Hi everyone –
It’s New Year’s Day and before 2012 takes off, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for being such a HUGE part of my 2011!!!
2011 was the year I saw my first novel published, and also the year I dipped my toe into indie self-publishing… I’ve learned SO much!!!
And through it all, you’ve been along with me, encouraging me with comments, supporting my books with reviews and blogs, and all around making this journey such a BLAST!!! So thank you!!! J
This year Across the Veilentered the world…
I wrote Keth and Talia’s story as part of a contest t
o win a novel critique from the fabulous Angie Fox!
It won!!!
Which led me to consider putting it out into the world… Being only about 30 pages long, it was too short to submit to a publisher and too long to submit for a short story anthology. Self-Publishing became an option for me to get my name out there with book bloggers. I figured I had nothing to lose.
I learned about cover design, eBook formatting and eBook distribution… Yow! Lots to learn!
The same month that Across the Veil released, Night Walkersold!!!
Happiest day ever when Heather Howland from Entangled Publishing contacted me to say she wanted to contract, not just Night Walker, but my entire series!!!
Then I saw this amazing cover and almost cried!!! It was perfect…
Then after many rounds of edits, Night Walker hit the streets and the response was more than I ever could have hoped for… Here are a few highlights…
“Hot romance and cool characters make Night Walker an all-night read.” – Kelley Armstrong, #1 NYT Best-Selling Author
A stellar first novel with heart-stopping suspense and a hero to die for. — Angie Fox, New York Times bestselling author THE LAST OF THE DEMON SLAYERS
“Readers will sigh in dreamy acceptance of a love that never dies…” — RT Book Reviews
“Haunting and beautiful.” – Fresh Fiction Reviews
Top Pick – Lisa Kessler has now officially been added to my authors-to-watch list. After reading this captivating tale of love, lies, betrayal, and redemption, I am hard pressed to find things I didn’t like. – Night Owl Book Reviews
Night Walkers, rogue monks in a secret Brotherhood, a megalomaniac monk and a love that spans centuries make for a great sensual paranormal romance in this first of Kessler’s new The Night series. – Bitten By Paranormal Romance
Night Walker also came in the Top 3 on the GraveTells 2011 Reader’s Choice Award for Favorite Novel of 2011 right behind JR Ward’s Lover Mine!!! How cool is that??? 🙂
And as thrilling as it has been for me to hear from readers about how they fell in love with Calisto, I still had one more thing on my to-do list for 2011…
My own short story anthology!
Ray Bradbury changed my life the day he told me how I could really improve my writing craft. It wasn’t a craft book he suggested. Instead, he challenged me.
“Write a new story every week for a year. You’ll finish with ideas to last a lifetime.”
I took that challenge and enjoyed it so much that I continued for over a year and a half. One new story every week.
So my latest release, Forgotten Treasures, is my indie publishing labor-of-pure-love dedicated to the master, Ray Bradbury.
Inside are 25 short stories ranging from romance, to horror, to fantasy and sci-fi.
This was my first indie release that I also released in paperback as well… (SOOO much learning! Yikes!) So you can find it in eBook and trade paperback.
I hope you’ll try it out. Short stories are perfect when you don’t have the time to commit to a new novel just yet, but you still want to read something! LOL So check them out… I think you’ll find something inside for everyone…
It should be up for Kindle this week, but until then here’s where you can find a copy! J
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forgotten-treasures/id488838677?mt=11
https://www.createspace.com/3723393
Looking ahead to 2012,
This year should see the release of Night Demon (Book #2 in the Night Series)
And we should also have the Night Thief novella out this year too! It’s a prequel to Night Walker so I’m anxious to see if Entangled Publishing gives me some historical abs for the cover! *fingers crossed* LOL
I’m also hoping 2012 will be the year I place my Moon Series werewolves with a publisher! With any luck I’ll have news on that front this year too…
Thanks again to all my blog subscribers who make me smile with comments, to my readers who email me and TOTALLY make my day, and a HUGE shout out to my dedicated Street Teamers who helped me spread the word about Night Walker!!!!
I’m leaving 2011 very grateful and looking forward to 2012 with hope!
So what’s on your wishlist for 2012?
Let me know in the comment section and one lucky commenter will win a new signed paperback copy of Forgotten Treasures!!! J
Lisa
Oh my gosh! When I saw that you published Forgotten Treasures, I just remembered how that was my plan just before I hit winter break. Of course I haven’t written any story since then. I haven’t had many inspirations but oh my goodness, we have to talk, Lisa. You have to pass along your wisdom about this self-publishing thing. I would love that very much! I want to publish my own short story anthology one day. You totally inspire me now! I’m vibrating. Lol. Thank you for doing what you do, you have no idea how amazing it is to know you exist and that I can be like you one day, among other things 😉
Happy New Year!
