Showing posts with label desert breeze publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label desert breeze publishing. Show all posts

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Happy 2 years Desert Breeze Publishing!



It's Birthday Time!! Pull up a chair, pour a glass of wine, make a margerita, and enjoy a slice of cake! Post your birthday wishes for Desert Breeze Publishing today and you'll be entered to win the GRAND prize - a $25.00 GC to Amazon, plus 1 of Anne Patrick's books and 2 of Regina Andrews' books! The Winner will be announced tomorrow. Also, everyone who posted comments on the participating author blogs will have their names put in the hat, so the more you've posted on the author blog, the more chances you have to win!

Sit back, Enjoy the wishes and have fun!
Smiles
Moderator Steph

Here's what a couple of our authors had to say:

"Happy 2nd Birthday Desert Breeze. Hope the terrible twos bring you and your authors health, wealth and happiness - not tears and tantrums." - Sue Perkins, Author of Blitz






"Happy Birthday, Desert Breeze Publishing! Congratulations on this wonderful milestone and best wishes for continued success in the future!" - Regina Andrews, Author of "Light of the Heart"







"Happy Birthday to Desert Breeze Publishing! It's a great company with wonderful owners, awesome writers, cover artists and editors. I wish them many, many, more birthdays!" - Anne Patrick, Author of "Fire and Ash"








"Happy birthday, DBP!! Woohoo!" - Melanie Atkins, Author of "Marked for Murder"








"Hope we'll be celebrating your birthday for many years. Happy birthday to you." - Theresa Stillwagon, Author of "Saving Pale Moon."






"Happy Birthday, Desert Breeze Publishing. May you have many more!" - Stephanie Burkhart, Author of "The Count's Lair."







"Desert Breeze has help me achieve my writing goal: Published Writer.
Thanks." - Toni Noel, Author of "Lawbreakers and Lovemakers"







"It's great to be part of the Desert Breeze Family. Happy birthday to all of us."
Jackie Leigh Allen, Author of "An Officier and a Gigalo."







"Happy birthday, Desert Breeze! Looking forward to many more years of great reads."
Nicole Zoltack, Author of "Woman of Honor."







"Desert Breeze Publishing, I'm thrilled to be celebrating your second Birthday with you! As you know, I'm new around here, but from what I've seen and heard, you've grown tremendously in a short time. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for you though out this next year."
JoAnn Carter, Author of "Paradox."






"Happy Birthday Desert Breeze! May your success know no limit!!!" Nike Chillemi, Author of "Burning Hearts"



The Cuffe Sisters from Maine wish Desert Breeze a wicked happy birthday, with many more to come. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. God bless you all! - Sophie & Sadie

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Gail Delaney shares her thoughts on this year's RT Convention

Gail Delaney & Jenifier Ranieri at RT 2011

STEPH: As a publisher, what's the appeal of the RT Convention?

GAIL: The beauty of RT is the diversity of attendees. There are conventions
specifically for networking of publishers. There are conventions for writers
to improve their craft. There are conventions for distributors.
RomanticTimes is an all encompassing event for anyone involved in the
industry of romance novels. I can network with other publishers, speak to
distributors and others in support or service industries. I can meet with
potential authors, and meet authors who already write for me. I can talk to
art people (or more to the point, Jenifer can!), and we can draw in new
readers. We can accomplish a lot of goals in one place.

STEPH: How many times have you gone?

GAIL: This marked my sixth RomanticTimes convention. My first was as an author
only, my second and third as both an author and an executive editor for
another publishing house. Then I skipped a year. The last three conventions
have been as owner of Desert Breeze Publishing.

STEPH: Do you meet a lot of romance readers at RT?

GAIL: Very much so, yes. Actually, it surprises me how many pure readers we meet
at RT. I still think of it as very much an industry-oriented event, but
there are people who go purely because they absolutely love romance novels
-- print, ebook, they don't care -- and they want the chance to rub elbows
with the authors and cover models they read and see on their books.

STEPH: How beneficial are the workshops?

GAIL: Sadly, I haven't had much of a chance to get to workshops in the last couple
of years, but when we go we tend to get a nice punch out of them. This year,
Jenifer attended workshops on marketing and hooking the reader. And I was
able to attend a workshop on the genre of Steampunk, something I'm very much
interested in learning more about. I absolutely believe the workshops can be
both beneficial and fun.

STEPH: What's your favorite aspect of the RT Convention? The workshops? The
dance & dinner? Mr. Romance?

