The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews

Monday, January 31, 2011

A little something to get through the week

     Well it's Monday once again. After a very busy weekend working on edits for my book coming in March I needed a little pick me up. This wonderful eye candy definetly did the trick for me!
     I know I haven't posted in a while and I promise to post more often Girl Scouts Honor. *yep I actually was a girl scout* While I'm busy getting the first book of the Dark Breeds ready I thought I would let you know alittle about what other projects are coming out.
     I have began work on Tegan's story that I hope will be released in 2011, Zeke's story will follow. I have a new series I also hope to release in 2011 or early 2012 that deals with the Gregorian angels and their army who fight the evil in the form of the Dark Guards. More on that in the months to follow.
    As if that isn't enough I am hard at work on an end of days Urban Fantasy and a follow up from my Christmas short A Christmas Wish for Laura. I am targeting for December 2011. There are other projects in various stages and promise to keep you up on all the latest details as the unfold.
     Well it's back to work. Feel free to drop me a line and I promise I will replay back.

May all your impossible dreams come true,

Shannan Albright

Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Birth of a Novel


     The wait is over and I am happy to announce my first book, Dark Passion Rising: A Dark Breed Novel  has been accepted. From first conception to the final draft the road can be grueling. For me as a plotter outlines and character descriptions are the first and most important part of the process. Only after these are done can the writing process start.
     Do I follow this religiously? No, it's more a guide post for the pivotal plot lines that must take place and when. What comes between often changes and that is what gives the story depth. I also listen to what my characters say to me which sometimes is opposite of what I want them to do. Like a child growing as the story grows they become independent of their parent. It can be painful and exciting to watch them grow.
   My job isn't done after all edits are done though, now comes the most difficult job for me as a writer.

     Marketing. (Dramatic music please)

     How to generate interest is difficult and often times a writer can spend a lot of there time just on getting word out about your new book. Then there is the Book Trailer, Blog spots and the nerve wracking process of sending your baby to reviewers. No one wants to hear that their baby is ugly! Lol. It's hard to remember that their opinion is only that. Their opinion.

     Okay, now you have a buzz going about your soon to be released book, what then?

      More Marketing! (More dramatic music)

     More guest blogs if you can finagle an invite, and for a chunk of change you can have it advertised with the more popular websites which can really boost your sales and keep getting your name out there. It's a tough business out there and getting a fan base can be a slow process. Let's face it without the readers why write the books? Contests and being available to them through Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites along with your blog keeps your name fresh in their minds.

     The process from idea to novel is hard and rewarding but I would never change a thing. My love of the printed word and Romance in general nourishes me as it does with all writers I'm sure. And sometimes even marketing your book can be fun. It's all a process that when all said and done, I would never change. I love what I do and plan to do it for a very long time.