My book!
It seems crazy to me that it’s already a year since New Voices 2010 began. This time last year all I had was the opening sentence – and that was it – of the chapter I planned to enter in a new writing competition that was being talked about all over the Internet. Now, less than twelve months later, right next to me is a beautiful anthology called Mills & Boon Loves… and inside it is MY BOOK. How cool is that? From that one sentence, and one decision to enter New Voices, I’m now a published author. This is, to me, a gazillion types of cool 
Anyway, here’s a pic of me and my book I took as I write this blog. I look pretty pleased with myself, huh?
I’ve been keeping an eye on the New Voices conversations on Facebook, Twitter and also eHarlequin’s subcare, and I thought that some people may be interested in my 2010 New Voices experience. So below is my New Voices journey, from start to finish – plus a few interviews I did along the way.
I hope you find this useful – and don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comments.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be all over the place with New Voices – blogging on the New Voices site as well as Seven Sassy Sisters and the Moody Muses along with the other Mills & Boon Loves… authors – Maisey Yates, Barbara Wallace and Aimee Carson. I’ll also be blogging regularly on this blog, so if you have anything in particular you’d like for me to talk about in regards to New Voices, please let me know
You can view all of my New Voices posts here (in reverse chronology) or, here they are listed one by one:
- September 8, 2010 – Real life romance (and New Voices)
- September 22, 2010 - New Voices – entered!
- September 25, 2010 – I just discovered something mildy terrifying
- September 27, 2010 – I made the New Voices Top 10!!!
- October 5, 2010 – New Voices – 1 week on
- October 11, 2010 – Second chapter voting has begun!
- October 14, 2010 – My RWA interview (or, I’m famous!) (warning – contains what could be considered a Secrets & Speed Dating spoiler)
- October 19, 2010 – Top Four!
- October 26, 2010 – Voting time again!
- November 3, 2010 – Winner, Mills & Boon New Voices 2010
- January 24, 2011 – I’m at Romance University today!
- February 25, 2011 – It’s official!
- March 1, 2011 – My call story
Leah, what an amazing journey, and how utterly terrifying it sounds, but you’ve come through it all with a two book deal. So fantastic! Congratulations to you, you lovely person and I can’t wait to read your story in full.
Thanks Alexandra! It was scary at times, but then, I think any time you submit your work it is terrifying – my process was just more public
As hard as it was at times, I don’t regret a minute of it. Are you entering this year?
Oh, and thanks for calling me lovely! *blushes*
Yes, I’m entering again this year. I have two possible first chapters – will have to make a decision soon.
Good luck Alexandra! I’ll look out for your entry
I don’t know, Leah. I think all those exclamation points were absolutely required. I’m looking forward to reading your book! (See? Necessary.)
Haha, excellent! Will carry on exclaiming with confidence
(or should that be “with confidence!!”)
Wendy S. Marcus and I have decided that exclamation points in a blog post -or title – don’t count!We have given ourselves permission to use as many as we’d like. Please feel free to join us!! LOL.
Consider me a member of the exclamation point club then, Aimee
After I finish reading mine (I know, how sad I am!), I’m reading yours Aimee. Can’t wait!
I totally agree with Aimee and Wendy re !!!!!!!!!!!! in blog posts, emails etc. We have to get them out in these forums so we don’t splatter our books
Congrats again!!
x
RAch!
PS. HOw surreal does it feel to be reading your own book?
Good point Rach! After reading a few books with too many exclamation points, I’m a bit paranoid about having any in my books
Oh, and surreal? YES!!! x 1,000,000
Hi Leah,
Lovely site and a great book. It is now happily sitting on my sony touch and I must say I know why you won last year. Must agree with the ladies here before me !!!!! away, its one of the perks of being a romance author. Thanks for sharing your experiences with New Voices last year and here’s hoping the Aussie talent does even better this year.
Cheers
Tracey
I’m glad you like the site, Tracey! I’m really happy with how it turned out.
And I’m thrilled you’ve bought my book! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
I’m crossing my fingers for more Aussie success this year, too – can’t wait for it to start.