Thursday, August 25, 2011

Monarch & Michelle

At the end of 2008, I won a contest over at the great Nathan Bransford's blog. While I am totally aware that it was just a fun, online contest, it changed my life in so many ways. It opened up the pathway that led to where I'm at now, because getting that crit from Nathan made my writing better. So much better—I knew I needed help, and NB Bootcamp (as I refer to it, which he probably doesn't know [sorry, Nathan!]) was long and hard and yet perpetually rewarding. I am so grateful for that, but I'm getting off track.

I also met a lot of people through this contest. I met Sara Raasch, one of my CPs and dearest friends, who I dragged out to Utah from Ohio I liked her so much. I met Adam Heine, whose love of airships might actually best my own (And let's not forget the ninjas! Ninjas forever.).

And I met Michelle (aka: Lady Glamis). Michelle was a finalist in the contest, and as we closely watched the voting we got to know each other and just how much we had in common. Heck, we lived TEN MINUTES away from each other! What were the chances?

It's funny how I've found more friends through the internet than I have in my entire life. Michelle and I hang out. Our kids play together. We cook together and moon over cheese and dark chocolate. She is a kindred spirit, an incredible photographer (She took my picture there on the left. She always makes me look so pretty!), and an amazing writer.

And her novel, MONARCH, is officially out this week!

Don't you love the cover? I think it's brilliant, perfect for the book.

This novel has a special place in my heart, because it was the first paragraph that brought me and Michelle together. It is SO exciting to know that paragraph is now in print for anyone to read! So if you are looking for a different kind of thriller, check it out.

16 comments:

  1. Awesome cover - definitely distinct.

    I clicked over to Amazon and checked out that first paragraph, and I have to agree it's a good one. Very memorable. (And you don't often get a cover that nails imagery from the book's opening, but this one's pretty darn close.)

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  2. Sounds like a great read--and right up my alley. It is in my shopping cart!

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  3. Aww, yay! Congrats to her. It's a great cover.

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  4. Haha - Bootcamp, I love it.

    And congratulations, Michelle!!

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  5. Love the cover. And I have to agree that I have made some amazing writer friends via the internet.

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  6. It looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

    I agree that the internet is a great source for friendship. I met my critique partners that way, as well as several of my very good friends. Every time I start to think that blogging is too much work, I remember the rewards.

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  7. Wow, that's an awesome cover. And a great story on how you made friends. That's so cool you live close to each other.

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  8. Wow, thanks, Natalie! I kind of cried reading this. I don't know why. I think it has something to do with the fact that what makes life so wonderful are relationships, and I'm so glad to have found you as a friend. Thanks for the shout-out about my book!

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  9. This is one of my favorite posts ever. I feel the same way, both about you, Natalie, about friends on the internet, about Nathan's contests, and about that cover.

    I remember her opening paragraph (a testament to how good it was), and that cover is brilliant.

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  10. I love that you guys met on the internet, but were so close. The cover is AMAZING, and it makes me want to run out and read it.

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  11. Amazing friendship story. All the best to you, Michelle, with Monarch--and yes, the cover is awesome!

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  12. That's an awesome cover. The book sounds great.

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  13. What a fun post! Congrats to Michelle; the cover IS awesome!

    And thanks for sharing your cool friendship stories. I think that's so neat, and seeing the special people you mentioned in this post comment & send you love right back, it's clear the love goes both ways. :D

    A perfect Friday post!

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  14. Hehe, just realized this was your Thursday post. It's just me, up early, reading it for the first time several times zones away. :D Still was a great start to my Friday!

    Hope your Friday is a very happy one!

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