(haha total fan moment, pardon me)
Happy New Year Arianne!!!
It’s so great that you’re writing and I’m excited that you’re inspired!!! 🙂
Keep writing!!!
Lisa 🙂
Lisa – I’m so thrilled for you AND your well-earned accomplishments! AND very proud to be one of your Street Teamers. Thank you for allowing me to tag along …
I LOVE your books…
May your 2012 be even better than 2011!!!!!!!
Happy New Year Linda!!! 🙂
I’m so grateful to have you on my street team!!! Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement on this crazy publishing journey!!!
You rock!
Lisa 🙂
Happy New Year, Lisa! I hope it treats you as well as last year, if not better.
My (Book) Wishlist for 2012:
-Night Demon (of course!)
-Jessa Slade’s ‘Darkness Undone’
-Books 4, 5 & 6 of J.K. Beck’s Shadow Keepers Series
-Darynda Jones’s ‘Third Grave Dead Ahead’
-Patricia Brigg’s ‘Fair Game’ (which comes out on my birthday, YAY!)
and many, many more.
Happy New Year Karin!!! 🙂
So glad to see Night Demon on your wishlist! Squee!!!
I’m also anxious for Patricia Brigg’s Fair Game… I’m crazy about Charles and Anna! LOL
Thanks so much for the good wishes and for commenting!
Lisa 🙂
Have you tried Patricia Briggs “Mercy Thompson” series, as well? Mercy is my favorite. That is actually one of my top favorite series of all time.
Oh I love the Mercy THompson series too!!!
But I think I might like Alpha & Omega even more… I love that we get to be in Charles POV….
Patricia Briggs is a fab writer! 🙂
Wow…your 2011 rocked! My wish for you in 2012 is more writing time, just for the pleasure of it. I know how busy you were in 2011 with the nuts and bolts of publishing, but you’re such an amazing, soulful writing that I hope you get lots and lots of time this year “in the zone.” For myself, by the end of 2012 I hope to have struck a sustainable balance between managing my writing career, my family life, and being healthy and fit. Right now it doesn’t seem like all those puzzle pieces fit exactly right, if you know what I mean. Like you, I’m so excited about 2012’s possibilities. The sky’s the limit!
Happy New YEar Melissa!!! 🙂
I have been LOVING finally getting to write new material again!!! LOL What a treat!!! 🙂
I’m so excited for you!!! 2012 is going to be HUGE for you!!!
Thanks for the good wishes and the comment!!!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
Happy New Year to you too!! We’re just back from Houston where I met two on line friends and had a wonderful time!! Yes 2011 was amazing for learning stuff I never knew I wanted to understand. this year – well in next couple of months – want to finish my historical piece which is actually a back story for my devil and I would like to get back to the main story too. And thank you Lisa for all your support too!
Happy New Year Sue!!!
I’m so glad you’re still writing!!! 🙂 Keep at it…
Thanks so much for your friendship and encouragement!!! You rock!!!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
Happy New Year, Lisa! I wish you the best for 2012!
I am so happy to be part if this wonderful series as a member of your street team!
My wishlist for 2012 is way too long to post here, but a few are: Night Demon, of course, Tiger’s Destiny, and Lover Reborn. 🙂
Happy New Year Kristina!!! 🙂
So glad to see NIght Demon on your wishlist!!! SQUEEE!!!
Is Lover Reborn from JR Ward? I’m woefully behind on the Black Dagger Brotherhood series! 🙂
Thanks so much for all your help on the street team!!! I’m so grateful to have you with me on this crazy publishing journey!!!
Lisa 🙂
Lisa – what a great year you had. I’m so happy to see all your hard work and persistence paying off. It’s hard to stay motivated sometimes in this business but you are a fine example of not giving up. For me – I’d like to learn more about self publishing this year, come up with my own webpage and complete a new book in the RWASD challenge too!
Happy New Year Stephanee!!! 🙂
Those sound like awesome goals to me!!!
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa 🙂
It’s been an awesome, crazy, fun, scary, exciting year! Here’s to a GREAT 2012!!!!!!!
