Patricia Stoltey

Author

Q is for Questions

By:

My questions for you:

1. Are you writing a book?

If yes, please leave a comment and tell me what your book is about.

2. Do you have a book already published?

If yes, what’s the name of the book and the date of its release.

3. Do you have a blog?
If yes, make sure you have your name or signature linked to your blog url so we can find you.

I’m going to hang around a lot today and will be happy to answer any questions you might have for me on writing, blogging, tweeting, Facebook friending, or whatever.

And for starters, here’s the Harlequin Worldwide Mystery cover for my first novel, The Prairie Grass Murders, now available at Harlequin‘s online store. Originally published in hardcover by Five Star Publishing, the book is also available as an audiobook from Books in Motion.

A question I’ve been asked many times in the last six months: Is the book on Kindle? The answer is: Not yet. I have the rights back now so am able to put the book out in any ebook version as I have time. I’m currently looking at the instructions at Smashwords.com because it looks like a convenient way to handle all ebook formats at one time. For those who are interested, I’ll keep you posted.

Now: any other questions?

More from my site

Comments

  1. Hi Patricia! Wanted to pop over and say Thank You for commenting on my blog! I, unfortunately do not have any published books….yet 😉 BUT I am currently working on a YA Historical Fantasy set in 534 BCE, titled The Ivory Pomegranate about a young sibyl & augur who must protect the prophetic truths. Happy Writing!

  2. Hi Marvin — thanks for the synopsis of your wip — sounds fascinating, and certainly an unfortunate situation — something a talented but black-hearted healer might do to chase away all the needy who need his powers.

    For anyone who wants to visit Marvin’s blog and learn more about his books, clicking on his name will take you to the old silly’s blog. In spite of my invitation, he’s apparently way too modest and shy to put his info out here for you all to see. 🙂

    Sheila, India, and Ben — thanks for coming by and sharing a little about your writing projects. No matter what we’re writing, we seem to experience many of the same successes or stumbling blocks. I think it helps when we know we’re not alone.

  3. 1. Are you writing a book?

    Yes. Three actually, but the one I’m on a roll to finish first is about an old, ugly, smelly, unkempt homeless man who has a hug so powerful it can dure cancer; cause a prostitute to stop hooking and seek true love; shake the demons of addiction free from a junkie; cause a Muslim to hug and love a Christian and visa versa. But rare is the beneficiary of his divine embrace … no one will go near him out of fear.

    It’s titled, “Beware the Devil’s Hug.”

    2. Do you have a book already published?

    Three but you already know them, I think.

    3. Do you have a blog?

    Yes, and ditto as per #2, lol

    Have a great day, Pat!

  4. Patricia: You asked <>

    I have about one to two hours a day without interruptions, another hour with interruptions. That is actually plenty, and I am making fairly good progress. My frustration is mostly a matter of impatience and staying focused, as I have been a short story writer and a novel feels daunting.

    Incidentally, I have had a software/technical blog for seven years, and a trial writing blog for a few months, but I am starting over from scratch with the writing blog now that I understand better what it will need at:

    http://wwww.benlanghinrichs.net

    Thanks!

  5. I have a sci-fi adventure novel (Dominion) I’ve written a couple chapters of and have outlined the whole thing. I have a completed paranormal romance (called Ordinary Angels) I need to steel myself to polish one last time. I am about 5 chapters in on an urban fantasy called Faery Blood. I just can’t seem to stop writing books! Now to get them published…. 😉

    My blog is at: http://www.indiadrummond.com/

  6. I’m writing too many books. Taking time of a middle-grade series to “fix” a romantic ghost novella I “fixed badly” last fall… Several queries out there, which I’m trying to organize and resend. And several self-published Christian books.

    I have a blog
    http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com

    Thanks for the questions.

  7. Rebecca, you are too funny — although that’s bad about the post that hit the twilight zone. I hate it when that happens — which brings me to suggest you put that novel that’s in the bowels of your computer on a flash drive (or print it out so you have a hard copy to work with). You never know when your whole computer will bite the dust.

