Review and Book Blitz: From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith, MFA

 

Melanie Faith's

 

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

 

OF

 

From Promising to Published

 

Tour Begins December 5

 

 

Book Summary

You’ve been writing and honing your craft for months or years and are curious about seeking publication for your latest project. Perhaps you wonder about the next steps in the process. Look no further!

This book has a little something for every writer interested in expanding their audience and sharing their writing with readers, from pre-writing and writing your drafts to choosing your market and the writing life before, during, and after publication.

Topics covered include:

• The Lovely Littles: Breaking into Literary Magazines

• The Spinning Spider: Keeping Track of your Brainchildren

• Options, You’ve Got ’em: Traditional, Indie/Small, University Press, or Self-Publishing 

• Two Streams with One Stone: To Simultaneously Submit or Not

• Monetize it! Part One: All about the Benjamins; Monetize it! Part Two: Risk and a Swimming Metaphor

• The Myth of the Fancy-Pants Tools

• The Art of Writing the Author Bio

• Paradox Meets Passion: Writer vs. Author

• The Slam-Bam Reply: Now in Two Painful Varieties; Creative Noodling

• F.U.N

and so much more!

Publisher: Vine Leaves Press

ISBN-10: 1925965929

ISBN-13: 978-1925965929

Print length: 184 pages

Purchase a copy of From Promising to Published on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author

Melanie Faith is a night-owl writer and editor who moves through the daytime world with her camera. She’s an introvert who likes to wear many hats, too, including as a poet, photographer, professor, and tutor. She’s been a doodler for years but just recently started to share her perfectly imperfect doodles. She loves to write about historical settings in poetry and prose, and this fall she taught both a Leaping Worlds class for historical fiction and time-travel writers as well as a university class about publishing. She especially enjoys creating nonfiction craft books that assist fellow authors on their writing paths, including books packed with tips about writing flash fiction and poetry. Her latest published craft books are: Photography for Writers, guides for teaching online and writing a research book respectively, and From Promising to Published: A Multi-Genre, Insider's Guide to the Publication Process (all from Vine Leaves Press). Read more about her books, classes, and arts projects at https://melaniedfaith.com.

 

My Thoughts:

This is probably one of the easiest to follow works on the subject of publishing and I've read a lot on my own path to publishing. It is such a mystifying process and sometimes, you just need it to be simplified in order to understand what, exactly, it is that you are undertaking. Melanie Faith does that in this book and in such a way that you feel like you're having a conversation with a friend not reading a technical manual that's written in another language (as I often have in the past). She uses her own experiences on the journey as a basis for the book, showing you how it can be done, and ends each chapter with exercises to try and give you your own foundation for your path to publication. And it's not a thick tome that will overwhelm you by its size - short and concise, but there's a lot of power packed within the pages. I'm sure I will be going back to this back again as I tread my own path toward (future) publication.

Blog Tour Calendar

December 5th @ The Muffin

Join WOW as we celebrate the launch of Melanie Faith's blog tour of From Promising to Publishing. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

December 5th @ Karen Brown Tyson

Visit Karen's blog today and read about whether to monetize your writing or keep it a hobby.

https://karenbrowntyson.com

December 7th @ Create Write Now

Visit Mari's blog today to read a guest post by Melanie Faith about how to self-motivate.

https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog

December 8th @ Margay Leah Justice's Blog

Join Margay as she reviews From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith.

https://margayleahjustice.blogspot.com/

December 9th @ Blunt Scissors Book Reviews

Jennifer shares her thoughts about Melanie Faith's helpful book From Promising to Published.

https://www.instagram.com/bluntscissorsbookreviews/

December 10th @ World of My Imagination

Visit Nicole's blog to catch her review of From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith.

https://worldofmyimagination.com/

December 11th @ Shoe's Seeds and Stories

Visit Linda's blog as she reviews Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published.

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com/

December 12th @ One Writer's Journey

Sue shares her thoughts about Melanie Faith's helpful book for writers From Promising to Published.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

December 13th @ Lisa Haselton's Book Reviews & Interviews

Visit Lisa's blog for an interview with author Melanie Faith about her book From Promising to Published.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

December 15th @ Mother Daughter Bookclub

Join Cindy as she reviews From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith.

https://motherdaughterbookclub.com/

December 16th @ The Faerie Review

Lily shares her thoughts about Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

December 18th @ Michelle Cornish' Blog

Come by Michelle's blog and read Melanie Faith's guest post about overcoming imposter syndrome.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

December 20th @ A Storybook World

Deirdra features a spotlight of Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published.

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

December 21st @ Elle Backenstoe's Blog

Join Elle as she reviews Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published.

http://ellebackenstoe.com/

December 22nd @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog

Visit Anthony's blog and read his review of From Promising to Published.

