Guest Post: Behind the Scenes and Advice for Writers by Erin Rhew

I’d like to welcome Erin Rhew to the blog today to promote her fantasy trilogy, The Fulfillment Series (and other things), as part of The Rhew 2 Rhew blog tour. The Fulfillment Series looks like a good investment of your time, I’ll add, be sure to check it out. After you read her post, of course — and enter the drawing.

Also, this was supposed to post this on Monday, and I messed up the posting. I’d like to publicly apologize to Erin for the mess-up. Irresponsible is supposed to by a name, a philosophy of reading, not a description of the guy behind the blog.

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Thank you to H.C. for hosting me today, and thank you to his readers for joining us!! <waves> Today, I’m here to talk about the writing and publication process. I think I have a bit of a unique perspective because I’m a published author, AND I work for a publishing company. PS. Stay tuned to find out about a Rafflecopter giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card!!

People always ask me when I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t really have that “ah-ha” moment. Since I was four and read my first book, I’ve been fascinated with the written word. At four, I also wrote my first poem. My grandparents run a car dealership, and I wrote a little rhyming poem about the cars on their lot. When I received serious accolades for it, the writer in me bloomed. I wrote in middle school and had a whole gaggle of girls who waited not-so-patiently for me to complete a new chapter. In high school, I continued writing and also took up acting, and in college, I continued to do both. After graduation, I ran a theater company, where I both acted and wrote plays. I did that for many, many years, and my novel writing took a back seat. But I eventually returned to my first love and started a novel. In fact, I’m STILL working on that novel. LOL! I’ve finished it, rewritten it, and I’m in the process of rewriting it again. But while that book marinated, another book emerged–three, in fact. And The Fulfillment Series was born. I assembled a group of friends, called the Dream Team, to help keep me on task (ADD and all).

From right to left: Danielle Craver, Dawn Ward, Ginny Hunsberger, and Kim Sharp–I’m kneeling)

I wrote the trilogy in three months (yep!) with the help of my friend, Kim, who required a chapter a day from me. But editing is a much longer, more arduous process, especially if you’re a grammar nerd like I am. Once I’d self-edited, I sent it to beta readers and critique partners, and then I edited it again, I sent out query letters. Rejections came in, lots of them, with a few requests for partials and fulls sprinkled in. And then one day, as I stood in the pet store, it came…the offer! I *may* have jumped up and down and squealed right there in the middle of that pet store. LOL!

And the rest, as they say, is history. All three books of the trilogy have been published, and I’m pleased as punch about it. Now I have to return to my original book…apparently to be my magnum opus!

My first book. Wonderful cover created by Anita at Race-Point!

Publication

I think working at a publication company has a great deal for my writing. I’ve learned a lot about what to do and what not to do just by reading other people’s work and working with the fabulous group of editors we have on staff. The lovely Heather Powell Van Fleet taught me a whole lot about “showing versus telling” and “actions before words.” And I learned a lot from my husband’s editor, Anya Kagan, about the big picture and “talking heads.” For those of you who don’t have the ability to benefit from working in a publishing company, I say this: Talk to other writers and editors. Immerse yourself in the world of writing. Follow Twitter contests like #PitMad and see what storylines are being overdone (you’d be surprised how many are alike).

Here is some of my advice:

1) Edit, edit, edit. (As I write this, I know my post will have an error–LOL!) I’m a HUGE grammar nerd and will spot mistakes in your writing right away. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. If you’re not good with grammar, find a friend who is or hire an editor (but make sure they’re legit). You won’t be sorry.

2) Be friendly and stay “in the know.” Reach out to readers, bloggers, agents, editors, and other authors on social media platforms. Stay informed about what’s going on in the writing world.

3) Decide on your path ahead of time. Think about the publishing options available to you and pursue the one that works best for you and your work. Please don’t submit to small presses and turn down a contract because “you wanted an agent.” If you want an agent, go after agents. Self-publishing, small presses, and traditional publication are all equally valid means of getting your book into the world. But be aware of the potential downfalls of each path: use sound editors for self-publishing, don’t use vanity presses or “fake” agents, etc.

4) Always, always, always better yourself. Even the greatest writers still have stuff to learn. We can all better ourselves and our craft. Be open to suggestions and critiques. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your writing is perfect like it is; you can always improve.

Thanks for hosting me, H.C.! Now I’d like to share a little bit about my books (and my husband’s books) with you and your readers! Hint: Giveaway link coming soon!

For those that don’t know, I’m a young adult fantasy author who is married to adult thriller author, Deek Rhew. Together, we are “the Rhews,” and our street team is the Rhewination!

Deek and Erin– Join the Rhewination! 😉

So, here’s a little bit more about me, Deek, and The Fulfillment Series:

The Prophecy (Fulfillment Series Book 1)

Title: The Prophecy

Author: Erin Rhew

Publisher: BookFish Books

Cover Design: Anita at Race-Point

Available Now! Amazon Buy Link

Synopsis:

Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she’s abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.

Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He’s grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear…not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war?

Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he’s no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction–for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms.

When Nash’s secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.

Erin Rhew is an editor, a running coach, and the author of The Fulfillment Series. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the “Grammar Police.”

A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin now lives in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest with the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) writer Deek Rhew and their “overly fluffy,” patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. She and Deek enjoy reading aloud to one another, running, lifting, boxing, eating chocolate, and writing side-by- side.

For the latest and greatest, visit her web page:

www.ErinRhewBooks.com

About Deek Rhew

Deek lives in a rainy pocket in the Pacific Northwest with the stunning YA author bride, Erin Rhew, and their writing assistant, a fat tabby named Trinity. They enjoy lingering in the mornings, and often late into the night, caught up Erin’s fantastic fantasy worlds of noble princes and knights and entwined in Deek’s dark underworld of the FBI and drug lords.

He and Erin love to share books by reading aloud to one another. In addition, they enjoy spending time with friends, running, boxing, lifting weights, and exploring the little town–with antique shops and bakeries–they call home.

Connect with Deek!

For the latest and greatest, visit his web page:
www.DeekRhewBooks.com

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