I'm happy to share some exciting news. This October will see two new works published under my brand new pen name-- Madeline Archer. Madeline will go to literary places Rose has only dreamed of. More on that in a moment.
When I became a novelist, I jumped right in. It's a weird story really. I had been working on a wordy 5-book masterpiece for years (I call it my magnum opus or MO for short). When the end of the tale drew near, I began to fret. What if no one wanted to read it? What if I couldn't get a publisher to even take it on? I had experienced sad rejections back in the early 1990s when trying to get my children's books published. I mean, if publishers didn't want my adorable children's books, would they even want my adult fiction? Did I really want to go through all that self-esteem bruising again?
I determined what I really needed to do was to get inside the process so when the time came to pitch and publish my MO, I'd know what the heck I was doing. But how?
Well, something happened in the span of a week that set my feet on a different path. Several things came out of the blue to tell me just go for it, but not in any way I expected. First, my daughter asked me what I knew about ebooks. I knew nothing. Then later that same day I heard an interview on public radio that said ebook publishing was the next big thing. Two days later, I saw a TV interview with the guy who owns Amazon.com and he was talking about epublishing. The day after that I opened a writer's newsletter and the topic was epublishing. That same email listed opportunities for writers, one of which was an epublisher looking for unsolicited manuscripts from unagented authors. Unsolicited and unagented? That's me! The synchronistic bell rang in my head so loud I'm surprised my dogs didn't start barking.
Well, something happened in the span of a week that set my feet on a different path. Several things came out of the blue to tell me just go for it, but not in any way I expected. First, my daughter asked me what I knew about ebooks. I knew nothing. Then later that same day I heard an interview on public radio that said ebook publishing was the next big thing. Two days later, I saw a TV interview with the guy who owns Amazon.com and he was talking about epublishing. The day after that I opened a writer's newsletter and the topic was epublishing. That same email listed opportunities for writers, one of which was an epublisher looking for unsolicited manuscripts from unagented authors. Unsolicited and unagented? That's me! The synchronistic bell rang in my head so loud I'm surprised my dogs didn't start barking.
There was a problem though--that publisher was looking for erotic romance and I didn't write romance, let alone erotic romance. (My magnum opus is rather heavy fiction). Still, when the universe raps you on the forehead and says EPUBLISH in all caps, you just have to. It took exactly seven days to write an erotic romance about an online affair and I submitted it with fingers crossed. The story was accepted and I've been writing romance ever since.
Yes, Rose Anderson writes award-winning erotic romance and will continue to do so. But I also write children's and youth books, murder mysteries and high-concept fiction, as well as historical non-fiction. You just can't mix those genres. And that's where Madeline Archer steps in. She'll write the other flavors of adult fiction. As for my kids' literature and non-fiction... Rose and Madeline and I will keep you posted. One day I may even finish my magnum opus!
;)
;)
I'm happy to announce Madeline Archer's October 2015 debut with two fun projects:
Entice Me ~ In this anthology of ten amazing authors from Romance Books '4' Us, my sweeter novelette is Heart of Stone.
Heart of Stone
Blurb ~
A story that begins with the witch hunts of Salem.
As formal education for women lacks substance in 1904, Neila Flannigan leaves Ireland to attend Radcliffe women’s college in America. Shy and solitary, Neila passes her lonesome hours drawing interesting features of the Harvard grounds to send home to her father. A chance encounter with a kindly old Irish woman inspires her to sketch a statue in an old unused building. Desperate for companionship, lonely Neila shares her thoughts and feelings with a man carved in stone. Some days it feels like he listens.
As formal education for women lacks substance in 1904, Neila Flannigan leaves Ireland to attend Radcliffe women’s college in America. Shy and solitary, Neila passes her lonesome hours drawing interesting features of the Harvard grounds to send home to her father. A chance encounter with a kindly old Irish woman inspires her to sketch a statue in an old unused building. Desperate for companionship, lonely Neila shares her thoughts and feelings with a man carved in stone. Some days it feels like he listens.
The Changeling
A spin on the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin
Blurb ~
Half-fae Lenox Pendry is surrounded by secrets and none are his to keep. Torn from his mother’s arms as a newborn and raised a changeling, Lenox grows to adulthood unaware of what and who he is and oblivious to the danger unfolding as his birthday draws near. Unsuspectingly sent to the Scottish Lowlands out of harm’s way, he meets a beautiful healer named Janet Roxburgh. The townspeople believe her to be a witch. It would appear Janet has a few secrets of her own.
A spin on the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin
Blurb ~
Half-fae Lenox Pendry is surrounded by secrets and none are his to keep. Torn from his mother’s arms as a newborn and raised a changeling, Lenox grows to adulthood unaware of what and who he is and oblivious to the danger unfolding as his birthday draws near. Unsuspectingly sent to the Scottish Lowlands out of harm’s way, he meets a beautiful healer named Janet Roxburgh. The townspeople believe her to be a witch. It would appear Janet has a few secrets of her own.
Rose Anderson is a multi-published award-winning author and dilettante who loves great conversation and delights in interesting things to weave into stories. Rose also writes across genres under the pen name Madeline Archer. She lives with her family and small menagerie amid oak groves and prairie in the rolling glacial hills of the upper Midwest.
Wonderful story of how things came about, Rose. Not exactly the way it happened to me, but close on the pertinent points. Much success to you and Madeline!! BTW, Heart of Stone is the title of one of my Amazon and ARe best-sellers, small world, my friend. Cheers, Denyse
ReplyDeleteThanks! I didn't know you had a Heart of Stone too. May mine be as successful as yours!
ReplyDeleteHaving read early drafts of both stories, I KNOW they're great! I love Rose's books and Madeline's too. Congratulations and I wish you many, many sales.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to both of you - wishing you all the success with your new venture.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Sometimes the universe is very loud in what we should do! I'm so grateful that you listened. All the best with you new venture. I'm sure you will do another bang-up job!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and the blurbs. Wonderful stories. Best of luck to Madeline Archer.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Rose! Glad you followed your instincts and listened to what the universe was putting out there. Good luck with your new Madeline Archer stories:)
ReplyDeleteWishing you soaring success with your new stories, Rose! I've read them both and love them. Your storytelling magic carried me away. Shoot for the stars, Madeline! Here's to a new adventure and uncharted horizons to explore.
ReplyDeleteWow, Rose, how exciting for you and a really nice name. You'll be filed in the A's. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well-wishes, everyone. I'm hopeful readers will enjoy Madeline's works too. Stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteVicki: yes, I'll soon take over all the A's! That's what happens when you grow up wearing a Z. No, I did not consider Madeline Aardvark. ;)
Best of luck, Rose, with your new Madeline Archer stories and moving forward in your new adventure.
ReplyDeleteI definitely listen to signs, Rose/Madeline. Glad you did too!
ReplyDeleteMuch success with your new writing ventures!
ReplyDeleteExciting changes, Rose. Wishing you the best with both your pen names and stories!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting time, Rose! I love the premise of your new novel. Wishing you all the best as Madeline Archer.
ReplyDeleteAll this sounds very good. You certainly deserve the highest of kudos for your skill and your dedication. You are a pleasure to read, and to work with.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the well-wishes and kind words everyone. And thank for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Rose and I like your new pen name!!
ReplyDeleteElaine
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