I’ll post the cover for Raze’s story tomorrow…if I can figure out what I want to do with it! ;)

I don’t have a release date for Eternal Hearts yet. I know that’s probably not what you wanted to hear, but it’s the truth. Mr. Agent is still working on the components of the submission package that will go out to editors, so I’ve been very busy trying to turn around the different outlines and intro materials that he’s asked for in short order. I’d tell you the process has been a blast thus far, but I promised I’d never lie to you. ;) Now, I’m not saying there haven’t been good moments, because there have been – but overall I’d say the feeling I experience most often is frustration. And it basically comes down to me not having the amount or type of control over the situation that I used to have. I’m now working at the pace of traditional publishing – and let me tell you right now – traditional publishing is slower than a 100 year old man climbing a flight of stairs.

All I can really say right now is that once we’ve got the submission package where it needs to be (which will hopefully be in the next few weeks), Mr. Agent will send it off to the editors we’ve chosen and then the waiting really begins. If all goes well, a month or two later, a few of the editors he sends the package to will be interested and make an offer on the series. Once that happens (and I say “once” because my Mom yells at me when I say “if” ;) – and I accept an offer, it might be a year or more before Eternal Hearts is actually published. Yes, you read that right – a year or more. I can almost hear the wistful sighs and irritated groans right now…

I really am sorry, everyone. If I could make this process move at my speed, I would in a heartbeat. It kills me to know I have Eternal Hearts finished but that I can’t release it. And it drives me even crazier because EH has been finished for nearly two months now. I keep telling myself that all the waiting will be worth it in the end. And I think the only saving grace right now, at least for my own personal sanity anyway, is that I really do believe it will all be worth it in the end. I honestly do think, even though it’s been quite an adjustment so far, that traditional publishing will do more for the series than I ever could by myself.

So, with all that in mind, and because I know that waiting isn’t easy, and also because I want to thank you all for being so patient…I convinced Mr. Agent to let me write a free novella for the series. ;) I expect it will take me about a month to finish the novella, but first I need to know whose story I’m writing. And this is where I need your help!

Do you want to read about Raze or Vouclade?

I’m prepared to write a story for either one, but I thought it would be a lot more fun to let you make the final decision. Please vote via the poll below. Voting is open until 7/31 at 11:59 PM. After I have the final results, I’ll get to work on the story, and then keep you upated as to when it will “release”. I plan to post it here, on my blog, and offer it as a free downloadable PDF. I’ll share any other details once everything is ready to go.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I can’t wait to see who you choose!! :)

On Monday morning I got a surprise e-mail from Robert Gottlieb, Chairman of Trident Media Group, asking about my series and whether I had representation for it. He went on to say that he believed there was a strong market for my series here in the U.S. and abroad, and that he wondered if I’d be willing to talk more about the possibilities with him. Needless to say, I was floored. I recognized his agency’s name…but I just couldn’t believe my own eyes. Even now, I’m still waiting for someone to jump out from behind my couch and tell me I’ve been Punk’d. :)

In any event, we chatted on the phone Tuesday morning about his agency and his accomplishments as an agent, his belief that my series would do well with a traditional publisher, then he offered me representation. And let me tell you…immediately following his words, I had one of those surreal moments where your heart jumps into your throat and you can’t even breathe, let alone talk. All I could think about was how did I go from being self-published to having the Chairman of the top selling literary agency in the U.S. asking if I’d like to work with him to advance my career as a writer. Truth be told, a day later I’m still asking myself the same question!

After talking with Chad yesterday afternoon and weighing all the pros, cons, and potential changes a decision like this might cause in our lives…I officially accepted Robert’s offer. Oh, and for those of you who know how much I adore her books, Robert is also Sherrilyn Kenyon’s agent!!!! :)

I should also mention that what made me accept his offer was his pure excitement about my series. He’s a really nice guy, and it’s very obvious from talking with him that he absolutely loves his job. He said he’s been watching my sales on Amazon climb for awhile now, and truly believes my career has just started. He also thinks I have a very promising future in publishing. And he’s also very driven to get the Darkness Within series into the traditional publishing market as soon as possible, which both excites and scares the hell out of me. :)

Now I have to share the bad news…

Eternal Hearts will not be releasing in June. I know that news will probably disappoint everyone, even I have to admit that among all the excitement over the last two days I’ve been dreading having to share this info, but the goal now is to let Robert do his magic and sell ES, EH (and hopefully the rest of the series) to a major publisher.

I am really, really sorry everyone. :( I know you’ve been waiting for Drake’s story, and I know the last thing you wanted to hear was that the release date is going to change again…but I hope you’ll bear with me one last time, because this was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. To have the representation of a top NY agent, to hopefully very soon have the support of an editor who’ll help me grow as a writer, and to know I can focus on writing the books without the stress of trying to publish them myself…it’s what I’ve always wanted. Being traditionally published was my dream when I started writing the series, and because of you it’s starting to come true. And like I said in my last post, I will NEVER be able to express the depth of thanks I owe you. I wouldn’t be here without you. There would have never been an Amazon listing for Robert to track had every single one of you not given me a chance to share my world with you.

So, again…THANK YOU!

I have a bunch of sales stats to compile for Robert now, as well as a few outlines to write for the next books, and an overall synopsis of where the series is heading with the various story arcs, but I wanted to share the good and bad news with all of you before I got lost in spreadsheet-land. And like I said, I really am sorry if I’ve disappointed anyone, but I hope you’ll share in my excitement for the future of the series. Because, and without a shadow of a doubt, the excitement and success is just as much yours as it is mine.

P.S. I promise to keep you updated as events unfold, and I even plan to blog about other things relating to the series in the interim. I figure, if nothing else, I owe you guys some Odin interviews and other fun facts about some of the characters and the trouble they get into!!