About Sandra
An abiding interest in astronomy and a deep-seated need to always see the good guys win naturally influences her writing. Not satisfied with the amount of romance in science fiction novels she set out to redress the balance.
She currently lives in sunny South East Queensland, Australia, with her husband and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who doesn’t seem to realize she comes from royalty and should act in a more appropriate manner.
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Over to Sandra now...
Getting Published – The End of One Journey, the Beginning of the Next.
Thank you to the Romance Book Paradise ladies for hosting me. J Becoming published appears to those yet to be published as the ‘Holy Grail’. At least that’s how it seemed to me. Since becoming published I’ve come to realise that reaching that goal is like reaching a train station. Publication was simply the destination for that journey.
Now I’ve reached train station ‘Published’, I’ve discover there are more routes to travel. Now there is promotion. Now there is the next book to write.
Unless you’re extraordinarily lucky, the royalty from your first book will not be enough on which to make a living. Accept that your book/s may not appeal to a lot of people or that it may take time, years even, to reach the attention of people who will find your work fascinating.
As ever, don’t give up! Keep writing so that when your books strike the right note, you’ll have a backlist for your hungry fans to devour.
So when you reach train station ‘Published’, go to the cafeteria and celebrate! They have wine, chocolate, French pastries, you name it. Enjoy your success at attaining this goal then set your mind to your next journey.
Happy writing-trails!
Sandra's debut release Alien, Mine- is up for grabs for one lucky commenter, so do say 'Hi!'
Alien, Mine
THE BLUTHEN HAVE ONE CONSUMING PASSION: THEMSELVES.
IN THEIR EXPANSION ACROSS THE GALAXY, THEY WILL GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO DOMINATE SPECIES THEY ENCOUNTER.
Torn from modern day Earth and stranded on the far side of the Galaxy, Sandrea Fairbairn must use every particle of courage she possesses to adjust to her new life and live for tomorrow.
Eugen Mhartak, a general in the Tri-Race Alliance Army, refuses to bow to the merciless Bluthen. Haunted by the loss of far too many innocent lives he has vowed to drive the ruthless invaders from Alliance space.
The strength and valor of Eugen Mhartak attracts Sandrea as no man ever has, but she struggles to read the enigmatic general’s heart. Determined to help him triumph over the Bluthen she uncovers a diabolical plot against the Alliance.
Drawn by the courage and exotic beauty of Sandrea, Mhartak battles to overcome the barriers of cross-cultural differences that separate them and claim her ardent interest. He must conquer his deepest fears to be the man she needs. When his principles are betrayed by his own government and he is faced with the impossible prospect of taking Sandrea’s life in order to save his home planet, Mhartak desperately searches for a way to keep safe both his world and the magnificent woman who has stolen his heart.
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Great advice! Writing the next book is the best form of promotion :) And Alien, Mine sounds awesome!! Love some great sci-fi :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meradeth (on both counts) :) For me today is 'tackle some plotting' day for the next book. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Sandra!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly. :)
DeleteGreat to meet you, Sandra. Best of luck with your new book!
ReplyDeleteHi, Nas!
Thank you, Carol, I'll take all the good luck I can get! :)
DeleteOh, crud. You mean now that my book is finally published, I'm not "done?" Sheesh. I'm getting too old for this stuff... HA
ReplyDeleteSci fi romance sounds like an interesting mix, and I see "Alien Mine" has already gotten lots of great reviews, too. Good luck, Sandra! (Now get back to work on that next book!)
Yes, ma'am! *Picture me saluting* :D Thanks, Susan. Yes, I've been lucky enough to receive some great reviews.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your recent release. You're so right about the published goal not being the end of the destination. There's a heck of a steep learning curve once an author signs a contract.
Hi Nas :)
It does seem to be a never ending journey, Shelley, with goals and milestones along the way to celebrate. Thanks for dropping in. :)
DeleteCongrats on your book, and thanks for the wonderful advice! Have a great week. ☺
ReplyDeleteHi, Dana, thank you. :) It's all new territory to me and simply amazing country.
DeleteSuch sage advice. Publication isn't the end, it's just the beginning. Your book sounds great. Here's to all the best of luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Clee. :) I'm off on my next journey now, interviewing characters and discovering their stories. Hopefully there'll be a whistle stop pullover in a few months to celebrate completion.
DeleteHi ladies! Yes, according to many authors, getting published is just the beginning of a truckload of work. All the best for your journey, Sandra. You're on the train now...pity it's not more of a gravy train!
ReplyDeleteHi, Denise. Ah yes, the gravy train, I'm keeping my eye open for that one! :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post! I love that she describes publication as a stop on a train. That makes sense to me. The cafeteria sounds like a wonderful stop! :) Great advice. Best of luck to Sandra!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thank you, Jess. I didn't head for the bar, but the cafeteria's chocolate supply was severely depleted before I finished! :)
DeleteAwesome. I think that's probably the hardest thing to learn in life, say nothing about writing. The destination is never a final stop. There's always another leg of the journey, and we can't get so caught up in this portion that we forget there's more to come.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!
Thanks, Crystal. Yes it seems there are always lessons to learn, the trick is to keep learning. Thanks for dropping by. :)
DeleteWhat a great description! I can't wait to celebrate in that Published train station cafeteria!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sandra :-)
Hi, Deniz :) Good luck with your journey to Published and I hope you're on a train with a dining car! :)
DeleteFantastic advice. It really struck a chord with me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Medeia, glad you found it helpful. :) Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteCongratulations and good luck with your various stops along the metaphorical railway.Yes I have heard that when a writer gets their first payment they should spend it/some of it on something that they can look at to remind them what they have achieved thus far and can continue to achieve.
ReplyDeleteYou've got off to a great start, Sandra. Best of luck in the future.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release, Sandra!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Susan Flett Swidersky. Please email me at nas_dean@ymail.com You've been chosen the winner of this contest.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all my friends for coming along!