Paying it forward

This week, I received a lovely bouquet of flowers. It was a heartfelt thanks from another writer. I had shown her how to e-publish her fantasy trilogy, from registering with the e-stores and e-distributors to seeing the finished product for sale online. It was thrilling for her, and for me.

It also took me away from my own writing, and I didn’t mind. Why? It was my chance to pay it forward.

When I started on this publishing journey, with my first Carina novel, On Her Trail, I realized I was going to have to up my game and develop an online presence. Everything from learning about Twitter and Facebook to setting up my own web site. It was daunting, but with the help of my friends, I did it.

Then I decided to start publishing under my own imprint. That was a whole other order of headache. I took in-person and online courses, used Lynda.com, learned about cover design, learned about e-stores and e-distributors… the whole shebang. And that’s before I decided to publish my novels in print. Learning InDesign just about killed me.

But I did it, thanks to a supportive online community and my friend Karen Abrahamson who talked me off the ledge more than once. I have her to thank for the survival of my computer monitor, if not my sanity.

I also got a lot of financial support from the Government of Yukon, which is very supportive of its artists. There are many in-person workshops I couldn’t have attended but for the grants from the Arts Section.

In return for all this financial aid, I’ve held talks to share what I learned with local writers, but I have no idea if I was of any use to anyone. I responded happily to phone calls and emails from writers asking this or that question about the new publishing world. But it seemed like so little in return for all the help I’d received.

Then last year a respected, traditionally-published writer from my community contacted me, asking if I would help him get his memoir out. We spent the next few months working on it. And yes, it took a lot of my time, but I knew he would never have done it alone. He comes from a generation where he simply handed over his manuscript and the publishing house took care of everything. So this was an education for him, and frankly, a lot of fun for both of us.

There is no way I can ever repay all the people who helped me on my journey. But I can help others. Now, I’m no saint. At one point I will say no, regretfully. But for now, it feels right to help others on their own journey. It’s good karma.

How about you? Do you find yourself mentoring other writers? Do you wish there was someone around to help you?

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ON HER TRAIL by Marcelle Dubé

Welcome to Romantic Suspense week at NYUS! *Remember: At the end of the week we're giving away a stack of ebooks (possibly a couple of print books too) to one lucky commentator. The more times you comment, the more times you'll go into the 'hat'. See this post. We'll name the winner on the blog next Monday.*

I hope you'll enjoy the following excerpt.

ON HER TRAIL EXCERPT

Blurb:

After five years of covering seedy Eastern European politics, Laura Thorsen returns to Canada only to run afoul of the mob. When they try to kill her over an explosive exposé, she flees to her secluded childhood home in the Yukon. Little does she know that her estranged mother is also being haunted—by the ghosts of her dead husband and a former lover who disappeared thirty-four years ago.

Their nearest neighbor, Mack Hawkins, is drawn into the action when mobsters track Laura down. Despite her protests, he insists on his own brand of personal protection, and desire soon sparks between them. But in this race for time, will Laura be able to evade those who want her dead and mend her relationship with her mother before it's too late?

WARNING: a teeny tiny bit of strong language

Excerpt:

Laura slid out of the driver side door, keeping as low as she could. Before leaving the cover of the truck, she checked again. Mack was still talking to Hicklin. What could they be talking about? The clerk still had his nose in his pocketbook.

Before she could make a run for the Lexus, reason intruded. If Hicklin found his tires suddenly flat, he would be suspicious. She didn’t want Barney Hicklin suspicious.

With a groan, she leaned her head against the cold metal of the truck. She had to get back inside and hide. It was her only chance.

Another peek revealed both men making their way to the cash register. Mack was gesticulating at Hicklin and Laura finally understood that Mack was giving him directions.

She hoped he had the sense to point him the wrong way.

She slithered back into the pickup and sneaked a look. Hicklin was counting his change. Mack was staring straight at her, his expression blank, as if he was waiting for his turn to pay. But his one free hand, out of sight of Hicklin, was gesturing madly at her, waving her away. He wanted her to leave.

Her heart sinking, Laura turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life and she glanced nervously at the station. Hicklin was still busy with the clerk, who seemed to be having trouble getting the change right. Mack caught her eye and nodded slowly, once. Without giving doubt a chance to settle in, she put the truck in gear and pulled out of the service station as quietly as she could.

Heart thudding madly, she turned onto the highway and glanced in the rearview mirror. Hicklin was just coming out of the service station. He slipped into his car without giving her a glance.

Then the road curved and she lost sight of him.

“Shit,” she said softly. She didn’t know which way Hicklin turned when leaving the station. He might be speeding away from her, or he might be right on her tail. She stepped on the gas, hoping Mack knew what he was doing.

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt. If you'd like to read more, you can find On Her Trail here. (Marcelle)