Tag Archive | Penelope Marzec

Confessions of a Newbie Editor

Mar24
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A year ago I took a step of faith and became part of the Prism Book Group team, taking on the role of Acquisitions Editor. This article is not an attempt to brag, but more of a confession of sorts. prism logo

Lessons: I had never been an editor before, so there was a learning curve. Here is some of what I learned:

  • I discovered how much fear held me back until I had to push against deadlines to make sure my authors had books ready for publication.
  • I relished how good it feels to give an author that contract – and to celebrate with them when their dreams are in print for the world to read. 
  • I’ve developed a way of giving rejections that takes some of the sting out and helps writers grow. I may not contract them but I do still care. This was the scariest part of taking the job. I still don’t like to do it but at least I don’t crush dreams (or try not to).
  • I delight in encouraging authors at conferences.  

People. All the highlights this past year have shown up in the form of relationships:  

Lisa Lickel is the person who passed along the job opportunity with Prism. At first I couldn’t believe it. You think I could do what? But I asked friends, took a test (and passed) and prayed about it. Then I took the plunge and have not regretted it. She became the first author (in a group of four) that I signed. She protested, “I didn’t tell you to get the job so you would publish me!” I’m glad I did, as Brave New Century was a huge revelation. I worked with four different authors and stories all at once. Do you know how intimidating it was to edit an editor’s work as well as when she is a dear friend? She must not have minded Prism at all as she just came out with another novel, The Last Detail, in January. Because it wasn’t a strict romance, fellow editor Marcy Dyer did the honors of working on that book.

Anita Klumpers entrusted her debut novel to me and worked her butt off with such cheerfulness. Anything I threw at her she took and was grateful. Her attitude was such a bolster to me and a bit frightening. Sure. She had never been through this process before. But neither had I. Her novel was released on January 22nd. Just coming up the the title, Winter Watch, with her was an adventure in and of itself. I loved every minute.

Daisy Jerico also entrusted me with her fun novella and delivered the best pitch I ever heard to date. She talked like she loved her characters and she was telling the story of something that happened to a close friend. The Love Thief ebook has done well and if you want sassy and suspenseful romance – that book is pure delight. I must not have done too bad with her as she signed with me again. Sparks Fly is due out in July. Oh, and we’ve had coffee together and both emerged victorious during 2013’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

Paula Mowery was part of an anthology I had contracted and became interested in doing my job. Well, not my job, but the same position. There’s plenty of great fiction to go around! I have now worked with her on not one – but two books! Brave New Century released in November of 2013 and Love and Legacy released March 19, 2014.

Jacqueline Hopper is another Acquisitions Editor at Prism Book Group and an author in her own right. She has been a great support and willing to answer all kinds of questions to the newbie on the block. She helps with scheduling reviews and making teasers and trailers for our books. (Check out her novella The Gingerbread House!)

I also had the honor of working a repeat Prism author, Penelope Marzec on her book Patriot’s Heart which released in February.

Finally, I have to mention Joan Alley, the owner, and Editor-in-Chief of Prism Book Group. She was willing to take a chance on me and I am grateful she did as I have learned so much in the process about writing, about speaking, and about myself.

I’ll be honest. I did this as a way to earn a little income while waiting for my own books to come to print.

I gained something far more valuable in the process, and I am grateful.

Patriot’s Heart (Book Review)

Feb7
Reading Time: 2 minutes

PatriotsHeart_eBookPatriot’s Heart is a gripping historical romance by author, Penelope Marzec. Agnes has taken over the blacksmith shop while her father has gone to fight with the Continental Army. Going into the barn the day after the Battle of Monmouth she finds a man, one of the British, seriously wounded. While he is the enemy her heart will not let her condemn him to death with the Patriots. She vows to help the handsome man regain his heath and as he recovers they tell everyone the lie that he is a cousin from England who came to visit.

Edwin is not just a soldier. He is also the runaway son of the Duke of Dalfour. He was on a mission to deliver a message when he was shot by the enemy. He has no idea how he came to be in the barn or where his horse has gone. He goes along with Agnes’s lie to buy time to heal and perhaps spy on the colonists.

As they encounter challenges wrought by the war, they both start to fall in love. the only problem is Edwin will leave when he is well enough and Agnes will once again be alone. When Loyalists capture Agnes’s sister, Edwin vows to bring her back by returning to the British encampment. He hopes they won’t hang him as a deserter. 

Agnes struggles with her feelings for the this man and his own personal struggle from independence from an overbearing father. Will war tear his budding relationship with Agnes apart or draw them together? Could Edwin give up a title and a life of relatives ease to take up the Patriot’s cause and a life of struggle and hardship as a price for independence? Could sworn enemies become more?

This tightly woven novel is written with plenty of conflict and characters who surprised me. The hardships faced as the United States America first took its stand for independence was fraught with hardship and trial and yet love as well. Penelope does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story, into history, so we can experience what that struggle might have been like. It’s not all heavy war either, there’s some fun stuff thrown in as well that will make you smile.

A Prism Round Robin Romance Trilogy (Book Review)

Sep6
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Prism Book Group authors did a series of round-robin novellas that tell the tale of a sweet romance between Rachel and Luke.

when lightning strikesIn the first novella, Lightning Strikes, Rachel faces a power outage that brings her face to face with her annoying upstairs neighbor, Luke. An adventure in the storm draws them closer together and in the process of it all she discovers that he is her new boss!

after the stormIn the second novella, After the Storm, a dead body shows up as Luke and Rachel try to navigate their romance even as they work together.  Can it survive when Luke is a suspect in a murder?

In the third novella, A Blizzard Wedding the classic “if anything can go wrong it will” happens in the midst of a snowstorm and just when it seems like their dream wedding isn’t going to happen their friends manage to pull it off. a blizzard wedding

These are light reads and enjoyable and for free what more could you ask for? Kudos to authors: Carlene Havel, Bonnie McCune, Josie Riviera, Trinity Hart, Kim McMahill, Gay Lewis, Penelope Marzec, Kimberly B. Jackson, Karen Cogen, Jayna Morrow and Linda Carroll-Bradd obviously had some fun writing this.  Not all authors are represented in all three books. The beauty of Prism Book Group (www.prismbookgroup.com) is that there is a community of authors who work to support each other, in writing, promoting and in life. These novellas exemplify the beauty of that.