Monday, November 30, 2009

The Bartered Bride and Book Giveaway

I'm so pleased to be a part of Erica Vetsch's blog tour for her debut novel, The Bartered Bride. Please read on to learn more about Erica's publication journey and a chance to win a copy of The Bartered Bride.


1) I understand you wrote the first draft of The Bartered Bride in five weeks. I'm curious, were there any scenes that you had to force yourself through in that time? If so, do they remain in the published version and did they require major rewriting?

Erica: This book fell together in a really amazing way for me. I don't remember struggling with any particular scene in the first draft. I've struggled more with subsequent books, and there are scenes from those that have gotten major revisions or cut altogether, but for The Bartered Bride, it survived the editing process intact.

2) You took about one month for revisions of The Bartered Bride to polish it before sending out to your critique partners, was there much revision required after seeing their critiques? How much longer did you work on it before submitting to Heartsong Presents?

Erica: I do remember getting dinged by my crit partners on one scene in the book where my heroine was coming across as too juvenile and petulant. And one scene I reworked myself to make it more realistic in my own mind. Those revisions took about a week or so, then it was off to the ACFW Conference to pitch it to an editor.

3) Publishing success has come full force at you since signing with HP.. Congratulations Erica on having six books contracted. How many of those books are ones you had completed before The Bartered Bride, and how many are slated to be written yet? Are you now selling on proposal?

Erica: The time line went something like this: The Bartered Bride written the summer of 2007. The sequel, The Marriage Masquerade was written the Spring of 2008 while waiting to hear back on The Bartered Bride. And because I thought the long silence from the editor indicated a strong possibility of a 'no sale' for The Bartered Bride, I began working on the first book in a new series called Clara and the Cowboy in the summer of 2008.

In the fall of 2008, The Bartered Bride was contracted at the ACFW Conference, and a few months later, Heartsong aquired five more titles from me. I'm currently working on the final book in those two series.

I am selling on proposal now, which has its upsides and downsides. Upside, I don't have to write an entire book then hope that someone is interested in it. Downside, I have to know more in advance what's going to happen in the book, and as a reforming seat of the pants writer, this is difficult.

Thanks so much Erica for sharing a little of your publication journey with us.

Now, before I share the back cover blurb of this fast paced, wonderful novel, I just have to toot a horn for this story. Really, I can't say enough about this novel. I'm not a huge historical fan myself, and I'm the universes slowest reader, so when I read this book in under a 30 hour time span, which included sleep, the usual family and household responsibilities, and writing over 4000 words into my own manuscript, you've got to know it's a good one. And as a writer, it's one I intend to dissect for sure. But certainly couldn't the first time through because it just kept me glued with its entertainment value. Seriously, if you haven't got a copy yet, pick one up, order one, or hopefully win one (which you can do by leaving a comment with your email addy in this post by Wednesday morning when I'll do the drawing.)


Back Cover Blurb of The Bartered Bride: Jonathan Kennebrae is furious when his grandfather informs him that his future has been decided. He will marry Melissa Brooke or be disinherited. Jonathan has invested years of his life in Kennabrae Shipping, but heaven help him if Grandfather decides to take it all away for this.

Melissa, too, is devastated when her parents make their announcement. As little more than a bargaining chip in her father’s business maneuvers, she feels her secure world slipping away. Engaged to marry a man she has never met—someone “considerably older” than herself? What have her parents done?

Can Jonathan and Melissa find a way out of this loveless marriage, or must they find a way forward together?


You can order a copy of this wonderful novel by clicking here.

Book Giveaway: Don't forget to leave a comment with your email addy to be entered into the drawing. I'll draw a name late Tuesday and announce the winner on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd. Good luck everyone!

This giveaway is closed now. Thanks all for entering!

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

44 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

This is a great book Erica you have much to be proud of :)

Jody Hedlund said...

Great interview, Eileen and Erica!

Tamika: said...

Another fabulous interview Erica!

I won this book a few weeks ago- great read! A storyline I would have never imagined!

Katie Ganshert said...

Excellent interview!!

Rebecca Nazar said...

Nice interview! Thanks. :-)

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Great interview. The book sounds unique and like a good read.

Georgiana Daniels said...

Love the interview!

Erica's books are the best. I have learned more about writing tight and making every scene count from Erica than anywhere else!

Joanne said...

Thanks for the interview, it's always interesting to read of another writer's journey.

Helen Ginger said...

Definitely a great recommendation. The book sounds very interesting since it has two viable options open.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Julie Lessman said...

Erica, I have heard WONDERFUL things about your book, so throw my hat in the ring for a possible win PLEASE!!

And Eileen, great interview. Thanks to both you and Erica for a chance to win.

Hugs,
Julie

gsusatcharterdotnet

Sarah Forgrave said...

Wow, I can't believe she drafted a novel in five weeks. Congratulations to Erica on the sales!

forgravebooks at gmail dot com

Vera said...

Enjoy hearing about your writing journey.

Vera
tvstalcup@gmail.com

G.R.I.T.S. said...

Loved learning about an author I didn't know!!! And this books sounds like a great read!!! Please enter me!


rae
raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

Susan R. Mills said...

