Folks it’s my great pleasure to welcome the magical writing machine known as Maisey Yates to Caribbean Accent Book Reviews.
In today’s edition of Beyond The Page, Maisey will be discussing her category romances with Mills&Boon/Harlequin as well as her new book deal with Berkley.
There’s a GIVEAWAY too – “Princess From The Shadows” from Harlequin Presents. (1) POST A COMMENT then (2) enter the RAFFLECOPTER.
CABR: You’ve been a published author since October 2010 when “His Virgin Acquisition” came out in Harlequin Presents. Now you’re moving into a slightly new territory with your Silver Creek cowboy series from Berkley.Would you call this a novel vs category romance?
MY: I have a novella coming first for the Silver Creek series, and am also contracted for two full length contemporary romances. They are longer than my category romances and a lot funnier.
CABR: Tell us about Silver Creek and how you sold it to Berkley.
MY: Well, I first started thinking about expanding to single title just before RWA conference in 2011. I had breakfast with the woman who would become my agent and I told her I had an idea for a sexy cowboy book. A couple months later she started submitting it to publishers. And it took us nearly a year to sell it! It got quite a few rejections, but it finally landed with an editor who was very excited about the book, and about the series as a whole. I got the call about the sale being final while I was at registration for RWA 2012. I’m thrilled to be with Berkley, and with editors who are as excited about the series as I am.
CABR: A year! Shows how important it is to be persistent and to believe in what you’ve written.
I know you to be a prolific writer with cute code names for WIP (Works In Progress). What are you working on now?
MY: Right now I’m working on the Geek Billionaire for Presents. And he is, indeed, a geek billionaire. Not a Greek one.
CABR: While writing up a storm, you’ve also been busy moving house. How did you stay sane?
MY: I was never all that sane to start with, which I think helps in this business. Honestly? I’m not a routine girl. I’ve learned to just roll with the punches and make it work no matter the situation.
CABR: LOL. Excellent attitude to have.
We all know conventions are an excellent place to connect with fellow writers, your fans and potential publishers of new series. Why do you go attend them?
MY: It depends on the convention. Romantic Times (which I’m doing a reader panel at this year!) is my time to connect with readers. RWA is more of a professional conference for me. A chance to meet with editors from the M&B office in the UK, this year, I met one of the editors from Berkley who was involved in my sale, and to see my agent.
CABR: What role does social media play, if any, in your work – be it inspiration, plot help or general feedback?
MY: Social media, twitter particularly, is my water cooler. A chance to hang out and chat, to talk about books and writing. It’s fun for me.
CABR: I’ve noticed a trend in M&B/Harlequin these days to have two-part books, whether it’s the same couple’s story in two parts or connected stories. What’s your take on this, having written at least one connected duet?
MY: I haven’t done one with the same couple split into two parts, but yes, I’ve done some connected duets. As a reader, I’m curious. If an author gives me a side character and hints at their story, I want to know what’s going to happen to them. I do the same as a writer. A character pops in and I’m curious, so I think about them later and want to write their stories!
An Accidental Birthright and The Inherited Bride are connected. Marriage Made on Paper and The Petrov Proposal are as well. There’s also One Night in Paradise and A Game of Vows.
At the end of this year, beginning of 2013, my two-book series “The Call of Duty” comes out, with A Royal World Apart in December and At His Majesty’s Request in January.
Then in April and May I have a duet called “Secret Heirs of Powerful Men”. The first book is called “Heir to a Desert Legacy” while the second is untitled right now. 🙂
CABR: I did tell you guys that Maisey is a prolific writer. See? 😀
Maisey, what’s the funniest fan interaction you’ve had?
MY: Um…she wasn’t even really a fan. But I was buying pasta at a gourmet food store and the woman ringing up my purchase asked what I did. I told her and she SCREAMED and said AH YOU’RE FAMOUS! I was completely stunned!
CABR: Ever been awestruck upon meeting any particular author/s at conventions? Were you able to ‘keep it together’?
MY: I met Brenda Jackson this year, which was awe inspiring. And I think I said something dumb about her sexy cover models!
CABR: If you could be someone else for a day, from any time in history, who would you be and why?
MY: Lame answer, but I’m happy here and now. I have the best job ever and the handsomest husband!
CABR: Aww. Not lame at all.
Which character from fiction, yours or another author’s, would you like to spend time with and why?
MY: Okay, if we’re talking fiction, then Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling world for sure! I want a TK Psy of my very own. 🙂
CABR: I sense a trend here. You’re not the first author to tell me that and I get why. Those Psy-Changeling guys are hawt!!
It was great having you on my blog Maisey. Best of luck with the Silver Creek series from Berkley.
Readers, remember to (1) POST A COMMENT then (2) enter the RAFFLECOPTER for your chance to WIN “Princess From The Shadows“.