin Mills & Boon in London. She wished to buy my book! Of course, I said, "uh, yeah, go ahead and buy my book." Really, it was a thrill to have this discussion. It's a discussion that every author craves. The Call! Although I have published an ebook and a few short stories, this is the first time I feel like a "real" writer, though I have been writing for many years.
Receiving "The Call" is the most special time in writer's life. Someone out there thinks that what you write is good enough for others to read and they are putting their money into it. So anyone who is writing with the hope/intent of publication, my best advice to you is this: never give up.
I'm off now onto my next book, which will also be a medical romance. Hey with twenty four years of nursing experience, I have a lot to write about!
Happy reading,
Molly Evans