Sorry, I've been a bit neglectful. But I promise it's not due to laziness. I have been keeping busy and out of trouble.
Some great news about my Co-Series here: Newport Ladies Book Club
Also, this past weekend, some of my backlist titles were put onto Kindle, including Abinadi, Alma,
Alma the Younger
Which of you are on Twitter? You can follow me at: heatherbmoore
Or you can follow my editing company: pegeditors
And, I was recently a guest on the Appendix Podcast with Marion Jensen & Sarah Eden, where we discuss: Is My Book Garbage?
Upcoming Events:
September 16-17, 2011 - LUW Roundup Writers Conference
Logan, Utah
A great writers conference. My PEG editors and I will be there as instructors.
Registration info on the LUW Website
October 1, 2011 - Ladies Night book signing @ Deseret Book
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fort Union Deseret Book (Utah)
Showing posts with label Abinadi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abinadi. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
My Publishing Journey--Part 10
Read Part 9 Here
My Publishing Journey
Part 10
A few months before Abinadi came out, I was sitting around doing nothing (kidding). But I did decide that now that I had 5 books almost out, perhaps I had developed enough of a platform to write on a non-fiction topic: Women of the Book of Mormon.
I often have readers tell me that they are grateful I’ve used women characters in my book since we hear so little about the women in the Book of Mormon. I agreed, but was I the one to do the research? Yes, I’d researched Sariah and a couple of the other women for various presentations I’d given, but was it enough to write an entire book?
Later, when I told my tax accountant that I had a book coming out on Women of the Book of Mormon, he said, “What is it, 5 pages long?”
The book ended up about 75 pages in manuscript form, and it took my nearly a year to write and research it. When I took the first chapter to critique group, they said it was reading rather dry. So I knew I had to make it more into a storytelling style—or essay style and not just a list of facts. So I got to work. I turned in the book the summer of 2009.
While slowly researching and writing “Women”, I worked on Alma. I ran into a snag while writing Alma, which is kind of interesting. Writers call it “writing into a corner” where you don’t know how to get out of it. I finally found a way out, but the plot had to get pretty creative. Originally I had the title for this book as Alma the Elder, but the publisher decided to have it plain “Alma” since he didn’t have any children born yet to make him an “elder”.
Alma was scheduled for a Fall 2009 release, and as soon as I got “Women” turned in, I started the next novel, Alma the Younger.
Alma the Younger was a bit of a different process. Yes, there would be the plot to follow in the book of Alma, but I had to make some character decisions about Alma the Younger. The book would ultimately turn out to be a character-driven book. I knew that some of my regular reviewers wouldn’t like the story angle, and I was right. In fact one reviewer posted on Goodreads why she wouldn’t be reviewing the book in her regular column. Researching Alma the Younger showed that he was a truly wicked and vile man, and I didn’t gloss over any of his wickedness. This book was darker than my other books, and harder to write for that reason. It wasn’t a happy “feel-good” book and covered some very difficult issues. It was writing about an antagonist who was also the protagonist of the story. I had one lady at a book signing say that she didn’t want to read about the redemption of a prophet, but just about the good things he did—not about the struggles it took him to get there. She didn’t want to have any bad thoughts about him.
But I was okay with that. The point of telling about Alma the Younger’s fall into the dark abyss and his eventual rise to become a righteous leader is perhaps a beacon of hope for many of us who might find ourselves in the depths of despair. And I’d already heard the worst on the book from a copyeditor. (A copyeditor is one of the final editors who proofs the manuscript for typos, grammar, and inconsistencies.) Going through the copyedit, I immediately sensed she didn’t care for the story. I discovered I was right when at the very end of the edit she proclaimed, “This book will kill your series.” (Which, by the way, statements like that are NOT in the job description of a professional copyeditor.)
I think it gave my editor pause—she second-guessed herself, wondering with all the work she’d done, she had been missing something. I said to my editor, “What was your first impression when you read the story?” She said, “I loved it.” I said, “Let’s go with that.”
Whatever the struggles I had with Alma the Younger, they were all completely erased when this review (by a non-member, no less), came in.
My Publishing Journey
Part 10
A few months before Abinadi came out, I was sitting around doing nothing (kidding). But I did decide that now that I had 5 books almost out, perhaps I had developed enough of a platform to write on a non-fiction topic: Women of the Book of Mormon.
I often have readers tell me that they are grateful I’ve used women characters in my book since we hear so little about the women in the Book of Mormon. I agreed, but was I the one to do the research? Yes, I’d researched Sariah and a couple of the other women for various presentations I’d given, but was it enough to write an entire book?
Later, when I told my tax accountant that I had a book coming out on Women of the Book of Mormon, he said, “What is it, 5 pages long?”
The book ended up about 75 pages in manuscript form, and it took my nearly a year to write and research it. When I took the first chapter to critique group, they said it was reading rather dry. So I knew I had to make it more into a storytelling style—or essay style and not just a list of facts. So I got to work. I turned in the book the summer of 2009.
While slowly researching and writing “Women”, I worked on Alma. I ran into a snag while writing Alma, which is kind of interesting. Writers call it “writing into a corner” where you don’t know how to get out of it. I finally found a way out, but the plot had to get pretty creative. Originally I had the title for this book as Alma the Elder, but the publisher decided to have it plain “Alma” since he didn’t have any children born yet to make him an “elder”.
Alma was scheduled for a Fall 2009 release, and as soon as I got “Women” turned in, I started the next novel, Alma the Younger.