    Sounds like you have several good projects in the works. Just pick one and go with it — you can do it.

  8. Gah! Blogger just ate my post. 🙁

    I am a spaz of a writer.

    I currently have:
    1. A finished first draft of a Christian Historical Romance that needs a COMPLETE rewrite so it is currently hiding in the bowels of my computer until I work up the grit to go back to it (and until I figure out what on earth I need to do with it)
    2. Two outlines of sorta sequels to that one – stand alone novels that are set in the same world.
    3. A middle grade fantasy that I have been working on since I was 12 that is currently in its first and second draft at the same time.
    4. A finished novella and two started novellas in a series I am working on with my sister. Their genre is Christian Dystopian.

    Yeah, like I said. Spaz.

    I do not have a published novel or anything that’s ready to query or submit.

    I do have a blog, which I have WAY too much fun with 🙂 at sonshinemusic.blogspot.com

    Thanks for the Questions! I’ll have to check some of y’all out 🙂

  9. Jane — That’s so cool you have lots of stuff in the works. I have a copy of “The Ride” and one of these days I’m going to go on a reading binge and work my way through all these blogger-friend books — as I say often, so many books, so little time.

    Gregg — I belong to Northern Colorado Writers which embraces those who write, whether it be training manuals or YA novels. I used to write user instructions for accounts payable software — we write what we need to write at the time. Thanks for the link to your blog, and for the comments about my books. If you get a chance to read it, I’d love to hear what you think.

    Jemi — Could it be steampunk/YA/vampire/romance/mystery? 🙂 Everyone who writes cross-genre faces that big moment when an agent or editor wants a definitive statement of genre. Maybe if you call it a YA mystery you’ll get more attention? It would be a good question for an agent Q&A.

    And Ruby — my friend, if words are flowing that way for your blog, perhaps you should consider writing a memoir or a novel based on the world in which you grew up. I’m fascinated by your blog posts, so I’d for sure read your book.

  10. Whoa — this was a long supper break — I had a lot of interruptions.

    Kay — I love that I’m not the only one with several manuscripts waiting for attention. I hope they’ll be patient. I guess this is what happens when you have too many ideas that you need to get down in first draft, and then you never get back to doing revisions because you’re on to the next project.

    Which leads me to Carolyn — I love your new story idea, Carolyn (and I want to know where the idea came from). My ideas come from everywhere — seeing an incident in Old Town, reading someone else’s book, a dream, and sometimes just a though that pops into my head from nowhere. Ideas are everywhere. I can never understand people who want to write but don’t know what to write about.

  11. Hi, Patricia,
    Nope I have never written a book, although I have posted over 460 entries on my blog. Would that count? Ha. I am enjoying my writing, too. When I began my blog almost two years ago, I never dreamed I would be writing for such a long time or that I would be able to think of that much to write. It just seems to flow from my head to my fingers and on out. Hmmm.
    Ruby

  13. I am writing a training manual, does that count as a book?

    I do not have a book published.

    I don’t have a question as of yet, but my site is http://gospeldrivendisciples.blogspot.com

    I don’t normally read fiction, but I love your title and it is calling me to read it. Great title. Hope the book does well for you!

  14. I just loved reading all the comments. Sounds like some interesting things going on and more blogs I need to check out.

    My first book, The Ride, was published in August 2008. My second, Reigning Cats and Dogs, is on the publisher’s production list and will hopefully be released sometime this year. I’m working on my third, The Lip Reader, which is about a woman who learns something she shouldn’t and struggles with what to do with the information.

    My blog is Jane’s Ride at http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

  15. Hi Pat –
    I finished a novel about a boy who wants his family to be together even if it means ignoring his father’s alcoholism and abuse.
    Next one is about a girl who sees spirits and has to right a BIG wrong, but no one believes her.

