Good news! Writing will begin again this week. Our daughter will be a month old in 2 days and I'm starting to get over the sleep deprivation. As soon as my new netbook arrives I'll be typing away. Sadly my desktop computer keyboard has stopped talking to windows. Three attempted replacements later. I am typing via the on screen keyboard, which is slow and may be considered cruel in some countries. If any of you have had this problem feel free to tell me how you fixed it. I wanted to share our newest addition, her name is Haley:

Happy reading!

Long Overdue/ Miami

This weekend has been a whirlwind. I am at the Miami International Bookfair and am learning a lot about the industry. I will share this, but first allow me to apologize for my absence. Anyone can understand first that I am trying to push a quality novel into the public eye. So sadly, but necessarily I have delayed the publication of my novel for two reasons. First, is to ensure my novel offers great characters and a spectacular plot line for my readers. Second is to ensure it is published under the care of a publisher who cares about my work just as much as I do. Though self publishing is always an option, I am personally feeling more and more unsettled with this. It is a personal decision for every author. I am hoping to find a publisher soon and am submitting query letters. I hope this route proves successful. Also, my husband and I are expecting our second child in December (very a soon). This is a time consuming process as any parent can understand. We have been rushing to make space for our precious bundle and still have to complete her nursery. This has been slowing my editing process, though I must admit that maybe a good thing. I am vastly improving my plot line and falling more in love with the outcome. I can only hope all of you feel the same upon its release. I am happy to say this experience in Miami has been positive. I had the pleasure of listening to a panel of literary critics speaking on the pitfalls of the book industry. They were very enlightening and weren't withholding any information. I greatly appreciated this point blank approach and was excited to find someone who will speak to me this way. I am thankful to shake hands with multiple publishers. Book consumers would love this fair as well. They are surrounded by novels of all kinds and rising stars of the literary world. Please be patient as I continue to work through my creative process. I know it will be very beneficial to all of us in the long run! If you are in Miami, please stop by tomorrow, Sunday. My mother in law will be signing complimentary copies of her 3rd novel in section E, booth 300. Her site is: www.myglorytoglory.com Happy reading.

Snag

I want to thank everyone for their continuing patience. It seems that we have hit a snag in the process.

Sadly I am forced to consider an alternative to the self-publishing route I had originally planned to use. I received an unexpected update from my publishing company. They have assigned me to a new representative, without my knowledge, and this individual seems to belong more on a used car sales floor than as an appropriate contact for me. Without getting into to much detail, this person actually told me I have to make "financial sacrifices for my investment". I thought that was a little over the line and frankly none of his business. As a self-publisher I have the right to choose how much money I am contributing to this project, and to be frank, it was not going to be "cheap" in the first place. So for him to minimalise my needs was rude and out of line. I cannot sink my family financially for my own desires.

On the positive front, I have queried two literary agents. After deeper investigation (aka hours of reading chat boards, asking questions, and learning this confusing market) I think this route may ultimately yield a more positive result. This will give me the opportunity to be hired by a publishing company, which will expose me further and end up being a better investment. I hope to hear from them soon, but this process can take some time. It has been likened to applying for college. Expect rejection and keep going until you get acceptance.

So in the mean time, I will be receive my grammar corrections, perfect the document, and prepare it for formal review by these agents, if they request a sample. I am also roughing out my second novel. If I get picked up by a publisher, I'd like to show ongoing work. Publishers like to invest in series and ongoing series.

I apologize for this delay, but I have to do what is right for my career and my family. I know all of you can understand. Please keep positive thoughts flowing my way. I do not know how long this process will take, but hopefully I won't be delayed much longer!

Happy reading!

I am taking this moment to share with my fans a great joy in my life. Today is THE day, one year ago, that I married my best friend, soul mate and true love. I am looking forward to another great year of wedded bliss with my handsome and amazing husband.  ♥

Thank-you all for allowing me to gush. The novel is going very well. I will have the second round of edits in hand on Thursday. I have made some great improvements to the plot and character building. I think it will deeply enjoyable. Thank-you all for your patience during this intensive creative process.

The edits are going very well. I am loving the process of reading my novel again after two months of no contact with the document. As I'm finding little holes in my plot lines it excites me to know I can add more to this great story. I am sure as I tighten the story line, the plot and character development will add so much more depth to the story.

I truly wish I could divulge so much more about the story, but I have to hold myself back in an effort to preserve my ideas. Once my work is copyrighted and off to the press I plan to release an excerpt from the book. The ideas I have are so unique, I'm afraid to do anything before hand. This first novel is my debut and will provide me with a type of identity. I am keeping that very close to me and I'm sure you all will understand.

Its really been hard to keep so much under wraps. I hope I can report back to you soon with a great update. Thank you all for your continuing support!

Back to my edits. Hope to update you all soon!

Happy Reading!

Let the Editing Begin!

Hello friends. I am so excited to finally tell you I received my first round of edits back from one of my editors. He is so excited about the novel stating he enjoyed the plot twists and the "imagery was joyous." I am so excited to begin working on the suggested edits to bring you the best novel this can be.

I hope this novel will expand the way people view the world of fantasy and break through some of the parameters that seem to restrict the genera. I am very optimistic how this novel will be received by the public, especially now that I have received my edits and positive feedback.

For the future my editor and I hope I can continue this story in a second novel, but that depends on this novel's outcome. I thank you all for your ongoing support. I sincerely hope this will be an amazing read for all of you once it is published.

Please excuse my absence during this intensive process. I have about 39,488 words to go through in this document as of now, with expansions to make in certain areas. Please continue to spread the word of my novel  to your friends and family. You can still contact me through my fan page on Facebook, I will try to get back to you ASAP. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Barba-Author/221873424570426

Happy Reading!

First I want to take this time to say Happy Valentines Day to all my family, friends and fans. If your single then I must also say Happy Single's Awareness Day and I commend you for your fiscal awareness this year. All kidding aside I hope that Valentines Day this year is a great one for all of you.

Editing is still ongoing, but I am happy to announce that I will be developing one of the races further in this novel. As I was drifting off to sleep last night a phenomenal idea came over me and I really believe it will enhance the experience of the novel. I do not think I will be able to write it all in today, but possibly I will be sitting down to write more on Wednesday. I am very excited to continue developing my story line.

So as you can all see the process is continuing in a positive direction. I hope to get my manuscripts back from my editors and start the final edit in March, that is my goal. I certainly hope it is an achievable one!

I also wanted to say thanks for the support! My blog page has about 98 views! I cannot wait to break the 100 view mark and its all because of you coming to visit and supporting me in my en devours. Don't forget to follow me on my Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Barba-Author/221873424570426

Thank-you all again for your support. Make tomorrow a day to remember!