Happy New Year Lynn!!! 🙂
2011 was a great year for you too!!! Here’s hoping 2012 will be our best year yet… 🙂
Thanks for all the encouragement and support along the way! You rock!!!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
Amazing year for you! I am about half way through Night Walker, had to put it down to get stuff done. Can’t wait to pick it up again, it’s a great read. Congratulations Lisa!
My 2012 LIst includes:
Darynda Jones’ next book
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
Lover Reborn by JR Ward
North of Need by Laura Kaye
Bitter Black Kiss by Michelle Claye
Happy New Year Lady!
Happy New Year Hildie!!! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed NIght Walker!!!
I’m looking forward to reading North of Need soon too… 🙂 And Darynda’s books are a blast, aren’t they?
Thanks for commenting!!!
Lisa 🙂
Have a wonderful New Year!
Here are some of my books from my book wish list:
Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Lover Reborn by J R Ward
Legally Hot by Lora Leigh + various authors
A Vampire For Christmas by Laurie London + various authors
A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster
Happy New Year Juana!!!
I’d love to try a Lori Foster book this year!!! I’ve heard many great things, but I’ve never read her yet…
Thanks for commenting!!!
Lisa 🙂
Happy New Year! I hope your year is even better than last year.
I don’t have a 2012 reading list. I’ll just read the whatever books I see and hope they are good.
Again, Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Patsy!!! 🙂
Well I hope you’ll add Night Demon to your 2012 wishlist… 🙂 Have you seen the cover? Shew! LOL
Thanks for commenting!!!
Lisa 🙂
Hi, Lisa. In your genre, my 2012 wish list includes the next by JR Ward and Kresley Cole. But, as you know, I’m really a historical romance buff, and there are many I’ve got waiting on my “to be read” shelf for 2012. I have recently discovered several classic romance authors (who really know how to write) and they are bringing back many of their books as ebooks which is quite wonderful. A recent find is Cynthia Wright. And, you know I just posted my BEST PIRATE ROMANCES list: http://reganromancereview.blogspot.com.
Hi Regan –
I saw your best pirate romance list… I’m very tempted to read my first pirate romance now! LOL
One of the short stories in my anthology is a pirate romance…
Thanks for commenting! Happy New Year!!! 🙂
Lisa
Hi Lisa. *waving*
What a fabulous year you had… Heather was my editor for Soul Reborn. She is fabulous and I miss her so much. Best of luck in 2012.
Jean Murray
Happy New Year Jean!!! 🙂
Heather is the bomb isn’t she??? 🙂 She didn’t end up being my editor for Night Walker, but she’s the one who plucked it out of the submission pile and believed in the story…
I’ll be grateful to her forever!!! (PLus she gave me an AB-tacular cover too!!! LOL)
Hope 2012 is a great year for you too!!!
Lisa 🙂
Wow, Lisa, congrats on your fabulous year! And I love your book covers — yummy abs. 🙂 My wishlist for 2012 is long, but in brief, I hope to publish something, be it self-pub or tradit pub.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Anne!!! 🙂
I did get lucky witht he AB-tastic covers, didn’t I? LOL Yum! 🙂
I hope you achieve your goal in 2012!!! I’ll be right here ready to happy dance for you!!!
Thanks for commenting!!!
Lisa 🙂
Lisa, I love what you shared from Ray Bradbury, gives me some hope. Anyway, congrats to you for all your hard work and HAPPY 2012 to you and yours!!!
Happy New Year Amy!!! 🙂
I’m so glad you got some hope!!! This is a tough road, but don’t ever give up!!!
I hope 2012 is your best year yet!
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa 🙂
Happy new year and wow congrats on all of your acomplishments and good fortune in 2011 and here’s wishing you all of that and more in 2012 your a great writer and an awesome woman!
Happy New Year Terri!!!
Thanks so much for the good wishes!!! I’m very excited about the new year and hope it’ll be a great one for all of us…
Thanks for commenting!!!
Lisa 🙂
Hey Cuz!! I had no idea you were so amazingly prolific!! I would love to “talk” sometime on DM on Twitter or by email about your experience with Indie publishing. I have two books up myself but am a little lost on how to proceed from here. I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE ANTHOLOGY! Please let me know when it is up on Kindle!
Congratulations on all of your success. I foresee great things ahead for you!
hugs,
Tess
Happy New Year Tess!!! 🙂
The Forgotten Treasures anthology is finally up for Kindle!!! 🙂 Woot!
You can grab a copy here…
http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Treasures-ebook/dp/B006T68NOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325694611&sr=8-2
Thanks for the good wishes!!!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