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/category/blog-tours/

December 23rd @ Help Me Naomi

Noami shares a review of From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith.

https://helpmenaomi.com/

December 24th @ The Mommies Reviews

Join Tara she reviews Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published and hosts a giveaway too.

https://www.themommiesreviews.com/

December 27th @ Mindy McGinnis' Blog

Join Mindy's blog today where author Melanie Faith shares tips on writing author bios that have personality and heart.

https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog

December 27th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Join Beverley as she reviews Melanie Faith's book From Promising to Published.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

December 29th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Visit Beverley's blog to read a guest post by Melanie Faith about the benefits of hiring a freelance editor and how to find a good fit.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

January 2nd @ Elle Backenstoe's Blog

Visit Elle's blog again and read Melanie Faith's guest post about the benefits of beta readers and how to find one.

http://ellebackenstoe.com/

January 3rd @ Editor 911

Join Margo as she features a guest post by Melanie Faith about the taking-on-too-much spiral.

https://editor-911.com/blog

January 4th @ Liberate & Lather

Visit Angie's blog and read her review of From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith. She hosts a giveaway and also interviews author Melanie Faith about her book.

https://liberateandlather.com/blog

January 5th @ Word Magic

Fiona reviews this helpful writing book From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith. Don't miss it!

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

January 7th @ Leslie's Voice

Join Leslie as she reviews From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith.

https://lesliesvoice.com/

Excerpt Reveal: Whiskey Moon by Winter Renshaw

 

Amazon 

A broken marriage pact gives way to a devastating love that won’t let go in this heart wrenching contemporary romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Winter Renshaw. 

Bogie had Bacall. Carrie had Big. I had Wyatt.

Growing up, he was the handsome cowboy next door, an unlikely confidant, my best friend, my first kiss, and my favorite person.

We were just a couple of small town kids with ambitions bigger than the stars in our eyes. The summer after graduation, we made a pact: I’d go to college in New York and he’d stay and take over his daddy’s ranch. If by twenty-eight we were both still single, we’d get married …

But as we stood in our high school gymnasium the night of our ten-year reunion, Wyatt told me he loved me too much to marry me.

He’d never broken a promise to me in his life, but in a single heartbeat he broke the only one that ever mattered. 

He said it would all make sense someday, that there would come a time I might even be able to forgive him. 

But then I stumbled upon the truth.

And there was no forgiving a secret this shattering—one that made me question if I ever knew him at all; one that only made me want him that much more. 

Bogie had Bacall. Carrie had Big. I had Wyatt.

“Blaire?” a voice calls Wednesday morning from the end of the produce aisle at the Henderson Food and Drug. “Oh my gawd. Blaire Abbott …”

From the corner of my eye, a bottle blonde in a denim skirt and rhinestone-covered cowgirl boots pushes her cart in my direction before trotting around it, arms wide open.

“It’s been for-ev-er!” She wraps me in a perfumed hug—something I’ve grown used to not receiving in the city. People either stare through you or they do the air kiss. Huggers aren’t a thing in Manhattan. “How are you? And what are you doing back?”

It takes me a second before I realize I’m face to face with a girl from my former high school—Ivy Forsythe. Though the Ivy I knew was a wallflower string bean with mousy hair and a chest flatter than an ironing board. The Ivy before me is spray-tanned, bleached, and teased to the heavens. She reminds me of some of the big rancher’s wives back in the day; the ones who dressed like Southern Belles and retired beauty queens and loved nothing more than looking pretty on the arm of a bona fide cowboy.

I never would’ve guessed this path for her, but she radiates sunshine and bliss and if that isn’t all that matters, I don’t know what is.

“Ivy,” I say, leaning into her embrace. When she pulls away, I spot a glimmering diamond rock on her left finger. “How are you? It’s been so long.”

“I know, oh my gosh. Everyone’s going to be so thrilled that you’re back in town!”

Before I can say a word, she retrieves her phone from her back pocket and taps her acrylic nails onto the screen in quick succession.

“Remember Raina Jorgenson?” she asks. “Well, she’s Raina Mahoney now, but she’s soon to be Raina Jorgenson again. She and Cutter separated this year and their divorce was just finalized today. A bunch of us are getting together Friday at Petty Cash. You should come!”

“What’s … Petty Cash?”

“Oh.” She points behind her. “It’s that bar on the corner of Cornflower and Main, the one with the rusty sign with the neon arrow? It’s owned by Dylan Petty and Cash Buchanan—you remember Cash, right? You dated his brother …”

I could never forget Cash. He was a daredevil wild child with zero filter. A class clown. An attention-starved youngest child who would do anything for a laugh—or a reaction. He also worshipped the ground Wyatt walked on. The two of them were always the closest, being a little shy of two years apart in age.

