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March 12th 2016 How I killed my Novel, Never Surrender.
Well, not intentionally anyway. I was so excited when I first signed the contract. I was more excited when I could see the hard work was going to pay off and publication was going to happen sooner rather than later. With love and support from my Crit group, I got through the editing process, which at the time I found very painful. But looking back it was empowering. My editor was wonderful, encouraging, she believed in me. My crit group believed in me. My publishing company believed in me, they promoted my book, blog tours, you name it, and they did it. Everyone believed in me. But me. I’m not telling this story for sympathy, or for pats on the back, I’m telling it to help me get over this crippling sense of my not being enough. I know in my heart, I am enough as I am. Yet, I choose fear to stop me moving forward. I choose old negative tapes of people telling me, What, You write, really, in disbelieving tones and sometimes sniggering. I use these old negative tapes to stop me moving forward. Paradigms so deeply engrained I believe they’re the rules of how I should live my life. And I wonder why sometimes I could scream. Am I nuts? I know I’m not. What I find so upsetting about this whole episode is I believe, Never Surrender, is a good book. I wrote it for me, I wrote about cops and car chases and kids in jeopardy. I wrote it about good overcoming evil. I wrote it about, people who love each other even though they’re looking at the world through different eyes. I wanted everyone to read my book. But, I was so overcome by fear, of what others would say, I didn’t personally promote it. I didn’t shout from rooftops, I didn’t tell everyone I met that I’m a writer, and my first book is out. I had friends say, “Are you having a book launch?” NO. “You can do it on Facebook, It’s easy.” NO. “You should do some blogs” No. What’s really annoying, inside, I’m screaming, yes, yes, yes. Fear eats my courage. Through the week, I received an email from someone I hold very close to my heart. She introduced me to, Author Rachel Thompson’s BadRedheadMedia and her article "This is Why Your Books Aren’t Selling: 4 Ways to Improve Now." I was so impressed. She talked about self-promotion, with love and gusto, and no shame. She talked about social media and I didn’t shut off my computer. She literally, blew my mind. So, this is my intention. Every second and fourth Saturday’s of March and April, I’m going to write something on my Rosie’s blog of crazy thoughts and dreams via my website www.rosiemiles.com.au . There I’m going to share, what I am doing to help myself become a writer of strength and integrity; of someone who feels the fear and does it anyway. My aim is to work toward believing in what I can do, rather than what I can’t. And hopefully, help others overcome their fears at the same time. The final outcome, on Never Surrender’s 6 month anniversary, I’m going to have a re book launch. So, stay tuned, as I will blog in the near future with full details of the relaunch. As someone commented about me, she believed she could, so she did. Ciao Rosie
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November 20th 2015 A month ago, 20th October, 2015, my debut novel Never Surrender was released into cyber book shops. It was so exciting. I was a guest on blogs, as either myself or my character Maggie. My first guest spot on a blog was with Renee from Hey said Renee. I actually met Renee is Darwin Australia, at the book shelves in Target. It was a lovely meeting. I smiled, she smiled, we said Hi and started chatting books. I think she must have been the first person, who wasn't family or a crit partner, who I actually told I had a book coming out. Her reply to that, "I'm a blogger. I laughed, it goes to show, you never know who you're going to bump into at the book shelves. I gave her my card, and she contacted me, and the rest, as they say, is history. Renee has made it easier for me to tell people that I'm a published author. Honestly, whenever I say that, I shiver.
