Welcome back! Today we have with us American Title finalists, PAT (P. E.) CUNNINGHAM.

MAI: Hi Pat! Thanks for joining us. What is the title of your finaling manuscript?

PAT: A Touch of Heaven

MAI: Wonderful title! Tell us a little more about the book.

PAT: Can a woman who’s half demon find true happiness with a man who’s half angel, especially while she’s trying to save the world?

MAI: Ooh, sounds like a great premise! How long have you been writing?

PAT: Augghhh. Decades. Practically from birth, it feels like sometimes.

MAI: Can you tell us a little about how this book came about?

PAT: It’s actually an offshoot/semi-sequel to a fantasy novel (non-romance) I’m currently trying to market to SF/fantasy publishers. Most of the background for this “universe” was created for the other book, so worldbulding was a snap. The initial inspiration was pro wrestling. Don’t ask.

MAI: I’m think I’m afraid to, LOL. I’ll leave that for the readers to ask! *wink* Tell me, what was your expectation when you first entered the contest?

PAT: Low — the manuscript existed as longhand pages in a notebook. I honestly didn’t think I’d be picked.

MAI: Wow! I wouldn’t put myself through the torture of writing longhand. My once legible and neat handwriting as amounted to chicken scratch since I’ve discovered typing. What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?

PAT: “Holy ****, I have to type an entire novel in less than two days.”

MAI: Umm… Sylvia, can we say that here? Just kidding. *grin* I want believe you managed to do that! Kudos to you, Pat! What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?

PAT: Having a book editor show an interest in a novel of mine. After over 20 years, vindication at last!

MAI: Wow. Twenty years! I’m very glad you made it this far and you’re here with us. What has been the worst part of this experience so far?

PAT: UPS shipping costs and not having a home computer with Internet access. I wouldn’t be here today without the public library system.

MAI: In one word, how would you describe this experience?

PAT: Omigawd!

MAI: Rightly summarized, lol!! What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?

PAT: Never give up, ever. Success can hit at any time, with the work you never thought would have a chance. Persistence pays!

MAI: And you’re living proof! Any last words?

PAT: When this is over, I’m buying a new computer. And new reading glasses.

MAI: LOL. You deserve a new computer! Thank you so much for your time and best of luck in the contest!

Alright guys, you now the drill. Leave comments for prizes.

Don’t forget the second round of voting begins next week, Monday, November 12th!! Get your emails ready to vote!

I’ll see everyone back here on Thursday.

Ciao!

Mai Christy Thao
maichristythao.com

So after years of passing my downstairs “extra” bedroom and thinking, “What a waste of space that is,” I got a wild hair on Saturday and announced that I was taking it over as my office. Presently I’m using the loft as an office area and it’s worked out fine for the most part. It’s situated between two bedrooms on the upper floor and looks over the living and dining room. There’s nothing wrong with it, aside from it being small, but I am really looking forward to having my own office.

On Saturday, hubby dismantled the bed in the guestroom and bought me a lovely, contemporary sofa to replace it. It doubles as a bed, but looks awesome as a couch. I’ve also got a new desk, new curtains, and new computer on order and all should arrive by next week. There was a golf-themed wallpaper border edging the ceiling (from the previous owner) that we just left up there, but it’s coming down now. I have to clear out all the stuff that accumulates in a room that’s rarely used and repaint, but it’s a small space, so shouldn’t take long. We’ve also got new light fixtures and a shelving system to install. The palette is clean and contemporary, with nickel finishes, soft creams and very pale golds, and claret-colored accents.

I’m excited! Not just to have a dedicated, enclosed space to work, but also because square-footage in my house that has been ignored will be utilized. I’ve tried in the past to use the room for various purposes and you would be surprised by the resistance I’ve gotten from family members. Now it’s mine! bwahahaha

I’ll post pictures when it’s all done so you can see. I’m determined that it will be gorgeous and inspiring.

Hey, all. Sorry. I’m running behind today, even after enjoying a venti latte this morning.

I wanted to share a couple things with you.

First up, is the latest release from my Wicked sister, Charlene Teglia!

Miss Lonely Hearts
Sirens Prequel

Love, larceny and lies.

When is a love letter not a love letter? When it’s mail fraud. Or in this case, female fraud.

Jason Alexander is one angry Alaskan, and he’s out to get his woman; the letter-writing Lolita who’s running the Miss Lonely Hearts con game in his bailiwick. She’s taking lonely Alaskans for a roller-coaster ride and cashing in on love. When she hits his adopted home, the patrons of his bar The Last Resort, the retired gambler takes it personally and goes out for justice.

