My sweet romance for Hallmark Publishing, Sunrise Cabin, comes out in a few weeks! (If you want to support the launch, pre-order it and tag it as “want to read” on Goodreads.) Some of you have seen excerpts of it because you participate in WIP Wednesdays, where we all share our work in progress.
This is my fourth romance novel, but for a couple of reasons, I’m more nervous and excited about it than any of the previous ones.
1. It’s the first original fiction release for the publishing house I work at.
I really didn’t plan it this way. Originally, when I developed this storyline, I was going to hire another writer to write it. I’ve done this a couple of times now, once for a book and once for a movie: working out a basic plot for someone else to run with.
But in this case, once the Hallmark Channel programming folks had greenlighted the storyline, I couldn’t let it go. I knew these characters, and the story meant too much to me.
It was really tough to squeeze in the writing time when I was putting in long hours on a new publishing business. Still, it brought me so much joy to write. Because I already knew the characters so well, it flowed like nothing I’d worked on before.
When I first put this book on the schedule, we’d published many companion novels to movies, but we were getting ready to go into original fiction. I’d expected to release a few original fiction novels before mine came out. It didn’t work out that way.
I suggested to others at work that maybe we should delay my autumn romance for a year, because I felt embarrassed that the first one was mine, but they didn’t see it as that big of a deal.
It’s weird for me for another reason, too. Writing novels, like blogging, has always been separate from my day job. Whether people liked my books or not had no impact on my coworkers, let alone my company’s bottom line. Only a few people would even know about it.
Now, everyone I work with will know and care, which makes me write things in meeting agendas like, “Maybe I will make a TV appearance in September to talk about my new book, or maybe, I will move to Iceland and start a new life.”
2. It’s my first novel under my “real” name.
I put “real” in quotes, because here’s the funny thing about my pen name, Bryn. I feel like it’s my real name. I literally write notes to myself like, “Okay, Bryn, let’s rework the dialogue in this scene.”
But Sunrise Cabin is the first book under my legal name. I didn’t use Bryn for a few reasons.
It’s very different from the writing I’ve done as Bryn. This one is strictly G-rated…so if you’re not a fan of steamy scenes (and frankly, I know some of you aren’t), you won’t need to worry here.
Also, I’ve published children’s books and gift books with Hallmark as Stacey Donovan. I even had my own card line.
And I thought it would be dishonest to use a pen name for this book, seeing as I work for the company. I don’t know how we’d actually benefit from me having a pen name, but it could cause confusion or awkwardness at some point.
“Stacey Donovan” isn’t actually great as an author name. There are at least two other writers out there with the same name, not to mention a popular porn star from the 80s, so I don’t have it to myself. But it’s mine.
It’s Nerve-Wracking, But Exciting
Just this week, the book went up on NetGalley, where registered users can share their honest reviews. At the time that I’m writing this, my first two reviews are up. Both of them are 5 stars. I’m especially happy about that because one of the reviewers, like my heroine, is a first-grade teacher. There are several scenes of my main character in the classroom, and I always worry about getting people’s occupations wrong. I’m so glad she liked it!
If you’re in the mood for fall, or funny and emotional romance, here’s where you can pre-order the eBook! (But if you want the paperback, you’ll have to wait until September 16.) I’ll include some international Amazon links because I know I have lots of readers from other countries. If I didn’t list the link here, you can probably find it anyway if you look up the title…or, just use iBooks, if you have an iPad or iPhone.
Thanks so much for reading about my forthcoming release! I hope you’re having a great week!
Congratulations! ?
Thank you so much!
From one author to another, I am very excited for you! Congratulations and keep up the great work!
Oh thanks, Sherlynn! I appreciate that!
I’m proud of you and glad to see your real name on the cover. Congratulations!
Ohhh thank you, Alarie! You know how long it took to get this far. 🙂 I appreciate that!
Congratulations! I pre-ordered and look forward to reading it. Using one’s real name can be nerve wracking. Either way, it’s written by you so I’m eager to read it.
I’m sure your coworkers will love it!
Well, I love fall, and I love cabin stories, and I’ve enjoyed the excerpts you’ve shared, so I know I’ll enjoy your story. Congratulations! I can understand your fears, even though I know they’re groundless. 🙂
Ohhh thank you McKenna! And thank you for giving me so much encouragement along the way. I really appreciate that!
Congratulations, Bryn!
Thank you, friend!
I rather adored the real Stacey when I have the amazing opportunity to work with her! Congrats on the new book!! ??
Aww, thanks Charlie, you are way too kind! And thanks for reading the blog. 🙂 I was the lucky one, getting to work with you!
Aww shucks, thanks! ?hehe… would be awesome to work together again someday! ?
Congratulations!
Thanks, Bonnie!
Bryn, I can only imagine what you are going through, but I do know one thing. You are an amazing writer. I have no doubt in my mind that this latest endeavor will be a huge success. I’ve got my preorder in and can’t wait to dive into the wonderful world you have created. I wish you all the love in the world.
Erin, you made me cry a little! 🙂 You are too kind. I appreciate that so much! Thanks for pre-ordering! I hope you like it! I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you here and I always feel so grateful to be around your creativity and positivity.
Aww. Thanks. And no need to cry. It’s going to be wonderful.
Congratulations. You deserved it.
Aw, thank you so much!
I’m happy for you. I’ve been reading your blogs and guides and helped me a lot. I hope I can write same way as you.
Hi Eli, it’s so nice to hear from you! I am so glad the blog is helpful and I wish you the best with your writing. Thanks so much for the kind words.
IT IS ALWAYS A TUG OF WAR THING BRYN, TO WRITE UNDER YOUR REAL NAME OR NOT BUT IT’S ALL PART OF THE LEARNING CURVE, JUST ENJOY IT FOR YOU DESERVE IT, CHINA
Hi China! It is, isn’t it? Thanks for the good wishes! I appreciate it!
Congratulations and best of luck with this Bryn/Stacey 🙂 Leaving now to pre-order and add to my Goodreads list.
Thank you so much, Cheryl!!
Thank you for sharing your journey and the snippets from this sweet story via WIP Wednesdays. You’re and inspirational person and a fantastic author, and it’s been a privilege getting to know you! I’m looking forward to reading this in its entirety, and I wish you every measure of success. Congrats, Bryn/Stacey!! 🙂
Lisa, you are too kind! you are such a thoughtful and insightful person, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you. (I just wish you weren’t so far away, to be honest! 🙂 ) Thank you so much for the well wishes!!
You’ve got this, Bryn, er, Stacey – and so do I! Just pre-ordered Sunrise Cabin this morning. Looking forward to a delicious closure after all those tantalizing bits you’ve posted on Work-in-Progress Wednesdays. I wish you every success, PJ
Aww PJ, thank you so much. I really appreciate all the support you’ve given me on this book!