He must be about twenty-six by now.

“Cash Buchanan owns a bar?” I ask. It’s hard to think of Cash as an astute, responsible businessman, but then again, I never expected Ivy Forsythe to grow up to be one of those bling-bling rancher wives we always joked about when we were younger.

“It’s so fun,” she says. “They’ve got one of those rodeo bulls, live music on Saturdays, and plenty of room for dancing or just hanging out. It’s kind of where everyone goes on the weekends.” Tittering, she adds, “It’s not like there’s much of anything else to do around here, am I right?”

She places her hand on my shoulder, her vibrant pink lips spread into a sweet-as-pie grin.

“Let me just grab your number,” she continues.

“Yeah, sure.” I rattle off my digits and she sends me a quick text—an LOL emoji—so I have hers.

“How long are you here, anyway?” Ivy asks.

“Um, I’m not really sure. A couple of weeks at least.”

“Well that’s nice. I’m sure once everyone gets wind of you being back in town, you’ll have a line of people at your door wanting to catch up with you.”

I scrunch my shoulders. “Yeah, not sure about that. I doubt anyone remembers me.”

“Girl, stop.” She pats my arm. “Like anyone could forget the leading star of every theater production Whiskey Springs High ever put on. I swear your personality entered the room before you did. Remember when you jumped up on the desk in Mr. Carter’s geometry class and sang that song from Chicago? And that other time when we snuck into the auditorium during study hall and you recited that monologue from … what was it again … Twelfth Night or something? I still don’t know how you memorized everything so easily. Are you still acting? I heard you ran off to acting school or something?”

Humbled, I press my lips into a firm line and nod. “I am. And I did.”

“Have I seen you in anything?”

“Only if you’ve been to New York and gone to an off-Broadway play …”

“Oh. Someone said you were doing … adult films … but I told them there was absolutely no way.”

“Wow. Yeah, definitely not. Gotta love those rumors …” Apparently I should’ve come home sooner to dispel some of those.

Her phone vibrates and she lifts her hand to her tawny decolletage. “Oh, this is my husband. I better take it. Anyway, it was great seeing you and please, please, please come out to Petty Cash on Friday … we’ll start around eight but we’re pre-drinking at Raina’s at six. I’ll text you all the info.”

With a little wave, she sashays toward the checkout with her cart, gabbing with her husband about stopping at the feed store on the way home.

I grab a few bananas, some grapefruit LaCroix, a box of white cheddar mac and cheese, and some Greek yogurt before checking out myself.

I take the roundabout way home—the way that winds and ambles past the Buchanan ranch. Growing up, I used to tease Wyatt about being neighbors. While my house was technically in town, it was the last one on the street, just before the road that leads straight to Wyatt’s place ten miles down. Given that there were no other homes between us, my father used to refer to him as “the boy next door.”

By the time I round the last corner, the big white farmhouse with the wraparound porch comes into view. With a held breath and hands white-knuckling the wheel, I cruise past the ghost of what once was.

If my old acting coach were here, she’d probably ask me, “Where do you feel it? In which part of your body does this feeling live?”

Everywhere, I would tell her.

I feel it everywhere.

But it lives in my heart.

Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American dream with her husband, three kids, and the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi. 

And if you'd like to be the first to know when a new book is coming out, please sign up for her private mailing list here ---> http://eepurl.com/bfQU2j

Goodreads - Facebook - Amazon - Instagram - Web 

Release Day Blitz: Whiskey Moon by Winter Renshaw

Amazon 

A broken marriage pact gives way to a devastating love that won’t let go in this heart wrenching contemporary romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Winter Renshaw. 

Bogie had Bacall. Carrie had Big. I had Wyatt.

Growing up, he was the handsome cowboy next door, an unlikely confidant, my best friend, my first kiss, and my favorite person.

We were just a couple of small town kids with ambitions bigger than the stars in our eyes. The summer after graduation, we made a pact: I’d go to college in New York and he’d stay and take over his daddy’s ranch. If by twenty-eight we were both still single, we’d get married …

But as we stood in our high school gymnasium the night of our ten-year reunion, Wyatt told me he loved me too much to marry me.

He’d never broken a promise to me in his life, but in a single heartbeat he broke the only one that ever mattered. 

He said it would all make sense someday, that there would come a time I might even be able to forgive him. 

But then I stumbled upon the truth.

And there was no forgiving a secret this shattering—one that made me question if I ever knew him at all; one that only made me want him that much more. 

Bogie had Bacall. Carrie had Big. I had Wyatt.

Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American dream with her husband, three kids, and the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi. 

And if you'd like to be the first to know when a new book is coming out, please sign up for her private mailing list here ---> http://eepurl.com/bfQU2j

Goodreads - Facebook - Amazon - Instagram - Web