Spring!

Spring is here. Sunshine is pouring through my windows and I feel compelled to go out into it. But first...

The Tropes & Trifles grand opening was fabulous. The line was out the door the whole time but everyone was so happy and excited that no one seemed cranky at all!  And I got to sign books for people in person and to meet fellow author Denise Williams and pick up her new book (Technically Yours)... It was a really special occasion and I'm so glad I got to experience it.  And now THE TWIN CITIES HAVE A ROMANCE BOOKSHOP!!! Yay and thank you, Caitlin and Lauren!

Another exciting thing for me is more personal; when I got my first ever royalty statement (They only come twice a year.) I learned that Curves for Days had "earned out."  That means that there were enough sales that my share of the royalties from those sales added up to more than the advance the publishers had paid me for the book. The vast majority of authors (like me) don't get big advances, but the advantage to that is that it's easier to earn out a lower advance amount than a high one. And the reason you want to earn out is that you know that, no matter what else happens, your book did not lose money for the publisher... which looks better for you when you are looking for a publisher for your other manuscripts in the future.

So anyway, my statement lets me know that I'll have a little money coming my way, and I've decided to celebrate by taking a solo writing retreat. I'll drive to another town, check into a hotel room for a few nights and write write write. My budget doesn't allow for a hotel that has actual room service from an in-house restaurant, but running out for food once a day will keep me from getting restless in the room.

I hope you all have some kind of delicious plans soon as well... something fun with loved ones, a little trip of some kind, an event you've been looking forward to... I'm wishing you a lovely spring!