Let me know what you think!
Recent reviews on AMMON include:
LDS Women's Book Review
Meridian Magazine
Author Braden Bell
Author Julie Bellon
Showing posts with label Ammon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ammon. Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Updates & Conferences
Lots going on.
Most significant. My "baby" turned 7 years old this past weekend. Her favorite present? A box of Lucky Charms all to herself.
Updates on my writing . . . last week I finished the first draft of ATHENA, part of The Newport Ladies Book Club series I'm writing with Annette Lyon, Josi Kilpack, and Julie Wright. We have a blog called The Newport Ladies Book Club blog, although there's not a lot on it . . . yet, but become a follower so that you can be updated at all times :)
Also, I'm getting editing notes back from my alpha readers for my YA speculative book THE BURNING. They are coming back very positive, with some great fixes as well.
This week my priority is to work on edits from my publisher for CHRIST's GIFTS TO WOMEN, which will be out Spring 2012.
AMMON should hit stores any day now. I'll be posting a list of signings very soon! I've received lots of great reviews, which are being posted on the side-bar, and I'm really excited to hear from all of you as well. BTW, AMMON will NOT be eligible for a 2011 Whitney. I'll be serving on the Whitney Committee this year, which means that any 2011 release is ineligible.
CONFERENCES:
Some exciting conferences are coming up.
THE Teen Writers Conference will be June 18 at Weber State University. If your teen is interested in writing, this is a great conference. Details HERE. *Seating is limited and the registration deadline is June 8.
PEG Live Critiquing Workshop: August 13, American Fork Library. This is sponsored by my editing company and will include a day of live critiquing by my senior editors. It will be fantastic and very hands-on. Details are on the PEG Workshop blog. We've already had a great response, so please sign up early--seating is limited!
Most significant. My "baby" turned 7 years old this past weekend. Her favorite present? A box of Lucky Charms all to herself.
Updates on my writing . . . last week I finished the first draft of ATHENA, part of The Newport Ladies Book Club series I'm writing with Annette Lyon, Josi Kilpack, and Julie Wright. We have a blog called The Newport Ladies Book Club blog, although there's not a lot on it . . . yet, but become a follower so that you can be updated at all times :)
Also, I'm getting editing notes back from my alpha readers for my YA speculative book THE BURNING. They are coming back very positive, with some great fixes as well.
This week my priority is to work on edits from my publisher for CHRIST's GIFTS TO WOMEN, which will be out Spring 2012.
AMMON should hit stores any day now. I'll be posting a list of signings very soon! I've received lots of great reviews, which are being posted on the side-bar, and I'm really excited to hear from all of you as well. BTW, AMMON will NOT be eligible for a 2011 Whitney. I'll be serving on the Whitney Committee this year, which means that any 2011 release is ineligible.
CONFERENCES:
Some exciting conferences are coming up.
THE Teen Writers Conference will be June 18 at Weber State University. If your teen is interested in writing, this is a great conference. Details HERE. *Seating is limited and the registration deadline is June 8.
PEG Live Critiquing Workshop: August 13, American Fork Library. This is sponsored by my editing company and will include a day of live critiquing by my senior editors. It will be fantastic and very hands-on. Details are on the PEG Workshop blog. We've already had a great response, so please sign up early--seating is limited!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Looking for Blog Reviewers!
Only 6 more weeks until AMMON is released!
I'm looking for 20 blog reviewers who can post on their blog, and other locations such as DeseretBook.com, Seagullbook.com, Goodreads, and Amazon. Also, I need the reviews to be coming in between June 1-Jun 30. If you know you can meet this deadline, I'd love to hear from you!
If you are interested, please send me your address: heather at hbmoore dot com
I'm also including a bonus book for those who can post a review before June 1st!
Thanks in advance!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Book signing April 2
I'll be doing Ladies Night at the Fort Union Deseret Book on April 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Utah). It's an awesome store and they have tons of goodies and other authors/musicians there.
Also, some of you wanted an update on my interview with a Dial Press editor over the weekend. We spent about 20 minutes talking about my YA book, which was really priceless to me. She gave me some great feedback, but even better, she said the premise was intriguing and very cool. A few of my friends were worried that the market was saturated in this genre, but the editor said it has great potential, so my confidence was aided by her comments.
She said it felt like a cross between The Giver and All Summer in a Day (Ray Bradbury). So my plan is to do another read-through/revision with her suggestions in mind, then submit the manuscript and see what she thinks.
