Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Christmas Countdown


Well we are coming down to the big date -- most anticipated day of the year, unless you are a new author with a new book release date. This week leading up to holiday break is always a mix of great fun as well as stress.

For stress, we have books that need to go out to the printer and projects that we need to log back in from freelancers before we are out of the office for six business days. I'm currently behind on writing marketing copy for Christmas books for 2007. (Nice to write while in the season, though.)

For fun, there are boxes of treats from customers and authors, lunches with co-workers, and stockings. Editorial, Marketing, and Production (20 people) have done Santa's stockings for at least 3 years now. We all hang a stocking then take turns during the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas break to deliver a goodie to our co-workers' stockings. It is something to anticipate every day. Most gifts have been food, like Ashley's awesome homemade candy. Others have been unique, like Karen's Origami bows. Puts everyone in the holiday mood.

I hope you are gearing up to have a wonderful Christmas that will be full of joy and the true meaning of Christ's birthday.

We will be out of the office Monday, Dec. 25 through Monday, Jan. 1 and hopefully ready to press start on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Though we'll take a break from posting over the holidays, watch for more video clips from sales conference to give you a good laugh in the meantime. (I think I'll stick to my day job.)

A goal I have for 2007 is to attempt to answer some of your questions about writing and publishing through this blog. It would be best if you email your questions to me, since I may miss them in a comment. I'm sure Susan and JoAnne would welcome questions to.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Becky

2 comments:

Mary Connealy said...

Rebecca have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your break. So, you get goodies from authors, huh? I've heard of this. I considered sending you some uniquely Nebraskan thing, but all I could come up with was a Runza(yes, Runza Hut started in Nebraska) and Runzas just mail TERRIBLY. We also invented Kool-Aid, but well, that's not going to spread Christmas cheer like I'd wish.
I did consider a Cornhusker cap, or maybe one of those huge ears of corn our fans wear on their heads. The only reason everyone in the crowd doesn't wear one is, they're pretty expensive (and isn't THAT a sad commentary on our fashion tastes in Nebraska)
If I sent that, I'd expect to see a picture of you, Susan and JoAnne all wearing them, posted on this blog. So be afraid!
God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Becky, I'd like to ask a question on behalf of many on one of my writers loops. But first, let me wish you a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones, and a blessed and prosperous New Year.

Now to our question: Many of us are very confused about the State books vs. the Heartsongs. If we submit a sweet romance set in Texas, Florida or Michigan will it be rejected because those states are taken even though we didn't submit it for a "State" book? How many books per state do you contract each year? Looking at your 'available states' list right now, I see 19 states left but none of our books are set in those states. Could you explain this entire State books vs. regular Heartsongs to us? Are ALL books considered for State books? See how confused we are?
Thanks so much for clarifying.