GAIL: One of my favorite things is being able to meet authors who already write
for me. This year, I was able to once again see Vijaya Schartz, who I knew
from years past and who came to talk to us at our first RT as DBP. I also
was able to meet Toni Noel and Jackie Leigh Allen -- both newer authors with
us. And although I've known Tamara McHatton for a few years, this year she
was also a DBP author. Getting together with people already with us is
great.

Gail, Jen & Author Katie Charles


STEPH: Did you have any goals you wanted to accomplish at the convention?

GAIL: Expanding on our reputation, getting our name out there to draw quality
authors. And while time will tell, I believe we accomplished that goal.

STEPH: Did you feature any book readers in your display? What one did readers
seem to look at more? What genre appeared to generate the most interest?

GAIL: We had a Nook, a Kindle and two kinds of iPads on display for people to
'play' with. We used to have a Sony, but it went kapoot last year at RT and
hasn't recovered yet. People love to have hands on opportunities to play
with each kind of reader, and to be able to ask us about them. People were
definitely interested in the iPads. J As far as genres, we had a wide
variety of interest. I often ask people who stop "What's your favorite
genre?", and based on their answer I give suggestions based on the postcards
we have on display. A lot of Paranormal and Historical interest. Luckily, we
can offer books that offer both. J

STEPH: What does the Desert Breeze display consist of?

GAIL: This year we had two large racks displaying 24 postcard/cover art cards
each, for a total of 48 options. We also had free sample cds, goodie bags,
raffle items and mugs we gave away to readers. Also, the ereaders to play
with. We pack a lot on a small table.

STEPH: Did you have a lot of opportunities to network?

GAIL: Yes, in a variety of ways. We talk to other publishers, with authors,
publicists, all types of people. Not every mix and mingle results in an
opportunity, but every once in awhile something great happens.

STEPH: What did you enjoy the best about the convention this year?

GAIL: This year, I took my daughter for a day. She's a published author, but I
don't think it's ever really sank in for her. I loved watching her absorb it
all, and the pride in her eyes when she could tell someone she had been
published, and has another book coming out. And I enjoyed the pride I felt
when I could tell someone she was my daughtger. That was the best part of
this year.

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

May Blog Contest - win PC's and a GC to Desert Breeze


Hi all!
This month I thought I'd offer a little something different and a blog contest. What do you have to do? All you have to do is post. Tell us what the latest Desert Breeze book is that you've read.

The contest will run from today until Friday, 21 May and I'll announce the winners on 22 MAY. What do you win?

Two poster will be selected to win a set of postcards with different Desert Breeze Covers and bookmarks. A "Grand" prize winner will be selected to win a $6.00 GC to Desert Breeze.

It promises to be a lot of fun so drop a line and post. Smiles, Moderator Steph

Saturday, 1 May 2010

Jen & Gail go to RT in Columbus, OH!



Hi all! Desert Breeze goes to RT! (Romantic Times Convention!) This year it was held in Columbus, OH. Gail Delaney, Editor in Chief, and Jenifer Ranieri, Desert Breeze Cover artist went to represent the company. Here are a couple of their photos! Above is Jen and Gail shortly after their arrival in Ohio.








This is Gail shopping for the big gift basket giveaway at RT.









This is Gail at the Desert Breeze Table at RT. Gail and Jen also went to a Fairy Ball as elementals and they got to meet several Mr. Romance Candiates.










Shell Bryce, winner of one of the Desert Breeze Gift bags.

Sign in if you went to RT and let us know how much fun you had.

Smiles
Steph

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Check out our Blog Contest celebrating Desert Breeze's 1 year Anniversary!


Congratulations on Desert Breeze's 1 Year Anniversary. To celebrate, Desert Breeze is offering the following:

First: We're offering 20% off orders at the DBP site through the end of the month! No limit on how many orders a customer may make, and no limit on how many books you can buy with the discount. Just enter code 1YRDBP when you check out and you'll get the discount.

Second: We're offering a contest. Here are the rules:
The contest will be open from now until Sunday, 18 APR. I will post FIVE questions about Desert Breeze authors and books here on the blog. The answers to these questions can be found on the Desert Breeze Website at: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com

You have to answer all FIVE questions correctly.
If you answer the questions correctly, your name will be put in the "hat." I'll draw the winner out of the hat on Monday morning (19 APR) and announce it here on the blog.

The Prizes:
A set of autographed postcards
A gift certificate to the Desert Breeze online book store
Magnets
A mousepad with the Desert Breeze Cover of your choice.

