Who doesn’t love a good surprise? That’s definitely what was waiting for me when I opened my gmail one day in December … and now I’m happy to share it with you.
Just before Christmas I received a message, out of the blue ( … and nearly fainted!) from a Senior Acquisitions Editor for Amazon Publishing, saying she had read my work and would like to talk to me. To make a long story short … I have now signed a contract with Amazon’s Lake Union Imprint for the three books in my Love in Provence series (the two I have already published and the third I am working on). They will work with me to re-edit and re-release the first two in October. With Amazon Publishing’s expertise, the stories won’t change but will shine even more.
The third Love in Provence title will conclude this series, but I will have a new series next year featuring more adventures in Provence, so you won’t miss a thing!
I’m still in shock.
It’s a tremendous opportunity for me and I feel so pleased Amazon Publishing sought me out. I’m proud of being an indie author and even prouder now to be affiliated in this way with Lake Union.
So thanks for all the support and encouragement you have offered me through the years. Thanks to my fabulous fellow writers, the supportive bloggers, editors, designers, tech and social media advisors, and others who play such vital roles in our vast writing community.
Thanks, also, to my amazing friends and family for believing, supporting, encouraging.
Most of all, thank you to the readers. Thanks for reading my books, writing reviews and telling others about the stories.
I feel every success is very much a team effort and I am so appreciative of my connection with all of you. I’m so pleased you are on this journey with me!
On we go!
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Wow! Just WOW. You must be over the moon about this. Congratulations and I look forward to your third book.
Patti
Thanks, Patti! I really am delighted with this opportunity to have tremendous support and expertise working with me. As they say, it takes a village and our online writing community is the best!
Well done – excellent news!
Bonne année et bonne santé .
Merci mille fois, Petrina! Mes meilleurs voeux à vous également!
I’m so pleased for your success, though disappointed by the link with Amazon. I’m a member of Amazon Anonymous ( http://www.amazonanonymous.org/about/), because here in the UK, Amazon don’t pay their workers a living wage; they dodge their tax; they take money away from our local shops, especially bookshops.
This is absolutely not personal – I do wish you well. But I really really dislike Amazon. Sorry.
Thanks for your good wishes, Margaret, and I hope this isn’t the end of our lovely friendship. I’m troubled to hear these comments about Amazon in the UK. I must admit I don’t pay attention to their retail business affairs. I do know I would not be where I am today as an indie author but for Amazon and the support they offer to writers. I certainly respect your feelings.
Thanks for your generous comments . I’ve been feeling bad ever since I let off steam. I can see how Amazon works well for you and your fellow indie authors, and I’m delighted that there are respects in which Amazon is working well. No, please let’s not fall out!
Don’t feel badly, Margaret. You have every right to your feelings and it sounds like they are justified. Friendship is much stronger than that … mon amie!
That is fantastic news!! I can feel your excitement coming through the internet :). Congrats!
Uber-congratulations! But your books are lovely, charming, entertaining as they are. With this new honor I hope the books will come in hardcover also? I like to get all my favourite books in hardcover. I love you cover art as it is. And…I hope your books will come out in Audible. The narrative produced by Amazon is way below par. The narrater reads in total monotone. I have put in several requests for your books with Audible wwith Katherine Kellgren or Davina Porter reading.
So happy for you! I think of you every time I drink a glass of rose.
Now get busy!!☆
Dear Nancy, what a lovely message. Your kind words are most appreciated. I will make sure that any audiobooks are produced with Audible. I just recorded The Bridge Club audiobook last summer (in Audible) but have not published it yet. I’m thinking of releasing it chapter by chapter … just have to figure it all out. Thanks for making the requests you mention and I will talk with AMZ about those narrators. I wouldn’t consider doing the Provence books myself.
I will have a glass of rosé myself to celebrate and perhaps one day we will share one together!
A thousand Congratulations!
And a thousand Thank You notes back to you!
Congratulations. All the hard work has paid off. Your books are excellent so I am not surprised.
Thanks so much, Darlene. Your support has always been most appreciated!
