2006 has been an amazing year for me. Probably the best year of my entire life. 2005 was hard, lots of high highs and very low lows but 2006 I think was the year I finally hit my stride and met a lot of goals I had for myself.
January - I spent a lot of time recovering from the end of 2005, LOL. I got a new website design from the most incredible Frauke and Croco Designs. I sent out Giving Chase to Samhain, got a cover for Sleight of Hand.
February - Sleight of Hand released from Whispers - my first release of 2006 and my first novella! I hit the first major block in writing Threat of Darkness (way back then) and I worked on Tri Mates.
March - went to Las Vegas with Megan and Anya and had such a great time. Celebrated Megan’s book deal with Spice, Anya landed an agent and shortly thereafter I did too. It’s been a very good year for the Mavericks! Got the idea for GWAB.
April - Cascadia Wolves: Enforcer released from EC. Tri Mates is contracted. I sent in Thrice United to my editor as well. Got some pretty covers as well.
May - Offered contracts on Thrice Bound and Reluctant. Got edits on multiple books. Finished Sword and Crown
June - Giving Chase releases! Sudden Desire releases - both are new arenas for me - romantic suspense and a contemporary quickie - both did very well but Giving Chase did so well it renewed my confidence. Anya Bast sold two books to Berkley - Witch Fire comes out in June of 07! Taking Chase was contracted.
July - my hard drive died and I lost pictures of my children. Oh that sucked! I wrote and wrote and wrote.
August - Vengeance Due released. I took my first solo vacation with my husband in over a decade - to Las Vegas. Got the idea for Stripped. Dealt with the death of our hard drive, took a family vacation. My four year old turned 5, my 1 year old turned 2. My agent hooked me up with Jodi Lynn Copeland and Anya Bast to pitch a Vegas themed anthology and I start writing Stripped.
September - Reluctant releases. I get deep into writing and editing. My agent pitches the What Happens in Vegas anthology and Goddess With a Blade.
October - Threat of Darkness and I continue to be at odds. I pick it up and put it down several times. Finally, at month’s end, I figure out the problem and finish up in relative ease and get it to my editor. Did edits for Sword and Crown and Taking Chase.
November - Tri Mates releases and I find out Thrice United will also release. On the same day Taking Chase releases. November was a very, very busy month. I SOLD STRIPPED TO HARLEQUIN SPICE! I sold Ascension and Threat of Darkness to EC and I got started on Chased. All told, I wrote right about 90K words in the month of November between original wip, edits, etc. November was a month that was incredibly productive and also gave me so much to be thankful for. It fueled me and got me back on track.
December - Finished Chased, finished a revision of Enclave - crits, more revision, off to editor and agent. Nearly done with partial of The Others, started revision of the next book after Ascension that is currently without a title. Wonderful holidays with my friends and family. Three CAPA nominations.
All in all, I’ve got a whole hell of a lot to be thankful and grateful for. Yes, I have worked damned hard, but without my family, without my readers and my friends, without my editors and my agent who all believe in me and support me - I don’t know where I’d be, but not here, looking back at a year of wonderful moments and successes.
As a way to say thank you, I’m going to do a contest. All you need to do is comment on the blog. Between now and January 3 - I’ll take the commenters and toss em into the randomizer and pick three winners who’ll win one of their choice of my available titles - including paper. Good luck!
Holy smokes you’ve had a busy and exciting year! I hope next year is even better for you :)
by Erin the Innocent December 29th, 2006 at 6:55 pmCongratulations Lauren, what an amazing year. I really enjoy your stories, so keep ‘em coming. Happy New Year to you and your family.
by cathy December 29th, 2006 at 7:25 pmWhat an amazingly busy year you’ve had.
I’d love to win the prize too :)
Oh - Frauke finished my website design and it rocks. I found her through your websire so thank you for that as well as all your terrific stories!
- Maura
by Maura December 29th, 2006 at 8:46 pmI for one can’t wait for the Spice antho!
by May December 30th, 2006 at 4:14 amWhat a wonderful year you’ve had. Congrats Lauren!
by Amy S. December 30th, 2006 at 6:16 amCongratulations on accomplishing so much, Lauren. I have enjoyed your books so musch and they are “keepers” in my computer library.
I think I can safely say that are all looking forward to 2007 and reading more Lauren Dane books.
Happy New Year, to you and your family, and may 2007 bring you many happy and productive hours of writing! Believe me, as a reader, I say that selfishly!!!
by Kathy Wheatley December 30th, 2006 at 6:42 amWe readers reap the rewards. LOL
P.S. I am sorry for the spelling errors…I have my children, their spouses, and grandchildren underfoot and am living in the middle of post-Christmas-pre-New Years chaos.
by Kathy Wheatley December 30th, 2006 at 6:47 amWow! That is impressive! You can certainly be proud of yourself and all you have accomplished
by Cherie J December 30th, 2006 at 8:08 amLauren, big congrats to a great year, may 2007 be the same or even better.
