INTRODUCING EMMA CARLYLE

If you checked out the blog yesterday, you noticed my reference to author Lois Winston’s other books, the ones not about moi. I know; it’s hard to imagine she’d want to write about anyone other than me. However, being the gracious person I am, I have decided to devote today’s blog to Lois so she can tell you about her latest adventures in the world of publishing. -- AP

Thank you, Anastasia. I have to admit once upon a time I never thought I’d be doing what I’m doing. “Never say never” is my new motto, especially when it comes to the swiftly changing world of publishing.

Years ago I began my writing career penning romances and romantic suspense books. Several of them sold before a certain glue gun wielding amateur sleuth started demanding so much of my time. The unsold romances and romantic suspense novels grew virtual cobwebs in my DEAD MANUSCRIPTS file.

Lately, though, I’m seeing more and more authors turning to self-publishing for their backlist books as well as manuscripts that never sold to NY publishing houses for various reasons, most of which had nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the stories.

This was the case with my old manuscripts. Many of them won awards, often multiple awards. Two of the books finaled in Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest. All of them received rejection letters from NY, often praising the manuscripts but not offering contracts. Books get rejected all the time for reasons that have nothing to do with the books themselves.

So I’ve decided to do what so many others are doing. I’ve entered the world of indie publishing. I’ve taken the pen name Emma Carlyle and am dusting the cobwebs off those award-winning rejected manuscripts. The first two books are already available. Hooking Mr. Right, which probably holds the record for the most awards for an unpublished book that never sold, is now available on Kindle. Finding Hope, a Golden Heart finalist under the title Liberating Hope is available for Kindle and Nook. More titles will follow.

I’ll still be writing the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries for Midnight Ink. I love writing about Anastasia. She’ll just have to get used to sharing the limelight with Thea, Hope, Polly, and my other heroines. 

Hmm...I'll try, but it won't be easy. I'm used to having your undivided attention. -- AP