NEWS!

Dear readers,

I haven’t been posting on my blogs very much lately, and I really haven’t been around as much online. Mostly because my life has become absolutely crazy and I haven’t had the time. Why crazy?

Well as most of you know, I released my first adult contemporary romance novel - On Dublin Street - on August 31st this year. After five days, it climbed its way up into the Top 100 on Amazon US and then from there continued to freak me out (in a good way!) by speeding to #1 where it sat for a collective 13 days. While it was doing that lovely climbing, I signed with the absolutely phenomenal Lauren Abramo at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Lauren. She has championed ODS from the moment she finished reading it and has worked extremely hard to find it a new home.

‘A new home?’ you ask.

Yup.

I know I’ve spoken about self-publishing versus traditional publishing and I always said that it didn’t make sense for me financially to sign with a traditional publisher unless they offered me a deal that blew my mind. Well, I’m overjoyed to announce to my readers that I have signed a two-book deal for On Dublin Street and its forthcoming sequel with New American Library (Penguin US). 

I think I’m still processing it. It is so surreal. But so fantastic! In all honesty, as an indie I couldn’t have met the unexpected promise of On Dublin Street, but Penguin definitely can. For all you lovely readers who have been asking me for weeks when ODS would be appearing on Barnes & Noble, first I want to say sorry for being so vague (I couldn’t talk about the book deal until today!) and secondly, I hope you’ll be pleased to know that ODS will be appearing on B&N for the Nook over the coming days. The ebook is transitioning to NAL this week, and the paperback will be available to buy from all major book retailers from Dec 31st 2012 (US).

On Dublin Street will also be out in a number of different countries. So far, I can tell you that Michael Joseph (Penguin UK) will be publishing the ebook in the UK and commonwealth from 25th October 2012 and the paperback will be available in bookstores in the UK from 17th Jan 2013. The book will also be published in Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Thailand. I don’t have any dates for these as yet, but I’ll keep you updated on foreign publication as we go along.

And yes, I did say TWO-book deal. I’m working on book two at the moment, but you will be thrilled to know that I’m keeping quiet about who the hero and heroine of book two are. Yes. I’m going to torture you mercilessly on that one :p

I can tell you that book two will be releasing in 2013.

Now, what does this mean for my self-publishing?

Not to worry. I am still self-publishing and I will continue to self-publish for as long as you’ll have me. The only downside to this amazing news is that the release date for Darkness, Kindled (Fire Spirits #4) has to be postponed until 2013. I am so sorry to do this, but I’m now under contractual obligation to write book two in the world of ODS. It sucks for Fire Spirits fans. I’m not going to say it doesn’t and I am truly sorry to have to disappoint you with this delay. I want to be clear that this postponement doesn’t mean I’m not writing DK. It just means that it’s going to take longer to write. I hope you all understand and are assured that this delay does not mean I am abandoning my YA readers. I love writing YA Urban Fantasy, and still have so many projects to continue with, so rest assured that I can handle writing both YA and adult romance ;)

So, the next few months are going to be CRAZY! You know I like to respond to everyone’s comments individually but my life has never been so busy and unfortunately I am unable to get to everyone as much as I would love to. I apologize in advance for any comments I miss or don’t answer as quickly as I usually do, but I promise to try my very best. I appreciate you all and can’t thank you enough for taking this incredible journey with me and for allowing me to do what I love to do best.

Much love and gratitude,

Sam x