Welcome Guest Blogger June Phyllis Baker!
I am honored and pleased to be here on Love is an Exploding Cigar. Thank you for inviting me. My name is June Phyllis Baker, and my romantic mystery, No Regrets, will be released this fall.
It is a fun, light-hearted romance set in the small-town atmosphere of the 1950's and complicated with a mysterious stalker, a chain of crimes, and a homeless boy with a secret. The heroine is a reporter, with dreams bigger than the traditional 'home and husband', running head-long into a very traditional small town sheriff who'd like nothing more than to be the 'headliner' in her heart. This book has been such a joy to write, and with its release so close at hand, what I would most like to share with you all is the exhilaration (and nail biting) of at last realizing the life-long dream of becoming an author.
So many people have asked me "how does it feel to finally realize your book is going to be published?" Frankly, it feels great! When I began writing No Regrets five years ago I barely dared to consider such a possibility. I just knew I had a story I wanted to tell. I shudder when I think of that first draft.
Gratefully, part of the process is learning and growing and getting better. There were times when I'd get frustrated and want to quit, but then my muse would tap me on the shoulder and whisper “If you quit I'll be out of a job.” So I persevered. I finished the book. I sent it out. (all of those steps are necessary to get to the exciting part)
On a very normal Thursday afternoon, I received the call I'd waited so long for...and never quite believed would come. Let me tell you, it is a stunning moment to hear those words over the phone "This is your publisher, and we are sending a contract for your novel". I think I remembered to say thank you. I know as soon as I hung up I screamed and danced around the room like a fool. Things seemed a bit surreal the next few days. I walked around mumbling to myself, “I'm going to be an author.” It takes a bit to sink in. I'd been told first books don't usually get published. Ha! Wrong, oh wise one, wherever you are. Little did you know.
The contract did come. And edits, the search for a cover, galleys and sleepless nights soon proved this was no dream. The ARC came. I held it and marveled at this new reality. It was my book! My dream come true. I can finally call myself an author.
And I won't mind going through it all again. It's like childbirth, after a while you forget the pain and look forward to another baby. Most importantly, after the experience you have a bit of yourself you have shared with the world.
I look forward to chatting with each and every one of you and sharing my love for books and writing. Writing is like breathing for me. I can't do without either one. Share today, and if you are registered here at Cigars, you might win a copy of my book that will be released this fall.
Welcome June!
Very big congrats on selling your book, and your first book at that! I'm happy to say I know how that feels -- Virtually Perfect was my first book, as well, so I always tell people it can and does happen. :)
I also want to clue people into the fact that June is not just any guest blogger, but she donated generously to Brenda Novak's Juvenile Diabetes auction and so her cover will stay on the sidebar here at Cigars for a year, and if she has any new books come out, you'll know where to hear about them. :)
So, let's have a first sale party for June today, and the book sounds wonderful -- I love romance, and mystery, so this is right up my alley.
Sam
Welcome June!
Thank you, Sam. Though I haven't been here on love's an exploding cigar,I love it!
June
Well,
Now you can come around and visit all the time. There's always something happening here... :)
Sam
Well
And... I will be in here often!
June
Congratulations!
Thanks for being here, June! Your book sounds like it's just up my alley, too. Is there a better combination than romance and mystery? And I love the cover. Looking forward to reading it.
Congratulations!
Thank you,Cheryl. It's nice to meet you. Mystery and Romance is the best! Thank you for the kind words about my cover. I loved it from the first time I saw it.
June
Congratulations!
Hi, June! Glad that you're here today! Congratulations on your first release! It must be so exciting to have your dream become a reality :) And how wonderful for us readers to have a new author to enjoy!
Hi and welcome June.
Hi and welcome June. Congrats on your 1st book; I was born in 1950 so this book will be about times that I grew up in. It sounds interesting.
Is the book under Contemporary romance? I assume so.
Now that you are on track, keep those books coming.
Hi and Welcome June
Hi Buddy
Thank you for your kind words. I enjoyed every minute of writing No Regrets.
June
Congratulations!
Hi Fedora!
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for your kind words. I'm on a cloud and I'm not sure when I'll be back down.
June
Your book
Hi June--
Great to see you here at the Cigars. It's an awesome place. I'm excited to hear about your book--and so grateful for your support of my efforts to help those with diabetes. I still can't believe we raised $252,300! I couldn't have done it without you and everyone else who pitched in.
Best of luck with the release! I'll put it on my calendar!
Brenda Novak
STOP ME, On Sale Now!
Your book
Hi Brenda-
It's so good to hear from you!
Thank you for your kind words.
I was more than happy to help raise money for diabetes.
June
Yay, I love a party.
Yay, I love a party. Congratulations on your upcoming release! I love a mystery, and yours sounds like a great book!
J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com
Yay, I love a party
Hi J,K.
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for your kind words.
June
*Happy SIgh*
Welcome, June Phyllis!!
One of the great things about Cigars is how many first time authors we've met here. I just love hearing about THE CALL.
Although I don't write, I can still imagine how life changing that call must be. Congratulations!!
And I love the cover of your book. It sounds like a lot of fun!
May this be the start of something wonderful for you!
ani
Happy Sigh
Hi ani,
It's nice to meet you.
Thank you for your kind words.
June
Congrats!
June, I'm so proud of you. But I told you all along this day would come. Being one of your crit partners was an honor for me. Being your friend is up there with my greatest treasures.
Good luck my dear, dear friend. I love ya!
