Exciting News and A Spotlight: Donna Hatch

I am totally writing right now--had an epiphany and am doing a rewrite on one manuscript so I can then focus on finishing another one--cuz I have great ideas for both. Separate ideas. But I can only work on one at a time. You know, one brain two hands and all that. Oh, the life of a writer.

But I have to take a short break, because this news is too cool not to share.
Look what came in my mail today...

He he! Hooray, cheer, cheer, excitement all around. Okay, so really, I only get to keep one of these. It's a proof copy--the kind where the publisher and author get one or two to look over and approve before the big order is printed. So, my publisher gets the other two. But look! It's here! And guess what? It looks amazing. I LOVE it! Love the cover, love the chapter headings--everything. Yay!

This means my author copies will be here in a few weeks, so it's officially time to plan a party. More news on this soon.

Don't forget, I'll be signing copies of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief at the AuthorPalooza event being held at the Sandy, UT. Barnes and Noble (this is right by Southtowne Mall) from 1-4pm. I'm there with about 30 other authors, so this is going to be a totally fun event. But if you can't make it, don't stress. Cindy and I will also be at the BYU bookstore in Provo on Thursday, Feb 11th from 11:45-1:30. Come say hi if you can.

Oh, I almost forgot to do my author spotlight this week. Today, I'd like to introduce you to Donna Hatch. This interview was conducted by someone who is not me, so you won't recognize any of my usual questions. However, I like her answers and have been given permission to post the interview here. Thanks Donna!

Hi Donna. Tell us about your release, The Stranger She Married.

Okay, here's my elevator pitch:

The Stranger She Married is book one of the Rogue Hearts Series. Torn between a disfigured war hero with the heart of a poet, and a handsome libertine who may not be all he seems, impoverished Alicia must marry by the end of the month. Despite a murder threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger of all … to her heart.

The cover is gorgeous! Can you tell us a little about how covers come into being? Do you have input into the process?

Most publishers don't let the authors have any input, but I was lucky -- mine does. I filled out a questionnaire with character descriptions and a concept of what I'd pictured. The finished result was nothing like I'd imagined, and the hero looks nothing like the cover, but they got the heroine spot-on right down to the eye color.

What are you working on now?

I'm finalizing the edits on book 3 of the Rogue Heart's Series which isn't titled yet. (Gulp.) Book 2, The Guise of a Gentleman will be out in April. Each book is a stand-alone book, about a different brother of the Amesbury family, and the family members wander in and out of each other's books.

You have a posse of kiddos, how do you find time to write? How do you balance family with writing?

Yes, with 6 children, making time to write is very challenging. I do much of my writing at night after they are in bed, or during nap time, but when I'm on a roll, I write instead of unimportant things like fixing dinner. I haven't dusted since last Christmas and I gave up scrapbooking. This year, my youngest child started kindergarten, so now I can write after they all leave for school. I also work in an office part time every afternoon, so that really cuts into my writing but I'm very focused, (or obsessed) so I keep at it at odd times of the day. And night.

What is the coolest thing about being an author?

A huge rush came when I got my contract and I was giddy about it for months. But I have to say that was nothing compared to the day my book came out and I saw it on the home page of my publisher. The euphoria was almost a surreal experience. The giddiness is still with me and I've noticed people inching away from me when my grin gets a bit too happy. I guess I scare people. And now I do it without even opening my mouth.

What has surprised you about being a published author?

How excited my friends and family were for me. I knew they'd be supportive, but I had no idea how they'd rally around me and help me promote it like they have. My niece even set up a fan page for The Stranger She Married!

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

I love to read more than almost anything else. And I love music; I sing, play the harp, and am the choir director for my church. I also like to swim, water ski, snow ski, and dance. I’m totally uncoordinated, so I don’t play any team sports and sports worldwide thank me for it. And, sappy as it sounds, I love to spend time with my husband, talking, walking, playing racquetball, or just cuddling.

Thanks again, Donna, for letting me spotlight you here. For those interested in purchasing a copy of The Stranger She Married, click here.

And now back to editing, writing, and planning a launch party.  (Tick, tick, tick--yeah, I actually have a plan.) Write on!


**The author of this blog did NOT get a free copy of this book, and will not receive compensation of any kind for this spotlight, except maybe the gratitude of the book's author. But I do plan on reading this book because I'm interested. Does that count?