In other news, I finished the final proofread of galleys for AMMON. I was very happy to find that I really enjoyed reading the story. That's always a good sign, and now I'm more excited to begin the promotion phase. In the next couple of weeks, I'll make an official request for reviewers.
Last night at critique group, Michele Holmes gave us copies of her latest book. It's a really fun western romance (great Mother's Day gift, hint hint):
Also, some of you wanted an update on my interview with a Dial Press editor over the weekend. We spent about 20 minutes talking about my YA book, which was really priceless to me. She gave me some great feedback, but even better, she said the premise was intriguing and very cool. A few of my friends were worried that the market was saturated in this genre, but the editor said it has great potential, so my confidence was aided by her comments.
She said it felt like a cross between The Giver and All Summer in a Day (Ray Bradbury). So my plan is to do another read-through/revision with her suggestions in mind, then submit the manuscript and see what she thinks.
In other news, I finished the final proofread of galleys for AMMON. I was very happy to find that I really enjoyed reading the story. That's always a good sign, and now I'm more excited to begin the promotion phase. In the next couple of weeks, I'll make an official request for reviewers.
Last night at critique group, Michele Holmes gave us copies of her latest book. It's a really fun western romance (great Mother's Day gift, hint hint):
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Good Day so far . . .
In the writing side of my life, it's been a decent couple of days.
This morning I heard from my publisher that the non-fiction book I co-wrote with Angela Eschler was officially accepted. Not as the World Giveth: Christ's Gifts to Women will be released March 2012 in time for Mother's Day (unless the world comes to an end first).
Also, today I finished the 2nd draft stage of my YA Speculative novel and 'maybe' solidified the pitch. I was able to answer some of the bigger picture questions that were proving quite elusive.
Yesterday, I got a sneak peak at the cover for my next book: AMMON. It will be out in June. I'll be doing the final proofread pretty soon (which can be a painful process because I can't really change anything, just fix typos or formatting stuff).
In the next few weeks, I'll start to recruit reviewers for AMMON and come up with a several week giveaway leading up to the release date. Stay tuned . . .
Happy writing and reading everyone!
This morning I heard from my publisher that the non-fiction book I co-wrote with Angela Eschler was officially accepted. Not as the World Giveth: Christ's Gifts to Women will be released March 2012 in time for Mother's Day (unless the world comes to an end first).
Also, today I finished the 2nd draft stage of my YA Speculative novel and 'maybe' solidified the pitch. I was able to answer some of the bigger picture questions that were proving quite elusive.
Yesterday, I got a sneak peak at the cover for my next book: AMMON. It will be out in June. I'll be doing the final proofread pretty soon (which can be a painful process because I can't really change anything, just fix typos or formatting stuff).
In the next few weeks, I'll start to recruit reviewers for AMMON and come up with a several week giveaway leading up to the release date. Stay tuned . . .
Happy writing and reading everyone!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
My Publishing Journey--Part 2
Good news! AMMON has been officially accepted and slated for release in June 2011!
Read Part 1 Here.
My Publishing Journey
Part 2
(Year 2001)
With my husband moving out of our home office, things quickly came together. I had an office, a computer, and an imagination. My grandmother had finally consented for “someone in the family” to write her personal history. That someone turned out to be me. I spent time with her each week going over questions and various aspects of her life. She was a young woman during the WWII era, and some of the things she shared catapulted me into my first story.
I wrote during naptime and in the evenings when the kids were in bed. My husband was currently traveling a lot, and my usual evening hobbies slowly disintegrated as I became more and more involved in writing.
Summer came and I signed up for a couple of creative writing extension courses through a local college. I had my degree, but not in creative writing, or English for that matter. The only thing that was holding my story together was my love for reading and general understanding of what made a decent book.
The first creative writing course was a let-down. The instructor began by telling the group of adults that we had little chance of getting published. He also told us that he was tired of the stay-at-home mother who thought she could make an extra dollar or two by publishing a novel.
Moving on. The next creative writing course was better. The instructor, Rachel Nunes, had actually published several novels (unlike the previous instructor) and was a mother as well. Part of her advice was how to balance family and writing time. My eyes were opened, and I came out of the workshop feeling very motivated.
I had no idea how to find a publisher. Through some internet searches, I discovered a book called The Writers Market. I spent time in the library writing down names and addresses and submission guidelines. Impatient, I finally purchased my own copy and proceeded to highlight all of the publishers I wanted to submit to.