Char
Congrats!
Hi Cj!
Char thank so much for all your support. You always told me I could even when I thought I couldn't. Where would I be with out you and our little crtic group?
I too treasure your friendship.
I love you!
June
congrats on your first novel
The book is enchanting. I am sure it will be well loved when the big 'release' date finally comes. Mine, of course, is now on preorder on Amazon :)
Thanks for introducing me also to this wonderful site and people. And they support so many causes near and dear to my heart (having both rescue horses and a rescued pit bull, a diabetic nephew I helped raise and adore, and of course all my adopted special kids) Sounds like you are among a group of very special people here.
Well done, June.
Congrats on your first novel
Thank you,Pamela. I Absolutely love this site.
Thank you for your kind words about No Regrets. It's postive proof that dreams do come true.
Thank your for your support.
Hugs,
June
Congratulations, Pamela!
Congratulations on your book, Pamela! It's so exciting when it hits Amazon, isn't it?
Congratulations on selling
Congratulations on selling your first book!
Sounds like an intersting read.
Congratulations on selling
Hi Estella,
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for your kind words.
June
Welcome June!
I finally got the kids down for a nap and could come over to say howdy! Congrats on your first book! May this be only the beginning of a wonderful career!
Dee
Welcome June!
Hi Dee
It's nice to meet you. Thank you! It's postive proof that dreams do come to true.
June
Oooh, I love First Sale Celebrations!!
Welcome to Cigars, June, and huge congratulations on your first sale! I loved hearing about your story, and wish you many more books! Your cover is great, and your story sounds wonderful; having graduated from college with a degree in journalism, I can't wait to read about your reporter heroine. Come by often, it's a great group here at Cigars and we have a lot of fun!
OOh, I love First Sale Celebrations!!
Hi Karen,
It's nice to meet you. I feel like I've made a whole bunch of new friends today. You all have made me feel so welcome.
You will "see" a lot of me here on cigar.
I love this site!
June
Congrats on your book
Thanks for sharing your publishing story. Your book sounds delightful.
Congrats.
Congrats on your book
Hi Ann,
Thank you. It's nice to meet you.
June
Welcome, June! Congrats on
Welcome, June! Congrats on the sale, the upcoming release, the cute cover art...the works! :)
M
Welcome, June! Congrats
Hi M,
Thank you! It's nice to meet you.
June
Party!
Congratulations, June!! What a great feeling that must be. Both my mother and my husband claim they have books inside of them waiting to come out. Stories like yours give me hope that one day they might just get around to sharing them with the world.
Welcome to LIAEC!
Cathy
Party!
Hi Cathy,
It's nice to meet you. Never give up on your dreams. I hope your parents do write a book someday.
June
Congrats
Congrats on your book June. It is nice to see you here. I don't think I could ever write a book, but I have a friend that tells me he would. He says he has all these stories in his head. I keep telling him to write them down. Put then on a computer and write a book. You never know until you try.
Congrats
Hi lead bottom,
It's nice to meet you. Thank you. If your friend doesn't try he might miss out on writing a really good book.
June
June--Popping in a little
June--Popping in a little late, due to an usual day, but congratulations and welcome to Cigars! Isn't it a wild ride going through the process of publishing your first book? I know that I loved it, and spend every moment wondering what was going to happen next.
I look forward to readng your book!
Jeannie
Hi Jeannie It's nice to meet
Hi Jeannie
It's nice to meet you. I love being here on cigar. I have been in a constant state of euphoria and loving every mintue of it! Like you I can't wait to see what happens yet.
I hope you enjoy reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.
June
CONGRATULATIONS
Your wonderful novel sounds absolutely unique and enthralling. I enjoy all books that are set in that era it is my favorite. The book sonds delightful and I wish yo all the best for success and with your next endeavor.
Congratulations
Hi Beach,
It's nice to meet you. Thank you for your kind words.
June
READING
Reading has always been a passion for me. I can lose myself within the pages of a book and be transported to another era and place which is fascinating and delightful. Congratulations on the new release which looks precious and appealing. Love that you chose the 1950's which remind me of what life was like since it was an important time for me. Thanks for this intro into your work and I will be searching for your next book.
CONGRATULATIONS
What an interesting and enjoyable post. It was fascinating to learn about your new release which sounds intriguing. June, No Regrets has such a great combination of romance and mystery which is a favorite for me. I know that you will be a success and wish you the best for your future.
Congratulations
Hi Principessa,
It's nice meeting you,Principessa.
Thank you for your kind words.
June
Hi Reading Thank you for
Hi Reading
Thank you for your kind words,Reading. Life was so much simpler back then.
June
June's Winner!
Hey folks, I am announcing June's winner for her, and it's....
CATHYW!
Congrats -- Cathy, I'll send June your email and she'll be in touch.
Sam
Congrats!
Hooray, Cathy! And thanks again for sharing with us, June! We're definitely celebrating with you!
Thanks!
Wow, thank you so much, June!!
LOL - I actually got an email first and was totally confused. I don't normally get messages from emails I don't recognize telling me they will contact me about sending a book. He he - although, I'd love it if I got more of those!!
Thanks again, June!!! I am looking forward to it!
Cathy
Congratulations!!
Oh this looks really good, Cathy!!
WTG!!
ani
Thanks again!
I just wanted to mention that I received June's book yesterday. It is so hot here I retreat to the basement in the afternoons....I think I know what book I'm taking today! :-)