Alma the Younger was a bit of a different process. Yes, there would be the plot to follow in the book of Alma, but I had to make some character decisions about Alma the Younger. The book would ultimately turn out to be a character-driven book. I knew that some of my regular reviewers wouldn’t like the story angle, and I was right. In fact one reviewer posted on Goodreads why she wouldn’t be reviewing the book in her regular column. Researching Alma the Younger showed that he was a truly wicked and vile man, and I didn’t gloss over any of his wickedness. This book was darker than my other books, and harder to write for that reason. It wasn’t a happy “feel-good” book and covered some very difficult issues. It was writing about an antagonist who was also the protagonist of the story. I had one lady at a book signing say that she didn’t want to read about the redemption of a prophet, but just about the good things he did—not about the struggles it took him to get there. She didn’t want to have any bad thoughts about him.
But I was okay with that. The point of telling about Alma the Younger’s fall into the dark abyss and his eventual rise to become a righteous leader is perhaps a beacon of hope for many of us who might find ourselves in the depths of despair. And I’d already heard the worst on the book from a copyeditor. (A copyeditor is one of the final editors who proofs the manuscript for typos, grammar, and inconsistencies.) Going through the copyedit, I immediately sensed she didn’t care for the story. I discovered I was right when at the very end of the edit she proclaimed, “This book will kill your series.” (Which, by the way, statements like that are NOT in the job description of a professional copyeditor.)
I think it gave my editor pause—she second-guessed herself, wondering with all the work she’d done, she had been missing something. I said to my editor, “What was your first impression when you read the story?” She said, “I loved it.” I said, “Let’s go with that.”
Whatever the struggles I had with Alma the Younger, they were all completely erased when this review (by a non-member, no less), came in.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
My Publishing Journey--Part 9
Some updates: I turned in my next manuscript today (Daughters of Jared). Also, check out my holiday book signing schedule on the sidebar.
Read Part 8 Here
My Publishing Journey
Part 9
Writing the next book proved to be an interesting experience. For those of you familiar with the story of Abinadi, he is a man who is asked by God to preach to a group of wicked people. Abinadi warns them that if they don’t repent, the Lord will destroy them. They, of course, throw him out of the city and King Noah threatens his life. 2 years later, the Lord asks Abinadi to return. Abinadi knows it’s a death sentence and is eventually captured and executed. Not a cheerful story to tell.
I had planned all along to write in the point of view of Alma (high priest in King Noah’s court) as well. I had planned for him to take up a chapter here and there, but as I started writing, he really nosed his way in and tried to take over the book. His character became an equal secondary character with as much storyline as the main character, Abinadi.
I also didn’t know who Helam was until about 200 pages into the story. I decided to make him Abinadi’s brother and so had to go back through the book and weave his character in. Helam ended up becoming quite pivotal to this book, as well as the sequel (Alma).
Several changes were in the works when I turned in Abinadi. I had a new editor and the book wasn’t coming out in hardcover. Also, my publisher wanted to move away from “series titles,” so although Abinadi would technically be the beginning of a next series, it would be promoted as a stand-alone book.
I was now on my 3rd editor. Ironically, my 2nd editor became the contract editor on Abinadi (even though when she was my editor, a contract editor did “Land of Inheritance”).
There was no real debate on the title for Abinadi. It was going to stay plain and simple. The editing process went very smoothly and there were no real glitches. During 2007-2008 you might remember that the economy took a massive plunge (due to those high gasoline prices). This trickled into all industries including the publishing industry. Reports were coming in that Simon and Schuster had laid-off 125 employees. It was felt by everyone and trickled into the smaller presses as well. Many friends of mine were having book contracts canceled or release dates pushed back.
I was lucky enough that Abinadi retained a 2008 release date, but only barely. It was pushed to November. This wasn’t so fun for promotion since I really only had about 4-5 weeks of promoting before the holiday season ended. So I went out on a limb (money limb) and purchased an ad on the local radio station (KSL). I first paid for the radio personality to do a live read of the advertising copy. Then I was told that he couldn’t do a live read because my book was too religious (translate “too Mormon”). I guess even in Utah, that becomes an issue. So the radio station produced the commercial instead of the live-read.
The only thing that really caused me a bit anxiety with Abinadi was the cover image. It was literally not finished until a couple of days before the book was released. How can that be so? It seems that a book can go to press, then later the cover is glued on. But I never had the cover image in advance to do any sort of pre-promotion.
My editor asked me for character descriptions because they were thinking of photographing live models for the cover. In my opinion, it would have resulted in poor sales, since it would either look like a YA novel or a Romance novel. That same weekend I was at a book signing and browsed through the covers. I found a couple of other historical novels that had live model pictures and asked the employees if the men picked up these books and bought them. The resounding answer was “no.” My publisher and I had gone to all the work of changing my name to H.B. Moore to attract the male audience, and now with the Abinadi cover, there was potential to alienate them.
So about midnight that night, I wrote my editor, telling her all the reasons why I didn’t want Abinadi to have live models on the cover. They ended using one, but it was just the “tied hands” and looked great. I guess I just needed a little more confidence.
Abinadi would eventually go on to win a Whitney Award for Best Historical (which was a shocker since I’d won the year before with Land of Inheritance), and it also won 2009 Best of State in Literary Arts.
My favorite reader response about Abinadi came from my son who was 14 at the time. When he told me he finished the book, I asked what he thought. He didn’t look too happy. He said, “Why did you have to kill Abinadi at the end?” I said, “Because that’s what happens in the Book of Mosiah.” He said, “So? You could have changed it. You made everything else up!”
Read Part 8 Here
My Publishing Journey
Part 9
Writing the next book proved to be an interesting experience. For those of you familiar with the story of Abinadi, he is a man who is asked by God to preach to a group of wicked people. Abinadi warns them that if they don’t repent, the Lord will destroy them. They, of course, throw him out of the city and King Noah threatens his life. 2 years later, the Lord asks Abinadi to return. Abinadi knows it’s a death sentence and is eventually captured and executed. Not a cheerful story to tell.
