Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” —Groucho Marx

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Pulled by A L Jackson/RABT VBTour

Photobucket

Guest Post:

Please welcome our guest today, A L Jackson   (loud and wild applause)
Her topic:  
How to Avoid the Slush Pile

Hi everyone. I’m A. L. Jackson, author of Pulled and Take This Regret, and I’m excited to share with you all today my tips on avoiding the slush pile. As an author and the co-owner of a small publishing house, I know submitting a manuscript can be one of the most nerve-racking steps we ever take as authors. We sit in front of our computers biting our nails, refreshing our email hour after hour, waiting to hear something back.
All the while, our submissions are sitting on someone’s desk waiting to be reviewed.
So how do you keep your manuscript from hitting the slush pile once someone does look it?
First, be sure you follow the publisher or agent’s submission guidelines to a tee. If you miss something or ignore instructions, your manuscript will most likely be rejected before the editor or agent even reads the first line.  Be sure that you don’t come across as someone who doesn’t know how to follow instructions or someone who just doesn’t care about them. Both are red flags.
Second and most important in my opinion is ensuring your book immediately hooks the reader. The writing should be strong and raise questions that make the reader want to continue on to get those answers. Don’t start with backstory on your main character or over-describe the setting. Get right into the conflict and then weave those other details in later. Be sure the first few pages are both clear and interesting.  The reader should be intrigued, but not confused, and most definitely should not be bored.
Be sure the portion you’re submitting has been carefully proofed and is formatted correctly (again check for submission guidelines to find out if a specific format is requested). Taking these small steps show you’re serious about your submission and are committed to your writing. If an editor is spending more time noticing typos or wonky formatting, it will distract from your writing. 
Take the time to ensure your submission stands out from the masses. These three points above can mean the difference between opening an email with a rejection letter or one asking to see your full manuscript. 
Wishing you all luck with your writing endeavors!

 And we wish the same for you Mz Jackson!


Contemporary Romance
Title: Pulled
Author: A. L. Jackson
Date to be Published: 4/5/12
Synopsis: 


Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life.  When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions. 



For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart.  In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side.  


Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago.  

But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart? 

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.



Author Bio:
 

A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.




My Review:

 Amazing.   Pulled was romance at it's finest.   And I loved it.   Sometimes teen age love fades, but sometimes it is so strong and holds a future for both the boy and the girl.  Daniel and Melanie had a special kind of love....one that entwined their very souls and pulled at their hearts for nine long insufferable years.   Ever pulling them back together despite the lies and despair that had kept them apart, each of them speaking to the other across many miles and heartache.   I could not hope for less than a happily ever after ending!

Ms Jackson wrote a heart rending love story.  Her characters were young and touching and oh so full of life.      Their drama was born of misunderstandings and deceit from those around them.  Their hearts were always linked.   As the story progressed we saw growth in both  main characters and healing.   The writing was smooth and inviting as well as riveting....I certainly could not put the book down.   I would give this story...a GREAT read!

 4 winks    

                     ....................................................

 

    For additional Reviews and information, follow the tour:

September 3 - My Cozie Corner
September 4 - Insomnia of Books
September 5 - Wonderland Reviews 
September 6 - Dive Under the Cover
September 7 - LovLivLife Reviews
September 10 - Just Bookin' Around
September 10 - My Escape
September 12 - Books and Needlepoint
September 13 -The Book Maven 
September 14 - My Reading Addiction
September 15 - Sweeping the USA
September 16 - The Solitary Bookworm 
September 17 - A Date With a Book
September 17 - Reader Girls
September 18 - The Story of a Girl
September 20 - Paranormal Wastelands
September 21 - Taking One Page at a Time
September 22 - Paranormal Wastelands
September 24 - Up All Night Reviews
September 25 -Crazy Four Books
September 26 - The Adventures Within 
September 27 - 

 

 

  *Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*


4 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for having me on Beth!

Mandy said...

Love the tips AL and another great review of Pulled! It's an awesome book!

Mandy

Carrie Butler said...

Great advice, A.L.! :)

Unknown said...

You are welcome back anytime! Loved your book!
Thanks for commenting ladies! Much appreciated!