Monday, September 27, 2010

Author Cherish D'Angelo

 Multi-published author Cherish D’Angelo, AKA Cheryl Kaye Tardif, is here today to talk about her road to publication and what she learned that you might benefit from.

Her latest book, written as Cherish D’Angelo, is called Lancelot’s Lady. It’s a contemporary romantic suspense. Lancelot’s Lady is so new, it’s release date is TODAY. It’s not her only new book, though. Skeletons in the Closet and Other Creepy Stories released last month.

Please welcome Cherish D’Angelo.

To Hel and Back: A Writer's Journey

The journey to become a published author has been filled with bumps and detours, but along the way I've learned so much about the book industry, writing, editing, publishing and marketing. I've had some definite stalls and setbacks, plus some real "Made It Moments".

The stalls and setbacks include all the rejections I've received from publishers and agents―so many that I could wallpaper my office probably twice over with them, the necessity to find an outside job so I could make money and afford to pay bills, and dealing with a less than professional traditional publisher who really only held me back―until I finally got smart and left (only months before they shut down).

Yes, you could say I've been to Hel and back with my publishing journey. But I haven't given up and I'm pushing forward. Persistence really does pay off and I don't really have a choice anyway. There is nothing else I'd rather do than write and promote my work. This is the "heavenly" part of what I do and I measure my success in all the small "Made It Moments" in my life.

These include when: my first novel Whale Song was published, I got my first review from a fan, I got my first newspaper interview, I appeared in a TV interview the first time, I got a review blurb from New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice, I was on Celebrity Chefs (a local TV show), Booklist gave me a rave review, Whale Song was picked up and re-published by a traditional publisher, and I signed with my wonderful literary agent, Jack Scovil.

Some "Almost Made It Moments" consist of the numerous times I've been contacted by producers and directors who were interested in my novels. I have one now who is very interested in filming Whale Song. I feel I'll truly have "Made It" when that movie is on the big screen. I feel so close I can envision watching it in a theatre. When I think of this I literally smell popcorn.

Lancelot's Lady ~ A Bahamas holiday from dying billionaire JT Lance, a man with a dark secret, leads palliative nurse Rhianna McLeod to Jonathan, a man with his own troubled past, and Rhianna finds herself drawn to the handsome recluse, while unbeknownst to her, someone with a horrific plan is hunting her down.

Lancelot's Lady is available in ebook edition at KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Help me celebrate by picking up a copy today and "Cherish the romance..."

 You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish D'Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.

Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.

Thank you Cherish!

Have a question for Cherish? Ask away.

37 comments:

  1. Congratulations Cherish. You're an inspiration. I think persistence is a very important ingredient for a successful writing career.

    My Darcy Mutates…

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  2. Thank you Cherish. I was looking forward to this post and it didn't disappoint. I agree with you - persistence pays off. It did with me. I finally got my book published last week after, like you, a very lonely, sometimes depressing route. I'm now concerned with marketing the book (although the publisher does some of it - I know I still have to some). I've advertised on Twitter, Facebook, every writer's site I know and I've also blogged about it. But that's not enough, is it? I've only got 9 followers on the blog so that's not going to work. Still, persistence is the word you use and that's what I'm going to remember. Thank you.
    Sue

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  3. Cherish - you seem to epitomize my mantra - it ain't luck it's (p)luck! Thanks for a nice post...

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  4. How exciting to be close to the possibility of your book becoming a movie! Wow.

    You mentioned that you left your publisher when they were holding you back. Did you know where you wanted to go from there straight away or did you experiment?

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  5. This is a great post on dedication and holding on to your goals. Congratuations on your success. Thank you Helen for posting this.

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  6. Goodness Cherish, you deserve to smell the popcorn!

    Thanks for an interesting post, Helen.

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  7. Congrats, Cherish and thanks for the great post, Helen!

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  8. Cherish does rather define perseverance, doesn't she!

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  9. Cherish, book sounds super interesting! And your journey not so dissimilar from mine! Glad you made it, and great reading your process. I'm looking forward to curling up with it on a cold night--and at 56 degrees this morning, we have hope those days are coming!
    Sylvia Dickey Smith

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  10. I'd really like to see my book as a movie, too.

    Don't need to win the Kobo - already have an awesome iPad!

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  11. Cherish is a great example of persistance. Like endurance, persistance is a quality many people underestimate!

    Judy

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  12. Sylvia, wasn't the temps this morning a nice Fall surprise!

    When the movie is coming out, let us know, Cherish, so we, too, can smell the popcorn.

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  13. I think you and I could have the same wallpaper! I've gotten rid of some of the old rejections, but I've still got some in a drawer. A good reminder that perseverance can get us anywhere. Congratulations on your release!