Launch week was fun and different. I ran a rafflecopter competition, which was another first. I talked with people I didn't know, I was involved in a facebook launch with Veronica Forand, who's book,True Deceptions, was released the same day as, Never Surrender. It was nerve wracking, seeing as I couldn't get anything I loaded to go onto the page. but, the readers were kind and I bluffed my way through. I've had a lot of people behind me, who have helped get Never Surrender out there. Without them, I would have been totally clueless. A big thanks to the Entangled Publicity Angels for all their support and encouragement. For all of you who have purchased Never Surrender, many thanks, I appreciate you choosing to spend your hard earned money and I hope your enjoyed reading Maggie and Quinn's story as much as I enjoyed writing it. For anyone who would like to buy a copy, go to Amazon.com, itunes, Barnes & Noble, Amazon uk. What has been enjoyable is hearing from some readers who have told me they loved knowing the places I mention in my book. South East Queensland Australia, is a beautiful place and made the researching easy. Thanks for your support and remember, Live to write, write to live. Ciao Rosie. xx October 16th 2015 Well, here am I, as excited a a little kid waiting for Christmas. Only three sleeps to go, release date is 19th October, but that's American time. Seeing as I'm an Aussie girl, it's probably going to be the 20th here. But, it's almost time. I'm sharing my release date with three wonderful, diverse authors from America. Anita DeVito, Veronica Forand and Cathy Skendrovich. I have introduced you to Anita and Veronica, now it's Cathy's turn. By the way, . I love the tag line for this book. Risking his own life is one thing. Risking hers is another... A bit about the book: It was supposed to be a girls-only weekend in the California mountains. But when Lucy Parker is carjacked by an escaped prisoner, her fun weekend takes a nightmarish turn. Now she’s caught up in a dangerous world of stolen money, vicious drug dealers, and murder, and the only thing keeping her alive is her oh-so-hot captor. Imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, undercover cop Jake Dalton wants answers—now. Worse, he’s dragged Lucy into the mix, and she’s now guilty by association. With their lives on the line, the race is on to get to Las Vegas before they're killed...and they're running out of time. A bit about the author: Cathy resides in sunny Southern California. She has always loved every aspect of the written word. In fact, during college, she was probably the only person on the beach to be seen reading Homer and Shakespeare! The classics merely fueled her desire to read more, though contemporary romance, suspense, and historical fiction became her favorites. She always dreamed of writing her own brand of romance with humor, but that desire had to take a backseat while she worked and raised a family. Now she has reunited with her creative passion, and devotes every moment she can to all the plots and characters milling about in her imagination. When she’s not writing, Cathy likes to travel, read, attend the theater, and take long walks with her dog and husband (the inspiration for her happily-ever-afters). Prisoner of Love is her debut novel, and she looks forward to many, many years of writing for readers’ enjoyment. This is the link for Cathy's website, go say hi, tell her Rosie sent you. http://www.cathyskendrovich.com/  October 14th 2015 Hello and welcome. Today I want to introduce another of my Entangled Release buddies. Her name is Veronica Forand. I've attached the cover of her first release below. I can't wait to read it. Her tag line is pretty impressive; Temptation. Seduction. Murder. It's all part of the game... A bit about the book: After his partner was murdered, Simon Dunn was done with MI6. But the cold, violent world of British intelligence never lets anyone go free. Now Simon has been blackmailed into a new job...with a beautiful new partner who's going to get them both killed. Robotics expert Cassie Watson is a newbie field agent with as much sophistication as...well, a pacifist, vegan computer nerd. Now she's abruptly thrust into the cutthroat world of espionage with a partner who is as cold as he is brutally-and brutishly-handsome. But when their mission is betrayed from the inside, Cassie will be forced to place her life in the hands of the one man who's anything but trustworthy... A bit about Veronica; Veronica is an attorney and an award-winning writer of romantic suspense. She's lived in Boston, London, Paris, Geneva, and Washington, DC and currently resides near Philadelphia. An avid traveler, she loves to roam across continents with her husband and kids in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and finding the perfect piece of chocolate. .She is having a face book face launch. I'll post the invite as soon as I have the details. This is Veronica's web address so you can pop over and say Hi. http://veronicaforand.com/  October 10th 2015 I'm so excited. I can hardly wait. I am sharing my release date with three other writers. Today I'm shouting out my buddie, Anita DiVito and her first release book. Lost in Tennessee. I've included her cover, and her blurb. Anita writes the stories she loves to read: fast-paced, sexy mysteries filled with wit, wickedness and whimsy. She lives in the States with her husband and two sons Heartache makes for good country music. It's what country superstar Butch McCormick keeps telling himself. He’s done with women and can’t handle one more disappointment. He's taking a few months off to work on the old house on his parents' land to fix shutters, scrape paint, and figure out what he wants in life... Then she appears out of nowhere, with red hair and a peaches-and-cream complexion...and just so damned lost. Architect Kate Riley doesn't have the luxury of getting lost, having a damaged car, or being smitten by a sexy-talkin' cowboy with an irresistible smile. But the longer Kate stays at Elderberry Farm, the stranger things get. For one, there's the crazy chemistry between her and Butch. For another, dead bodies are starting to turn up...and Kate might be the murderer's next victim. Her book is released, same day as my Never Surrender. 19.10.15 and is available from Amazon. B&N. Enjoy. I've attached the link to Anita web page, go have a look. http://www.anitadevito.com/  October 5th 2015 With my Novel, Never Surrender, release date drawing closer, I’m getting more and more excited. I have had people I don’t know read and comments through goodreads. I am so grateful that these wonderful people have taken the time to read and comment on my book. I value their time and their comments.
