Far Into Yesterday Book Cover

I am really stoked! A couple months ago I submitted my novella, Far Into Yesterday, to Solstice Publishing. After goofing up and sending them the first three chapters in a format they did not request, they were kind enough to let me resubmit. After reading the first three chapters, they requested the whole manuscript. That was really exciting! However, after reading the story, the editor told me she liked it, but I had some problems with my POV (point-of-view). She asked me to resubmit after addressing those issues.

Of course, I was really glad for a third opportunity to resubmit my manuscript. However, Gary and I we were in the process of moving from California to Oregon. So...correcting my POV was put on hold. I was really afraid that by the time I could resubmit, the editor would have lost interest.

After our move, I devoted my spare time to fixing the story. I am happy to inform anyone, and everyone, that Solstice Publishing accepted the book for publication. As you can see, they have completed the design of the ebook cover. I think the cover is beautiful and conveys the spunk of my heroine.

As soon as I get a release date for the ebook, I will post it.

My previous post was about the release dates for 11:11 'Countdown to 2012' and The Theory of Everything. Echelon Press is the publisher of these books. Even though the ebooks are not available until next year. The paperbacks (self-published) can be purchased at lulu.com now.

I encourage you to peruse the great books at Echelon Press and Soltice Publishing.

Release Dates for Two Books

I am ecstatic to report that the ebook release dates for 11:11 'Countdown to 2012' and The Theory of Everything, have been scheduled by Echelon Press. 11:11 'Countdown to 2012' will be released on March 15, 2011, and The Theory of Everything will be released on August 15, 2011. However, the books are available now in paperback (self-published)! If you don't want to wait until next year, you can order them through my website, http://www.vernaclay.com/.

A ton of research went into each novel. The stories are chock full of real mysteries and real places of mystery. In 11:11 you are introduced to--you got it--the 11:11 enigma. Why are people all over the world constantly seeing these numbers? Also, how does 11:11 tie into the year 2012. Why is the Denver Airport a place of mystery? Who was the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten? These are just some of the mysteries tackled in 11:11.

Of course, to spice things up, I have added romance to the mix.

As for the other book, The Theory of Everything, my heroine is a psychic who hears a cry for help in her mind. This book also introduces real mysteries. Join my characters as they jog around the world searching for the answer to the Theory of Everything, a riddle that has eluded researchers for thousands of years.

The covers for these two books were created from my own photographs. However, when we get closer to their release dates, Echelon Press will be redisigning the covers. I'm excited to see what they come up with.

Remember, a mystery is always lurking. Keep your eyes and ears open. When you come across one, send me an email. Maybe I'll use it in my next novel.

Sleepless Night

Sometimes I get so many stories swirling in my head I can't sleep. It's about three a.m. and I'm pondering the four-book series I started a few months ago. I've almost completed the first book, Gentle Planet. I know what you're thinking...it's a scifi/outerspace book. Nope. It's a fantasy adventure that has nothing to do with outerspace. That's all I can say about the title.

I can tell you, however, that the series is about four brothers: Joseph (Joe), Jedidiah (Jed), Jesse (Jess), and Gabriel (Gabe). Each brother has an incredible story to share. Of course, they make appearances in each others' books.

Joseph, the firstborn, tells his story first. After spending ten years in prison for murder, he wants nothing more than to escape to his cabin in the wilds of Oregon. Little does he know his life is about to make a u-turn and introduce him to some crazy stuff: creation myths, reincarnation, an old Indian who knows more than he's revealing, a mysterious disappearing woman.

Can Joe reconcile his past with his future and move on?

I had a lot of fun writing Joe's story, but now it time to reveal Jed's adventure, which begins with an NDE...Near Death Experience. Unless I change my mind later, this book is titled, The Lilac Ribbon. Hmm, I wonder why?

More about Jed in a later blog. My eyes are starting to droop.

Trailer Uploaded for "The Theory of Everything"

I've finally uploaded the trailer for my latest book, The Theory of Everything. Creating trailers is one of my "mostest favoritest" things to do. I love visually creating the scenario of a book. Finding pictures for the characters is especially fun. My goal is to make the viewer want to know the ending of the book.