I bought paper, envelopes, stamps, labels and started submitting. The rejections started coming in. Well, that wasn’t working so well. Another plan maybe. I decided to start smaller. I wrote a couple of short stories and sent them to magazines. One reply was, “This story is too sad.” Another reply was, “There is a glaring error in your work, and we don’t publish sub-standard submissions.”
Mostly the replies were form letters. Maybe I didn’t have what it took after all. I searched the internet again, looking for more workshops when I found the League of Utah Writers. It was November, and the next meeting wouldn’t be until January. I eagerly went to the Wednesday night meeting in January at the Provo Library. Jeff Savage was the speaker. Annette Lyon was the Chapter President who ran the meeting. Jeff shared how he got published. Little did I know but within a few months’ time, I would replace Annette as Chapter President and I would join Jeff and Annette’s critique group.
The one message I came away from Jeff’s presentation was that it was possible to get published if only I persevered. Jeff was published with a local publisher, Covenant, something I hadn’t considered before. So I decided that since I loved reading mysteries, I’d consider writing a mystery for the Utah market. I’d continue submitting my WWII novel, but I was willing to try other avenues as well.
So I began what I now call the great mystery-novel failure.
Read Part 1 Here.
My Publishing Journey
Part 2
(Year 2001)
With my husband moving out of our home office, things quickly came together. I had an office, a computer, and an imagination. My grandmother had finally consented for “someone in the family” to write her personal history. That someone turned out to be me. I spent time with her each week going over questions and various aspects of her life. She was a young woman during the WWII era, and some of the things she shared catapulted me into my first story.
I wrote during naptime and in the evenings when the kids were in bed. My husband was currently traveling a lot, and my usual evening hobbies slowly disintegrated as I became more and more involved in writing.
Summer came and I signed up for a couple of creative writing extension courses through a local college. I had my degree, but not in creative writing, or English for that matter. The only thing that was holding my story together was my love for reading and general understanding of what made a decent book.
The first creative writing course was a let-down. The instructor began by telling the group of adults that we had little chance of getting published. He also told us that he was tired of the stay-at-home mother who thought she could make an extra dollar or two by publishing a novel.
Moving on. The next creative writing course was better. The instructor, Rachel Nunes, had actually published several novels (unlike the previous instructor) and was a mother as well. Part of her advice was how to balance family and writing time. My eyes were opened, and I came out of the workshop feeling very motivated.
I had no idea how to find a publisher. Through some internet searches, I discovered a book called The Writers Market. I spent time in the library writing down names and addresses and submission guidelines. Impatient, I finally purchased my own copy and proceeded to highlight all of the publishers I wanted to submit to.
I bought paper, envelopes, stamps, labels and started submitting. The rejections started coming in. Well, that wasn’t working so well. Another plan maybe. I decided to start smaller. I wrote a couple of short stories and sent them to magazines. One reply was, “This story is too sad.” Another reply was, “There is a glaring error in your work, and we don’t publish sub-standard submissions.”
Mostly the replies were form letters. Maybe I didn’t have what it took after all. I searched the internet again, looking for more workshops when I found the League of Utah Writers. It was November, and the next meeting wouldn’t be until January. I eagerly went to the Wednesday night meeting in January at the Provo Library. Jeff Savage was the speaker. Annette Lyon was the Chapter President who ran the meeting. Jeff shared how he got published. Little did I know but within a few months’ time, I would replace Annette as Chapter President and I would join Jeff and Annette’s critique group.
The one message I came away from Jeff’s presentation was that it was possible to get published if only I persevered. Jeff was published with a local publisher, Covenant, something I hadn’t considered before. So I decided that since I loved reading mysteries, I’d consider writing a mystery for the Utah market. I’d continue submitting my WWII novel, but I was willing to try other avenues as well.
So I began what I now call the great mystery-novel failure.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Ammon--Officially Submitted!
AMMON is officially turned in! After some major computer woes that slowed me down, I was able to get through the final edits and I sent it to my publisher on Aug 17. Below, I included the cover letter I sent along with it . . .
Dear [Editor],
I’m pleased to submit my new historical novel based on the life of Ammon, a Nephite missionary who turns down his birthright as a king to serve and teach the Lamanites the gospel.
In approximately 94 BC, Ammon travels with his three brothers and several other missionaries into enemy territory. The missionaries separate, and Ammon is captured along the borders of the land of Ishmael. When he is brought before King Lamoni, Ammon doesn’t preach right away. Instead he sets out to prove his loyalty and desire to truly serve the Lamanite people. When Ammon is confronted by a band of rebels who have scattered the king’s flocks, Ammon is forced to defend his own life, as well as the flocks, and he kills several of the rebels.
