Sunday 2 September 2007

An Offer for Bad Ice

My hockey romantic suspense novel, Bad Ice, has a home. The contract is in the mail, so I'm jumping the gun a little. But I couldn't wait to tell you!

I'd been submitting this novel to agents for about a year. As time went by, the 'rejections' became more personal and encouraging. No one offered representation, probably because the hockey theme didn't have a wide appeal in the U.S. agenting world.

However, Champagne Books was interested. After all, they're Canadian, a romance publisher, and they understand how every red-blooded Canadian girl can't resist a hockey player! I sent a query, J. Ellen Smith requested the partial, then the full a mere eight hours later! After only a few weeks, I received the email offering a contract.

It'll be released in electronic format and if sales are good it will go to print. I chose this publisher because if it goes to print, my book will appear on the shelves of a major Canadian bookstore - Chapters Indigo. It'll also be distributed in the States. So.... when it 's released, all you hockey fans who believe in love should buy an e-book first!

Some may wonder why I don't just wait for the "big one". Why pick small publishers? Am I selling out? I don't think so. Not every novel finds a place in mainstream publishing, but it still deserves to be published, especially if an editor believes in it enough to take it on.

The Space Between has mature characters and The Wild Rose Press has a special line just for that purpose. Bad Ice is a romance, but with a hockey background. Not quite a thriller, but a good dose of suspense. Champagne Books is a good fit, and I think they really believe in this book.

It seems that every novel I write is a little different. Perhaps it's because I'm a new writer and haven't found my niche yet. My work in progress, The Yearbook is different again. It's more introspective with two points of view in two different time periods. It's not a romance, but more like a love story, or women's fiction if you have to give it a label. Perhaps that will be the one to snag an agent.

My other WIP is a romantic thriller set in the Pyrenees, with car chases and stolen paintings. Definitely commercial appeal in that one. At least, I hope so.

So, there won't be any book tours or appearances on Letterman (yet), but I think a few people will enjoy a little "hockey, jealousy and passion - a hat trick that could lead to danger."

16 comments:

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Congrats on finding a home for this! You're right that the Canadian market is probably ready for something like this. The US, a little slower.

Follow your market!

Bernita said...

And you won't have to adjust your spelling...

Sandra Cormier said...

I can say oot 'n aboot all I want. So there!

Anonymous said...

Heck no, you're not selling out!

Huge congratulations. And I'll tell you something... I'm an American gal who adores hockey and hockey players above all other athletes. And I can't be the only one. :D

Sandra Cormier said...

I hope there's a zillion hockey lovers out there!

Melissa said...

Huge congratulations, Sandra. This is great news!

Sandra Cormier said...

Thanks, Melanie!

Stuart Neville said...

Congratulations! And thank you for your vote over at Nathan's. It means more when it's somebody I've seen around the various writerly blogs. :)

I was just looking at your art. Believe it or not, a large part of my day job involves the equestrian trade.

Sandra Cormier said...

Thanks, Conduit. I'm sure there are some beautiful ponies in Ireland that I can paint. Spread the word around!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Congratulations! I just had to come over here and congratulate you as I've seen your posts so often at the writer's blogs. This is such great news. The query sounded so great!

none said...

Congrats :).

Kate Thornton said...

I saw your announcement on Evil Editor - I am so happy for you! This is terrific news!!!!

And I'm sure there are a gazillion hockey/lovers to get this book going!

Travis Erwin said...

COngrats!

I am a huge hockey fan so I'll definitely read this one.

Sandra Cormier said...

Thanks, everyone for your kind comments. This one will be fun to promote!

Unknown said...

Congrats! Can't wait to buy a copy!

Liane Spicer said...

Congratulations! This is great news.