I’m not kidding. Enough people have asked and some have even begged. The demand for the full story was on deviantART after sharing a few excerpts and artwork. I never thought that would happen. The manuscript only has one chance of being published anyway, and it’s slim to none. Not to mention, I’m tired of rejecting people who really want to read my story, especially knowing it might not ever get published. You might be confused why I’m letting people read it for free rather than self-publish it. I meant it when I said I’d never self-publish again and this isn’t the first time I’ve shared it for free. It began as a free story on FictionPress in 2009. So, if you want to read The Howling Heart, you have to visit the deviantART group ONLY-Alex-Pettyfer and download the PDF from Box.com. Alex inspired the story and if it wasn’t for him, it wouldn’t exist, so the link is exclusively available there. All I ask is if you like the story, spread the word. I’ve either done a really wise thing or a very foolish one. Regardless, I made a decision.

I like various genres of music and sometimes it influences my writing. It’s the reason I mentioned different songs my characters heard throughout my novels A Rose to the Fallen and The Howling Heart. The latest artwork in my deviantART gallery were inspired by songs. I used them to tell stories with my characters and show their emotions.

For Micah & Sybil in A Dark Scandal, I used the haunting love song “Be My Light” from the Camelot soundtrack. Sybil is protecting Micah from the sun. She is his light because he cannot face it or else he’d burn to death, and he is her light because he allowed her to be true to herself. I used Lily Cole as Sybil and Paddy Mitchell as Micah.

For Riley & Paige in The Howling Heart, I used Sia’s melodic and dramatic song “Moon”. Paige is conflicted because she wants to be with Riley, but their lives are too different. She wants to advance her career in the city, and he can’t leave his wolf pack in the mountains. I used Alexandra Daddario as Paige and Alex Pettyfer as Riley.

Did you know I posted all the love scenes from The Howling Heart in my deviantART gallery? I’m a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, so it’s only natural. Three of the scenes were not included in the free 10-chapter preview I had available for download. If you’re interested in reading more of Riley & Paige’s love story, check out 4 sensual excerpts from my unpublished second novel. They have mature content filters, so if you don’t have a dA account, or you have an account but you’re under 18 years old, you won’t be able to read them.

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope 2012 brings great things for me, specifically that The Howling Heart gets published. Lately, the fate of my second novel has been on my mind and I was inspired to create this mock movie poster. One of my dreams is to see one of my stories adapted for film. I know it will never happen, which is why I make stuff like this. This poster is the latest addition to my deviantART gallery. I used Alex Pettyfer (of course) as Riley, and Alexandra Daddario as Paige. I mentioned Sean Bean in the cast credits because he’s my #1 choice for Riley’s father Aidan, and he would have a major role in the imaginary movie.

You should know by now that if I see someone make fanart, fanvideos, or fanfiction from my stories that I like to showcase them on my site. Over the last few years, I’ve posted all of the above. I do it because I appreciate when someone enjoys my work enough that it inspires them to be creative. I usually make my own artwork for my stories, so it’s nice when someone else makes it for them. Today, I’m showcasing fanart by Alissa aka bluehybun for my unpublished novel The Howling Heart. I met her on deviantART and she told me she loved my books. I’ve met a couple readers on dA which was a nice surprise. Alissa used Alex Pettyfer and Emily Didonato to represent Riley & Paige. I think she did a wonderful job, and I’m thrilled to know she’ll be making more artwork, but next time for A Rose to the Fallen. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

Some people have asked me why I’m not self-publishing The Howling Heart since it doesn’t seem to be catching the interest of any agents or publishers. 13 publishers and 52 agencies to be exact. All within 10 months. I had 2 e-publishers interested in my story, but I declined their offers. One publisher wanted me to change my werewolves so they don’t shift into their wolf forms when they’re unconscious, and they can’t be stuck as wolves forever if their inner light dies. Uh, that’s what makes my werewolves different, and they wanted me to change that because of the possibility of Paige partaking in bestiality. She never did, of course. I won’t cross that line. I didn’t like the contract for the second publisher. I should’ve read it before I submitted to them, so that was my fault. Read more »

Well, today I received a rejection from Mills & Boon. I’m not surprised because I’m used to them. Now, the fate of my second novel lies with an editor at Dorchester Publishing. I sent them the complete manuscript a couple weeks ago, and it could take up to 6 months for a response, so I should know their decision by the end of April 2012. I hope I hear from them sooner, so my traditional publishing journey can finally be over. Dorchester is officially the end of the road. I’m not waiting for responses from any other publishers. Of the 51 literary agencies I queried, none of them were interested. Some didn’t reply at all, so I know what that means. If Dorchester doesn’t want The Howling Heart, then it’s not getting published and will remain on my hard drive forever.

Hallelujah! I have to give a huge THANK YOU to Diane in Dorchester Publishing’s Customer Service. First, I emailed them in September about when submissions would reopen. No answer. Then I emailed them again a few days ago, and this time Diane told me to send my submission to her and she’d forward it to the editorial staff. The notice is still on their site about submissions being closed, but she gave me the green light so I’d get my manuscript in queue before the year is over. So, it seems The Howling Heart has TWO chances of getting published instead of one, and my submissions to publishers are officially over. I’m still waiting for a response from Mills & Boon. Hopefully, I should hear from them within a few weeks. It could take the editor at Dorchester up to 6 months to respond, so I have to play the waiting game for a little longer. I’m just happy I finally got to send my novel to them.