    My blog is at http://carolynyalin.wordpress.com/

    Question for you – Where do your ideas come from?

  16. Questions. Unfortunately, my answers are general.

    I’m writing a book … but I have to get closer to the end of my draft to figure out what it’s about other than a girl’s life falling apart. (Have three in completed draft form.)

    I’ve sold my writing, but not in book form.

    I blog … perhaps too long. Half-heartedly Facebook and Twitter.

  17. Glad you clarified that, Lee. And yes, I’ll definitely post about the challenge on May 3rd. That’s a good day for me to spend some quality blog-hopping time.

    Thanks for giving us the scoop, Stephen. I know you recently did a serious rewrite before releasing a new edition of “Breakthrough”. Did you change the story and/or ending in a significant way?

  18. Hi Patricia,

    1. Are you writing a book?

    I’m currently writing two books called Opening and Escalation. They’re part of the Breakthrough trilogy: Weaving together theoretical physics and technology with greed, murder, and mayhem

    2. Do you have a book already published?

    Yes, Breakthrough is self published and I sold 400 copies last year.

    3. Do you have a blog?

    Sure do: http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com

    Thanks for the opportunity to promote on your blog. Have a great week.

    Stephen Tremp

  19. not just Tossing It Out, but everyone’s blogs. I hope that each participant will post on their own blog about the challenge and what their thoughts are about it. Thanks.
    Lee

  20. Okay, Lee, I just wrote a note to myself on my calendar. That should be a very interesting day at Tossing It Out.

    Okay, gang, please chat amongst yourselves for about an hour while I finish the dishes, make a lunch, and head for the Northern Colorado Writers studio. I’ll catch up with you there.

  21. Well, of course you know I have a blog. And I hope you are going to post your blog thoughts about the A to Z Challenge on May 3rd. A lot of bloggers learned new things from the challenge that will add to the knowledge of others and experienced bloggers like yourself will be able to contribute some very valuable information based on their observations of the Challenge. I think May 3rd will be a very informative day for all of us.

    Lee
    A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

  22. Talli — Good luck with the publisher! I’ll keep my fingers crossed too. “The Hating Game” sounds like a good title, and I like the story line.

    Ann — Don’t you hate it when your characters pull stunts like that? I had one in my current manuscript who unexpectedly dropped dead. Thank goodness it wasn’t my MC.

    I like historicals — am finishing a re-read of The Scarlet Letter and will then read Paula Reed’s “Hester.” And yes, be sure to find me on Facebook — I’m there as Patricia Stoltey.

  23. Yes I am trying to write a book. I have not had anything published and I do have a blog.
    http://inkpotsandquills.blogspot.com.

    A young woman in late 1700 England and the trials and tribulations of life. It is not a romance, involves class and social distinction theme. My MC seems to have gone on a holiday at the moment. Maybe she got caught up in the volcano travel disruption.

    I am also on Facebook. Must look you up.

  25. Bob — I hadn’t heard about your Loveland blog — I’ll check it out. Thanks for letting us know.

    Hi Amy — Your YA novel “Vibes” was so excellent that I’m really looking forward to reading “Zen and Xander” — I included it in my newest B&N order and so far it looks like they’re sending it as released instead of holding it as a pre-order. I’ll let you know if it’s in the package.

  26. Hi Pat!

    Yes I have a book, three to be exact, the most recent Zen and Xander Undone, out next month.

    Right now I’m working on a girl who is everybody’s idea of the perfect kid, but she has a secret: She shoplifts! So far I’m liking it, but you never know.

  27. Hi Thanks for doing this.
    I do not think I have a book in me. The newspaper/magazine writing is fun to do so I will stay with that.

    My blog wordsbybob.com exploringi the use, misuse and humor in words continues. (I have had a few come to my site via this one.)

    I have started a new blog http://www.bobsheartbeats.com to look at business activities in Loveland. This includes new start-ups, business closures, people moving or promoted, etc.

