Please give a warm Casa welcome to fellow Sourcebooks
Casablanca Author Jeanette Murray, whose debut romance The Officer Says “I Do” is in stores this month! Her road to
publication begins in a place that we all know very well…
I am so excited to be with
you all today on the Casablanca blog talking about my first paperback release, The Officer Says “I Do.” I thought I
might share with you the story of how I got to this point. And actually, the
journey started right here on the Casablanca Authors blog. (Aspiring authors?
Pay attention.)
I had a full book completed,
and saw on the Casablanca blog that Deb Werksman was hosting a pitch contest.
Pitch your book in the comments section of that blog post, and she would pick a
winner. The winner would have their pitch critiqued. A huge prize, especially
if you’re attending a conference soon. Well, instead of a pitch critique, she
requested my and a few other writers’ books to be sent in for submissions
directly to her. Score!
After she read the first
book, she said she enjoyed it, but the hook wasn’t strong enough. But did I
happen to have any of those Marines I’d mentioned earlier done? Why sure! Here,
have a three-chapter sample of the first book. Let me know what you think.
About a month later, I got a
call from an unknown number. I don’t know why, but I just thought…this is it. I answered, and I hear
someone say, “This is Deb Werksman from Sourcebooks.”
This is it. This is it!
Actually, it’s not. What it ended
up being was Deb telling me while she appreciated the story, and she knew I had
something going for me, the beginning was too slow. We chatted for a bit on
ways to punch it up. As I asked questions, I found myself uttering the world’s
most stupid thing ever…
“So you’re saying it’s too
info dumpy?”
There was a long pause, in
which I had plenty of time to mouth silently to myself Info dumpy? DUMPY?? Who uses the word “dumpy” when you’re talking
to an editor?
Luckily, Deb either blocked
out that moment of sheer brilliance, or she forgave me, because after she got
the revised chapters, she let me know she loved them. And so began my
relationship with Sourcebooks.
What’s the lesson here?
Opportunities in life come out of the most unexpected places. And also…never
use the word “dumpy” when you’re attempting to impress someone. Important
reminder, kids.
Have you ever said something
you immediately realized was ridiculous and wanted to take back? Share in my
embarrassment, folks. Don’t leave me hanging!
Jeanette
Congratulations Jeanette on the release of your novel
and thank you for stopping by the Casa blog again—way to come full circle. To
enter to win 1 of 2 copies of The Officer
Says “I Do,” please share in the comments a moment in your life that has
come full circle, just like Jeanette’s road to publication with Sourcebooks. US and Canada only, and be sure to leave an email
address so we can let you know if you won! Winners will be chosen on Tuesday,
July 10.
He's a Marine...she grew up on a commune.
He always puts duty first...she's a free spirit with an
unshakable belief in Fate.
He loves routine and order...she brings chaos and creativity
wherever she goes.
They're going to balance each other perfectly—or drive each
other completely, utterly insane...
On a wild
pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O'Shay encounters
free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his
life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined...
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Jeanette Murray
is a contemporary romance author who spends her day surrounded by hunky alpha
heroes…at least in her mind. In real life, she’s a one-hero kind of woman,
married to her own real-life Marine. When she’s not chasing her daughter or
their lovable-but-stupid Goldendoodle around the house, she’s deep in her own
fictional world, building another love story. As a military wife, she would
tell you where she lives…but by the time you read this, she’ll have already
moved. To see what Jeanette is up to next, visit www.jeanettemurray.com.
Congratulations on your launch, Jeannette, and for following through with Deb's offer to pitch to our blog! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the premise!!!
I'm forever sticking my foot in my mouth, particularly in the courtroom. We're supposed to give brilliant closing arguments, wield words with the grace and swiftness of St. Michael's sword, etc. By the twelfth case of the day, it's about all I can do to stand up and say, "Your Honor, don't be an idiot. Gimme what my clients want or I'll cry."