I had planned all along to write in the point of view of Alma (high priest in King Noah’s court) as well. I had planned for him to take up a chapter here and there, but as I started writing, he really nosed his way in and tried to take over the book. His character became an equal secondary character with as much storyline as the main character, Abinadi.
I also didn’t know who Helam was until about 200 pages into the story. I decided to make him Abinadi’s brother and so had to go back through the book and weave his character in. Helam ended up becoming quite pivotal to this book, as well as the sequel (Alma).
Several changes were in the works when I turned in Abinadi. I had a new editor and the book wasn’t coming out in hardcover. Also, my publisher wanted to move away from “series titles,” so although Abinadi would technically be the beginning of a next series, it would be promoted as a stand-alone book.
I was now on my 3rd editor. Ironically, my 2nd editor became the contract editor on Abinadi (even though when she was my editor, a contract editor did “Land of Inheritance”).
There was no real debate on the title for Abinadi. It was going to stay plain and simple. The editing process went very smoothly and there were no real glitches. During 2007-2008 you might remember that the economy took a massive plunge (due to those high gasoline prices). This trickled into all industries including the publishing industry. Reports were coming in that Simon and Schuster had laid-off 125 employees. It was felt by everyone and trickled into the smaller presses as well. Many friends of mine were having book contracts canceled or release dates pushed back.
I was lucky enough that Abinadi retained a 2008 release date, but only barely. It was pushed to November. This wasn’t so fun for promotion since I really only had about 4-5 weeks of promoting before the holiday season ended. So I went out on a limb (money limb) and purchased an ad on the local radio station (KSL). I first paid for the radio personality to do a live read of the advertising copy. Then I was told that he couldn’t do a live read because my book was too religious (translate “too Mormon”). I guess even in Utah, that becomes an issue. So the radio station produced the commercial instead of the live-read.
The only thing that really caused me a bit anxiety with Abinadi was the cover image. It was literally not finished until a couple of days before the book was released. How can that be so? It seems that a book can go to press, then later the cover is glued on. But I never had the cover image in advance to do any sort of pre-promotion.
My editor asked me for character descriptions because they were thinking of photographing live models for the cover. In my opinion, it would have resulted in poor sales, since it would either look like a YA novel or a Romance novel. That same weekend I was at a book signing and browsed through the covers. I found a couple of other historical novels that had live model pictures and asked the employees if the men picked up these books and bought them. The resounding answer was “no.” My publisher and I had gone to all the work of changing my name to H.B. Moore to attract the male audience, and now with the Abinadi cover, there was potential to alienate them.
So about midnight that night, I wrote my editor, telling her all the reasons why I didn’t want Abinadi to have live models on the cover. They ended using one, but it was just the “tied hands” and looked great. I guess I just needed a little more confidence.
Abinadi would eventually go on to win a Whitney Award for Best Historical (which was a shocker since I’d won the year before with Land of Inheritance), and it also won 2009 Best of State in Literary Arts.
My favorite reader response about Abinadi came from my son who was 14 at the time. When he told me he finished the book, I asked what he thought. He didn’t look too happy. He said, “Why did you have to kill Abinadi at the end?” I said, “Because that’s what happens in the Book of Mosiah.” He said, “So? You could have changed it. You made everything else up!”
Friday, July 9, 2010
My books aren't for kids
Well, I do have some younger fans around 11 or 12. I even had a 10 year old tell me she enjoyed my books. But in general, I haven't written my historical novels to children. Just because they are LDS novels, and very "clean", doesn't mean I'd advise children to read them. There are certainly adult themes. Themes . . . say found in the Book of Mormon . . . if you know what I mean.
Sometimes when reading scriptures with my kids, I've glossed over parts because of my kids' sensitive natures. They become disturbed quite easily. Some of the events that take place in the Book of Mormon are hard to stomach (just as in the Bible). Ammon alludes to this fact when he talks about a particularly dark era in Lamanite culture when they delight in the shedding of blood and have spent their days in the grossest iniquities (Alma 26:24).
Other parts I can hardly dwell on, such as when the people were so horribly wicked that they offered up human sacrifices (Mormon 4:14) and practiced cannibalism (Moroni 9:7-8).
One thing I've been told time and time again, and have read in many reviews, is that the readers are grateful that I don't gloss over the unsavory portions of the events. I don't hide behind sweet words and brush past serious sin. Neither did the authors of the Book of Mormon.
So, if you are planning on listening to the audio in the car on a family vacation when you have young ears listening, I'd advise against it. Although there is no foul language, graphic descriptions of violence, details describing any harlotry practices, the events are serious and sobering. Redemption is a powerful theme in the Book of Mormon, and I've tried to emulate that in my novels. But before redemption, there must be a fall.
Out of Jerusalem: Of Goodly Parents: Covers 1 Nephi 1-16. In this book (as in the scriptures) Nephi's brothers try to kill him. Nephi kills Laban at the behest of the Lord.
Out of Jerusalem: A Light in the Wilderness: 1 Nephi again. Covers the journey through the wilderness which lasted 8 years. An attempt by Laman and Lemuel in killing their father and brother. Child birth situations.
Out of Jerusalem: Towards the Promised Land: 1 Nephi--events take place in the land of Bountiful when building the ship. Two more attempts on Nephi's life. (Can you say Laman and Lemuel belong in PRISON?)
Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance: 1 and 2 Nephi. After the death of Lehi, Nephi finally leaves his brothers, taking those who wish with him. Because of the severe wickedness of Laman and Lemuel, they are cursed by the Lord.
Abinadi: You got it, this is about Abinadi, who becomes a religious martyr and is executed by King Noah for his beliefs. King Noah is a vile man who keeps a harem of harlots. Alma, one of his wicked high priests who partakes in the evil court of Noah, will eventually repent and turn his life around.