The king and his court are astounded at Ammon’s strength and can only assume that someone as powerful as the Great Spirit can defeat so many men at once. Ammon denies he is the Great Spirit, and takes the opportunity to teach King Lamoni the plan of salvation. The king is touched by the Spirit and collapses to the ground, lying as if dead for three days. On the third day, he rises from his sleep and declares all of the joyous things he has been taught of the Lord.
Although a king and a queen are converted and baptized into the Lord’s church, Ammon’s challenges have just begun. Most of the people in the city are reluctant to give up their idols, their temples, their human sacrifices, and diabolical practices. A rebellion rises up within the city, claiming that Ammon is a deceiver and has tricked the king. Ammon must rely on the Lord as never before in order to fulfill his mission and bring souls unto Christ.
Ammon is approximately 100,000 words. Preface, Epigraphs, Chapter Notes, and Bibliography will follow.
Please see attached manuscript. Thanks for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Heather Moore
***************************************
Upcoming Schedule Stuff:
August 21, 2010 - Spanish Fork Seagull Book
2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. I’ll be signing copies of WOMEN OF THE BOOK OF MORMON and ALMA THE YOUNGER.
Sept 17-18, 2010 - League of Utah Writers Conference
SLC Airport Hilton Hotel in SLC, Utah. I’ll be teaching the Friday intensive workshop with my Precision Editing Group Senior Editors–Lu Ann Staheli, Annette Lyon, Josi Kilpack, and Julie Wright. Topic: “From Plotting to Final Draft: Getting Your Manuscript to Compete”. Registration and updates HERE
Sept 30, 2010 - The Book Academy Conference
Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah). I’ll be teaching a workshop: irport Hilton Hotel in SLC, Utah. I’ll be a workshop: “Life After the First Draft: Steps to Self-Editing”. Registration and updates HERE
Dear [Editor],
I’m pleased to submit my new historical novel based on the life of Ammon, a Nephite missionary who turns down his birthright as a king to serve and teach the Lamanites the gospel.
In approximately 94 BC, Ammon travels with his three brothers and several other missionaries into enemy territory. The missionaries separate, and Ammon is captured along the borders of the land of Ishmael. When he is brought before King Lamoni, Ammon doesn’t preach right away. Instead he sets out to prove his loyalty and desire to truly serve the Lamanite people. When Ammon is confronted by a band of rebels who have scattered the king’s flocks, Ammon is forced to defend his own life, as well as the flocks, and he kills several of the rebels.
The king and his court are astounded at Ammon’s strength and can only assume that someone as powerful as the Great Spirit can defeat so many men at once. Ammon denies he is the Great Spirit, and takes the opportunity to teach King Lamoni the plan of salvation. The king is touched by the Spirit and collapses to the ground, lying as if dead for three days. On the third day, he rises from his sleep and declares all of the joyous things he has been taught of the Lord.
Although a king and a queen are converted and baptized into the Lord’s church, Ammon’s challenges have just begun. Most of the people in the city are reluctant to give up their idols, their temples, their human sacrifices, and diabolical practices. A rebellion rises up within the city, claiming that Ammon is a deceiver and has tricked the king. Ammon must rely on the Lord as never before in order to fulfill his mission and bring souls unto Christ.
Ammon is approximately 100,000 words. Preface, Epigraphs, Chapter Notes, and Bibliography will follow.
Please see attached manuscript. Thanks for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Heather Moore
***************************************
Upcoming Schedule Stuff:
August 21, 2010 - Spanish Fork Seagull Book
2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. I’ll be signing copies of WOMEN OF THE BOOK OF MORMON and ALMA THE YOUNGER.
Sept 17-18, 2010 - League of Utah Writers Conference
SLC Airport Hilton Hotel in SLC, Utah. I’ll be teaching the Friday intensive workshop with my Precision Editing Group Senior Editors–Lu Ann Staheli, Annette Lyon, Josi Kilpack, and Julie Wright. Topic: “From Plotting to Final Draft: Getting Your Manuscript to Compete”. Registration and updates HERE
Sept 30, 2010 - The Book Academy Conference
Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah). I’ll be teaching a workshop: irport Hilton Hotel in SLC, Utah. I’ll be a workshop: “Life After the First Draft: Steps to Self-Editing”. Registration and updates HERE
Monday, August 9, 2010
My Alpha Readers
Most of you know what Alpha Readers are. They're those pesky people who either a)beg to read your manuscript in advance so they can offer sage advice, or b) I beg to read my manuscript so that I have a better chance of getting it accepted and (hopefully) breezing through the editing stage with my publisher.
