Jori for the WIN!

I didn't mention this on my blog last week, but Torn Canvas was an InD'Tale Magazine RONE Award finalist for best New Adult book--and the awards ceremony was Saturday night (my birthday).

What a shock it was on Saturday night when my friend Danyelle Ferguson (who accepted it for me and won in her own category for Sweet Confections) who posted this picture on Facebook! I was at a writing retreat and we all started squealing.

I have to mention how much I loved my main character in Torn Canvas, Jori Virtanen. He was sooo flawed because of something awful that happened to him as a teen. In many ways, he became like the monster who perpetrated the wrong on him.

Yet that wasn't who he was. This story is his journey out the misery that was created for him and then he unknowingly embraced. It's very much a story of redemption.

And a love story.

With pirates.

And painting.

Danyelle said I really needed to prepare an acceptance speech. I thought it was a waste of time, but I'm really grateful now that I took her advice. Here's what I had her read for me:

I cannot express how thrilled I am to have won this award—crazy considering I’m a writer, right? I’m sad I couldn’t be there in person, but I want to thank my friend Danyelle Ferguson for accepting on my behalf. 

I’d like first to honor my fellow nominees. I know what goes into the crafting of a book, and I value their hard work and dedication. Thank you!  

Others I want to thank are those involved with the RONE awards—the reviewers, the fans, the judges, and the staff at InD’Tale magazine, who make this all happen. I’d like to thank my critique group who helped me shape this story, but especially to my editor Katharina Brendel who, with her insightful questions and observations, helped me see how this story should be told.

I’d also like to thank my husband Edward for his undying support and encouragement. I couldn’t have a better fan. I couldn’t do this without him. 

This award means the world to me. We writers are readers first, and it’s our love of storytelling the fuels our tales. Thank you all!"

Um. Yeah. I had a great weekend.

How about you?

Friday Musings While on Hiatus

by Donna K. Weaver

Yes, my life is crazy right now, but you know, it's also good. Here are some of my recent highlights:

• Received my rights back for A Change of Plans.
• Since this is a series with at least three companion novels, it now has a name: Safe Harbors.
• Updated the cover (see it on the right).
• Formatted the digital versions of the second edition, including a sneak peek of the second book, Torn Canvas. This books stars Jori from A Change of Plans.
• Worked with my former publisher to get the paper copy formatted. The interior looks wonderful--very similar to the original even though I've had to use a different printer. Just waiting on a couple of tweaks to the cover and the paper copies should be available.
• Signed up my editor for Torn Canvas--the awesome Katharina Brendel who was the lead editor on A Change of Plans.
• Had initial discussions with my cover designer, Melissa Williams (aka author Michelle D. Argyle) for the cover of Torn Canvas. Michelle/Melissa also did the A Change of Plans cover.
• Set a month for the release of Torn Canvas--January 2014.
• Furiously working on a major rewrite of Torn Canvas after preliminary input.
• I'm part of the Ripples Effect Romance series coming out in March. So excited to work with the authors in this linked series.

That 18-day Hawaiian cruise in later January

is looking awful good right now.

Another major thing I'm involved with is Dauntless. I think I've mentioned it, but here's a bit more about us. I think it's best described by fellow Dauntless Author, Amber Argyle:

I've joined forces with an eclectic mix of everything from bestselling to debut authors to create a collaborative called Dauntless. We are fearless authors dedicated to our craft and our success in the publishing world. Our goal is to be each other's marketing team and support system. 

For readers, Dauntless means going to one place to keep up-to-date on all our books. It means coupons and freebies. It means interacting with some of your favorite authors. It means weekly posts on book related topics.
For writers, Dauntless means weekly posts on the craft and marketing side of writing. It means networking and establishing relationships. 

And it's all in good fun. 

Grab our button, post it on your page: 
Like us on Facebook and Twitter Follow our blog. Join us on Pinterest 

Some of our members include: Elle Strauss, Konstanz Silverbow, Cindy M Hogan, Donna K. Weaver, Megg Jensen, Angela Corbett, Amber L Argyle, Nancy Thompson, Katie, G.P. Ching, Sawyer Bennett, David P. King, ali cross, Cameron Jace, Wendy Knight, Jolene Perry, RaShelle Workman, Donna Hosie, Stephanie Fowers, and Lani Woodland 

Pretty cool, huh?

Now I'm going back to my hole and work on those edits.