Cassandra Adams has just been dumped by ex-fiancé number two. She’s fed up with Romance Roulette and ready to trade her rosy daydreams for hardheaded practicality. The logical solution? She’s going to search the classifieds for the mail-order marrying man she wants.

She thinks she’s found him in Jason, alias Alex Sanders. He thinks he’s hooked Miss Lonely Hearts. And the regulars at The Last Resort think it’s high time Jason got married, so they’re not about to clarify matters when they discover his mistake.

Together Jason and Cassandra will have to cut their way through the tangle of love, larceny and lies to unmask Miss Lonely Hearts and find a happy ending that’s a sure bet.

ebook available at Samhain Publishing
Print release TBA 2008

Read an Excerpt!

(you know you want it… Go ahead! It’s the weekend. *g*)

* * * * *

Also, I did a podcast with Access Romance about A PASSION FOR HIM. If you’re interested, you can listen to it here:
www.accessromance.com/multimedia/

I hope you all have a lovely, refreshing weekend!

Welcome back! It’s just another short week and a half before voting begins for the second round. Wow, I hadn’t even had time to take a breather. I’ll make this short and sweet. Today we have with us the fabulous MEL HIERS.

MAI: Mel, please give us the title of your finaling manuscript.

MEL: Voice of the Bard

MAI: Ooh, great title! What’s the story about?

MEL: Bard Anna Martin loves her job keeping the peace between mythics and humans. But when a Native American monster starts slaughtering mythics in her district, Anna has to straddle two cultures to keep her people safe and, maybe, find a little happiness of her own.

MAI: I love that you’re writing about Native American mythology. It’s fresh and very unique. How long have you been writing?

MEL: I’ve always scribbled in diaries and journals. I’ve been writing fiction for about seven years.

MAI: Can you tell us a little about how this book came about?

MEL: Anna’s world evolved out of a couple of crappy first drafts I had written during National Novel Writing Month. I was focusing on other characters, other relationships until Anna popped up and started poking me in the frontal lobe. When I ignored her, she brought friends until I was compelled to tell their story. I’m glad I did!

MAI: LOL. Don’t you just love it when characters you hadn’t intended to write refuse to leave you in peace until you’re forced to pay attention to them? It always happens when you’re elbows deep in another book. I think us writers are the only ones who have that problem. What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?

MEL: Seriously? I was expecting a polite rejection at the query stage. There are so many people writing such wonderful urban fantasy and paranormal romance these days that I was convinced I didn’t have a chance!

MAI: Funny, how things work out, huh? I’m glad you didn’t get that rejection letter. What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?

MEL: I giggled for a few minutes, and when I could talk I told my husband (who was, at that point, convinced I’d finally gone mental). We screamed and danced around the living room, and then I called my mom. It was a great moment!

MAI: What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?

MEL: Definitely the most rewarding part has been getting to know my fellow finalists. They are a great bunch of ladies and I consider myself lucky to be included among them.

MAI: I couldn’t agree with you more. What has been the worst part of this experience so far?

MEL: I haven’t actually had any bad ATIV experiences so far. But the most challenging thing for me was learning the basics of self promotion in a very short amount of time. Oh, and finding a usable photo of myself! I’m a bit of a troll and tend to avoid cameras.

MAI: Mel Hiers, I can’t believe I’m hearing those words out of your mouth. You in no way even remotely resemble a troll. I hope your husband’s not reading this. The man should knock some sense into you! In one word, how would you describe this experience?

MEL: Overwhelming!

MAI: LOL. Amen to that! What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?

MEL: This is a hard one! Up ‘till now I’ve always been the writer seeking advice. But over the past few years I’ve learned that a writer can only influence those things that she’s in direct control of. The quality of her work, how she presents herself to others, her attitude. She can’t control what a given editor or agent will think or feel on the day she holds the writer’s query in her hands. So concentrate on the things you can control, and don’t worry about the rest. Eventually you’ll find yourself in the right place at the right time.

MAI: Very well said. Any last words?

MEL: I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to participate in ATIV! It’s been a great learning experience, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the ride. Thanks for the interview, Mai. Good luck! And thanks to Sylvia for having us.

MAI: And we’re so grateful to have you with us, Mel. It’s going to be a great ride. Thank you so much for your time and good luck to you in the next round!

Okay guys, I’m picking two winners from this interview. Sylvia and her friends have some amazing prizes, so don’t forget to leave your comments!

See ya’ll next week! And yes, that’s the southern drawl in me. *wink*

Mai Christy Thao
maichristythao.com