Alma: Continuation of previous volume. Alma is on the run with his followers from Amulon, who, according to scholar Hugh Nibley is the most wicked man in the Book of Mormon.
Alma the Younger: Takes place 20 years after "Alma". We learn about Alma's son, who is born into privilege of position, yet throws it away and turns against his roots. This is no teenager who skips Sunday school, but a man with passion, power, and influence, becoming an anti-Christ who leads hundreds of souls away from the church.
So I will leave the decision up to you, dear reader. As for my family, my two teens (13 and 15) have read my books. My 10 year old has not--I'd be okay with her reading the Out of Jerusalem series, but Abinadi/Alma/Alma the Younger will have to wait another couple of years.
Sometimes when reading scriptures with my kids, I've glossed over parts because of my kids' sensitive natures. They become disturbed quite easily. Some of the events that take place in the Book of Mormon are hard to stomach (just as in the Bible). Ammon alludes to this fact when he talks about a particularly dark era in Lamanite culture when they delight in the shedding of blood and have spent their days in the grossest iniquities (Alma 26:24).
Other parts I can hardly dwell on, such as when the people were so horribly wicked that they offered up human sacrifices (Mormon 4:14) and practiced cannibalism (Moroni 9:7-8).
One thing I've been told time and time again, and have read in many reviews, is that the readers are grateful that I don't gloss over the unsavory portions of the events. I don't hide behind sweet words and brush past serious sin. Neither did the authors of the Book of Mormon.
So, if you are planning on listening to the audio in the car on a family vacation when you have young ears listening, I'd advise against it. Although there is no foul language, graphic descriptions of violence, details describing any harlotry practices, the events are serious and sobering. Redemption is a powerful theme in the Book of Mormon, and I've tried to emulate that in my novels. But before redemption, there must be a fall.
Out of Jerusalem: Of Goodly Parents: Covers 1 Nephi 1-16. In this book (as in the scriptures) Nephi's brothers try to kill him. Nephi kills Laban at the behest of the Lord.
Out of Jerusalem: A Light in the Wilderness: 1 Nephi again. Covers the journey through the wilderness which lasted 8 years. An attempt by Laman and Lemuel in killing their father and brother. Child birth situations.
Out of Jerusalem: Towards the Promised Land: 1 Nephi--events take place in the land of Bountiful when building the ship. Two more attempts on Nephi's life. (Can you say Laman and Lemuel belong in PRISON?)
Out of Jerusalem: Land of Inheritance: 1 and 2 Nephi. After the death of Lehi, Nephi finally leaves his brothers, taking those who wish with him. Because of the severe wickedness of Laman and Lemuel, they are cursed by the Lord.
Abinadi: You got it, this is about Abinadi, who becomes a religious martyr and is executed by King Noah for his beliefs. King Noah is a vile man who keeps a harem of harlots. Alma, one of his wicked high priests who partakes in the evil court of Noah, will eventually repent and turn his life around.
Alma: Continuation of previous volume. Alma is on the run with his followers from Amulon, who, according to scholar Hugh Nibley is the most wicked man in the Book of Mormon.
Alma the Younger: Takes place 20 years after "Alma". We learn about Alma's son, who is born into privilege of position, yet throws it away and turns against his roots. This is no teenager who skips Sunday school, but a man with passion, power, and influence, becoming an anti-Christ who leads hundreds of souls away from the church.
So I will leave the decision up to you, dear reader. As for my family, my two teens (13 and 15) have read my books. My 10 year old has not--I'd be okay with her reading the Out of Jerusalem series, but Abinadi/Alma/Alma the Younger will have to wait another couple of years.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
ALMA Blog Tour & Read first 3 chapters!
Thank you to Andrea Frisby who wrote a review on Alma here. She is the first official reviewer on in this blog tour. She runs a movie review site, so it was a question of where to post the review. She decided to post on her regular blog, but if you want to hop over to her movie review site, visit Movie Reviews by Andrea. I read through several of her movie reviews, and we have very similar opinions! Thanks, Andrea for your book review!
I've also worked the past few days on getting the first three chapters of ALMA available for you to read on-line. With my techo-challenged mind, I finally turned it over to my brilliant webmaster who designed my website.
Read the first three chapters of ALMA here!
And if for some reason, you haven't read Abinadi, you can read the first three chapters of ABINADI here!
Reminder on my book signings--hope to see some of you there!
September 11, 2009 - West Jordan Seagull Book 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (1625 West 9000 South, West Jordan, UTAH)
September 25, 2009 - American Fork Seagull Book 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (218 West State Road, American Fork, UT)
October 2, 2009 - Redwood Seagull Book, Pre-Conference Signing 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (1720 South Redwood Road, SLC, UTAH)
I've also worked the past few days on getting the first three chapters of ALMA available for you to read on-line. With my techo-challenged mind, I finally turned it over to my brilliant webmaster who designed my website.
Read the first three chapters of ALMA here!
And if for some reason, you haven't read Abinadi, you can read the first three chapters of ABINADI here!
Reminder on my book signings--hope to see some of you there!
September 11, 2009 - West Jordan Seagull Book 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (1625 West 9000 South, West Jordan, UTAH)
September 25, 2009 - American Fork Seagull Book 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (218 West State Road, American Fork, UT)
October 2, 2009 - Redwood Seagull Book, Pre-Conference Signing 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (1720 South Redwood Road, SLC, UTAH)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
10 Week Book Giveaway--Week #6
10 Week Countdown to the release of my new book: Alma
We are half way there. For details about this contest visit here. But basically, all you have to do is answer this week's question in the comments and on Friday, I'll choose one of the names and announce the winner.