I’ve also been asked to be part of a facebook book launch. For those of you who know me, you know my techno skills are basic. But, being brave I said yes. So, now it’s what am I going to talk about? It will be fun, getting to know different people through social media. I will post an invite, as soon as I have all the details, and I hope you will pop in and say hi. I’m sharing my launch day with three other Entangled Authors they are,
The next two weeks are going to be full on. I hope you will stick with me, because without your support and encouragement, this journey would have been a very lonely one. Ciao Rosie Write to live, Live to write. xx October 1st 2021 My book, Never Surrender is being released in October and it now has a cover. I am so excited. I have shared on my web site, my facebook page, twitter, instagram now, just in case you missed it, I'm showing it off here on my blog. I hope you like it. I'd love to hear what you think, so please, if you have a minute, leave a comment. I have so many people to thank for getting me to this point firstly, my Belles. Five, determined, creative women who share their knowledge, who encourage and prod each other to do better than they ever thought they could. This group have faith and belief in each others work. It is my honour to be a part of you.  July 14th 2015 I have just been told that my friend, Fiona Greene's, Novella, Home for Christmas has finaled in the RWA Ella. Her fellow finalists are Anna Campbell, Anna Hackett and Kelly Hunter. What an elite group to be along side. The winners are announced at the RWAustralia's conference in August. I will be there, sitting with Fiona, ready to cheer loudly when her name is called. Well done, Fiona. I am thrilled for you.
This is just one of the many things I enjoy about being a Romance Writer. Encouragement. We are genuinely happy when one of our fellow writers does well in a competition. We encourage each other, support each other to do the best we can do and be the best we can be. We share knowledge of what works in writing and what doesn't. We encourage each other to grow, to be the best we can be. June 29th 2015 On the weekend I attended a half day workshop in Brisbane with entrepreneur, Shaune Clarke, of Big Brand Speaking. This guy makes a seven figure salary from talking and from teaching others how to do the same. He was very knowledgeable, and very interesting to listen to. What really resonated with me, was his call to be your authentic self. Don't try to be something you're not. Keep yourself organically unique. All positive. The quote of the day for me was this. Your deepest state of authenticity comes from your unique giftedness.
Since then, I have really started thinking about me. Asking myself questions, like, Am I being true to myself? Am I working towards being the best person I can be? Am I being my authentic self? Sometimes, I’m completely blown away by all that life has given me. I have love, family, health, friendships. I continually set and achieve goals. I also encourage others in my life to step up and don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. What’s that old saying? Shoot for the moon, if you don’t reach it, you’ll fall amongst the stars. In our busy, every day lives, sometimes we lose sight of what's important. I know sometimes I worry over things I have no control over. Then I remember that, Life is a wonderful gift. I want to live my life, not just exist. So, I’m going to make sure that I remember to be grateful for all I have, all I am, and all I am meant to be. April 20th 2015 Rosie's Titillating Tips and Tricks
Here you will find my newsletter. Its content will be, well, I'm not a hundred percent sure yet, but it will interesting. I'm sure to include tips on writing, things that make me smile, tips that have helped me in my journey to getting published and whatever takes my fancy. Please feel free to download and read and I'd really love to hear what you think and what you would like to read. |
AuthorI'm Rosie Miles, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, I now call Australia my home. Blogs
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