Lori Brighton | The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Writing about the publishing process sounded like a good idea until I realized I could write, well, a book. The process and the emotions I’ve experienced so far have been more than overwhelming and so to make it somewhat easier, I decided to write a simple timeline of my journey into the publishing world. So sit back, grab a bag of popcorn, and enjoy The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of getting published. 

Summer of 2008— I get word from the Golden Acorn writing contest that my most recent manuscript, To Tame His Heart, has come in first place in the historical category and has been requested by Hilary Sares at Kensington. Although I’ve finaled before, this is the first time I’ve gotten first place and a request! Could this be my big break?

September— Months have gone by and no word from Kensington. I’m just about to give up when I get a call. Its Hilary Sares, she wants to buy my book! Attempt not to hyperventilate and immediately start emailing agents. Go with Helen Breitwieser from Cornerstone Literary because she seems the most excited about my book and my future career. Helen changes my book title from To Tame His Heart to To Tame His Wild Heart.

First set of edits—Hilary mentions that she wants the prologue gone and some minor characters removed. Do this in one day, then wait….and wait…and wait…

Hear from Helen who has recently talked to an editor at Avon publishing. Apparently there is another book coming out with Avon that is very similar to mine! Horror! I thought my plot was unique. Guess it’s true, there are no unique plots. 

October— My editor Hilary changes book title from To Tame His Wild Heart to Wild Heart. I prefer my original title, but at this point too excited about selling to care.

December— Hilary writes a back cover blurb. I hadn’t realized that editors write the blurbs, nor that she was working on it and am surprised but thrilled. Finally something tangible! She sends one I really like, then decides it’s not sensual enough and sends another. Secretly, I like the first one better, but am too afraid to tell her.

January 26th – Finally get my advance in mail. With the advance, I commission my new favorite artist Heather at Audrey Eclectic to paint a picture of my heroine. She does a fabulous job! I also launch a website and blog. Decide to start interviewing authors on blog while waiting for my book to be released. First interview is my dear friend and cp [critique partner], Harris Channing.

January 30—Get an email from Hilary stating that she’s leaving Kensington. I panic. Kensington loop goes nuts as we wonder what will happen to those of us who have Hilary as an editor. Have I come so far only to see my dream vanish? Find out that night that I’m still being published and my new editor is Megan Records. Relieved and yet sad to see Hilary go. 

February—Megan asks if I have a cover quote, preferably one from a NY Times best seller. Quote? What quote? For what?!!! First I hear of needing a cover quote. Frantic, I email a few NY Times best sellers and politely beg for a quote to put on the cover of my book. They politely decline. 

March—Success! Megan somehow manages to get quote from Hannah Howell: “A first-class debut. Lori Brighton is a bright new voice to watch closely.”

I think I love Hannah Howell.

Fellow Kensington author Kimberly Killion emails to tell me my book is up on Amazon….bad news…it’s under my real name! Horror! My secret identity will be revealed to the public! Frantic, I email Megan. She contacts Amazon with name change. Crisis diverted. Secret identity remains a secret…world is safe, at least for another day.

March 12^th—Get email from editor Megan. My cover is done! Takes me 10 minutes to open attachment as I’m too nervous to open it immediately. I open attachment. It’s beautiful, but…realize hero and heroine have wrong hair color! Horrified, I email Megan. She tells me it’s too late to change their coloring, but I can change the coloring in the book. Decision time. Does the cover need to match character’s description? For me, yes. 

Sad and a bit depressed, I decide to go back through the book and change my character’s hair color. After talking to other authors, I realize it’s quite common to have little mistakes on your cover. I feel slightly better and start looking into promo ideas. Contact blogs where I can interview. Some respond, some don’t. I also look into advertizing. An advertisement in Romantic Times and RWR cost how much?!!!!!!!! There goes my advance. Is it worth? I still haven’t decided.

April— Blog is going well and have had amazing guest authors. Decide to email JAK/Amanda Quick to see if she’ll interview on my blog. Totally expecting a no. She says yes. OMG! I suddenly feel the pressure of interviewing world famous author!

April 16— Editor Megan emails to tell me cover flats are on their way! Apparently we get 50-75 cover flats to give out in contests and with arcs. Cover flats arrive. They’re smaller than what I was expecting but its thrilling to finally hold them in my hands. I’m not quite use to my pen name and seeing it on the cover makes the book feel alien, like it’s not really mine. Assume this feeling will pass when I get the actual book.

April 18—Editor Megan emails to say copy edits are coming! FedEx arrives with large package. It’s a print out of my book with red marks on the pages. I feel like a pupil being reprimanded by a teacher. Apparently, I haven’t a clue where a comma goes, nor do I know the difference between past and passed. Other than that, edits aren’t too bad, mostly grammatical. I approve edits and send back the entire manuscript.

April— If JAK would agree to interview on my blog, who else will? Email favorite author, Julie Garwood. She says yes! Getting published and have email conversation with Julie Garwood? Life can’t get any better.

June – Get an email from production editor that my final edits are coming. They arrive by FedEx. I’m to read through the book and make sure there are no mistakes. Last call for mistakes, closing time. I find only a few errors. But worry, is my book good enough? Worst part is at this point, there isn’t anything I can do about it.

I send edits back. Now, I wait….

June 24^th— Receive my first review from Mistress Bella Reviews… “Lori Brighton has a long career ahead of her if she keeps writing the way she is. Come November be sure to check out the release of this book. I promise you it’s worth the wait!”

June 25^th – Realize there are about 4 months until book comes out!

The ups and downs of getting published. Of course, there’s so much more to it than that, so many emotions, that I couldn’t possibly describe them all. After what I’ve already gone through, I can’t even began to imagine what it will feel like to hold my book in hand! But most thrilling of all is the people I’ve gotten to know and the friends I’ve made.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment. Two people will win a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble and signed cover flat of Wild Heart.