Casey Hagen is a
contemporary romance author who believes in doing things her way, no matter
what. A born-and-raised Vermont native, she claims to have Ben & Jerry’s in
her heart and real Vermont maple syrup pumping through her veins. Learn
more about her and her books at her website.
Picture it: November 30, 2014, 8:34PM. A writer sitting in a
cozy living room, watching the snow fall, and exhausted, having just finished
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)…and her first novel.
Here I had written this book, a book I had been reworking for
fifteen years…the book of my heart.
I’d enlisted eight beta readers to review. Armed with their
comments and a good dose of stubborn, I reworked it. I’d polished it as much as
I could and then I’d run it through four rounds of edits with four different
editors. I had reread it at least thirty times, so many times I wanted to set
it on fire. Then I shook in my slippers at the thought of putting it out there
for the entire world to see.
With a taboo hero and heroine who had been high school
teacher/student carrying on an affair the summer after graduation and then
reuniting eight years later, I knew it would be a hard sell to a traditional
publisher. A writer friend, both traditionally and indie published, offered to
read my first fifty pages. Sure enough, she came back and said, “We should get
together and brainstorm a safer back-story.”
But, but, but…I don’t wanna. It’s mine and you can’t make me.
After raging a bit, stomping my foot in frustration hundreds of times, I put on
my big girl pants and thought it through. Okay, she was probably thinking in
terms of traditional publishing. So that meant I needed to go indie, right? I
mean, that had to be my only option.
Here’s the thing…I like to buck the system. I like
challenging the norms. I like leaving an impression, and what better way to
shake things up? So, when the Romance Writers of America 2015 conference rolled
around, I signed up to pitch my book to editors and agents. What’s the worst
they could do? Say no and I’m out nothing.
On pitch day, I arrived at 8AM and didn’t leave until 5PM. I
picked up five additional cancellations. I pitched seven times and had six
requests for full manuscripts.
We won’t talk about pitch #7. I might have fought with the
editor…a little bit, but she made someone cry so…she deserved it.
I was rejected six times, but I did not receive a single form
letter rejection. Every editor/agent had scanned my profile/page on Facebook, checked
my Twitter, and scoured my website. So, although I had been rejected, they had
been interested.
Every last one thought I had something, but every last one
also knew their publishing house wouldn’t allow it or in the case of the
agents, they would have a hard time placing it with a publisher. They all
advised me to keep doing what I’m doing. Keep building my following. Take my
story and go indie.
Riding high on their praise, I did just that. The book sold
okay. In all fairness, probably my fault. Marketing is the Devil! Then, a
well-known author opened a publishing house and put out a call for submissions.
The book could already be indie published. My eyes slid to a copy of my book
baby, Sunset at Lake Crane. I queried
the editor and received a request for the book. Then, I got an email telling me
the book is good, but it could be great.
I was sent a list of changes they wanted. The biggest:
instead of my heroine depending on her own bravery by making the choice to
return to her hometown, consequences be damned, I was to make it so she was
tricked into returning home. Basically I needed to turn my brave, smart heroine
into a blind idiot.
I made most of the changes, but they were minor. I did not
change my heroine. Some things just aren’t to be compromised. I sent my
revisions with an explanation as to why I would not change her circumstances.
I got the inevitable, “Thank you, but no thank you.”
I was back to doubts and insecurity. Because I’m a glutton
for punishment, I decided to enter the book in a contest. I dropped off the
books at the post office, went to my car, then went back into the post office
and asked if I could have the package back. They said no. Pesky federal
regulations and such.
I wound up making the finals against two traditionally
published books. Color me shocked…and terrified. But validated. And in October,
I won that contest! Moral of the story: Never give anyone the power to make you
question your story as I questioned mine. Write fearless. Go forth and be
awesome.
Falling in Angels
Falls
Alexa Dayne shocked everyone by
refusing to join the family bakery business. She’s worked hard to prove that
owning her own salon in upscale San Francisco is more than just a dream; it’s
her passion. After years of round-the-clock work, Alexa craves both an escape
and a new challenge. She’s determined to find both—in the wilds of Venezuela at
Angels Falls, the largest waterfall in the world.
Ben Marx is running from brutal
memories. A career soldier turned entrepreneur, Ben has slaved to make Steel
Force Adventures a reality. On the cusp of success, he’s approached by a
long-legged vixen seeking a guide through the Venezuelan jungle to Angels
Falls. Her fearless determination is proof enough she’ll make the dangerous
trek alone if he refuses.
The
Angels Falls journey is one of renewal for Alexa and Ben. But when passions
flare and hidden motives are revealed, the flames of heart-wrenching pain forge
bonds between them—bonds destined to be tested by life’s harsh realities . . .
after Angels Falls.
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