Huge CONGRATULATIONS! This is so well deserved as your books are wonderful!
Bette, thanks so much. Working so closely with you through the years has been been very inspiring to me. You are a great role model, talented writer and fine friend! I look forward to our “author reunion” at your place later this month!
Congratulations, Patricia! That’s terrific! I hope you’re celebrating with a glass of French champagne!
V, thanks! I wish all of us who support each other online could somehow be beamed together for a big celebration … with lots of French champagne! I’ll work on that!
I’m so happy for you!
Thanks a million, Pat! Our online writing community has always inspired and motivated me … and will continue to do so. We learn so much from each other!
Wow! Pat! If I could happy dance for you, I would. That is fantastic news!
Susie, I would love to be doing a happy dance with you! We will have to work toward making that happen one of these days!
Congratulations! This could not happen to a nicer and more supportive person!
Blessings,
Linda Pedersen,
Children’s Writer and Illustrator
Thank you, Linda. I’m looking forward to hearing how your writing projects are progressing!
Congratulations! But oh, so well deserved. I can’t wait for the new releases.
Merci, Jacqui! I’m very excited to be working with Amazon and my new editor has already been incredibly enthusiastic.
Oh my goodness Patricia, how wonderful for you! You certainly deserve to be recognized as your writing makes the reader, like me, just delve into the story line and my personal life is left on the “other side” of the book until I put the book down and pick them up again. Your books make me think outside of the box of spending retirement time not in Mexico, like everybody does when you live on the west coast of Canada, but in the south of France. Cannot tell you how excited I am to meet you and travel to Provence in June 2015!!!
Susie, it’s readers like you that keep me motivated to continue the stories. Your messages are the best rewards. I’m very excited you are coming to France with us this summer! We have to find a few more people to fill the tour. Talk to all your friends!
Wow wow wow! Super congratulations to you! What wonderful news and such a fabulous way to start off a new year! Congratulations!
Debby, thanks for your enthusiasm! I’m going to be in Paris for a couple of days at the end of April … on my way to a month in Biarritz, before I go to Nice in June. Might you be around for an apéro?
Sounds great and keep me posted on when you are in Paris and hopefully we can do that apéro!
Will do!
Congratulations Patricia!! Your books speak for themselves, but I always said you’re a great marketer! And Amazon knows it too! Well, let them do the work for a change so you can free yourself up for your next trilogy. Best of luck!
Dear, dear Anne-Marie, thanks for your good wishes. See you this summer!
Is there a projected release date for book 3?
As someone who has followed your writing for three years now, I’m especially happy for you, Patricia! Your books are enchanting, you’ve worked hard, and you totally deserve it. Congrats!
Debra Eve, you are such a great supporter of women who take on new challenges later in life. I’ve found much inspiration from the stories you share! As we know … it’s never too late!
Super news, Patricia!! So happy for you. You work hard and deserve this success. Great way to start 2015.
Valerie! Thanks so much for your good wishes! How is your writing going?
Such wonderful news for such a wonderful writer! Looking forward to your future works. 🙂
Thanks so very much for your support and enthusiasm. That’s my best reward!
Oh my goodness!!! Much congrats. You so deserve this. So very proud of you lovely lady. x
Thanks, Jonty! This has been quite a year for you too! Thank you, also, for all of the support and enthusiasm you have offered through the years! Along with your beautiful reviews and book blog coverage, you know I appreciate the amazing lessons in life I’ve learned from your personal blog. Some day I’m going to give you a great big hug in person!
How fabulous, Patricia. I wish you all the good fortune in the world.
Thank you very much, Niamh, and I wish the same for you. Keep doing your good works!
Congratulations Patricia! What a wonderful thing that has happened to you. Your novels had to stand out for them to find you. I, too, am a new author at Lake Union Publishing, so I understand how excited you feel. I look forward to seeing your work among all the other wonderful authors there. 🙂
Fantastic news, Patricia. You may inspire me to get a kindle yet!
Thanks, Carol … and, yes, get one! Actually all you have to do is download the free Kindle app on your iPad. Easypeasy! Happy trails and let’s try to rendezvous in Toronto in April!