Before we hit the question, just for fun, I posted the book trailer for ABINADI on YouTube. Or you can watch it below. Let me know what you think. Next I'll work on one for ALMA:
So, here is a picture from my 20-year High School reunion. Top: Melanie & Me, Bottom: Jean and Jill. It was a blast and really time warpy to see everyone.
This Week's Question:
What's a favorite memory from High School (that won't get you in trouble for sharing).
One of my favorite memories is leaving school during the lunch hour and going to KFC for those mini-chicken sandwiches, or getting a shake at a hamburger joint. I don't think we ever ate in the cafeteria. I usually brought something from home, but it was gone after first period. My mom's lovely gray oatmeal was so unappetizing, that I was hungry again by 10 a.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Turned in
With summer in full swing, and my writing window minimized, I'm pleased to announced that the book I've been lamenting about over the past six months is finally turned in. For better or worse! I just hope if it needs more fixing, the readers and/or my editor will fill in the blanks. It's my first non-fiction book, tentatively called "The Women of the Book of Mormon." It's not long, maybe 80 pages, but took a lot of research.
Also, I just realized that in 11 weeks, Alma the Elder will be out. That means next week, I'll start a 10-week giveaway contest for Abinadi, leading up to the release to the sequel. So stay tuned! It will probably be similar to the last contest, answering the question of the week on my blog, and being entered into a drawing.
Of course, if you already own a copy of Abinadi, I'd be willing to send you a copy of one of my other books.
I guess I should take a bit of a break from writing or editing. But it's not to be. I have a great deal of anxiety over my thriller on the Queen of Sheba. My agent is working diligently on "shopping" it to publishers. And my big fear would be that when/if she comes back with a deal, and the publisher wants to talk sequel. So I've started outlining the sequel (which I'm calling "King"--could of predicted that, eh?), with the hopes of having a "pre-synopsis" done in a couple of weeks. Not that the synopsis won't change. I revised Queen quite extensively and the original synopsis wasn't much like the final synopsis. But it's good to be prepared.
This stuff takes time and I first have to figure out the main hook of the entire book. One idea I'm playing with is Ramses II. There is some controversy surrounding his reign, and whether or not he was the pharaoh who ruled during the time of Moses. I also have to decide which of my characters to bring back into the story. I had 3 main characters in my previous book, and wonder which ones the readers cared about the most. But I don't have any readers to ask.
Until then . . .
Below, I've posted a copy of my submission letter to Covenant:
Dear Editor,
I'm please to submit my non-fiction book, The Women of the Book of Mormon.
As stated in the introduction: When my Out of Jerusalem series hit the shelves in 2004, the readers’ response reflected genuine interest in the lives of the women. I included female characters in my historical novels about Nephi and Lehi, mostly out of my own curiosity. Like many readers, I wanted to know what it was like to be a woman living in Ancient Israel, or one living along the Guatemalan coast of Mesoamerica. Surprisingly, only six women are mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon, and just three of those six lived during the Book of Mormon era.
The women of the Book of Mormon are our sisters, and their stories lie within those sacred pages. Not only can we learn from the messages of their husbands and sons, but we can discover how much the Savior loves us through the experiences and enduring faith of these women.
In fact, there had never been a complete book written on the women of this era. In my research I found very little information on them, and I realized that was why this project had not been attempted by another.
The endnotes will be fleshed out some more, but the manuscript is complete at 20,000 words.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Heather B. Moore
Also, I just realized that in 11 weeks, Alma the Elder will be out. That means next week, I'll start a 10-week giveaway contest for Abinadi, leading up to the release to the sequel. So stay tuned! It will probably be similar to the last contest, answering the question of the week on my blog, and being entered into a drawing.
Of course, if you already own a copy of Abinadi, I'd be willing to send you a copy of one of my other books.
I guess I should take a bit of a break from writing or editing. But it's not to be. I have a great deal of anxiety over my thriller on the Queen of Sheba. My agent is working diligently on "shopping" it to publishers. And my big fear would be that when/if she comes back with a deal, and the publisher wants to talk sequel. So I've started outlining the sequel (which I'm calling "King"--could of predicted that, eh?), with the hopes of having a "pre-synopsis" done in a couple of weeks. Not that the synopsis won't change. I revised Queen quite extensively and the original synopsis wasn't much like the final synopsis. But it's good to be prepared.
This stuff takes time and I first have to figure out the main hook of the entire book. One idea I'm playing with is Ramses II. There is some controversy surrounding his reign, and whether or not he was the pharaoh who ruled during the time of Moses. I also have to decide which of my characters to bring back into the story. I had 3 main characters in my previous book, and wonder which ones the readers cared about the most. But I don't have any readers to ask.
Until then . . .
Below, I've posted a copy of my submission letter to Covenant:
Dear Editor,
I'm please to submit my non-fiction book, The Women of the Book of Mormon.
As stated in the introduction: When my Out of Jerusalem series hit the shelves in 2004, the readers’ response reflected genuine interest in the lives of the women. I included female characters in my historical novels about Nephi and Lehi, mostly out of my own curiosity. Like many readers, I wanted to know what it was like to be a woman living in Ancient Israel, or one living along the Guatemalan coast of Mesoamerica. Surprisingly, only six women are mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon, and just three of those six lived during the Book of Mormon era.
The women of the Book of Mormon are our sisters, and their stories lie within those sacred pages. Not only can we learn from the messages of their husbands and sons, but we can discover how much the Savior loves us through the experiences and enduring faith of these women.
In fact, there had never been a complete book written on the women of this era. In my research I found very little information on them, and I realized that was why this project had not been attempted by another.
The endnotes will be fleshed out some more, but the manuscript is complete at 20,000 words.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Heather B. Moore
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2009 Best of State--I made it!
Below is a photo-journal of the 2009 Best of State Gala, for which my Abinadi book won the Best of State Award for Historical Fiction.
My husband and I . . . all gussied up.
