Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Finding Justice by Rachel Brimble

 
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!
 

I do love to celebrate. When my good friend and critique partner, Rachel Brimble, has a release, well, I'm ready to throw a party. Let's have a little bubbly and chocolate, shall we?


Thanks so much, Vonnie. Fill my glass up to the rim, will you? Let's get this party started! I am so happy to be here to celebrate the release of “Finding Justice”, my debut novel with Harlequin Superromance! Every time I say or write that, I have to take a moment to steady myself and not keel over….

 

Okay, I’m back J
 

It’s been a long, hard journey but I am finally starting to believe 1) I can actually write, 2) I might be able to make a living from what I LOVE to do and 3) people are reading and enjoying my books.
 

Miss Vonnie has played no small part in my new found success and I wanted to use my visit with her today to thank this marvelous lady for all she’s done for me. I started writing for The Wild Rose Press back in 2007 and have made many, many online friends there over the years. As I’m in the UK and write for the US market, I often feel I’ll never have the chance to meet my readers or fellow romance writers so the web is VITAL to keep me buoyed and happy.
 

Vonnie is a HUGE participant at TWRP – she takes time out of her busy schedule to cajole, support and cheer many writers with her wit, encouragement and admiration. Always finding time to comment on blogs, loops and websites is difficult to achieve when you are juggling deadlines, home life and for many writers, full time day jobs—Vonnie manages it…ENDLESSLY!
 

In 2010, I was beginning to get itchy feet and desperately wanted to stretch my writing skills and myself by inching my career goal a little higher. By then, I had six novels and a novella either published or contracted with small presses and wanted to start seriously looking for an agent.
 

Naturally, I began my search in the UK as that’s where I live. Disaster struck when I hit a brick wall and over thirty rejections. Depression set in. Doubt took over and I came to an abrupt stand still. While online one day, I saw a comment by Vonnie singing the praises of her agent, Dawn Dowdle. I searched for The Blue Ridge Literary website, loved what I saw and began to wonder…
 

Before I could change my mind, I fired off an email to Vonnie asking a million and one questions… her answers and enthusiasm set the fire burning again. The rest is history. Dawn loved my proposal and offered representation—that was in March 2011.

 
Since then, thanks to my agent’s amazing editing skills and support, my writing has improved immeasurably and along with it, I have signed two romantic suspense contracts with Harlequin as well as a two-book Victorian romance contract with Kensington AND a romantic comedy with Omnific publishing.


 Needless to say, life is pretty darn grand!


If there are any writers out there, afraid to make that leap from small press to big publishers, PLEASE gather your courage and go for it! The validation alone is worth any amount of advance or royalties you might receive. If, like me, you can’t live without writing, we have to get out of our comfort zones and step into the big wide world.

 
Admittedly, ‘live’ promotion still fills me with so much dread, I literally want to run and hide but I will get there…eventually. One step at a time is the not so well kept secret. Writers are renowned introverts but anything is possible!

 
I wish you all the luck in the world! In the meantime, thank you, thank you, thank you, to my wonderful readers who’ve followed me from the very start. I could not have done this without you! J

 
Rachel’s 2013 release schedule:

 
Finding Justice – Harlequin Superromance – February

Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
 
 

The Seduction of Emily – E-Kensington – April


 
16 Marsden Place – Omnific Publishing – June

A Man Like Him – Harlequin Superromance – August

 
Rachel’s Links:




15 comments:

christine warner said...

Congratulations Rachel and Vonnie! you are both awesome ladies.

Rachel, I'm so thrilled for you and your success...you deserve the recognition and CONGRATS on your new release! WOOT WOOT!!!!

Rachel Brimble said...

Hi Christine!!

My first visitor of the day :)

I am buzzing with what has happened over the last 12 months, it still doesn't feel real. I couldn't have done it without the support of TWRP. No way, no how!

I must grab a spot on your blog soon - haven't visited in a while!

Rachel x

Brenda Gayle said...