ReplyDeleteThen I hear opposing counsel sound even less rational and I don't feel like such a buffoon.
BIG congratulations on your launch...kind of feels like King Kong on steroids, don't it? And believe me every single launch is just as exciting.
ReplyDeleteHunt me down and ask me about the credenza at RWA this year...your dumpy won't sound nearly so bad!
LOL. I usually put my foot in my mouth all the time. Another way to put foot in mouth is in text form where you type something and accidentally push send before proof reading. I try to block out the stupid things a say, but I can remember the stupid things I send. For instance I was texting a friend I was trying to her I was in Orcutt, but it came out utter or it. Silliness I know.
ReplyDeletecountessofmar@yahoo.com
Congratulations, Jeannette. I hate that nanosecond when you hit send and realize something was wrong. I don't mind a typo too much but sending something to the wrong person has been extremely embarrassing a few times (sigh).
ReplyDeletecatslady5(at)aol.com
I am really happy for you Jeanette, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI think it is part of life saying something stupid at times that causes embarassment. I've lost count how many times I have done it but the most memorable one is when I asked a woman I knew when she was due. Her response - I'm not pregnant.
mjalyn@yahoo.com
My embarrassing moments usually involve travel. I usually put my foot in my mouth because phrases have different meanings in different countries. I've had egg on my face many times. lol
ReplyDeletegeishasmom73 at yahoo dot com
Congrats on your release! What a great story you've shared about how you got published. This book launch must be such an exciting time for you :)
ReplyDeleteAs for saying ridiculous things that I immediately wanted to take back, that happens to me to, you're definitely not the only one!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Aw, you guys. I love not feeling so alone on the whole "stupid stuff we say on accident" thing. Makes me feel all warm inside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats, it's been a very exciting (and extremely busy) week! But I'm loving every minute of it.
-Jeanette
Congrats on the new release, Jeanette. There has been instances where I tried to be funny or make a joke and it totally backfired.
ReplyDeletejanie1215 AT excite DOT com
I'm not admitting anything! But let's just say there's a reason I have a two drink limit at conferences. Congrats on your release! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteMy 'foot in mouth' moments usually involve cursing. I, admittedly, curse like a sailor - just one of many reasons the villains workshop a friend and I are doing at RWA National this year will NOT be recorded! Congratulations on your launch, Jeanette, and may it be the first of many!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book! Sometimes if it's a spur of the moment thing.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I just had one of those days when I wrote an email and then chose the wrong Deborah to send it to. I was so embarrassed, but at least there was nothing critical or confidential in the email that the wrong person received. I hated having to send that email saying, "Please disregard, wrong person." :D
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
I have lost count of all the times that I accidentally said something wrong There are lots of times that I will get tongue tied or not be able to think of exactly what I want to say. Or be in the middle of saying something and completely space out. I generally tell people that my train of thought has derailed when this happens. But I really hate making typos myself. Other people's don't bother me, unless there are so many that I have trouble figuring out what they meant. But if I have even the simplest of typo, it drives me crazy. LOL
ReplyDeleteforgot my email:
ReplyDeletemanning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Wow! How exciting for you! Congrats on the release. I usually have my foot in my mouth, especially amongst my friends who thankfully tolerate me. I have tried to be more diplomatic as I have increased in age (not necessarily wisdom) but some days...it just slips out!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jeanette!!!
ReplyDeleteA moment in my life that came full circle is with my career. I actually didn't know I wanted to do what I currently do until I was kinda forced into doing it:) I was referred by a friend to apply for this assistant job, got hired, and then a few months later my boss quits leaving me the keys to the kingdom so to speak. Now I've been at it for 6 years and can't imagine doing anything else.
As to embarrassing moments, I can't think of any right now:)
yadkny@hotmail.com
Thanks to all who commented! Here are the winners:
ReplyDeleteMarea B
and
Jane
I'll be in contact shortly!
Danielle