Today we welcome Anne Marie Becker to the DFRAT. She’s here to tell us about her jump into the digital publishing waters.
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I began seriously seeking publication for my romantic suspense manuscripts in a time when it was difficult for new writers to break into that genre. Though one of my manuscripts (Only Fear) had won the 2009 RWA Golden Heart® award for Best Romantic Suspense, and my agent and I had received “glowing rejections” at the traditional publishers, it couldn’t find a home.
At the time, many authors were still wary of the digital-only publishers. Traditional (print) publishing had been the hallmark of success for so long. But things were changing. Fast. And when I received an e-reader for my birthday a couple years ago, and was surprised at how excited I was to use it (I do so love the smell and feel of a paper book!), I knew the allure and convenience of digital publishing was here to stay.
So when a relatively new publisher…a digital-first publisher…a publisher who was taking on new authors and manuscripts that didn’t always fit into a nice, neat cubby hole, embraced Only Fear, I embraced them right back.
And that’s why I first fell in love with Carina Press, Harlequin’s digital-first imprint.
But the love deepened (as good, lasting loves do) when I “met” my editor and we fell in sync right away. Deborah Nemeth had a similar vision for my story, and for my Mindhunters series. Add beautiful cover art and a super-supportive staff and you’ve got a recipe for an everlasting kind of love.
I’m happy to say that Only Fear will soon be joined on the Carina Press “shelves” by Book 2 in the Mindhunters series, Avenging Angel. Here are the official blurbs:
After a violent incident with a patient leaves scars on both her mind and body, psychiatrist Dr. Maggie Levine craves isolation. A radio talk show host seems to be the perfect profession, a job where she can help people from a distance while staying safe. When a strange caller begins stalking her on the air and murdering people to get her attention, Maggie realizes she can no longer close herself off from the outside world.
A personal security expert, former Secret Service Agent Ethan Townsend is no stranger to tracking down the most violent monsters of society and bringing them to justice. Still, it will take all of Ethan’s skills to protect his new assignment, the irresistible Maggie, from a man intent on teaching her the ultimate lesson in fear…
Avenging Angel (Mindhunters, Book 2, to be released 07/30/2012):
Grains of sand glistened in the moonlight, bright against the backdrop of her wet hair. Her blue lips were parted slightly, as if she could take in that last breath she’d been gasping for. She was, in a word, perfection.
When his friend’s niece is murdered, Detective Noah Crandall vows to track down the killer. Since the victim worked in an art gallery with the well-connected and well-heeled Vanessa Knight, Noah questions her first. Despite the chemistry between them, Noah tells himself a relationship would be impossible. He’s a loner and their backgrounds are worlds apart.
Drawn to Noah and horrified by the death of her intern, Vanessa shares her insights into the New York City art world. As they work together on the case, she’s tempted to explore the possibility of a real relationship with the sexy outsider who ignites her desire. But what Vanessa doesn’t realize is that in order to complete his gruesome series of paintings, the killer has targeted her to become his next victim…
I want to thank Holly and The Book Binge crew for having me here today. I’ll be giving away an e-copy of Only Fear to one of today’s commenters. So, tell me (because I’m genuinely curious)…
What was the first book you downloaded to your e-reader? What was the most recent book? Where have you discovered new authors in an ever-changing e-world?
With two Bachelor’s degrees (Biology and Psychology) and a Masters degree in Counselor Education, Anne Marie has held many jobs in her life — tutor, waitress, personal and family counselor, and high school counselor, to name a few. Early on, she discovered a passion for understanding people (and her characters!), inside and out. (It must be why she enjoys writing such complex villains and vibrant main characters.)
As the mother of three young, active children, finding time to write is always a challenge. But Anne Marie believes it’s worth it to preserve her sanity. Writing is a way to “spice up” her daily life and, at times, it is a much-needed escape.
Of course, sometimes it’s the characters driving her insane, but she promises she has the madness under control.