Hi Rachel and Vonnie,
CONGRATULATIONS, Rachel. What a great story. So inspiring.

Rachel Brimble said...

Great to see you here as well as my blog, Brenda! This is why I love TWRP - everyone is SO supportive of each other. I'm going to try my best to eke out enough time during my other commitments to at least write a short for TWRP during 2013. I LOVE them!

Rachel x

AJ Nuest said...

Bow-chicka-wow-wow! Rachel that is outstanding you have all those projects in the works. Holy scha-moly! You GO girl! Congrats on all the success and AGREED about Vonnie and Dawn! Whoot! Okay, and I gotta ask...what are you standing by in that picture. How cool! Is that a gate at your place? Love it! Hugs, hon and I got The Seduction of Emily on pre-order. Can't wait!! XOXO

Rachel Brimble said...

Awww, AJ - I forgot to thank you before for ordering The Seduction of Emily! It's the first book for E-Kensington and actually linked to the one you know all about, lol! ;)

That gate is actually in Wales - we've holiday once a year in the same log cabin and it's situated during one of the hundreds of gorgeous walks there. I'm at my happiest in Wales :D

Love you, girl!

Rachel x

Melissa Fox said...

What a great story, Rachel. It's truly inspiring to read about hard work, talent, and determination paying off. Thanks so much for sharing.

Rachel Brimble said...

HI Melissa!

Great to see you here :)

I'm a true believer that hard work pays off - if you're determined to do something, how can you fail? The trick is to pick yourself up after every rejection, negative comment and judge who says you'll never be published...okay, so there are still some comments I'll never forget, LOL!

I LOVE writing, I LIVE it - are you a writer too?? If yes, I know you'll get what i mean :)

Rachel x

Debra St. John said...

Rachel; Huge, big, giant congrats on your Superromance release! I can't wait to read it!

It's certainly a big step, but talk about it being a giant leap for you. You have like a million releases coming soon...good for you...I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. You are a shining example of following your dream and not giving up!

Hugs to you!

Rachel Brimble said...

Oh, Debra...thank you SO much!! Your comment has brought a tear to my eye, honestly. I couldn't have done this without the support of all the friends I've made along the way. We're all going along working so hard and no one gets that like othere writers.

You've just made my already bright day even brighter! :)

Rachel x

LaVerne Clark said...

Hi Rachel and Vonnie,

Rachel, I couldn't agree more with you about our wonderful, Vonnie. Isn't she the bestest? :)
I remember reading your first ever published book (Searching for Sophie) and thinking as I read it, 'this lady is going to be big.' I just loved your writing - it was magical, even then.

I'm so very, very thrilled for you. One day, when I'm brave enough, I might have to check out Dawn's company too. She sure has the best authors under her wing!

Rachel Brimble said...

Aww, that's so nice! Thanks, LaVerne :) I wrote SFS in 2006 and I'm sure if Dawn read it now, she'd have a breakdown, LOL!! I loved writing that book as much as every one that followed. Writing is certainly a journey, a craft, that anyone can learn.

You must query Dawn! She's FABULOUS! You won't find an agent who will harder for you :)

You are so lovely, Mrs! Love talking to you, as always!

Rachel x

Rachel Brimble said...

Hi Tara!

Nice to 'meet' you! I'll never even heard of the WLC, and now worried what I'm missing, LOL! I shall look it up as soon as I have finished this message.

Hope you enjoy my blog and be sure to follow me on Twitter... If you want to see how mad my life is, that is!!

@rachelbrimble

Rachel x

Angela Adams said...

Vonnie, you give the best parties. Rachel, best wishes on your release!

Rachel Brimble said...

Hi Amy & Lynne!

Isn't Vonnie just fab?? I love that woman, I swear! She is such an integral part of my success, I can't begin to tell you. And party?? The woman is a machine, LOL!!

I am now following WLC through Twitter but I must also look up their website. I hadn't heard of them until today - but grateful they have led both you, Lynn and Tara to my blog :D

I'll look you up!

Rachel x