My Writing Game Changer

Happy Tuesday, Wranglers! We have a theme for March and it’s game-changers. We discussed whether we wanted to talk about game-changers in regard to life or to writing, and I chose to go with a game-changer in my writing career because that game-changer affects the rest of my life, too.

My game-changer had to be my first contract with Tule Publishing. I had already written and published five novels—one of which was not an indie-published book. Bookstrand published my first novel, Rule Number One, in 2012 and I was delighted. But I didn’t submit any other books to them, mainly because even though they do publish straight contemporary romance, like Rule Number One, they are known mostly for their Siren imprint, which is erotic. I don’t have a problem with authors who write erotic and ménage—do your thing. But that’s not what I write and I didn’t want my brand to be associated with that genre.

When I started shopping the Women of Willow Bay series, I had so much positive feedback, first from my agent and then from the publishers she submitted it to. Editors sent back messages saying how much they loved my voice, loved the story, loved the concept. But, and this was a huge BUT, they didn’t know how to sell my older characters. No one was willing to take a chance on a new writer who wrote seasoned romance. It wasn’t a thing back in 2012 when I was trying to get my books noticed and I wasn’t willing to drastically change the entire theme of my series or stories to accommodate publishers who were ignoring an entire reading demographic. My characters needed to be the ages they were or the story would be different. So, I went indie with the series and I don’t regret that decision. At that time, it was the only way they were going to be read and enjoyed. And they have been, a lot, and I'm thrilled. But more than anything, I wanted to be traditionally published. 

However, my writing game changer happened when I sent the whole series to Tule Publishing a couple of years ago, hoping they might like to pick it up since it had been relatively successful for me as an indie. They turned down the Women of Willow Bay books because they had already been out in the world, but they told me they loved my voice and my writing. Then they asked me if I would be willing to try a series for them? Such an easy yes! I love working with Tule and I think they like working with me, too. It’s been a great relationship that will be continuing because I just signed a contract to do another series for them! Huzzah!

Having Tule sign me to a four-book contract was the most validating thing that ever to happen to me as a writer. Finally, after five books and seven years of trying to get my books out in the world, I truly felt like a real author. Now, when people ask me what I do, I immediately reply, “I’m an author and a freelance copy editor.” It’s a fabulous way to start a conversation!

Hope you have a good week, Wranglers, and I hope you’ll tell me about the event that changed your life/career down in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

~Nan ~