Author proposes what comes next.
January 22, 2017 • 4 Comments
Three – count ’em – three proposals are now out there in the universe. For me, that’s a bunch. Since I rarely restrict myself to one series at a go, that doesn’t mean only one of these three proposals I just finished will go forward at the expense of everything else. There’s the next Camelot Reborn book, which will happen one way or another. The other two are for brand new series more in the vein of the Baskerville Affair – adventure stories with a nod to romance rather than vice versa. I’ve been waiting for an A+ idea for the Emma Jane Holloway stable, and the muse finally delivered two. I have now sent them to my agent
. The second absorbed a chunk of my Christmas holidays, but I can’t think of a better way for a writer to celebrate than with a whole new universe to play in!
For those that don’t know, a book proposal is about the first three chapters plus an outline, plus some other supporting materials. Mine generally run around fifty pages or so if it’s for a new series, mostly because I want to be sure to get my idea across. There’s an art to writing these things, and most of what people say about synopsis construction isn’t that helpful (at least to me). I struggle every time, and the events I talk about in the outline may well be lies. I’m a plotter, but quite happy to change course at the drop of a hat. What really matters is digging deep enough to come up with the core themes and conflicts and making them shine. I always imagine my future editor reading the proposal in some far-off place, maybe on a subway with no sleep and a squalling kid across the aisle. I ask myself if the ideas are good enough to overcome the background noise and make him/her keep listening and keep wanting more.
Anyway, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the spark I see in my mind’s eye translates to the page.
Welcome to the new site
December 30, 2016 • No Comments
I’m test driving this new blog while on Christmas holidays. For those wondering what happened to the old sites, and why they are combined here, it’s fairly simple. For a long time, the conventional advice to authors was to separate pseudonyms because readers would become confused by one person writing different genres under different names.
This doesn’t make much sense now, but maybe it was true at some point. At any rate, readers turned out to be both adaptable and accepting, so authors began amalgamating their various social media and blog properties to minimize the time they spend thinking up posts and maximize the time they spend writing. It’s a win-win because authors can reach all their readers with less effort and readers get more contact and, because of time saved, more books.
Lots and lots of new things!
October 13, 2016 • No Comments
I realize that I haven’t posted here for a bit. I have a very good excuse – this website is getting rebuilt and will be merged with my other website. The prototype looks fabulous and this project will result in a single blog, all my publications under one virtual roof, and more effective communication all around. I’m on a campaign to simplify things so there may be other redirects and tweaks about the place, but this will result in more news getting to the right places and less of the author running from site to site like a headless chicken. Frankly, when I think “oh, I should write a post,” I get stalled when I have to decide where to put it, and then I think I should write more so that every site gets one, and I end up doing nothing. Not good, so I’m renovating.
Winners! Or at least some of them!
August 1, 2016 • 1 Comment
The draw for a 5 copies of POSSESSED BY A WARRIOR have been made and I’ve had 3 responses. Congrats to Chris, Sharon, and Karen–your books are on the way. The two remaining winners have until August 5 to reply or I’m drawing two more names. If you’re reading this and entered the draw, check your email!
Blog Tour!
July 27, 2016 • No Comments
I’ll be here, there and everywhere talking about ENCHANTED GUARDIAN! Enter to win Camelot Reborn books 1 and 2 and a $50 Amazon gift certificate!
July 27 Guest Blog
Fang-tastic Books
http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Giveaway! Enchanted Guardian release countdown!
July 25, 2016 • No Comments
Book 2 of the Camelot Reborn series is just about here! Enter to win a paperback copy using the Goodreads widget below.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Enchanted Guardian
by Sharon Ashwood
Giveaway ends August 08, 2016.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enchanted Warrior Giveaway!
July 12, 2016 • No Comments
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Enchanted Warrior
by Sharon Ashwood
Giveaway ends July 22, 2016.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Read a RITA Finalist!
July 3, 2016 • 40 Comments
To celebrate the fact that POSSESSED BY A WOLF is a RITA finalist, I’m giving away 5 autographed paperback copies! And this contest is especially for the blog readers and newsletter folks–no social media expertise required to enter this one.
All you need to do is leave a comment to this post. However, if you want an extra chance to win, name your favorite Sharon Ashwood character. Feel free to check out the book pages or Monsterpedia to jog your memory–your choice can be from any book and doesn’t need to be a main character. Contest closes July 22 at midnight PST.
And by the way, thank you to all you fabulous readers who’ve made by book dreams come true!
Father’s Day
June 19, 2016 • No Comments
Father’s Day is an odd thing for me. I’ve grown used to the endless advertisements celebrating Dads. I certainly don’t begrudge the holiday, but it does highlight the fact that my own father passed away some time ago and each reminder gives me a twinge. But, I’m happy to say I remember the good times we 
shared more strongly than any sadness I might feel. I adored my father. Yes, I saw his flaws and the chaos he sometimes caused but I was still a Daddy’s girl. He taught me a lot, including how to cling to my round-peg self in a world full of square holes.
He would have been an inveterate steampunk given the chance. He loved Monty Python, waistcoats, the Pre-Raphaelites, marmalade, British mysteries, tea, sausage rolls, and books. And books. And books.
Happy Father’s Day. Surely the afterlife is a library with easy chairs and a tea trolley.