Patricia Sands

Author

authors

#IAF16 ~ Opening Line Competition

by

imagesHave you entered? Have some fun!

How Can I enter or Vote in the Opening Line Competition?

The International Rubery Book Award LogoAs well as the speaker giveaways, we’re also hosting an Opening Line competition, sponsored by The International Rubery Book Award.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFO ON HOW TO ATTEND ALL THE SESSIONS.

29a9d024e9b5f6cebdae9b7e4bc5358e

Thanks!

by

canstockphoto8136400This past month, with Canadian Thanksgiving and all the good things that are part of it, has  been one big festival of gratitude and today I’m adding this post to the celebration.

First of all, I’m thankful to every person  who purchased my novels and shared them with friends and those who took the time to write a review. Without your purchases and reviews, Amazon might not have become aware of what I was writing. There are a lot of authors to look at out there. In fact, statistics say there are between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books published yearly in North America alone. Yikes.

This month I’m grateful beyond words for Amazon’s relaunch of The Promise of Provence and Promises  To Keep. The story that turned into the Love in Provence series thanks to the enthusiastic support of so many readers and requests for more of Katherine’s ‘mid-life coming of age’ journey.

IMG_1785

Thanks to the amazing team at ‪#‎LakeUnionPublishing‬, led by Senior Acquisitions Editor, Danielle Marshall, for their priceless support and to all the avid readers who keep me inspired ! Book 3, I Promise You This, will be published Spring 2016. The last round of edits has been completed and I’m thankful for the guidance of my superb developmental  editor, Amara Holstein. Katherine’s journey continues!

As an indie author, I’ve been fortunate to reach a good number of readers Unknown-3 and they have proven to be inspiring and ardent. Thank you to each and every one of you. I keep repeating that hearing from readers is the best reward for a writer! I’m constantly surprised and amazed at the personal and meaningful messages I receive along with simple “I loved the story” emails. Each one is special and I know I speak for my fellow authors when I express this: Writers love hearing from readers.

The other side of being an indie author is the endless support and collegiality that writers offer each other. Self-publishing is hard work: researching and writing the book, working with professional editors and proofreaders,  and choosing cover designers is just the beginning. Books will not sell without marketing and promotion to spread the word. Did I mention it was hard work?

Thank goodness for the community of indie authors, professional editors, technical experts, virtual assistants, author service providers, book promoting websites, bloggers and reviewers who offer each other endless assistance and share information so openly.

Through Amazon I look forward to having my books in front of many more readers than I could ever hope to reach on my own. Thanks to Amazon’s amazing marketing people, I will have more time to write novels.

Yes, there is so much to be thankful for. I hope you feel the same with your life.

ce4b26769ca3c4b19f107d90250a29db

One day ~ deux fêtes

by

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Since I sent my manuscript for Book #3 in the Love in Provence series off to my editor at Amazon’s Lake Union Publishing, I’m taking a week off to be a somewhat normal person. For me, that means without being attached at the hip to my laptop. Well, maybe not completely … I’m making notes and researching my next book too.

In the next week or two, we’ll reveal the new title for Book #3, edits will get under way and my break will be over. C’est ma vie … and I love it!

I know I missed posting this on Friday, and it’s actually Saturday, so please excusez-moi! It’s incredibly easy to lose track of days here in Nice … the weather is beautiful and there’s just SO much to do.

IMG_0881

Take today, for example, this morning I popped a couple of streets over

book-cover-for-sidebar-on-blog-140-220-120from where we’re staying and had a cappuccino and croissant (they just go together, don’t they?) with Margo Lestz. She recently published a new book, “Curious Histories of Nice, France”, which I downloaded last week and can’t wait to read! Margo always discovers the quirkiest information about this part of the world! She’s fortunate to live here full time. *colour me green … just like that eye-catching book cover*

After that, I met up with my two friends who are visiting  Nice with me and we took a stroll through the grand hotel Le Negresco. You just can’t visit Nice without taking in the history and beauty of this mythic landmark.

IMG_0641

IMG_0639

Next, we had a quick lunch at one of the many beach restaurants, just across the street. As you can see, it was another beautiful day with the Med gleaming.

IMG_0651 IMG_0643

After lunch, we crossed the street, again, to spend a few hours taking in the excellent exhibit of vintage photographs and art explaining the history of Nice at the Musée Massena. 

IMG_0645

Tomorrow is June 21 and every hamlet, village, town and city in France will celebrate la Fête de la Musique with spontaneous jam sessions and planned performances on street corners and in parks and buildings or wherever the mood hits the musician. It’s great fun. There’s something for every musical taste and it’s a day not to miss. What better way to welcome the Summer Solstice?

228818_36782b98eb4e06a6697abcead2e51ad5fd616e0eA free concert set up on the Promenade des Anglais kicked things off this evening and when we wandered through the crowd of tens of thousands on the way home from dinner, the party was on! Massive speakers and screens ensured everyone had a view. The weather was perfect and the mood was relaxed and happy … what a pleasure to be part of it! As the French do so well, the evening ended with spectacular fireworks.

Everything we did today was within a walking distance of half an hour. Is it any wonder we love this town? How did you welcome the longest day of the year?

Bon weekend et bonne fête des pères/happy father’s day to all of the dedicated dads who love and support their children each day.

This was the poster in the window of the chocolatier around the corner … I could’t resist it. (And, yes, we did go in and buy some chocolate!) Hug your father a little longer today, thank him for all he does … and then share some chocolate! For those of us whose fathers are warm memories, pick some special moments to treasure today.

If this day doesn’t hold good memories for you, I hope you find other reasons to celebrate and that you can “count your life by smiles, not tears”. Thank you, John Lennon.

IMG_0659

 

 

Thanks to the Canadian Authors Association!

by

From Wednesday evening last week and through the weekend, the Canadian Authors Association hosted CanWrite! 2013. It’s the kind of event every writer should have an opportunity to experience from time to time.

cbe29bed838a3cf3d47238e6f3d547f0

Writers attended from across Canada: networking, exchanging ideas, writing together, chatting, debating, empathizing, laughing. All good stuff.

As well as challenging and informative workshops and panel discussions, there were opportunities to meet with stellar representatives from the publishing world, among them, Christie Harkin, Halli Villegas, Sam Hiyate, Anita Chong, and Carly Watters!

Click here to see a complete list of all presenters and panelists. For a more detailed post about some of these workshops and discussions, hop on over to my friend Patricia Caviglia’s blog. I’ve got to get back to my WIP!

Here’s the fabulous poster from this year’s conference. Be sure to watch for CanWrite!2014 which will once again be held in June in Orillia, ON. I’ll let you know as soon as I know the date. Put a reminder in your calendar now!

945701_10151391437701353_880130984_n

IF YOU MISSED THE CONFERENCE THIS YEAR, TRY TO BE THERE IN 2014. WATCH FOR IT!

HAVE YOU ATTENDED ANY WRITERS’ CONFERENCES? TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES AND DON’T HESITATE TO RECOMMEND OTHERS YOU THOUGHT ROCKED!