Outstanding! Pleased as punch for you! Onward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And always upwards too:)
Wow – way to go!! That is exciting.
Keep up the good work Patricia.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Yes, indeed! I am excited! Thanks! I feel it’s great incentive to all of us indies to keep doing what we are doing!
Congratulations!!!! I am not surprised at all. It had to happen, and we were all wishing that it would, and pushing hard with our minds. They send strong, positive waves!
This news makes me want to dance. It’s all I can do, since I can’t travel. I share your joy mille fois!
Many hugs,
martha
Dear Martha, I have no doubt your positive vibes had something to do with this! I hope you are feeling better these days. Thank you for being so incredibly wise and supportive. I always have felt blessed to be connected with you and now I’m dancing with you. Je t’embrasse!
I am the blessed one, Patricia! Let’s continue dancing to the tune of … Charles Trenet, or … Jacques Brel … or Edith Piaf… or so many others who make our lives fuller while we read your books! <3
PATRICIA, WHAT GREAT NEWS,,,, COULD NOT HAPPEN TO A MORE TALENTED LADY. READING #2 AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE THIRD ONE. PLUS ALL YOUR OTHER FABULOUS BOOKS, STILL TO BE. LOVE YOU, LADY…JOY WOOD
Thank you for your kind words, Joy. Your messages are always inspirational and most appreciated. I’m working away at #3! Much love to you too!
This is bing-bang-awesome! So happy for you. Thx for taking me along, it’s my vicarious journey and I’m lovin’ it. Congrats, keep us updated! Toni
Congratulations, Patricia! This is exciting news. 🙂
How wonderful congratulations. Wishing you much success. 🙂
Thanks, Jane! The adventure continues!
That is such exciting news – well done, Patricia, and well deserved!
Very kind of you! It has been even more satisfying since it was completely out of the blue. I didn’t see it coming!
Bravo, Patricia. This is really cool news. 2015 starts on a good foot for you, and I’m happy for you.
Merci, Evelyne! Cool, indeed! May 2015 be brilliant for us all!
Congratulations! This is such exciting news. Best wishes as you finish your new book, edit your old, and expand your readership. Looking forward to checking out your books.
Thanks so much for your good wishes, Julia. It is exciting … and a little daunting … but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
I’m finally returning after a long absence to writing and reading blogs and this is one of the first things I read. How exciting. So glad for you. Happy writing.
Julie, I was happy to see you were back on your blog. I hope you are doing well and that you will have some time to enjoy your home in France this summer. We have an exchange in Biarritz for the month of May and then will be in Nice for 5 weeks from June 1st. I’m already counting the days! Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I wish you well with your writing too!
My eyes just popped out of my head! Wow!!!! I’m so excited for you. This is amazing news, and so well-deserved. 🙂
Jenny, trust me, mine popped out too! Thanks so much for your kind words! I’m very excited about working with Amazon.
I can’t wait to hear more about it, Patricia. So happy for you!
Wow -that is terrific news! You deserve it! Great way to start the year.
Hey Phil! Thanks so much! I hope your 2015 is off to a brilliant start too and I’m looking forward to discovering a lot more great spots to visit in NYC. Have you thought about putting all that info into a book?
Hello! I just stopped by from the facebook group that Christine started, which is where I found your blog. Congratulations on the publishing deal! I look forward to following along on your adventures. 🙂
Hello Alison ~ Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello … and for your good wishes. I’m excited about working with Amazon as well as remaining an indie author like Christine and other friends in our “January” group. It’s great fun to meet new people and share our love of books. I’ll look forward to chatting with you here.
Amitiés!
Felicitations, Patricia! Onwards and upwards, and very well deserved. I will you all success in 2015. (Thank you too for your lovely thoughtful comment on my blog. It is greatly appreciated.)
Merci mille fois, Deborah. I enjoy following your blog (and reading your novels) and hope that 2015 is a happier year for you and your family. Warm memories rise to the surface and remain there forever.
I’m so happy for you! Great news! These sound wonderful, & I’ll add them to my list. Best of luck to you!