Taking criticism

The ladies at the Stiletto Gang graciously invited me to blog with them regularly. So on the last Friday of every month, that's where I'll be, and where I am today. Just remember, when you see a Stiletto post from me, your bills are almost due. :-)

This month I've been turning over revision feedback from my editor, which prompted my post called Atkins Editing: Thick Meat, No Bread. I have so much to learn about the publishing business, and growing a thick skin is something I'm working on.

Sincere thanks to all of you who participated in this week's contest, and congratulations to the winners! I wish I could send books to everyone. Your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Free books. Free skydives. Final Approach is finally here!

Monday's winner: Amy Beyer (Facebook entry). Amy already has Final Approach, so it's either her choice of another mystery book or we're sending her out of an airplane!

Tuesday's winner: Meghan Grilliot (Facebook entry). Meghan, let me know your choice of prize. Congrats!

Wednesday's winner: Kelly Sichman (Facebook entry). Thanks for playing, Kelly. Yay!

Thursday's winner: joshfullermusic (Twitter entry). Congratulations! Tweet your choice of prize to @Rachel_Brady! :-)

Friday's winner: Beth Robertson (Facebook entry). Congratulations, Beth! And thank you to everyone who played. I wish I could send books to all of you!

Final Approach was released early (!) and I’m celebrating with a social networking blitz to get the word out. Participate on Twitter, Facebook, at your blog, or by e-mail. Link to this post to be entered to win your choice of:

• A signed copy of Final Approach
• Any other mystery novel (up to $25)
  
• A free jump (USPA licensed skydivers only. $22 cap.)
• A 1-year subscription to Blue Skies Magazine (US jumpers only.)

The second option was added for folks who already have Final Approach and don't feel like jumping out of a plane if they win. If you don't already have my book and you win and pick somebody else's book, the decent thing to do is just lie to me.

Four ways to play

1. Twitter

Post some variant of this: RT @Rachel_Brady New skydiving mystery *Final Approach* is out. Free skydives and books! Details: http://tinyurl.com/ne437x

(The @Rachel_Brady is important because it's the only way I'll see your post to know to enter you.)

2. Your blog

Mention Final Approach on your blog with a link to this post. Then comment here with a link to your blog or e-mail the link to rachel(at)rachelbrady(dot)net.

3. E-mail

Mention Final Approach, with a link to this post, in an e-mail to your friends who skydive or like mysteries. Be sure to cc me at rachel(at)rachelbrady(dot)net so I know to enter you.

4. Facebook

This one only works if you’re already one of my Facebook friends. Mention Final Approach and add a link to this post on your Facebook page and you’re entered to win.

Extra stuff

• Enter multiple times with any combination of the above.
  
• I'll collect names from Twitter, Facebook, blog comments, and my Inbox all week long.
• I'll draw a winner every day, Monday, 8/24 – Friday, 8/28.
• Daily winners will be announced here at the blog and on Twitter and Facebook each evening.

Thanks for participating and good luck!

Blue skies,

Rachel

Congratulations, Laura McClellan!

Laura won a signed copy of Final Approach on the Novel Journey blog yesterday. Laura, thanks for visiting with me out there and I hope you enjoy the story!

Stuff I've learned: writing and selling my first novel

Sandra Moore was gracious to invite me for my first author interview today at Novel Journey, where I talk about my experience writing and selling my first book. I like to imagine that years down the road I'll have written more books, and I wonder how my insight into publishing will have changed since this first interview.

Giving and getting: thoughts on critiques

Literary agent Nathan Bransford has a guest blogger today, Rick Daley, who's offering good advice about handling critiques. As writers, we'll often find ourselves on both sides of the critique. It's usually easier for me to receive feedback than give it, but both can be difficult.

Later this month, my editor will give her opinion about the direction of Book 2. I probably shouldn't publicly admit this (but why stop now?) ...it's scary for me when critique partners or my editor are "having a look." Heebie jeebies.

To each his own writing style

I like what Michele Dunaway has to say about individual writing styles at Fresh Fiction today. I feel similarly about this approach as it relates to many issues/topics/hobbies. I teach group fitness classes at my local YMCA. Sometimes our members come at me with this one:

"When's the best time of day to work out?"
I always answer, "Whenever you can fit it in."

And so it goes with writing, I think.