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Autumn's Fun Facts
Ruby Nickname:Ruby Sly Hometown: Rural, NE PA GH Year(s) 2009 Completed Manuscript(s) 7 Genre(s): Romantic Suspense & Fun contemporaries Started Writing: 2000 Day Job: Corp. Secretary For Fun: Traveling w/ DH. Sunday drive, daytrip or over the road, we love discovering new places and making new friends. |
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The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood
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Blog Posts from Autumn
T Minus 96 Hours & CountingPosted by Autumn Jordon Mar 22 2012, 12:01 am in Autumn Jordon, Bob Mayer, Depression, Indie Publishing, Passion, The Golden Heart/Rita Countdown
It’s only four days until the RWA National representatives call those who are the 2012 Golden Heart® and Rita contest finalists and already you’re grabbing Tums or sipping wine to calm your nerves. You’re four days away from realizing your dreams and you wish you could control time. HA! I’m writing this blog not to put a damper on the fantastic party we’re going to throw next Monday but to advise many because that is what the Rubies are all about—helping other writers. And, just so you know, I speak from experience. I sat next to the phone a few years waiting for the call from RWA and didn’t get it, and ended up in a dark place for a while. I don’t want that to happen to you. My Ruby sisters don’t want that for you, not for a minute. That is why I decided to post this blog today. Keep in mind only 10% of those who enter this respected contest final and a lesser percentage win the golden necklace. Only about half of the finalists get a serious look at by agents or NY editors, including those who have won the necklace. And, only a small number of writers, in all the decades of this competition, got a huge contract. With that said, here is my suggestion. Get ready to party, but have a Plan B in place. I think Bob Mayer would agree with me, along with other authors. You must realize the Golden Heart ® is not the only way to publication, especially in today’s industry. There are so many paths to take if publication is your dream. Larger houses are still looking for new talent-golden necklace optional. They’re opening new e-lines which will allow them to pick up a number of great authors. Small publishers are also looking for fresh, exciting writing. And finally, there is the way of indie publication, which many NY bestselling authors have gone with their back-lists and new works. Just three years ago when we, the Ruby Sisters, received our calls, we didn’t have open to us the many fabulous dream reaching options you have today. The Plan B we offered our readers in the past years was first, restrain yourselves from throwing the keyboard out the window, next dive into a huge bag of chocolate, (which led to a number of blogs offering advice on healthy living), take some time to wallow in your sorrow over this little speed-bump and then remember why you write in the first place. For yourself. It’s your passion. It’s your passion. The words are worth repeating. With that said, today, I’ll offer this advice. If you don’t receive the call next Monday, look out the window and note the sun is still shining in the sky and the world is still moving. Then put this Plan B into effect. Take your polished work and submit it everywhere it is a fit. Don’t wait for the next contest results. Don’t wait to go to RWA Nationals in California where you’ll snag an editor or agent appointment. Don’t wait another day. You have options. Get your work out there. You’ll feel much better and won’t gain a pound. Then, get back to work learning your craft and writing the next story. An author needs a back-list to make a living.
Ruby Sister Autumn Jordon, know as the sly Ruby, is the author of His Witness To Evil, In The Presence of Evil and Obsessed By Wildfire. Visit her at www.autumnjordon.com You can follow her on Facebook, and Twitter as Ajordon. A Fork, Knife and Elephant Means What?Posted by Autumn Jordon Jan 24 2012, 12:01 am A Fork, Knife and Elephant Means What? They’re all elements in an old parable where a man feels overwhelmed at the daunting task of eating an elephant. I never heard this story until last July, at the RWA national conference. I think it was either Roxanne St. Clair or Harlen Coben and Lisa Jackson who [...] Holiday KissesPosted by Autumn Jordon Dec 15 2011, 12:01 am in Christmas stories, Holiday Reads It’s the most wonderful time of the year and what reader doesn’t love curling up with a great holiday themed book? I know I do. I’ve devoured several since Thanksgiving and my kindle has a few more loaded for those times when I can catch my breath, sit and enjoy. I love reading historical Christmas [...] The BIG HOOK– before the hook.Posted by Autumn Jordon Oct 18 2011, 12:01 am What is the BIG hook? Simple. A title. Don’t believe me, read on. A few months ago, in a reader forum, I started a discussion, asking the question ‘what first grabs your attention when searching for a book?’ My thread stayed on top for weeks as readers offered their opinions. A great cover was the [...] Find The Right Shoe How?Posted by Autumn Jordon Sep 9 2011, 12:13 am in agents, conferences Fall is in the air and to me that means conference time. My recent RWR confirmed it. Many authors head to conferences with a number of objectives in mind such as; to learn how to hone their craft, to network with other authors and industry professionals, and to pitch their work to editors and agents. [...]
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books from Autumn
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I’m a quiet nut with the earned middle name of trouble. I've earned it. As a reporter for my high school paper, I wrote a few controversial articles concerning the teachers’ lounge, the cafeteria lunches and Mickey Mouse and thus spent a few hours speaking to the principal. Later became the editor of the paper and the story continued.