On the drive to Salt Lake, we drove through a major hail storm.
Inside the ballroom. Our table was wa-a-ay in the back.
I was just settling in to eat my salad when they announced my category, first! It was in the program as somewhere in the middle. Oh well. I hurried up to the stage and stood by Annette Haws.
We left a little early, just in time to catch a parking security guy writing us out a ticket. What? We'd parked in an "employee" stall.
Back at home, forgot to take a picture of the full-length. You can't see it, but my toenails match my skirt.
My husband and I . . . all gussied up.
On the drive to Salt Lake, we drove through a major hail storm.
We finally arrive at the Grand Ballroom at the Salt Palace. We only had to drive around the block once to find the parking entrance. I borrowed the dress from G.G. Vandagriff! It worked out perfectly.
Inside the ballroom. Our table was wa-a-ay in the back.
I was just settling in to eat my salad when they announced my category, first! It was in the program as somewhere in the middle. Oh well. I hurried up to the stage and stood by Annette Haws.
We left a little early, just in time to catch a parking security guy writing us out a ticket. What? We'd parked in an "employee" stall.
Back at home, forgot to take a picture of the full-length. You can't see it, but my toenails match my skirt.
One of my children was not happy that I had left. There's a real tear on her right cheek.
Close-up of the up-do! Well, it was kind of a side-do and was falling out at this point. I think there were about 30 bobby pins in there.
My Best of State takes its proud place with the 2007 and 2008 Whitney Awards.
Shoes off, need some chocolate!
THANK YOU, MY DEAR READERS! If you weren't buying and reading my books, I would not have a publishing contract, I would not have won this award, I would not have a totally cool medal, and my feet would not be (pleasantly) sore.
. . . miscellaneous . . . .
The back of the medal has my name and title of book on it:
My Best of State takes its proud place with the 2007 and 2008 Whitney Awards.
Shoes off, need some chocolate!
THANK YOU, MY DEAR READERS! If you weren't buying and reading my books, I would not have a publishing contract, I would not have won this award, I would not have a totally cool medal, and my feet would not be (pleasantly) sore.
. . . miscellaneous . . . .
The blurb in the program about Abinadi.
The back of the medal has my name and title of book on it:
The official award certificate--I guess I'll get a frame.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Getting Close
This week I hope to finish the first draft of my non-fiction book: Women of the Book of Mormon.
I'm on the last chapter! Yeah. Now, for those who are not writers, this is just one hurdle (the biggest hurdle, of course). But there will still be a lot of editing to come. My critique group has read most of it, since I've taken sooo long to write it (nearly a year from when I first outlined it). But I will pass it on to a couple of readers and hope to turn it into the publisher by the end of June. You might wonder why this book is taking so long. Here is a small example. I have a chapter on Sarah (wife of Abraham) because she is mentioned in the Book of Mormon by the prophet Jacob. I turned to the Book of Mormon Reference Companion by Dennis Largely, and guess what I found on Sarah? Two whole sentences. Yep. But I managed to create a whole chapter on her life. Thankfully there was a little more in the Book of Genesis about Sarah (not much, though).
My next "project" is to put together a couple of book trailers--one for ABINADI (I know, way overdue) and one for my next book: ALMA THE ELDER.
When Annette Lyon released her book trailer for Tower of Strength, I fell in love with the music--by pianist Sherrie Shepherd. So of course I had to contact her. Sherrie Shepherd was kind enough to allow me to use two of her songs (Heartstrings will be for Abinadi, Solitude will be for Alma the Elder). And this week she is having a CD giveaway on her blog--follow instructions to be entered! Her new CD features both of the songs I'll be using. I really love her music. I've been listening to it as I've been writing Women of the Book of Mormon and it sets just the right mood :-)
Also, in good news, I found a dress to wear to the Best of State Gala, loaned by author G.G. Vandagriff--if you haven't read The Last Waltz, you're missing out--it's a fascinating pre-WWI historical romance set in Austria. I reviewed it here.
Saturday night is the big night. I'll post pictures!
I'm on the last chapter! Yeah. Now, for those who are not writers, this is just one hurdle (the biggest hurdle, of course). But there will still be a lot of editing to come. My critique group has read most of it, since I've taken sooo long to write it (nearly a year from when I first outlined it). But I will pass it on to a couple of readers and hope to turn it into the publisher by the end of June. You might wonder why this book is taking so long. Here is a small example. I have a chapter on Sarah (wife of Abraham) because she is mentioned in the Book of Mormon by the prophet Jacob. I turned to the Book of Mormon Reference Companion by Dennis Largely, and guess what I found on Sarah? Two whole sentences. Yep. But I managed to create a whole chapter on her life. Thankfully there was a little more in the Book of Genesis about Sarah (not much, though).
My next "project" is to put together a couple of book trailers--one for ABINADI (I know, way overdue) and one for my next book: ALMA THE ELDER.
When Annette Lyon released her book trailer for Tower of Strength, I fell in love with the music--by pianist Sherrie Shepherd. So of course I had to contact her. Sherrie Shepherd was kind enough to allow me to use two of her songs (Heartstrings will be for Abinadi, Solitude will be for Alma the Elder). And this week she is having a CD giveaway on her blog--follow instructions to be entered! Her new CD features both of the songs I'll be using. I really love her music. I've been listening to it as I've been writing Women of the Book of Mormon and it sets just the right mood :-)
Also, in good news, I found a dress to wear to the Best of State Gala, loaned by author G.G. Vandagriff--if you haven't read The Last Waltz, you're missing out--it's a fascinating pre-WWI historical romance set in Austria. I reviewed it here.