    I hope to moneterize this blog soon.

    Thanks for letting us share.

  29. I am writing a steampunk/romance with a certain amount of action/intrigue blended in. Set in both Western U.S. and Victorian England, but with accelerated technology/dirigibles/steam cars and the sort. Far from finished, I’m afraid.

  30. Good to see you, Shannon. You might want to explore potential publishers for your book on your battle with cancer, especially if it might inspire and encourage others going through the same thing. Have you checked with organizations such as American Cancer Society to see if they know of support groups that publish booklets?

    I encourage everyone who visits here today to check out a few of the bloggers you don’t know. I think they’re all great (and the ones in my blogrolls are too).

  31. Terry — Smashwords could be a very useful tool for a lot of us, so it’s going to be worth my time — why have to format and upload to five different readers when there’s a tool to do it just once? I’m hoping to have enough info to do my 2nd Wednesday “Exploring” post at The Blood-Red Pencil on this topic. Happy writing to you.

    Hi Karen — Thanks a bunch for ordering PGM. I hope you like it. Sounds like you have a lot of projects going at the same time. I have three manuscripts waiting for revision but I keep working on something new so I’m not sure those old ones will ever get finished. All of mine are fiction.

  32. Simon, Rayna, and Sugar show first thing what a wonderfully diverse group of followers I have. I love that! I’m going to send good writing, revising, query, and submission vibes (if there are such things) to all of you.

    Ann — I started blogging and got into Facebook and Twitter last May. My goals are networking and spread the word about my books. I quickly found the networking part was lots more fun. I show up at Facebook once in a while (and am happy to be friends with any of my blog followers who use Facebook), but I’m leery of doing anything but the occasional status update — it’s very easy to get hacked there. I post occasional fun notes, but mostly link to my blog posts or others I found interesting or funny.

    Twitter is the one I really love because I can reach a lot of people. It’s addictive though, so set a time limit for yourself. I’m going to do a blog post on Twitter for the “T” on Friday, so check back to see what I’ve learned.

  33. I have writte a book about my life so far and another small one about my journey with cancer…nothing anyone would want to publish, but I may do that myself for family and friends…I do blog a lot at http://shananagins2468.blogspot.com @Faith, Hope and Love….I can’t wait to read your book, it looks very interesting and I am an avid reader!

  35. Yes, I’m writing a book. Not sure what it’s about yet. One of my covert ops characters is back, along with a secondary character from my 2011 release from Five Star, Where Danger Hides. So far, I’ve written chapter 1 and the first scene of chapter 2. Getting to know everyone.

    My current releases – Check “available now” on my website, http://www.terryodell.com

    Yes, I have a blog: Terry’s Place. And I blogged about writing chapter 1 of the new book on Monday.

    Will look forward to learning about Smashwords – I’m very interested.

  36. I’m so happy to be one of your followers, to swap grandmother and writing stories, and to check in almost daily to your blog. You always post something of great interest to writers. Under my photo on my blog is a logline about my autobiographical novel, In the Mirror, that’s under contract with WiDo Publishing, tentative publication date July 2010. I’ve done one complete edit on it with a fantastic editor, and am waiting for the second round. I’m registered on Facebook and finally posted my picture last week. Though I don’t spend much time on Facebook, I do have lots of family as well as friends my age and younger on it. Would Twitter be worth getting into? How good are Facebook and Twitter for getting one’s self known (i.e. as a marketing tool)? I am definitely interested to know what you figure out at Smashwords.

  39. I’m revising now before I submit to agents. ‘The Disciple’ is a nonfiction mind/body/spirit book. While in a sleep state Jesus and His family used me to talk about their lives. I recorded the conversations over four months and then wrote the story. I remembered Judas’ lifetime. My home filled with spirits and angels and lots of cool stuff happened. The material has never been channelled by any other medium. I’m close to having it ready. Four weeks, maybe? I have to fill in some back story.