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  14. Thank you all for your comments. :-)

    Persistence, perseverance,(p)luck, passion--those are the ingredients for success, I believe.

    Sue (and any others interested in learning more about book marketing), since I'm also a book marketing coach, known by others as "Shameless Promoter", I can promise that if you follow my blog tour, you'll pick up all sorts of marketing ideas. :-) I always have ideas! lol

    Don't forget to leave your email addy so you can receive a free ebook and be entered in all my draws. (For security, emails don't have to be live links.)

    ~Cherish

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  15. I'm really looking forward to reading this one Cheryl!

    I've been following your tidbits on Whale Song being made into a movie, I'll be jumping up and down, and doing a hppy dance for you when that happens!

    Wish you the best on this one!

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  16. Hey Sia! I hope you enjoy Lancelot's Lady. I had a blast writing it. :-)

    We'll both be jumping up and down when Whale Song is made into a movie. I'll not only be smelling popcorn, I'll be spilling it! hehe

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  17. Hi Cheryl! Your tour will be a great way for writers to learn tips on promotion.

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  18. Hi Helen, I have a mix of posts during my 115+ blog tour. Some are on marketing/promotion, some are on virtual book tours and some are all about Cherish D'Angelo and Lancelot's Lady...and steam. lol

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  19. Many congratulations to you, Cherish! Your perseverance is inspirational while your new release sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing your "made it" moments with us. :)

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  20. Ignore the almost moments. A year from now, who will remember those?

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  21. My "almost moments" aren't ones that I consider as failures, Diane. I almost have a movie made. One day it'll be a reality. :-)

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  22. I think it’s all those stalls and setbacks that make the “Made it Moments” all the more special.

    I'm looking forward to hosting Cheryl on the 4th.

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  23. Those good "almost" moments are definitely worth rememering.

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  24. Remember to leave your email address for the prizes that Cherish is giving away! You can spell out the AT and DOT, so it's not a linkable address.

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  25. You're both so right, Jane and Helen. :-)

    Thanks for reminding everyone about the email addy bit. I don't want anyone to miss out on free ebooks. I love giving away books!

    Cherish

    P.S. Helen is right about the (at) bit for leaving email addresses. cherylktardif@shaw.ca also won't link unless you add the HTML code. Either format.

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  26. Love to hear how perseverence pays off. :) Must be so exciting to have the movie being made!

    jemifraser(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Persistence is key I think. BTW I love the cover!

    lynfaw(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Whoopsie. :)

    jmfictionscribe@yahoo.com.au

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  29. Jemi, I wish the movie was being made right now, but it's in negotiations...which in the movie industry is SLOOOOOW. But I'm looking at other options as well. No option means I can shop the Whale Song screenplay. :-)

    Lynda, you're right about persistence. And thanks for the compliment on the cover. I take it you mean for Lancelot's Lady...? If so, I designed the cover. My cover model is Jimmy Thomas, famous in the romance novel industry. He is HOT!!! ;-)

    JM...good thing you remembered your email addy. You're now entered in my prize draws, along with anyone else who has left their email address. Thank you for being such a loyal stalker--I mean, fan. :-)

    ~Cherish

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  30. Hope we get some more entries overnight.

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  31. This is such an inspiration for all writers. Congratulations on your perseverance and your success.

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  32. Thank you, Maryann. So great to see you here! :-)

    Helen, I may just be up all night. You've got great visitors!!

    ~Cherish

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  33. Thank you so much, Helen, for being such a great host during my launch party today. I'll check in over the next week and a half.

    My launch continues until October 10th with my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour. I invite you all to keep following and commenting (with email address) to receive free ebooks and be entered in all my draws.

    For my tour schedule, please go HERE.

    Cherish the romance! :-)

    ~Cherish D'Angelo

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  34. This is stop #5 for me!! This is fun!!!

    I would love to read your book and review it on my blog!! Good luck with the tour!! I will be following you around!!

    All my best,

    Sarah

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    www.sarahsblogoffun.com

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  35. Hey, Sarah. Great to see you again...lol

    I hope you'll pick up a copy of Lancelot's Lady (at Amazon, Smashwords, KoboBooks). If you review it, please let me know. I'd love to read the review and tweet about it. :-)

    You are now entered in my draws.

    Cherish

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  36. Congrats on all your releases for this year! Sounds like you've been very busy.

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  37. Pam S (pams00)10/10/2010 11:30 AM

    Congrats to being published and all of your accomplishments. It really is inspiring to see authors make it and all of the hurdles they have to get over.

    Pam S
    pams00 @ aol.com

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