Saturday night is the big night. I'll post pictures!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I Don't Believe It--2009 Best of State
Last night I was up way too late working on some things, but it paid off. About 11:00 p.m. a notice came in from the awards committee for the 2009 Best of State. I clicked over the the link to see if Abinadi had made the cut. The first name I saw was Annette Haws for Waiting for the Light to Change. "Oh well," I thought. "Good for her." She's won the AML and a Whitney Award with that book, so I wasn't really surprised. In the past, only two books, a non-fiction and a fiction have been awarded the Best of State. Before I clicked off, I glanced on more line down and saw ABINADI. It was labeled as a Historical Fiction winner. I don't know if it's a new category, or if they couldn't decided between the two books, but I was elated.
So, on May 30th, I'm going to show up wearing some type of Formal attire at the Best of State Gala!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Harsh Truth & Other Updates
I read a review of ABINADI that moved me enough that I wanted to post a portion of it here.
By Emily M. at Hearing Voices:
"One of the things I most enjoyed about H.B. Moore’s Whitney-winning historical novel Abinadi is that (and I will be blunt here) Alma the [Elder] has nonmarital s-x (gotta foil the search engines and bowdlerize my post. So much for bluntness.).
This is not because I am a big fan of gratuitous s-x. On the contrary. I skip over graphic scenes, and I have been known to quit reading books altogether, even books I was really enjoying, because of content issues.
But Moore’s descriptions were not graphic; they were, however, scripturally based — King Noah’s court had wine-bibbers and an abundance of loose women. The scriptures are pretty clear on that point. And yet, it would have been tempting to gloss over that while writing the book. Just make Alma a little drunk, you know. Don’t make him really consort with women.
Kudos to Moore for taking the larger view of the situation: Alma the Elder needed to experience sin, and the sin that the scriptures alluded to, so that his healing could have more power."
Emily is right on the mark. In reading the text found in the Book of Mosiah that concerned Alma the Elder and his life as a high priest, I knew that he wasn't an observer. I knew that for a man to taste the true bitterness of repentance he would have to descend to the darkest depths. I've had a few readers who have said, "I wouldn't want so-and-so to read this." I've had reviews that have said, "Warning--not for children." I've had reviewers say, "I was surprised at the evilness of King Noah and his court." I agree. I also believe that some of their evil doings were too abominable to mention--even in the Book of Mormon text.
I'm currently working on a piece for my non-fiction book on Women of the Book of Mormon. As I'm researching information about Isabel, the harlot that led Corianton away (Alma 39), I've found many interesting links between harlotry and idolatry.
Thank you Emily, for your post!
In other news, I spoke with my agent yesterday. My international thriller, QUEEN, is being shopped to publishers. But the process is slow. Each publisher is given a chance to read the manuscript and accept or reject it. It might be months yet before there is good news!
By Emily M. at Hearing Voices:
"One of the things I most enjoyed about H.B. Moore’s Whitney-winning historical novel Abinadi is that (and I will be blunt here) Alma the [Elder] has nonmarital s-x (gotta foil the search engines and bowdlerize my post. So much for bluntness.).
This is not because I am a big fan of gratuitous s-x. On the contrary. I skip over graphic scenes, and I have been known to quit reading books altogether, even books I was really enjoying, because of content issues.
But Moore’s descriptions were not graphic; they were, however, scripturally based — King Noah’s court had wine-bibbers and an abundance of loose women. The scriptures are pretty clear on that point. And yet, it would have been tempting to gloss over that while writing the book. Just make Alma a little drunk, you know. Don’t make him really consort with women.
Kudos to Moore for taking the larger view of the situation: Alma the Elder needed to experience sin, and the sin that the scriptures alluded to, so that his healing could have more power."
Emily is right on the mark. In reading the text found in the Book of Mosiah that concerned Alma the Elder and his life as a high priest, I knew that he wasn't an observer. I knew that for a man to taste the true bitterness of repentance he would have to descend to the darkest depths. I've had a few readers who have said, "I wouldn't want so-and-so to read this." I've had reviews that have said, "Warning--not for children." I've had reviewers say, "I was surprised at the evilness of King Noah and his court." I agree. I also believe that some of their evil doings were too abominable to mention--even in the Book of Mormon text.
I'm currently working on a piece for my non-fiction book on Women of the Book of Mormon. As I'm researching information about Isabel, the harlot that led Corianton away (Alma 39), I've found many interesting links between harlotry and idolatry.
Thank you Emily, for your post!
In other news, I spoke with my agent yesterday. My international thriller, QUEEN, is being shopped to publishers. But the process is slow. Each publisher is given a chance to read the manuscript and accept or reject it. It might be months yet before there is good news!
Monday, April 27, 2009
2008 Whitney Awards--Pretty darn amazing
Saturday night, ABINADI won the Whitney Award for Best Historical. This is me during my "acceptance speech." I had read all of the books that I was up against and loved them all. I wouldn't have been surprised if any one of them won. But I was surprised when it was my book that won. I told the audience that when my 14-year old son read it, he was mad. "Why did you have to kill off the main character at the end?" he asked. I told him that's what happened in the scriptures. He said, "So? You could have changed it since you made everything else up."
A newsrelease about the winners appeared in the Mormon Times yesterday.
And a liveblog of the award ceremony can be read here.
Below: Stephanie Black (Whitney Winner), me, and Karlene Browning (Provident Book manager)
Me with the podcasting ladies of LDS Women's Book Review (Hi Shanda, Sheila & Hillary)
Me with fans and friends!
A huge congrats to the other 2008 Whitney Award winners:
James Dashner in YA: The 13th Reality, Journal of Curious Letters
Brandon Sanderson in Speculative: Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (book 3)
Stephanie Black in Mystery/Suspense: Fool Me Twice
Annette Haws in General: Waiting for the Light to Change
Aubrey Mace in Romance: Spare Change
Sandra Grey in Best Novel: Traitor
Angela Hallstron in Best Novel by New Author: Bound on Earth
Lifetime Achievement: Kerry Blair & Orson Scott Card
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I made it!