For you "techies" here's what I did. After the pictures were found and placed in PowerPoint, I started building on the visuals with words and special effects. Finally, I searched my husband's music creations to locate the perfect song for the trailer. The trailer for The Theory of Everthing was uploaded to http://www.authorstream.com/. After its upload I copied their html code and placed it in my website.

My first trailer--11:11 'Countdown to 2012'--was done a little differently. I created it in PowerPoint, but then sent the slides to a movie-making program to edit. After that, I uploaded the trailer to YouTube.

There are pros and cons of doing it either way. Using "authorstream" I lost my slide transitions but kept special effects. For YouTube, I moved the slides to a movie-making program where I was able to create slide transitions, but lost my special effects from PowerPoint. Of course, I'm a novice at doing this so I'm sure there are ways to keep both. Eventually, I'll figure them out. My lofty goal is to someday have a trailer that is an actual "short" movie with real characters acting the part. Wouldn't that be a kick!

Great Experience - Southern CA Writers' Conference

I attended the Southern California Writer's Conference in San Diego during Valentine's Day weekend. I had hoped to meet my publisher, Karen Syed, of Echelon Press, however, her plane was grounded because of snow. I was disappointed but there will be other conferences; safety first. I did get a chance to talk with and attend a workshop by Echelon Press author, Teresa Burrell. Teresa is an attorney and wrote the legal suspense novel, "The Advocate." Her workshop covered legalities of publishing and was very informative. I also attended a panel of first-time authors who related their experiences and answered questions from the audience. Three of the five authors on the panel were from Echelon Press: Nick Valentino, author of "Thomas Riley;" Gayle Carline, author of "Freezer Burn;" and Teresa Burrell, author of "The Advocate."

I had a one-on-one critique with freelance editor, Jean Jenkins. All I can saw is, "Wow!" She critiqued a new book I've started and helped me see areas of improvement. I took her suggestions to heart and after making revisions, the writing "popped."

Suffice it to say, I had a wonderful, informative, productive weekend. It was one of my best Valentine's Days ever. Of course, my husband was waiting back at our hotel to celebrate, which made the weekend perfect.

Great News!

Today is January 28, 2010 and I just got an email from Echelon Press that they want to publish my just completed novel, The Theory of Everything, as an ebook. That makes two ebooks now! The other book is, 11:11 'Countdown to 2012.' What a great year this has been and its only January! Even though the ebooks will not be available for a few months, the paperbacks are available now at my bookstore at lulu.com.

It feels good to finally have these books completed, but now it's time to move on to my next project: a series of four books about four brothers. I'm still working out their names, but for sure the youngest brother's name is Gabriel. I have titles for two of the books: the first in the series is called, Gentle Planet. The second book is tentatively called, The Lilac Ribbon. Since I have so much fun writing reality/fantasy books--trying to make fantasy believable--I'm following the same pattern with this series and I have lots of surprises in store. I'll keep my blog posted as these stories come into fruition.

Next month, I'm going to the San Diego Writer's Conference and I'm really excited. I'm going to meet my publisher in person. I hope to learn alot at the conference and meet new friends. I'll blog my experience after the conference is over.

Getting Started in 2010

This is my first blog of the New Year with my new blogspot. The past year has been a busy one as far as writing. I made up my mind a year ago that I was going to be consistent in my writing habits; even when I wanted to take off and do other things. I am amazed at how much can be accomplished with consistency. I now have two complete novels, 11:11 'Countdown to 2012' and The Theory of Everything. I have completed a middle-grade novel, Restoring 'Tween Time, and a time-travel novella, Far Into Yesterday. Finally, I am 30 pages into a new novel. Wow! I am excited to see what can be accomplished in 2010 with my consistency strategy.

I received wonderful news on December 30th, 09, from Echelon Press. They offered me a contract for ebook publishing of 11:11. I received the contract on my birthday (early in the New Year) and the same day received a call from McCabe & Company Booksellers, our local bookstore in Crestline, CA, that they had sold out of the books and wanted more. It will take several months before the ebook is available, but the paperback is available now at lulu.com, as well as the above mentioned books.

What a great birthday! My husband and I celebrated at Red Robin and then went to Barnes and Noble (our favorite place) to hang out.

Life is good!