Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Good Years

My first book published in 2007. Well, technically, Secrets Volume 18 was a December 31st, 2006 release, but since it wasn't available in stores or shipping until January, I consider it a 2007 release. In 2007, my ebook, Snowbound, also released, followed by my first NY book, Riding The Storm, by Sydney Croft, and then in December, Secrets Volume 21.

That was an exciting year for me. 4 releases!

But 2008 was even more special. It saw the release of three Sydney Croft books -- Unleashing The Storm, Hot Nights Dark Desires, and Seduced By The Storm. In addition, the print version of Snowbound was released. And the cherry on top was the release of my very first mass-market book under my own name, Pleasure Unbound.

I didn't think things could get better!

But just yesterday, Pleasure Unbound was chosen Best Paranormal Romance of 2008 in the First Annual Reviewer's Choice Awards at Romance Novel TV! And a couple of weeks ago, Michelle Buonfiglio of MyLifetime.com selected Unleashing The Storm as the best Erotic Paranormal Romance of 2008! How cool is that?

It has been a very good year.

But all the good luck makes me remember that it wasn't long ago that I was unpublished, submitting to editors and taking rejections -- just like so many writers. It's hard to look at the year in review and wonder if the next year is going to be THE year for you.

So I'm going to share my old ritual for everyone who is trying to get published. It's a small thing, and fun.

Every year, on January 1st (or 2nd -- somewhere early in January!) I bought a bottle of champagne. It was my "Call Bottle." I put it away, and this would be the bottle I opened when/if I got the call that year. If the year went by without getting The Call, then it became my New Year's Eve bottle. I drank that sucker at midnight, kissing the old year and no Call goodbye.

And then the next day, I'd go buy another Call Bottle.

So if you're hoping this next year will be YOUR year, this might be something fun to try. (And the Call Bottle of champagne on New Year's Eve really does help to cut the sting and give you a sense that yes, next year WILL be your year!)

Happy New Year, everyone!

10 comments:

Stella Price said...

That's a great little ritual Larissa! You have had a fantastic run the past two years, and I know it will get better for you! (Oh and PU is one of my top 3 of the year. That book was tight!)

I am one of those people hoping to get The Call this year, and with the economy the way it is, we can only hope you know? 2008 was an odd year in itself for me and Audra, but Im hopeful for 2009!

Lea said...

What a wonderful reflective post and great idea to keep the hope alive with respect to great things to come.

Wishing everyone a successful happy 2009. :)

Rhonda said...

I'll said it again and again, PU is the best. I love it...

I guess I'll go buy a call bottle, one can always hope and it sounds like a fun ritual... of course I hope it's short lived, lol.

Larissa Ione said...

Thank you, Stella! And *fingers crossed* that you get The Call you want in 2009! Honestly, I have a feeling it'll be a good year for some new sales. I've heard that a lot of publishers are cutting loose a lot of authors, but that makes room for them to hire new ones at lower advances. So keep at it!

Thank you, Lea! Happy 2009 back at you!

Rhon, *smooches!* And yes, go get yourself a call bottle! And I'll have my fingers crossed that you get to drink it soon!

And you know...I might just go get a couple of call bottles and keep them on hand for friends who sell in 2009. That way I can drink along with you all! :)

Karin said...

What a great ritual, Larissa! It's definitely a hopeful outlook, which is what is necessary to weather the rejections and keep going - at least in my mind.

Congratulations on such a fantastic year! Pleasure Unbound definitely deserved the win over at RNTV.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Larissa...congrats on such a gr8 yr & on PU b'ing chosen best PNR 4 2008. So looking 4ward more of ur delich demons.

Let me take this opportunity 2 wish u all a wonderful & safe New Yr.

Ada:)

Eliza Gayle said...

Congrats on a great year! I haven't had much time to read lately but I think I will get PU for my plane ride to Vegas next month.

Eliza

Larissa Ione said...

Thanks, ladies! And Happy New Year!!!!

Eliza, I hope you enjoy Pleasure Unbound -- have a safe trip to Vegas!

Asylumgirl said...

Sounds like a plan. I certainly hope that this will be my year. Congrats on such a prosperous 2008.

Deidre