Big hugs
by Danny December 30th, 2006 at 8:56 amYou’ve been busy this year! You’ve got several accomplishments you should be proud !
I love contests!
by amnormand December 30th, 2006 at 11:05 amLauren, you had a awesome year and it will lead to many new books for everybody to read.
by Diane December 30th, 2006 at 11:16 amAwesome Year for a Awesome writer! May 2007 bring you all you dream for!
by Tehya December 30th, 2006 at 11:17 amDayumn women what a busy year for you. Hope next year is as busy and fruitful lol.
by Pamk December 30th, 2006 at 11:54 amWow, you have definitely had a busy, busy year. Keep up the great writing!
by Joyce December 30th, 2006 at 12:17 pmCongrats on the wonderful year you have had! Your books are wonderful and I have already begun to re-read them. I can’t wait for all of you upcoming stories.
Here’s to you and all that you will accomplish in the future!
by Cindy B December 30th, 2006 at 2:46 pmWaiting patiently for more Cascadia series.
by TeddyPig December 30th, 2006 at 5:04 pmThanks for all of the great books this year and many more in the coming years
by Christine December 30th, 2006 at 5:32 pmWhat a great year you’ve had! And how lucky for us readers that you’ve been so busy.
Here’s to 2007!
by Charlene December 30th, 2006 at 6:21 pmIMPRESSIVE! An amazingly productive year you’ve had.
by Sue A. December 30th, 2006 at 6:54 pmMost people only dream of accomplishing half of what you’ve done. Congrats!
by Scooper December 30th, 2006 at 7:15 pmYou have had a busy year, but it sounds great, awesome!
by kris December 30th, 2006 at 7:50 pmWow you wrote a whole lot, I’m very glad that you did because I’m starting to buy your books
by Chris Hopper December 30th, 2006 at 9:26 pmYou’ve been busy this year but you have to know that all us fans really appreciate it. And another boggling thought… if this year has been so packed with all these great reads, whatever will 2007 be like? I cannot wait to find out! Here’s wishing one and all the best this New Years.
by April December 31st, 2006 at 4:22 amYou have been a very busy author which makes me VERY happy. Thanks for all the joy you have brought to me and others through your books this year.
Here is to a very exciting 2007!
Hugs
by Mary December 31st, 2006 at 4:53 amMary
Sounds you like had an amazing year Lauren! Hope 2007 is just as wonderful. :D
by Loribelle Hunt December 31st, 2006 at 10:04 amWhat a fantastic year you’ve had! Congratulations on all your well-deserved success
Wishing more of the same in 2007! Have a safe and happy new year!
by Lori December 31st, 2006 at 10:14 amYour hard drive crash was part of the reason we re-backed up our pix.
Congratulations on a pretty good/busy year. Can’t wait to see what you will bring us next year.
by ThatBrunette December 31st, 2006 at 10:49 amWTG Lauren
by Liz Denler December 31st, 2006 at 11:12 amAn Awesome List
You’ve had a fantastic year, Lauren
by Lisa W December 31st, 2006 at 1:18 pmI hope your 2007 year will be as great a year.
by Deborah December 31st, 2006 at 1:18 pmKeep up the wonderful work.
by Shuck Ying December 31st, 2006 at 1:19 pmWhat a great year 2006 has been for you, I hope 2007 will be as wonderful.
by Patricia December 31st, 2006 at 1:19 pmcongrats on a great year and looking forward to a great one next year.
by Loisc December 31st, 2006 at 1:38 pmThat is a list to be proud of. Congratulations on your success. Happy New Year!
by Karen December 31st, 2006 at 3:39 pmWow! Your year has been absolutely NUTTY! And it sounds just fabulous! Congrats on all the writing, the nominations, and well, everything!!!
May next year be even *more* uplifting than this one,
*hug*
by Anj December 31st, 2006 at 10:21 pmAnj
What a great year you’ve had! So much to be proud of there.
by Ember January 1st, 2007 at 6:24 amHope 2007 sees even bigger accomplishments to come.
You’ve had an amazing year, Lauren! And it’s only going to keep on getting better!
by N.J. Walters January 1st, 2007 at 5:54 pmLauren, wow just so great to read about your year in review!! Do you keep like a log on it? Or even can use your blog to reflect back. I think thats great! You really had a fab year and i’m trilled to be part of it as a reader.
Happy new years too!!
by Cathie January 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 amYou’re inspiring me to try to get a book published. Try being the operative word. But still, the fact that I’m considering it is kind of a big deal for me.
by Vireo (from lj) January 2nd, 2007 at 4:30 pmWow, you have had an amazing year. Congratulations. I hope 2007 is a great year for you.
by Crystal B. January 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 am