Great interview! Thanks for sharing. I'm amazed at how fast the process for this book was. Good for you.

Patti Lacy said...

Okay. I am gonna buy this book because I've heard so many good things about Erica's writing.

But hey, I've got a few friends who would love the giveaway, so count me in.

Always a GREAT post, Eileen! Thanks for your wonderful site!!!

Linda Kage said...

It's nice to meet you, Erica. Great interview. I'm so impressed with you having six contracts under your belt...and writing from proposals...wow.

I love the blurb to "The Bartered Bride." Hope I win a copy!!

Natalie said...

Sounds wonderful! Great interview Eileen :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Congrats to Erica! Sounds like a great book!

Karen Lange said...

Great interview! Thanks so much for sharing it. I'd love to enter the giveaway, too:) karenelange(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks a bunch!

Anonymous said...

This book sounds amazing! Please enter me in the contest.
christi_corbett@yahoo.com

http://christicorbett.wordpress.com

Steena Holmes said...

What a great interview! There's hope for us isn't there! The book sounds great - count me in!

Robyn Campbell said...

What a SUPER interview. Thank you Eileen. And thank you Erica. Wow! The first draft was very nano like.

I hope I win! If I don't, I'll buy the book though. Sounds fantastic! :)

robyn@robyncampbell.com

Jessica Nelson said...

Wonderful interview! I loved reading about Erica's writing. Esp. that she's a reformed SOTPer. LOL I'm not looking forward to having to know more either, if I ever sell on proposal.

Please enter me! The books sounds great. And congrats to Erica!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen & Erica -

Wonderful interview!

Erica, I'm fascinated by your designation of "recovering SOTP writer." How did you switch to plotting? As a SOTP writer, it's like trying to become a leftie when I'm write handed.

Please don't enter me in the contest. I already won Erica's book on another blog. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Diane said...

She just kept on plugging away with persistance. Awesome! Thanks for the opportunity! :O)

Hope to see you over at my new blog home www.dianeestrella.com

Carla Gade said...

That was a super interview! I'd love to win a copy of the book, and if I don't I will definitely buy it. It sounds just like my kind of story.

carlagade [at] gmail [dot] com

About Me said...

I don't usually read historical fiction, but this book sounds pretty interesting. Good luck to Erica and all her future writings.

Terri Tiffany said...

I read about this book on another blog. Glad it is making the rounds cause it sounds great!

Susan Anne Mason said...

Hi Erica & Eileen,

Great interview! I hope someday I'll get an idea for a book that flows out in 5 weeks! Mine take a year. LOL.

Your story sounds great and I love the cover.

Would love to win a copy. But if not, I'll have to buy one.

Cheers,

Sue
sbmason (at) sympatico (dot) ca

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I loved this interview! It was so interesting to hear the process of Erica's writing. I'm amazed at how fast she is able to write. It sounds like a wonderful book!

sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

i think sherrinda is stalking erica on blogger. :)

don't enter me. or put sherrinda's name in twice or something. ha!

you both know i love her.
great interview!

jeannie
The Character Therapist

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

LOLOLOL...Jeannie, you crack me up. And you didn't even call me Ketch-Up Girl this time! lolol

It's funny, but sometimes I see a book I would really like...love!...and then I see it reviewed on all the blogs I frequent. I'd just "hate" to not comment on my favorite blogs, you know? I don't want them to feel slighted, don't you know? ;)

Love you too!!!! And Eileen, if you want to, I'll let you put my name in twice, I suppose. lol...just kidding. :)

kathrynjankowski said...

Congratulations to Erica from another seat-of-her-pants writer!

Thanks for the interview, Eileen.

Tana said...

I'm late to the party but oh I want this book so bad! *waves arms wildly* Pick me!!!!

Bethany Wiggins said...

What a neat interview. I can't believe all the books on contract!

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds wonderful. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Linda said...

Love historical books. Please add me to your giveaway. Thanks.

LOVE your "Kneeling to the King." I've had my ornament for 19 years!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Martha A. said...

That is fast to write a book! Wow! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview! Would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

This sounds like a great book, and I'd love to read it! Please enter me in your contest.

Tabby2002 [at] hotmail [dot] come

Shelley @ Ink Scrawls

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Hi, All. Thanks all for stopping by and I wish you all luck with the random generator tonight.

Erica asked me to put this comment in for her as she is having internet troubles in blog land.

Erica says: Thank you, all, for your kind comments and for stopping by this last day of the Blog Tour for The Bartered Bride. And Thank you, Eileen, for hosting me here. The responses have been so very encouraging.

To Susan, who asked about my transition from SOTP to Plotter. I had to make the move to plotter because after the first sale, I began selling books on proposal and had to know in advance where the story would go. Prior to selling The Bartered Bride, I always wrote the story first, then wrote the synopsis after I knew what happened. :)

Again, thank you, everyone!

The Redhead Riter said...

Count me in too! Sounds like a lovely book!

theredheadriter(at)aol(dot)com

Debra E. Marvin said...

I've been following Erica around the blogosphere and learning more at every stop.
I'd like to be in the drawing for The Bartered Bride, pretty please.

debraemarvin (at) yahoo

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