In 9 hours the LDStorymakers Conference in Provo will begin with a bang at 7:30 a.m.!
Hope I can get up, not to mention try to look decent.
In other exciting news, ABINADI was reviewed in BYU Magazine!
Check it out here.
Hope I can get up, not to mention try to look decent.
In other exciting news, ABINADI was reviewed in BYU Magazine!
Check it out here.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Review In & Edits BEGIN!
(Abinadi Hath Testified, by Walter Rane)Kimberly of Temporary Insanity just reviewed ABINADI!
Thanks so much, Kimberly!
There are still a few more reviews coming in (one will be in BYU Magazine this spring as well).
Thanks everyone! My publisher has been happy with the success of ABINADI.
In fact, about 15 minutes ago, I just received the editing notes for ALMA THE ELDER (release Fall 2009). My editor said she thought it was awesome. So that's a good thing to hear when I settle down into editing. I met with one of my beta readers last week--who is doing a late-read on the manuscript--and he said he thinks it's my best book yet.
In other news, I finished chapter 2 of Women of the Book of Mormon and am well into chapter 3 (told you it would take FOREVER). I hope to turn it in by June 1 (coinciding when the kids are out of school).
Monday, March 2, 2009
Book Group Night
Sandra, Me, Tristi, and Taffy
Book Group at Provident Book in PG. This picture was harder to perfect than it looks (just ask camera-woman, Karlene). Invariably in each shot, one person blinked (mostly me). So finally we got a blinkless one.
Check out Sandra's Review on Abinadi. I think it' s one of the most thorough that I've ever read!
Each month Provident Book hosts an author. Upcoming authors include Rachel Nunes, Josi Kilpack, Annette Lyon and Tristi Pinkston. They are a lot of fun!
You can sign up to be on their newsletter list and get reminders that way. The bookstore is beautiful--it also has toys, gifts and yummy goodies!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Join me in PG
On Thursday, February 26th I'll be speaking to the Ladies Fiction Book Club at Provident Book/Humdinger Toys in Pleasant Grove.
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Anyone can come (ladies, that is). There will be door prizes, etc! Throughout February, ABINADI will also be offered at a special discount. Join me at the book club--it should be a fun night!
661 W State, Ste A
Pleasant Grove, Utah
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Anyone can come (ladies, that is). There will be door prizes, etc! Throughout February, ABINADI will also be offered at a special discount. Join me at the book club--it should be a fun night!
661 W State, Ste A
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Friday, February 20, 2009
Interview on Writing
Check out the interview posted on Mormon Mommy Writers
Thanks Nikki!
In other news--
I spent the day at the LTUE Writers Conference today. It was awesome and I really enjoyed hearing the speakers. One more day left. And it's free.
Thanks Nikki!
In other news--
I spent the day at the LTUE Writers Conference today. It was awesome and I really enjoyed hearing the speakers. One more day left. And it's free.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2008 Whitney Finalist & One chapter down
Some exciting news: ABINADI is a finalist for the 2008 Whitney Award in the Best Historical category. See the complete list of finalists here. I definitely have some stellar competition. The awards will be presented at the Whitney Gala on April 25, 2009.
Also, I finally finished ONE chapter in my non-fiction book (The Women of the Book of Mormon). I now fully understand why there has not been a book written on this topic before. I have a lot of great articles and references that I'm reading, but to pull it all together in one place is quite daunting. On to chapter two . . . hopefully it won't take me another month.
Also, I finally finished ONE chapter in my non-fiction book (The Women of the Book of Mormon). I now fully understand why there has not been a book written on this topic before. I have a lot of great articles and references that I'm reading, but to pull it all together in one place is quite daunting. On to chapter two . . . hopefully it won't take me another month.
Friday, February 6, 2009
ABINADI hits #1
For the first time EVER, one of my books hit the number one spot on Deseret Book's online store for LDS Historical. It might last a few moments, or even a few days, but it's a first for one of my books, so I thought I'd announce it here. I know it is partially due to the great reviews that I've received on many of your blogs.
THANK YOU EVERYONE! (see my sidebar for list of reviews--a few more are on their way as well)
You can check it out here:
http://deseretbook.com/store/browse/265
THANK YOU EVERYONE! (see my sidebar for list of reviews--a few more are on their way as well)
You can check it out here:
http://deseretbook.com/store/browse/265
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Mark Your Calendars!
Some upcoming events:
February 14--winners of Author Bee's Blog--Valentines Day Book Giveaway will be announced. Check out the blog to enter the contest! Lots of great books are up for grabs, and even ABINADI is in the mix.
February 14--winners of Author Bee's Blog--Valentines Day Book Giveaway will be announced. Check out the blog to enter the contest! Lots of great books are up for grabs, and even ABINADI is in the mix.
February 26, I'll be speaking to the Ladies Fiction Book Club at Provident Book/Humdinger Toys in Pleasant Grove. 7:00-8:00 p.m. Anyone can come (ladies, that is). There will be door prizes, etc! Throughout February, ABINADI will also be offered at a special discount. Join me at the book club--it should be a fun night.
661 W State, Ste A
Pleasant Grove, Utah
February 19-21, LTUE Conference at BYU. For all you fantasy and sci fi writers and illustrators. It's a FREE conference. Can't beat that.
April 24-25, LDStorymaker Conference in Provo, Utah. It looks like another great year. I'll be one of the bootcamp instructors. You can register online here.
October 2009: I'll be co-hosting a 14-day tour to Israel/Oman. We'll be following "Lehi's Trail" starting in Jerusalem and ending in Nephi's "Bountiful" (coast of Oman). More information is available at Bountiful Tours. Email if you would like to join me: heather at hbmoore dot com
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