I wasn’t lying when I said Eternal Press doesn’t waste any time. I’m happy to reveal the new official cover for my second novel The Howling Heart. The artwork was designed by Elena Dudina. The model represents Paige, and she’s cloaked like a wolf with a few Varulv in the background. For those of you who don’t know, Varulv is the Swedish word for werewolf.

Eternal Press doesn’t waste any time. I like that. Soon after I sent them all the necessary paperwork and files for my cover art, they told me The Howling Heart was scheduled for an August 1st release date. For those who have been waiting for this book, you can add a reminder in your calendar!

I decided to accept an offer from Eternal Press to publish my novel The Howling Heart. They will be releasing my book digitally and in print. Also, I will be using a new cover designed by artist Elena Dudina. A few weeks ago, I found her lovely artwork on deviantART that fit my story perfectly. She made some minor edits for me, and Eternal Press agreed to use it for my cover. They told me they don’t normally accept cover art from their authors, but the Acquistions Editor, Head Artist, and CEO all liked Elena’s artwork so they made an exception for me. They will create the back cover and add all the text, but I provided a sample jacket that I created for them to replicate. I can’t wait to reveal the cover! I had second thoughts about the cover Claudia McKinney at PhatPuppy Art had designed for me a few months ago, because the male model really didn’t look like Riley. He looked more like Tristan from A Rose to the Fallen. I wanted to be 100% satisfied with my decision, so I chose a completely different concept for the new cover. I thank Elena for unknowingly bringing my concept to life. I’m so happy I can say I’m FINALLY releasing my second novel after 5 years!

I decided to retract my submission to Crescent Moon Press, so now I’m pending responses from Forever Yours and Montlake Romance. I sent Forever Yours a status request last Thursday, but I haven’t received a reply yet. The auto-response I had received on March 15th said to allow 4 weeks for a response. I will give them a full 8 weeks since that’s what it says on their website. If I don’t hear from them by May 10th, then I’m going to consider them a rejection. I seriously doubt Montlake is going to be interested, so I’ll probably be making a decision on accepting a contract in a few weeks.

I received a rejection from Sapphire Star Publishing. So now I’m pending responses from Forever Yours, Crescent Moon Press, and Amazon’s Montlake Romance. Like I said before, Montlake Romance may never respond if they’re not interested, so I’m actually waiting for two responses. I’ve updated my publisher list. I never thought it would get this long.

Yesterday, I sent partial submissions to Amazon’s Montlake Romance and Crescent Moon Press. Montlake’s policy is if they’re not interested, then they won’t respond. So, if I hear from the other three publishers first (Forever Yours, Sapphire Star Publishing, and Crescent Moon Press), then I’ll make a decision on accepting a contract. I’m not going to wait longer for Montlake if there’s a chance they’ll never respond at all.

Today I received an offer from Eternal Press. This makes two. I’m still pending responses from Forever Yours and Sapphire Star Publishing. Once they reply, then I’ll make a decision on accepting a contract. I hope to hear from them soon.

I really wasn’t planning on submitting to more publishers since I’m still waiting for two to respond. Crimson Romance rejected me, by the way. Anyway, I was browsing Parajunkee and saw an ad for Eternal Press publisher. I liked what I read about them and some of their titles, so I decided it couldn’t hurt to send a partial submission.

I sent a partial submission to Sapphire Star Publishing today. This will most likely be my last query letter. I’m just trying to give The Howling Heart as many publishing opportunities that I can. Their Operations Manager/Co-Owner, Amy, was nice enough to accept my submission although they’re only looking for Adult and New Adult contemporary romances. I appreciate her making an exception for me. I hope the first three chapters I sent are good enough and they ask for the complete manuscript.

UPDATE – I had to decline the offer from Etopia Press because they told me my novel would only be released in e-book. I’m looking to work with a publisher that will release my novel digitally and in print. So now, I have one offer to consider from Vamptasy Publishing—who confirmed they release their titles in print—and I’m pending responses from Forever Yours and Crimson Romance.

Yesterday, Etopia Press offered me a publishing contract for The Howling Heart. They also included a generous advance. I replied and told them I was still pending responses from two other publishers, so I’m not making a decision just yet. I hope to hear from Forever Yours and Crimson Romance soon. But I’m happy I have at least two offers to choose from.