***

Here are the questions:

1. What is the name of Michelle Sutton's Best Seller with Desert Breeze?

2. What is the name of J Morgan's story in the Be Mused Anthology?

3. What Diane Craver book was named Book of the Week by LASR?

4. What book won EPIC's QUASAR Award last year?

5. What Nicole Zoltack book placed in the top 10 in the Preditors and Editor's poll for Fantasy Romance?

***
Remember to post your answers here in the blog and have fun with the contest.

Smiles
Steph

Saturday, 13 March 2010

Congrats to Jen Ranieri on her QUASAR win!

From left to right
Gail Delaney
Steph Burkhart &
Jen Ranieri


I popped in the office the other day (I only live about 20 minutes from where Gail and Jen work) and Jen had her QUASAR with her. I must admit, it was very impressive. *smiles*

Jen is very kind. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to her work are just some of the qualities I admire about her. She is relentless in finding the right graphic(s) for covers. Not only that, for those who know her, Jen has an amazing sense of humour. I had an opportunity to spend NaNoMoWri Month with her last November, and I really enjoyed our mornings where we sat down and worked on our projects. She's a very motivated and motivating person.

While at the office, Jen and Gail wanted to take a couple pictures with her QUASAR to show to everyone. With an IPhone at hand, we snapped away. For those who don't know - Jen is a biggie techie.

Jen and Gail are very excited about Romantic Times (RT) Convention this year. They've got some really cool things planned for Desert Breeze and I'm thrilled to be onboard.

*smiles*
Steph

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Let's give a shout out to Gail Delany!


Just recently, Gail Delany, the Editor in Chief here at Desert Breeze was interviewed by the Examiner. (Out of Santa Ana, CA). I just had the opportunity to read it, (because let me tell it's been a HECTIC week, and I apologize for not reading it sooner!) and Gail does a wonderful job in the interview. That said I thought I'd share a few snipets from it and at the end of my blog entry, I'll have a link to the full article. If you get a get a chance, pop on over to it and read it.

Steph

QUESTION:
You’ve recently launched a new publishing venture. What was your motivation?

GAIL:
Our main motivation in opening Desert Breeze Publishing was to offer a home for authors who didn't write erotica or erotica romance, and to offer one-stop-shopping for readers who prefer romance with less graphic sexuality.

There's no doubt that erotica is a huge seller. But, just as not all people who wear shoes want red stilettos, not all readers of romance want erotica.

QUESTION:
What is unique about what you do?


GAIL:
Well, in an industry where most houses either publish one end of the spectrum or another, by offering books in a range of sensuality without erotica, we're a bit unique. But, we've also tried to be unique in how we relate to and take care of our authors and readers.

Having been in the industry for a few years before opening DBP, I knew what most publishers 'offered' their authors. We tried to take things a step further. While we have very specific standards for our cover art (basically, you won't find a bare chested man on any of them. In a sea of covers with bare chested men, more would just get lost), we also involve our authors. We ask them a lot of questions about their books and what they would like to have – and what they don't want – on their books. If the author isn't happy with the first cover, we try to find a compromise where everyone is happy. We want our cover art to be pertinent to the book, and not just cookie cutter romance.

QUESTION:
What kind of submissions are you currently seeking?


GAIL:
As Editor-In-Chief, I'm personally excited about two genres that I've been 'pushing' for years now, but are just now being recognized as 'up and coming' genres. I want science fiction/futuristic romance where the science is well thought out, the stories are exceptionally well plotted, the stories are epic in proportion, but the romance is very real.

I also want 20th Century historical fiction. Books set between 1900 through the era of the Vietnam War. They can be set in the United States or Abroad, and can be set around any one of the many historical and world changing events of the last century. Or, they can just be a story set in another time.

QUESTION:
Now, here is the totally off-writing subject question. What’s the coolest, wackiest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?


GAIL:
Other than opening a publishing company? HA HA HA

I'd have to say moving from New Hampshire to California in 2008 on just a smidge more than a whim. My husband and I were both born and raised in New England, and for years, that really seemed like the only place we ever intended to live. Then a few years ago, we came to California for a week to visit a friend. We absolutely fell in love with the area, the weather, everything.


STEPH: I'd thought I'd throw in a picture of Portsmouth, NH just for Gail here in case she might be a smidgen homesick? **Smiles**



EXAMINER ARTICLE LINK:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4981-Romance-Novel-Examiner~y2009m11d15-Desert-Breeze-Publishing-A-onestop-publisher-for-readers-who-prefer-romance-vs-erotica?#comments