Last month I completed the first draft of AMMON. The first thing I did was take a couple of days off (writers like Allyson Condie take an entire month away from the manuscript).
When I can't stand the wait any longer, I start on the 2nd draft process. This is what I do:
-read through manuscript on the computer
-flesh out scenes that I left hanging
-research "holes" or "questions" I wrote to myself
-work on better transitions
-organize chapters so that there is an average of 10-20 pages per chapter
-track character introductions so that they have descriptions, etc
-combine sentences and get rid of passiveness where possible
-add commas
After the 2nd draft is ready, I send it to Alpha Readers.
For AMMON, I'm doing something I haven't done before. I asked three people who are not writers or editors to read the manuscript. I decided on three so that I'd have a good variety. They've read all of my books and have enjoyed them for different reasons.
Then I chose three more Alpha Readers who are excellent writers and excellent (although a bit nerve-wracking) editors.
This will give you a good idea of feedback I've received based on the type of Alpha Reader.
Alpha Reader #1: 28 comments
Alpha Reader #2: 859 comments
Can you guess which one is the editor/author?
Regardless of the number of comments, all of them have been helpful. I don't always take every bit of advice, but I do consider it, especially if I hear it more than once. So it's important to have the feedback of more than one or two Alpha Readers. (you always need a tie-breaker, right?)
And the best part is that I still love the story. I've hit burn-out on the computer, but not burn-out on the story. When I'm reading certain sections, I'm just as excited about it as I was when I was writing.
Just for fun, here are the cast of characters (names subject to change):
CHARACTER CHART for AMMON
Ammon: oldest son of King Mosiah
Aaron: son of King Mosiah
Omner: son of Mosiah
Himni: son of Mosiah
Muloki and Ammah: missionary companions
Lamoni: King of the Land of Ishmael
Son: Pacal
Daughters: Meztli & Romie
Moriah: King’s Clothier
Son: Zaman
Daughter: Elena
Abish: Servant to the Queen
Gad: Blacksmith
Loki: Brother of Gad.
Dedan: Friend of Zaman
Pahrun: King’s head guard and chief advisor
Kumen: servant
Corien: servant (brother to Kumen)
Last month I completed the first draft of AMMON. The first thing I did was take a couple of days off (writers like Allyson Condie take an entire month away from the manuscript).
When I can't stand the wait any longer, I start on the 2nd draft process. This is what I do:
-read through manuscript on the computer
-flesh out scenes that I left hanging
-research "holes" or "questions" I wrote to myself
-work on better transitions
-organize chapters so that there is an average of 10-20 pages per chapter
-track character introductions so that they have descriptions, etc
-combine sentences and get rid of passiveness where possible
-add commas
After the 2nd draft is ready, I send it to Alpha Readers.
For AMMON, I'm doing something I haven't done before. I asked three people who are not writers or editors to read the manuscript. I decided on three so that I'd have a good variety. They've read all of my books and have enjoyed them for different reasons.
Then I chose three more Alpha Readers who are excellent writers and excellent (although a bit nerve-wracking) editors.
This will give you a good idea of feedback I've received based on the type of Alpha Reader.
Alpha Reader #1: 28 comments
Alpha Reader #2: 859 comments
Can you guess which one is the editor/author?
Regardless of the number of comments, all of them have been helpful. I don't always take every bit of advice, but I do consider it, especially if I hear it more than once. So it's important to have the feedback of more than one or two Alpha Readers. (you always need a tie-breaker, right?)
And the best part is that I still love the story. I've hit burn-out on the computer, but not burn-out on the story. When I'm reading certain sections, I'm just as excited about it as I was when I was writing.
Just for fun, here are the cast of characters (names subject to change):
CHARACTER CHART for AMMON
Ammon: oldest son of King Mosiah
Aaron: son of King Mosiah
Omner: son of Mosiah
Himni: son of Mosiah
Muloki and Ammah: missionary companions
Lamoni: King of the Land of Ishmael
Son: Pacal
Daughters: Meztli & Romie
Moriah: King’s Clothier
Son: Zaman
Daughter: Elena
Abish: Servant to the Queen
Gad: Blacksmith
Loki: Brother of Gad.
Dedan: Friend of Zaman
Pahrun: King’s head guard and chief advisor
Kumen: servant
Corien: servant (brother to Kumen)
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